At 17 years of age, Kobe Bryant was one of the first players ever drafted directly from high school into the NBA and was well on his way to becoming one of the most famous basketball players of all time. His incredible talent and pure determination had a profound and lasting impact on the world of basketball, in the U.S. and beyond. But Kobe did not start as a basketball prodigy in the U.S. He spent his childhood in Italy, where soccer reigns and few of his peers played basketball; none of them with his skill and intensity. This story takes Kobe from shooting hoops in a church playground in Rieti to playing for the LA Lakers in the NBA.

Valerie, a 14-year-old girl, is different from her peers, mostly because she is interested in activities that are different than what she is “supposed” to like. She wants to try things that other girls tend to shy away from, for whatever reasons. Tired of feeling limited, Valerie shares her frustrations with her teacher, Mrs. Reid. Inspired by Mrs. Reid's advice, Valerie creates a list of five activities she wants to try. On the way to accomplishing her goals, she faces obstacles and encounters ridicule from her family, boys, and girls. Still, will Valerie learn that there are limits based on gender expectations?

Luc is a young boy obsessed with video games and technology. He is attached to his devices until one day his dad announces that he will be going to Madagascar, Africa, with him for a work trip. Luc, unhappy with having to go on the trip in the first place, is then confronted with an assignment where he has to do an act of kindness. How can he possibly complete the assignment while in another country, without even knowing anyone in Madagascar? Luc and his father embark on a trip full of adventures and discoveries that you don’t want to miss! This graphic novel is 47 pages long, with limited vocabulary and lots of cognates. This engaging story uses simple language and explores the themes of travel, friendship, and the importance of helping others. Written in the present tense with vivid illustrations on every page, Grâce à Madagascar is a compelling and comprehensible novel ideal for novice learners.

Twins Allen and Alanna have been waiting for their next birthday for a LONG time. Not only will they be teenagers (finally!), their parents have promised to take them to the next World Cup wherever it is held. But before the parents make the arrangements for the trip from Valencia, Spain to Doha, Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, the twins are tasked with completing a scavenger hunt to learn more about the region where the tournament is to take place - the first time that a Middle Eastern nation serves as the host country. Allen and Alanna are ardent supporters of Spain’s national team (of course!), and they have been looking forward to this trip for four long years. What will they learn about Qatar, and will this new information affect their enthusiasm about the tournament?

If being in the minority in a particular demographic isn’t already challenging, Yamila discovers a family secret that threatens to derail the success she has encountered thus far at her competitive high school, even given the economic challenges confronted by her and her family. Experience the trials that Yamila faces in contrast to the seemingly carefree life of her best friend, Ashley, as the two characters illustrate their differences all while maintaining their relationship. La niñera is a common story, but one rarely told in accessible Spanish. As a level-two reader, students of Spanish have access to rich vocabulary, a review of the present tense and an introduction to the past tenses in context through a story whose cultural content also presents topics worthy of discussion.

In a small town in the highlands of Guatemala live two men; brothers. Each has a son, both named Pedro. According to the árbol genealógico or family tree, the boys are cousins, but they are also best friends - unlike their fathers who had a falling out over a financial issue some years back. Still, life ambles about slowly as it does in the department of Huehuetenango until an issue cuts through the fabric of the boys’ friendship, a rejection that causes many hard feelings. This new, fraught relationship is tested even more in class, when a new teacher arrives in town to teach their fifth grade class, enlightening all of the 10- and 11-year-olds to the rich history of their people, the Maya. But, this usually boring history class gets real as the boys learn about the Mayan Myth of the Hero Twins. Little do they know, however, that they will unexpectedly play a role in the myth, the underworld, and the rich history that saturates the lands of Guatemala. Some doors are not meant to be opened, and once opened are hard to shut. What adventures will they encounter? What lessons will they learn? Is blood really thicker than water? Who will survive?

Imagine you’re a runner. Imagine you’re a talented runner. Imagine you’re such a talented runner that you receive a scholarship to attend college. Imagine running with so much talent that you qualify for the Olympics. Imagine not being able to compete because you’re not allowed to leave the country where you live. This is a story based on the real-life events of Luis Grijalva, a really talented runner.

Though it is a story that involves travel, it is not typical in any way... After some time living in San Francisco and with many signs indicating as such, Chelsea has a niggling feeling that it is time to leave that city. As an artist and a creative, she finds that life in the bay area is becoming a little stale for her which seems to be affecting not only her art, but also every fiber of her being. So, she decides to build a new lifestyle for herself that will allow her to travel all over the world, practice her art, meet new people and build community with them. And she is going to do it all with her best pal, her motorcycle named The Phoenix. The journey is moving along swimmingly until that one day... Chelsea's new life and lifestyle are almost brought to an abrupt halt when a catastrophic event occurs while she and The Phoenix are riding - alone - in a Mexican desert. Will her trusty companion start again or will Chelsea's vision end before it really has a chance to begin?

Jean is still stunned at the Chambord castle where he recently stumbled upon an inheritance like no other. From the moment he stepped into the castle, Jean was intrigued. He learned that his grandfather was part of one of the most famous chocolate companies in France and now Jean is determined to find out how he can solve the mystery of the missing Chambord Chocolate recipe. Will the small clues that his grandfather left behind help Jean to solve the mystery of the missing recipe? Or will Jean discover other secrets his family has had hidden? Jean sets out to learn more about this missing recipe and the mysterious map he discovers along the way. Will he uncover the truth? And what will he learn about his grandfather?

Leonardo is a Venezuelan engineer who lives and works for a U.S. petroleum company in Florida. He is used to solving problems in his work life. In fact, he is really good at it. He is so good that the company is going to honor him at a special event. But Leonardo’s problem-solving skills are put to the test when he is forced to deal with family issues, both with his son in Florida, and back home in Venezuela where his daughter still lives with her family. In Venezuela Gustavo was a doctor and a prominent member of the community. He and his wife were living a good life with their two boys - at least until the accident. Unable to deal with the loss of his wife and younger son, Gustavo is forced to leave Venezuela behind and start anew with his older son at his parents’ home in Florida. Sad and angry with his new reality in the United States he tries to numb his pain and in doing so, alienates his parents and his son, Samuel. Samuel had just started high school a couple of years ago when his mom and brother died in an accident in Venezuela. Like his father he is still sad and angry, but Samuel always has his music. Rock music. He loves his guitar and how playing it makes him feel: free. As if losing half of his family wasn’t enough of a burden, Samuel also has to contend with the typical teen issues - especially when it comes to relationships. And these relationships, while accepted by both of his grandparents, are the cause of some huge problems between Samuel and his father. How will the men of the Medina family navigate it all?

It’s the start of the school year and everyone knows what that means: fall sports. Martin is a 9th-grader at the local high school who has been waiting for soccer season to start since…well, since he started playing when he was 5 years old. But Martin doesn’t even make the 9th-grade team. But not only has Martin been waiting for this day, but so has his father who is an avid soccer fan. What’s Martin to do? Jamal is equally as excited for the sports season. He loves football more than anything and has been studying the game since elementary school. It’s his senior year so he is hoping for a winning season and maybe even a look from some college scouts. But Jamal may not even get to play if he can’t earn a passing grade in his worst class: Spanish. Jamal has a lot riding on this season in hopes of a scholarship. How will Jamal pass Spanish? Coach Albano is excited for the new season, too. Starting his third year as the head football coach, he’s still the new guy with a lot to prove, but he’s up for the challenge. The team definitely has the talent to make it to the playoffs, but there is not one player who has the skill necessary to kick the ball on special teams. Not one. And if that weren’t enough, Coach’s job is further tested by the director of the Board of Education. Which situation will be tougher for Coach to handle?

Jean is a typical teenager who spends his time playing video games. One day his entire world changes when he and his mother are summoned to Chambord Castle in Central France. Upon their arrival, they find out that Jean has inherited not only the enormous castle but the whole of the famous Chambord Chocolate Company from his grandfather. But an adventure awaits as Jean reads the mysterious letter his grandfather left him, he finds himself on a quest to save his family's company from ruin. With the help of his grandfather's clues, Jean will try to complete the quest in order to gain access to his new fortune, but what secrets will he stumble upon along the way?