Wish (Various)

From the author of Meow or Never and Starting From Scratch, a story about friendship, anxiety, and internet culture. Nova doesn't lie -- she tells hopes for the future. That's why she tells her mom she got an A on her math quiz, even though she got a B. It's also why she doesn't tell her mom about her secret Instagram that she's almost old enough to have. When a viral video of her cat pushes her into the popular crowd, and next to her crush, Lily, Nova tells even more "hopes for the future" to try to fit in. The more lies she tells, the more everything spins out of control! Nova wants to come clean…but will it mean losing everything? Jazz Taylor is a writer, receptionist, and huge cat fan, and the author of Meow or Never. She loves watching cooking shows (despite being unable to make anything more difficult than ramen noodles). She lives with her hilarious grandmother in Alabama.

Avery Williams can sing, but that doesn't mean she can sing in front of people. She likes to stay backstage at her new school, which is where, to her surprise, she finds a cat tucked away into a nook. Avery names the stray Phantom and visits any time she's feeling stressed (which is a lot these days). As she sings to Phantom one day, her crush, Nic, overhears her and ropes Avery into auditioning for the school's musical. Despite her nerves, Avery lands the lead role! She knows she should be excited, but mostly Avery is terrified. Can Phantom help her through her stage fright? And what will happen if anyone finds out about her secret pet?

This charming, heartfelt second novel by GABY, LOST AND FOUND author Angela Cervantes asks an all-important question: is winning top prize worth losing a friend? Allie Velasco wants to be a trailblazer.A trendsetter.A winner.No better feeling exists in the world than stepping to the top of a winner's podium and hoisting a trophy high in the air. At least, that's what Allie thinks . . . she's never actually won anything before. Everyone in her family is special in some way -- her younger sister is a rising TV star; her brother is a soccer prodigy; her great-grandfather is a Congressional Medal of Honor winner.With a family like this, Allie knows she has to make her mark or risk being left behind. She's determined to add a shiny medal, blue ribbon, or beautiful trophy to her family's award shelf. When a prestigious school contest is announced, Allie has the perfect opportunity to take first -- at last. There's just one small snag . . . her biggest competition is also her ex-best friend, Sara. Can Allie take top prize and win back a friend -- or is she destined to lose it all? Praise for Allie, First at Last: "A sweet middle-grade read that promotes compassion and empathy over competitiveness." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review "Laced with Mexican-American language and culture, this realistic drama is filled with gentle humor, big lessons, and even bigger heart." -- Publishers Weekly Praise for Gaby, Lost and Found: "A timely, touching and nuanced portrayal of real-life challenges experienced by children in mixed-status families."-- Kirkus Reviews "An emotionally compelling story." – School Library Journal "A timely and important story about immigration, deportation, and abandonment wrapped in a warm-hearted tale that will appeal to all." -- Sonia Manzano, Emmy Award-winning actress who plays "Maria" on Sesame Street and Pura Belpre Honor Award-winning author of The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano. Angela Cervantes is a poet, storyteller, and animal lover. Her poetry and short stories have appeared in various publications, and she has written the novels Gaby, Lost and Found and Allie, First at Last. When Angela is not writing, she enjoys hanging out with her husband in Kansas and eating fish tacos every chance she gets. Keep up with Angela at angelacervantes.com. Mrs. Wendy walks toward the blackboard. "Look, I've written the Trailblazer contest guidelines here." She points out each rule. "All creative work must be unpublished. One submission per student. First-place winner gets a trophy and two hundred dollars." The entire classroom gasps. Now everyone's hands are up with questions. Sara and Hayley squeal back and forth at each other, "Two hundred dollars! OMG! Shopping spree!" Grace turns to me, excited and red-faced. "Are you going to do it now? You totally should." I nod. I need that first prize for my family's awards shelf. Luckily, I've got the perfect trailblazer in mind. That shiny trophy, engraved with the words Alyssa Velasco, First-Place Winner is going to be mine. Praise for Allie, First at Last:"A sweet middle-grade read that promotes compassion and empathy over competitiveness." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review"Laced with Mexican-American language and culture, this realistic drama is filled with gentle humor, big lessons, and even bigger heart." -- Publishers WeeklyPraise for Gaby, Lost and Found:"A timely, touching and nuanced portrayal of real-life challenges experienced bychildren in mixed-status families."-- Kirkus Reviews"An emotionally compelling story." – School Library Journal"A timely and important story about immigration, deportation, and abandonmentwrapped in a warm-hearted tale that will appeal to all." -- Sonia Manzano, EmmyAward-winning actress who plays "Maria" on Sesame Street and Pura Belpre HonorAward-winning author of The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano.

To some kids, Amelia's life sounds like the ultimate fantasy. She and her brothers are homeschooled by their adventurous parents, and the family travels around the country in an RV, scaling mountains, rappelling down canyons, and skiing down double black diamond slopes. There's just one problem-Amelia hates every minute of it. She's terrified of heights and would give anything to be reading instead of careening down a mountain. She's also desperate for the chance to attend a regular school and make real friends. So when her parents decide to spend a year in Colorado, Amelia's delighted by the chance to settle down. However, starting at a conventional school is much harder than Amelia imagined, and her anxiety makes meeting new friends extra challenging. Everything about her feels wrong, from her clothes to her hobbies to her complete lack of pop culture knowledge. So when Amelia's given the chance to volunteer at an alpaca ranch, she's delighted by the chance to do something she's good at-take care of animals. And soon, the alpacas and their owners start to feel like real friends. But when a cruel classmate's prank puts the alpacas in mortal peril, Amelia will have to summon strength she never knew she possessed to save the only place that's ever felt like home.

From the author of Meow or Never, a story about blended families, anxiety, and how a fresh start can be just what you need... even when you least expect it. Janie believes there's a best way to do everything. When she sticks to a schedule, she and her mom can tackle anything. But Janie's perfect schedule -- and her life -- are getting shaken up this year. Her new stepmom, Keisha, is moving in, along with her daughter, Makayla. Worst of all? Makayla brings a cat with her. And Janie hates cats. Even though it's hard, Janie tries to welcome Makayla to her new school. And honestly, she maybe does too good a job. Soon, Makayla is volunteering with Janie's beloved Sunshine Club, and Janie's friends all love her. The only one who pays any attention to her anymore is Makayla's nosy cat. It feels like her new sister is taking over! What's a gal to do with a copycat in her life? Jazz Taylor is a writer, receptionist, and huge cat fan, and the author of Meow or Never. She loves watching cooking shows (despite being unable to make anything more difficult than ramen noodles). She lives with her hilarious grandmother in Alabama.

When Sam comes home one day to find two mystery pugs left on her porch, she's sure it's destiny. She's always wanted a dog of her own, even though her parents say that their catering business keeps the family too busy for a pet - let alone two! But Sam has to take in the sweet, abandoned pups ... at least until their real owners turn up. Only, she's not quite prepared for how hard it is to wrangle two frisky dogs, especially when she sneaks them into the parties her parents cater. Thankfully, cute new boy in town, Jai, whose dad works at the same events, is on hand to help when the pugs start wreaking havoc. Sam and Jai are also determined to find just where the pugs came from, and they start posting about the pups online. But if they solve the mystery, and the dogs' owner does come forward, will Sam have to give up the pugs she's fallen in love with?

She's the only one who knows what it's like to be the only one. When Claire's best friend, Bess, moves away, she becomes the only girl left in her entire school. At first, she thinks she'll be able to deal with this -- after all, the girls' bathroom is now completely hers, so she can turn it into her own private headquarters and draw on the walls. When it comes to soccer games or sailing races, she can face off against any boy. The problem is that her other best friend, Henry, has begun to ignore her. And Webby, a super-annoying bully, won't leave her alone. And Yucky Gilbert, the boy who has a crush on her, also won't leave her alone.It's never easy being the only one -- and over the course of a wacky school year, Claire is going to have to make it through challenges big and small. The boys may think they rule the school, but when it comes to thinking on your feet, Claire's got them outnumbered. Praise for The Secret Tree: "A captivating story about the mysteries of summertime and friendship." -- Rebecca Stead, author of When You Reach Me* "The intimate neighborhood setting -- with its mysteries, superstitions, and traditions -- the authenticity of Minty's voice, and her worries about the transitioning nature of her life and friendships give Standiford's story a richness that will stay with readers." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review"Captivating . . . takes its rightful place in the now classic genre of 'neighborhood kids' that began with Beverly Cleary." -- The New York Times Book Review"A charming and mysterious story of friendship, growing up, and keeping secrets." -- BooklistA New York Times Notable BookA Junior Library Guild SelectionPraise for Switched at Birthday: "A characteristically insightful tale that affirms the importance of true friendship and self-acceptance." --Kirkus Reviews "Standiford makes a statement about self-identity and empathy without moralizing. The magic and humor of the situations combine to create an enjoyable story." --School Library Journal Natalie Standiford is the author of How to Say Good-Bye in Robot, Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters, The Secret Tree, The Boy on the Bridge, and Switched at Birthday. She is originally from Maryland, but now lives in New York City and plays in the all-YA-author band Tiger Beat. Praise for The Secret Tree: "A captivating story about the mysteries of summertime and friendship." -- Rebecca Stead, author of When You Reach Me* "The intimate neighborhood setting -- with its mysteries, superstitions, and traditions -- the authenticity of Minty's voice, and her worries about the transitioning nature of her life and friendships give Standiford's story a richness that will stay with readers." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review"Captivating . . . takes its rightful place in the now classic genre of 'neighborhood kids' that began with Beverly Cleary." -- The New York Times Book Review"A charming and mysterious story of friendship, growing up, and keeping secrets." -- BooklistA New York Times Notable BookA Junior Library Guild SelectionPraise for Switched at Birthday: "A characteristically insightful tale that affirms the importance of true friendship and self-acceptance." --Kirkus Reviews "Standiford makes a statement about self-identity and empathy without moralizing. The magic and humor of the situations combine to create an enjoyable story." --School Library Journal

From middle-grade darling Anna Staniszewski comes the story of a girl who might just have being popular down to a science. Lily loves science and hanging out with her best friend, Katie. But after a really embarrassing incident, she jumps at the chance to switch schools. She's ready to start over. With the scientific process, anything is possible! After a summer spent coming up with theories and prepping for the switch, Lily starts her new school as Blake, a popular girl with a cool name, ready to climb the social ladder. But every hypothesis has its flaws, and Blake will have to adjust her experiment as she adjusts to her new classmates. And when Katie suddenly shows up in Blake's world, things get messy. Who's got the winning formula: Blake or Lily? Praise for Once Upon a Cruise:"An action-packed week with a bit of real-life fairy tale and a taste of happily ever after thrown in for good measure. Tweens, especially those with a fairy tale fetish, will devour Ainsley's story." -- Children's Literature"As always, Staniszewski provides a deft mix of comedy and sensitive, deeper themes, making her book not only entertaining, but one that offers wisdom. She knows where to mine the humor from middle school life but does not sacrifice her characterizations for easy laughs. Light -- but not lightweight -- fun for preteens." -- Kirkus Reviews"Confidently addressing a number of common tween troubles that include bullying, parental divorce, and peer pressure, Staniszewski introduces a determined eighth-grader desperate to get her separated parents back together in this humorous problem novel." -- Publishers Weekly Praise for Once Upon a Cruise:"An action-packed week with a bit of real-life fairy tale and a taste of happily ever after thrown in for good measure. Tweens, especially those with a fairy tale fetish, will devour Ainsley's story." -- Children's Literature"As always, Staniszewski provides a deft mix of comedy and sensitive, deeper themes, making her book not only entertaining, but one that offers wisdom. She knows where to mine the humor from middle school life but does not sacrifice her characterizations for easy laughs. Light -- but not lightweight -- fun for preteens." -- Kirkus Reviews"Confidently addressing a number of common tween troubles that include bullying, parental divorce, and peer pressure, Staniszewski introduces a determined eighth-grader desperate to get her separated parents back together in this humorous problem novel." -- Publishers Weekly

Caroling, cocoa, wintry fun, and a sweet romance make this perfect for the WISH line! It will pub in November just in time for the holidays, alongside REVENGE OF THE ANGELS. Charlie's moment to shine has arrived: She's determined to land a solo in this year's holiday concert. With her best friend, Renee, and smart, cute Eric in chorus with her, this winter promises to be pitch-perfect.Until disaster strikes. The concert is suddenly in danger of being canceled. And Charlie has to partner up with annoying, oh-so-perfect Matthew. If they can't work in harmony, Charlie's favorite time of year will be ruined. Will she be able to save the show from a blizzard of problems -- and figure out who makes her heart sing? Natalie Blitt is the author of Carols and Crushes and the young adult novel The Distance from A to Z. Originally from Canada, she now lives in the Chicago area with her husband and three sons, where she works at an education think tank. You can visit her online at natalieblitt.com. The three of us head into the chorus room. I don't look at Renee, but I'm positive she's grinning at me. I cough to disguise the nervous laughter that's bubbling up. Mr. McHenry is in the room waiting for us. I feel more nervous than ever. "Thank you all for your patience," Mr. McHenry starts when we're all seated. "I've spoken with Mrs. Hamilton and she was happy to hear your plan, Charlie. The concert is back on!"OMG.There's mass pandemonium. Or at least as mass as you can get with sixteen kids. They cheer and clap. There are some thumps on my back, but I don't turn around. Instead, I stare dumbfounded at Mr. McHenry.I saved the holiday concert. I saved the holiday concert."But she made a few changes," Mr. McHenry says, his voice rising over the din. "The concert will proceed without any solos. You can practice the selected songs on your own, and Mrs. Hamilton will come in to officially rehearse with you all the week before the concert."The color drains from my face. No solos? Then it's just another group concert. And yes, I love singing as a group, but . . . but my dream . . .My dream to finally stand out from the crowd. To have the audience -– my parents -– really see me, in the spotlight.

Puppy love has never been so complicated! Cecilia Murray has been wishing for a dog for as long as she can remember. And when a cute pug named Potato is brought in to Orphan Paws, the shelter where she volunteers, she knows he is the dog she's been waiting for. There's just one problem: Eric Chung -- a popular, arrogant boy from school -- adopts Potato first. What's worse, he hopes to train the little tater to become a show-dog superstar. Cecilia knows that Potato is not cut out for a life of sparkly collars and snobby judges, so she sets out to sabotage Eric's plans. But the more time Cecilia spends with Potato and Eric, the more she questions everything she thought she knew about dog shows ... and a certain cute show-dog trainer. Can Cecilia save Potato -- while also listening to her heart? Praise for Sit, Stay, Love:"This is a feel-good novel for youngsters that works, even for those who aren't enamored of dogs. Themes of family, friendship, and first love are gently explored in this novel filled with humor and tenderness." -- Booklist"The story is as light and sweet as the cotton candy Cecilia's new buddy Lily adores, and a gentle take on puppy love of all varieties." -- Virginian Pilot J.J. Howard is the author of Sit, Stay, Love; Pugs and Kisses; Pugs in a Blanket; The Love Pug; and That Time I Joined the Circus. She teaches English in Florida, where she lives with one very spoiled miniature dachshund named Willow. Visit J.J. online at jjhowardbooks.com. Praise for Sit, Stay, Love:"This is a feel-good novel for youngsters that works, even for those who aren't enamored of dogs. Themes of family, friendship, and first love are gently explored in this novel filled with humor and tenderness." -- Booklist"The story is as light and sweet as the cotton candy Cecilia's new buddy Lily adores, and a gentle take on puppy love of all varieties." -- Virginian Pilot

Let the good times roll with this rom-com about sushi rolls, secret crushes, and a summer spent chasing your dreams! Susannah Mikami dreams of becoming a famous sushi chef like her dad. And this summer, she plans to learn everything about his traditional kitchen. Only he refuses to teach her, and won't tell her why. Is it because he doesn't want her to embarrass him in front of the documentary crew filming at his restaurant? Or worse, because she's a girl? Either way, Sana decides he's not the only one who can keep secrets. So when she meets Koji, a cute boy who wants to help her cook up some trouble in the kitchen -- and film online tutorials to show the world her mad skills -- Sana is all in. But sneaking around means lying to her parents, something Sana's never done before. Can she take the heat, or will she get out of the kitchen for good? "A delightful middle school rom-com that will leave readers hungry." -- Kirkus Reviews Praise for Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai: *"Florence offers a tightly written narrative that is as fearless as it is balanced, diving into complicated feelings of distrust and isolation while still offering glimmers of friendship and hope." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review "A worthy inheritor of the teen romance tradition, and it comes right on time." - NPR Praise for Keep It Together, Keiko Carter: "Sweet and smart." -- Kirkus Reviews "This is the book I wish I could take back in time and give to my tween self." -- Christina Soontornvat, Newbery Honor-winning author of A Wish in the Dark Debbi Michiko Florence is the author of Keep It Together, Keiko Carter, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and New England Book Award finalist, Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai, and the Jasmine Toguchi chapter books. A third-generation Japanese American and native Californian, Debbi lives in Connecticut with her husband, rescue dog, and rabbit. Visit her online at debbimichikoflorence.com.

Vanesa Campos can't wait for winter vacation. Skiing on the slopes, sipping hot cocoa . . . her week at Pinecloud Lodge promises to be cozy and perfect. And maybe she can make some new friends! Never mind that glamorous Beck writes off Vanesa right away; twins Emma and Eric are ready to join the fun out in the snow. But when the flakes start falling, everything changes. Vanesa's little brother, Hunter, might be stranded out in the blizzard! Vanesa will have to team up with all the kids -- plus one giant dog -- to rescue him. Can she save her brother and discover which real friends will weather the storm with her?

When Natalia Flores finds a lost cat with a litter of newborn kittens, she is desperate to keep one of them. Whether or not her mami says yes to a new pet, the rest of the kitties will need homes- and Natalia has the purrfect plan. With help from her friend Reuben, Natalia starts an anonymous online account to find each cat the right owner. But as her classmates apply, her matchmaking scheme gets more complicated. And when her former best friend Meera applies for a kitten, Natalia doesn't know what to do. Will her attempt to spread kindness help heal their friendship, or simply tear her and Meera further apart?

Sometimes family, friends, and boys are flavors that just don't mix. A delightful tale of first love ... and macarons! When Lise Santos stumbles into a bakery's midnight taste test, she meets a supercute boy. He's as sweet as the macarons they share, and Lise is totally smitten. She's pretty sure he is, too -- but they never get a chance to exchange names. Now Lise has to find him again....When Lise finally discovers who her mystery guy is, he's not at all what she expected -- and suddenly they don't get along anymore! Things become even more complicated when her friend Viv starts to express interest in him. Now Lise's head and heart are all in a jumble. Can she gather the courage to admit her true feelings ... or is this a recipe for total disaster? Suzanne Nelson has written several children's books, including Cake Pop Crush, Macarons at Midnight, Hot Cocoa Hearts, You're Bacon Me Crazy, Donut Go Breaking My Heart, Sundae My Prince Will Come, Shake It Off, Pumpkin Spice Up Your Life, and A Tale Magnolious. She lives with her family in Ridgefield, Connecticut, where she can also be found experimenting with all kinds of cooking. Learn more about Suzanne at suzannenelson.com.

Can Lety find her voice before it's too late? Lety Muñoz's first language is Spanish, and she likes to take her time putting her words together. She loves volunteering at the animal shelter because the dogs and cats there don't care if she can't always find the right words. When the shelter needs a volunteer to write animal profiles, Lety jumps at the chance. But classmate Hunter also wants to write profiles-so he devises a competition to determine the official shelter scribe. Whoever gets their animals adopted the fastest wins. Lety agrees, but she's worried that if the shelter finds out about the contest, they'll kick her out of the volunteer program. Then she'll never be able to adopt Spike, her favorite dog at the shelter!

Scrumptious recipes... a family secret... and one smart cookie ready for a challenge! Mina is excited to start her mentorship at A Batch Made in Heaven, the bakery in her hometown that's famous for their inventive cookies. Mina dreams of becoming a baker herself someday. But there's a problem. Flynn, the (undeniably cute) son of the owner, won't let Mina into the kitchen: the top secret Cookie Vault. If Mina can't bake, then she can't enter the big cookie competition... and if she can't enter, she'll never win the money to help her dad open the restaurant he's always wanted. What secret is Flynn hiding? And will Mina's entire plan crumble like an overbaked cookie, or can she find a way to help her family and her heart? Praise for You're Bacon Me Crazy: "Nelson crafts a breezy, food-focused read that teaches valuable lessons about working hard for the things and people you love... Readers will enjoy the age-appropriate romance, and there are enough character development, humor, and bacon references to keep them entertained." -- School Library Journal Praise for You're Bacon Me Crazy: "Nelson crafts a breezy, food-focused read that teaches valuable lessons about working hard for the things and people you love... Readers will enjoy the age-appropriate romance, and there are enough character development, humor, and bacon references to keep them entertained." -- School Library Journal

From Alpaca My Bags author Jenny Goebel comes another heartwarming tale of friendship, loyalty, and finding your voice. Twelve-year-old Grace is desperate for a puppy. All she wants is someone to love - and to love her back. Someone who won't disappear on her like her dad did. Someone who'll make her new stepfather's house feel like home. Christmas morning, Grace springs out of bed hopeful that her dreams are about to come true. But the present that awaits her isn't soft and furry. It doesn't have padded paws. And instead of a dark, wet nose, there's a flat, pink nose instead. It's not a puppy at all - it's a PIG. Grace tries to make the best of the situation. She names the pig Bernard and dutifully learns how to care for him. But spending time with him is nothing like being with a dog. Bernard is awful at playing fetch and walking on a leash - in fact, he's all around terrible at doing the things Grace dreamed of doing with a pet. But when a good friend lands in the hospital, Grace discovers that Bernard might have a special talent for making sick people feel better and that his calling might be as a certified therapy animal. Grace loves the idea of visiting patients with Bernard and bringing a smile to their faces during an otherwise tough time. But can Grace convince her skeptical family to get on board? Or will she and Bernard both end up out in the cold? Jenny Goebel is the author of Grave Images, The 39 Clues: Mission Hurricane, and Fortune Falls. She lives in Denver with her husband and three sons.

Nadine and Daniel have been best friends pretty much since birth. While she has her music rehearsals and he has his snowboarding, the two of them always make time to meet up at the Snug Mug, where Daniel works, for their catch-ups over pumpkin spice lattes. But their daily routine is shaken up when a new girl, Kiya, starts at their school. Daniel falls head over heels for Kiya the second he sees her. Which would be fine ... if Nadine hadn't recently realized she might be falling for Daniel herself. Nadine knows she has to find the courage to tell Daniel how she feels, but what if she's already lost her chance?

A modern-day matchmaking story! Clara Martinez knows what it takes to make a good match. So when her school assigns a project to create a business, Clara starts a matchmaking service. But things get complicated when Clara starts receiving mysterious notes and sweet gifts in her locker. Clara has a secret admirer! But she has no clue who it could be... Despite being a love expert for her friends, Clara's a total novice when it comes to her own love life, and truth be told, it all sort of scares her. Can Cupid Clara gather the courage to fall in crush?

Nacho average foodie WISH book! Mónica Mancillas explores themes of family, food, and identity wrapped up in a sweet, commercial title. Dulce doesn't want to spend the summer helping at her family's restaurant, but with the business needing all the help it can get, she doesn't have a choice. Julian doesn't want to be in California. But his food vloger parents have relocated the family as part of an attempt to keep their marriage going, so he doesn't have a choice, either. When the two literally crash into each other, it's so not the beginning of a beautiful friendship. But as they're both forced to enroll in a cooking class together and slowly get to know each other, things get heated, and not just the tacos!

A heartwarming and authentic immigration story about a stray dog, the power of music, and celebrating old traditions along with new beginnings. María Emilia's life turns upside-down when she and her family immigrate from Argentina to the US. How can she make new friends when simply speaking English all day is exhausting? Luckily, she has the company of a stray dog in the neighborhood, who happens to look and act just like her beloved pet cat back home. Eventually, it turns out the pup isn't a stray after all -- she belongs to María Emilia's new neighbor, Donovan. In order to spend more time with the dog (who totally isn't her reincarnated cat... right?), she agrees to sing in Donovan's band. But can Emilia find her new voice without losing herself?

In the tradition of Because of Winn-Dixie comes a charming story of a tomboy in love with the most popular boy in school. 6th-grader Jessie Lou is deeply, madly, passionately in love with Conrad Parker Smith. Too bad she's a tomboy with only one on-again, off-again friend, and hair so short you can't spit on it. Too bad he's the most popular boy in their small-town school. But then Conrad hurts his leg and suddenly can't keep up with his old pursuits anymore. Jessie Lou and Conrad start spending a lot more time together, but she can't help wonder -- is she just a substitute friend? And will Conrad forget her when his leg brace comes off and he's king of the school once again? "Sixth-grader Jesse Lou is consumed by thoughts of popular Conrad Smith, but in the small Virginia town where they live, Conrad is popular, while tomboy Jesse Lou has only "maybe-when-I-feel-like-it" friends. At the beginning of the school year, Conrad starts wearing a leg brace, which translates into loss of his considerable popularity and gives Jesse Lou an opening. Soon she, Conrad, and quirky fourth-grader Quentin Duster become a triumverate involved in an outlandish plot to save Bailey Hardware from competition from a "big box" store. Meanwhile, refreshingly honest Jesse Lou hopes that Conrad keeps limping. This is an ode to love in many forms. Jessie Lou has loved Conrad since second grade, and she learns someone has been in love with her, as well. There is also a sweet relationship between Jessie Lou and her grandfather, who knows how to turn a Southern phrase, and between Granddaddy and his daughter, Jessie Lou's mama. Jessie Lou tells her tale with the strong, rough-edged purity of a young poet, which she is; equally strong are the story's underpinnings, longing and laughter, and a willingness to believe in something despite the facts, which tangibly manifests itself in a field of flowers that were never supposed to bloom." -- Booklist, starred review"Sweet and winning." -- Kirkus Reviews Phoebe Stone is the beloved and acclaimed author of several novels for middle grade, including The Romeo and Juliet Code, which was hailed by the Boston Globe as "quite simply the best novel for young readers . . . since Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." She received four starred reviews for The Boy on Cinnamon Street, and another star for her novel Deep Down Popular. Booklist awarded a starred review to Romeo Blue, the follow-up to The Romeo and Juliet Code, calling it "compelling, and with plenty of heart and soul." Phoebe and her husband live in Middlebury, Vermont. "Sixth-grader Jesse Lou is consumed by thoughts of popular Conrad Smith, but in the small Virginia town where they live, Conrad is popular, while tomboy Jesse Lou has only "maybe-when-I-feel-like-it" friends. At the beginning of the school year, Conrad starts wearing a leg brace, which translates into loss of his considerable popularity and gives Jesse Lou an opening. Soon she, Conrad, and quirky fourth-grader Quentin Duster become a triumverate involved in an outlandish plot to save Bailey Hardware from competition from a "big box" store. Meanwhile, refreshingly honest Jesse Lou hopes that Conrad keeps limping. This is an ode to love in many forms. Jessie Lou has loved Conrad since second grade, and she learns someone has been in love with her, as well. There is also a sweet relationship between Jessie Lou and her grandfather, who knows how to turn a Southern phrase, and between Granddaddy and his daughter, Jessie Lou's mama. Jessie Lou tells her tale with the strong, rough-edged purity of a young poet, which she is; equally strong are the story's underpinnings, longing and laughter, and a willingness to believe in something despite the facts, which tangibly manifests itself in a field of flowers that were never supposed to bloom." -- Booklist, starred review"Sweet and winning." -- Kirkus Reviews

A slice-of-life rom-com about pizza and first crushes that readers will gobble up! Maya Reynolds has grown up hanging out in her family's Brooklyn pizza shop, Soul Slice, and is a true NYC girl. But when, her parents have an opportunity to expand the business and move to a small Pennsylvania town, everything changes. At Soul Slice 2.0, Maya's assigned pizza delivery duty. And though, Maya knows pizza, she's never delivered before. Her first delivery is a disaster. Can you make a worse impression than slipping and falling... right into a rude boy's pizza order? And, that same rude and cute, boy, Justin, shows up in Maya's English class the next day. Ugh! Things are off to a rocky start in this new town. But, could Justin, along with some new friends and inventive pizza toppings, eventually turn Maya's new home into her own slice of heaven?

What if your birthday wish turned you into someone else? Lavender and Scarlet are nothing alike. Scarlet is tall, pretty, and popular -- the star of the soccer team and the queen of the school. Lavender is . . . well, none of these things. Her friends aren't considered cool, her hair is considered less than uncool, and her performance at the recent talent show is something nobody will ever forget -- even though she really, really wants it to be forgotten. There's only one thing Lavender and Scarlet know for sure they have in common: the same birthday.They've never had parties together. They've never swapped presents. But this year, because of two wishes that turned all too true, they are about to swap something much bigger than presents. Because the morning after their birthdays, Lavender is going to wake up in Scarlet's body . . . and Scarlet is going to wake up in Lavender's. But in order to change back, they're going to have to figure out how to be someone completely opposite of who they ordinarily are . . . Praise for THE SECRET TREE: "A captivating story about the mysteries of summertime and friendship." - Rebecca Stead, author of WHEN YOU REACH ME* "The intimate neighborhood setting - with its mysteries, superstitions, and traditions - the authenticity of Minty's voice, and her worries about the transitioning nature of her life and friendships give Standiford's story a richness that will stay with readers." - PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, starred review"Captivating . . . takes its rightful place in the now classic genre of 'neighborhood kids' that began with Beverly Cleary." - THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW"A charming and mysterious story of friendship, growing up, and keeping secrets." - BOOKLISTPraise for HOW TO SAY GOOD-BYE IN ROBOT:* "Bea's original first-person voice will draw readers in, and the unexpected plot will keep them engaged. A decidedly purposeful not-love story, this has all the makings of a cult hit with a flavor similar to Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower." -- KIRKUS REVIEWS, starred review* "An honest and complex depiction of a meaningful platonic friendship and doesn't gloss over troubling issues. . . . Teens will identify with the intense emotions of Beatrice and Jonas, the reasons they are drawn to each other, and the ups and downs of their relationship. . . . Outstanding" -- SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, starred review Natalie Standiford is the author of How to Say Good-Bye in Robot, Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters, The Secret Tree, The Boy on the Bridge, and Switched at Birthday. She is originally from Maryland, but now lives in New York City and plays in the all-YA-author band Tiger Beat. Praise for THE SECRET TREE: "A captivating story about the mysteries of summertime and friendship." - Rebecca Stead, author of WHEN YOU REACH ME* "The intimate neighborhood setting - with its mysteries, superstitions, and traditions - the authenticity of Minty's voice, and her worries about the transitioning nature of her life and friendships give Standiford's story a richness that will stay with readers." - PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, starred review"Captivating . . . takes its rightful place in the now classic genre of 'neighborhood kids' that began with Beverly Cleary." - THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW"A charming and mysterious story of friendship, growing up, and keeping secrets." - BOOKLISTPraise for HOW TO SAY GOOD-BYE IN ROBOT:* "Bea's original first-person voice will draw readers in, and the unexpected plot will keep them engaged. A decidedly purposeful not-love story, this has all the makings of a cult hit with a flavor similar to Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower." -- KIRKUS REVIEWS, starred review* "An honest and complex depiction of a meaningful platonic friendship and doesn't gloss over troubling issues. . . . Teens will identify with the intense emotions of Beatrice and Jonas, the reasons they are drawn to each other, and the ups and downs of their rela

Dacey Culpepper Biel comes from a long line of pie bakers. Her family's shop, Pies N' Prattle, is legendary in her small Texas town. But Dacey didn't inherit a gift for baking. Her pies always end up as messy or burnt disasters. Even worse? Business has been slow lately, and Dacey wishes she could do something to help. Then opportunity knocks: A popular TV show wants to feature the shop! But that means Dacey will have to spend time with Chayton Freedel, her arch-rival and the cute son of the show's host. And when clues arise about a long-hidden family recipe, life at the shop may never be the same. With a sprinkling of luck and some Southern charm, will Dacey be able to find the recipe, work alongside Chayton ... and save her family's legacy?

Twelve-year-old Ella has everything she needs to take seventh grade by storm, from the perfect outfit to the perfect new best friend. She's still not 100% sure why cool, confident Morgan has chosen Ella to be her newest sidekick, but Ella is flattered by the attention, even if it means giving up some of the things she's always loved, like fantasy novels ... and her former best friend, Sophie. Ella feels a little guilty about ditching Sophie, but middle school is no laughing matter, and Ella knows that it'll be safer in popular Morgan's shadow than by Sophie's side. But life as Morgan's best friend is trickier than Ella imagined. Everything has to be perfect, from their "on brand" selfies to the videos they record of them singing. And the more demanding Morgan becomes, the more Ella starts to wonder if she made the right choice. But Sophie already has a new best friend, leaving Ella feeling more alone and out of place than ever. So when Ella discovers a new activity that she's really good at - a hopelessly dorky sport that Morgan has forbidden her from pursuing, Ella has to ask herself what matters more: popularity ... or staying true to herself? But does she even know who she really is without loyal Sophie by her side?

Ana Ramos may not have a dog of her own, but she does get to walk her neighbor's adorable pug, Osito. One day, at the park, Osito befriends another pug, Pancake, whose owner just happens to be a cute new boy named Calvin. When Calvin assumes that Osito belongs to Ana, she doesn't correct him. No big deal, right? Ana doesn't realize the trouble she has unleashed until Calvin shows up at her school. Calvin suggests setting up play dates for the two pugs, and Ana can't bring herself to admit that Osito isn't hers. In fact, her fibs keep multiplying! Will Ana fess up and figure out how she feels about Calvin before her white lies catch up to her?

Printz Honor and bestselling author Carolyn Mackler brings honesty and charm to this story of a friendship between two girls. Meet Hannah. Her name is a palindrome. Her birthday is on New Year's. She wishes she had a cat. She's medium height and a little awkward. Her life has NOT been fun lately -- her dad and stepmom are having a baby and, worst of all, her best friend next door just moved away. Now a new girl is here, taking over her best friend's bedroom . . . and her own identity.Meet Emme. Her name is a palindrome. Her birthday is on New Year's. She loves her enormous orange cat. She's so short that last week she was mistaken for a kindergartner. She's found moving hard . . . but at least there's the girl next door, Hannah. Maybe they'll become friends?While Hannah and Emme are alike in so many ways, they're also different in some wrong ways, too. Is this the perfect friendship . . . or a recipe for disaster?From award-winning writer Carolyn Mackler comes a funny, smart story about finding out who your best friends are, in good times and bad. Praise for Best Friend Next Door:"[Mackler] gives a spot-on portrayal of the ups and downs of young friendships." -- Kirkus Reviews"[Mackler] insightfully portrays the complexities of friendship and adapting to change... An engaging, supportive read." -- Booklist"Charming." -- School Library Journal Carolyn Mackler is the author of the popular teen novels, The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things (A Michael L. Printz Honor Book); Tangled; Guyaholic; Vegan Virgin Valentine; and Love and Other Four-Letter Words. Carolyn's most recent novel, The Future of Us, cowritten with bestselling author Jay Asher, has received starred reviews, and the film rights have been sold to Warner Brothers. Best Friend Next Door is her first novel for a younger audience. Praise for Best Friend Next Door:"[Mackler] gives a spot-on portrayal of the ups and downs of young friendships." -- Kirkus Reviews"[Mackler] insightfully portrays the complexities of friendship and adapting to change... An engaging, supportive read." -- Booklist"Charming." -- School Library Journal

Bria Muller is stuck on her aunt and uncle's dairy farm for the summer, and she is not happy about it. Milking cows alongside her cousins Wren and Luke? No thanks. The one thing she's good at is mixing up milk shakes in the creamery. Instead of their usual vanilla, she starts crafting towering, over-the-top shakes like the ones she loved sipping back home in Chicago. Wren, and most of the customers, aren't impressed. Everyone seems to think Bria is just a snobby city girl. There is one person who appreciates the sweet, cold treats: Gabe, her cousins' cute friend who helps out on the farm. But with the family business in danger of being sold, can Bria's shakes make a difference ... and will she ever fit into country life?

From middle-grade darling Anna Staniszewski comes the story of a girl who might just have friendship down to a science. Friendship? Just add science ... LB messed up. Even though her best friend, Kat, says she's forgiven her for that whole using-science-to-make-herself-popular thing, things are still pretty weird between them. Then the bully from their old school, Courtenay, shows up - pretending to be nice! Worst of all, Kat seems to ... like Courtenay? Just when she thought things were getting back to normal, LB's friendships are more confusing than ever! She needs a new hypothesis, and fast, to revamp her relationship with Kat before Courtenay can ruin everything again. Sure, LB has never seen a superhero movie or drawn a comic, and LB has definitely never done roller derby before - but if Kat likes those things, why not try? As she steps out of her comfort zone and into Kat's, LB discovers a world of new adventures. Maybe her first experiment started this mess, but her second plan is sure to fix it! Will her two wrongs make a right?

Wanted: One amazing forever home for one amazing sixth grader. "My name is Gaby, and I'm looking for a home where I can invite my best friend over and have a warm breakfast a couple of times a week. Having the newest cell phone or fancy clothes isn't important, but I'd like to have a cat that I can talk to when I'm home alone." Gaby Ramirez Howard loves volunteering at the local animal shelter. She plays with the kittens, helps to obedience train the dogs, and writes adoption advertisements so that the strays who live there can find their forever homes: places where they'll be loved and cared for, no matter what. Gaby has been feeling like a bit of a stray herself, lately. Her mother has recently been deported to Honduras and Gaby is stuck living with her inattentive dad. She's confident that her mom will come home soon so that they can adopt Gaby's favorite shelter cat together. When the cat's original owners turn up at the shelter, however, Gaby worries that her plans for the perfect family are about to fall apart. Praise for GABY, LOST AND FOUND:"A tender debut that is heartbreaking and heartwarming." --Diana Lopez, author of Confetti Girl Angela Cervantes is a poet, storyteller, and animal lover. Her poetry and short stories have appeared in various publications, and she has written the novels Gaby, Lost and Found and Allie, First at Last. When Angela is not writing, she enjoys hanging out with her husband in Kansas and eating fish tacos every chance she gets. Keep up with Angela at angelacervantes.com. As soon as the bus parked at St. Ann's, Yolanda and Alma were the first off. The parking lot was mostly empty. School had let out 15 minutes ago. Alma's mother waved from the car window. Yolanda slid into the back seat, while Alma took the front seat.Yolanda smiled at Alma through the passenger mirror, but Alma ignored her. If it wasn't for Alma, Yolanda was sure that she'd be in Sister Joan's office or what was also known as the "dungeon" right now trying to explain how a cat got into her book bag. Yolanda unzipped the bag to give Feather some air. Suddenly, Feather's paw shot out from the bag and batted around as if it wanted to smack some sense into Yolanda. It worked. Yolanda blinked a few times. Was there really a cat–a full-grown cat–in her book bag? The evidence was there in the navy blue shreds of her sweater. Suddenly, she felt hot all over. She pulled off her torn cardigan. How was she going to take care of Feather? How was she going to keep her hidden from her father? How was she going to fix her sweater? Praise for GABY, LOST AND FOUND:"A tender debut that is heartbreaking and heartwarming." --Diana Lopez, author of Confetti Girl

Sometimes friends, school, and boys can be a recipe for disaster! This sweet treat of a read is irresistible. Alicia Ramirez has always loved baking. Her family owns Say It With Flour, the small bakery in town. And Ali's specialties are cake pops: delicious confections on a stick. But Ali's sweet life turns sour when a sleek coffee shop opens across the street, giving her bakery a run for its money. Worst of all, the owner's son, Dane McGuire, likes to bake, too. He's the new kid in Ali's school ... and happens to be annoyingly cute.When Dane and Ali engage in a bake-off to prove who is the cake-pop master, it's Ali's chance to save Say It With Flour. But will she be able to rise to occasion ... and ignore what her heart might be telling her? Suzanne Nelson has written several children's books, including Cake Pop Crush, Macarons at Midnight, Hot Cocoa Hearts, You're Bacon Me Crazy, Donut Go Breaking My Heart, Sundae My Prince Will Come, Shake It Off, Pumpkin Spice Up Your Life, and A Tale Magnolious. She lives with her family in Ridgefield, Connecticut, where she can also be found experimenting with all kinds of cooking. Learn more about Suzanne at suzannenelson.com.

The best part of Kat's day is getting to walk her neighbor's irresistible pug, Meatball. So when her parents insist she start an extracurricular this year, she makes her own, by turning her hobby into a business: a dog-walking business, that is. She and her best friends, Taz and Lucy, as well as the cute new boy, Declan, try to get Four Paws Dog Walking into shape. But wrangling puppies and pleasing customers turns out to be harder than they thought! Can Kat keep taking care of the dogs she loves without hurting her friendships?

A funny, fractured fairy tale (sort of) from the author of the beloved Dirt Diaries series! Ainsley never wanted to spend her summer on a fairy tale cruise--especially since, instead of lounging by the pool, she's running around the ship doing favor after favor for her cruise director mom. Things aren't all bad--it's good to see her mom acting confident again after the divorce, and she's learning a lot about obscure German fairy tales and how to fold towels into entertaining shapes for little kids (um, yay?). There's also a guy who's super cute, even in a dorky dwarf costume--if only Ainsley could get Prince Handsome to stop babbling about himself long enough for her to say more than 'hi' to the cute dwarf!But once the cruise starts, things start to go wrong: the laundry turns pink, the kitchen runs out of food, the guy playing the Pig King is always in Ainsley's hair, and her mom expects her to be in a hundred places all at once. Is this fairy tale cruise under a wicked curse? Or can Ainsley stand up for herself and make the cruise end happily ever after? Praise for Anna Staniszewski:"Another appealing series that promises more goofball humor blended with the real issues of early adolescence." -- Booklist"As always, Staniszewski provides a deft mix of comedy and sensitive, deeper themes, making her book not only entertaining, but one that offers wisdom. She knows where to mine the humor from middle school life but does not sacrifice her characterizations for easy laughs. Light-but not lightweight-fun for preteens." -- Kirkus Reviews"Confidently addressing a number of common tween troubles that include bullying, parental divorce, and peer pressure, Staniszewski introduces a determined eighth-grader desperate to get her separated parents back together in this humorous problem novel." -- Publishers Weekly Born in Poland and raised in the United States, Anna Staniszewski grew up loving stories in both Polish and English. She was a Writer-in-Residence at the Boston Public Library and a winner of the PEN New England Susan P. Bloom Discovery Award. Anna lives outside of Boston, Massachusetts, and teaches at Simmons College. When she's not writing, Anna spends her time reading, eating chocolate, and challenging unicorns to games of hopscotch. You can visit her at annastan.com. Praise for Anna Staniszewski:"Another appealing series that promises more goofball humor blended with the real issues of early adolescence." -- Booklist"As always, Staniszewski provides a deft mix of comedy and sensitive, deeper themes, making her book not only entertaining, but one that offers wisdom. She knows where to mine the humor from middle school life but does not sacrifice her characterizations for easy laughs. Light-but not lightweight-fun for preteens." -- Kirkus Reviews"Confidently addressing a number of common tween troubles that include bullying, parental divorce, and peer pressure, Staniszewski introduces a determined eighth-grader desperate to get her separated parents back together in this humorous problem novel." -- Publishers Weekly

Emma's pug, Cupid, has a hidden talent: He is a master at matchmaking! Her pet seems to have a nose for spotting which two people belong together. With the big school dance coming up, Emma decides to use Cupid's powers to find her best friend, Hallie, a date. But as Emma tries to navigate crushes and secrets, she finds that things are a lot more complicated than they seem. And what if Cupid also has a surprising match in mind ... for Emma herself?

Mia can't wait for the Winter Festival - it's what her hometown, Flurry, Vermont, is famous for. Plus, maybe she can work up the courage to show the cute new boy, Yoshi, how much fun snowball fights can be. There's just one problem: the weather forecast isn't predicting a single snowflake before the big day. And what's the Winter Festival without snow? Canceling the festival would spell disaster for the local businesses, including the cozy inn that Mia's family runs. With the town in chaos, Mia is suddenly at odds with Yoshi and with her best friend, Lark. Can Mia save the festival in time ... or is she in for a wintry mix of troubles?