Juanita Havill is an accomplished author whose prolific body of work includes over thirty children's books. Her writing frequently explores themes of nature and gardening, with her poetry beautifully capturing the essence of the garden world. Havill is recognized for her ability to connect with young readers and is dedicated to fostering new writing talent through her own creative endeavors and teaching.
Winner of the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award, this is the story of a young girl who discovers a hat and a lovely toy dog in the park. She takes the hat immediately to the Lost Property Office, but must struggle with her guilty conscience before she also returns the dog to its rightful owner.
Jamaica was friends with everyone in school—except for Russell. No wonder: Russell was a mean brat. When they had art class, Russell borrowed her markers and spoiled her picture. At recess, he threw sand and chased little kids. Jamaica certainly wasn't sorry to learn that Russell was going to move away. She didn't even want to make a card for him, the way the others in her class were doing. But then something happened to change her mind...
It's wintertime again, and Jamaica has to wear her brother Ossie's hand-me-down boots. She finds herself envious of her friend Brianna's pink boots with the fuzzy cuffs, and Brianna teases her about her ugly, old "boy" boots. But one word brings reconciliation for the two friends.
A young girl's compassion for a starving horse leads to a transformative journey for both of them. Her determination to rescue the animal not only alters his fate but also profoundly impacts her own life, exploring themes of empathy, growth, and the bond between humans and animals.
Jamaica likes the substitute teacher right away. Mrs. Duval is very nice, and she thinks of interesting things for the class to do. When the kids have to hunt for a hidden object, it's Jamaica who solves the clues. She figures out all the answers to the math puzzles, and Mrs. Duval praises her reading, too. But when it's time for the spelling test, Jamaica realizes that she is not prepared. Wanting so badly to please Mrs. Duval, she makes a poor decision. What will Mrs. Duval think of her now? In this new story about a favorite character, Juanita Havill and Anne Sibley O'Brien depict a small but significant crisis with tact and sensitivity.
The story revolves around Berneetha's ambitious dream to establish a community garden, inspiring twelve-year-old Kate Sibley to join her cause. Initially met with skepticism, they gradually gain support from diverse neighbors, including a graffiti artist and a doctor, each contributing their skills to the project. As the garden flourishes, a looming threat emerges with plans for a parking garage on the lot. The narrative explores themes of community, resilience, and the power of collaboration as Kate and Berneetha fight to preserve their dream.