This author crafts compelling narratives for young readers, teens, and adults, exploring profound themes such as surviving sexual assault and advocating for women's rights. Through a distinctive lyrical style, often employing verse, she delves into the complexities of trauma and resilience. Her work serves as a powerful call for courage, resistance against oppression, and greater diversity within the literary landscape, encouraging readers to find their voice.
Navigating the challenges of middle school, Maggie encounters her new science teacher, Mr. Carlson, who is blind and adjusting to life with a guide dog named Scout. While Scout is eager to assist, Maggie senses that Mr. Carlson is struggling with this transition. Determined to lend a hand, she seeks ways to support both her teacher and Scout, highlighting themes of empathy, friendship, and personal growth in this heartwarming story.
From the author of Speak and Fever, 1793, comes the never-before-told tale of Sarah Josepha Hale, the extraordinary "lady editor" who made Thanksgiving a national holiday! Thanksgiving might have started with a jubilant feast on Plymouth's shore. But by the 1800s America's observance was waning. None of the presidents nor Congress sought to revive the holiday. And so one invincible "lady editor" name Sarah Hale took it upon herself to rewrite the recipe for Thanksgiving as we know it today. This is an inspirational, historical, all-out boisterous tale about perseverance and belief: In 1863 Hale's thirty-five years of petitioning and orations got Abraham Lincoln thinking. He signed the Thanksgiving Proclamation that very year, declaring it a national holiday. This story is a tribute to Hale, her fellow campaigners, and to the amendable government that affords citizens the power to make the world a better place!
Struggling with her choice of career after her cat Mittens' injury, Sunita embarks on an internship at a research lab, only to discover the harsh realities of animal testing. Torn between her passion for animals and the ethical dilemmas of the veterinary field, she seeks a path that allows her to care for animals without causing them harm. This journey explores themes of compassion, ethical responsibility, and the quest for a fulfilling career in animal care.
The arrival of a flock of parrots in Zoe's backyard coincides with her mother's unexpected visit from California, bringing a long-awaited proposal for Zoe to return home. While this seems like a dream come true, Zoe grapples with the emotional complexities of leaving her life in Ambler and her bond with Dr. Mac. The story explores themes of family, belonging, and the challenges of making significant life changes.
Sunita Patel, intelligent and compassionate, faces a critical challenge as a hurricane threatens her community. With Lucy, a diabetic cat with a broken leg, at risk along with her owner, Mrs. Clark, Sunita must summon her courage amidst the chaos of emergency evacuations. The story explores themes of bravery, responsibility, and the bond between humans and animals as Sunita navigates her fears to save Lucy.
We the people of the United States... Almost Lost Thanksgiving Yes. That's right! Way back when "skirts were long and hats were tall" Americans were forgetting Thanksgiving, and nobody seemed to care! Thankfully, Sarah Hale appeared. More steadfast than Plymouth Rock, this lady editor knew the holiday needed saving. But would her recipe for rescue ever convince Congress and the presidents? Join acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson on a journey of a woman and a pen that spanned four decades, the Civil War, and five presidents, all so you could have your turkey and eat it too!
Sunita's dream of having a cat faces challenges as her parents oppose the idea. Discovering a group of feral strays, she believes she can domesticate them despite their reputation as enemies of humans. With the help of Dr. Mac, she aims to heal and vaccinate the cats before reintroducing them to the neighborhood. However, her intentions clash with the neighbors who view the cats as threats. The story explores themes of compassion, community conflict, and the struggle to bridge the gap between humans and animals.
A personal story of the lifelong impact of rape and a call to action in the age of #MeToo and #TimesUp
For many readers, Forge "will be one of the best novels they have ever read" (starred review from Kirkus Reviews) Blistering winds. Bitter cold. And the hope of a new future. In this compelling sequel to Chains, a National Book Award Finalist and winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson shifts perspective from Isabel to Curzon and brings to the page the tale of what it takes for runaway slaves to forge their own paths in a world of obstacles--and in the midst of the American Revolution. The Patriot Army was shaped and strengthened by the desperate circumstances of the Valley Forge winter. This is where Curzon the boy becomes Curzon the young man. In addition to the hardships of soldiering, he lives with the fear of discovery, for he is an escaped slave passing for free. And then there is Isabel, who is also at Valley Forge--against her will. She and Curzon have to sort out the tangled threads of their friendship while figuring out what stands between the two of them and true freedom.
Set in 1776 during the American struggle for independence, this powerful novel follows a girl's quest for freedom in a society where she is seen as property. It was shortlisted for the 2010 Carnegie Award.