In this sweet and affirming picture book, two cats discover they don’t need to share a language to become friends.Leonard adores his human. “Stay! Let’s play!” he says when it’s time to leave for work. His human just hears “Meow.” Sometimes Leonard gets lonely. So does Mariposa, who is new in town. Maybe they could keep each other company? “Hello,” says Leonard. “Hola,” says Mariposa. While the friends don’t share a language, they do share adventures. And together they find a place where all cats—and their humans—are welcome.
Susin Nielsen Fernlund Book order
Susin Nielsen's early career in television writing revealed a profound talent for crafting compelling narratives for young audiences. Her novels delve into the intricacies of adolescence with a keen eye for emotional truth, blending humor and insight to explore relatable themes. Nielsen skillfully captures the authentic voices of her characters, creating stories that resonate deeply with young readers. Her distinctive style and empathetic storytelling have established her as a significant voice in contemporary young adult literature.






- 2022
- 2021
Wilbur has spent his teens being bullied and now he's sure he's nothing but a loser: his best friend is 85 years old, and his only talent is playing the triangle in the school band. Things start to look up when a mix-up with the French exchange programme results in Wilbur being assigned a girl to look after, an amazing, sophisticated, beautiful French girl called Charlie. Wilbur is sure he's in love, and his sometime friend Alex has a plan to give Wilbur the makeover that will get Charlie to love him back. But the course of true l'amour never did run smooth.
- 2019
Princess Puffybottom . . . and Darryl
- 32 pages
- 2 hours of reading
The story humorously explores the rivalry between a pampered cat and a mischievous puppy vying for their owner's affection. Award-winning author Susin Nielsen crafts a delightful narrative filled with comedic moments, showcasing the challenges and antics that arise from this unexpected competition for attention.
- 2018
For fans of Wendelin van Draanen and Cynthia Lord, a touching and funny middle-grade story about family, friendship, and growing up when you're one step away from homelessness. Twelve-and-three-quarter-year-old Felix Knutsson has a knack for trivia. His favorite game show is Who What Where When; he even named his gerbil after the host. Felix's mom, Astrid, is loving but can't seem to hold on to a job. So when they get evicted from their latest shabby apartment, they have to move into a van. Astrid swears him to secrecy; he can't tell anyone about their living arrangement, not even Dylan and Winnie, his best friends at his new school. If he does, she warns him, he'll be taken away from her and put in foster care. As their circumstances go from bad to worse, Felix gets a chance to audition for a junior edition of Who What Where When, and he's determined to earn a spot on the show. Winning the cash prize could make everything okay again. But things don't turn out the way he expects. . . . Susin Nielsen deftly combines humor, heartbreak, and hope in this moving story about people who slip through the cracks in society, and about the power of friendship and community to make all the difference.
- 2018
My Messed-Up Life
- 224 pages
- 8 hours of reading
Violet is not impressed with her TV director dad: he's decided to abandon his family in Vancouver to start over with a new younger wife in LA. She needs a new stepfather who is perfect, charming and will show Dad what he's missing: she needs George Clooney, Hollywood superstar.
- 2017
Ever since tragedy struck her family, Petula has learned to see danger everywhere - whether it's crossing the road or eating a poached egg. Petula's determined not to let her guard down, even if this means allowing herself to be ruled by anxiety and grief, and losing her best friend. Then Jacob walks into her therapy group. Strikingly tall and confident, he's survived a different kind of disaster and still come out smiling. At first Petula is repelled by his optimism, yet even she can't deny their chemistry together. But optimism is blind - and so is love. What will happen if Petula gives in to both?
- 2015
We are all made of molecules
- 336 pages
- 12 hours of reading
Meet Stewart. Heâe(tm)s geeky, gifted and sees things a bit differently to most people. His mum has died and he misses her all the more now he and Dad have moved in with Ashley and her mum. Meet Ashley. Sheâe(tm)s popular, cool and sees things very differently to her new family. Her dad has come out and moved out âe" but not far enough. And now she has to live with a freakazoid step-brother. Stewart canâe(tm)t quite fit in at his new school, and Ashley canâe(tm)t quite get used to her totally awkward home, which is now filled with some rather questionable decor. And things are about to get a whole lot more mixed up when these two very different people attract the attention of school hunk Jared. . .
- 2014
The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen
- 272 pages
- 10 hours of reading
Thirteen-year-old wrestling fanatic Henry used to have a normal life. He lives off a diet of pizza, whilst hiding from the comically overbearing neighbours and avoiding being an obvious target for bullies at his new school.
- 2010
Violet navigates the upheaval of her family's move from Vancouver to Los Angeles, grappling with her father's new life choices, including his marriage to a trophy wife, Jennica. As her younger sister struggles with emotional turmoil and their mother flits between relationships, Violet's anger manifests in unpredictable and often humorous ways. The story explores themes of family dynamics, resilience, and the challenges of adolescence amid significant changes.
- 2008
Word Nerd
- 256 pages
- 9 hours of reading
Ambrose Bukowski is a twelve-year-old with a talent for mismatching his clothes, for saying the wrong thing at the worst possible time, and for words. In short, he’s a self-described nerd. Making friends is especially hard because he and his overprotective mother, Irene, have had to move so often. And when bullies at his latest school almost kill him by deliberately slipping a peanut into his sandwich to set off his allergy, it's his mother who has the extreme reaction. From now on, Ambrose has to be home-schooled. Then Ambrose strikes up an unlikely friendship with the landlord's son, Cosmo, an ex-con who's been in prison. They have nothing in common except for Scrabble. But a small deception grows out of control when Ambrose convinces a reluctant Cosmo to take him to a Scrabble club. Could this spell disaster for Ambrose?

