Child Esteem

The clock is ticking for May Li, whose middle-school chess team just earned a victory at the state championship—and with it, a ticket to nationals. What’s even more exciting is that May got an award for being the top female player and a splashy feature in the biggest chess magazine in the country. May should be thrilled. But some of her teammates, including her supposed-to-be-friend Ralph, aren’t too pleased with the attention she’s getting—and they’re even questioning her skills.

Lily, Maddie, and Sasha have always been the perfect friendship trio. But this year, everything is changing. Maddie and Sasha made the elite soccer team, and Lily feels that they’re always leaving her behind. And everyone seems to have secrets now: Maddie, and Sasha, and Lily’s sister, and even Lily herself.

School bully Jake Hunter receives a mysterious email inviting him to join a scheme for world domination. With unlimited power and wealth at his fingertips, how can he resist? But to get it, he has to become an arch-criminal, entangled in a plan that threatens the planet. And that could just be a step too far.

Welcome to "A-Z Alphabet, Astronomy & 'I Am' Affirmations for Kids." This journey combines cosmic exploration with self-empowerment, guiding children through an adventure of learning and affirmation.

Zulaikha hopes. She hopes for peace, now that the Taliban have been driven from Afghanistan; a good relationship with her hard stepmother; and one day even to go to school, or to have her cleft palate fixed. Zulaikha knows all will be provided for her "Inshallah," God willing. Then she meets Meena, who offers to teach her the Afghan poetry she taught her late mother. And the Americans come to her village, promising not just new opportunities and dangers, but surgery to fix her face. These changes could mean a whole new life for Zulaikhabut can she dare to hope they'll come true?

Is anything bothering you? Problems in class or at home? Don't know where to turn for help? Log on to the Worry Website! Type in your worry and wait for the good advice to flow in. At least that's the plan when Mr Speed sets up his super-cool new Worry Website for the class. Holly, Greg, Natasha, and the rest feel that they've got shed loads of worries but, as they find out, sometimes the best advice comes from the most unexpected place.

Starting kindergarten is a big milestone - and the hero of this story is ready to make his mark! He's dressed himself, eaten a pile of pancakes, and can't wait to be part of a whole new kingdom of kids. The day will be jam-packed, but he's up to the challenge, taking new experiences in stride with his infectious enthusiasm! And afterward, he can't wait to tell his proud parents all about his achievements - and then wake up to start another day.

Popular author Sarah Dooley offers this tale in which a 12-year-old girl loses everything. Ember’s family’s trailer has been burned to the ground. Now, with the school year about to start, Ember’s family has no money and no place to live. Ember knows she needs to make a fresh start - but with all that’s happened, is this even possible?

All Dominguita wants to do is read. Especially the books in Spanish that Abuela gave to her just before she moved away. They were classics that Abuela and Dominguita read together, classics her abuela brought with her all the way from Cuba when she was a young girl. It helps Dominguita feel like Abuela’s still there with her. One of her favorites, Don Quixote, tells of a brave knight-errant who tries to do good deeds. Dominguita decides that she, too, will become a knight and do good deeds around her community, creating a grand adventure for her to share with her abuela.

Parkland Middle School is a place the students call Darkland, because no one in it does much to stop the daily harassment of kids by other kids. Three bullied seventh graders use their smarts to get the better of their tormentors by starting an unofficial e-mail forum at school in which they publicize their experiences. Unexpectedly, lots of other kids come forward to confess their similar troubles, and it becomes clear that the problem at their school is bigger than anyone knew.

Feeling anxious about middle school’s academic challenges? Struggling to balance school, friends, and personal interests? If you’re nodding “yes,” you’re not alone. Many middle schoolers face similar struggles, but this guide is here to help. Welcome to the ultimate survival guide for middle schoolers, parents, and educators.

Allie loves everything about volleyball - except hitting. She doesn't think she's good at it, and every time she messes up, her belief in her own abilities dwindles. Finally, she asks for help. Her idol, Nikki, agrees to coach her once a week. If Allie can learn to spike as well as she blocks, she could become one of the team's strongest players.

Every parent dreams of raising confident, resilient children who thrive in any environment. Are your kids facing challenges in developing their self-worth and social skills? Is the pressure of external expectations holding them back from expressing their true potential? Tierra Williams, an advocate for the empowerment of young Black children, has combined her passion for personal development with her expertise in positive psychology to create Positive Affirmations For Black Kids (2 in 1).

Learn all about how to be a leader.

Every parent knows the struggle of wanting to equip their child with the tools to navigate a world filled with challenges. Is your son battling insecurities that hold him back from pursuing his passions? Do you worry that societal pressures are impacting his self-esteem? Tierra Williams, a passionate advocate for empowering young Black boys, understands these challenges and has crafted Positive Affirmations for Black Boys as a beacon of hope and guidance.

Rowan is now the Royal Monster Hunter, and her twin brother, Rhydd, is destined to be king. But her mother's cousin Heward is still determined that his children be the ones to inherit the titles and will stop at nothing to show that Rowan and Rhydd are too immature to properly lead. After the gryphon that Rowan captured in Book One gives birth but then dies, Rowan is left with a baby gryphon she knows she cannot keep. And it grows faster than anyone can imagine....

Buffalo Fluffalo arrives on the scene puffed up with self-importance. Stomping around and raising billows of dust, Buffalo Fluffalo proclaims his superiority to the other creatures—the ram, the prairie dog, and the crow—who just want to be his friend. So Buffalo Fluffalo, who has had enuffalo, heads off to grumble to himself. Suddenly, a rain shower pours down from the clouds and—what’s this? All of his fluffalo is a soggy mess! There Fluffalo stands, a drenched pip-squeak without his disguise.

Selam’s mother mends clothes for a living, treasuring a bag of colorful buttons. Though they can’t afford new clothes, Selam discovers the magic of creativity and perseverance —using extra buttons to decorate old garments and craft tiny accessories to sell. As her beautiful designs attract attention, their humble stand becomes a symbol of hope and determination. A touching story about resilience, ingenuity, and the power of small acts, The Bag of Buttons teaches children about perseverance, creativity, and the importance of resourcefulness .

Deep in the woods, in a rustic cabin, lives an old man and the boy he's raised as his own. This sage old man has taught the boy the power of nature and how to live in it and, more importantly, to respect it. In Fishbone's Song, this boy reminisces about the magic of the man who raised him and the tales that he used to tell - all true, but different each time.

Not taking things personally is book #4 of Mr. Ivan's confidence builder series. Mr. Ivan is a caricature mental well-being expert who teaches children how to manage their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with invaluable learnings in the story.