Child Friendship

Marianne Blume knows she’s one of the stupid kids. After years of trying and trying and feeling like she's always failing, she has mastered the art of turning off her brain whenever questions or lectures arise. She gets by in school on a combination of luck, deflection, and charisma–that is, until she lands in the classroom of Mr. Garcia. To avoid flunking Mr. Garcia's class, Marianne joins her school's Quiz Quest team, hoping the move will ingratiate her to him, the team's coach.

The adventures of Ivy and Bean continue in the latest installment from series creators Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall. In Ivy and Bean Take Care of the Babysitter, the two girls hatch a plan to prove that Bean's big sister is the world's worst babysitter. Of course plans go awry, but fun ensues!

Twelve-year-old thieves Arthur and Wally are determined to steal their way up the ranks of the notorious Black Feathers gang. With loan sharks chasing after Arthur’s father and Wally’s brother’s hospital bill due, they’re in need of serious cash. Fast. When Arthur spots some wealthy strangers exiting a seemingly deserted mansion, he smells an opportunity for a big score. Little do the boys realize, they’ve stumbled upon Weirdwood Manor, the headquarters of a magical order who protect the Balance between the Real and Imaginary worlds.

In this seventh madcap entry from Jim Benton’s New York Times best-selling series, pint-sized Franny K. Stein has the perfect solution for getting elected class president - the mad science way. In the privacy of her laboratory, Franny combines the DNA of a dog, a chameleon and a parrot to create the Frandidate—a candidate who says and does exactly what appeals to her classmates. But just as the Frandidate is poised to win the election, something goes terribly wrong.

This book is an Early Reader version of Anne of Green Gables, adapted directly from the original edition for 7 to 11-year-olds, with 12-point type, 1.15-inch line spacing, and a font chosen for enhanced readability (283 pages). Also available from Thrive! Books is the original for adults and children 12+. After a recent visit to Cavendish on Prince Edward Island, the real-life inspiration for the fictional Avonlea created by Lucy Maud Montgomery, it’s impossible not to be moved by the beauty of the countryside and imagine yourself in the settings described in her book. My wife pointed out...

Abilene Tucker feels abandoned. Her father has put her on a train, sending her off to live with an old friend for the summer while he works a railroad job. Armed only with a few possessions and her list of universals, Abilene jumps off the train in Manifest, Kansas, aiming to learn about the boy her father once was. Having heard stories about Manifest, Abilene is disappointed to find that it's just a dried-up, worn-out old town. But her disappointment quickly turns to excitement when she discovers a hidden cigar box full of mementos.

From the New York Times best-selling creator of the Vanderbeekers series comes a triumphant tale of friendship, healing, and the power of believing in ourselves told from the perspective of biracial sixth-graders June and Tyrell, two children living in a homeless shelter. As their friendship grows over a shared love of classical music, June and Tyrell confront a new housing policy that puts homeless families in danger.

From New York Times best-selling authors Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski comes the young listeners' edition of an unbelievable memoir about an unlikely friendship that forever changed the lives of a busy sales executive and a hungry 11-year-old boy. On one rainy afternoon, on a crowded New York City street corner, eleven-year-old Maurice met Laura. Maurice asked Laura for spare change because he was hungry, and something made Laura stop and ask Maurice if she could take him to lunch.

Rosemary Thorpe has always been a bit different. She has the uncanny and unfortunate ability to foresee people’s deaths, which tends to land her in hot water. Well, not actual hot water—where it lands her is a place between worlds called Fern’s School for Wayward Fae, where Rosemary learns that her powers come from being part fae. At Fern's School, Rosemary meets others who are part fae—including Trym, her banshee roommate whose screams can kill, and Essie, a djinn who grants wishes. But just as Rosemary settles in, a student vanishes in thin air.

A catastrophic tornado struck Joplin, Missouri, in 2011. It was part of a larger tornado outbreak in the spring of that year and reached a maximum width of nearly one mile during its path through the southern part of the city, killing 158 people, and injuring over 1,000. It caused damages amounting to $2.8 billion, making it the costliest single tornado in US history. Lauren will bring her signature intensity to this distinctly American natural disaster, placing a young boy in the middle of one of the deadliest tornadoes to strike the United States since 1947.

Springtime has arrived at Silverlake Forest! Buds are blooming on trees and the air smells of honeysuckles. Sophie Mouse can't wait to go back to school after the long winter break. But she and her friends are in for a surprise when they learn that they're getting a new classmate . . . and he's a snake! The animals have only heard about snakes in scary stories. Will Sophie overcome her fears and befriend Owen, the snake? Or are the rumors true, after all?

A classic, coming of age novel from award-winning author Judy Blume about the bonds that form between children when a Black family moves into an all White neighborhood. Iggie’s House just wasn’t the same. Iggie was gone, moved to Tokyo. And there was Winnie, cracking her gum on Grove Street, where she’d always lived, with no more best friend and two weeks left of summer. Then the Garber family moved into Iggie’s house - two boys, Glenn and Herbie, and Tina, their little sister. The Garbers were Black and Grove Street was White and always had been.

Sheldon convinces Lucy, Sam, April, and Amanda to join him at a weeklong sleepaway summer camp - Camp Paleo: Live Like a Caveman. Like cavemen, they're going to have to make do without air-conditioning or a heated pool. They'll learn archery and dig for fossils. And Grandma's coming, too; she's taking a job as lunch lady for the camp next door.

Good ol' Ribsy's ever-curious mind has always gotten him into trouble, but this time he may have gone too far. After a comical turn of events, Ribsy finds himself in the wrong station wagon with the wrong children. Ribsy will do anything to find Henry, but there's plenty of excitement to be had along the way - and scoring a touchdown for a local high school team is only part of the fun!

Layla loves playing basketball, especially with her best friend, Danika. Now, after spending most of the summer getting ready for tryouts, Layla is eager to move from substitute player to becoming one of the starting five. When tryouts finally arrive, Layla not only makes the main roster but she’s also chosen to be the team captain. All of her friends and teammates are excited for her. All, that is, except Danika who is jealous of her friend’s success. Layla soon discovers that being both team captain and best friends with Danika is no easy task.

Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, are itchy. Not because of fleas, but because it is hot, they’re bored, and they’re out of orangesicles. So when their neighbor, Mrs. Teaberry, suggests a sightseeing cruise, they’re excited about an adventure. The boat makes them feel free! Plus they get orangesicles! But when it’s time to go home, there’s a little problem with Mrs. Teaberry’s good dog, Zeke. The nineteenth Mr. Putter & Tabby book has all the sly, sweet humor that has made the series a huge success.

King, Kayla, Mason, and Asia are playing in the snow. Later, Asia discovers her new gold ring is missing. What happened to it? What does Kayla know? 1. Asia’s ring is missing. 2. It was on her finger when she came over. 3. It’s not in the cushions, on the table, in the drain, or outside. What does King know? There’s a crow outside. Crows like shiny things. How will they solve the mystery?

Three lonely riverside dwellers - a boy, a firefly, and a cricket - are all trying to make sense of unexpected changes in their world. Each has a secret dream, but each finds himself trapped. Becoming friends brings them happiness and solidarity, but more changes are in store. Each character stands up to his greatest fear, and, in doing so, finds his greatest strength.

In this delightful tale by Newbery Award winner Cynthia Rylant, Mr. Putter doesn't share Mrs. Teaberry's enthusiasm for a class on 100 ways to cook beans. And yet - finding it hard to say no to his kind friend - he attends the class with her anyhow, expecting to be bored.

What if your best friend was a unicorn? This bundle includes books five to eight of this magical series, where everyone is paired with their very own unicorn. At Unicorn Academy, every student gets their own beautiful unicorn! Each unicorn has a special kind of magic. Some can fly, some turn invisible, and some can even create fire! To discover their powers, unicorns must bond with their student. Friendship is the key to the magic of Unicorn Island. Meet four magical best friendships in this collection!