What happened to the class hamster? Find out in this Edgar Award–winning mystery story with some “delightfully comic twists” (Kirkus Reviews). When Junior brings home the classroom hamster, Scooty, he decides to build the best hamster tunnel ever. But when Scooty goes missing, all evidence points to Mud. Meanwhile, Mad Mary is missing, too—although her bag and walking stick were found near the highway. When Mary later wakes up in the hospital, she realizes that the Blossoms might just have provided her with the strength she needs to pull her life back together. It’s anything but an ordinary weekend with the Blossoms! Perfect for young dog lovers, this Edgar Award–winning Blossom Family title is a mysterious and touching finale to the bestselling series by Newbery Medal-winning author Betsy Byars.

From a Newbery Medal winner, another high-spirited adventure starring this “gutsy, captivating family” (School Library Journal). It is a time of ups and downs for the Blossoms. Maggie is thrilled to be on the rodeo circuit . . . until she witnesses Mom kissing a handsome stranger. Back at home, the family has weathered the worst flood in the state’s history, and Vern and Michael can’t wait to test their homemade raft down at the flooded Snake Creek. Suddenly, Pap hears screams and runs to the rescue, but a heart attack strikes. As Pap clings to life, the Blossoms must rely on the strength of their family and pull together as never before. The Blossom spirit endures as the family confronts the frailty of human life in Newbery Award–winning author Betsy Byars’s fourth Blossom Family book.

Blossom the piglet, was bullied by piglets in her community, she accidentally found a way to escape, which opened up a new world of adventures. Blossom turned her focus on what makes her happy and this new world of smelling the flowers, fun and laughter, changed her life forever.

Mud, the loyal family dog, is the prime suspect in a weekend mishap in this fifth rollicking adventure featuring Betsy Byars' beloved Blossom family. Winner of the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Juvenile Mystery of 1992; ALA Notable Book for Children; School Library Journal Best Book of the Year. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

“With its cast of . . . spunky, resourceful women, Michaels’ latest is sure to capture the hearts of its readers, even while tickling their funny bones.” —Booklist Gus Hollister owes all his success to his feisty grandmother, Rose, and her two sisters, Iris and Violet. They raised him, sent him to the best schools, and helped him start his own accounting business. Rose even bought the house Gus lives in with his wife, Elaine. Now, Gus stands to lose everything—his home, his car, and his business. Worse, he’s alienated his beloved grandma, who tried to warn him about Elaine’s greedy ways. Heartsick and remorseful, Gus returns to Rose’s Virginia farmhouse. But it won’t be easy to make amends. Yet family and forgiveness go hand in hand, and Gus isn’t giving up. Because no matter how daunting starting over can be, the results can surpass your wildest expectations—especially when the Blossom sisters are in your corner . . . “The Blossom Sisters will take you on quite a journey toward discovering what is important and the value of being trusted. Many of us have been blessed with grandparents and elderly relatives that have enriched our lives in so many ways. You will certainly be richer after meeting these cagey, smart, industrious and loving sisters.” —Fresh Fiction

Author Mary Lunnen is a life coach and writer who works one to one with people helping them gain clarity and focus and achieve their dreams. Mary also runs inspirational workshops, developing the theme of Daring to Blossom: coaching and creativity. "Mary offers a well-rounded service to improve one's body, mind and spirit - a bonus I wasn't expecting from life coaching." "Life coaching with Mary has helped me come to some major decisions." "Mary has a wonderfully gentle style and is well equipped with practical exercises which I found useful." This book gives you the opportunity to try out coaching and creativity exercises, giving you a taster of the work Mary does one to one and in workshops.

The Good Life goes on at El Valero. Find yourself laughing out loud as Chris is instructed by his daughter on local teenage mores; bluffs his way in art history to millionaire Bostonians; is rescued off a snowy peak by the Guardia Civil; and joins an Almond Blossom Appreciation Society. You'll cringe with Chris as he tries his hand at office work in an immigrants' advice centre in Granada, spurred into action by the arrival of four destitute young Moroccans at El Valero. And you'll never see olive oil in quite the same way again... In this sequel to 'Lemons' and 'Parrot', Chris Stewart's optimism and zest for life is as infectious as ever.

Get young readers hooked on some of the best titles in juvenile literature, ranging from humor to mystery to fantasy, with unusual and effective methods like games. Getting students to want to read is one of the greatest challenges facing middle school teachers and librarians. Determining which are the "right books" that can spark a child's mental awakening is also difficult. This book from prolific author Nancy Polette furnishes interesting and fun games to pique students' interest in junior novels that are worth reading—carefully selected titles that will contribute to their educational and emotional growth. Gateway to Reading: 250+ Author Games and Booktalks to Motivate Middle Readers is a powerful tool for luring middle-school students away from the distractions of 21st-century media and introducing them to junior or 'tween novels that they won't be able to put down. By presenting children with a challenge to engage their minds—racing to decode book titles, or using their creativity to come up with titles of their own, for example—students are naturally drawn towards reading these books from well-known children's authors.

Created in consultation with teachers and public librarians, this fantastic collection of 101 ready-to-use book lists provides invaluable help for any educator who plans activities for children that involve using literature. Nancy J. Keane is the author of the award-winning website Booktalks—Quick and Simple (nancykeane.com/booktalks), as well as the creator of the open collaboration wiki ATN Book Lists. With 101 Great, Ready-to-Use Book Lists for Children, she provides another indispensable resource for librarians and teachers. The lists in this book are the result of careful consultation with teachers and public librarians, and from discussions on professional email lists. These indispensable reading lists can be used in many ways—for example, as handouts to teachers as suggested reading, to create book displays, or as display posters in the library. This collection will help educators support the extended reading demands of today's children.