The Right to Play
The Right to Play
When Jane Addams was a little girl, she had a limp that prevented her from running and playing with the other children in her neighborhood. Eventually her condition improved, and she was able to join in the fun and make new friends. But she never forgot what it felt like to be left out. Jane grew up and moved to Chicago to cofound Hull House, a settlement home for immigrant families. There, kids from different countries spent time together while their parents worked. Jane wanted to give the boys and girls in her care a place outside where they could run and play, just as she used to. So she commissioned the first model playground in the US, sparking a nationwide movement to build safe, dedicated spaces for children of all abilities to play.
The Festival of Lights
Celebrate Hanukkah with a diverse collection of poems and stories filled with history, humor, and hope. Cheer on a young baker as he tries to make sufganiyot from a family recipe. Learn about code breakers in England during World War II. Imagine hosting a refugee cousin or finding long-lost relatives. In this anthology, characters make discoveries, connect with family and friends, and mourn loved ones. Encompassing a range of genres and experiences, there’s something for readers of all faiths in the illuminating pages of The Festival of Lights.
Suka’s Farm
Life in 1941 Korea is hard for Aoki and his family. Under colonial rule, many of the country’s resources are being exported to Japan. One night, as Aoki’s hunger keeps him awake, he hears his parents worrying about their dwindling rice supply. Though he’s only a child, Aoki is desperate to help—so desperate that he asks Mr. Suka, a Japanese farmer, for a job. Mr. Suka’s first instinct is to turn the boy away, but he is moved by Aoki’s plea. He teaches Aoki how to care for a herd of goats, and soon what began as an act of charity becomes a genuine friendship that brings them both joy.
Please Be OK
Fiona has always looked up to her big brother, Dylan. But lately, Dylan has stopped spending time with her. He’s always hiding in his room or fighting with Mom and Dad, and sometimes the way he acts makes Fiona feel afraid. As Fiona uncovers the truth behind the changes in her sibling, she’ll also learn to look past his struggles and remember that he’ll always be the Dylan she loves—a big brother who needs help and support from his family to get through a tough time.
Our Congress
When her mom gets elected to the US House of Representatives, Alice can’t help feeling disappointed. She wonders what’s so important about Congress that it would make her mom want to move all the way to Washington, DC. But with the aid of some famous historical figures, helpful government workers, and a ghostly cat, Alice sets off on a once-in-a-lifetime guided tour of the US Capitol that helps her see just how Congress has shaped our nation throughout history, and how it continues to impact life for every American today.
Miso Magic
When the first snowfall of the year reaches the foot of the nearby mountain, Chiyoko wants nothing more than to go there with Papa and build a snowman. But Papa has other plans—there’s miso to be made. Papa, Papa’s papa, and Papa’s papa’s papa were all miso makers, and Chiyoko is proud to learn about her family’s tradition. But miso making is a long process, and the snow isn’t going to last forever. To make something truly special with her Papa, Chiyoko will need the most important ingredient: patience.
Grace Lee Boggs: Gardens of Hope
When Grace Lee Boggs was eight years old, her teacher gave her a copy of The Secret Garden. As a Chinese American, Grace had experienced prejudice, and she wanted to grow a garden of her own that would help people heal from injustice. Grace dedicated her life to fighting for civil, environmental, labor, and women’s rights. In 1992, she and her husband founded Detroit Summer, a multicultural and intergenerational youth program that inspired kids to become leaders in their community. Together with these “solutionaries,” Grace finally created the garden she dreamed about, one that continues to inspire people to make the world a better place for everyone.
Giving Good
It hasn’t been the same since Daddy moved out. When father and son spend time together now, it takes a little while for them to relax in each other’s company. But shared experiences and warm memories keep their bond strong, even when they’re apart. Tonight, they spend their visit working on a model plane. It’s quiet until the father recalls a moment from the previous summer that makes them both laugh. It’s just one of many ways Daddy always giving good.
Get Ready for Halloween
Make your costume and choose your pumpkin. But that’s not all! String outdoor lights, hang up the spiders and bats. But that’s not all! Shop for candy, smile for photos. But that’s not all! Here come your neighbors and friends. Trick or treat!
Carried on the Wind
Starting with a child’s sigh, this story takes readers around the world, from Alaska to Central America to Africa, and all the way back to where their journey began. With facts about nature woven throughout, this poetic depiction of chaos theory—or the butterfly effect—illustrates how everyone and everything in our world is, ultimately, connected.