New Releases by Carol Fenner

Two African American girls grow into teenagers at the turn of the 20th century (1916-1917). The times are much different than they are today. The older girl''s sister fled the United States to find fame and fortune in another country (like Josephine Baker). She left behind a daughter, and the two girls (one is the other''s niece) each experience different coming of age adventures, according to their temperaments. Bertine, eldest of the pair, is a runner, like her sister. But Alma is a different sort of girl - one who enjoys the dance of life right where she is. This book was written by Carol Fenner over the course of 20 years, but she didn''t finish the final edits before she died. The manuscript presented here has been polished and received final edits by her niece, Claudia Alexander.

Ruddy is disappointed when his parents go on a cruise and he must stay with his fussy grandmother for a whole week, but an unexpected snowstorm reveals a surprising side of Grandmother Silk.

Fifth grader Yolonda is determined to prove that her younger brother is not a slow learner but a true musical genius in this sweet and inspirational Newbery Honor Book. Yolanda is smart, tough, and big for her age. Back in Chicago where they used to live, everyone knew better than to mess with her or her little brother, Andrew. Andrew doesn’t talk very much and he can’t read, but he can create unbelievable music on the old harmonica their father left him. When Yolanda reads the definition of “genius” in the dictionary, she knows it describes Andrew, and she’s determined to convince the world, especially their mother, of Andrew’s gift. Then one day when Yolanda’s back is turned, the unthinkable happens, and the music stops. Now Yolanda’s mission is more important than ever. How can she open people’s eyes to Andrew’s talent and help him find the music again?

Eleven-year-old Ian and his Vietnam veteran father have been homeless for years, but now his father has found a perfect place for them—an abandoned city courthouse with heat, plenty of bathrooms, and lots of exits and entrances. Then, two things happen that threaten Ian’s fragile security: his father disappears, leaving Ian to fend for himself with the survival skills he’s learned through the years, and Ian discovers that a local museum is mounting an exhibition of kites in the courthouse.Suddenly, Ian’s safe hideaway is filled with people—and with extraordinary, beautiful kites that spark Ian’s imagination and draw him out of his shadow existence. Will the kites be Ian’s downfall…or his salvation?

Ian en zijn vader zijn dakloos geworden en proberen een vervallen gerechtsgebouw te kraken zonder dat de gemeente het in de gaten krijgt.

In the first of these three pony stories, Ruth learns that keeping a pony is harder than she''d thought. In the second, Faith battles with her fear of horses as she learns to ride on a farm holiday; and in the third, David discovers that reaching the top as a show-jumper is a bumpy ride.

Yolonda est bien trop grande pour ses onze ans, bien trop grosse et noire de surcroît. Mais malheur à qui se moque d''elle : elle met si bien les rieurs de son côté qu''une fille de sa classe, la traite de génie. Un génie ? Qu''en dit le dictionnaire ? Yolonda tombe de haut. Il paraît que le " génie authentique réorganise des éléments existants en une forme que personne n''a encore vue ou entendue ". Elle en est bien capable, mais ô stupeur, c''est ce que fait son petit frère Andrew quand il joue de son inséparable harmonica. Et on le traite de débile parce qu''il ne sait pas lire à six ans ! C''est trop injuste, il a seulement besoin d''un maître pour génie ! Alors Yolonda se jure de consacrer toute son astuce, toute son obstination, toute son énergie à faire reconnaître le génie d''Andrew. Mais comment ?

Nach einer Schiesserei und Drogenfällen in der Schule beschliesst Yolandas Mutter, Chicago zu verlassen. Yolanda (11) tut sich schwer, sich in der Provinz einzuleben. Es gelingt ihr, das aussergewöhnliche musikalische Talent ihres kleinen Bruders an den richtigen Mann zu bringen.

After moving from Chicago to Grand River, Michigan, fifth grader Yolonda, big and strong for her age, determines to prove that her younger brother is not a slow learner but a true musical genius.

With her Uncle''s encouragement a nine-year-old takes the first step toward realizing her dream of becoming a figure skater.

Artistically talented but socially underprivileged, a fifth-grade boy has built a wall of defense to protect himself from the pain of human relationships--a wall which begins to crumble when a dynamic and compassionate classmate decides to interfere in his life.

Ten-year-old Faith has just one problem with learning to ride during her summer on a horse farm: horses terrify her. As Faith struggles to overcome her fear, she discovers new strengths in herself.

With her Uncle''s encouragement a nine-year-old takes the first step toward realizing her dream of becoming a figure skater.

Describes the birth and youth of a male gorilla in the East African highlands and his subsequent experiences living in a zoo.