Most Popular Books by Kate Messner

"A picture book celebration of the act of exploring--and sharing--a book"--

Told in letters, poems, text messages, news stories, and comics--a series of documents Nora collects for the Wolf Creek Community Time Capsule Project--Breakout is a thrilling story that will leave readers thinking about who''s really welcome in the places we call home. Nora Tucker is looking forward to summer vacation in Wolf Creek--two months of swimming, popsicles, and brushing up on her journalism skills for the school paper. But when two inmates break out of the town''s maximum security prison, everything changes. Doors are locked, helicopters fly over the woods, and police patrol the school grounds. Everyone is on edge, and fear brings out the worst in some people Nora has known her whole life. Even if the inmates are caught, she worries that home might never feel the same. A Mighty Girl Best Book of the Year

Help your child explore their creativity with this ten-step guide to writing a story. Step 1: Choose an idea for your story. A good one. Step 2: Decide on a setting. Don’t be afraid to mix things up. Step 3: Create a heroine—or a hero. Now: Begin. Accomplished storytellers Kate Messner and Mark Siegel playfully chronicle the process of becoming a writer in this fun follow-up to How to Read a Story, guiding young storytellers through the joys and challenges of the writing process. From choosing an idea, to creating a problem for their character to resolve, to coming to The End, this empowering picture book breaks down the writing process in a dynamic and accessible way, encouraging kids to explore their own creativity—and share their stories with others! Praise for How to Write a Story “That muse of fire isn’t going to ascend all by herself, so Messner and Siegel, in their follow-up to How to Read a Story, walk readers through 10 steps of literary creation, starting with ‘search for an idea’ and ending with ‘share your story’. . . . Readers new to writing should find this accessible volume a smart choice to get the creative writing juices flowing.” —Publishers Weekly “A lovely encouragement to young writers to persist.” —Kirkus Reviews

In this gorgeous companion to the acclaimed Over and Under the Snow and Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal bring to life a secret underwater world. In this book, readers will discover the plants and animals that make up the rich, interconnected ecosystem of a mountain pond. Over the pond, the water is a mirror, reflecting the sky. But under the pond is a hidden world of minnows darting, beavers diving, tadpoles growing. These and many other secrets are waiting to be discovered...over and under the pond.

Jaden''s summer visit with her meteorologist father, who has just returned from spending four years in Russia conducting weather experiments not permitted in the United States, fills her with apprehension and fear as she discovers that living at her father''s planned community, Placid Meadows, is anything but placid.

"[A] deftly layered mystery about family, friendship, and the struggle to speak up." - Laurie Halse Anderson, bestselling author of Speak and Shout From acclaimed author Kate Messner comes the powerful story of a young girl with the courage to make her voice heard, set against the backdrop of a summertime mystery. When Mia moves to Vermont the summer after seventh grade, she''s recovering from the broken arm she got falling off a balance beam. And packed away in the moving boxes under her clothes and gymnastics trophies is a secret she''d rather forget. Mia''s change in scenery brings day camp, new friends, and time with her beloved grandmother. But Gram is convinced someone is trying to destroy her cricket farm. Is it sabotage or is Gram''s thinking impaired from the stroke she suffered months ago? Mia and her friends set out to investigate, but can they uncover the truth in time to save Gram''s farm? And will that discovery empower Mia to confront the secret she''s been hiding--and find the courage she never knew she had? In a compelling story rich with friendship, science, and summer fun, a girl finds her voice while navigating the joys and challenges of growing up.

Four kids . . . Two weeks in the Florida Everglades . . . One top-secret science experiment that could change them and the world as they know it . . . Meet football-star Quentin, hockey-player Sarah, horse-lover Ben, and artistic bird-watcher Cat. The four have little in common-except the head injuries that landed them in an elite brainscience center in the wild swamps of Florida. The clinic promises to return their lives to normal, but as days pass, the kids notice strange side effects and unexplained changes. Something about this clinic isn''t right, and if they can''t overcome their injuries--and their differences--to escape, they could lose themselves forever. . . .

"A charming, moving, funny, and ultimately very surprising story." --Wendy Mass, New York Times bestselling author of 11 Birthdays What if your pencil were MAGICAL? When Ava Anderson finds an old blue pencil in her family''s junk drawer, it doesn''t seem like anything special. But then she writes a question in the margin of her math quiz, and she hears a voice loud and clear--one that nobody else can hear--and it tells her the answer! With the help of her best friend, Sophie, Ava sees that having a magical, all-knowing pencil can be very handy in middle school. But as Ava''s reliance on the pencil grows, the truths it reveals about herself and her family lead Ava on an adventure she never expected.

Kate Messner dazzles readers with another magical middle grade novel perfect for fans of Lisa Graff or Wendy Mass.

An instant New York Times and USA Today bestseller! Bestselling and award-winning author Kate Messner takes readers on a heart-filling journey as a boy finds his path to healing. One summer. 46 mountain peaks. A second chance to make things right. Finn Connelly is nothing like his dad, a star athlete and firefighter hero who always ran toward danger until he died two years ago. Finn is about to fail seventh grade and has never made headlines . . . until now. Caught on camera vandalizing a cemetery, he''s in big trouble for knocking down some dead old lady''s headstone. Turns out that grave belongs to a legendary local mountain climber, and her daughter makes Finn an unusual offer: she''ll drop all the charges if he agrees to climb all forty-six Adirondack High Peaks in a single summer. And there''s just one more thing--he has to bring along the dead woman''s dog. In a wild three months of misadventures, mountain mud, and unexpected mentors, Finn begins to find his way on the trails. At the top of each peak, he can see for miles and slowly begins to understand more about himself and his dad. But the mountains don''t care about any of that, and as the clock ticks down to September, they have more surprises in store. Finn''s final summit challenge may be more than even a hero can face.

In order to teach writing effectively, teachers must be writers themselves. They must experience the same uncertainty of starting a new draft and then struggling to revise. As they learn to move past the fear of failure, they discover the nervous rush and exhilaration of sharing work with an audience, just as their students do. Only by engaging in the real work of writing can teachers become part of the writing community they dream of creating for their students. Kate Messner''s new book, 59 Reasons to Write, shows teachers and librarians who teach writing how to be stronger role models for their students. Writing for my students provided me with appropriate mentor texts to share,- she writes. Writing with my students made me a mentor and a far better teacher.- 59 Reasons to Write grew out of Messner''s popular online summer writing camp, Teachers Write. Throughout the book she offers mini-lessons, writing prompts, and bursts of inspiration designed to get you writing every day, whether on your own or as part of a group. Dozens of guest authors also share their writing processes and secrets, from brainstorming ideas and organizing research to developing characters and getting unstuck from writer''s block. 59 Reasons to Write is for anyone who has always wanted to write but never managed to get into the habit. Daily warm-ups will help you flex your writing muscles and energize your teaching. As Messner shares, One of the greatest gifts of writing is the way it nudges us to look more closely not only at the world but also at ourselves.

Gianna has to complete her leaf project soon if she wants to compete in the upcoming cross-country sectionals, but procrastination, disorganization, and her grandmother''s declining health seem destined to keep her from finishing.

Three kids get caught up in an adventure of historic proportions!Anna, José, and Henry are complete strangers with more in common than they realize. Snowed in together at a chaotic Washington D.C. airport, they encounter a mysterious tattooed man, a flamboyant politician, and a rambunctious poodle named for an ancient king. Even stranger, news stations everywhere have announced that the famous flag that inspired "The Star-Spangled Banner" has been stolen! Anna, certain that the culprits must be snowed in too, recruits Henry and José to help catch the thieves and bring them to justice. But when accusations start flying, they soon realize there''s more than justice at stake. As the snow starts clearing, Anna, José, and Henry find themselves in a race against time (and the weather!) to prevent the loss of an American treasure.

In this middle grade historical adventure, a dog times travels to the middle ages and reunites a family after a volcano eruption in Viking-era Iceland. Ranger, the time-traveling golden retriever, has landed in Viking age Iceland, where he meets a girl named Helga, who seems perfectly able to take care of herself—until a volcano erupts just as Helga’s new sibling is about to be born! Together Ranger and Helga to journey through the ash and smoke to find her father and bring him home in time.

Three friends venture into the Costa Rican rain forests in search of missing treasure in this fast-paced mystery by the author of Capture the Flag. José, Anna, and Henry are junior members of the secret Silver Jaguar Society, sworn to protect the world’s most important artifacts. When they discover that the society’s treasured Jaguar Cup has been replaced with a counterfeit, the trio and their families rush to the rain forests of Costa Rica in search of the real chalice. But when the trail runs dry, new mysteries emerge: Who can they trust? Is there a traitor in their midst? With danger at every turn, it will take more than they realize for José and his friends to recover the cup before it falls into the wrong hands. Praise for Hide and Seek “A gratifying page-turner. Aptly titled, this energetic treasure hunt is sure to find an enthusiastic audience.” —Kirkus Reviews

Kate Messner pens a new moving tale of family and friendship about a tech-savvy boy searching for his father during tough times.

Ranger, the time-traveling golden retriever, is back for the third book in Kate Messner''s new chapter book series. This time, he helps two kids navigate the Underground Railroad! Ranger is a time-traveling golden retriever with search-and-rescue training. In this adventure, he goes to a Maryland plantation during the days of American slavery, where he meets a young girl named Sarah. When she learns that the owner has plans to sell her little brother, Jesse, to a plantation in the Deep South, it means they could be separated forever. Sarah takes their future into her own hands and decides there''s only one way to run -- north.

The Scariest Kitten in the World is a hilarious picture book by Kate Messner and illustrated by MacKenzie Haley in the vein of The Monster at the End of This Book about a not-so-scary kitten and a not-too-terrifying haunted house. WARNING! This is a VERY scary story. It is the most spine-chilling story anyone could ever read. It takes place in a horrifying haunted house (okay, not that terrifying) . . . with a creepy creature (well, maybe not that creepy) . . . and its frightening friends (but are they that frightening?). Seriously. You’re going to be scared right out of your underpants by these guys! There’s no way they’re the cutest little critters you’ve ever seen . . . right? Packed with humor and heart and adorable illustrations, this not-quite-scary story will keep you laughing until the very last page.

Ranger, the time-traveling golden retriever with search-and-rescue training, travels to New York City on the morning of the 9/11 attacks. COURAGE IN THE FACE OF DANGER! Ranger has never needed his search-and-rescue training more than when he arrives at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. There he meets Risha Scott and her friend Max who have come to work with Risha''s mother for a school project. But when the unthinkable happens and the building is evacuated, Risha is separated from her mom. Can Ranger lead Risha to safety and help reunite her family?

Sea monster Ernest is starting his first day of school. But starting school is a big job! Fitting in when you''re a sea monster is tough enough, and there''s so much to learn and do—reading, singing, playing hide-and-seek with the fishermen, lunchtime in the algae patch.... This funny, charming twist on the worries and joys of starting school will reassure and delight the smallest children and the largest sea monsters alike.

Ranger, the time-traveling golden retriever with search-and-rescue training, travels to Colonial America to help the patriot cause! Ranger heads to the Revolutionary War just before the Battle of Trenton. He meets Isaac Pope, a fisherman turned soldier for the Continental Army. When General George Washington is in need of a spy to cross into enemy territory, Isaac is chosen for the dangerous task. Ranger must help Isaac remain safe and undetected, or the battle -- and their lives -- will be lost.

Ranger, the time-traveling golden retriever with search-and-rescue training, helps two new friends survive the Great San Francisco Earthquake! Ranger travels to San Francisco and meets Lily Chen. She was sent from China to America to work as a young servant, but she dreams of studying to be a doctor. When the Great Earthquake hits, Ranger arrives in time to rescue Lily from falling beams in the mission house where she lives. Together they flee to safety, stopping to help another girl, May Wong, save her little brother from the family''s collapsed market. Lily and May try to make their way through the ruined city with Ranger at their side. But can they escape crumbling buildings and raging fires, all while facing anti-Chinese discrimination?

Myths! Lies! Secrets! Uncover the hidden truth behind the infamous Pearl Harbor attack with beloved educator/author Kate Messner. The fun mix of sidebars, illustrations, photos, and graphic panels make this perfect for fans of I Survived! and Nathan Hale''s Hazardous Tales. On December 7, 1941, the Japanese launched a completely unpredictable attack on the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Right? Well, that''s not quite the real deal. Some military experts had suggested that Pearl Harbor was a likely target. There were other warning signs, too, but nobody paid much attention. From the first wave of the Japanese bombers to the United States'' internment of thousands of Japanese Americans, acclaimed author Kate Messner smashes history by exploring the little-known truths behind the story of Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Don''t miss History Smashers: The Mayflower and Women''s Right to Vote

How do you show students that revision is more than a classroom exercise to please the teacher? Take them into the real world of writing for publication. In Real Revision, award-winning author and teacher Kate Messner demystifies the revision process for teachers and students alike and provides tried-and-true revision strategies, field tested by students'' favorite authors. Kate takes us on a behind-the-scenes look at how more than thirty-five authorsincluding Julie Berry, Watt Key, Loree Griffin Burns , Jane Yolen, Lisa Schroeder, Suzanne Selfors, Eric Luper, Danette Haworth, and Kathi Appeltrevise their works, often many times over, before they appear on library and bookstore shelves. Using successful strategies from her own classroom, Kate teaches how authors use research, brainstorming, and planning as revision tools; how they revise to add detail and make characters stronger; and how students can use those same techniques for all kinds of writing in the classroom. Real Revision features dozens of reproducible ''mentor author pages, with quotes from the authors about their revision processes, and includes related classroom-ready activities. For any teacher who wants to produce strong real-world writers, Real Revision will infuse the classroom with new energy as students use mentor authors as models for their own revision and writing.

The definitive picture book biography of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and one of the most crucial figures in the COVID-19 pandemic. Before he was Dr. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Anthony Fauci was a curious boy in Brooklyn, delivering prescriptions from his father’s pharmacy on his blue Schwinn bicycle. His father and immigrant grandfather taught Anthony to ask questions, consider all the data, and never give up—and Anthony’s ability to stay curious and to communicate with people would serve him his entire life. This engaging narrative, which draws from interviews the author did with Dr. Fauci himself, follows Anthony from his Brooklyn beginnings through medical school and his challenging role working with seven US presidents to tackle some of the biggest public health challenges of the past fifty years, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Extensive backmatter rounds out Dr. Fauci’s story with a timeline, recommended reading, a full spread of facts about vaccines and how they work, and Dr. Fauci’s own tips for future scientists.

In this historical adventure for middle grade readers, a dog travels through time and rescues a family in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. Ranger, the time-traveling golden retriever with search-and-rescue training, arrives in New Orleans as Hurricane Katrina approaches and residents start to evacuate the city. Ranger meets Clare Porter, who is searching for her grandmother. Once Ranger helps Clare find Nana, he takes shelter with them at their home in the Lower Ninth Ward, and they wait for Clare’s father to return from the gas station. But there’s no sign of him as hours pass and the weather gets worse. The wind picks up and rain pours down. And when the levees break, floodwaters dangerously rise, and Clare and Nana are separated. Can Ranger help Clare navigate the flooded streets to safety and back to her family? Praise for the first book in the Ranger in Time series: “This excellent story contains historical details, full-page illustrations, and enough action to keep even reluctant readers engaged.” —School Library Journal “The third-person narration expertly balances Ranger’s thoughts between the appropriately doglike (squirrels! bacon!) and the heroic (Ranger’s drive to find and protect).” —Kirkus Reviews “McMorris’s richly rendered illustrations heighten the plot’s many moments of danger and drama, and Messner incorporates a wealth of historical details into her rousing adventure story.” —Publishers Weekly

How does a kid grow up to become a scientist? This enthralling nonfiction picture book from New York Times bestselling author Kate Messner explores the unexpected beginnings behind some of the most fascinating discoveries in scientific history. Before the world’s great scientists were scientists, they were, in fact, doing all the things kids do: Taking things apart, putting things together, gazing up at the night sky, drawing, imagining, building, and exploring. Things that scientists do, too. This book of unexpected beginnings powerfully shows that the great scientists of the future could be practically anyone . . . including you. Written by Kate Messner, bestselling author of the acclaimed Over and Under nature book series and more than fifty books for young readers, and beautifully illustrated by Julia Kuo, this is a book to gift to any curious kid interested in STEM topics, fascinated by scientific discoveries, and inspired by biographies of people whose work has had an impact on the world. CALLING FUTURE SCIENTISTS: Where are today’s future scientists? As this book shows, they could be practically anyone doing anything, including the kids reading this book! CURRICULAR CONNECTION: Students discover all kinds of science in elementary school, from astronomy to zoology. This fun-to-read educational book for kids introduces young learners to the scientists behind some of the world’s most fascinating scientific discoveries. ACCLAIMED AUTHOR: Kate Messner is an award-winning children’s author of 50+ tremendously popular children’s books, and her science-themed picture books have earned especially high acclaim. Her informative, lyrical text has made her nonfiction a fan-favorite among teachers and parents. Perfect for: Teachers and librarians looking for STEM-themed picture books Parents, grandparents, and caregivers seeking engaging nonfiction picture books A distinctive gift for a science-loving child Fans of Kate Messner books, the Who Is/Who Was biography series, and books about scientific discoveries

All she wanted was to skate, but when her dreams come true, what happens when she''s thrown into the cutthroat world of figure skating competition? For Claire Boucher, life is all about skating on the frozen cow pond and in the annual Maple Show right before the big pancake breakfast on her family''s farm. But all that changes when Russian skating coach Andrei Grosheva offers Claire a scholarship to train with the elite in Lake Placid. Tossed into a world of mean girls on ice, where competition is everything, Claire realizes that her sweet dream come true has sharper edges than she could have imagined. Can she find the strength to stand up to the people who want to see her fail and the courage to decide which dream she wants to follow? From bestselling author Kate Messner comes a heartfelt novel about the fun and frigid sides of figure skating.

Unable to pass his tests as a search-and-rescue dog because he is too easily distracted, Ranger is transported to the year 1850, where he must help a young boy and his family on the Oregon Trail. By the award-winning author of The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. Simultaneous and eBook.

Myths! Lies! Secrets! Uncover the hidden truth about history''s pandemics, from the Black Death to COVID-19. Perfect for fans of I Survived! and Nathan Hale''s Hazardous Tales. During the Black Death in the 14th century, plague doctors wore creepy beaked masks filled with herbs. RIGHT? WRONG! Those masks were from a plague outbreak centuries later--and most doctors never wore anything like that at all! With a mix of sidebars, illustrations, photos, and graphic panels, acclaimed author Kate Messner delivers the whole truth about diseases like the bubonic plague, cholera, smallpox, tuberculosis, polio, influenza, and COVID-19. Discover the nonfiction series that smashes everything you thought you knew about history! Don''t miss History Smashers: The Mayflower, Women''s Right to Vote, Pearl Harbor, Titanic, and American Revolution.

Explore the wonders and beauties of the ocean''s kelp forests in this latest addition to the acclaimed Over and Under series. Award-winning duo Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal return in this latest addition to the Over and Under picture book series, this time exploring the rich, interconnected ecosystem of the ocean! Over the waves, the sea lions bark and seagulls wheel and call. The bay is smooth and bright in the sun. But under the waves, there''s a whole hidden forest, full of whales and wolf eels, sardines and sea bass, leopard sharks and luminous jellies, as well as the waving kelp that shelters them all. Discover the magical depths of the kelp forest, and all the fascinating creatures living just a paddle''s length away—over and under the waves. SO MANY FASCINATING FACTS: Kids are endlessly curious about the natural world and the wildly varied animals and plants living in it—and the ocean is FULL of amazing and surprising life! ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS MADE WONDERFUL: Preservation of our wilderness—and of our oceans in particular—is essential, and this book makes such a great, upbeat jumping-off point for discussions of the importance and wonder of our world''s natural habitats and ecosystems. THE GORGEOUS UNDERWATER WORLD: This new book in the Over and Under series illuminates the magic and amazing biodiversity of the kelp forest by telling the story of one family''s kayaking trip through a real-world ocean ecosystem. Lyrical prose and color-drenched illustrations will draw even the most reluctant readers into the world. STRONG CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS: The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) emphasize learning about animal habitats/biomes in K-2 curriculums, while later grades address topics like food chains, conservation, and endangered species. With a depth of research and an engaging, highly visual narrative, this book is an excellent resource for librarians and primary school educators. FROM A FAVORITE AUTHOR-ILLUSTRATOR TEAM: Kate Messner and Chris Neal make nonfiction approachable and appealing! These two award-winning creators have received countless accolades and published books to critical acclaim, making them the perfect team to tackle any nonfiction topic. Perfect for: Those who loved Over and Under the Snow and other books in the Over and Under series Fans of Kate Messner Lovers of the ocean and marine life Parents and grandparents seeking beautiful books to read aloud together Teachers, educators, and librarians seeking illustrated nonfiction books with STEM content Anyone seeking a distinctive gift for a child who loves animals or nature

Deep in the forest, in the warm-wet green, 1 almendro tree grows, stretching its branches toward the sun. Who makes their homes here? 2 great green macaws, 4 keel-billed toucans, 8 howler monkeys, 16 fruit bats, 32 fer-de-lance vipers, 64 agoutis, 128 blue morpho butterflies, 256 poison dart frogs, 512 rusty wandering spiders, 1,024 leafcutter ants. Count each and every one as life multiplies again and again in this lush and fascinating book about the rainforest.

Myths! Lies! Secrets! Smash the stories behind famous moments in history and expose the hidden truth. Perfect for fans of I Survived and Nathan Hale''s Hazardous Tales. In 1620, the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock and made friends with Wampanoag people who gave them corn. RIGHT? WRONG! It was months before the Pilgrims met any Wampanoag people, and nobody gave anybody corn that day. Did you know that the pilgrims didn''t go straight from England to Plymouth? No, they made a stop along the way--and almost stayed forever! Did you know there was a second ship, called the Speedwell, that was too leaky to make the trip? No joke. And just wait until you learn the truth about Plymouth Rock. Through illustrations, graphic panels, photographs, sidebars, and more, acclaimed author Kate Messner smashes history by exploring the little-known details behind the legends of the Mayflower and the first Thanksgiving. "Kate Messner serves up fun, fast history for kids who want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Absolutely smashing!" --Candace Fleming, award-winning author Don''t miss History Smashers: Women''s Right to Vote!

Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow exists a secret kingdom of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals that live through the winter safe and warm, awake and busy, under the snow. Discover the wonder and activity that lies beneath winter s snowy landscape in this magical book.

Myths! Lies! Secrets! Uncover the hidden truth behind the Revolutionary War with beloved educator/author Kate Messner. The fun mix of sidebars, illustrations, photos, and graphic panels make this perfect for fans of I Survived! and Nathan Hale''s Hazardous Tales. On April 18, 1775, Paul Revere rode through Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, shouting, "The British are coming!" to start the American Revolution.RIGHT? WRONG! Paul Revere made it to Lexington, but before he could complete his mission, he was captured! The truth is, dozens of Patriots rode around warning people about the Redcoats'' plans that night. It was actually a man named Samuel Prescott who succeeded, alerting townspeople in Lexington and then moving on to Concord. But the Revolutionary War didn''t officially start for more than a year after Prescott''s ride. No joke. Discover the nonfiction series that smashes everything you thought you knew about history. Don''t miss History Smashers: The Mayflower, Women''s Right to Vote, Pearl Harbor, and Titanic.

In this middle grade historical adventure, a dog travels through time to take part in a voyage from New Zealand to the South Pole. Ranger, the time-traveling golden retriever with search-and-rescue training, joins an early twentieth-century expedition journeying from New Zealand to Antarctica. He befriends Jack Nin, the stowaway turned cabin boy of Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s ship. They’re racing against a rival explorer to reach the South Pole, but with unstable ice, killer whales, and raging blizzards, the journey turns into a race against time . . . and a struggle to stay alive. Praise for the first book in the Ranger in Time series: “This excellent story contains historical details, full-page illustrations, and enough action to keep even reluctant readers engaged.” —School Library Journal “The third-person narration expertly balances Ranger’s thoughts between the appropriately doglike (squirrels! bacon!) and the heroic (Ranger’s drive to find and protect).” —Kirkus Reviews “McMorris’s richly rendered illustrations heighten the plot’s many moments of danger and drama, and Messner incorporates a wealth of historical details into her rousing adventure story.” —Publishers Weekly

An inspiring picture book biography of the amazing Anne Lowe, the first nationally-known African American fashion designer! A careful snip, a delicate fold. Fabric the color of new petals. Skirts that flare like upside-down blossoms. A garden bursts into bloom! There is no "good enough." For Ann, only the best will do. Award-winning author Kate Messner, costume historian Margaret E. Powell, and fashion designer and illustrator Erin Robinson tell the powerful story of the ground-breaking Ann Lowe, who grew up in a small Alabama dress shop and became the first nationally-known African American fashion designer. Sought after by millionaires and movie stars, her designs walked the red carpet and graced the wedding of Senator John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier. At a time when the world around her thought African Americans deserved no more than second-class treatment, Ann expects no less of herself, and no less FOR herself, than the BEST. THE FIRST, FAMED BLACK FASHION DESIGNER: Although she faced many hardships, Anne''s spirit, talent, and belief in herself always shone through. This story provides an empowering, real-life role model for young girls—and especially Black girls—to relate to and see themselves in, at an age when building self-confidence is more important than ever! ENCOURAGES CREATIVITY AND PERSERVERENCE: Full of interesting details about how Anne came up with her designs, and how she always forged ahead in spite of setbacks, this true story will captivate aspiring artists and young creative thinkers alike. SURE OF HER OWN WORTH: This book makes a perfect gift for anyone looking to celebrate, empower, and inspire the women in their lives—whether daughters, granddaughters, nieces, cousins, or friends. Ann Lowe stands as a testament to the power of knowing we''re both capable of and deserve ONLY THE BEST. BEAUTIFUL, IMMERSIVE PROSE: Wonderful, vivacious writing by award-winning author Kate Messner and expert historian Margaret E. Powell brings Anne''s pride in herself and her work to life in rich detail! Perfect for: Parents, grandparents, and caregivers Teachers and librarians Readers who loved Little Leaders and Parker Looks Up The vast #WeNeedDiverseBooks community Anyone seeking books about Black excellence, female empowerment, or Black history Gift-givers looking for a beautiful, inspirational book for the girls (or women) in their lives

"Up in the garden, the world is full of green--leaves and sprouts, growing vegetables, ripening fruit. But down in the dirt there is a busy world of earthworms digging, snakes hunting, skunks burrowing, and all the other animals that make a garden their home. In this exuberant book, discover the wonder and activity that lie hidden between the stalks, under the shade of leaves ... and down in the dirt."--

Being kind is a big job, but nothing''s too big for a sea monster. Not even taking on the new fish in school, who''s great...except when he''s pushing people around. This funny, charming twist on dealing with a bully will reassure and delight the smallest children and the biggest sea monsters alike.