New Releases by Sharon Jennings

This is the fictionalized story of "Yula", a character inspired by a real girl Sharon Jennings met in her visits to the Hope Development Centre in Kenya. When four--year--old Yula is discovered by the orphanage director?"Mum"?and introduced to a caring home and school, her abilities develop as do her understandings of how to care for others. When a new child enters the orphanage, at first Yula is angry and jealous, but soon she warmly welcomes Mutuku just as she had been welcomed when she first arrived. Eva Campbell''s evocative illustrations glow with light and colour, rendered in gouache, acrylic and ink on canvas. Sharon Jennings is a greatly appreciated return visitor to this centre in Kikima, Kenya. The children and staff enjoy her visits and consider her a member of their Hope family. The story has been shared with the children and the Centre has given Sharon permission and thanks for telling this story; a portion of the author''s royalties is going to support the orphaned and impoverished children of Hope.

As Rebecca is about to turn twelve years old, she begins to realize that Joe, her father, is not the most supportive of parents. Rather he seems to want to turn her away from friendships, from involvement with others, from anyone who might intrude on their two lives. When it seems their affectionate neighbour is becoming too inquisitive, Joe abruptly arranges for himself and Rebecca to make a quick move to another place in the city. And as she reflects on things, Rebecca realizes that this is what has always happened. Also, she doesn''t attend school, but is doing what her dad calls home--schooling. When she asks him about her family -- grandparents and others -- turns out that they''re all dead. For various reasons, as Joe explains. That means the two of them are alone in the world, making their own way. Or, perhaps, allowing Joe to make whatever moves he wishes to without consulting anyone else -- least of all, his daughter. Life changes for Rebecca the day that she spots a new neighbour in their latest apartment building -- someone who, though she seems a little fragile, has an aura of elegance about her and who also takes an immediate interest in the girl. As Rebecca gets to know Phoebe better, she also is able to look at Joe with different eyes -- and, in the end, she realizes that her father is not at all who he has presented himself as.

Key Selling Points In Tornado, a teenage boy must find his brother when a fierce tornado hits his hometown. The book is a fast-paced, high-stakes drama that includes themes of family, secrets and addiction. Incidents of extreme weather are happening all over the world due to the climate crisis. The author is the ghostwriter for the beloved Franklin the Turtle series and the president of CANSCAIP. New, enhanced features (dyslexia-friendly font, cream paper, larger trim size) to increase reading accessibility for dyslexic and other striving readers.

Priscilla is an alley rat who just wants to dance but her home is too small. She needs space! One day, while searching for a new home, she hears music and follows the sound of Tchaikovsky to Madame Genevieve''s dance studio where children are taking a dance class. Priscilla is enthralled and decides to return every day to watch the lessons and practice in the studio at night. But one night while practicing, she encounters the watch cat! At first, she is terrified but much to her surprise, Priscilla learns that the watch cat also likes to dance! They decide to practice together and perform for their friends. This read-along edition is narrated by Julie Lawson. Ages 4-8

A young boy spots sweets and treats on the kitchen table. In a classic fairy-tale quest, he imagines himself a brave hero who must outwit ferocious dragons and formidable guardians in order to partake of such a treasure. Caught and sent to the dungeon (his bedroom), the boy is surprised when the afternoon ends so unexpectantly happily. This read-aloud edition is narrated by Julie Lawson.

Cassandra Jovanovich has finally found a home where she feels she belongs. All she wants to do is forget her past and pursue her dream of becoming an actress. But her new friend, Leanna Mets, “the most annoying person she has ever met,” wants to know how Cassandra became an orphan and encourages her to write her story. Cassandra''s memories reveal how the death of her grandmother and the cruelty of the other adults in her life turned her from a happy child into the distrustful, secretive twelve-year-old she has become. Leanna''s friendship helps Cassandra to see beauty in the pattern that is her life and to hold on to her dreams.

Six creepy stories of the supernatural: life, death and life-after-death all linked by the theme of a warning. Easy reading but complex ideas and story interconnections Reading level: Grade 2.5 (Lexile 340L) Interest level: Grades 6-12 HIP MAINSTREET titles are designed for reluctant readers in middle and high school, with more complex characters and more intricate plot lines than most hi-lo novels.

Charlotte and her family have just moved to a small town in France. There is a lot to get used to - a new language, new friends, a new school. Even the milk tastes different. As Christmas draws near, Charlotte is amazed to see the town transform itself. The streets are decorated, the shops are full of presents, and the smells of cinnamon and chocolate fill the air. Charlotte, who is Jewish, longs to have a Christmas too. Can she find a way to celebrate the spirit of both Christmas and Chanukah?

Giraldo Giraffe loves to sing. When his class learns new songs for a show, he sings them constantly, until he loses his voice.

Manik the Monkey likes to pick his nose, and develops a nosebleed.

12-16 years.

The true story of Faye, a Jewish teenager who lost her family when the Nazis invaded her Polish village. Able to escape to the forest, she joined the resistance movement and worked as a nurse, photographer and soldier.

Sam and Simon are off on a spring break vacation, with a crime to solve: someone has stolen four giant turtles.

When their teacehr is charged with stealing jewelry, Sam and Simon know he isn''t guilty. The Bat Gang sets out to catch the real thief, but soon the boys get into more trouble than they can handle.

In this funny and fetching twist on the traditional story, a dog dreams of owning his very own boy.

Charlotte, whose family is Jewish, has trouble adjusting to life in a French village, especially since she speaks little French, until she gets the idea at Christmastime of sharing the holiday with Colette, a classmate whose family is poor.

Since Grandma and Grandpa can''t make it for Thanksgiving dinner this year, Franklin invites some friends for dinner, but when each of his parents have the same idea, a very special and festive meal ensues. Simultaneous.

My name is Lee Mets (honest), and this is my book. I''m part of the writing club, which is fantastic, since what I want to be most is a writer. My mother says that girls don''t grow up to be writers, they can only be nurses or teachers. But it''s the 1960s, not the 50s or 40s, and I think she may be wrong. Mrs. Gowdy, who is my writing teacher, says that I have a gift. I''m going to use it to tell you the story of my summer. It was a summer that was both wonderful and terribly sad. The sad part is still painful for me to write about, but I will because that''s what writers do. My summer began with the most exciting thing that ever happened on our street. A real-life orphan, by the name of Cassandra Jovanovich, moved in right across from my house. All the best stories are about orphans, and because of Cassandra, this story is no exception. Because of her, I got to write a play, and she starred in it. Because of her, I now know that being an orphan is not exciting, in fact it is the opposite. But you''ll have to read my story to find out why.

Franklin joins the Woodland Trailblazers and can''t wait to start earning badges.

Franklin tries to adopt a duckling as a pet.

Franklin gets a stopwatch and starts timing everything.

See what happens when Franklin and his friends enter a soapbox derby.

Franklin finds a penny and uses it in a gumball machine.

Franklin makes a picnic for his friends but they do not like his food.

After being injured in a skateboarding accident on the street, Pat fights for a neighbourhood skateboarding park.

An older boy dares Sam and Simon to meet him and his friends inside the graveyard on Halloween night.