Leading Ladies

Merci Suárez knew that sixth grade would be different, but she had no idea just how different. For starters, Merci has never been like the other kids at her private school in Florida, because she and her older brother, Roli, are scholarship students. They don't have a big house or a fancy boat, and they have to do extra community service to make up for their free tuition. So when bossy Edna Santos sets her sights on the new boy who happens to be...

An anthology of humorous short stories, personal essays, comics, poems, and more, by twenty-five of the funniest women writing for kids today.

In 1962, ten-year-old Winna Cole discovers a pair of magical spectacles that reveal both the friendly ghosts of her African American ancestors and a dangerous family curse.

"No one knows hard work and dedication like Valentina Camacho. And Vale's thing is fencing. She's the top athlete at her fencing gym. Or she was . . . until the accident. After months away, Vale is finally cleared to fence again, but it's much harder than before. Her body doesn't move the way it used to, and worst of all is the new number one: Myrka. When she sweeps Vale aside with her perfect form and easy smile, Vale just can't accept that. But...

Twelve-year-old, Korean American adoptee Emma Davidson has a problem. Two problems. Okay, 1. She has a crush on her best friend, Avangeline, that she hasn't been able to share. 2. Avangeline now has to move out of their town because her parents are getting a divorce. 3. Oh, and Emma is a secret witch who can't really control her powers. It's a complicated summer between sixth and seventh grade. Emma's parents made her promise that she'd keep her powers...

Lily Xiao can't wait to go to Camp Rock Out this summer, where she'll finally be able to shed her "class robot" good girl reputation and start her journey to becoming the next Eddie Vedder! And she can't wait to do it with her best friend and cousin, Vivian, who's just moved from Taiwan to Lily's California hometown. But as the two cousins work their way through seventh grade, Vivian struggles more and more with her schoolwork, which is all taught...

As twelve-year-old Ellie Engle navigates seventh grade and her changing relationship with her best friend, a freak accident occurs and gives Ellie the ability to bring things back to life through touch.

With her best friend moving away, Rica Baptista needs a pet so she won't get lonely, but her parents are against it until an act of kindness and courage proves she is ready for the pet of her dreams.