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Fifteen-year-old Kermit Sanders knows grief and its all-encompassing shadows. After losing his beloved older sister in a tragic car accident, nothing quite punctures through the feelings of loss. Everywhere Kermit goes, he is reminded of her.But then Kermit finds a mysterious invitation in his locker, signed anonymously with '-1.' He has no idea what he's in for, but he shows up to find out. Dubbed the 'Minus-One Club,' a group of his schoolmates has banded together as a form of moral support. The members have just one thing in common - they have all suffered the tragic loss of someone they loved.The usual dividing lines between high school classes and cliques don’t apply inside the Minus-One Club, and Kermit’s secret crush, the handsome and happy-go-lucky Matt (and only out gay student at school), is also a part of the group. Slowly, Matt's positive headstrong approach to life helps relieve Kermit of his constant despair.But as Kermit grows closer to Matt, the light of his new life begins to show the cracks beneath the surface. When Matt puts himself in danger by avoiding his feelings, Kermit must find the strength to not only lift himself back up but to help the rest of the group from falling apart.

Mina, Penny, and Sheryl have the typical expectations of prom night in 2005: dresses, dancing, and of course some coming-of-age moments. None of them plan to get pregnant on prom night, but when all three do, they band together as they face decisions that have the power to shape the rest of their lives.In 2024, their three children - Blossom, Amber, and Cole - are seniors gearing up to go to the prom and facing some big decisions of their own. As they seek to understand who they are and who they want to be, they grapple with issues that range from consent to virginity, gendered dress codes, and the many patriarchal, heteronormative expectations that still come along with prom. A generation later, will this prom night change lives too?

Mrs. Z's class is holding a variety show, and everyone has signed up to demonstrate their special talent! Everyone that is, except Ayana Ndoum. She's good at reading, but someone's already reciting a poem out loud. She's good at synchronized swimming, but they can't get a pool onstage. What could her talent be?Before she can figure it out, she has an even bigger problem to deal with: Why is her dad at school?Turns out her dad-a professor who gets excited about schedules and has lots of goofy sayings-is a variety show volunteer! He talks to everyone and asks too many questions. It's embarrassing for Ayana, who likes to be quiet and help from the sidelines. And with her dad taking up the spotlight, will she ever find her own way to shine?

Meet the kids in Mrs. Z's wacky and wonderful third grade class! In the first six books of this playful chapter book series, you'll go on adventures with an energetic cheerleader, a scared pet sitter, a baking whiz, a fantasy enthusiast, an imaginative lizard lover, and a talent show star. These funny and reassuring classroom tales are perfect for fans of Andrew Clements, My Weirdtastic School, and The Questioneers.It's time for school at the brand new Curiosity Academy, where a certain third grade classroom stands out from the rest. It's got a zany teacher named Mrs. Z, who wears high-tops and science earrings, and an eclectic class of students from all over Peppermint Falls. But even when school is cool, life can still be challenging. In each book, follow along with a different student as they try new things, face their fears, and learn to soar in Mrs. Z's class.★ Emma just wants to makes friends at her new school, but an old friend-turned-enemy might ruin her chance at a fresh start.★ Rohan opens a pet care company to raise money for a school garden, but it's hard to care for pets when you've never done it before...and might be a little afraid of them!★ Poppy tries out a new candy recipe for her class, but she's distracted by her grandma, who's suddenly forgetting things she used to know by heart.★ Memo is thrilled to be going to a sci-fi fantasy convention, but his Spanish-speaking abuela has to take him there and Memo doesn't speak Spanish. Nothing could go wrong, right?★ Wyatt usually keeps to himself and chats with his best friend, Lizzie, who happens to be a stuffed lizard. But as he gets older, is it still okay for him to bring Lizzie to school? ★ Ayana doesn't know what to perform at the upcoming variety show. Even worse, her dad is a variety show volunteer! How can she figure out her act when he keeps embarrassing her?With six exciting tales of friendship and family packaged together, and six all-star children's authors, this series is perfect for getting early readers hooked on books! The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class can be read in any order you choose.Included in this box set:★Emma McKenna, Full Out ★Rohan Murthy Has a Plan★Poppy Song Bakes a Way★The Legend of Memo Castillo★Wyatt Hill's Best Friend Is a Lizard★Ayana Ndoum Takes the StageBut Mrs. Z's Class isn't done yet! Don't miss!★Olive Little Gets Crafty (#7)★Synclaire Fields Knows the Score (#8)★Theo Chang is Not a Cat (#9)★Thunder Nelson and the Impossumble Dream (#10)

In 1863, the US Civil War was raging. Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation had freed over 3.5 million African-American slaves, and now the Union Army began to recruit a second all-black regiment of soldiers to join the fight. As the struggle against the Confederate South raged on, the newly-formed 54th Massachusetts battalion prepared to attack the seemingly impregnable fortress of Fort Wagner. The odds were heavily against them; the fort had never been taken. America was watching them - and when the bugle sounded they marched towards the guns, flag held high.