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Lily is discovered by a big-name director when she’s auditioning for a role in a toothpaste commercial.

He wants her for his new movie, which is great except for the fact that it’s shooting in Los Angeles and Lily lives in Vancouver. With the help of her Chinese grandmother, she convinces her parents to let her go to LA with her agent as a chaperone. But when she gets there, she finds out that if she wants to be more than the flavor of the week, she’s going to have to pay a price that may be way too high.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

String is one of the great inventions of all time.

It may not be as big as a rocket ship or as shiny as a subsea gizmo, but it’s just as remarkable. We have string to thank for helping us survive and thrive pretty well everywhere on Earth. It has taken us across oceans and up into the sky. It has linked us—human to human—across continents and beyond.

Unravel the fascinating history of string, from the oldest surviving piece of string made by a Neanderthal to the potential for space elevators made of long ropes in the future. Discover how string was used for travel, art, music and as a tool to record everything from stories to taxes. And learn a few handy knots along the way! Just a Piece of String encourages young readers to take a second look at the everyday things we take for granted and find the remarkable in the ordinary.

Twelve-year-old Alina is actually looking forward to going back to school.

For once, she has some friends to sit beside on the first day. But when Alina walks into her classroom, someone is sitting in her spot and there are no seats left next to her friends. Grade seven is off to a rocky start! Then the teacher announces that the class will be going on a trip to Paris later in the fall. It’s an expensive trip, but she’s sure that with the right plan, she can convince her strict parents to let her go. What could go wrong?

For starters, her passport is expired so she can't go on the trip to Paris. When her new passport does arrive, her parents announce a trip back to Pakistan. At first Alina is miserable, but soon she begins to see that when it comes to the things that matter the most, she might not be so unlucky after all.

This is a sequel to the author’s first novel, The Unlovable Alina Butt, which was a starred selection for CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens.

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Praise for The Unlovable Alina Butt:

“In this charming, tightly plotted debut, Alina’s witty, vulnerable narratorial voice guides readers through her intensely authentic personal evolution.”—Kirkus Reviews

“This charming, eye-opening book highlights not only the struggles of an immigrant girl, but the power that comes from seeing things through someone else’s eyes.”—School Library Journal (SLJ)

★ “One of the most poignant elements of the story is Tallie’s exploration of her neurodivergence. A technology-forward, futuristic story that holds friendship and empathy at the centre, highly recommended for hi-lo or general collections.” — School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review

Sixteen-year-old Tallie and her best friend Diego have always shared the same dream: to become mechbot pilots and compete in the Mech Battles, a hugely popular sport that promises fame and fortune to successful pilots.

On the day that copilots are assigned, Tallie is devastated when she doesn’t get paired with Diego. Instead, she has to partner with Zaina Chandra, a troubled pilot who got kicked off her last team. But to drive a mechbot, pilots have to connect their minds, which means sharing your deepest thoughts and secrets. Tallie was ready to share her secrets with Diego, but Zaina? She's a complete stranger. With her dreams and pride riding on the partnership, Tallie will have to find a way to open up and convince Zaina to do the same.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading-level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

No matter how little you are, you can have big feelings.

Some feelings are easy, some are hard, but they all matter. When you feel sunshine on your face, you might feel happy. When a new friend wants to play, you might feel shy. When you have to say goodbye, you might feel sad. Feelings don't usually stick around for long, and this book reminds us that they rise and then they pass, like an ocean wave.

Full of adorable photographs of kids expressing each feeling in the story, Feelings Come, Feelings Go helps kids to recognize and name their emotions, and offers a first step on the journey toward emotional regulation.

Praise for Jillian Roberts:

"Crisp, heartwarming photos in warm tones that depict racially diverse caregivers holding and comforting tots."—Kirkus Reviews, on Calm

"Gentle and quietly reassuring, this is recommended for board book collections aimed at new parents or caregivers."—School Library Journal, on My Promise

Owen has a crush on Kamryn. Kamryn has a crush on Owen's brother Kyle.

Owen knows extreme action is necessary to make sure Kamryn does not end up dating his brother, a jerk who manipulates every situation to get what he wants. So what does Owen do? He manipulates the situation. With the help of his friend Hannah, Owen sets up a blog called The Oracle that gives out relationship advice to local teens. Everything seems to be going great. Hannah and Owen are having fun, and Kamryn seems to be following The Oracle's advice and taking an interest in Owen. Owen thinks he's got it made, but he soon discovers that fraudulent tactics have their consequences.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!

When Meg’s summer ballet program is canceled and her ballet teacher suggests she attend Camp Dance to learn new dance styles, Meg is devastated.

Worse still, Meg's teacher thinks she lacks stage presence and needs to connect more with her audience. At camp, Meg struggles to learn contemporary dance. A girl named Logan, who is jealous of Meg’s ballet technique and her friendship with Nio, a cute contemporary dancer, makes Meg’s life even more difficult. When Meg, Nio and Logan have to work together to create a piece for the final show, arguments threaten to ruin their dance. Unless they are able to overcome their differences, Meg’s time at Camp Dance will have been a disaster from start to finish.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Fourteen-year-old Simone is having trouble making friends at her new school when her leadership studies class is paired with kindergarten students to mentor throughout the school year.

To her surprise, Simone enjoys the Kinderbuddy Project, and she develops a special friendship with her Kinderbuddy, Lily. But as the bond between Simone and her Kinderbuddy grows, she realizes that a crisis is looming in Lily's family. Simone calls upon Aaron, the reluctant heartthrob of the class, for help, and they become key witnesses to events neither of them could have predicted.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!

At fifteen, Will already knows he wants to spend his life playing classical violin.

When Will is invited to take part in a summer program for young musicians, he realizes it is a chance to make his dream a reality. But years of playing only for Mr. Jorgensen, his elderly neighbor and mentor, haven’t prepared Will for what will happen when he steps onto the stage. He never expected the self-doubt that takes over his thoughts, or the fear of failure that makes his hands shake and his heart race. What happens when the one thing you need to achieve your dreams is something you find utterly terrifying?

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Being a feminist can mean different things to different people, but one thing it always includes is the belief in equality and human rights.

Whether you are talking with one close friend or hanging out with a group of classmates, it matters what you say and how you say it. Not everyone is going to agree with your opinions, especially when you are talking about social justice issues. Can Your Conversations Change the World? provides insight into the origins and history of feminism, how it plays out on the global stage and what it means to be a young feminist and activist today.