Sisi Aisha Johnson

Kaia is the brave type. Like hottest-hot-pepper brave. But there is one thing that scares her: BEES! And right now, thousands of bees live on her roof because Kaia's dad is a beekeeper. Her dad says that the world needs bees and that's why they are beekeepers. But only he goes on the roof, not Kaia-unless she can find a way to be the brave girl she always says she is. Against a sunny city setting, Kaia's small courageous steps-and her tiny insect...

Originally published in 1998, this shockingly prescient novel's timely message of hope and resistance in the face of fanaticism is more relevant than ever. In 2032, Lauren Olamina has survived the destruction of her home and family, and realized her vision of a peaceful community in northern California based on her newly founded faith, Earthseed. The fledgling community provides refuge for outcasts facing persecution after the election of an ultra-conservative...

A brilliant, impatient fifth-grader with cerebral palsy, considered by many to be mentally retarded, discovers a technological device that will allow her to speak for the first time.

In New Orleans' Ninth Ward, twelve-year-old Lanesha, who can see spirits, and her adopted grandmother have no choice but to stay and weather the storm as Hurricane Katrina bears down upon them.

In rhyming text, when the whole family and guests show up for the big dinner at Grandma's house, it becomes clear that the house is much too small to hold them all.

Growing up in the segregated town of Clarksville, Tennessee, in the 1960s, Alta's family cannot afford to buy her new sneakers--but she still plans to attend the parade celebrating her hero Wilma Rudolph's three Olympic gold medals.

The Gaither sisters return to Brooklyn, where they adapt to new feelings of independence while managing changes large and small, from Pa's new girlfriend to a very different Uncle Darnell's return from Vietnam.

The dot: Vashti thinks she can't draw, but her journey of self-discovery and expression is an enchanting invitation to everyone to explore his or her own creative spirit. Ish: With a little encouragement from his sister, Ramon discovers that creativity is about a lot more than getting things just right. Sky color: When Marisol sets out to create a sky for the class mural she discovers the blue is missing from her paints. This story celebrates the...

Angelica Marie Hutcherson is an aspiring reporter for the San Anselmo Prep's newspaper, The Prepster; sophomore Colin Von Kohorn is it's editor, who keeps rejecting her stories because they do not reflect his vision; but when Colin suggests she write a story on the upcoming Academic Battle, Angelica senses an opportunity--unfortunately somebody has scheduled the Battle (which their school always wins) on the same day as the homecoming game (which...