Fall Reading for your Tweens

 TEAM CANTEEN: ROCKY ROAD

 

 

"Sweetly underscores friendship as a lifeline to self-acceptance." —Kirkus Reviews

 

A hot pink boa that might be magic bonds 4 unlikely friends from summer camp and gives them the courage to face down the challenges they face back home.
This sassy, diverse series debut for tweens is perfect for fans of XO, Kitty, The Baby-Sitters Club, and Julie and the Phantoms.

On the final night of summer camp, Tasha, Raelynn, Claire, and Billie get busted stuffing themselves with ice cream in the mess hall’s walk-in freezer. But when they slip away without being punished, they’re convinced the pink feather boa Billie put on to stay warm is magic. Back at home, each member of Team Canteen tests the boa’s powers as they face their own challenges. When her little cousin moves in with her destructive dog, Tasha struggles to find her place inside her adoptive family. Claire’s scared the kids at school will find out how hard life’s gotten since her dad lost his job. Raelynn longs to be someone other than her sister’s twin. And with a hockey-obsessed family charting his every move, Billie’s worried he’ll never be able share his dream of becoming a figure skater.

It’s going to be a rocky road from the start of the school year back to Camp Happy Hollow. Will the boa continue to protect Team Canteen, or will their friendship end up being the most magical find of all?

Alternating among the friends, Rocky Road is a smart, soaring celebration of the highs and lows of middle school, and the unbreakable friendships that see you through, no matter what comes next.

 

Publisher: Pixel+Ink (September 3, 2024); imprint of Holiday House

ISBN-13:‎ 978-1645952565

10 - 12 years

Grades 5 - 6

THE BEST FRIEND BRACELET

 

 

A tender, funny story about making—and keeping—friends, perfect for fans of Sarah Mlynowski.

"In this sentimental and kindhearted novel, Collier (The Many Fortunes of Maya) realistically presents adolescent angst as viewed through a thoughtfully realized protagonist whose avid internal reflection—influenced by a mite of magic—will inspire readers’ own path toward personal introspection." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A lightly magical story that thoughtfully explores friendship and developing a strong sense of self." — Kirkus Reviews

At Hurston Middle School, best friendship is a big deal. And Zariah Brown makes the best best friendship bracelets in town. Business is booming; Zariah can hardly keep up with orders. 

The problem is, Zariah doesn’t have a best friend of her own. As the entire seventh grade gears up for their big Pajama Jam weekend, it seems as if everyone else is paired up except her. 

So Zariah pours her heart and soul into making the ultimate friendship bracelet, using a set of beads gifted to her by a mysterious woman. But the bracelet turns out to be a tiny bit . . . magical. In fact, anyone who puts it on instantly becomes Zariah’s best friend. Now all she has to do is find the perfect best friend and get the bracelet on them. Easy, right? 

It turns out finding the ideal friend isn’t so simple, and things quickly spin out of control. Will Zariah ever find her true BFF, or is she destined to be alone forever? 

 

 

National Geographic’s Shark Fest kicks off July 10th

 Are your kids ready for Shark Fest?  National Geographic’s Shark Fest kicks off July 10, 2024!

How many facts do you know about sharks?  

Your kids and your entire family will love this book, 1,000 Facts About Sharks, from our friends at National Geographic Kids! 

Dive into 1,000 sensational facts about these fierce and fascinating predators, from great whites to whale sharks, reef sharks, goblin sharks, and more!

From the bizarre frilled shark to the wide-headed hammerhead, discover all you have ever wanted to know about sharks! Each page of this book is brimming with bite-sized facts, incredible shark stats, and unbelievable photos of sharks in the wild. Inside, you’ll glimpse fossils of prehistoric sharks, learn exactly how many pointy teeth are in this apex predator’s mouth, and meet awesome shark relatives, like stingrays. You’ll also learn about new technologies inspired by sharks and find out what conservations are doing to help protect this misunderstood fish.

One reader will win 1000 Facts about Sharks and MORE shark related book!  Enter te Rafflecopyer below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES Arrives to Digital Retailers

 

The fate of the world is at stake when 20th Century Studios’ Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes arrives to digital retailers (Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango at Home) tomorrow, July 9.


Director Wes Ball breathes new life into the global, epic franchise with this action-adventure spectacle from 20th Century Studios. Set several generations in the future following Caesar’s reign, apes are living harmoniously as the dominant species — and humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question all that he has known about the past and to make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.

Bonus Features*

Documentary

● Inside the Forbidden Zone: Making Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Join director Wes Ball, cast and crew as they expand the Planet of the Apes legacy for a new generation. Travel to the outdoor production in Australia, train at Ape School, and discover the practical and motion capture techniques in building a breathtaking Kingdom.

 

The Tiger's Apprentice

 Gifted by Paramount Home Entertainment.

Based on the popular children’s book series by Laurence Yep, THE TIGER’S APPRENTICE is an authentic coming-of-age tale with mystical characters, laugh-out-loud comedy, and pulse-pounding action. Perfect for the entire family to enjoy, the film features vibrant animation and a star-studded voice cast including Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh, Lucy Liu, Sandra Oh, Bowen Yang, Greta Lee, Brandon Soo Hoo, and more.

THE TIGER’S APPRENTICE follows Chinese-American teenager Tom Lee (Brandon Soo Hoo), whose life changes forever when he discovers he is part of a long lineage of magical protectors known as the Guardians. With guidance from a mythical tiger named Hu (Henry Golding) and the other Zodiac animal warriors, Tom trains to take on an evil force (Michelle Yeoh) that threatens humanity.

Fans who purchase the film on Digital* or DVD will have access to four behind-the-scenes featurettes with cast and crew:

• The Power of the 12
• The Tiger’s Troupe: The Epic Cast
• From Apprentice to Hero
• The Magic of Chinatown

THE TIGER’S APPRENTICE is rated PG for action/violence, thematic elements, some language and suggestive references. The film originally debuted on Paramount+.

Get your own backyard water slide this summer

 The weather is getting warmer and kids are ready to play outside.  We are so excited to announce our partnership with Whubefy with their  Whubefy Double Dip Inflatable Water Slide Park – 14.5 x 12.7 x 7.5 FT Heavy-Duty for Backyard Fun with Giant Splash Pool, 2 Slides, Climbing & 2 Water Cannon – 520W Blower & 2 Water Squirters Included.

This slide sets up in MINUTES! Turn on the blower and attach the included water hose and you are ready for hours of fun, right in your own backyard. No need to spend time and money at water parks this summer, you will have one in your backyard!

  Picture this: You're scrolling through Amazon, searching for the perfect addition to your summer shenanigans. Suddenly, you stumble upon it—a backyard water slide that promises hours of wet and wild fun. With a few clicks and a sense of anticipation, you hit "add to cart" and eagerly await its arrival. Fast forward a few days, and there it is on your doorstep, packaged in a box brimming with excitement. Let the backyard escapades begin!

Unboxing an Amazon purchase is always a thrill, but unboxing a backyard water slide? That's a whole new level of excitement. As you tear open the packaging, you can practically hear the sounds of summer beckoning you outside. Piece by piece, you assemble your newfound treasure, following the instructions with the precision of a seasoned DIY enthusiast (or at least attempting to).



With the slide finally assembled and the garden hose at the ready, it's time to put your purchase to the test. As you turn on the water and watch it cascade down the surface of the slide, you feel a rush of anticipation. Will it live up to the hype? There's only one way to find out.



With a running start and a whoop of excitement, you take the plunge. The cool water rushes past you as you hurtle down the slide, your heart racing with exhilaration. For a moment, you're weightless, suspended in mid-air, before gravity takes hold and you splash into the pool below. Success!




But the fun is just getting started. As friends and family gather to join in the festivities, the backyard transforms into a water-soaked wonderland. From daring dives to belly-flop contests, there's no shortage of laughter and adventure. Even the family dog gets in on the action, chasing after water droplets with boundless enthusiasm.



As the day stretches on and the sun dips low on the horizon, you can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Sure, you could have spent your summer lounging indoors, but where's the fun in that? Thanks to your trusty backyard water slide, you've turned an ordinary day into an unforgettable adventure—one that will be talked about for summers to come.


As you bid farewell to your guests and begin to tidy up the backyard, you can't help but marvel at the magic of online shopping. Who knew that a few clicks could lead to so much joy and laughter? As you pack away your newfound treasure, you know that this won't be the last time you venture into the world of Amazon adventures. After all, with a backyard water slide at your disposal, every day is a day worth celebrating.


So here's to summer days filled with laughter, sunshine, and the endless possibilities that come from a simple cardboard box on your doorstep. Who knows what adventures await? With Amazon as your guide, the sky's the limit.