English, Karen

When Bernardo comes to live with Carlos temporarily, taking over his top bunk, his spot on the school soccer team, and even his Papi's attention, Carlos knows he is not happy, but worse, Bernardo starts messing with Carlos's pet geckos, so Carlos tries to see past his cousin's annoying ways and keep the peace for his family's sake.

Gavin wants to make a good impression at Carver Elementary, where no one knows he excels at soccer and skateboarding, but an annoying big sister, a bully, and his great aunt's Pomeranian are not helping.

"While Ms. Shelby-Ortiz is recovering from an injury, substitute Mr. Willow takes over Nikki and Deja's third-grade class with disastrous results"--Provided by publisher.

This gently humorous story about a diverse group of elementary schoolers shows that even someone who seems strange can turn out to be a good friend, if you give them a chance.

"In the summer of 1965, Sophie's family becomes the first African Americans to move into their upper middle-class neighborhood in Los Angeles. When riots erupt in nearby Watts, she learns that life and her own place in it are a lot more complicated than they had seemed"-- Provided by publisher.

When Nikki and her best friend, Deja, start a newsletter about what is happening on their street and in their school, they focus more on writing exciting stories than on finding the truth.

"Richard can't wait to show off his skills at a friend's skateboard birthday party, but a note home from his teacher threatens to ruin his plans"--Provided by publisher.

When Bernardo comes to live with Carlos temporarily, taking over his top bunk, his spot on the school soccer team, and even his Papi's attention, Carlos knows he is not happy, but worse, Bernardo starts messing with Carlos's pet geckos, so Carlos tries to see past his cousin's annoying ways and keep the peace for his family's sake.

Ms. Shelby's third-grade girls are so excited about her upcoming wedding that they start a wedding planning competition, which drives a wedge between best friends Nikki and Deja, the two whose names were drawn to attend the event.

Deja, excited by the announcement that Carver School is going to elect its first ever student body president, is confident she can nab the third grade nomination with her best friend Nikki as her campaign manager, but her tendency to rush into things and boss people around alienates Nikki when she needs her the most.