self-acceptance

Ten-year-old Auggie Pullman, who was born with extreme facial abnormalities and was not expected to survive, goes from being home-schooled to entering fifth grade at a private middle school in Manhattan, which entails enduring the taunts and fear of his classmates as he struggles to be seen as just another student.

"Shannon is in eighth grade, and life is more complicated than ever. Everything keeps changing, her classmates are starting to date each other (but nobody wants to date her!), and no matter how hard she tries, Shannon can never seem to just be happy. As she works through her insecurities and undiagnosed depression, she worries about disappointing all the people who care about her. Is something wrong with her? Can she be the person everyone expects her to be? And who does she actually want to be?"--Provided by publisher.

"Spending the summer with relatives, a take-charge girl tackles the challenges of her aunt's failing bakery, her great-uncle's unique ways of communicating, and her great-aunt's perpetual gloom, before discovering that she, herself, may need help"--Provided by publisher.

Zubi, a happy Bangladeshi girl, is excited about her first day of school, but at breakfast she is puzzled by her mother and older sister worrying about being "too big," and even at school she hears other people criticizing each other's bodies, and she starts to worry that maybe something is wrong with how she looks--until her declaration at dinner that she is on a diet makes her family realize what they have been doing wrong.

Billy Plimpton wants to be a famous comedian when he grows up but his stutter is getting in the way, and right now he is so worried about being made fun of by the kids in his new school that he plans on not talking at all, but the plan backfires because his persistent silence only draws attention of the school bully--and Billy realizes that he needs another plan, one that does not depend on him speaking without a stutter.

"Panda Cat begins each day by brushing his teeth with garlic toothpaste, combing rotten eggs through his hair, and enjoying a breakfast of spoiled milk and a rotten apple. In Smellville, it's cool to be stinky. But when he tries to invent the stinkiest smell ever for the science fair, it backfires -- because it smells good. And Panda Cat . . . likes it? How will he tell his friends? Or his hero, Albert Einstink -- the scientist behind the theory of stinkativity?"--Provided by publisher.

Thelma the pony wants to be a unicorn--but when her wish comes true she discovers that there is a downside to fame, and realizes that she was happier at home with her friend.

"Every young elephant parades their talent in front of the king to earn their special elephant name. But Num-Num doesn't have a special skill to display. With a little help from some familiar friends, will this little elephant learn that being yourself is the most important talent of them all?"--Provided by publisher.

Leading a double life as Sabrina, a funny-girl alter-ego that frees her to explore who she really is and what she really wants, teen stand-up comic Gretchen is torn between two boys as she learns to be her truest self.

Although she is a good singer, Kamilla refuses to try out for the school musical because she sees herself as overweight and doesn't want anyone looking at her. Kamilla and her mom see a doctor who tells her she's a healthy weight and encourages her to exercise to feel better both physically and mentally. Kamilla's new habit leads to a new self-confidence and a special new friend. Includes a glossary, critical thinking questions, and a personal challenge.