Soontornvat, Christina

While staying in fabulous Nakhon City with Sam and his mother, the powerful Lady Ubon, Plum discovers that a dark storm is brewing beneath the city's glittering surface and must harness all her growing powers to survive it.

"Plum is facing the most difficult test of her Guardian powers yet. Lotus Island is in danger, and there's not much time to save this special place. Power-hungry Councilor Yurn is headed to the island with a ship full of hoverbots and a devious plan in mind: he means to take over Lotus Island and build a new city there. His plan will destroy the fragile ecosystem, including the island's precious lotus plants. When the Guardians learn that their unique powers are dependent on the lotus flowers, they realize just how much is at stake if Yurn succeeds. Plum must rely on her smarts, her Guardian powers, and most importantly-her friends-to save Lotus Island and all it stands for"--Jacket flap.

"Leo's dad is voting in his first election as a naturalized US citizen, and he promises to take Leo to the polls with him. Leo can't wait! But, after his cousin Ray casts doubt on the importance of a single vote, it'll take Leo's class mock election results, as well as a talk with his dad to convince him that each and every vote matters"-- Amazon.com.

As an 8th grader from a racially mixed family, Christina faces a new set of challenges, heartbreaks and triumphs.

Joining an expedition to chart the southern seas, twelve-year-old mapmaker's assistant Sai, posing as a well-bred young lady with a glittering future, realizes she's not the only one on board harboring secrets when she discovers the ship's true destination.

"Plum and her friends are traveling to the misty Bokati Island. There, they will study with the mysterious Guardian Master Em, who is the keeper of the ancient forest. The field trip comes just in time for Plum, who still can't figure out why she's so different from the other Novices on Lotus Island. At first, Plum doesn't know what to make of this quiet and sometimes gloomy place. But it doesn't take long to discover that Bokati is brimming with an incredible array of fascinating animals and plants. When an unseen force begins to destroy the trees, putting the entire ecosystem at risk, Plum and her classmates must spring into action. Plum is determined to help, even though she's hiding secrets about her own Guardian powers from even her closest friends"--Provided by publisher.

Young Plum is shocked to discover that she's been accepted to the Guardian Academy on Lotus Island, an elite school where kids learn how to transform into Guardians, magical creatures who are sworn to protect the natural world. The Guardian masters teach Plum and her friends how to communicate with animals and how to use meditation to strengthen their minds and bodies. All the kids also learn to fight, so they can protect the defenseless if needed. To her dismay, Plum struggles at school. While her classmates begin to transform into amazing creatures, Plum can't even seem to magic up a single feather! If she can't embrace her inner animal form soon, she'll have to leave school and lose the first group of real friends she's ever known.

As one of the only Asian Americans in her school, Christina confronts both well-meaning ignorance and cruel racism, but in middle school fitting in is important, which is why she and her best friend Megan are both excited and nervous to try out for the popular cheerleading squad.

Earth spins through eons of time, and then one day humans arrive and they change the planet--and it continues to change today though not in a good way, but by working together we can save it, and ourselves.

"Chronicles the many 'firsts' of Tammy Duckworth's journey, from her tenure as the first Thai American woman elected to Congress, to being the first woman with a disability to serve in the House and the Senate. This account of the groundbreaking military veteran and rising political star will inspire readers to dream and achieve"--Adapted from publisher.