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One Saturday, Esme who lives with her grandparents on a farm, goes with her grandfather to the county auction to buy the animal promised. The girl chooses Trudy, a small brown and white goat, and discovers a strong bond with this very special animal. Richly toned paintings depict the affection and farm life — concluding with a lovely surprise for Esme.

An unlikely friendship develops between a small, basket-weaving mouse named Celeste and the young apprentice to the great naturalist, Audubon. They meet when Joseph accompanies Audubon to New Orleans to paint the birds of Louisiana. Evocative pencil drawings add information as well as emotion in this unique, attractive, sometimes sad, but always riveting blend of fact and fantasy.

Emily’s dog, Carlos, accompanied her almost everywhere, “decorating her clothes with dog hair” even when she wrote. Rich narrative sprinkled with quotes from Emily Dickinson’s poetry and letters combines with expressive watercolors for a unique portrait of the poet. Additional information and sources complete this handsome book.

This humorous and heartwarming novel takes place during the summer of 1962, when narrator Jack Gantos turns 12 and has been “grounded for life” by his parents. He takes on a summer job writing obituaries filled with stories about the people who founded his Utopian town, Norvelt. Gantos expertly mixes truth and fiction in this book. For mature readers 9-12 and teens. (2012 Newbery Medal Winner)

Bits and pieces in Miranda’s life in New York City in 1978 mysteriously come together to reveal a surprising whole in which Miranda’s favorite book, Madeline L’Engle’s Wrinkle in Time, figures prominently. (2010 Newbery Medal Winner)

Gerald the elephant feels left out when his buddy, Piggie, celebrates Pig Day. All ends well as Piggie reaffirms his friendship with in this addition to an ever popular series.

Beaver is oblivious to the chaos he creates and its impact on others and himself. He finally decides to do better — much to everyone’s relief, revealed with understated humor.

Dramatic, realistic illustrations set the fresh retelling of the familiar fable in Africa’s Kalahari.

A cat befriends a monk and brings good fortune to his rundown temple in this handsomely illustrated retelling narrated by Tama, the feline hero.

Even though Squish and his pals are one-cell amoebas, children will recognize themselves in the frenetic adventures of bullies and saving the world from evil.

An orphaned burro named Roo and Rena, a runt pup, grew to be friends and allies who guard sheep on a Nevada ranch. Their story is told in photograph and clear text.

Friends come in all shapes and sizes (even species!) seen in tender photographs of animal friendships. Gentle rhymes and informative text allow finish the portrait of friends.

Buzz, a boy, and his pet fly, Fly Guy, visit a flyswatter factory with Buzz’s class in the latest installment of this comic series.

All the kids have it — the cheese covered with red wax — except Ivy & Bean. How they earn the money to buy it causes funny mayhem and minor disasters.

Ellray, a small third grader, has trouble not responding to Jared, the class bully. If Ellray can stay out of trouble though, his dad has promised a trip to Disneyland!

Dramatic, quiet, and warming, this is a story of friendship across cultures in 1800s Mississippi. While searching for blackberries, Martha Tom, a young Choctaw, breaks her village’s rules against crossing the Bok Chitto. She meets and becomes friends with the slaves on the plantation on the other side of the river and later helps a family escape across it to freedom when they hear that the mother is to be sold. Tingle is a performing storyteller, and his text has the rhythm and grace of that oral tradition. 

This comic book is the first volume in a series set in 18th-century colonized North America and based on traditional teachings of the Anishinabek. We follow the story of two mischievous Ojibwe brothers as they play pranks and have amazing adventures using a traditional Ojibwe medicine that transforms them into animals for a short time. The authors include members of the Salteaux and Henvey Inlet First Nations. Additional volumes are available through the Rabbit and Bear Paws website (opens in a new window).

Molly, a mouse, and her friends come up with just the right gift for Turtle’s birthday: an illustrated book about the four seasons. Lightly lined illustrations complement this gentle story of friendship, seasons, and celebrations.

A young girl’s love for music leads her to a job in the home of an older woman who teaches her not only to play the piano but also to care for others.

Miz Berlin tells wonderful stories about how she caught crawdaddies the day the sky rained feathers or about the day the flood rose right to her front door as she and young Mary Alice walk together around the block.

Mr. Putter’s neighbor, Mrs. Teaberry, decides that they should join a band, but finding the right one isn’t as easy as it sounds — for them or their pets. Mr. Putter’s everyday adventures continue In other books in the series such as Mr. Putter and Tabby Paints the Porch (opens in a new window); here the help Mr. Putter gets from his animal friends makes painting his front porch a challenge.

After her husband’s death, an old woman finds friendship when she rents an older cat via the Internet. A charming and quirky take on the sensitive subjects of bereavement and care of the elderly.

An old woman who has outlived all her friends is reluctant to become too attached to the stray dog that visits her each day…until one day he doesn’t appear

Sally describes an elderly neighbor who grows flowers, waves to children as they pass and bakes cookies.