National Network for Equitable Library Service

Kate and Jake have always been best friends; always, that is, until Jake's cousin, Lionel, moves nearby and Jake starts spending time with him instead. Kate struggles with his abandonment and her own loneliness as she seeks new friends that share her likes and dislikes. And, perhaps there is a place in her life for her old best friend after all.

Neil plays guitar with his family's band, the Family McClintock, even though he can't stand the Celtic music they play, he doesn't dance, he hates the outfits, and every single performance reminds him that he isn't as talented as the rest of the family. When his buddy Bert convinces him to form a rock band and enter a local talent show, Neil's playing improves and everyone notices, including a girl who shares his musical interests. He starts to think that all those years of practice might come in handy after all.

The students of the 121 Express are infamous for bad behavior. Lucas knows his role on the bus will determine his social standing at his new school. When a cool troublemaker singles him out, he saves himself by teasing another kid. His ploy works, and soon Lucas is right in the center of the mayhem on the bus. He loves his new popularity, but when the fun and games get out of control, Lucas begins to question his choices.

It's all aboard! for mystery when Dinah Galloway takes the cross-country train from Vancouver to Toronto, to appear on a TV talent show. But will she make it-or be permanently derailed? Along with her sister Madge, and her fellow junior musicians, tree fanatic Pantelli Audia and history buff Talbot St. John, Dinah is shadowed by someone who wants to get hold of an $80,000 treasure left by her late dad. But what is the treasure?

Brady is a dreadful card player and he doesn't like dogs. His mother has moved him across the country to be near to his grandfather who insists on playing (and winning) endless games of Crazy Eights and whose ornery, ancient dog makes Brady's life miserable. Abra, next door, is nice to him, but she dresses like a witch and she's a girl. The only way that Brady can see to make real friends in his new home is to enter the upcoming dog show, but how is he going to do that without a dog?

Take one prankster, put her together with the editor of the world's most boring school newspaper, add one over-worked principal, and you've got a recipe for the most chaotic few weeks in the history of Upland Green Elementary. The unlikely duo of Martin Wettmore, editor and expert grammarian, and Trixi Wilder, prankster extraordinaire, is given the task of improving the pathetic sales of their school newspaper. Martin and Trixi clash over everything from journalistic integrity (Trixi has none) to imagination (Martin has none).

Philip lives for skateboarding. School is merely the break between trying to land a difficult jump and outrunning the security guards. When he and his best friend Wally meet a professional skateboarder who videotapes himself for his website, Philip thinks they can do it too -- and make money at the same time. When they start getting hits on their website -- and making money -- they start to feel the pressure to do more and more dangerous stunts.

Fourteen-year-old Simone is having trouble making friends at her new school when her leadership studies class is paired with kindergarten students to mentor throughout the school year. To her surprise, Simone enjoys the Kinderbuddy Project, and she develops a special friendship with her Kinderbuddy, Lily. But as the bond between Simone and her Kinderbuddy grows, she realizes that a crisis is looming in Lily's family. Simone calls upon Aaron, the reluctant heartthrob of the class, for help, and they become key witnesses to events neither of them could have predicted.

Zach y Ashley llevan un tiempo juntos y las cosas van bien, hasta que un día Ashley descubre que está embarazada. Enseguida se enoja y culpa a Zach, pues no estaría en ese estado si él no hubiera sido tan imprudente. Pensando al principio en el aborto, se vuelve en contra de Zach que, confundido, trata de adoptar una actitud responsable. Después de ver las reacciones de sus familiares y amigos, Zach se da cuenta de que esta es una decisión que él y Ashley deben tomar juntos.

Thirteen-year-old Liza is having trouble coping with the death of a local homeless man when she learns that her family’s apple tree will need to be chopped down. If that wasn’t enough, the new principal at school keeps blocking her attempts for a positive outlet. Mrs. Reynolds refuses permission for every project that GRRR! (Girls for Renewable Resources, Really!) proposes. Liza needs to create change in her world, and she may have to do it without seeking permission.