List

"The next Wonder. Good Different should be required reading." -- Good Morning America

An extraordinary novel-in-verse for fans of Starfish and A Kind of Spark about a neurodivergent girl who comes to understand and celebrate her difference.

Selah knows her rules for being normal.

She always, always sticks to them. This means keeping her feelings locked tightly inside, despite the way they build up inside her as each school day goes on, so that she has to run to the bathroom and hide in the stall until she can calm down. So that she has to tear off her normal-person mask the second she gets home from school, and listen to her favorite pop song on repeat, trying to recharge. Selah feels like a dragon stuck in a world of humans, but she knows how to hide it.

Until the day she explodes and hits a fellow student.

Selah's friends pull away from her, her school threatens expulsion, and her comfortable, familiar world starts to crumble.

But as Selah starts to figure out more about who she is, she comes to understand that different doesn't mean damaged. Can she get her school to understand that, too, before it's too late?

This is a moving and unputdownable story about learning to celebrate the things that make us different. Good Different is the perfect next read for fans of Counting by 7s or Jasmine Warga.

A loving book about what it means to come into your own, featuring an adorable pair of cockatoos.

As we cuddle here together,
gazing at the sky,
I know that soon the day will come
when you'll spread your wings and fly.

A small cockatoo and large cockatoo celebrate their unconditional love for each other in this sweet story full of gentle rhymes. Beloved children's book creator Emma Dodd explores important themes of growing up and learning to be independent.

Award-winning author and illustrator Charise Mericle Harper creates a laugh-out-loud picture book about making something out of nothing and the power of imagination in this companion title to I Cannot Draw a Horse.

The Horse wants a bicycle.
A bicycle is hard to draw.
The Book cannot draw a bicycle.
But the Book CAN draw shapes.

Can the Horse and the Cat build a bicycle from shapes? Or will their dreams end in pieces?

Featuring the same quirky contemporary voice and kid-friendly comic illustration style as its predecessor, I Cannot Draw a Horse, this children's metafiction book is an art lesson about creativity and determination, wrapped around a humorous narrative. Readers who have enjoyed other fourth wall--breaking books like B.J. Novak's The Book With No Pictures will appreciate the interactive elements in this book for children ages 3-8.

Praise for I CANNOT DRAW A HORSE

"Creative an loaded with humor, this story will have kids giggling in seconds and trying their hand at drawing a horse--or at least a gumdrop." --Booklist (starred review)

"Part Ed Emberley, with a dash of Pigeon, and entirely meta." --Kirkus Reviews

"Harper's illustrations make so much of so little, using a very limited palette and simple shapes, inviting readers into an artist's notebook. With a little imagination and some paper, 'nothing' can become quite something. --Horn Book Magazine

"An easy-to-read text with exclamatory speech bubbles and pictorial antics will tickle funny bones in this off-kilter circular story." --School Library Journal

Two award-winning creators team up for this picture book about what happens--and how you feel--when you give to someone else. And then it asks you to do just that--with the book in your hands!

Prepare to open a very special book--a book that you read, but that you don’t keep. That’s right. This book isn’t destined for a pile in your room. It’s not going to gather dust on a bookshelf. This book is for you to read and enjoy, and then to give away. Yes, away, to someone you've never spoken to before.

So, who are you going to pick? The next person you pass on the street? Someone sitting alone on a bench? A kid at the park? Who knows—maybe you'll even make a new friend!

Here is a one-of-a-kind picture book that brilliantly introduces the act of giving—quite literally—in a concrete way for kids to understand, and reveals how good it feels when you do.

From 4-time Grammy nominee Justin Roberts comes a heartfelt picture book about the lengths a father will go to in order to comfort and protect his child.

Because you and I,
we’re two of a pair:
you’re my everything,
and I’m your polar bear.

On a wintry walk in the twilight, a father and child’s antics come to resemble those of playful polar bears. As they tumble through the snow, explore icy caves, and push against the wind, Dad is a constant source of reassurance, comfort, and even a cozy ride home.

Tender illustrations and delicate verse create a playful and warm book that will help parents show their children that even through ups and downs, they will always be there.

Frank and Joe are on a mission to track down a thief in the first book in an all-new, interactive Hardy Boys chapter book mystery series. Includes space for readers to jot down their own ideas and solutions to the case!

Bayport Elementary is throwing a fundraiser so they can go on an end-of-the-year trip. Ellie Freeman’s parents have volunteered their house for the event, and neighbors have donated all sorts of prizes to be raffled off including movie tickets and gift certificates to Fun World. But the best prize of all is a brand-new ZCross50000, a video game system that every kid has been drooling over.

But sometime during the event, the ZCross goes missing. Can Frank and Jo figure out who took the prize before it’s too late to save the big school trip?

Bestselling children's picture book, from award-winning author-illustrator Guido Van Genechten! Perfect for Halloween storytime or any other time!

"A little ghost unapologetically makes the most of being different....Different never looked so appealing. " - Kirkus Reviews

"A sweet story about outsider friendship that is just slightly scary in places.... it's hard not to be charmed by van Genechten's smiley, rosy-cheeked ghosts, who could give Casper a run for his money in the cuteness department" - Publisher's Weekly

Gilbert goes to ghost school like all the other ghosts, but he's a special ghost: he doesn't like to screech in a scary way, he doesn't want to haunt and was always polite. What will happen to Gilbert when he's sent by the principal of school to the Abandoned Tower?

A warmhearted picture book by bestselling author-illustrator Guido Van Genechten about a different, special ghost. For quiet, and not so quiet, children ages 4 and up.

Go to school with Courtney(tm), Kirsten(tm), Addy(tm), and other American Girl® characters in this all-new Little Golden Book. Whether celebrating a first day of school, graduation, or the school days in between, this Little Golden Book makes a timeless gift for children ages 2 to 5 and collectors of all ages.

This Little Golden Book stars Samantha(tm), Felicity(tm), Rebecca(tm), and other favorite American Girl characters as they learn school lessons in their own exciting times. It features full-color illustrations and a diverse group of spirited characters from a variety of historical settings that are always engaging.

Introduced in 1986, American Girl's flagship line of historical characters features 18-inch dolls, books, and accessories that give girls a dramatic understanding of the role women and girls played in shaping our country.

Little Golden Books enjoy nearly 100% consumer recognition. They feature beloved classics, hot licenses, and new original stories . . . the classics of tomorrow.

Look out for these other great books:
* Happy Birthday! (American Girl) 9780593381854
* Make a Difference! (American Girl) 9780593431672
* Happy Holidays! (American Girl) 9780593381946

Join Minnie and all her friends and snuggle up in this collection of tales!


Search for a daffodil thief, attend a sleepover with Daisy, spend the day at the lake with the whole gang and more in this bedtime collection.



With six stories and a padded cover, this is sure to be a bedtime favorite year after year!


Compete your storybook collection with best-selling, fan-favorites!

• My First Baby Animals Bedtime Storybook
• My First Disney Halloween Bedtime Storybook
• My First Disney Princess Bedtime Storybook
• My First Disney Pixar Bedtime Storybook
• My First Disney Cuddle Bedtime Storybook
• My First Disney Classics Bedtime Storybook
• My First Disney Mickey Bedtime Storybook
• My First Disney Bunnies Bedtime Storybook

Featuring your favorite, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, this storybook collection has been completely redesigned with an all new cover, gilded pages, completely new stories, and a classic new look with over 275 illustrations. From Peter's science fair at school to Spidey's fierce battle with Venom to his unexpected visit to the Wild West, these exciting, action-packed stories are the ideal length for reading aloud.

A terrific Little Golden Book to get your little one excited about starting kindergarten--told from the point of view of a very excited student experiencing the first day of school!

Going to kindergarten is so much fun! This Little Golden Book follows a happy little girl on her first day of school. She and her new classmates play a game to get to know each other, explore the classroom (there's an art station and a class pet!), learn to raise their hand before speaking, practice standing in line without getting all giggly and wiggly, enjoy story time, and lots more. This is the perfect book to share with your future kindergartener!

Head back to school with the Berenstain Bears! Young readers will enjoy the stories, activities, stickers, and recipes in The Berenstain Bears School Days Collection, an addition to the Living Lights(TM) series of The Berenstain Bears books. With stories about starting school, new students, rumors and gossip, and settling disagreements, this treasury is perfect for children beginning a new school year or right in the middle of one.

The Berenstain Bears School Days Collection also features educational games, discussion questions, and activities to engage young minds, and includes several recipes perfect for lunchboxes or after-school snacks.

The Berenstain Bears School Days Collection includes:

• School Time Blessings
• Stand Up to Bullying
• The Truth about Gossip
• Blessed Are the Peacemakers
• Bear Country Fun Sticker and Activity Book
• Selected recipes from Country Cookbook

The Berenstain Bears School Days Collection--part of the popular Zonderkidz Living Lights series of books--is perfect for:

• Early readers ages 4-8
• Reading out loud during story time or bedtime
• Birthday gifts, Back to School, Easter, Christmas gift giving, or as a new addition to your home library
• Fans of the Berenstain Bears, one of the bestselling children's book series ever created, with more than 250 books published and nearly 300 million copies sold to date

A jar full of toy dinosaurs, a game of musical chairs, and a smudge of chocolate cake. Can Cam Jansen put the clues together to solve a birthday party puzzle? Full color.

Sometimes Lulu wants to play, but her big sister Zoey doesn't. Sometimes Zoey tries to share, but Lulu won't. Sometimes, it is HARD to get along with a sister! But, sometimes, sisters come together and create something wonderful. This charming story follows the adventures of Lulu and Zoey as they navigate the ups and downs of sisterhood and find there is room in their hearts for each other.

Ernesto Cisneros, Pura Belpré Award-winning author of Efrén Divided, is back with a hilarious and heartfelt novel about two best friends who must rely on each other in unexpected ways. A great next pick for readers who loved Ghost by Jason Reynolds or The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez.

Isaac and Marco already know sixth grade is going to change their lives. But it won't change things at home--not without each other's help.

This year, star basketball player Isaac plans on finally keeping up with his schoolwork. Better grades will surely stop Isaac's parents from arguing all the time. Meanwhile, straight-A Marco vows on finally winning his father's approval by earning a spot on the school's basketball team.

But will their friendship and support for each other be enough to keep the two boys from falling short?

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Unteachables, Gordon Korman, comes a hilarious new high-concept friendship story in the vein of Back to the Future. Perfect for fans of Korman's Restart.

Mason and Ty were once the very best of friends, like two nerdy sides of the same coin . . . until seventh grade, when Ava Petrakis came along. Now Mason can trace everything bad in his life to that terrible fight they had over the new girl. The one thing he'd give anything for is a do-over. But that can't happen in real life--can it?

As a science kid, Mason knows do-overs are impossible, so he can't believe it when he wakes up from a freak accident and finds himself magically transported back to seventh grade. His parents aren't yet divorced and his beloved sheepdog is still alive. Best of all, he and Ty haven't had their falling-out yet.

It makes no logical sense, but Mason is determined to use this second chance to not only save his friendship (and his dog!) but do other things differently--like trying out for the football team and giving new friends a chance. There's just one person he'll be avoiding at all costs: Ava. But despite his best efforts, will he be able to stop the chain of events that made his previous life implode?

A puzzlemaker's last clue. A friendship's last chance.

The GEEKs-
Gina, Edgar, Elena, and Kevin have been best friends for as long as they can remember. So when their arch-nemesis points out that their initials make them literally GEEKs, they decide to go with it.

The problem-
The GEEKs' hometown of Elmwood was once the headquarters of the famous toymaker Maxine Van Houten. Her popular puzzle sphere, the Bamboozler, put the town on the map. But Maxine passed away long ago. Now the toy factory is shutting down, and Elena's mom and Kevin's dad are losing their jobs. They might have to move-and that would mean splitting up the GEEKs!

The quest-
Maxine left one final puzzle, a treasure hunt that could save the town and keep the friends together. But only those who know and love Elmwood best will be able to solve it. GEEKs to the rescue!
 

A character-driven novel about the unlikely friendship between a 10-year-old boy and an elderly woman. The old woman badgers the boy into taking her sailing, but when the weather turns bad, it becomes a wild sail. It becomes the last trip before she goes into the hospital where she dies: but not before the two of them share memories of their last sail together. Hazel helps build the boy's confidence during a tough time in his home life. Both moving and joyful, Into the Wind is a poignant story about loss and love in a boy's life, and the surprising and sustaining bonds that can grow between the old and young.

How did the nightingale get its golden voice? A beautiful creation story answers the question.

The mountains, trees, and plants are young and full of color, but the animals are dull and drab, so the painter gets to work. She dabs dots on ladybugs and spots on butterflies, stripes on zebras and pentagons on giraffes. Finally, she comes to the very last creature--a patient beetle--and uses her special pot of gold paint. The painter is about to pack up to go home when a little gray bird flies out of the forest. The paint box is empty, but on the tip of the painter's brush remains a tiny bit of gold, which she drops at the back of the bird's throat. And when the painter asks the bird to sing, golden notes tumble from its beak. This timeless tale, with its stylish and striking illustrations, will appeal to children and adults alike.

A celebration of self-expression and the power of using your voice, centering Black children, and exploring the many things they can do, create, and say to make their mark.

Look around! Can you see?
The many spaces, places, and ways to
show the world all that you can be?

From painting, music, and slam poetry, to engineering, protesting, and photography, a young narrator journeys through her neighborhood, encouraging readers to explore all the many ways they can express themselves. A gorgeously illustrated and powerful celebration of self-expression shows children that there are so many spaces and opportunities to use their voices--and show the world exactly who they are.

What will you show the world?

"Thoughtful and inquisitory...Show kids the world is their oyster by giving them this thought-provoking book."--Kirkus Reviews

"Dalton's encouraging prose and Peoples' vivid illustrations will inspire young readers to explore various modes of self-expression and find an outlet to help them be themselves and also learn more about their community and the world. Readers of all ages will find comfort in this book."--Booklist

"Dalton cleverly permeates the narrative with sounds, giving the text a musical and poetic quality. Peoples's mixtures of technique and perspectives give the art a dynamism that harmonizes with the text throughout. A testament to Black excellence, this picture book will inspire readers to set no limits to their potential."--School Library Journal

"A rousing rallying cry for young creatives."--Publishers Weekly

There's something different about Freddy. And it might just be because he's a super-powered robot-which is pretty cool! But when his school clamps down on his powers, Freddy will have to figure out a way to act human without caving from the peer pressure. He has three strikes until expulsion. But what's so wrong with being himself?

Freddy is a superhero robot . . . stuck in school. Most robots get to build cars and save the world. But Freddy's mom says he has to go to school and learn stuff the human way. The only problem is that it's really hard to be human. And when he breaks the rules too many times, Principal Javid is forced to create a ROBOTIC CODE OF CONDUCT:

NO Super-Strength

NO Lasers

NO Rocket Boosters

Now Freddy has three strikes until game over: expulsion.

What will life be like with all of the pointing and whispering, but none of the fun? Will his friends even still like him? And who will be able to stop Henrik from terrorizing the other kids?

The only good thing about school was that it's where his friends are and now even that's changed. But Freddy being a superhero robot might be the only thing that could save everybody . . .

The inspiring story of a Puritan woman whose passion for writing poetry broke barriers.

Late at night, with her children tucked into bed and her husband away on business, Anne Dudley Bradstreet composed poems by candlelight. She let her thoughts from the day tumble out, memorizing each poem line by line before daring to shape the words onto scraps of scarce parchment. Puritan women in the 1600s weren't allowed to be writers. But when the world learned about Anne's poetry, even she was astonished by what happened next.

This charmingly illustrated picture book tells the inspiring story of how a Puritan woman overcame the obstacles facing women of her era to become one of the most famous poets in history. A gifted writer of deep faith, Anne Bradstreet blazed a trail for the rights of women to study, write, and achieve.

Throughout history, people have picked up their pens and wielded their words--transforming their lives, their communities, and beyond. Now it's your turn! Representing a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, Mightier Than the Sword connects over forty inspiring biographies with life-changing writing activities and tips, showing readers just how much their own words can make a difference. Readers will explore nature with Rachel Carson, experience the beginning of the Reformation with Martin Luther, champion women's rights with Sojourner Truth, and many more. These richly illustrated stories of inspiring speechmakers, scientists, explorers, authors, poets, activists, and even other kids and young adults will engage and encourage young people to pay attention to their world, to honor their own ideas and dreams, and to embrace the transformative power of words to bring good to the world.

When a cloudy gray sky cancels Pete the Cat's beach day plans, a big box is all he needs to beat the rainy-day blues.

Pete the Cat wants to go surfing, but he looks outside and--oh no!--it's gray and rainy. Does Pete get sad? No, he doesn't! Instead, he finds a really big and GROOVY box. Find out in this epic adventure just where Pete's imagination takes him.

From the authors of the #1 New York Times bestselling Pete the Cat series, James and Kimberly Dean, this out-of-the-box picture book is reminiscent of Pete favorites like Magic Sunglasses and perfect for fans of Not a Box by Antoinette Portis.

Don't miss Pete's other adventures, including Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes, Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons, Pete the Cat Saves Christmas, Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses, Pete the Cat and the Bedtime Blues, Pete the Cat and the New Guy, Pete the Cat and the Cool Cat Boogie, Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes, and Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party, and Pete the Cat: Crayons Rock!.

Written and illustrated by Omileye Achikeobi-Lewis, My Heart Flies Open is an inclusive, empowering, and uplifting picture book for girls of color about yoga, meditation, and coming home to self-love. All children will be charmed by this book.

In every situation I can blossom. Breathing in and breathing out, I know...I AM PEACEFUL.

Beautifully and brightly illustrated, My Heart Flies Open takes readers on a yoga journey of mindful reflection, self-discovery, and self-love. Starting with Easy Pose (I AM LOVE) and moving through Mountain Pose (I AM STILLNESS), Triangle Pose (I AM ME), and more, My Heart Flies Open guides young readers through a grounding sequence of 15 yoga poses and affirmations.

More than just another yoga or mindfulness book, My Heart Flies Open transports young readers to a magical world where they learn to overcome negative emotions and move dynamically through their feelings--shining bright and connecting to the peace, laughter, love, grounding, and spirit that live inside all along.

With every yoga pose, each breath in, and each breath out, My Heart Flies Open brings young readers home to themselves: they are life, love, joy, and kindness; bold, fierce, peaceful, and whole. Written for children, and especially girls of color, ages 4 - 8.

Stargazers rejoice! In his first book for children, renowned physicist Alan Lightman and collaborators, with help from the Hubble telescope, light up the night sky.

New York Times best-selling author Alan Lightman, in collaboration with Olga Pastuchiv, brings galaxies close in a stunning picture-book tribute to the interconnectedness of the natural world. Layering photographs taken from the Hubble telescope into charming and expressive art, illustrator Susanna Chapman zooms in on one child's experiences: Ada knows that the best place for star-gazing is on the island in Maine where she vacations with her grandparents. By day, she tracks osprey in the trees, paddles a kayak, and hunts for shells. But she's most in her element when the sun goes down and the stars blink to life. Will the fog this year foil her plans, or will her grandfather find a way to shine a spotlight on the vast puzzle of the universe . . . until the weather turns?

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone comes a challenging and heartwarming coming-of-age story about a softball player looking to prove herself on and off the field.

Shenice Lockwood, captain of the Fulton Firebirds, is hyper-focused when she steps up to the plate. Nothing can stop her from leading her team to the U12 fast-pitch softball regional championship. But life has thrown some curveballs her way.

Strike one: As the sole team of all-brown faces, Shenice and the Firebirds have to work twice as hard to prove that Black girls belong at bat.

Strike two: Shenice's focus gets shaken when her great-uncle Jack reveals that a career-ending--and family-name-ruining--crime may have been a setup.

Strike three: Broken focus means mistakes on the field. And Shenice's teammates are beginning to wonder if she's captain-qualified.

It's up to Shenice to discover the truth about her family's past--and fast--before secrets take the Firebirds out of the game forever.

From bestselling and award-winning author Sara Pennypacker comes the long-awaited sequel to Pax; this is a gorgeously crafted, utterly compelling novel about chosen families and the healing power of love.

It's been a year since Peter and his pet fox, Pax, have seen each other. Once inseparable, they now lead very different lives.

Pax and his mate, Bristle, have welcomed a litter of kits they must protect in a dangerous world. Meanwhile Peter--newly orphaned after the war, racked with guilt and loneliness--leaves his adopted home with Vola to join the Water Warriors, a group of people determined to heal the land from the scars of the war.

When one of Pax's kits falls desperately ill, he turns to the one human he knows he can trust. And no matter how hard Peter tries to harden his broken heart, love keeps finding a way in. Now both boy and fox find themselves on journeys toward home, healing--and each other, once again.

As he did for Pax, Jon Klassen, New York Times bestseller, Caldecott medalist, and two-time Caldecott Honoree, has created stunning jacket and interior illustrations.

THE INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * FIVE STARRED REVIEWS

Celebrate the joys of Black boyhood with stories from seventeen bestselling, critically acclaimed Black authors--including Jason Reynolds, Jerry Craft, and Kwame Mbalia!

★ "Pick up Black Boy Joy for a heavy dose of happiness." --Booklist, starred review

Black boy joy is...

Picking out a fresh first-day-of-school outfit.
Saving the universe in an epic intergalactic race.
Finding your voice--and your rhymes--during tough times.
Flying on your skateboard like nobody's watching.

And more! From seventeen acclaimed Black male and non-binary authors comes a vibrant collection of stories, comics, and poems about the power of joy and the wonders of Black boyhood.

Contributors include: B. B. Alston, Dean Atta, P. Djèlí Clark, Jay Coles, Jerry Craft, Lamar Giles, Don P. Hooper, George M. Johnson, Varian Johnson, Kwame Mbalia, Suyi Davies Okungbowa, Tochi Onyebuchi, Julian Randall, Jason Reynolds, Justin Reynolds, DaVaun Sanders, and Julian Winters

Perfect for fans of Adam Gidwitz's The Inquisitor's Tale, this lyrical middle-grade fantasy follows two children from opposite circumstances as their fates cross and change both their lives forever.

Ever since her mother's death, Princess Una has suffered through years of loneliness in the royal palace, where girls are treated as an afterthought. She yearns for a different life but is unsure how to make anyone notice her. Then her father announces a special contest: Whoever finds the rare Silva Flower can present it to Una for her twelfth birthday and receive a reward. Frustrated by her father's grand but empty gesture, Una decides to take her fate into her own hands.

Julien, a young pauper, has tried his whole life to make something of nothing, alongside his hardworking Baba. When Baba is arrested by terrifying debt collectors, Julien's only hope to save his father is to win the palace contest--to find the elusive Silva Flower. Little does he know that Una has decided to embark on a journey to find the prize, as well. As Una and Julien search for the flower, their destinies intertwine and offer a reward greater than anything either could ever hope for: the feeling of belonging.

In this lively, heartfelt tale, Ginger Johnson treats readers to an emotionally satisfying adventure with a truly memorable cast of characters.

In the ninth and latest addition to the New York Times bestselling Spy School series, Ben Ripley faces his nemesis, Murray Hill, on the high seas.

Thanks to the evidence Ben uncovered in his investigation of the Croatoan, the CIA has tracked his nemesis, Murray Hill, to Central America, where they believe he is boarding the world’s biggest cruise ship, The Emperor of the Seas, on its maiden voyage around the world.

His mission: Pose as part of a family, with Alexander and Catherine Hale as his parents, Erica as his sister, and his best friend Mike as his brother, to find out what Murray is plotting.

At first, it sounds exciting to have a mission on the most glamorous ocean liner on earth, but as usual, nothing goes according to plan. There is action, danger, and plenty of surprises as Ben and his team quickly find themselves in hot water.

For fans of Other Words for Home and Front Desk, this powerful, charming own voices immigration story follows a girl who moves from Karachi, Pakistan to Peachtree City, Georgia, and must find her footing in a new world. Reem Faruqi is the ALA Notable author of award-winning Lailah's Lunchbox.

"A lyrical coming of age story exploring family, immigration, and most of all belonging." --Aisha Saeed, New York Times bestselling author of Amal Unbound

"This empowering story will resonate with people who have struggled to both fit in and stay true to themselves." --Veera Hiranandani, Newbery Honor author of The Night Diary

"A gorgeously written story, filled with warmth and depth." --Hena Khan, author of Amina's Voice

When her family moves from Pakistan to Peachtree City, all Nurah wants is to blend in, yet she stands out for all the wrong reasons. Nurah's accent, floral-print kurtas, and tea-colored skin make her feel excluded, until she meets Stahr at swimming tryouts.

And in the water Nurah doesn't want to blend in. She wants to win medals like her star athlete brother, Owais--who is going through struggles of his own in the U.S. Yet when sibling rivalry gets in the way, she makes a split-second decision of betrayal that changes their fates.

Ultimately Nurah slowly gains confidence in the form of strong swimming arms, and also gains the courage to stand up to bullies, fight for what she believes in, and find her place.