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Books for Young Readers
Sherlock Roach Series
School Library Journal Gold Seal and Starred Review!
Sherlock Roach and his loyal partner Dr. Wormston are more than just a detective duo—they’re friends who always stick together. When a very important crumb vanishes without a trace, the pair hunts for clues throughout the insect underworld in a mystery that’s easy to follow, fun to read, and filled with laughs. Can they crack the case before all the crumbs disappear for good?
Joe McGee began this series before his passing in October 2025. Jess is helming the series, starting with Book Three, announced April 2026.
Sherlock Roach and his loyal partner Dr. Wormston are more than just a detective duo—they’re friends who always stick together. When a very important crumb vanishes without a trace, the pair hunts for clues throughout the insect underworld in a mystery that’s easy to follow, fun to read, and filled with laughs. Can they crack the case before all the crumbs disappear for good?
Joe McGee began this series before his passing in October 2025. Jess is helming the series, starting with Book Three, announced April 2026.
The Dare Sisters
Nominated for the Pennsylvania Young Readers Award
Savannah Dare has always wanted to be a pirate. She grew up on legends of Blackbeard from her grandfather―her best friend and fellow treasure hunter.
But now he’s gone. Savannah and her sisters, Frances and Jolene are left to find Blackbeard’s lost loot on their own. It was their grandfather’s dream, and they can’t let him down.
No one else in their small town on Ocracoke Island believes Blackbeard’s treasure is truly still out there . . . no one except their grandfather’s mysterious old business partner, who’s determined to find it himself. And when their family home is endangered, the Dare sisters realize finding Blackbeard’s treasure is their only hope!
Savannah Dare has always wanted to be a pirate. She grew up on legends of Blackbeard from her grandfather―her best friend and fellow treasure hunter.
But now he’s gone. Savannah and her sisters, Frances and Jolene are left to find Blackbeard’s lost loot on their own. It was their grandfather’s dream, and they can’t let him down.
No one else in their small town on Ocracoke Island believes Blackbeard’s treasure is truly still out there . . . no one except their grandfather’s mysterious old business partner, who’s determined to find it himself. And when their family home is endangered, the Dare sisters realize finding Blackbeard’s treasure is their only hope!
Book Two: Shipwrecked!
Savannah Dare has taken up the mantle of treasure hunter, passed down by her grandfather—and she’s recruited her two sisters to join the crew!
But it turns out there’s a reason Blackbeard’s treasure has been missing for centuries. Most of Savannah’s neighbors think it doesn’t even exist. But the sisters have a key—a literal, golden, jewel-encrusted key—and they’re determined to find what it unlocks with the help of clues and puzzles their grandfather left behind.
Their voyage of discovery leads them to a trove of family secrets and betrayals, and soon Savannah has to ask herself what price she’s willing to pay in return for the ultimate prize.
But it turns out there’s a reason Blackbeard’s treasure has been missing for centuries. Most of Savannah’s neighbors think it doesn’t even exist. But the sisters have a key—a literal, golden, jewel-encrusted key—and they’re determined to find what it unlocks with the help of clues and puzzles their grandfather left behind.
Their voyage of discovery leads them to a trove of family secrets and betrayals, and soon Savannah has to ask herself what price she’s willing to pay in return for the ultimate prize.
The Hike to Home
Lin Moser is not looking forward to this summer. After living on the road all her life, hiking mountains and traveling through the country in an RV with her house-flipping parents, she’s now stuck in Newbridge, New Jersey for their longest stay yet. With Mom away on a year-long naturalist assignment, Lin has resigned herself to having the most boring summer ever. But then she finds out about a local legend: an ancient ruined castle in the woods that no one has been able to find. Hiking to this castle would be like a quest. . . such an amazing quest that Mom might even come home, and they could adventure together the way they used to.
Determined to create her own adventure, Lin sets off on her biggest one yet—braving the wilderness with her two new friends, seeking the castle, and maybe discovering a new idea of home along the way.
With her trademark humor and heart, Jess Rinker delivers a story of adventure and growing up in The Hike to Home.
Determined to create her own adventure, Lin sets off on her biggest one yet—braving the wilderness with her two new friends, seeking the castle, and maybe discovering a new idea of home along the way.
With her trademark humor and heart, Jess Rinker delivers a story of adventure and growing up in The Hike to Home.
Out of Time
When Allie, Vic, and their friend, Max, are mysteriously sent back in time to the Titanic, they have to find a way to save their parents’ shop, save their futures, and get off the ship before it sinks! Join them as they explore the Titanic in its prime and attempt to find their way back to the present!
Monolith
When August Beck is out looking for his missing brother River, the last thing he expects to find is a monolith standing in the cornfield! August is certain the monolith and River's disappearance are connected and that aliens are to blame. But his best friend Tilly Wilson isn't so sure.
Tilly is an expert researcher. She has to be in order to run her own community newspaper. Tilly is always chasing down a good story, like her curious neighbor Mr. Starr, who makes art out of trash, but she isn't convinced August's theory is true. She's afraid he's a little too obsessed with aliens and avoiding the hard truth that little River might be gone forever.
Together they search for answers and they don't always like the explanations. Tilly learns sometimes it's better to let a story go, and August learns sometimes embracing the unknown yields surprising results. But between the monolith, changes within their own families, and a mysterious voice in the cornfield, both friends have an astonishing summer, one that teaches them to embrace mystery and never stop asking questions.
Tilly is an expert researcher. She has to be in order to run her own community newspaper. Tilly is always chasing down a good story, like her curious neighbor Mr. Starr, who makes art out of trash, but she isn't convinced August's theory is true. She's afraid he's a little too obsessed with aliens and avoiding the hard truth that little River might be gone forever.
Together they search for answers and they don't always like the explanations. Tilly learns sometimes it's better to let a story go, and August learns sometimes embracing the unknown yields surprising results. But between the monolith, changes within their own families, and a mysterious voice in the cornfield, both friends have an astonishing summer, one that teaches them to embrace mystery and never stop asking questions.
Gloria Takes a Stand
Picture Book Biography of Feminist Icon Gloria Steinem: Perfect for fans of I Dissent comes an inspirational and empowering account of the life of women's rights icon Gloria Steinem.
As a young girl, Gloria Steinem thought for herself and spoke her mind. She read many books by her favorite authors and imagined herself as the heroine of the story.
Gloria wished. She read. And imagined.
But Gloria grew up during a time when women were not encouraged, or even allowed, to do a lot of the things men could do: go to college, get a job, open a bank account, and more. There were restrictions that made it impossible for women to be independent or equal to men. So, Gloria set out to change that . . .
Gloria listened. She watched. And wrote.
Gloria believed. She marched. And dreamed.
From unconventional childhood, to Smith College, to Ms. magazine, to the women's liberation movement, to feminist icon—Gloria Takes a Stand brings to the page a spirited look at Gloria Steinem's influential life, energizing a new generation of feminists to stand up and demand equal rights for all people.
As a young girl, Gloria Steinem thought for herself and spoke her mind. She read many books by her favorite authors and imagined herself as the heroine of the story.
Gloria wished. She read. And imagined.
But Gloria grew up during a time when women were not encouraged, or even allowed, to do a lot of the things men could do: go to college, get a job, open a bank account, and more. There were restrictions that made it impossible for women to be independent or equal to men. So, Gloria set out to change that . . .
Gloria listened. She watched. And wrote.
Gloria believed. She marched. And dreamed.
From unconventional childhood, to Smith College, to Ms. magazine, to the women's liberation movement, to feminist icon—Gloria Takes a Stand brings to the page a spirited look at Gloria Steinem's influential life, energizing a new generation of feminists to stand up and demand equal rights for all people.
Send a Girl!
Picture Book Biography of FDNY Firefighter Brenda Berkman:
Brenda Berkman was often told that she couldn't do certain things because she was a girl.
When she grew up, she longed for a job that was challenging, different every day, and required physical and mental strength. In 1977 when the New York City Fire Department finally complied with the Civil Rights Act (from 1964) by allowing women to take the FDNY exam, Brenda jumped at the chance.
But the FDNY changed the rules of the exam so women wouldn't be able to pass it. Even a lot of men couldn't pass this new exam.
So Brenda Berkman took the FDNY to court. In 1982, they finally made a fair test, and Brenda and 40 other women passed. She then founded the United Women Firefighters, an organization that helps train and prepare women to be firefighters. Brenda went on to serve in the FDNY for 25 years, reaching the positions of Lieutenant and Captain, and was a first responder during the attacks on the Twin Towers on 9/11. Send a Girl! is Brenda Berkman's inspiring story.
Brenda Berkman was often told that she couldn't do certain things because she was a girl.
When she grew up, she longed for a job that was challenging, different every day, and required physical and mental strength. In 1977 when the New York City Fire Department finally complied with the Civil Rights Act (from 1964) by allowing women to take the FDNY exam, Brenda jumped at the chance.
But the FDNY changed the rules of the exam so women wouldn't be able to pass it. Even a lot of men couldn't pass this new exam.
So Brenda Berkman took the FDNY to court. In 1982, they finally made a fair test, and Brenda and 40 other women passed. She then founded the United Women Firefighters, an organization that helps train and prepare women to be firefighters. Brenda went on to serve in the FDNY for 25 years, reaching the positions of Lieutenant and Captain, and was a first responder during the attacks on the Twin Towers on 9/11. Send a Girl! is Brenda Berkman's inspiring story.
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