Rachel Vail

Justin Case is officially done with third grade, but his worries are far from over. Now he has to face the ultimate challenge of summer camp. Camp is supposed to be entirely about having fun, but Justin is not so sure. Between the terrifying rules of the swimming pool, the completely unpredictable nature of camp food, and the dreaded prospect of wearing flip-flops, there is a lot for a cautious kid to be anxious about. Justin prefers to play it safe, but camp constantly pushes him out of his comfort zone. He has to navigate new social rules, figure out how to make friends outside of his usual school crew, and confront his fears head-on. With the help of his very active imagination and a few deep breaths, Justin begins to realize that stepping away from safety might actually lead to an amazing summer. This funny and highly relatable diary-style story captures all the genuine nerves and surprising triumphs of trying something completely new.

Katie Honors is known for being a remarkably nice kid who always tries to do the right thing. She works incredibly hard to be the perfect big sister, but her little brother Chuck makes it exceptionally difficult. Chuck is messy, sticky, and constantly ruining her carefully built creations. Katie secretly wishes she had a trampoline or a giraffe instead of a brother. Because she wants to stay perfect, Katie forcefully pushes all those angry feelings down deep inside. She calls this feeling the grumblesquinch. But holding in big, overwhelming emotions is exhausting, and eventually, Katie cannot contain them anymore. When she finally explodes, Katie discovers a vital and comforting lesson. You will find comfort in watching Katie learn that nobody is perfect, and there is always room to safely share even your most frustrating feelings with the people who love you.

Elizabeth is thrilled to finally be in the second grade. She loves recess, playing with friends, and even tackling her very first homework assignments. But her excitement comes to a crashing halt when her teacher assigns a big poster project about names. Elizabeth realizes her name has a bajillion letters, while her classmate Anna only has four. Even worse, Anna's name starts with the letter A, which means she gets to be first for everything in alphabetical order. Elizabeth firmly believes this system is entirely unfair, and she is determined to do something about it. She decides to launch a full classroom protest to change the rules. Along the way, she makes important discoveries about fairness, speaking her mind, and the proper use of glue. You will love cheering for this fierce, funny second-grader as she learns that using your voice is the best way to stand out and make genuine friends.

Justin Case has successfully survived the terrors of third grade and the unpredictable wilderness of summer camp. Now he is officially a fourth-grader, but growing up seems to bring a whole new set of complicated rules. The academic expectations are significantly higher, the tests are much harder, and the social dynamics of the playground are shifting in confusing ways. Justin is trying his best to keep up, but he suddenly finds himself in the crosshairs of a school bully. Instead of a physical fight, this bully uses harsh words and quiet intimidation, making Justin question his own worth. As he navigates this intimidating new terrain, Justin records his daily disasters and small victories in his trusty diary. Through trial and error, he attempts to figure out the right tools for handling bad days and mean kids. You will root for Justin as he discovers that true bravery is not about being fearless, but about standing up for yourself even when your knees are shaking.

Katie Honors is usually a very good kid who loves to smile and play nicely. But occasionally, things go horribly wrong. When her little brother carelessly knocks down the beautiful castle she spent hours building, Katie feels a massive, fiery anger rising inside her. Suddenly, she is not the sweet Katie anyone recognizes; she transforms into a wild, uncontrollable creature called Bombaloo. When she is Bombaloo, she throws toys, uses her fists instead of her words, and screams as loud as she can. Being this angry is actually quite terrifying. Thankfully, her mother knows exactly what to do. With a quiet time-out and a massive dose of loving understanding, the angry monster slowly begins to fade. You and your child will adore this deeply comforting story that perfectly captures the intensity of a childhood tantrum and the reassuring power of unconditional love.

Most piglets are perfectly content to grow up and become ordinary pigs, spending their days rolling happily in the mud. Liam, however, has a completely different dream. He knows deep in his heart that he is meant to be a bunny. Becoming a rabbit takes an incredible amount of focused practice. Liam diligently works on perfecting his hopping technique and forces himself to chew on leafy green salads. Despite his dedication, the other farm animals simply refuse to believe that a small, pink piggy can ever be a real bunny. Feeling incredibly discouraged, Liam almost gives up on his dream. Luckily, his incredibly supportive grandmother steps in to help him realize his true potential. You will fall in love with this sweet, funny, and deeply reassuring story about embracing your unique identity, proving that with enough determination, you can be exactly who you want to be.