Ann Hazzard PHD

Carmen and her Papi share a special bond over magic tricks. He knows exactly how to make colorful sarapes soar through the air and can even make rabbits disappear in the blink of an eye. But when Papi suddenly vanishes from Carmen's life, it is not a magic trick. He has been detained because of his immigration status, leaving Carmen feeling scared and confused. At first, her family decides to keep his detention a secret, worried about what other people might think or say. The heavy burden of hiding the truth makes everything feel even harder. But as the people in their neighborhood gradually learn what happened, they step up to surround Carmen and her family with deep support and care. Through the warmth of her community, Carmen discovers her own powerful inner courage. She realizes that no matter how far away Papi is, their connection cannot be broken. This moving, realistic story offers a gentle and empowering look at family separation and the strength we find when we stand together.

Jump into the story Emma and Josh have heard people talking about something that happened in their town. A Black man was shot by the police, and everyone is having big feelings about it. Emma and Josh have lots of questions for their parents, like why it happened and what it means. Why it pulls you in This gentle and honest book follows two different families, one Black and one White, as they talk about what happened. It helps you understand big, difficult words like unfairness and racial injustice in a way that makes sense. What you will discover You will learn that it is always okay to ask questions when you feel confused or scared. By talking with your family, you can discover how to treat everyone with kindness and stand up for what is right in your own neighborhood.

When something scary happens in your neighborhood, it can be hard to know how to feel. After Miles's cousin Keisha gets hurt in a shooting at the local park, Miles feels worried and afraid. The park used to be his favorite place to play, but now everything feels different and unsafe. But Miles soon discovers that he does not have to face his fears alone. With the help of his family and friends, he learns how to use his imagination to feel brave again. Even better, he sees his whole neighborhood coming together to make their park a peaceful and welcoming place once more. This thoughtful and reassuring story helps you understand big events in your community. It shows that while scary things do happen, there are always caring adults working hard to keep you safe. By standing together and sharing your feelings, you can help bring hope and healing to the places you love.

When someone in your family is struggling, it is normal to feel worried and confused. Claire's life changes completely after her mom gets into a car accident. Even as her mom's body starts to heal, she just does not seem like her usual self. Sometimes her mom misses work, and Claire finds herself taking care of her little brother Emmett more and more. Eventually, Claire's mom explains the truth about what is going on. She has developed an addiction to her pain medication. Hearing this big news is scary, but it finally helps Claire make sense of the changes in her home. This compassionate story walks with you through the heavy feelings that come with parental addiction. It provides a safe space to understand what addiction means and reminds you that a grown-up's struggle is never your fault. Through honesty and support, you will see how families can work together to heal and find hope for the future.