Jamie Harper

Miss Mingo helps all of the animal students in her class overcome their shyness on the first day of school by encouraging them to share something special about themselves. Includes facts about animals.

Eight-year-old EllRay's father has promised a family trip to Disneyland if EllRay can stay out of trouble for a week, but not defending himself against Jared, the class bully, proves to be a real challenge.

Eight-year-old EllRay Jakes decides to "borrow" his father's crystals to impress his classmates, but his plan to return the crystals before his father notices goes awry.

The only time Grace can get away from her little sister, who copies her every move, is when she goes to swimming class.

Bella thinks her purse, necklace, and shoes are good. And Mommy's? Well, Mommy's things are always better. But what happens when Bella misplaces her favorite toy? Follow this busy little mouse as she discovers what truly is the best of all --

Third-grader Emma becomes a reluctant heroine when she defends a friend from the class bully.

When the third-graders compete in the first annual winter games, Emma feels that she must win in order to prove to her father, who is divorced from her mother and lives in England with his new wife, that she is good at something.

"An emperor penguin mom treks up to fifty miles to bring food to her hungry chick. A toothy American alligator carefully carries hatchlings in her mouth, shuttling them safely to the water. A piping plover uses her best acting skills to feign an injury, luring predators away from her offspring. Whether building elaborate burrows, forgoing food for months on end to feed their cubs, toting hundreds of spiderlings on their backs, conducting patient swimming...