Frank Carlson Library

"A middle grade graphic novel about Marlene, a young girl who stops straightening her hair and embraces her natural curls. Marlene loves three things: books, her cool Tia Ruby, and hanging out with her best friend Camila. But according to her mother, Paola, the only thing she needs to focus on is school and "growing up." That means straightening her hair every weekend so she can have "presentable," "good hair. But Marlene hates being in the salon...

Stacey McGill is moving back to New York, and her friends must face the sadness of saying good-bye, hunt down the perfect farewell gift, and take on the difficult task of filling Stacey's place in the Baby-sitters Club.

"Maureen and Francine Carter are twins and best friends. They participate in the same clubs, enjoy the same foods, and are partners on all their school projects. But just before the girls start sixth grade, Francine becomes Fran -- a girl who wants to join the chorus, run for class president, and dress in fashionable outfits that set her apart from Maureen. A girl who seems happy to share only two classes with her sister! Maureen and Francine are...

"Jen moves out to the country and has to put up with her mom and her mom's new boyfriend, as well as his kids. Suddenly part of a larger family in a new place, Jen isn't sure there is a place for her in this different world"--Provided by the publisher.

Pia is a soft-spoken middle schooler whose life is turned upside down after the loss of her younger brother, followed by her parents' decision to move to a new town. In an effort to get her mind off of the troubles at home, Pia goes on a bus tour with a family friend, stopping at weird and wacky roadside attractions. The final destination: a mysterious underground lake. The locals say it has magical powers; Pia won't admit she believes in it, but...

Emma can't help comparing herself to her bright and popular older sister, Julia. Try as she might, Emma can't seem to please her mom as much as her sister does. With help from her friends and basketball teammates, as well as Lexi, the French bulldog she's dogsitting, Emma realizes that there's no such thing as "perfect"--and it feels better to be true to herself, instead of trying to please others"--

"Every Saturday, Pawcasso trots into town with a basket, a shopping list, and cash in paw to buy groceries for his family. One day, he passes eleven-year-old Jo, peering out the window of her house, bored and lonely. Astonished by the sight of an adorable basket-toting dog on his own, Jo follows Pawcasso, and when she's seen alongside him by a group of kids from her school, they mistake her for Pawcasso's owner. Excited to make new friends, Jo reluctantly...

"Tatsu is ambushed by a yakuza with a beef, and there's only one way to settle things--an epic rap battle! but this throwdown is only a warm-up for the buffet yet to come, because when you're the Immortal Dragon, you don't choose the househusband life, it chooses you!" -- Page 4 of cover.

"Pen the Penguin lives with his most favorite keeper in the world: Hayakawa the Human. But Pen's no ordinary penguin... He's a neat penguin! A proper penguin! A doting penguin! Pen loves to daydream of Hayakawa's smile as he flips pancakes and folds the laundry with his teeny-tiny flippers. If only his beloved Hayakawa would notice! It's too bad Pen's human keeper is a hopelessly lazy university student, but with a little nap and some helpful friends,...

"It's not easy to walk away from the gangster life, and what should be mundane household tasks are anything but The Immortal Dragon, once the fiercest member of the yakuza, is now a married man devoted to supporting his loving wife -- as a househusband. But when the gangster-turned-homemaker needs to make some quick cash to buy her a present, he turns to the only skills he knows... and gets his first part-time job..."--Provided by publisher.