National Network for Equitable Library Service

When Carolina Giddle moves into the Blatchford Arms, no one knows what to make of her sequin-sprinkled sneakers and her trinket-crusted car.

Travis has been waiting to get to junior high. When that time finally comes, things are both better, and worse, than he had hoped. On the plus side are two great new teachers.

Cosmo the clown is the first bit of light to come into Barbara's life in a long time. At home, she takes care of her abusive father, her grandmother, and Livvy, her sick sister.

At fifteen, Tamara has survived the foster-care system through brains, will and attitude.

In 1923 Alberta, Leroy "Doodlebug" Barnstable runs away from his aunt and abusive cousins and finds work with a travelling Chautauqua show.

Rachel is a Jew living in Kishinev, Russia. At fourteen, she has dreams of being a writer.

It is 1904, and Rachel and her family are leaving Russia to escape the continuing riots against Jews. They take the Trans-Siberian Railway across the country and board a ship to Shanghai.

Rachel, a young Jewish woman from a small town in Russia, has made an incredible journey.