An inventive tale by a beloved Hans Christian Andersen Award winner celebrates our differences--and the joys of inclusion--through the lens of artificial intelligence. From the boundless imagination of David Almond comes a thought-provoking question, packaged in a lively illustrated chapter book: what if a robot went to school? When a new boy joins their class, everyone thinks he's . . . odd. George doesn't behave like other kids. He doesn't think like other kids. But he's great at football and snacking, and that's what matters to Dan and Maxie and friends, who resolve to make George feel welcome. Over time, they learn that he's just like them, in most ways, except one: George is a robot, part of an ambitious new experiment, with sinister people bent on destroying him. When his lab pulls him out of school, can George's new friends recover him--and set him free? Told in David Almond's signature rollicking narrative style, this poignant tale about what it means to be human, paired with warm and funny black-and-white illustrations, will inspire children to think and giggle in equal measure.

Everyone knows the most stressful day of middle school: picture day! And that's exactly where this yearbook-worthy graphic novel of reinventing yourself, drama, popularity, and the friends who see you through begins. Seventh-grader Viv never looks forward to picture day. It’s just another day where she wears a boring braid and no one notices her. (Her two best friends, Milo and Al, don’t count, of course.) But enough is enough. This year, she’s taking matters into her own hands. Literally. Viv grabs a pair of scissors, her phone for live-streaming, and, well, bye-bye braid. Suddenly Viv is an over-night influencer at Brinkley Middle School. Everyone wants her help planning their next big moment—from haircuts, to dance proposals, activist rallies and mathlete championships. She hardly even has time for her friends anymore. It’s exactly how she dreamed of reinventing herself…right? In the tradition of modern classics like Vera Brosgol's Be Prepared, Svetlana Chmakova's Awkward, and Kayla Miller's Click, Picture Day brings answers to perennial questions of what it means to be true to yourself—and a true friend.

It's warm up time in this newest installment in the Brinkley Yearbook series. Will Alexandra make the cut and help the historically boys baseball team defend their 9-year championship title? Alexandra, also known as Al, has been playing baseball with her older brothers for as long as she can remember. But when she ages out of Little League, it seems like it’s the end of the road for Al and the sport she loves. Until, that is, her friend Sammy suggests that Al try out for the middle school team—a team that has always been boys-only. Al is prepared to fight for her right to try out, but to her surprise, the coach is delighted by her interest. When Al makes the team, it seems like everything is going to work out. But with a tenth consecutive championship on the line for Brinkley Middle School and a team that can’t seem to get along, will their season ground out faster than Al can say “home run”?

A laugh-out-loud new illustrated chapter book series celebrating the roller coaster highs and lows of life in a second grade classroom. Buddy has a good feeling about second grade. He knows where to go, his best friend is in his class, and he’s ready for a great year. And then Bea shows up—new, tardy, and showing off brand new stitches. Buddy was not expecting Bea. Bea's fast talking and upside-down thinking leave Buddy feeling buzzy—and with his hair full of mayonnaise. How will he and Bea ever figure out how to get along in the same classroom community?

A laugh-out-loud new illustrated chapter book series celebrating the roller coaster highs and lows of life in a second grade classroom. Buddy has a good feeling about second grade. He knows where to go, his best friend is in his class, and he’s ready for a great year. And then Bea shows up—new, tardy, and showing off brand new stitches. Buddy was not expecting Bea. Bea's fast talking and upside-down thinking leave Buddy feeling buzzy—and with his hair full of mayonnaise. How will he and Bea ever figure out how to get along in the same classroom community?

A laugh-out-loud new illustrated chapter book series celebrating the roller coaster highs and lows of life in a second grade classroom. It's the second week of school, and Buddy is wondering if the other second grade class might be more fun. They've even chosen a cool class name. How will his class ever compete? Especially when Ms. Maple says they shouldn't be competing at all? In the second installment of this new chapter book series, Buddy and Bea are still sorting out how to coexist--and making plenty of hilarious missteps along the way.

A laugh-out-loud new illustrated chapter book series celebrating the roller coaster highs and lows of life in a second grade classroom. It's the second week of school, and Buddy is wondering if the other second grade class might be more fun. They've even chosen a cool class name. How will his class ever compete? Especially when Ms. Maple says they shouldn't be competing at all? In the second installment of this new chapter book series, Buddy and Bea are still sorting out how to coexist--and making plenty of hilarious missteps along the way.

Meet the pets of Buddy and Bea and their friends in the third installment of this laugh-out-loud illustrated chapter book series celebrating life in a second grade classroom. After an author visits their classroom, Buddy and his friends are inspired to write about their pets—in fact, animals are suddenly all anyone can talk about! Joey’s adorable puppy even stops by Ms. Maple’s classroom (and makes a major mess). But something seems off about the things Bea is saying about her cat. Are her stories true? Buddy has his own pet problems (training a cranky cat is . . . hard), so he tries not to focus on the drama with Bea. But she isn’t so easy to ignore. No one knows what to think about Bea’s tales—should they believe her? Is she fibbing? The truth turns out to be more complicated than Buddy thought.

Meet the pets of Buddy and Bea and their friends in the third installment of this laugh-out-loud illustrated chapter book series celebrating life in a second grade classroom. After an author visits their classroom, Buddy and his friends are inspired to write about their pets—in fact, animals are suddenly all anyone can talk about! Joey’s adorable puppy even stops by Ms. Maple’s classroom (and makes a major mess). But something seems off about the things Bea is saying about her cat. Are her stories true? Buddy has his own pet problems (training a cranky cat is . . . hard), so he tries not to focus on the drama with Bea. But she isn’t so easy to ignore. No one knows what to think about Bea’s tales—should they believe her? Is she fibbing? The truth turns out to be more complicated than Buddy thought.

“Boisterous” and “bustling” Buddy and Bea make some unexpected—and hilarious—memories on school picture day in their fourth chapter book. It’s picture day at school! Lots of people are dressed up, and Bea is even wearing a fluffy dress, which she’s not exactly excited about. When she tells Buddy that he should take his glasses off for the photo, he listens. Everything will be blurry without them, but he decides he won’t take them off for long. Except then his glasses go missing. Are they lost? Did someone take them? Bea volunteers to help track them down, though her “help” isn’t always helpful. The perfect tension between these two second graders—a hallmark of this series—is front and center in this fast-paced, spot-on fourth installment.

When a little bunny is nervous about starting school, his big sister hops right in to help him tackle his first-day jitters. It's the first day of school, and little Bunny feels like something is flip-flopping in his belly. He won't know anyone. He doesn't know how to tie his shoes or how to read. And what if no one likes him? Can Bunny's sister convince him that the first day won't be a horrible disaster? Award-winning author and illustrator Suzanne Bloom's signature gentle humor, exuberant characters, and reassuring message will resonate with every child who has similar anxiety about the first day of school.