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Cover of Lu

Jason Reynolds

Lu

Ages 8–12

Lu must learn to leave his ego on the sidelines if he wants to finally connect with others in the climax to the New York Times bestselling and award-winning Track series from Jason Reynolds. Lu was born to be cocaptain of the Defenders.

$7.99$9.99

Prices are indicative. Final price is set by the retailer at checkout.

Why this book

We keep this on the shelf for race, identity, and seeing yourself on the page — a story kids can feel, not just a lesson adults want to teach.

Who it's for

Ages 8–12. Especially helpful for celebrating the family you have — chosen or given.

Conversation starter

Ask: What made someone in this story feel proud of who they are?

Try this

Classroom tip: pair a chapter with a short journal prompt — no grades, just honest noticing.

Pair with

Two titles that deepen the same conversation.

Cover of Patina

Ages 8–12

Patina

Ghost. Lu. Patina. Sunny. Four kids from wildly different backgrounds with personalities that are explosive when they clash. But they are also four kids chosen for an elite middle school track team - a team that could qualify them for the Junior Olympics if they can get their acts together. They all have a lot to lose, but they also have a lot to prove, not only to each other, but to themselves. Patina, or Patty, runs like a flash. She runs for many reasons: to escape the taunts from the kids at the fancy-schmancy new school she's been sent to since she and her little sister had to stop living with their mom. She runs from the reason why she's not able to live with her 'real' mom anymore: her mom has The Sugar, and Patty is terrified that the disease that took her mom's legs will one day take her away forever. So Patty's also running for her mom, who can't. As the stress builds up, it's building up a pretty bad attitude as well.

$7.99$9.99
Cover of The Crossover

Ages 8–12

The Crossover

"A bolt of lightning on my kicks, the court is sizzling, my sweat is drizzling. Stop all that quivering, cuz tonight I'm delivering," raps basketball phenom Josh Bell. Thanks to his dad, he and his twin brother, Jordan, are kings on the court, with crossovers that make even the toughest ballers cry. But Josh has more than hoops in his blood. He's got a river of rhymes flowing through him -- a sick flow that helps him find his rhythm when everything's on the line. As their winning season unfolds, things begin to change. When Jordan meets the new girl in school, the twins' tight-knit bond unravels. In this heartfelt novel, basketball and brotherhood intertwine to show Josh and Jordan that life doesn't come with a playbook, and, sometimes, it's not about winning. - Jacket flap.

$8.99$10.99

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