Ready? Okay! It's time for school at the brand new Curiosity Academy, and there's a certain third grade classroom that stands out from the rest. It's got a cool teacher named Mrs. Z, who wears high-tops and science earrings, and is full of unique classmates from all over Peppermint Falls, who all have a secret.
Emma just wants to makes friends at her new school, but an old friend-turned-enemy might ruin her chance at a fresh start. Rohan opens a pet care company to raise money for a school garden, but it's hard to care for pets when you've never done it before and might be a little afraid of them! Poppy tries out a new candy recipe for her class, but she's distracted by her grandma, who's suddenly forgetting things she used to know by heart. Memo is thrilled to be going to a sci-fi fantasy convention with his friend, but his Spanish-speaking abuela has to take them there and Memo doesn't speak Spanish. In a crowded space with no way to talk to each other, nothing could go wrong, right? Wyatt usually keeps to himself and chats with his best friend, Lizzie, who happens to be a stuffed lizard. But as he's growing older, is it still okay for him to bring Lizzie to school? What if someone sees? And lastly, when Mrs. Z's class is getting ready for a variety show, Ayana, who likes blending into the background, is having enough trouble deciding what she could perform center stage when she realizes her loud, bad-joke-telling, all-eyes-on-me dad is a variety show volunteer! Will she ever figure out her performance when she's feeling this embarrassed by her dad?
Join the kids in Mrs. Z's class in these six exciting tales of friendship and family, which can be read in any order you choose!
• Emma McKenna, Full Out
• Rohan Murthy Has a Plan
• Poppy Song Bakes a Way
• The Legend of Memo Castillo
• Wyatt Hill's Best Friend Is a Lizard
• Ayana Ndoum Takes the Stage Kate Messner is passionately curious and writes books for kids who wonder, too. Her award-winning titles include picture books like Once Upon a Book, Over and Under the Snow, and The Scariest Kitten in the World; middle-grade novels like All the Answers and Breakout; the Fergus and Zeke easy reader series; the Ranger in Time chapter book adventures; and the History Smashers illustrated nonfiction series. A former middle-school Language Arts teacher, she splits her time between New York's Champlain Valley and Florida's Gulf Coast. Visit her online at katemessner.com and find her on social media at @katemessner.
Rajani LaRocca was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area, where she practices medicine and writes award-winning books for young readers, including the Newbery Honor-winning middle-grade novel in verse, Red, White, and Whole. She's always been an omnivorous reader, and now she is an omnivorous writer of fiction and nonfiction, novels and picture books, prose and poetry. She also co-hosts the STEM Women in KidLit Podcast. Learn more about Rajani and her books at RajaniLaRocca.com and Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn at @RajaniLaRocca.
Karina Yan Glaser started writing The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street when her uncle dared her to write a book. Now she is a New York Times bestselling author. Karina's novels have been translated into twelve languages and have been optioned for film by Amy Poehler. Her latest book, A Duet For Home, earned three starred reviews, was featured on The Today Show, was selected for numerous Best Of lists, nominated for eight state book awards, and was a Teen Readers Choice Award Finalist, among other honors. One of her proudest achievements is raising two kids who can't go anywhere without a book. She lives in New York City with her husband, two teenagers, and an assortment of rescue animals. Find her online at www.karinaglaser.com.
William Alexander won the National Book Award for his debut novel, Goblin Secrets, as well as t
