Juvenile Fiction

With unexpected twists and compelling characters, Don’t Feed the Lion explores how young people grapple with antisemitism, prejudice, allyship, and the courage to speak up.

"This book . . . gives kids the tools to recognize and stand up to hate.” —Jake Tapper, CNN Anchor and New York Times Best-Selling Author

Annie and Theo Kaplan have a family ritual: every Friday night they celebrate Shabbat with their energetic, immigrant grandparents. But this Shabbat, which happens to fall on Annie’s eleventh birthday, isn’t like the others. Thirteen-year-old Theo’s soccer hero—Wes Mitchell—has posted an antisemitic message that quickly goes viral, leaving his parents disgusted, his sister enraged, and Theo himself clobbered by a torrent of confusion, anger, sadness, and a deep desire to just ignore it. 

Antisemitism quickly affects the entire Kaplan family in various ways. Theo’s teammates think Mitchell’s comments were no big deal, and Theo notices an uptick in anti-Jewish commentary around school. A rare act of rebellion draws Annie into the fray, and a new classmate shows that ignoring pain is no way to get through it.

Don’t Feed the Lion asks readers of all backgrounds: What will you do when it’s your turn to choose?

Set in a Louisiana bayou and told in Cajun dialect-de chirren been nezzle/Good snug on de flo'--the poem has lively illustrations that perfectly suit the unique text.
-Horn Book

Rice is especially good with facial expressions, whether they are on a Texas jack rabbit, a longhorn steer, a dusty cowboy, or the green and long-nosed alligator named Gaston.
-Library Journal

It's the night before Christmas in a tiny shack on the Louisiana bayou, and Santa Claus, with his eight friendly alligators and toy-laden skiff, is on his way. Written in lively Cajun accents, the best-selling Cajun Night Before Christmas� is a beloved holiday classic. Now, with this innovative coloring book, children of all ages can put their own colorful spin on the story. These brilliant illustrations are sure to inspire some wide Cajun smiles.

Accelerated Reader® Selection

Jake and his library book are in a sticky situation in this cumulative tale, an original adaptation of the classic The House That Jack Built. There’s the jelly mishap that leads to the hungry rat, whose luck runs out when he’s chased by the cat, all before a dog shows up and, well, that’s that for the book that Jake borrowed! Will the librarian Jake adores let him have another book? Find out in this hilarious tale filled with hijinks narrated in mixed-media collages and text from Texas librarian extraordinaire Susan Holt Kralovansky!

Repetitive phrases and simple choruses make this an easy beginning for young readers, while the cut paper and fabric collage illustrations add humorous depth to the sequence of unfortunate events surrounding Jake’s library book.

Selección de Accelerated Reader®

Jake y su libro de la biblioteca están en una situación complicada en esta historia acumulativa, una adaptación original del clásico La casa que Jack construyó. Hay el percance de jalea que lleva a la rata hambrienta, cuya suerte se agota cuando es perseguido por el gato, todo antes de que aparezca un perro y, bueno, ¡eso es todo para el libro que Jake pidió prestado! ¿La bibliotecaria que Jake adora le prestará otro libro? ¡Descúbrelo en esta divertida historia llena de travesuras narrada en collages de medios mixtos y textos de la bibliotecaria extraordinaria de Texas Susan Holt Kralovansky!

Frases repetitivas y coros simples hacen de este un comienzo fácil para los lectores jóvenes, mientras que las ilustraciones de collage de papel cortado y tela añaden profundidad humorística a la secuencia de eventos desafortunados que rodean el libro de la biblioteca de Jake.

Throw me out there, mister!

When Carnival rolls around in New Orleans, everyone gets into the celebration—including the beads! On Fat Tuesday, a plain string of little purple beads hangs from a hook on a parade float. His fervent wish is to be caught by someone special. The bigger and fancier beads tell him that no one will ever catch him. But a little hope and determination may go a long way in the magical season of Mardi Gras! When the bead spots a little princess in the crowd, he knows she is the person for him! Will she try to catch him? The heartwarming tale offers opportunities for a discussion of bullying, self-worth, and inclusion with young readers. The delightful story and illustrations from this daughter/father team will charm the entire family and become a parade route favorite!

Raised in New Orleans, Julie P. Rowley holds a master’s of education in early childhood curriculum and instruction from the University of New Orleans. Her stories were inspired by her daughter’s imagination.

A graduate of Loyola University New Orleans, John R. Paquette is a retired editor. He is also a professional vocalist and a talented portrait artist and illustrator. He enjoyed collaborating with his daughter.

Louisa May Alcott's An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving is filled with the warmth of character and family life that has made Alcott a favorite for over 100 years.

In this story of an 1820s Thanksgiving, a woman must leave her children to care for her ailing mother. She goes away on Thanksgiving Day, and the children decide to prepare their own Thanksgiving feast. Later that day, to the children's surprise, Mother returns to find a delightful dinner on the table.

Kelsi Fairgate, a fourth grader and only child living on a ranch in the middle of Texas, awaits the end of the school year. When her parents bring in an orphan lamb from a pasture, her prospects for the summer look up. Kelsi and her friend, Ampara, run into some serious rattlesnake trouble one day. The lamb saves Kelsi, but then it is the girls’ turn to try to save the lamb!

Ghostly adventures await! Dive into your favorite, SPINE-TINGLIEST tales from America's Haunted Cemeteries!

Welcome to America's Haunted Cemeteries! In this thrilling anthology, spooky stories and ghostly tales bring the nation's cemeteries to life! Discover wandering spirits, creepy crypts, and misty graveyards filled with secrets! From the infamous witch trial burial sights of Salem to the hauntingly beautiful, above-ground tombs of New Orleans, each tale will take you on a chilling adventure pulled right from history, changing the way you see America's Haunted Cemeteries forever.

Whether you’re a brave ghost hunter or just curious about the supernatural, the GHOSTLIEST TALES anthologies from ACB’s bestselling Spooky America series will give you goosebumps . . . and have you sleeping with the lights on! 

Let the GHOUL times roll!

Henry can’t wait for his field trip to the French Quarter, New Orleans’ oldest—and spookiest!—neighborhood. Not only will he and his best friend, Lily, find some cool facts for their local history project, they’ll get to eat delicious beignets while they’re at it. (Yum, y’all.) 

But inside historic Meredith Mansion, they find way more than they bargained for—including paintings that move, a possibly haunted music box, and one VERY grumpy ghost! Along with their friends, Henry and Lily will have to follow the creepy clues, explore mystical signs and symbols, and uncover an old family secret that someone may still be guarding, even from beyond the grave! And if they can’t . . . it could be the last field trip any of them ever take.

IT’S A CRUEL SUMMER Arrrr! 

All Sam wants this summer is to watch baseball, play video games, and read his favorite supernatural series. Too bad his cousin, Alex, is visiting from San Francisco, and now Sam’s stuck playing tour guide to a kid he hardly knows... a kid who’d choose sailing camp over stealing bases any day. 

Then Sam and Alex find themselves swept up in an epic pirate adventure through the historic streets of Boston. With the help of a three-hundred-year-old ghost-pirate, they’ll have to piece together the clues of a long-lost treasure map—and master a tricky sailor’s knot—or risk becoming ghosts themselves! The cousins may not have much in common, but along the way they’ll learn that some bonds, like some knots, are truly unbreakable. 

“No, mon ami! You can’t catch me!”

When an old Creole woman bakes dessert on King’s Day, she has no idea what shenanigans will ensue. In this New Orleans adaptation of The Gingerbread Man, a mischievous king cake baby escapes his cake! He outruns a praline lady and a waiter at Café du Monde, but can he outsmart the clever baker? Chock full of Louisiana phrases and comic-book-style illustrations, this new take on an old tale brings the Crescent City to life from Jackson Square to the Creole Queen riverboat. This lively story is a great way to introduce children to the sights, sounds, and especially tastes of New Orleans. It even comes with a recipe for homemade king cake—just make sure to keep track of the baby!

Have y'all seen Scrim?

Scrim the dog got loose in the Big Easy, and New Orleans may never be the same. Known for his wiry fur and mischievous antics, Scrim has become a beloved figure in the city, darting through neighborhoods, dodging potholes, and leaving a trail of smiles wherever he goes.

Every Sunday, Mike and Yvette could be found sitting on the porch listening to Pop recount stories of growing up near the Catahoula swamp. Tall tales of creatures that could only live in nightmares…an old hag with long, boney fingers, a tree that comes to life, and a wild girl who keeps “toe-kens” from her human encounters. Tall tales, yes, and none of them true…right?!

Yet when the family outing to visit Tante Nana, deep in the backwoods of Catahoula goes awry, Yvette soon discovers that strange things happen where the black trees grow.

All new story in this second edition of the collective tales of Bayou Bogeyman Presents Hoodoo and Voodoo.

The night might have started as a normal camping trip, but it soon becomes a nightmare from the swamp when a group of students are joined by the Bayou Bogeyman! With their teacher missing and no way home, the children have no choice but to play the Bogeyman's twisted game: tell a campfire story spooky enough to satisfy the monster's appetite or get eaten alive! This supernatural collection features spine-tingling tales from nine different Louisiana writers, each with their own share of screams to add to the trove of Southern lore. Lock the door, grab a flashlight, and pull the blankets over your head, because you're in for the fright of your life!

It’s the town’s big celebration and Little Laveau is lost in the woods! Luckily, her musical new friend has just the magical cure she needs. Join Little Laveau in her second adventure as she journeys around the Louisiana Bayou, providing a little encouragement for friends and animals wherever she goes. Watercolor illustrations that capture the mystery of the bayou accompany this tale perfect for beginning readers―whether they live in Louisiana or not!

Ghostly adventures await! Dive into your favorite, SPINE-TINGLIEST tales from Texas!

Welcome to Spooky Texas! In this thrilling anthology, spooky stories and ghostly tales bring the Lone Star State to life! Discover haunted cathedrals, phantom pirates, and eerie cities filled with secrets! From the "spirited" streets of Austin to the spooky shores of Galveston, each tale will take you on a chilling adventure pulled right from history, changing the way you see Texas forever.

Whether you’re a brave ghost hunter or just curious about the supernatural, the GHOSTLIEST TALES anthologies from ACB’s bestselling Spooky America series will give you goosebumps. . . and have you sleeping with the lights on! 

Ghostly adventures await! Dive into your favorite, SPINE-TINGLIEST tales from America's Haunted Lighthouses!

Welcome to America's Haunted Lighthouses! In this thrilling anthology, spooky stories and ghostly tales bring the nation's coastal beacons to life! Discover phantom keepers, spectral shipwrecks, and misty shores filled with secrets! From the eerie lighthouses of New England to the fog-veiled towers of the Pacific Northwest, each tale will take you on a chilling adventure pulled right from maritime history, changing the way you see America's Haunted Lighthouses forever.

Whether you’re a brave ghost hunter or just curious about the supernatural, the GHOSTLIEST TALES anthologies from ACB’s bestselling Spooky America series will give you goosebumps . . . and have you sleeping with the lights on! 

Twelve-year-old Gracie Watson is unusually—some might even say morbidly—excited about her upcoming move to Savannah, one of the most haunted cities in the country.

Gracie isn’t one to make friends with the living, but she quickly bonds with a graveyard groundskeeper’s son, who vows to help her on her quest. Together, they set out to find the ghost of another Gracie Watson, who happens to be buried at Bonaventure Cemetery. Like any great adventure, what they find is nothing like what they expected.

WINNER OF THE SCBWI CRYSTAL KITE AWARD

AN IN THE MARGINS LIST NOMINEE

This incisive coming-of-age story is set against the backdrop of Hurricane Katrina and its severe devastation to US soil. A compelling tale of growth and independence, this debut novel brings a fresh, evocative voice to the stage: Hollis Williams, whose resilience, strength of character, and personal growth are powerfully portrayed by the author's authentic narrative. This book will last for generations, giving voice to every young reader struggling to find his or her place in the world.

Hollis Williams is a middle-school student in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans. His father absent and his mother dead, Hollis and his siblings live with his grandmother. He dreams of reconnecting with his father, but Hurricane Katrina strikes and devastates his home and his plans. The young boy's family is trapped on the roof of their house, hoping and waiting to be rescued. When help finally arrives, Hollis and his family are separated and sent hundreds of miles apart. Taken to a shelter in a West Virginia church, Hollis must reunite his family against all odds.

A Louisiana twist on the classic Gingerbread Man story!

On a whim, an old Cajun couple named Marcelle and Dumas use their famous boudin recipe to make a boy. After they batter up the mixture and fry it up like a boudin ball, the boy magically comes to life and is taught all about swamp life. Follow Boudin Boy on his wild adventures throughout Louisiana and beyond in this Cajun spin on the Gingerbread Man.

Kelsi's fifth-grade year takes unexpected turns with new friends, a mysterious egret, and surprising adventures

After a summer of adventures with her lamb Dopey and best friend Ampara, Kelsi Fairgate looks forward to fifth grade. She seems destined for disappointment from the moment she arrives at school and finds a boy named Toby in her favorite seat by the tall window.

Back at the ranch, a great egret makes one of his unexpected appearances just as Toby’s family shows up for lunch. At first Kelsi is dismayed, but she soon learns why Toby had wanted that quiet back window. Kelsi and Ampara seek out the mysterious white bird, along with the ways they can help their new friend. 

I scream, you scream . . .

Vermont has always been Phil’s favorite place in the whole world. From maple syrup farms, to shimmering Lake Champlain, to Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, what’s not to love? So when Phil’s family heads to Burlington for the Fourth, he is thrilled! That is, until the twins, Fia and James, tell him about all the people who have vanished in the lake . . . and the terrifying beast said to lurk below its surface.

Phil isn’t about to let some silly old legend ruin his summer—or his ice cream. But when a creature in the water nearly attacks him, Phil and his friends will have to team up to take down the lake beast once and for all—unless it gets them first!  

This baby mosquito is in for the meal of his life!

Swept away by a hurricane shortly after his birth, Boudreaux the mosquito has one biting question that needs to be answered: what are mosquitos supposed to eat?  Across the swamps of Louisiana he goes, determined to find a breakfast fit for a pest. Unfortunately for Boudreaux, not a single animal is able to help: The alligator tells him to ask the wolf, who tells him to ask the bear, who tells him to ask the wild hog. Before he knows it, Boudreaux has exhausted his wings buzzing from one ear to the next, and he’s still no closer to finding his first meal! He finally receives a very intriguing answer . . . but what will become of Boudreaux when he tests this theory?

Author and stand-up comedian Michael Strecker tells jokes about po’ boys and ferries, and crawfish and oil—everything under the New Orleans sun! Paired with the comically animated illustrations of Vernon Smith, fans of the Crescent City will be belly-laughing about the unique yet familiar places, people, and things. Included are silly takes on local favs such as this gem: “Why did the Chihuahua need to go to the optometrist? It had Popeyes!”

Featuring a “What Dat?” glossary of local terms and their pronunciations, this collection of hilarious and guaranteed age appropriate jokes will have readers laughing ‘til the remoulade comes out of their nose!

Take a streetcar ride through the Crescent City!

Snowballs, second lines, balconies, and gardens—when you’re in New Orleans, you won’t want to miss any of the sights and sounds! In this colorful new picture book, hop on the streetcar at St. Charles Avenue and follow the rolling rhymes past Uptown mansions and Garden District greenery. Switch to the red line and glide by Mid-City homes and through the historic French Quarter. This book is your family’s ticket to the wildlife, buildings, and culture that make New Orleans a place unlike any other! Hold on tight to the handrail, because with Marion Rea Brian’s charming storytelling and Jennifer Lindsley’s light-hearted illustrations, you’re in for the ride of your life!

Color your way through New Orleans cultural icons!

Not just for kids anymore, coloring books are the newest way for adults to de-stress and let their minds rest. What better way to do that then beside your youngster with this coloring book featuring 31 iconic images of New Orleans life? From the zoo, the City Park carousel, and the Superdome to king cakes, streetcars, and beignets, classic cultural images are waiting to be colored! Created by a graphic artist and mom to celebrate the culture and traditions of New Orleans, this coloring book allows everyone to share in the Crescent-City experience. Perfect for locals and tourists of all ages, these stylized outlines of childhood memories will be treasured for years to come.

From his classroom at school to streets near and far,
Paul looks for a snoball by foot and streetcar.
Sip up and slurp up this sweet, sticky story
that's chock-full of snoballs in their sugary glory.
Bursting with colors like mango and grape
—and spearmint and cherry and rich wedding cake—
these bright pictures sparkle like fresh-shaven ice.
You will read it again—to start, at least twice.
This triple-fun story's a scrumptious delight.
Snoballs for all? That sounds just right!

Join Huey the river rat on a Louisiana adventure of bridges, levees, and landmarks

Huey and his family of river rats live along the batture of the Mississippi River near New Orleans. He dreams of riding the bridge train atop the Huey P. Long bridge and exploring the world beyond his family’s home on the levee. Follow along on an adventure that weaves through some of Louisiana’s most fascinating characters and famous landmarks. 

Ghost stories from Southwest Florida have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery! 

Welcome to spooky Southwest Florida!

Stay alert! Ghosts lurk around every corner. Even the most unexpected places might be haunted by wandering phantoms.

Did you know that in Arcadia, ghostly children play tag at the site of an old orphanage? Or that when the moon rises over the Manatee River in Bradenton, a spectral song echoes across the water? Can you believe a headless camper haunts Myakka River State Park?

Pulled right from history, these ghostly tales will change the way you see Southwest Florida forever, and have you sleeping with the lights on!

Back for a new adventure, Bo the lovable black Lab is ready to solve another mystery and save the day once again. It's up to this tenacious pup to find the reason behind all of the wildfires sweeping the countryside in east Texas. Gathering evidence as he goes, Bo must find the culprit and put a stop to this perilous crime spree.

A South Carolina girl reckons with her own beliefs—and the Revolutionary War—in this “engaging” historical novel for children(Lily Herndon Weaks, coauthor of East Cooper: A Maritime Heritage).

For eleven-year-old Sarah Boone, the year 1780 is full of confusion and excitement. Living at Boone Hall in Charles Towne, South Carolina—the capital city that will soon be renamed Charleston—she finds herself observing constant changes to the world in which she lives. Struggling to please her parents, Sarah is often caught between her desires to act like a rebellious tomboy and a proper young lady. Just when she begins to adjust to the changes around her, plantation life is made more interesting with the arrival of a baby sister and new slave family.

Sarah is drawn toward the responsibility of being a big sister and role model, as well as being a good friend to Rose. However, it is her new friendship that causes her to question the principles of slavery and the life of privilege in which she lives. In addition to the activity at Boone Hall, British forces invade and occupy Charles Towne, causing everyone in Sarah’s life to become fearful of the future. The family’s yearly return to the city is disrupted, and the cruelty of political injustice is witnessed by all walks of life. As Sarah strives to understand and cope with the obstacles around her, she learns the value of family, friends, and faith in herself.

Archie Dare is not a troublemaker, no matter what the filing folder in the principal’s office says. But it’s hard to shake a peculiar reputation when living with an eccentric, bookworm grandfather whose favorite obsession is Jean Lafitte, a famous New Orleans pirate.

After attending a fancy Mardi Gras party at his one-and-only friend Lou’s mansion, a break-in occurs at Archie’s house, and Papa is taken. Archie receives little support from police officers and decides to investigate on his own. He is joined by Lou and his precocious, quick-witted neighbor Drea. The three discover the first of several clues Papa seemingly left behind. As Archie pieces together the first clues—a library call number that leads to a rhyme in a book about Jean Lafitte’s lost treasure—he realizes the reason his grandfather was taken: he knows the location of Jean Lafitte’s lost treasure.

Three kids spark Christmas hope for a family that needs it most.

Toby Greely’s family faces a bleak Christmas because of his father’s serious illness. Kelsi, Ampara, and Toby devise a plan called Operation Merry Greely Christmas to brighten the holiday, and it is a wonderful plan—until things begin to go wrong.

Heading south? Already there and feel out of place? Bone up on your Southern-isms before you stick out in a Dixie crowd like a pickup truck at a Porsche dealership!
Arm yourself with the best defense to avoid being called a Yankee-The Southerner's Instruction Book. It's a simple approach to living life the way it's meant to be below the Mason-Dixon line. Inside are more than 300 quips, aphorisms, and pieces of advice that will help anyone fine tune his Southernness. Some are peppered with a little tongue-in-cheek spice, while others are as genuine as a hound dog's love for its master.
From the covert Northerner trying to blend in with the kinfolk to the Southerner who is trying to get back to his roots, these simple sayings will inspire and enrich one's Southern experience. And even if this book fails at that, it should at least tickle the chitlins out of anyone!
Just a few of the warnings issued are The friendly guy who asks you, 'How are they bitin'? is always the game warden and Barbeque and white shirts do not mix. It also gives inspiration to our lives for when things are going sour from Good biscuits will always make up for a bad meal to Some possums are just destined to meet their fate under your car.