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    • BOOKS
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Carmella Van Vleet

Carmella Van Vleet Carmella Van Vleet Carmella Van Vleet

Nothing Is Little  


from Holiday House

for readers 8-12 yrs 


Eleven-year-old Felix likes being the smallest kid in school.

At least he knows where he fits in. Plus his nickname, “Short-lock Holmes,” is perfect for someone who’s killing it in forensic science club. To Felix, Growth Hormone Deficiency is no big deal.

And then Felix learns that his biological dad was short, too. This one, tiny, itty-bitty piece of information opens up a massive hole in his life. Felix must find his father. He only has a few small clues to work from, but as Sherlock Holmes said, “To a great mind, nothing is little.” 

The further Felix gets in his investigation, though, the more he starts to wonder: What if his dad doesn’t want to be found? And what if Felix’s family—his mom, his stepdad, the baby on the way—needs him right where he is?



*A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD GOLD STANDARD SELECTION


Reviews:


"Felix's [story] is as internal as it is external. As he follows clues to his father's identity, he learns about the person and friend he himself is beginning to be." - The New York Times


"A captivating, humorous, and heartfelt story of friendship, family, and crime-solving." - Kirkus Review (To see full review, go HERE.) 


"A fresh and funny read that sells itself, and it demonstrates that there is more than one way to grow."—Booklist
 

“Written from Felix’s perspective, the story keeps a steady pace as it ­alternates between school and home, ­giving a firsthand account of what it’s like to be young and faced with decisions that are difficult to navigate. ­VERDICT: Engaging and heartfelt, Van Vleet’s title delivers big on the feels. Anyone who’s ever been made to feel small will benefit from ­hearing ­Felix’s story.” – School Library Journal


"Nothing Is Little is a, just, phenomenal middle grade novel.  Check it out; you won't regret it." - Colby Sharp (To see full review, go HERE.) 


"Nothing Is Little offers powerful proof that little things can matter in a great big way. What a beautiful book! The most huge-hearted and heartwarming story you'll read this year."—Claudia Mills, author of The Lost Language

"Smart, funny, and memorable. You can’t help but love Felix! He has big goals and a great big heart, and he’ll live large in your memory long after the final page is turned."—Margi Preus, Newbery Honor–winning author


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"You Gotta Meet Mr. Pierce!" The Storied Life of Folk Artist Elijah Pierce


co-authored by Chiquita Mullins Lee

illustrated by Jennifer Mack-Watkins

 

from Kolila


A  biography about the barber shop of wood carver Elijah Pierce, recipient of the highest folk art honor in the United States. 


From the publisher: 

Based on the true story of Elijah Pierce and his community barber shop in Columbus, Ohio, this picture book includes cleverly collaged museum-sourced photos of his art and informative backmatter about his life. With engaging text by Pierce to the Soul! playwright Chiquita Mullins-Lee and Christopher Award-winning author Carmella Van Vleet, it’s illustrated with striking Japanese woodblock by Jennifer Mack-Watkins. A new addition to vital Black art history!



                                                               * 3 starred reviews* 


Reviews:


* "Thoughtful and enlightening." --Booklist, starred review. 

* "This thoughtfully constructed book tells an appealing story, introduces a prolific African American artist, and leaves readers to ponder the role of formal training in art." --School Library Connection, starred review.

* "The conversational framing imbues this picture book biography with warmth and intimacy ... There’s plenty of fodder here for themed storytimes on Black history and art." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review.

"An intimate encounter with an artist who should be better known." --Kirkus Reviews

"Action words (“DRAPE /SNAP,” “SAND/DUST”) evoke movement and expertise throughout, while Mack-Watkins’s use of woodcut textures brings the subject’s medium to the fore." --Publishers Weekly


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More Middle grade books

Eliza Bing Is (Not) A Big Fat Quitter

Eliza Bing Is (Not) A Big Fat Quitter

Eliza Bing Is (Not) A Big Fat Quitter

Holiday House

for readers 8-12 yrs


11 year-old Eliza, a girl with ADHD, takes up taekwondo in order to prove she's not a quitter.


A Junior Library Guild selection, 2015 Christopher Award winner, a 2017-18 Choose To Read Ohio selection, and nominated for four state awards: Oklahoma Library Association's 2017 Sequoyah Book Award, Pennsylvania School Libraries Association's Young Reader's Choice Award for 2016-17, the 2016-17 Arkansas Charlie May Simon Book Award, and South Carolina's Children's Book Award


Educator's Guide

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Eliza Bing Is (Not) A Star

Eliza Bing Is (Not) A Big Fat Quitter

Eliza Bing Is (Not) A Big Fat Quitter

Holiday House

for readers 8-12 yrs


The sequel to Eliza Bing Is (Not) a Big, Fat Quitter


11-year-old Eliza, a girl with ADHD, joins the school play in order to stay close to her best friend and all kinds of drama happens. (Pun intended!)


A Junior Library Guild selection


Educator's Guide


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Picture books

To the Stars! The First American Woman to Walk in Space

Charlesbridge, 2016


co-authored with Dr. Kathy Sullivan

Illustrated by Nicole Wong


The  biography of Dr. Kathy Sullivan, the first American woman to perform an EVA.


2017 Amelia Bloomer list, featured in the School Library Journal and on A Mighty Girl, recommended by the National Science Teachers Association, a PBS Books Youth List selection


Educator's Guide


Find out more

new and Forthcoming non-fiction

Updated edition now available

COMING spring 2024 - Frozen In Time: What Ice Cores Can Tell Us About Climate Change

COMING spring 2024 - Frozen In Time: What Ice Cores Can Tell Us About Climate Change

From the publisher: Electricity: Circuits, Static, and Electromagnets with Hands-On Science Activities explores the science of electricity and the technology we’ve developed to harness the energy to power our lives. By diving into the topics of static electricity, currents, circuits, electromagnetism, motors, and ways we might produce and use electricity in the future, kids ages 8 to 12 gain a full view of how electricity works and why it’s so important to human society.

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COMING spring 2024 - Frozen In Time: What Ice Cores Can Tell Us About Climate Change

COMING spring 2024 - Frozen In Time: What Ice Cores Can Tell Us About Climate Change

COMING spring 2024 - Frozen In Time: What Ice Cores Can Tell Us About Climate Change

NOT THE ACTUAL COVER, BUT I'M SURE IT'LL BE "COOL" :-) 

I WILL POST IT WHEN I CAN


Holiday House

for ages 8-12

Non-fiction books

Robotics!

Ancient Civilizations: Egyptians!

Ancient Civilizations: Egyptians!

Nomad Press

For readers 7-10 yrs

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Ancient Civilizations: Egyptians!

Ancient Civilizations: Egyptians!

Ancient Civilizations: Egyptians!

Nomad Press

For readers 7-10 yrs

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Ancient Civilizations: Romans!

Ancient Civilizations: Romans!

Ancient Civilizations: Romans!

Nomad Press

For readers 7-10 yrs

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Ancient Civilizations: Greeks!

Ancient Civilizations: Romans!

Ancient Civilizations: Romans!

Nomad Press

For readers 7-10 yrs


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Great Ancient Egypt Projects You Can Build Yourself

Amazing Ben Franklin Projects You Can Build Yourself

Great Ancient Egypt Projects You Can Build Yourself

Nomad Press

For readers 7-10 yrs

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Aviation: Cool Women Who Fly

Amazing Ben Franklin Projects You Can Build Yourself

Great Ancient Egypt Projects You Can Build Yourself

Nomad Press

For readers 9-12 yrs

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Amazing Ben Franklin Projects You Can Build Yourself

Amazing Ben Franklin Projects You Can Build Yourself

Amazing Ben Franklin Projects You Can Build Yourself

Nomad Press

For readers 7-10 yrs

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Seven Wonders of the World

Make sure to check out your local independent book store!

Make sure to check out your local independent book store!

Nomad Press

For readers 7-10yrs

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Make sure to check out your local independent book store!

Make sure to check out your local independent book store!

Make sure to check out your local independent book store!

Young readers / teachers

Available from Continental Press

Writing Club 2: A Year of Writing Workshops

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  • We're Just Looking
  • Fish Money
  • Like Me
  • Cleaning Day at the Firehouse

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Writing Club: A Year of Writing Workshops

Writing Club 2: A Year of Writing Workshops

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Libraries Unlimited

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Writing Club 2: A Year of Writing Workshops

Writing Club 2: A Year of Writing Workshops

Writing Club 2: A Year of Writing Workshops

Libraries Unlimited

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Out of print

Amazing Arctic and Antarctic Projects You Can Build Yourself

Amazing Arctic and Antarctic Projects You Can Build Yourself

Amazing Arctic and Antarctic Projects You Can Build Yourself

Nomad Press

"It's due when?!" How to Handle School Snafus

Amazing Arctic and Antarctic Projects You Can Build Yourself

Amazing Arctic and Antarctic Projects You Can Build Yourself

Nomad Press 

Amazing Arctic and Antarctic Projects You Can Build Yourself



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