Strange things are happening in Rith's house at night. First a spiral staircase replaces the regular stairs. The new stairs lead to a living room that isn't his, a cat that isn't his either, and a bizarre old man whose words are just gibberish. Or are they? Rith's never been into religion. But he realizes those words have a spiritual source—and an uncanny ring of truth. Is he just dreaming? Is the old man God?
Plenty of things make eight-year-old Maddie nervous: her too-small feet, climbing high places, not always knowing what to say, and especially her new home in the Virginia countryside with Sam, her mom's new husband. To her surprise, Sam turns out to understand all those things and more—like how to learn the weather from a cat, what kind of treasure you can find at the dump, and where to find a color called sky-blue pink.
Whether you need a beebersaw or a chisel, Chico Bon Bon's your monkey. He can build or fix just about anything—from a dock for the ducks to a clock for the Clucks, even a small roller coaster for local chipmunks. But will his tools and his sharp wit save him when an organ grinder sets his sights on making Chico a circus star?
Alice enjoys playing soccer and working on her go-kart. But when she moves to the suburbs, Zen, the boy down the street tells her she has no hope of fitting in at her new middle school unless she starts acting more "like a girl." Alice suddenly realizes that being different can set you apart...and being friends with someone like Zen can set you way apart. Why does being yourself have to be so complicated?
Growing up in the 1830s, Louis Pasteur saw the horrifying effects of diseases like rabies and tuberculosis. Filled with curiosity and imagination, Pasteur began a lifelong search for answers to his many questions about diseases. Although many scientists disagreed with his unusual ideas, his discoveries made him famous. Through his dedication and insight, Pasteur saved millions of lives and laid the groundwork for future medical advancements.
