Books with author James McDonald

Spunky and headstrong, Cameron blasts music, challenges adults, and cuts class when she feels like it. She lives with her single mom in Brooklyn and hangs out with best friends Amanda, P, and Crystal. Life in their working-class neighborhood is pretty cool until Cameron's mother suddenly loses her job and can no longer afford the rent. Move to public housing? YG2BK! But no one's kidding, and Cameron finds herself living in the projects. Can a white girl from across town hope to be accepted by the black girls in the projects? A revelation from the past forces Cameron to confront a startling truth that just might put things in perspective . . . that is, if Cameron can handle it.Hilarious, surprising, and defiantly candid, Off-Color is a thought-provoking and thoroughly entertaining new novel from Janet McDonald. Hip and wise, the author grabs the readers and doesn't let go.

Janet McDonald introduces readers to two sisters who discover that all you have to do is stick together to handle life's many twists and turns.It may have taken them an extra year or two to do it, but the Washington sisters finally graduated high school, and this definitely calls for a celebration. But after the party ends, then what? The girls have no plans. Unlike their smart best friend Raven Jefferson, who's away at college, and their nerdy best friend Toya Larson, who's in computer training, and their overall best friend Aisha Ingram, who's rocking in TV commercials, Keeba and Teesha are still hanging out on neighborhood benches as if nothing's changed. Then an older friend convinces the sisters that they, too, have a skill – braiding hair – and why not make a business of it? With a loan from Aisha, the Washingtons open TeeKee's Tresses in a rented storefront, and the future looks pretty solid . . . that is, until a rival's jealousy, a landlord's greed, and a politician's scheme turn the sisters' world upside down. Twists and Turns is a 2004 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Doodle and design in this book filled with habitats from all around the world and over 100 stickers!This is a unique introduction to wild, wonderful habititats that will take readers on a journey around the globe through the wildest parts of the world and allow them to discover the creatures that live there! Add color to foliage and flowers, doodle tree frogs amongst the leaves, draw monkeys swinging between branches, and discover fascinating facts!Coloring-in as you’ve never seen it before—especially for all design-conscious, creative kids. Beautiful black line images inspire children to think about and experiment with design, pattern and style as they learn from professional artists. Pages studded with fascinating facts add a learning element, helping young readers to use their imaginations to increase focus, hone artistic skills, and lose themselves in gadget-free creative time.

The ancient Starscope had shown threats before, but the Gnomes and Dwarves of Lohn’s End knew that a dragon entering Forever’s Eve threatened the entire region. Messages were sent to the other races of the Valley of Sawl asking for their best warriors to join the journey to battle a dragon.Forever’s Eve, the Valley of Sawl shares the history of an unlikely group of warriors who set out on one of the great quests that mark the beginning of events that would change the world. There are those who feel a dragon at the Northern most end of the Valley is the problem of the races of the North, but the High Council of Elves know that it’s only a matter of time before a dragon starts claiming and hoarding land.Before the quest is set to begin, arguments start over who should be allowed on such a perilous journey. Would the fairies and other tiny peoples of Forever’s Eve be more of a hindrance than a help?When the Witch of the Shadow Forest demands to join, the warriors must determine if joining forces with Dark Magic is a safe choice.

Nate Whitely's life at a prestigious prep school in upstate New York takes him far from his Harlem home but not so far as to sever the strong bond he has to his neighborhood. Like his prep school friends, Nate is doing well academically and has his sights set on college. But complications from one life intrude into the other. His childhood friend Hustle won't give up his street-smart ways and doesn't want Nate to either. Nate's older brother, Eli, just can't seem to keep things together and is headed for major trouble. Will Nate be able to sustain these powerful ties without jeopardizing all that he's achieved? This provocative story about a young man straddling two very different worlds unfolds against a backdrop of brotherhood and betrayal, friendship and loyalty, and captures the dilemma of those who would carve out a unique destiny for themselves.

On a trip to the bakery, Petey and Vesters are supposed to wait outside, but when Petey sees an old family friend he can’t help but follow her inside. With all of the wonderful smells, Petey is happy just to sit and sniff, but something in the corner catches his eye and the real fun begins. Join Petey and Vesters in their sticky, sweet Great Cake Caper!

Leticia Moffett is a nine-year-old girl who is not easily dissuaded. Once she sets her mind on creating a community garden in the vacant lot next to her house she is determined to see her dream come true. A grumpy neighbor insists it will only encourage gangs and crime. But Leticia and her faithful dog Houdini plunge ahead and begin to rally the willing neighbors. But can this young girl accomplish this huge task and fulfill her dream?

Hey Kids – Love a treasure hunt and following clues? Love the idea of traveling through time? Then jump into this adventure of kids searching for their lost parents and a magnificent treasure!Where are their Parents? Trang, Bindu, and Squeaker expect the return of their parents from a mysterious trip abroad. Trang, the eldest, has been in charge of the family while the parents are away. But when the parents don’t return on the expected date the kids decide to try and find out where they might have gone and begin a search in their inventor father’s secret workshop for clues. The Clues and a Map The kids find their father’s and mother’s journals and a treasure map. Then they must solve the puzzles in the journals to find the paths that will lead them to the treasure and their parents. OMG – a time machine! However, an associate of their father’s, Dr. Kropulent, wants to steal the journals and find the treasure for himself. But the kids evade him by escaping in their father’s time machine - setting off on a journey to different countries and through different times - following clues that will lead them to their parents and the treasure.Fans of Young Indiana Jones and Wild Thornberries will appreciate this one. from a reader review on GoodReadsWould recommend this as a great gift of kids who enjoy a well told tale. from a review on AmazonScroll up and Snatch your copy right now!

Raven never expected to be a mother at sixteen. Is she going to be just another high school dropout, a project girl with few prospects? Could be, except Raven has ambition. Still, when is she going to find the time to finish school? Then her older sister tells her about a spelling bee that promises the winner a scholarship for college. Spelling? There isn't a subject she's worse at. But once Raven's got her mind set, nothing gets in her way...