Books with author James McDonald

Calling all young space explorers, rev up your rockets! It’s time to help Alpha rescue the alfurbets in this awesome ABC adventure book. Learning the alphabet is out of this world fun as Simon, the computer helps Alpha, the Alpha-bot keep the galaxy safe. It’s an alphabet book that young astronauts will love! Travel through the entire alphabet in this ABC book that tells a story of spaceships, aliens and a super smart robot determined to rescue every missing letter! And to wrap it all up, sing along with Alpha and his alphabet song. A toddler ABC comic book that makes learning the alphabet an exciting space adventure. Comics for kids are a fun way for young children to learn their ABCs. For ages 2-5.

Hustle's personal Harlem was sorely in need of a renaissance. For him, it was the place where a scared kid named Eric Samson had been ditched by druggy parents and dismissed by frustrated teachers. Abandoned to the streets to raise himself, Eric Samson knows life won't be easy, beginning with the choices he must make. The fast cash of the streets still tempts him, but the threat of getting locked up – again – is daunting. Maybe Eric's way out is as Harlem Hustle, the rapper he dreams of being. At his side is Manley "Ride" Freeman, surrogate brother and best friend. And Jeannette Simpson, the college-bound "round-the-way" girl he hopes will be more than a friend. But does Eric have the strength to leave the familiar street life behind and the courage to reach for his dream?In her companion to Brother Hood, Janet McDonald once again captures the rhythms of Harlem in this fast, funny story of a restless teenager who uses the power of words to rise above it all.

Deep Brain Stimulation or DBS for Essential Tremor, Parkinson's disease and Dystonia. Sound like science fiction? It's not! When Sister and Brother are told their Grandfather is having BRAIN SURGERY for Parkinson's disease, a Movement Disorder, they are at first shocked, then very frightened—and they have lots of questions. Although this book is written and illustrated for children, it is also an excellent primer for anyone wanting to learn the basics of Deep Brain Stimulation for Movement Disorders

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...

How Many Letters Are in the Alphabet? teaches children the ABCs along with the numbers 1-26, preparing them for success in kindergarten. It’s a simple and basic way to teach kids their letters as well as beginning to count their numbers. Large and bright letters make the ABCs easy to learn. Clear and concise page layout simplifies number recognition and makes counting each of the letters easy to follow.

The Ogre wants the Kung-fu Master to teach him the ancient arts, but burping, farting and bad hygiene certainly aren't good behaviors that a master would stand for. Written in the spirit of an Aesop's Fable; both characters in the story have important lessons to learn and they aren't always easy. The Master and the Ogre come to discover that changing one's nature is far more difficult than changing one's behavior.Filled with issues on facts of life and topics to start discussions on growing up, The Ogre and the Master is a unique story of growth and struggle where the main characters are anything but perfect. Written in the cautionary style of the classic children's fable, the story also uses language and issues of today to create an engaging and humorous tale that kids will want to read again and again.In the world of children's fantasy books, Ogres are a mythological creature not to be messed with, on the same level as the cunning dragon. Terrorizing the land is the Ogre's favorite pastime so it's understandable that most people would avoid someone with such a cruel nature, but not the arrogant Master, he decides to tame the Ogre and utilize his ferocious nature for his own personal gain.The Ogre and the Master is filled with vividly rich watercolor style illustrations that will captivate young children and older kids alike.

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.

Sami and Thomas Learn to Read Book 2 gives more learning material for beginning readers to confidently build their reading skill. Vocabulary development combined with entertaining stories that have simple sentences keep children engaged and excited about their reading accomplishments. Using a combination of words that can be sounded out and common sight words, Learn to Read with Sami and Thomas is the perfect continuation of your child's reading journey.Vibrant images with captivating characters help young readers want to read again and again. For Beginning Readers ages 5 and up

A tough and funny project girl manages to make that chill wind blow awayThe good life, according to Aisha Ingram, is easy. It's hanging with friends, dancing, listening to music, whatever . . . but it doesn't include worrying about the future. Chilling out is her mantra until she receives a sixty-day termination-of-welfare-benefits notice. Without her monthly food stamps and assistance checks and with no help from the father of her two children, Aisha's life threatens to become a little too "chilly." The clock is ticking and she doesn't have many options, but one thing she knows for sure: workfare is not for her. There's no way she's going to scrub subway cars or sweep city sidewalks. Aisha tries to come up with other ways to get money, but things don't look good. Soon another notice comes: only thirty days left. Then she sees an ad on TV for BIGMODELS, and she figures she might as well check out the agency. After all, she is pretty enough. But just when it looks like Aisha's problems might be solved, things grow crazy again. In Aisha, Janet McDonald has created a larger-than-life heroine who finds and succeeds at what is right for her.Chill Wind is the winner of the 2003 Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe New Talent Award.

From the winner of the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award, 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. 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?

Chill Wind is the 2003 winner of the Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe New Talent Award.A tough and funny project girl manages to make that chill wind blow away in Janet McDonald's sequel to Spellbound.The good life, according to Aisha Ingram, is easy. It's hanging with friends, dancing, listening to music, whatever . . . but it doesn't include worrying about the future. Chilling out is her mantra until she receives a sixty-day termination-of-welfare-benefits notice. Without her monthly food stamps and assistance checks and with no help from the father of her two children, Aisha's life threatens to become a little too "chilly." The clock is ticking and she doesn't have many options, but one thing she knows for sure: workfare is not for her. There's no way she's going to scrub subway cars or sweep city sidewalks. Aisha tries to come up with other ways to get money, but things don't look good. Soon another notice comes: only thirty days left. Then she sees an ad on TV for BIGMODELS, and she figures she might as well check out the agency. After all, she is pretty enough. But just when it looks like Aisha's problems might be solved, things grow crazy again. In Aisha, Janet McDonald has created a larger-than-life heroine who finds and succeeds at what is right for her.