Books with author Joe McDonald

“I promise that you’ll grow up, so treasure each and every day. Never wish one second of your precious time away.”An impatient little unicorn can’t wait to grow up and get its horn, but wise Mother Unicorn lovingly guides her little one to appreciate time and not wish it away. This is a heart-warming story of a mother’s love and guidance in helping her child see beyond the uncertainties of childhood and cherish each and every moment.

Third Graders Miles, Ellen and Kendra discover more than the answer to the mystery of the missing arrowhead in this fictional tale. The Lighthouse Mystery was written to commemorate the installation of an 1877 replica Fresnal lens for the Vermilion Ohio lighthouse. The lighting of this lens means that the lighthouse, an exact copy of the one made in 1877 from melted obsolete cannons, is now a U.S. Coast Guard sanctioned private navigational aid and is included in navigational charts.

Spunky Quinn Ellerbee’s world has been turned upside down. Mom has gone off to play in a band, a developer has bought the land right out from under their house, the mining company where Pa-Daddy works is on shaky ground, and Pa-Daddy has moved their home to a backwoods swamp with no plumbing or electricity. Could things get any worse? Rough times lie ahead for Quinn and her family, but they have enough warmth, wit, and spirit to face even the toughest challenge.REVIEWS:From School Library Journal (starred)Grade 5-7. Quinnella Ellerbee and her two sisters are unhappy about the changes in their family since their mother ran off to play with a bluegrass band. Times are hard in the company town of Panther Ridge, FL, especially since the mines have begun to close. The Ellerbees have had to move their tract home out to the swamps onto family land, making do without water or electricity. Quinn has had to change schools and give up her dream of becoming editor of the sixth-grade newspaper. Worse, their beloved Pa-Daddy is depressed and angry, unwilling to discuss his wife's departure or take up his mother's offer to help manage their fruit groves. But Quinn is smart and feisty, navigating the family difficulties with spirit and hope. When a development company comes on the scene and allegiances are threatened, she must find a way to reconcile her love for her father with her conscience-and to stand up for herself. The rural setting is well described, as is the economic and ecological impact of the mines. Quinn is likable and believable, and the family dynamics and secondary characters all ring true. While not fast paced, this is nevertheless a well-written, evocative, and insightful story with an emotionally satisfying conclusion.Cyrisse Jaffee, formerly at Newton Public Schools, MACopyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the out-of-print hardcover edition of this title. From BooklistGr. 5 - 8. Hard times come to the Ellerbees of Panther Ridge, Florida, when the principal local employer, a phosphate mining company, goes bankrupt. Pa-Daddy, who has gone into debt to buy his company house and move it onto family-owned land in the middle of a nearby swamp, is laid off. To make it worse, he's too proud to accept an offer of employment from Nanny Jo, his grandmother. Meanwhile, his wife has left him and their three daughters to follow her dream of becoming a country singer. What saves this from turning into a combination problem novel and grand old soap opry is some strong characterization, regular infusions of humor, and the perfect-pitch first-person narrative voice of the feisty middle daughter. Quinn, an 11-year-old, who dreams of becoming a journalist, is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in--even if it means going against Pa-Daddy. An unusual setting and the realistic handling of economic and environmental issues further strengthen this engaging story. Michael Cart --This text refers to an out-of-print hardcover edition of this title. From Kirkus Reviews (starred). . . McDonald has created unforgettable characters in a powerful tale; the setting is authentically evoked while the economic debate could be right out of the headlines of Anytown, USA. (Fiction. 8-12) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the out-of-print hardcover edition of this title. From VOYA. . .Quinn is a spunky character with a uniquely honest voice that readers are sure to like. Her lively first person narrative will entertain and move readers." From The Book Report. . . Quinn, her father, and grandmother are lovingly portrayed in this book about the value of families in times of great stress.

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.

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.

The Washington sisters make good in the 'hoodIt 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. 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.Twists and Turns is a 2004 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

This revolutionary new series of graphic novels re-tells classic literature for fans of the classics, comic book buffs, and reluctant readers; the fresh blend of accessible storytelling and captivating artwork ensures that students will want to return to; ; Each book is hard cover bound and attractively illustrated. Each book also includes a glossary, important quotes, character profiles, key explanations and more features that help readers experience and enjoy the classics in a new way - making these tales

This traditional rhyming tale takes children on a counting journey through Jill McDonald s colorful meadow scenes, meeting a variety of busy animal families along the way. Children will relish the vivid descriptions of the animals and their activities, from a bumpy mother toad and her baby basking in the sun to a hairy mother spider and her ten children spinning webs in a den.

Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's disease...Sound like science fiction? It's not!When Sister and Brother are told their Grandfather is having BRAIN SURGERY for PARKINSON'S DISEASE 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.