Books published by publisher Dial

Lester's first book and runner-up for the 1969 Newbery Medal. First Edition. "To be a slave. To be owned by another person, as a car, house, or table is owned. To live as a piece of property that could be sold, a child sold from its mother, a wife from her husband. To be considered not human, but a 'thing' that plowed the fields, cut the wood, cooked the food, nursed another's children, a 'thing' whose sole function was determined by the one who owned you." This book is about how it felt. All the aspects of slavery in America are described in vivid and often painful detail by black men and women who had themselves been slaves. The material is arranged in a historical time sequence which begins in Africa and culminates with the Civil War and Emancipation, but the emotions of the people who lived through it are timeless.

From the author of the 2013 Caldecott Honor Book, ONE COOL FRIEND! As they wait for the arrival of a new baby, Maita tells her great-grandniece the story of her remarkable childhood. Living sheltered on a lighthouse island with only her parents for company, Maita always longed for a sibling-longed not to be the only child the ragged island knew. And then one icy night, howling winds blew wave after wave against the shore, and from that fearsome storm came a sea chest-a gift that would change Maita's life forever. From a beguiling Maine legend, newcomer Toni Buzzeo has fashioned this exquisitely lyrical, intimate tale, illustrated in vibrant oil paintings by Mary GrandPre. Together they have created a book of classic beauty and resonance.

Sly (a.k.a. Sylvia) has newly set up shop as a neighborhood detective, and the advice from Kirkus Reviews is plain and simple: "Clear some shelf space" for this funny, engaging series.With each zany mystery brought to her by friends and parents—this time involving soccer, ballet, swimming, and basketball—Sly uses her keen observation and reasoning skills to solve the case, while young readers will get a kick out of guessing the solutions alongside her.

Her name is Jazmin, and like the music of her name, her life throbs and swings?a few flat notes to be sure, but also bursting with rich passages that rise and soar. Sitting on her stoop she fills her notebook with laughs, anger, and hope. There?s the risky lure of ?luscious-looking? men and the consequences of free haircuts. This is a fourteen-year-old so-real girl living in Harlem in the 1960?s, ?born with clenched fists? and big dreams, and strengthened by the love of a steadfast sister. Captured within pages of her tough, exuberant life are all the beauty, chaos, confusion, and clarity that accompany the excitement of exploring life?s possibilities?and discovering they are endless.