Books in Lorimer Streetlights series

Zach and Zoe start up 'Odd Jobs Unlimited' as a way to beat the summer doldrums, but just when their business begins to take off with a dog-sitting job, bullying cousin Howie comes to stay. Juggling the needs of the pup and the demands of their cousin is difficult enough, but when household items start disappearing, the twins set out to solve the mystery.

Libby Meek is busy—too busy. Between art class and youth group, skiing and piano lessons, Libby discovers that she no longer has time to just play. When her parents ignore Libby's demands for more free time, she decides to go on strike to prove her point. Along the way, both Libby and her parents discover the importance of balancing work and play. Robert Rayner is a former elementary school principal in St. George, New Brunswick. His books include Falling Star, shortlisted for the 2008/2009 Hackmatack Children's Book Choice Award, Walker's Runners, nominated for the Ann Connor Brimer Award, and other Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice selections.

Just when it's Mike, Greg and Becky's turn to step into the spotlight and perform in their town's annual play, they learn that it will be canceled forever. Mike, Greg and Becky band together to save the show while teaching the town about the value of tradition and the role that young people today have in history. This is Manitoba-based author Karin Adams's first book for young readers.

Sixth-grader Maggie Ito believes she has been cursed by the Witch of Bloor Street. While her friends all seem to be best at something—Sasha is best at art, Alice is the most musical, and even her nemesis Jarrett Johnson is the fastest runner—Maggie believes the curse is keeping her from being best at anything. Her attempts to break it become increasingly far-fetched, but her luck is still bad. With the help of her friends and a supportive teacher, Maggie finds confidence in her own abilities and the strength to confront her "witch."

When the grade four teacher at Trillium Elementary in Toronto assigns a new project, Jude Bhandari is sure that he'll be paired up with his best friend Sanjay. Everyone knows they both love everything to do with outer space. But instead Jude is paired up with the tough new kid from England who likes to pick fights. Will Jude be able to find common ground with the new kid—or will he end up as his latest victim?

Can Matt win first prize in the town's bike race? He thinks so. Not only is he fast, but he deserves the 18-speed mountain bike being given away. His own bike is falling apart! But Matt has a problem. His friends Mike, David, and Amanda all think they can win too, and practising for the race seems to bring out the worst in everyone. Soon Matt and Mike are barely speaking. Can Matt stay friends with the others after the race is over? If he loses, will he want to? An air of determined competition surrounded the racers. Matt leaned over his handlebars, ready for the 'Go.' Sweat trickled down the side of his face. He reached up to wipe it away. 'Bang!'

After losing her mother, Clara tries to get used to her new life―shopping for clothes with dad; Tess' chocolate chip cookies (instead of the sugar cookies Mama made); and more responsibility with her little brother Calvin. Hardest of all, Clara doesn't know how to tell her Dad that dance is just not for her. Mama was a great dancer. But, with the help of her good friends and caring teacher, Clara learns how to grow up without leaving the memory of her mother behind.

A Piece of Forever begins where Catching Forever ended, with the story of Rose and her experiences being of Mennonite faith in a public school. In A Piece of Forever, Rose is forced to address the issue of warfare and to examine her own feelings about violence and peace for the upcoming Remembrance Day assembly. While doing research for a school project, Rose learns how the effects of war have touched everyone around her. Toronto-based author and former teacher and storyteller Laurel Dee Gugler is perhaps best known for her popular picturebooks, including There's a Billy Goat in the Garden and Monkey Tales.