Books in Paperstar Book series

Former professional dancer and Caldecott Honor recipient Rachel Isadora shows readers how dreams and determination can play a leading role in becoming a ballet dancer.Lili loves to dance. She gets dressed in her leotard, tights, and ballet slippers and begins her class. Along with Lili we learn the five dance positions and see some of the roles she may dance when she is older. For boys and girls who want to know about ballet, this is a perfect introduction! * “For the many young children who see themselves as future ballet dancers, here’s a book with practical information to think about and wonderful illustrations to dream on.”—Booklist (starred review) “A delight to the eyes of young ballet fans.”—Horn Book

Can the whole tribe depend on her? Award-winning author Jan Hudson tells the enchanting story of a young Blackfoot girl caught up in the sweep of Western Canadian history. Being the oldest unmarried girl in her Blackfoot tribe is misery for fifteen-year-old Sweetgrass, but her father feels she’s not ready for the hard work and responsibility that come with being an Indian wife. Then, during the cold prairie winter, a smallpox epidemic breaks out. With the men away at war, Sweetgrass is one of the few women left to fight for the survival of her tribe. This is her chance to prove her maturity, but is she strong enough to fight the cold, hunger, and disease? “In a colorful, lyrical style evoking all the sense, Sweetgrass tells, with strength and tenderness, a dramatic story.”—Kirkus Reviews (pointer review) An ALA Notable Book, Booklist Editors’ Choice, and winner of the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year Award.

Activist/artist/author Camille Yarbrough tells the story of two best friends learning to find their inner strength through pride for their heritage.Angie's got a lot of worries. For starters, her dad just moved out and her mom's always sick. Then there's a gang at school that taunts her about her dark skin and kinky hair. At times it feels like the whole world is crashing down on her. For Angie, daydreaming is her only escape. That is until ninety-year-old Cousin Seatta comes to visit and teaches Angie about a different kind of dreaming . . . the kind slaves used to do to keep their courage up. Cousin Seatta tells Angie how to achieve her dreams by speaking up for herself. And as Angie begins to find her inner strength, she discovers the shimmershine feeling and gains new respect for her African heritage. * "A vivid depiction of the troubles facing students in inner-city schools. A brave book."—Booklist, starred review"This book is a gem."—Essence

Illustrated by Greg Hally When a bullfrog sets out to find his lost hop in the Old West, nothing is what it appears to be. With the flip of a page, a toad becomes a toadstool, a dog becomes a doghouse, a cow becomes a cowboy and a stage becomes a stagecoach in this rollicking story that?s a true page-turner?in every sense of the word! ?Noteworthy for its clever design, this amusing tale?illustrates how art and placement of text can affect a reader?s perception of a story.? --Booklist ?Compound words are split for comic surprises?A high-energy read-aloud.? --Publishers Weekly

When day is done, and shadows begin to deepen, it is time for Grandfather Twilight to close his book, put on his jacket, and go for a walk through the forest.Litle birds hush as he walks by, and the rabbits and other small woodland creatures watch in silence as he performs his very special evening task and returns to his house among the trees. Small readers and listeners, too, will sense the serentiy of this poetic story, and will be comforted to learn that the twilight is a gentle, friendly time.Exquisite pictures extend and illuminate the text, to reveal the nightly miracle so faithfully performed by Grandfather Twlight. Perfect for reading aloud and for sharing at bedtime, this beautiful and reassuring book will be cherished by old and young alike.