Arlene knows what it's like to be different. But in her quest to become the youngest student government officer in Greenwood Elementary history, she finally realizes the value in embracing differences.

'Willy knows exactly what will cheer up his best friend, Carlos, this Christmas. A visit from Santa! But with no chimney and a locked lobby door, will Santa ever be able to get up to the nineteenth floor of the building where they live? Willy knows Santa can make it--no matter how difficult--to bring Carlos his gift, as well as a glimpse of hope on Christmas"--P [4] of cover.

"Ever since her dad died, 11-year-old Jerry Blum and her mom have bounced around dead-end towns, staying in a series of rundown motels where her mother picks up housekeeping work and Jerry can get around in her wheelchair. But the Slumbering Giant motel is different. Lights blink on and off in the surrounding trees, a mysterious radio station plays only at midnight, and people disappear into the woods, never to been seen again. Not to mention that...

Tess Medina is dealing with the loss of her beloved father, a new school, and the troubling fact that the thing she enjoys most in life, baking, seems to be making her increasingly ill--something she is trying to hide from everybody.