Oh no! It is almost time for the big dance recital, and the lead dancer has been hurt. How will the show go on? Ellie the Elephant knows all the moves, but she doesn't feel like a real dancer. She feels self-conscious and scared. Will she be brave enough to save the performance? In this sweet, heartwarming story, we learn the importance of hard work, practice, and being kind--both to others and to ourselves.

Ghost stories from the Hoosier State have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery! Welcome to the spooky streets of Bloomington, Indiana! Stay Alert! Ghosts lurk around every corner. Even the most unexpected places might be haunted by wandering phantoms. Did you know that there are haunted paintings on the walls at Indiana University’s Memorial Union? Or that a ghostly woman in black follows people around downtown? Can you believe that two children haunt one of the most beautiful houses in town? Pulled right from history, these ghostly tales will change the way you see Bloomington forever, and have you sleeping with the lights on!

A Biography Book for New Readers Discover the life of Jim Henson—a story about being creative and trying new things for kids ages 6 to 9 Jim Henson was the talented puppeteer who made some of the most famous puppets of all time—the Muppets. Before he created Big Bird, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Oscar the Grouch, and many other well-known characters, Jim was an ambitious kid who loved trying new things and using his imagination. He learned how to make puppets and went on to invent new ways in which puppets could be used in TV and movies. Explore how Jim Henson went from being a creative young boy growing up in Mississippi to an award-winning writer, director, and puppeteer loved by the entire world. The Story of Jim Henson includes: A fun quiz—Test your knowledge of the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How of Jim's life so you can ace your book report or school quiz. His lasting legacy—Learn more about how Jim Henson created lasting change in the world of puppets and in the lives of so many kids. Helpful definitions—Find a glossary with easy-to-understand definitions for some of the more advanced words and ideas in the book. How will Jim's big imagination inspire you?

Blast to the Past Book 3 Abigail is getting restless. It’s been three weeks and she hasn't time traveled once! Luckily it’s Monday again, so when Mr. Caruthers asks the class, “What if Alexander Graham Bell quit and never invented the telephone?” Abigail knows it’s time to go back to the past—this time, to 1876! But when the kids find Professor Bell, he has given up on the telephone. In fact, he is hard at work on a new invention! Abigail and her friends have to get him back on track, but can they make a connection with the most stubborn inventor they’ve ever met?

Blast to the Past Book 2 A world without cartoons? No way! It's Monday again, and for Abigail, Jacob, Zack, and Bo, that means it's time-travel Day! This week the kids can't believe their luck: They're going to meet Walt Disney! But when they jump back to the past, they discover that Mr. Disney wants to quit instead of making the first animated movie with sound. Abigail and her friends can't let that happen: Without his first movie, there wouldn't be all those other awesome Walt Disney movies or a Disney Channel on TV! But how can the kids get Mr. Disney to follow his dream -- and keep their mission top secret?

Blast to the Past Book 1 Third graders travel through time to keep history on track! Abigail loves Mondays, and so does the rest of class 305. That's the day Mr. Caruthers asks them cool questions about history. Today Mr. C asks, "What if Abraham Lincoln never freed the slaves?" Abigail and her friends are ready to put their thinking caps on. But this time Mr. C wants them to do more than put their heads together-he wants them to travel back in time! Turns out the "What If?" questions are real, and Mr. C has just come back from a visit to the past. He needs their help because it looks like President Lincoln might quit and never free the slaves! With a time-travel gadget and only two hours to spare, Abigail and her friends are going back to the past. But even though time traveling isn't hard, convincing Abraham Lincoln not to give up isn't going to be easy.... With a dollop of The Magic Tree House, a dash of Back to the Future, and pinch of Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure,Blast to the Past is a recipe for fun!

Blast to the Past Book 4 The Blast to the Past gang gets the chance to impact civil rights when they meet Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and give him their vote of confidence in this fourth book in the Blast to the Past series. It’s another exciting Monday for Abigail, Zack, Jacob, and Bo—they are going to jump back to the past to meet Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.! The kids need to convince Dr. King not to get discouraged and to lead one of his famous voting rights marches. And they’ve got to do it with the twins’ baby brother, Gabe, in tow! This mission will be more challenging—and more surprising—than any that they’ve faced so far. Luckily, they’ll get some help from two very special people...

plastic wheels rumble across cracks splitting sun-beaten sidewalks cornfields fade behind like mirages, opening the vista of red-brick buildings in the heart of town i’m eleven, Emily’s twelve we jingle mismatched allowance change and crushed baby-sitting dollars, shoved into our jean shorts pockets for an afternoon of opportunity start with comics at Around the Corner Books scented stickers at the Variety Store Ahoy Fountain Cokes with every syrup flavor finish with foosball at Sun’s Arcade our worlds stretching with possibilities as our rollerblades rocket us into more places without parents, still no doubts we’ll return home in a small town that watches its neighbors — finding preteen Freedom. DVWG Guest Poet Erin Schalk

Ramshackle old house, Near the foot of a hill, In the shade of a huge old tree. Its windows all broken, The door hung wide open, One last shutter banged often in glee. Six boys on a dare, Crept up in the dusk, To prove they had hair, (You know where). They brought along snacks, And a couple six packs, Two candles, three lights, and a flare. A broken old rocker, Was knocked apart proper, The pieces then stacked for a fire. In spreading their bedding, They made the dust fly, So choking they unscrewed a top. Toasted, awhile the sparks did pop. Sipping to the lines of each liar. “Why, I remember the time, When I fought with a lion, And beat him to death with a book.” “Hah! I spent some time, On a Loosiana chain gang. Then escaped twenty years,” (He was drinking those beers.) “With the help of a man with a hook.” The third one chimed in. “You guys don't know sin! I'll tell you a tale from my past. Once upon a long sail, With a whaler named Snail, We ran out of wind, The sheets hung so thin; We got stuck in an ocean, Stuck fast. “The breeze would not come. Then we ran out of Rum. Crackers and Spam were the last things to go. The two of us lazed, In the sun, 'bout half crazed. (I dream't 'bout ham, glazed,) So I called out to Snail, don't you know? “But he wouldn't answer, Though I called, and I searched. Across the whole ship for my mate. So I glanced in the fridge. It was filled with prime rib, Leg bones, and a gizzard, So I ate like a man, from a plate. “Snail never showed up. But a wind, in a gust, Gave me hope to get back to the harbor. It was after awhile, I put rib and neck bones together, And figured where I got my larder.” The fourth boy jumped on, The stories they'ed started. And spoke of a bear he had slain with a rake. Then claimed he had wore, The skin with it's fur, To a king's coronation, on a lake. The fifth boy was more tame. The bravest he'd been, Per his story was to cheat on a test. So the last boy was strapped, And made up a yarn, In a bid to outdo all the rest. He blew a smoke ring, Then opened one more. Took a long pull to get wet. Five attentions went rapt, As he gathered his breath, For a tale to someday repeat. “Walking home late one night, In cloud speckled moonlight, A groan stopped me fast in my track. The trees rustled silver, In a breeze hustled shiver, That chilled, Thrilled, All the bones in my back. “I peered through the edge, Of a forest unchecked, Overgrown and hanging with vines. My blood turned to ice. I screamed out, “NO!.” twice! As a red wolf lept into my face! His lunge knocked me down. Hot breath flushed my face. Growls bared fangs sharp as thorns. In cascade between teeth, His drool flooded my cheek. Wide eyes glowed yellow with scorn. “I knew I was dead. My arms and face bled. Though I fought like a demon He would not dissuade.” The boy's eyes flashed bigger, As his movements came faster. His fingers did swagger to the words of his tale. The listeners enthralled, Did not notice his jaws, Stretch out while teeth grew and glistened. Wild screams rent the night, And with the come of daylight, Only one boy walked home from their mission. DVWG Guest Poet Glenn Willis

A small bird alighted upon my window sill, Delicate, yet bold in its approach, Not aware that the window was open. I extended my hand towards it And it hopped upon my finger. No fear. Just trusting. The little bird and I sat awhile. Quiet in our thoughts. Neither meaning to harm the other. The warm sun beat down on us as we sat there. Soaking in the beauty of God’s creation. But the clouds came, and the little bird flew away. For all things in this world come and go. But the memories remain. DVWG Poet Lynette Tucker

High in the sky he soars through the air The wind rushes past, parting through his golden hair like connecting bridges As he hollers and yells and smiles a blinding light rivaling the sun he flies next to. Daedalus tries to get his warning through the impassable winds as Icarus flew higher and higher, But he could not hear, for the rush in his heart was the loudest above all else As he climbed the sky and saw that sun shine on the blue sea below, Icarus laughed, for his wish of freedom had been granted. And when the wax holding the wings melted, he did not fall What Daedalus could not comprehend, what the moral lesson can not tell you Is that as Icarus plummeted into the sea, he was still flying, smiling and laughing all the way. DVWG Poet Aedan Von Weckmann

We have many friends Who like rats on a sinking ship Have abandoned California Truly makes me want to flip The next time I want to travel To see this nation wide I’ll have friends in every state Across the countryside. Idaho, Texas, and Tennessee Have welcomed these new guests It won’t be long before locals shout “Who are these California pests?” North Carolina and Utah too They’ll seek out places to land What looked so lovely in springtime In winter ain’t so grand. Snow, hurricanes and bugs I wouldn’t know how to behave Humidity, alligators, and floods Would put me in my grave. I’ll take my earthquakes and heat I’m a California girl The thought of ever leaving her Makes me want to hurl. I could never leave behind The sun, the surf, the breeze Sure, I could ditch the taxes And those who live for free. I love you California 80 years you’ve been my home I will never leave you For another state to roam When they put me under In the California ground My soul will be in heaven No more my poems will sound. Inside the pearly gates I’ll stand before the Savior He’ll check out all I’ve done Giving crowns for good behavior. It won’t be California But when it’s time to go I’ll say my goodbyes with Joy It’s the end of the Karen Show DVWG Poet Karen Robertson