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(3)
1-3
Illustrated by
Abigail Halpin.
Eight chapters relate the beginning of Anne of Green Gables's story, remaining faithful to the events--and often the language--of L. M. Montgomery's original but with short paragraphs and plenty of white space. This inviting introduction for newly independent readers includes color-saturated mixed-media illustrations that capture the spirit of the characters and the Prince Edward Island setting.
136 pp.
| Peachtree
| October, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-68263-045-7$16.95
(3)
1-3
Illustrated by
Poly Bernatene.
Despite having been adopted by bookstore owners when she was five, eleven-year-old Property Jones is (secretly) illiterate. Fortunately, she is also extremely observant, which enables her to thwart the swindlers who are bent on cheating her family out of the commodious, almost-magical book emporium they've just won in a contest. This pleasant fantasy, enlivened by Bernatene's cartoon illustrations, will engage young book lovers ready to take on denser chapter books.
145 pp.
| Houghton
| May, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-0-544-10519-5$15.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-544-28984-0
(3)
1-3
Illustrated by
Patrice Barton.
In her third chapter book, Anna Wang (The Year of the Book; The Year of the Baby), now eleven, begins to question her identity as an Asian American; a trip to China to help friends adopt a baby helps her sort out her feelings. As always, Cheng keeps the focus tightly on highly sympathetic Anna as she observes and processes her world.
162 pp.
| Houghton
| May, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-547-91067-3$15.99
(3)
1-3
Illustrated by
Patrice Barton.
In this sequel to The Year of the Book, sensitive fifth grader Anna Wang is worried about her new adopted-from-China baby sister, Kaylee, who isn't eating enough. Anna and her two best friends, Laura and Camille, decide to build their science project around helping Kaylee. Frequent homey spot illustrations enhance this warm family and friendship story.
(4)
1-3
Having survived previous indignities, Bad Kitty is in for the strangest event of all: the arrival of a new baby in the house. Kitty and friends suspiciously suss out the intruder until Kitty learns that, like her, Baby was adopted. Cartoon humor adds verve to the somewhat drawn-out narrative.
106 pp.
| Random
| January, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-375-95559-4$12.99
|
PaperISBN 978-0-375-85559-7$4.99
(4)
1-3
Stepping Stone series.
Illustrated by
David Merrell.
Shy Bobby (dog Lucy's owner) agrees to play soccer, even though he'd rather be working on his school comic-strip project. At first Bobby doesn't like soccer--or his strict coach--but things change as Coach helps train Lucy, and Bobby discovers a talent for goal-keeping. There's also an adoption story line in this overstuffed story illustrated with sketchlike black-and-white drawings.
167 pp.
| Houghton
| August, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-547-37026-2$14.99
(2)
1-3
Grace's best friend has been awaiting the arrival of an adopted little sister. In this seventh series entry, the big day finally comes. Things don't go as planned, but thoughtful Grace uses her powers of empathy to save the day. Readers are treated to another entertaining story filled with Grace's insightful, humorous commentary and amusing cartoon drawings, charts, and lists.
170 pp.
| Houghton
| January, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-547-15224-0$15.00
(2)
1-3
Grace's best friend Mimi's parents are adopting a little girl, and when the friends are hired as mother's helpers, it seems like the perfect opportunity for Mimi to practice being a big sister. Unfortunately, their charge is enamored with Grace and doesn't like Mimi one bit. As usual, Grace's special powers of empathy--and her consistently funny, frank, believable voice--help fix everything.
40 pp.
| Whitman
| October, 2006
|
TradeISBN 0-8075-7903-3$15.95
(4)
1-3
Illustrated by
Lin Wang.
Transracial adoptee Ada doesn't know the name "whispered to me by my first mother" in China, but she does know her second and third names. She's given the name Wang Bin in a Chinese orphanage; and she's named Ada by her American adoptive parents. The first-person text and illustrations are both somewhat stiff and self-conscious, but this book should have an appreciative audience in the Chinese adoption community.
(3)
K-3
I Can Read Book series.
Illustrated by
Jennifer Plecas
&
Jennifer Plecas.
In this third installment in the series, Max wants a dog, but his big sister Emma is allergic to fur. A lizard is a good compromise, and caring for the new pet brings the siblings closer while sensitively resolving issues of Max's own status as a new, adopted family member. Both subject matter and writing are on target, and simply drawn, expressive characters gently guide the fledgling reader.
75 pp.
| Houghton/Lorraine
| March, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-618-15277-6$$15.00
(4)
1-3
Lulu is adopted and thought to be unable to inherit her family's magic abilities. But when she finds a hat at the bottom of her magician uncle's trunk, it allows her to do magic after all--even if it's somewhat unpredictable. Short chapters and engaging spot illustrations follow Lulu's adventures both onstage and in Deep Magic Space inside the hat. Though a bit convoluted, the story is full of incident and Meddaugh's signature humor.
32 pp.
| Clarion
| April, 2001
|
TradeISBN 0-395-93872-4$$16.00
(4)
1-3
Illustrated by
Chris Soentpiet.
When his parents adopt a Korean baby, young David the narrator wants to share their joy but also feels jealous. Throughout the preparations, arrival, and homecoming of Jin Woo, Davey's ambivalence is revealed in realistic watercolors. The happy resolution, cemented with a letter from Jin Woo (ghost-written by Mom) to Davey, is simplistic and sentimental, but it's nevertheless touching.
(3)
K-3
I Can Read Book series.
Illustrated by
Jennifer Plecas.
No longer the shy Emma of Emma's Magic Winter, this big-sister-to-be is excited to meet her adopted brother--but being a sister is a lot harder than she imagined. Five short chapters with simple but expressive illustrations frame this bittersweet story. With patience and understanding, Emma eventually gains Max's trust; newly independent readers will be won over, too.