Showing results by author "LA Johnson - illustrator" in All Categories

The blackbirds’ song uplifts and restores in this captivating novella from one of the most exciting voices in children’s fiction. After a devastating car crash, Annie is unable to play her flute and retreats from the music she’s always loved. She exists in a world of angry silence – furious with her mum and furious she can’t seem to play her beloved flute any more. Then she meets Noah, who shows her the blackbirds’ nest hidden in the scrubland near their flats.

In Flamboyants, George M. Johnson celebrates writers, performers, and activists from 1920s Black America whose sexualities have been obscured throughout history. Through 14 essays, Johnson reveals how American culture has been shaped by icons who are both Black and Queer–and whose stories deserve to be celebrated in their entirety.

Hayley is furious that her beloved cat, Judy Garland, keeps sneaking off to the garden of the weird old lady across the street. Lillian, or Boo, as Hayley calls her, hasn’t left her house for years, not since the council came up with their plan to knock down the row of houses to make way for a new development. Everyone in the street dismisses Lillian as an eccentric old woman, but when Hayley is forced to get to know her, an unlikely bond develops between them and Hayley learns the real reason behind Lillian’s reluctance to move.

Meghan Keane spent most of her adult life without being in a serious, long-term relationship, and for much of that time, being single wasn’t something she celebrated or particularly enjoyed. Sick of feeling anxious or sad when she received yet another wedding invitation without a plus one she decided she was going to mindfully shift her perspective. Luckily, Meghan is the founder of NPR’s self-improvement brand, Life Kit, so she consulted the experts and what she learned changed her mindset—and changed her life. Party of One is the self-help book Meghan wished she’d had from the start.

Dancer, singer, actress, movie star, civil-rights activist – Josephine Baker was a phenomenon! Overcoming the poverty and abuse of her childhood, Josephine grew up to become one of the biggest stars of the early twentieth century, particularly adored in her adopted country of France. She used her connections to help the Resistance in their fight against the Nazis during the Second World War and later became involved with Martin Luther King and the civil-rights movements in the US.

A practical guide to breakups in nonmonogamous relationships.

Welcome to the Apprentice Academy. Congratulations on your acceptance to one of the world’s finest institutions for sorcery. Your course of study here will be long and perilous, but this book of sorcery skills and fascinating tales from the world of magic will help you along the way—ideally with all your limbs and wits intact.

When Noah’s dad visits from New York, he and Noah come across an injured nightjar during a walk in the countryside. Noah is determined to save the bird, but his dad believes they should leave it alone to let nature take its course. As father and son argue, it becomes clear that Noah is angry about more than just the bird. He feels abandoned and misunderstood by his dad, who has moved to the US and started a new family there that doesn’t seem to have room for Noah. Can they find a way to build a new relationship and rediscover the common ground between them?

Liam and his mom want to adopt a dog from the shelter. While there are many well-behaved pups to choose from, Liam notices one that’s kept away from the others—with a sign that reads "behavior issues." But Liam knows there is no such thing as a bad dog. Can some extra love and training turn the worst dog into the best? K–3 listeners will find a friend in this series featuring quiet but strong Indigenous third-grader Liam Kingbird.

When Liam hears his parents having an argument, he escapes into an imaginary world with animal friends he has drawn. His new friends help Liam understand that even when things feel out of his control, he is always safe, always loved, and a brighter day is just ahead.

The “almosts” are ruining Abby’s life! She’s almost tall enough. She’s almost a star student. She’s almost first in line—and on and on it goes. So why even bother entering the science fair? The almosts will ruin it anyway. But what if Abby is wrong? Maybe the almosts can actually be a good thing . . .

Shailey loves bedtime, especially reading with her dad. But her dad starts a new job, and it gets in the way of their bedtime routine. So Shailey takes action! She fires her dad, posts a Help Wanted sign, and starts interviews immediately. She is thrilled when her favorite characters from fairytales line up to apply. But Sleeping Beauty can't stay awake, the Gingerbread Man steals her book, and Snow White brings along her whole team.