Merissa Czyz

When eleven-year-old Vanessa discovers an abandoned museum, she starts filling it with her own projects and art and memories, thinking maybe, if she can put them all together in just the right way, she can finally understand why she and her relationships are the way they are.

"Ivy was Anne the librarian's doll when she was a young girl. But now she has moved to Anne's library to be its newest Book Buddy--a toy that can be checked out just like a book. Ivy isn't sure she wants to be borrowed, though. She'd rather go back to just being Anne's favorite toy. Fern, a child who visits the library with her stepfamily, also wishes things could go back to the way they were, when Fern had her dad all to herself. When Fern takes...

When twelve-year-old former best friends Maddie and Chloe arrive at camp and discover they are cabin mates, they must decide if they want to continue staying mad at each other or give their friendship another go.

"Hey, Earth! It's my birthday! Mars is one of our closest neighbors, and a NASA robot named Curiosity is in charge of exploring the surface. Take a journey across a new planet along with Curiosity. You're invited to join the party--because even robots have birthdays!"--

Twelve-year-old Libby, born with Turner Syndrome, is determined to win a science contest and use the money to help her older sister's growing family, while surviving middle school.

When her father is cursed by a rival witch, twelve-year-old Clementine Morcerous assumes his duties as Dark Lord of the realm, but soon questions her father's code of good and evil.

Madeline Finn hopes Star can become a therapy dog. But first he needs to pass his test. They have been practicing all the skills he needs to master. They practice meeting people. They practice sitting still when a bike goes by. They even practice meeting other dogs. Now Madeline Finn and Star are off to Walker Oaks, a retirement community where Star will take his tests. They face a variety of challenges and meet several new friends. But Madeline Finn...

Eighth-graders Evelyn and Allie are in trouble. Evelyn's constant need for perfection has blown some fuses among her robotics teammates, and she's worried nobody's taking the upcoming competition seriously. Allie is new to school, and she's had a history of short-circuiting on teachers and other kids. So when Allie is assigned to the robotics team as a last resort, all Evelyn can see is just another wrench in the works! But as Allie confronts a past...

Twelve-year-old Abbey's world is turned upside-down by both personal and national events of September 11, 2001, as well as their aftermath, but finds greater strength through art, friendship, and family.

Marco Polo is a mouse Christmas ornament that the librarian thought was too cute to be put away. Marco Polo pretends he's a brave adventurer because he often finds himself in tight spaces, like behind the refrigerator. But really, he's afraid of being lost. He's borrowed by Seth, who has been invited to his first sleepover at a friend's house. Seth is excited, but also afraid of spending the whole night away from home. They face their fears together...