"A story about a homeless boy and his imaginary friend that proves in unexpected ways that friends matter, whether real or imaginary"--

A miser learns the true meaning of Christmas when three ghostly visitors review his past and foretell his future.

"All families come in different shapes and sizes, but they are all special when they love and respect each other"--

In the village of Huanan, in medieval China, the deity that rules is the Great Huli Jing. Though twelve-year-old Li Jing's name is a different character entirely from the Huli Jing, the sound is close enough to provide constant teasing-but maybe is also a source of greater destiny and power. Jing's life isn't easy. Her father is a poor tea farmer, and her family has come to the conclusion that in order for everyone to survive, Jing must be sacrificed...

When Grandpa's false teeth fall down a well, a recycled hambone which has flavored the bean dinners of many families in his poor farm community, is used to retrieve his dentures.

When Angel's self-absorbed mother leaves her and her younger brother with their poor great-grandmother, the eleven-year-old girl worries not only about her mother and brother, her imprisoned father, the frail old woman, but also about a mysterious man who begins sharing with her the wonder of the stars.

A tiger cub has escaped from a reserve in the Sunderbans in West Bengal, India, and Neel, a poor boy from the islands, is determined to find her in order to save her from being captured and sold on the black market by Mr. Gupta and his men.

Charles and Lizzie Peterson love puppies. Their family fosters these young dogs, giving them love and proper care, until they can find the perfect forever home. When Charles and his friends find Lola stuck outside right before a rain storm, they have a tough decision to make. They know the French bulldog has a home but she isn't safe being locked out during the storm. Do they take the poor puppy with them or let her ride out the weather?

Dear Diary, Oh my Ra! My mom is coming home! She's been trapped in a tomb this whole time! I hope the tomb was filled with creeperific gems and creepy-cool artifacts. Otherwise I can't imagine how my poor mom coped. I am going to throw the most awesome welcome-back party for her. I know this might be hard to believe, but I'm a little worried about whether the party will be glamorous enough for her. Oh, what am I saying? OF COURSE it will be! I'm just...

Small but fast twelve-year-old Will Tyler, an avid football player in the down-and-out town of Forbes, Pennsylvania, takes matters into his own hands to try and finance the city's football team, giving the whole community hope in the process.