At 17 years of age, Kobe Bryant was one of the first players ever drafted directly from high school into the NBA and well on his way to becoming one of the most famous basketball players of all time. His incredible talent and pure determination had a profound and lasting impact on the world of basketball, in the U.S. and beyond. But Kobe did not start as a basketball prodigy in the U.S. He spent his childhood in Italy, where soccer reigns and few of his peers played basketball; none of them with his skill and intensity. This story takes Kobe from shooting hoops in a church playground in Rieti to playing for the LA Lakers in the NBA.

One year just after Christmas when Ximena is thirteen, she overhears her parents talking - a conversation she is not supposed to hear. She catches the word, “father,” but wonders why they are whispering? Federico is the only father Ximena has ever known since he and her mom married six years ago. Of course, she knows she has a biological father, but her mom never talks about him - and Ximena never asks. All she knows is that he is “away” and doesn’t live near them. But after overhearing her parents’ discussion, she starts to wonder why she has no contact with him. At the same time, too, life is becoming more challenging for Ximena in school - academically, but mostly socially. And, after learning what “away” really means, she is faced with a decision that will alter her life. At the age where her friends and cousins are having their quinceañeras (many of which are much more extravagant than the one she knows her parents will be able to afford for her), Ximena is also forced to confront some ugliness that arises with the occurrence of these parties. Feeling like an outsider even in her own community, she begins to question everything about who she is. It’s not until she starts communicating with Daniel that her life changes even more - as if she needs the extra drama. In this story, read how a father and a daughter finally learn of each other’s existence and how they navigate that connection in challenging times; ones of overwhelm and danger. Can their newfound relationship withstand the pressures of life?

As if teenage friendships aren’t hard enough... Marissa and Jack have been best friends for as long as they can remember, only having troubles when Jack wasn’t always honest about himself. Despite their differences, their friendship endures. However, that friendship is challenged when a new student, Julio, moves to town and upsets the longstanding dynamic between Marissa and Jack. In this level 2 book, which includes aspects of Puerto Rican culture, readers learn useful vocabulary and are introduced to a progression of verb tenses through the easily understandable plot understandable even if the emotions of the teenagers are not.

In a small town in the highlands of Guatemala live two men; brothers. Each has a son, both named Pedro. According to the árbol genealógico or family tree, the boys are cousins, but they are also best friends - unlike their fathers who had a falling out over a financial issue some years back. Still, life ambles about slowly as it does in the department of Huehuetenango until an issue cuts through the fabric of the boys’ friendship, a rejection that causes many hard feelings. This new, fraught relationship is tested even more in class, when a new teacher arrives in town to teach their fifth grade class, enlightening all of the 10- and 11-year-olds to the rich history of their people, the Maya. But, this usually boring history class gets real as the boys learn about the Mayan Myth of the Hero Twins. Little do they know, however, that they will unexpectedly play a role in the myth, the underworld, and the rich history that saturates the lands of Guatemala. Some doors are not meant to be opened, and once opened are hard to shut. What adventures will they encounter? What lessons will they learn? Is blood really thicker than water? Who will survive?

It’s the start of the school year and everyone knows what that means: fall sports. Martín is a 9th-grader at the local high school who has been waiting for soccer season to start since…well, since he started playing when he was 5 years old. But, Martín doesn’t even make the 9th-grade team. But, not only has Martín been waiting for this day, but so has his father who is an avid soccer fan. What’s Martín to do? Jamal is equally as excited for the sports season. He loves football more than anything, and has been studying the game since elementary school. It’s his senior year so he is hoping for a winning season and maybe even a look from some college scouts. But, Jamal may not even get to play if he can’t earn a passing grade in his worst class: Spanish. Jamal has a lot riding on this season in hopes of a scholarship. How will Jamal pass Spanish? Coach Albano is excited for the new season, too. Starting his third year as the head football coach, he’s still the new guy with a lot to prove, but he’s up for the challenge. The team definitely has the talent to make it to the playoffs, but there is not one player who has the skill necessary to kick the ball on special teams. Not one. And if that weren’t enough, Coach’s job is further tested by the director of the Board of Education. Which situation will be tougher for Coach to handle?

Naomi and Mia are best friends. The school year is nearing an end and both girls are waiting to see if they are accepted to the college of their dreams. Naomi is hoping to be recognized by a scout from Julliard in New York City for her singing and acting talents, while Mia is waiting to see if she will be accepted to New York College of Fine Arts. One day after school, Mia is consoling Naomi about her anxiety over Julliard, when a passing student makes a comment that changes the way they look at their friendship. Eventually, Naomi gathers the courage to ask Mia an important question. She knows that she may be risking everything by asking, but will Mia's response be worth it?

If being in the minority in a particular demographic isn’t already challenging, Yamila discovers a family secret that threatens to derail the success she has encountered thus far at her competitive high school, even given the economic challenges confronted by her and her family. Experience the trials that Yamila faces in contrast to the seemingly carefree life of her best friend, Ashley, as the two characters illustrate their differences all while maintaining their relationship. La niñera is a common story, but one rarely told in accessible Spanish. As a level-two reader, students of Spanish have access to rich vocabulary, a review of the present tense and an introduction to the past tenses in context through a story whose cultural content also presents topics worthy of discussion.

At 17 years of age, Kobe Bryant was one of the first players ever drafted directly from high school into the NBA and well on his way to becoming one of the most famous basketball players of all time. His incredible talent and pure determination had a profound and lasting impact on the world of basketball, in the U.S. and beyond. But Kobe did not start as a basketball prodigy in the U.S. He spent his childhood in Italy, where soccer reigns and few of his peers played basketball; none of them with his skill and intensity. This story takes Kobe from shooting hoops in a church playground in Rieti to playing for the LA Lakers in the NBA.

It has been a week since Ana’s best friend Daniela disappeared. Since that day, Ana’s world has turned upside down, and her life has begun to spiral out of control. Will Ana see her best friend again? Did Ana pay enough attention to the details leading up to her friend's disappearance? Will an old Peruvian legend come to life? Will she discover a far greater mystery that has haunted the children of Peru for years?

Bianca and Cristina have been best friends for a long time. But, the last couple weeks have challenged their friendship since Cristina started to pay more attention to Adán, the popular boy in school. It is a confusing, yet emotional time for Bianca. But through it all, Bianca begins to better understand her feelings. As she considers the last couple weeks, she begins to come to a revelation about her friendship with Cristina. Bianca's world is about to change when she gets an unexpected letter from her best friend. Why has she been incredibly secretive and avoiding Cristina like the plague? Will Bianca decide to gather up the courage to talk to Cristina? She knows that she may be risking everything to reveal her truth, but she knows that the truth will set her free. Will it be worth it?

Though it is a story that involves travel, it is not typical in any way... After some time living in San Francisco and with many signs indicating as such, Chelsea has a niggling feeling that it is time to leave that city. As an artist and a creative, she finds that life in the bay area is a little stale for her which seems to be affecting not only her art, but also every fiber of her being. So, she decides to build a new lifestyle for herself that will allow her to travel all over the world, practice her art, meet new people and build community with them. And she is going to do it all with her best pal, her motorcycle named The Phoenix. The journey is moving along swimmingly until that one day… Chelsea’s new life and lifestyle are almost brought to an abrupt halt when a catastrophic event occurs while she and The Phoenix are riding - alone - in a Mexican desert. Will her trusty companion start again or will Chelsea’s vision end before it really has a chance to begin?

A story of the times. José and his family live in small town in the department of Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. Their life, which is simple and good, becomes challenging when their earnings become insufficient to maintain the family. Concerned for the welfare of his family whom he loves, José makes the difficult decision to make his way to the United States in search of work opportunities. Based on a story told to the author, this book recounts José’s journey north as well as examines the effect of his absence on the family he leaves behind. Readers learn facets of Guatemalan culture through entry level vocabulary and grammar.