Cages are perhaps among the most detestable objects invented by humans. Nil finds one in his house and seeks at all costs to have a pet that lives there. Despite the refusal of his parents, Nil gets a hamster, and the story takes an inevitable and surprising path.

Two African-American boys and their Russian American 'sister' want to buy their 'gramma' that special Easter bonnet she admired at Mr. Kodinski's shop. When they are wrongly accused of throwing eggs at the shop window, they come up with the perfect way to prove their innocence--and earn money at the same time. Vivid illustrations and captivating characters mark this inspirational blend of culture, friendship, trust, and love.

It was Danilito's first day in America. His family has just made a long, exhausting move from the Caribbean to New York City. The ocean and the palm trees he is familiar with are now replaced by tall buildings and crowded streets. Danilito is scared. But his worries disappear the next morning when he wakes up and Papa leads him on a magical trip of discovery. A gentle and uplifting story of coming to America.

When Toni, a little boy, bravely offers his favorite stuffed cat to the animal shelter to raise money for the needy dogs and cats, it touches his mom's heart. Later that night Toni misses his stuffed toy, and his mom offers her old stuffed animal. He embraces it with such love that his mom rewards him in a way that he never imagines.

In the town of Palenque, hardly anyone can read. Mr. Velandia, the shop owner, is one of the few who knows how. When Gina begins to receive letters, which she suspects are love letters, her little sister decides to learn to read so she can understand those mysterious letters ... An endearing story by the renowned author Irene Vasco about literacy, which comes to us from a remote town in Colombia.

Disliking her name as written in English, Korean-born Yoon, or "shining wisdom," refers to herself as "cat," "bird," and "cupcake," as a way to feel more comfortable in her new school and new country.

When Carmela wakes up on her birthday, her wish has already come true - she's finally old enough to join her big brother as he does the family errands. Together, they travel through their neighborhood, past the crowded bus stop, the fenced-off repair shop, and the panadería, until they arrive at the Laundromat, where Carmela finds a lone dandelion growing in the pavement. But before she can blow its white fluff away, her brother tells her she has to make a wish. If only she can think of just the right wish to make...