What To Do with a Box
Jane Yolen and Chris Sheban

All that is needed is a box, a large one is best, and your imagination. It can be a library, a race car, or a place to nap. The possibilities are endless! This book's rhyming text and beautiful illustrations will surely appeal to your young readers and encourage some creative fun.

Hoopless
Nick Healy, pictures by Randal Jackson

Lonnie lives with his Gran and Gramps. He dreams of shooting a basketball like the big kids and joining their Saturday games, but he misses it every time he tries to make a basket. When Lonnie asks Gramps to put up a hoop so that he can practice, Gramps tells him to wait until he is older. Gran, who was quite an athlete in her youth, combines chores and basketball drills in a way that makes practice fun. The results are excellent! Now, will Gramps put up a hoop? Hoopless is a fun story that reminds kids not to abandon their dreams. With persistence and practice, who knows what is possible?

A Single Shard
Sue Park

A Single Shard is a historical story set in 12th-century Korea, a time and place long ago and far away. Tree-ear is an orphan who lives under a bridge with a man named Crane-man. While out in the community searching for food, Tree-ear sees potters at work, creating and selling their wares. He is especially interested in the creations of master potter Min. Tree-ear learns by watching but is not allowed to work with the clay. As the story evolves, Min receives word that the royal emissary would like him to bring samples of his work to the palace. Feeling unable to travel such a long distance, Min sends Tree-Ear on the journey in his place. Throughout the story, Tree-ear must make decisions that demonstrate and determine the kind of person he is striving to be. A Single Shard is a short story but offers much food for thought.