Karina Yan Glaser

Hoping to help their mother who landed a photo shoot for her baking business, the Vanderbeeker children use their spring break to repaint the living room fuschia and let in a health inspector while the house pets run wild. After the inspector shuts down their mother's business and random abandoned pets show up at their front door, the children must find ways to right the chaos in time for the photo shoot.

As they look forward to the New York City Marathon in which their friend Mr. B. will run, the Vanderbeeker children learn that one of their good friends is homeless.

Sixth grader June Yang and her Chinese American family move into a homeless shelter after her father's death. Resident Tyrell, who also is in sixth grade, offers to show June the ropes, since he's lived there for three years and thinks being there is much better than living alone with his unreliable mother. June is devastated to learn she isn't allowed to play her viola, the instrument her father purchased for her from his tip money, but learns that...

Amidst the anticipation of Mr. B and Aunt Penny's wedding, the Vanderbeekers' lives take an unexpected turn as Laney receives a dire diagnosis, leading them to the hospital where, despite their own challenges, they form a bond with a critically ill new friend in need of their support.

In this collection of personal stories and essays, award-winning and best-selling authors show that hope can live anywhere, even during the darkest of times.