Vanita Braver

Madison wants to ride her bike without training wheels, but after her first fall she loses confidence and doesn't want to try again. Her parents and Hope, her toy bluebird, urge her to keep practicing until she finally manages to ride without training wheels.

Madison has a new mission to raise money for her class by selling candy and to earn a school T-shirt. She is eager to call on her neighbors to sell candy, but refuses to go to Mrs. Patel's, whose family has just moved into the neighborhood from India. Seema, a new girl in school lives there. Seema rides the same school bus as Madison, but Madison has never talked to Seema. All Madison's friends think Seema is weird and speaks funny. In her room, Madison reflects on her behavior, and decides to visit Mrs. Patel's house. Madison and the New Neighbors illustrates the virtue of accepting differences and respect for others who are different from us through questioning and self-reflection.