Zetta Elliott

This emotional and lyrical picture book by acclaimed poet Zetta Elliott celebrates the importance of Juneteenth as well as the resilience of Black families and the power of community- featuring stunning illustrations from Caldecott Honoree Noa Denmon. Black child you were birthed from a dark jeweled expanse infinite and vast but holy as the womb Never forget it was HOPE that birthed you. . . . From birth to beyond, from slavery to freedom, and from generation to generation, this powerful and evocative book shows the breadth and depth of Black history- from the creative duo behind A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart, which won a Caldecott Honor.

The witches are ready to go to war, but Jax and his friends are still searching for a path to peace. . . . In the epic series finale of Dragons in a Bag, friends and foes must unite to defeat the mighty Scourge before it drains all magic from the world. Jaxon could never have imagined the adventure that would start with an old witch called Ma and three baby dragons shipped to Brooklyn. Ever since he returned the dragons to the magical realm of Palmara, Jax has searched for a way for humans and magical creatures to live in harmony. But despite his efforts, an ancient monster has been released. The Scourge has defeated the powerful Guardian of Palmara and set its sights on the human realm. It takes just one stray spark to ignite a war. With the Scourge now free to move between realms, the witches are preparing for battle. Can Jax and his friends put the flames out before it's too late? Or will magic disappear from the world forever?

Before Ma became the most powerful witch in Brooklyn...before Ma met a boy named Jaxon who helped her deliver three baby dragons to the realm of magic...long before Ma ended the war and vanquished the Scourge by choosing exile...she was just a curious, determined girl living on the South Side of Chicago. Lavinia Robinson, or "Vinny" as she's called by her best friend L. Roy Jenkins, is always ready for adventure-even if it means breaking the rules. So when a faraway voice dares her to open a rainbow-edged door in the sky, Vinny doesn't hesitate and discovers a world filled with dragons and other amazing creatures But when her own world threatens to burn during the Red Summer of 1919, can Vinny summon enough magic to save the ones she loves? Told in alternating viewpoints-Ma as a centenarian and a ten-year-old novice witch-THE ORACLE'S DOOR reveals the parallels in Vinny's and Jaxon's lives while introducing young readers to tumultuous early twentieth-century Chicago. With her distinct blend of fantasy and history, Zetta Elliott weaves one last story with her beloved characters that is sure to enthrall young readers.

Getting three baby dragons back home was just the beginning. Now Jaxon is on a mission to help all magical creatures from Dragons in a Bag But things in the magical realm are more complicated than they seem in the fourth book in the critically acclaimed series. With their new special abilities, Jaxon and his friends are not the ordinary kids they used to be. No longer destined to become a witch, Jax finds himself caught up in a secret plan involving the Guardian of Palmara's mysterious twin brother, Ol-Korrok. As the ambassador to the realm of magic, Jax must convince Sis that magical creatures should be free to return to the human world. But to reach Palmara, Jax and his friends must cross Ol-Korrok's enchanted bridge connecting the two realms. Is Ol-Korrok really the ally he pretends to be? Or has Jax set in motion a plan that will endanger both realms? It takes strength to build a bridge. But sometimes even the strongest bridges must be burned.

The witches are ready to go to war, but Jax and his friends are still searching for a path to peace. . . . In the epic series finale of Dragons in a Bag, friends and foes must unite to defeat the mighty Scourge before it drains all magic from the world. Jaxon could never have imagined the adventure that would start with an old witch called Ma and three baby dragons shipped to Brooklyn. Ever since he returned the dragons to the magical realm of Palmara, Jax has searched for a way for humans and magical creatures to live in harmony. But despite his efforts, an ancient monster has been released. The Scourge has defeated the powerful Guardian of Palmara and set its sights on the human realm. It takes just one stray spark to ignite a war. With the Scourge now free to move between realms, the witches are preparing for battle. Can Jax and his friends put the flames out before it's too late? Or will magic disappear from the world forever?

The witches are ready to go to war, but Jax and his friends are still searching for a path to peace. . . . In the epic series finale of Dragons in a Bag, friends and foes must unite to defeat the mighty Scourge before it drains all magic from the world. Jaxon could never have imagined the adventure that would start with an old witch called Ma and three baby dragons shipped to Brooklyn. Ever since he returned the dragons to the magical realm of Palmara, Jax has searched for a way for humans and magical creatures to live in harmony. But despite his efforts, an ancient monster has been released. The Scourge has defeated the powerful Guardian of Palmara and set its sights on the human realm. It takes just one stray spark to ignite a war. With the Scourge now free to move between realms, the witches are preparing for battle. Can Jax and his friends put the flames out before it's too late? Or will magic disappear from the world forever?

The dragon's out of the bag in this urban fantasy series, where a boy from Brooklyn is on a mission to help magical creatures This magical boxed set includes books 1 to 3 of the critically acclaimed series by award-winning author Zetta Elliott. There are two rules when it comes to the dragons: don't let them out of the bag and don't feed them anything sweet When Jaxon is sent to spend the day with a mean old lady his mother calls Ma, he finds out she's not his grandmother--but she is a witch She needs his help delivering baby dragons to a magical world where they'll be safe. Read about Jax's first three adventures in this collection This boxed set includes: #1 Dragons in a Bag: An epic fantasy in which Jax must deliver baby dragons to a magical world where they'll be safe.#2 The Dragon Thief: Stealing a baby dragon was easy Hiding it is a little more complicated.#3 The Witch's Apprentice: The baby dragons were returned to the magical realm . . . but things don't seem quite right

Punk rock loving JJ Pankowski can't seem to fit in at his new school in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, as one of the only white kids. Pie Velez, a math and history geek by day and graffiti artist by night, is eager to follow in his idol Jean-Michel Basquiat's footsteps. The boys stumble into an unlikely friendship, swapping notes on their love of music and art, which sees them through a difficult semester at school and at home. But a run-in with the cops threatens to unravel it all. Moonwalking is a stunning exploration of class, cross-racial friendships, and two boys' search for belonging in a city that is as tumultuous and beautiful as their hearts.

Getting three baby dragons back home was just the beginning. Now Jaxon is on a mission to help all magical creatures from Dragons in a Bag! But things in the magical realm are more complicated than they seem in the fourth book in the critically acclaimed series.With their new special abilities, Jaxon and his friends are not the ordinary kids they used to be. No longer destined to become a witch, Jax finds himself caught up in a secret plan involving the Guardian of Palmara’s mysterious twin brother, Ol-Korrok. As the ambassador to the realm of magic, Jax must convince Sis that magical creatures should be free to return to the human world.But to reach Palmara, Jax and his friends must cross Ol-Korrok’s enchanted bridge connecting the two realms. Is Ol-Korrok really the ally he pretends to be? Or has Jax set in motion a plan that will endanger both realms?It takes strength to build a bridge. But sometimes even the strongest bridges must be burned.

The dragons may be out of the bag, but Jaxon is ready to hatch some magic of his own in this third book in the critically acclaimed series--now in paperback. Ever since the baby dragons were returned to the magical realm, things have been off. The New York summer has been unusually cold. A strange sleeping sickness is spreading across the city. And Jaxon's friends Kenny and Kavita have begun to change, becoming more like the fairy and dragon they once cared for. On top of all that, Jax is hiding a secret--Vik entrusted him with a phoenix egg Jax wants to help his friends and learn how to hatch the phoenix, but so far his lessons as a witch's apprentice haven't seemed very useful. Where can he find the strength--and the magic--he needs?

The dragons may be out of the bag, but Jaxon is ready to hatch some magic of his own in this third book in the critically acclaimed series. Ever since the baby dragons were returned to the magical realm, things have been off. The New York summer has been unusually cold. A strange sleeping sickness is spreading across the city. And Jaxon's friends Kenny and Kavita have begun to change, becoming more like the fairy and dragon they once cared for. On top of all that, Jax is hiding a secret--Vik entrusted him with a phoenix egg Jax wants to help his friends and learn how to hatch the phoenix, but so far his lessons as a witch's apprentice haven't seemed very useful. Where can he find the strength--and the magic--he needs?

The dragons may be out of the bag, but Jaxon is ready to hatch some magic of his own in this third book in the critically acclaimed series. Ever since the baby dragons were returned to the magical realm, things have been off. The New York summer has been unusually cold. A strange sleeping sickness is spreading across the city. And Jaxon's friends Kenny and Kavita have begun to change, becoming more like the fairy and dragon they once cared for. On top of all that, Jax is hiding a secret--Vik entrusted him with a phoenix egg Jax wants to help his friends and learn how to hatch the phoenix, but so far his lessons as a witch's apprentice haven't seemed very useful. Where can he find the strength--and the magic--he needs?

Forgive and be forgiven. It sounds so appealing—why doesn’t it happen every day? Finding herself forgiven on a rain-scrubbed morning after a difficult day, Melena seizes her fresh start and shares the song in her heart with her family and friends. It’s a day of new beginnings. It’s Melena’s jubilee. This story introduces children to the concept of jubilee, which stresses the important principles of debt relief, generosity and forgiveness. Aaron Boyd’s mixed-media illustrations are as bright and vivid as a sun-washed day.

Caldecott Honor BookToday Show Best Book for the HolidaysALA Notable Book for All AgesALSC Notable Children's BookNCTE Notable Poetry BookEvanston Public Library's Top 100 Great Book for KidsNerdy Award Winner for Single Poem Picture Book In this powerful, affirming poem by award-winning author Zetta Elliott, a Black child explores his shifting emotions throughout the year. There is a place inside of mea space deep down inside of me where all my feelings hide. Summertime is filled with joy--skateboarding and playing basketball--until his community is deeply wounded by a police shooting. As fall turns to winter and then spring, fear grows into anger, then pride and peace. In her stunning debut, illustrator Noa Denmon articulates the depth and nuances of a child's experiences following a police shooting--through grief and protests, healing and community--with washes of color as vibrant as his words. Here is a groundbreaking narrative that can help all readers--children and adults alike--talk about the feelings hiding deep inside each of us.

Inspired by the #SayHerName campaign launched by the African American Policy Forum, these poems pay tribute to victims of police brutality as well as the activists insisting that Black Lives Matter. Elliott engages poets from the past two centuries to create a chorus of voices celebrating the creativity, resilience, and courage of Black women and girls.This collection features forty-nine powerful poems, four of which are tribute poems inspired by the works of Lucille Clifton, Audre Lorde, Nikki Giovanni, and Phillis Wheatley. This provocative collection will move every reader to reflect, respond-and act.

How do you become a writer? You write It sounds easy but many of us struggle to express ourselves. These simple activities are designed to build your confidence as a writer. Everyone has a story to tell and there are lots of different ways to tell that story. This guide will provide several options so that you can make writing a daily practice. Your voice matters, so make your voice heard