NCW Libraries

A collection of short stories by diverse authors that explores acts of bravery by heroes trying to make the world a better place.

Tiny mouse Marco Polo is almost never chosen to leave the library, but when a boy about to attend his first sleepover needs a friend to smuggle along, the great mouse explorer's day has come.

"When Kevin and his friends discover a mysterious ladder, everyone wants to know what is at the top, and who gets to find out first"--

"Magazine spreads and Hollywood hits showcase stars with perfect skin, perfect faces, perfect hair, perfect lives, perfect... everything. But what if the absence of scars is really a lie? And what if, underneath all that perfection, something far more powerful and authentic is waiting to be seen, shown, and heard? In Braver Than I Thought, kids meet the true stories of remarkable people whose scars have been a part of their journey, who have helped...

"Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He's finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test, and he's a great jumper, so he's not scared at all. "Looks easy," says Jabari, watching the other kids take their turns. But when his dad squeezes his hand, Jabari squeezes back. He needs to figure out what kind of special jump to do anyway, and he should probably do some stretches before climbing up onto the diving board. In a sweetly...

Lance Cottonwood is the best and brightest in his class, but when it is time for his final exam, he is afraid to fall like the rest of the leaves.

"Follow the Brotherband in a battle against an Iberian pirate raiding ship in the latest exciting tale in the Brotherband Chronicles from John Flanagan, author of the internationally bestselling Ranger's Apprentice series! The Herons are home in Skandia--preparing to celebrate two of their own and working on sea trials in the newly constructed Heron. But during a short excursion, they encounter an Iberian pirate ship raiding the coast of Sonderland,...

Describes the courage and conviction demonstrated by eight great patriots at pivotal moments in American history.

Discover the true meaning of being brave in this tender and whimsical picture book from Daniel Bernstrom (One Day in the Eucalytus, Eucalyptus Tree) and Shane Evans (Chocolate Me!) that follows a grandfather and grandson who travel through time in a beloved 1952 Ford.

When Randolph the rat takes over the fountain where Marguerite dances, Benjamin comes up with a plan to get rid of him and let Marguerite dance again.