At nineteen years old, Nicole C. Kear's biggest concern is choosing a major--until she walks into a doctor's office in midtown Manhattan and gets a life-changing diagnosis. She is going blind, courtesy of an eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa, and has only a decade or so before Lights Out. Instead of making preparations as the doctor suggests, Kear decides to carpe diem and make the most of the vision she has left. She joins circus school, tears through boyfriends, travels the world, and through all these hi-jinks, she keeps her vision loss a secret.

When Kear becomes a mother,...

Because being scared stinks

Seven-year-old Veronica Conti knows a thing or two. She knows that recess is the best part of the day. And if someone, like Maya, doesn't play at recess because she's too afraid of bugs, well, that's a HUGE problem And it has to be fixed, pronto

But when Veronica's big ideas to help Maya backfire, she learns that sometimes, to help others, you need a little help yourself.

Before you can say "bugging out," Veronica forms a team supreme with her best friend Cora, total tech whiz Ezra, and Mr. Know-It-All, her bossy big brother, Jude. Together,...

In the third adventure in Nicole C. Kear's sweet chapter book series, it's up to the Fix-It Friends to help the star of the school play prepare for opening night.

Because reading isn't always as easy as ABC.

It's a dream come true Veronica's playing the Queen of Hearts in the school play. It's perfect: She gets to be a star and scream her head off

Even better, she makes an amazing new friend. Liv, who's playing Alice, is a natural--it seems there's nothing she can't do That is, until she reveals to Veronica that reading is really hard for her. To...

Because losing a loved one is hard.

Ziggy isn't just a pet guinea pig. He's a rock star, a friend, and a part of Ezra's family. So when he dies, Ezra is more upset than Veronica has ever seen him. She can't just sit back and watch a friend suffer. Something must be done Laughter is the best medicine, so tons of fun is just what the Fix-It Friends order.

But when nothing seems to shake Ezra's sadness, the Fix-It crew learns that grief isn't something to get around, but something to get through. And with good friends by his side, Ezra will do just that.

Accessible...

Because paying attention can be tricky.

Veronica Conti's on a mission. She wants a trophy. She needs a trophy. She will not rest until a glorious golden trophy is in her hands So when her school's 100 Day Contest is announced, Veronica vows to take home the grand prize.

But when Veronica gets teamed up with none other than Matthew Sawyer, her biggest enemy, she thinks all hope is lost. Matt gets distracted and has a history of losing stuff, not to mention that he and Veronica can't stop arguing.

To win the prize, Matt needs to organize. And to do that, he needs...

Because no one likes to feel left out.

Friends are like sprinkles on a birthday cake--you can never have too many So when a new girl named Margot joins the class, Veronica and her BFF, Cora, welcome her with open arms. Everything about Margot is super exciting-- from her fashion designer mom to the perfect French she speaks--and everyone loves her. Especially Cora.

Before long, Cora and Margot have matching outfits and rhyming nicknames. Veronica feels left out, big time, but she won't give up on her best friend without a fight. Trouble is, the harder she tries to hold on to...