Zack

"But I don't look like a Jewish Negro or a black Jew. I look like a black. I am of average height, of average build, with wavy hair that I wear very short, and very dark skin. Talk about an identity crisis." Ten years after Crabbe, Bell returns to the theme of a young man wrestling with his identity. Zack Lane is uncomfortable with his mixed racial origins. He knows much about his father's side, the descendants of Romanian Jews, but his mother broke all ties with her family before Zack was born. Why she did so is the "family mystery." Zack has recently been uprooted when his parents moved from the largest city in Canada to the outskirts of a small town. Friendless, unsuccessful at school and at the lowest point in his life, he undertakes a research project into the life of Richard Pierpoint, former African slave, soldier in the War of 1812, and the pioneer farmer who cleared the land on which Zack's house now stands. Pierpoint's story inspires Zack to go to Mississippi to look for his maternal grandfather. What he discovers shakes the foundations of all he has believed in.

Get to know Galaxy Zack—and his new home planet!—in this start to an out-of-this-world illustrated chapter book series. In Hello, Nebulon!, Zack makes the big move from Earth. He is already nervous about starting school and making new friends, but it only gets worse when he dreams that his classmates are slimy aliens with tentacles, pizza comes covered in gross bugs, and he can never communicate with his Earth friends again! Fortunately, when Zack arrives at Sprockets Academy for his first day of school, he meets and befriends Drake Tucker, a Nebulite boy who also loves to explore and learn about the planets. Nebulon isn’t as awful as Zack’s dream, but there are a lot of differences between Nebulon and Earth, and they make Zack miss his home in Dubbsville, Texas, even more. But things start to look up when he receives a mysterious surprise. What could it possibly be? With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Galaxy Zack chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.

An unapologetic celebration of friendship and first crushes “Archie loves Zack!” “Zack loves Archie!” Everyone said it was so. But Archie hasn’t told Zack yet. And Zack hasn’t told Archie. They spend just about every minute together: walking to and from school, doing science and art projects, practicing for marching band, learning to ride bikes, and so much more. Over the course of a few months, Archie tries to write a letter to Zack to tell him how he feels: “From A to Z.” None of his drafts sound quite right, so he hides them all away. One by one, Archie’s friends (Zelda, Zinnia, and Zuzella) find the letters . . . but they know exactly whom they’re meant for. This new picture book from Vincent X. Kirsch celebrates young, queer love in a whimsical, kid-friendly way.

Zack Neiway was a private man who loved naval power, his family, and the quiet of the open water. His steely gaze could hold you in thrall or dismiss you into insignificance. He especially loved his daughters—much more than he should have. Zack’s Daughters is the story of a “perfect” family’s tragedies and how those tragedies are finally resolved through religion, storytelling, and music. The surface is what you see; the reality is something else. "An utterly disturbing, and often absorbing, family saga with many moving pieces" -- Kirkus Discovery Review "Mesmerizing. Kreidler seduces with poetic words to hurl us into the dark corners where abuse dwells." -- Eileen Spratt Ehlers

So, Zack Wilson thought, almost laughing at himself. I’ve been at Camp Wolf Trail, what? Ten minutes? And already I’m having an adventure. At last! Being at Camp Wolf Trail is a dream come true for city boy Zack. Finally, he’ll have the summer full of wilderness backpacking, rock climbing, canoeing, whitewater rafting, friendship, and fun of which he’s always dreamed. But nature has surprises in store for Zack: animals, weather, and even the earth itself don’t behave the way he expects, and especially not the way his favorite book, The Outdoor Adventure Guide, has described them. After Zack makes a mistake that nearly costs him the friendship and trust of his cabinmates, he loses confidence in himself. When a scary catastrophe strikes, and Zack is faced with life-threatening danger, will he have the courage and problem-solving smarts to lead his friends to safety? With humor, honesty, and a deep appreciation of boys and wilderness, author Cameron Dokey and illustrator Craig Orback capture readers’ curiosity in this rollicking first Boys Camp story of adventure and bravery, Zack’s Story. This paperback edition also boasts an animal tracks ID card, perfect for outdoor exploration! Sky Pony Press, with our Good Books, Racehorse and Arcade imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of books for young readers—picture books for small children, chapter books, books for middle grade readers, and novels for young adults. Our list includes bestsellers for children who love to play Minecraft; stories told with LEGO bricks; books that teach lessons about tolerance, patience, and the environment, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

After breaking up with his first love and losing his only family member, Zachary Valentino has his heart set on taking revenge on Alta Williams, the wicked queen of the Underworld, for the irreversible damage she inflicted on him. As he joins the Otherworld, however, his life is far from peaceful. The Elders mock, ridicule, and demean him for his lack of potential, with his mentor and only ally, Helen Edmunds, as an exception. One day, fortune smiles upon him and grants him a miracle that brings him and Helen closer to each other, and he develops an infatuation for her. When King Patrick and Queen Marianne send Helen on a mission to the Underworld, Zack risks his life and volunteers to accompany her through the unknown trials that await them. What neither of them are aware of is the sobering fact that this quest may determine their rise or fall in more ways than one, for their demise may not be as far away as it seems….

Zack Bartell is a strong, determined Texan who knows what he wants and is willing to fight for it. What he wants most in life is Meredith Courtland and a chance to develop his share of the family ranch at Bridleton. Meri has experienced the deep heartache of a lost love. She's emotionally wary and unwilling to risk her safe, secure position at Bridleton by having an affair with the incredibly desirable Bartell heir despite the fact that he's a walking, breathing temptation. But when her volunteer work with wounded veterans tangles the threads of their relationship, they work together to defuse the threat to their lives and happiness.