{"title":"A. J. Sass","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to the delightful world of \u003cstrong\u003eA. J. Sass\u003c\/strong\u003e, an accomplished author in the realm of children's literature. A. J. Sass is celebrated for crafting engaging stories that not only entertain but also thoughtfully explore themes of identity, friendship, and self-discovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the standout works in this collection, \u003cem\u003eAna on the Edge\u003c\/em\u003e, takes readers on a journey with Ana, a competitive figure skater navigating the challenges of fitting into a world that demands labels. The poignant narrative explores Ana's path to understanding her own identity with warmth and sensitivity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnother beloved title by Sass is \u003cem\u003eEllen Outside the Lines\u003c\/em\u003e, which features Ellen, a twelve-year-old who embarks on an enlightening trip abroad. This story beautifully portrays Ellen's experiences with adaptability, burgeoning friendships, and the comfort of stepping outside one's comfort zone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, \u003cem\u003eJust Shy of Ordinary\u003c\/em\u003e offers young readers an inspiring tale about embracing uniqueness and courage. Through insightful and empathetic storytelling, A. J. Sass skilfully opens up important conversations for children and adults alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEach book in this collection is a celebration of diversity and personal growth, inviting young readers to embrace who they are while learning about empathy and acceptance. Discover the magic of A. J. Sass's storytelling today, and introduce your young readers to characters with whom they’ll form lasting connections.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"ana-on-the-edge-by-a-j-sass-9780316458627","title":"Ana on the Edge","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwelve-year-old Ana-Marie Jin, the reigning US Juvenile figure skating champion, is \u003cem\u003enot\u003c\/em\u003e a frilly dress kind of kid. So, when Ana learns that next season's programme will be princess themed, doubt forms fast. Still, Ana tries to focus on training and putting together a stellar routine worthy of national success.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOnce Ana meets Hayden, a transgender boy new to the rink, thoughts about the princess programme and gender identity begin to take centre stage. And when Hayden mistakes Ana for a boy, Ana doesn't correct him and finds comfort in this boyish identity when he's around. As their friendship develops, Ana realises that it's tricky juggling two different identities on one slippery sheet of ice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith a major competition approaching, Ana must decide whether telling everyone the truth is worth risking years of hard work and sacrifice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46739435454700,"sku":"9780316458627","price":19.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/18069273482300.jpg?v=1755492330"},{"product_id":"ellen-outside-the-lines-by-a-j-sass-9780759556270","title":"Ellen Outside the Lines","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThirteen-year-old Ellen Katz feels most comfortable when her life is well planned out and people fit neatly into her predefined categories. She attends temple with Abba and Mom every Friday and Saturday. Ellen only gets crushes on girls, never boys, and she knows she can always rely on her best-and-only friend, Laurel, to help navigate social situations at their private Georgia middle school. Laurel has always made Ellen feel like being autistic is no big deal. But lately, Laurel has started making more friends, and cancelling more weekend plans with Ellen than she keeps. A school trip to Barcelona seems like the perfect place for Ellen to get their friendship back on track.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExcept it doesn't. Toss in a new nonbinary classmate whose identity has Ellen questioning her very binary way of seeing the world, homesickness, a scavenger hunt-style team project that takes the students through Barcelona to learn about Spanish culture and this trip is anything but what Ellen planned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMaking new friends and letting go of old ones is never easy, but Ellen might just find a comfortable new place for herself if she can learn to embrace the fact that life doesn't always stick to a planned itinerary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEllen Outside the Lines\u003c\/em\u003e by A. J. Sass is an engaging story about understanding and acceptance that captures the complex dynamics of friendship, identity, and the unpredictability of life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46993658806508,"sku":"9780759556270","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/11490883482458.jpg?v=1763100161"},{"product_id":"ellen-outside-the-lines-by-a-j-sass-9780759556294","title":"Ellen Outside the Lines","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinner of a Sydney Taylor Book Award Honor!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEllen Outside the Lines\u003c\/em\u003e introduces us to thirteen-year-old Ellen Katz, who feels most comfortable when her life is well-planned and people fit neatly into her predefined categories. Ellen attends temple with her Abba and Mom every Friday and Saturday. She only gets crushes on girls, never on boys, and she knows she can always rely on her best—and only—friend, Laurel, to navigate social situations at their private Georgia middle school. Laurel has always made Ellen feel that being autistic is no big deal. However, lately, Laurel has started making more friends and cancelling more weekend plans with Ellen than she keeps. A school trip to Barcelona seems like the perfect opportunity for Ellen to get their friendship back on track.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExcept, nothing goes as planned. Introduce a new nonbinary classmate whose identity challenges Ellen's very binary perception of the world, coupled with homesickness, a scavenger hunt-style team project that takes the students through Barcelona to learn about Spanish culture, and this trip becomes anything but what Ellen envisioned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMaking new friends and letting go of old ones is never easy, but Ellen might just find a comfortable new place for herself if she can learn to embrace the fact that life doesn't always stick to a planned itinerary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46993660281068,"sku":"9780759556294","price":19.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/11491123482458.jpg?v=1763100174"},{"product_id":"just-shy-of-ordinary-by-a-j-sass-9780316506274","title":"Just Shy of Ordinary","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eJust Shy of Ordinary\u003c\/em\u003e is a heartfelt novel about family, friendship, and identity, perfect for fans of \u003cem\u003eThe List of Things That Will Not Change\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eIvy Aberdeen's Letter to the World\u003c\/em\u003e. It follows a thirteen-year-old nonbinary kid discovering that life doesn't always go according to plan—especially when they start public school for the first time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThirteen-year-old Shai is an expert problem-solver. There's never been something they couldn't research and figure out on their own. However, there's one thing Shai hasn't been able to logic their way through: picking at the hair on their arms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEver since their mum lost her job, they had to move in with family friends, and the world went into pandemic lockdown, Shai's been unable to control their picking. Now, as the difficult times recede and everyone begins to discover their \"new normal,\" Shai's hoping the stress that caused their picking will end, too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAfter reading that a routine can reduce anxiety, Shai makes a plan to create a brand new normal for themself that includes going to public school. But when their academic evaluation places them into 9th grade instead of 8th, it sets off a chain of events that veer off the path Shai had prepared for, encouraging Shai to learn how to accept life's twists and turns, especially when you can't plan for them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46995598409964,"sku":"9780316506274","price":19.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/824f793f772917b78a11c76895a509a8.jpg?v=1763160589"},{"product_id":"just-shy-of-ordinary-by-a-j-sass-9780316506175","title":"Just Shy of Ordinary","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThirteen-year-old Shai is an expert problem-solver. There's never been something they couldn't research and figure out on their own. But there's one thing Shai hasn't been able to logic their way through: picking at the hair on their arms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEver since their mum lost her job, the two had to move in with family friends, and the world went into pandemic lockdown, Shai's been unable to control their picking. Now, as the difficult times recede and everyone begins to discover their \"new normal,\" Shai's hoping the stress that caused their picking will end, too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAfter reading that a routine can reduce anxiety, Shai makes a plan to create a brand new normal for themself that includes going to public school. 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