How could a new teacher be so old wonder the students on the first day of the school year. “My name is Hubert Noël,” he tells them. “Ever since I was young . . . people have called me Santa.” He presents each child with a gift-wrapped package, and inside is a book of coupons. “One coupon for being late to school . . . One coupon for losing your homework . . . One coupon for not listening in class . . . One coupon for copying from your neighbor . . . One coupon for getting out of trouble . . . One coupon for singing at the top of your lungs whenever you like.” The coupon book is just the first of many wonderful surprises the children have in store over the course of a remarkable school year in Monsieur Noël’s class. Their teacher may look old, but he is young of heart and mind. He respects and challenges them, and they respond to all the gifts — of knowledge, of attention, of experience, of love — that he has to offer. Susie Morgenstern’s short, charming, full-hearted novel is set in France, where the U.S.-born author lives. (Ages 9–12)

From health to family to society, this informative exploration takes an evidence-based view of all the factors involved in drug use. Applying the same objective criteria to legal and illegal substances, an argument is made that legality is not a clear measure for harm. Tackling a variety of questions, such as Which is more harmful—Ecstasy or alcohol? Can addiction be cured? and Does the "War on Drugs" have serious unintended effects that can hurt children?, this analysis equips readers with the ability to make educated decisions regarding drugs both personally and in their communities. Broadening the scope of the discussion, a framework is explored for formulating national drug policies that will minimize a myriad of harms—social, medical, criminal, financial, and environmental.