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In this funny, hijinks-filled middle grade romp, a boy and his con artist family's rascally ways keep them on a never-ending vacation full of rip-offs and schemes, leaving him to wonder if it's too late to change his fate.Perry Homer is bad news, just like the rest of his troublemaking family. His parents skip out on restaurant bills. Uncle Manny uses his legal training to get free stuff. Perry's cousins use their coding skills to scam people. On a disastrous vacation to Lindsborg, “the nicest town in America,” Perry's siblings steal their new favorite toys from local businesses and set the town's whimsical Swedish decorations ablaze. The Homers are worthy of the nickname the local news gives them—the Bad Family—and they're having a blast. Perry thinks he could be good. His favorite teacher, Miss Penelope, recommended him for a scholarship at the prestigious Ithaca School, and it's his chance to change things. He just has to get home from Lindsborg and show up for the interview. Still, that's easier said than done. After the Homers get kicked off their plane, Perry comes up with one last scheme to keep them pointed toward home. But can Perry really make it to Ithaca—or is it his fate to ruin everything?

When Dimple Met Rishi meets Loveboat, Taipei in this hilarious YA rom-com about a Chinese Filipina girl in Manila whose father sets her up on a marathon of arranged dates in hopes of convincing her to stay close to home for college.“A sweet and refreshing story about family, first love, and chasing your dreams. The way Coyiuto writes romance will completely sweep you away.” —Dustin Thao, New York Times bestselling author of You've Reached Sam.Chloe knows what it takes to be the perfect Liang daughter—stay in Manila, study business management, and join the family company. But when she unexpectedly gets off the wait list for USC, her dream of becoming an animator in the United States is suddenly within reach.Before she goes, her auntie insists on planning a traditional debut for Chloe's eighteenth birthday. And while a party with all her friends and family sounds like the perfect send-off, the huge production her auntie wants—complete with ball gowns and a choreographed dance number—makes Chloe want to pass out from stage fright.To make matters worse, her father, intent on finding Chloe the perfect escort for the party, keeps setting her up on one awkward kaishao—or arranged date—after another. Why does her dad suddenly care so much about her love life? And what happens when she actually starts to fall for one of the guys, only to have to leave at the end of the summer?At home in the Philippines, Chloe has her future all planned out for her. In America, nothing is certain. With a career in animation far from guaranteed, Chloe must decide if following her dreams is worth everything—and everyone—she'll be leaving behind.

June can't tell a lie - and that made for a lot of drama even before she joined her school musical! An enchanting middle grade series that readers won't want to miss. Honestly.June has a hard time telling the truth when it isn't what people want to hear. But she's trying to be honest with herself, and auditioning for the school musical is what she really wants -- even if her parents have other ideas. But the drama is brewing offstage, too. On the night of the play, June's secret blog is released to the whole school. ALL of the inner secrets she's been desperate to keep to herself are unleashed! Will her friends and family forgive her fibs? Or will this be June's final act?

Hammer together a mission to turn a crumbling mansion into a cozy bed-and-breakfast, a treasure map, and a family trying to figure out their new normal to build this charming middle grade bursting with humor, heart, and hope.Much to their surprise, the Peaches had a great summer running their food truck business selling their pies across the Mid-West, but they're happy to be back home in Duluth, Minnesota, where they can settle back into a routine just in time for the new school year. That is until Great Aunt Lucinda drops a big surprise on them: She wants to gift them her historic mansion. But there are conditions: they're to turn it into a cozy and welcoming bed-and-breakfast, something the Peach kids'mom always dreamed of before she passed away. And they only have until Thanksgiving to do the renovations and prove they can make the business work. It looks like it's a new chapter of The Great Peach Experiment. But as the Peaches roll up their sleeves, they quickly realize the house is more of a pit than a welcoming escape. And as the family juggles builders, possible hauntings, doggie obedience training, a treasure hunt, and the demands and worries of work and school, they soon realize that there are wonderful secrets hidden within the house's walls, if only they can take the time to see them. Interspersed with sketches, recipes, lists, and more, The Peach Pit is a delicious sequel to When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie, combining humor, heartache, a little mystery, and a lot of love, to build another incredible read.

Who wouldn't want a fairy godmother? But when June's puts her under a spell where she cannot tell a lie, the truth is middle school just got a lot harder.The truth hurts. Sixth-grader June Jackson learned that lesson early. (She told her BFF one time she didn't like her shoes. They fought for a week!) Which is why now June tells people what they what to hear. Who cares about a small fib if it makes her friends and family happy?But when June's fairy godmother appears in a cloud of glitter, she's grants June with the ability to only tell the truth. Now, June has no choice but to be honest about how she feels. And the truth is June feels stressed out. Middle school is no joke—between field hockey, friend drama, and her parents'high expectations, June is so overwhelmed that sometimes it's hard to breathe.When everything spirals out of control, will June find freedom in telling the whole truth and nothing but—or is she destined to battle the curse for the rest of her life?

Otis P. Oliver is taking a stand. He is NOT taking another bath--ever. But when your opinions matter to the rest of the family about as much as the opinions of the family dog (who, it's worth mentioning, only has to bathe once a month), you have to get serious. So Otis borrows a spiffy suit from his dad and rouses a rabble of neighbor kids to stand up for what the know is right: a bathtub ban. This hilarious story about standing up for what you believe in, compromise, and family will have readers of all ages ready to hit the pavement for their cause--whatever it may be.

It's been 30 years and with rising temperatures melting icy mountain tops the previously frozen Willoughbys have thawed out and are about to return! From living legend and Newbery medalist Lois Lowry comes a hilarious sequel to New York Times bestseller The Willoughbys—soon to be an animated film starring Ricky Gervais, Maya Rudolph, Terry Crews, Martin Short, Jane Krakowski, and Sean Cullen on Netflix!Although they grew up as wretched orphans, the Willoughby siblings also became heirs to the the Melanoff candy company fortune. Everything has turned out just splendidly, except for one problem: Richie Willoughby, son of Timothy Willoughby, is an only child and is quite lonely.Winifred and Winston Poore have long admired the toys of their neighbor Richie Willoughby and finally befriend the mysterious boy next door. But just as Richie finally begins to make friends, selling sweets is made illegal, and the family's fortune is put in jeopardy. To make matters worse, Richie's horrible Willoughby grandparents—frozen atop a Swiss mountain thirty years ago—have thawed, remain in perfect health, and are making their way home again.What is the point of being the reclusive son of a billionaire when your father is no longer a billionaire? What is the future without candy in it? And is there any escaping the odiousness of the Willoughbys? These are the profound questions with which Newbery medalist and ignominious author Lois Lowry grapples in The Willoughbys Return.

This delightful New York Times bestselling chapter book series, from the award-winning author of Pax, is a modern classic that has been keeping readers engaged and laughing as they follow the hijinks of Clementine, a clever and quirky third grader who's the most spectacular friend around. Perfect for fans of Amelia Bedelia and Ivy + Bean! Clementine is NOT having a good week. On Monday she's sent to the principal's office for cutting off Margaret's hair. On Tuesday, Margaret's mother is mad at her. On Wednesday, she's sent to the principal, again. On Thursday, Margaret stops speaking to her. Then Friday starts with yucky eggs and only gets worse. And by Saturday, even her mother is mad at her. Okay, fine. Clementine is having a DISASTROUS week. But maybe she can find a way to make it better.READ MORE!The Talented ClementineClementine's LetterClementine, Friend of the WeekClementine and the Family MeetingClementine and the Spring TripCompletely Clementine

For fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Big Nate comes the third book in this laugh-out-loud series about a class clown faking his way through middle school from comedian and film star Craig Robinson, #1 New York Times bestselling author Adam Mansbach, and NAACP History Maker recipient and cartoonist Keith Knight.Life couldn't be better for Jake. He's a student at Music and Arts Academy and a budding comedian, and he finally put an end to his fake-ster ways... or so he thought. There's a new girl at school, and Jake would do anything to impress her, even pretending to be a master chef. And a world-renowned barber?But at home, Jake is less impressed with his mom's news: she's pregnant. Now Jake has to fake being happy about becoming the Middle Child. The King of Cool is about to drop his chill.Luckily, he has good friends and laughs on his side, along with more than two hundred illustrations--all about him!

'Applaud for KLAWDE. Two paws up!'--Dav Pilkey, creator of the Dog Man series.'Funny, savage, and brilliant, Klawde is the pet I wish I had.'--Max Brallier, author of the New York Times Best Seller The Last Kids on EarthKlawde is not your basic cat. He's an emperor from another planet, exiled to Earth. He's cruel. He's cunning. He's brilliant... and he's also Raj Banerjee's best friend.Klawde and Raj are back! As summer turns to fall, our favorite warlord cat remains in his pitiful exiled existence. But Raj has an even scarier prospect than cosmic exile: starting at a new school. And if things didn't seem complicated enough, both cat and human are confronted with two figures from their past they did not expect to pop up in Elba, Oregon...Heavily illustrated, with a hilarious, biting voice that switches between Raj's and Klawde's perspectives, this is the story of an unlikely friendship that emerges as two fish out of water continue to find their footing in strange new worlds.

Stu Truly has his summer all planned out, and he's anxious to spend time with Becca, the girl who makes his palms sweat and his stomach turn. Will Stu's crush turn into something more?It's the summer before eighth grade, and Stu Truly is enjoying the start of his vacation! His plans consist of playing video games, hanging out with his friends, and, more importantly, hanging out with Becca. But when Stu has a daydream of kissing Becca, he panics. He isn't even sure if he's actually going out with Becca. Sure, they've held hands a couple of times, but that doesn't mean they're going out, does it? When Stu's grandma breaks her hip, his plans are put on hold. Now, he has to help out at her store, Truly Fine Fashions. Unfortunately for Stu, it's a women's clothing store. So he has to balance his summer job and spending time with Becca.This is a hilarious and heartwarming follow-up to the contemporary middle grade novel Stu Truly. Will Stu get his first kiss from the girl who stole his heart?

In this lighthearted picture book, the intrepid, determined, and savvy Wakawakaloch learns to embrace what makes her special while lifting up her neanderthal community. Perfect for fans of Vera Brosgol and Emily Hughes. No one can pronounce Wakawakaloch's name. Why couldn't she be called something simple... like Gloop? That's a name you can find on a T-shirt! But after a visit with her tribe's elder, Wakawakaloch discovers what her name means, and how powerful names can be. Gloop may be easy to say, but the girl who helps her friends embrace differences and wear their names proudly? Her name is Wakawakaloch!

This is an out-of-this-world funny first book in a madcap, illustrated adventure series from New Yorker cartoonist Paul Noth.Happy Conklin Jr. is the only 10-year-old who has to shave three times a day. Hap's dad is a brilliant inventor of screwball products, and being a Conklin kid means sometimes being experimented on. So Hap has his beard, and his five sisters each have their own unique--and often problematic--qualities too. And although Hap's dad has made a fortune with his wacky inventions sold via nonstop TV infomercials, all of that money has gone to Hap's tyrannical Grandma. While she lives in an enormous mansion, the rest of the family lives in two rooms in the basement. All Hap has ever wanted is to have a normal life, so when he sees a chance to get rid of Grandma, he takes it! He only means to swap out Grandma, but when he--oops!--sells his whole family to the aliens, he wants nothing more than to get them back. He just has to figure out... how?

If you like the Avengers, Justice League, or The Incredibles, then you'll love this family of superheroes! This new chapter book series is perfect for reluctant readers. Everyone in Peter Powers's family has super awesome superpowers. His dad controls fire with his mind, and his mom can fly. His big brother makes copies of himself, and his little sister is super-strong. And his baby brother even turns invisible! But all Peter can do is--this is really embarrassing--make ice cubes with his fingertips. That's why Peter's been working hard to improve his ice talents and is more powerful than ever. But when a group of sky pirates come to town, they steal everyone's abilities-including Peter's. Without superpowers, Peter is about to discover whether he's as cool as he thought he was or if he was letting his powers define him. Can he help his family, save his friends, and battle the diabolical sky pirates-or is his goose cooked? Featuring an extra-special power-packed final chapter that will shock readers!Peter Powers and the Swashbuckling Sky Pirates! is the sixth chapter book in a new series of exciting stories about a young boy who has some rather crummy superpowers. Each story is full of humor, action, and fun, but the charm can be found in the heartfelt message about the power of family, friends, and having confidence.

The humor and heart of Modern Family meets wacky contests in book two of this series, which asks: What could be more fun than a fun house? A local theme park called Funland is hosting a huge contest to turn one family's home into the ultimate fun house. Who wouldn't want a slide from the bedroom to the backyard, a bumper-car kitchen, or a ball pit for a living room? The Talaska family is eager to compete! And the stakes are high. Their house is falling apart, and they might have to move away from Piedmont Place forever. Cal knows that his family can win, but it won't be easy. First he and his sister, Imo, need to win a competition at school. Then the whole family has to live at Funland and find a hidden object. Can they really search every corner of the park in just five days? There's only one way to find out. Let the contest begin!

It's a robot revolt! As Sammy's inventor mom works on a secret project, he and his sister try to contain the hilarious pranks and chaos of droids on strike.After a few early glitches in their relationship, Sammy and his'bro-bot'E are now fast friends. In fact, E is such a valued member of the family that the other electronic occupants of the House of Robots are feeling sorely unappreciated. And when Sammy's inventor mom becomes distracted by a top-secret project, the robots soon begin to fall into disrepair.Cue a robot revolt, with the droids wreaking harmless havoc in the house! Armed with pranks like glue in the shampoo bottles and flying toast missiles, the robots demand to be cared for. It's up to Sammy and his disabled sister Maddie to keep the peace until his mom reveals her secret project... and why it was worth the wait.

Previously published as Diary of a Mad Brownie. Introducing The Enchanted Files—a new magical, modern-day comedy series by the master of funny fantasy and bestselling author of My Teacher is an Alien: Bruce Coville! In the first hilarious Enchanted Files, Angus is a brownie. No, not the kind you eat! He's a tiny magical creature that loves to do chores. Angus has just “inherited” a new human girl, Alex. To say that Alex is messy would be an understatement. She's a total hurricane-like disaster—and she likes it that way, thankyouverymuch! Living with each other isn't easy but Angus and Alex soon learn there is a curse that binds them. What's worse, it threatens Alex's family! Working together, Angus and Alex will set out to break the curse... without killing each other first... hopefully.This laugh-out-loud adventure, full of humor and heart, is ideal for fans of Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library or Chris Grabenstein.•'Smart, amusing, and a lot of fun'—Booklist (starred review)'With magic, mischief, and mayhem to spare, this sweet story of an unlikely friendship ought to delight readers of any age.'—Publishers Weekly'A knee-slapper.'—Kirkus Reviews

Praise for A Whale in the Bathtub: “This exuberantly illustrated tale is perfect for pre-scrub reading.” —Weekend Australia “Superb storytelling and lively illustrations combine perfectly to make a great read.” —Parents in Touch (UK)Bruno! It's bath time! But there's a whale in the bathtub—a huge, tub-hogging, bubble-bath-squirting, flipper-scrubbing, barnacle-rinsing whale! Worse yet, no one believes Bruno when he says the tub is full. The whale refuses to budge. How will Bruno ever get clean?

Can Charlie Bumpers face his fear of horror movies, come up with a genius costume, and enjoy Halloween?Fourth graders Charlie and Tommy have big plans for Halloween. They're going to trick-or-treat and sleep over at Alex's house. But when Charlie finds out that the entertainment at the party will be the'Scariest Horror Movies Ever,'he is struck by panic. Charlie loves candy, he loves sleepovers with his friends, but he absolutely hates horror movies.There is yet another wrinkle in Charlie's Halloween plans. He is determined to win the big prize (ten movie tickets) that will be awarded for the best costume, but when he finally comes up with a genius prize-winning idea, he runs into an unexpected obstacle. How will Charlie be able to enjoy Halloween this year? Black and white illustrations throughout.

Love the TV show Modern Family? Wait until you meet the family Fletcher! With two dads, four adopted brothers, two cats, and one pug, the Fletchers will have you laughing out loud! Welcome to Rock Island, Where Time Stands Still! The Fletchers are back on Rock Island, home of all their best summer memories. But from the first day they arrive, it's clear that this year, things have changed. FIRST, a giant fence is blocking their beloved lighthouse. SECOND, they have new neighbors. THIRD, who the heck is the weird artist guy who's never actually painting? And FOURTH, there's now an ice cream truck! Can the island stay the same even with these crazy transformations? Over the course of the summer, the Fletchers will learn that sometimes, even in a place where time stands still, the wildest, weirdest, and most wonderful surprises await.A JLG Selection!'There is constant action and delightful humor, but there are also realistic present-day problems and happy solutions. An old-fashioned summer adventure set in a very modern world, this lively family tale will leave readers impatient for more.'--Kirkus, Starred'While the other story lines reach satisfying resolutions, this one— about a young African American male struggling to figure out his identity in the largely white landscape of Rock Island—leaves room for thought-provoking, timely discussion.--Horn Book'A must-have middle grade family story with contemporary sensibilities.'--SLJ, Starred'Lots of kids will want to take this along on their summer vacations.'--Booklist

In this #1 New York Times bestselling novel, get to know Jacky Ha-Ha, a funny class clown who loves to make people laugh—even when everything else in her life feels anything but silly. With her irresistible urge to tell a joke in every situation—even when she really, really shouldn't—twelve-year-old Jacky Ha-Ha loves to make people laugh. And cracking wise helps distract her from thinking about not-so-funny things in her life, like her mom serving in a dangerous, faraway war, and a dad who's hardly ever home. But no matter how much fun Jacky has, she can't seem to escape her worries. So one starlit night, she makes a promise to keep her family together...even if she has to give up the one thing that makes her happy. But can she stop being Jacky Ha-Ha, if that's who she really is? Bestselling author James Patterson captures the humor, and struggles, of standing out in all the wrongs ways in this tender, laugh-out-loud story introducing hilarious, #1 New York Times bestselling heroine Jacky Ha-Ha. Don't miss Jacky Ha-Ha's other hilarious stories: Jacky Ha-Ha: My Life is a Joke and Jacky Ha-Ha Gets the Last Laugh!

If you like the Avengers, Justice League, or The Incredibles, then you'll love this family of superheroes! This new chapter book series is perfect for reluctant readers. Everyone in Peter Powers'family has super awesome superpowers. His dad controls fire with his mind, and his mom can fly. His big brother makes copies of himself, and his little sister is super-strong. And his baby brother even turns invisible! But all Peter can do is--this is really embarrassing--make ice cubes with his fingertips. When Captain Tornado comes to town and begins robbing banks, will Peter Powers and his totally lame abilities step up to save the day--or will he get cold feet? Join Peter Powers and his fantastic family for their first action-packed and fun-filled adventure to find out!Peter Powers and His Not-So-Super Powers is the first in a new chapter book series of exciting stories about a young boy who has the worst superpower ever. Each story is full of humor, action, and fun, but the charm can be found in the heartfelt message about the power of family, friends, and having confidence.

The lovable wackiness of Modern Family meets zany contests in this delightful new series that will have readers laughing out loud! Cal Talaska can't wait for his family to win the Great Grab Contest! The prize? Twenty minutes to grab anything in the world-famous Wish Shoppe! He knows his family will leave the competition in the dust, but first he has to convince them to compete! To get their eyes on the prize, Cal focuses on what his family wants from the Wish Shoppe—a gym for Mom, a whole orchestra for Dad, tools to build a spaceship for little sister Imo, and candy for baby brother Bug! Cal would do anything to get them to compete, even if that means tricking them into it... They'll thank him later! When it comes to the Talaskas, family always comes first. But can Cal convince them to go for first place too?

Can Charlie Bumpers be a polite Thanksgiving host to the most annoying cousin in the universe?It's Thanksgiving in the Bumpers'household, and Charlie has to be the perfect host to his annoying little cousin, Chip. Chip makes everything hard for Charlie―gets him in trouble, ruins his things, and generally makes a nuisance of himself. On top of that, for homework, his fourth-grade teacher Mrs. Burke has assigned him the task of writing what a family means to him. Will Charlie be able to see past his'turkey'of a cousin to understand the real meaning of family? Black and white illustrations throughout.

The day starts out like any other until Joe gets home to find his parents packed and ready to run! His dad hands him a disguise and they're out the door, his mom driving the family to safety as if she were in a Formula 1 car while his dad works the dashboard like an experienced computer hacker. What is going on?Joe's parents are no ordinary mom and dad. As professional spies, they are experts in their field, but they've been undercover so long that they thought their secret was safe! Now, their covers have been blown, and they're going to need to start over somewhere else. This time, Joe's in on the mission. And he's going to have to go undercover. As a girl.“No way,” says Joe. “Absolutely no way!” But his family's safety is the top priority, and the people who are after them won't be looking for a family with a girl. Joe is about to become Josie, and it doesn't matter if the tights itch his thighs or that it's drafty under his dress. It's up to him to keep his family safe! He's on a mission, and there might be some pretty cool gadgets involved. Dive into a new chapter book series that is sure to keep you laughing from page to page.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.

Charlie Bumpers wants to play the bad guy in the class play, but his teacher Mrs. Burke has other ideas.Charlie Bumpers has his heart set on playing the role of the evil Sorcerer in the fourth-grade play. But his dreams of villainous stardom go up in smoke when he finds out that Mrs. Burke has cast him as the Nice Gnome! Determined to rectify this terrible injustice, Charlie concocts one plan after another, but nothing seems to work.To make matters worse, his dad has assigned chores to all the kids in the family, and Charlie's job is walking Ginger—the diggiest, sniffiest, and poopiest dog in the universe. Can Charlie deal with these challenges without causing havoc all around him? Black and white illustrations throughout.

Charlie Bumpers's worst fear is confirmed: he has Mrs. Burke for fourth grade. How will he survive the strictest teacher in school?Shortly before school starts, Charlie Bumpers learns that he will be in Mrs. Burke's class. It doesn't matter that she's been named Teacher of the Year. He's still afraid of her. Last year when he was horsing around in the hall, he accidentally hit her in the head with his sneaker (don't ask). The exasperated teacher declared that if anything like that ever happened again, Charlie would be banned from recess forever. How will he survive a year under a teacher who is just waiting for him to make another stupid mistake? Black and white illustrations throughout.

This delightful New York Times bestselling chapter book series, from the award-winning author of Pax, is a modern classic that has been keeping readers engaged and laughing as they follow the hijinks of Clementine, a clever and quirky third grader who's the most spectacular friend around. Perfect for fans of Amelia Bedelia and Ivy + Bean! Summer is coming, and Clementine is not ready. She is not ready to start speaking to her father again, because she's still mad at him for eating meat. Instead, she gives him drawings of animals she knows would not want to be somebody's dinner. Then there is the new baby on the way. Clementine's mom sure doesn't seem ready. She's suddenly crazy about cleaning (Dad says she is nesting), but she doesn't even have a name picked out yet. Clementine just hopes the baby won't be a dud. What Clementine really isn't ready for is saying good-bye to her third grade teacher. She knows Mr. D'Matz is going to tell her all kinds of things that aren't true. Everything else may be changing around her, but that doesn't mean that Clementine has. But which is worse, saying good-bye, or not saying good-bye?READ MORE!Clementine The Talented ClementineClementine's LetterClementine, Friend of the WeekClementine and the Family MeetingClementine and the Spring Trip

In book two of the House of Robots series, it's'bot brains versus'bot brawn in an all-out war!Sammy Hayes-Rodriguez and his'bro-bot'E are making new friends every day as E works as his bedridden sister Maddie's school proxy. But disaster strikes when E malfunctions just in time to be upstaged by the super-cool new robot on the block-and loses his ability to help Maddie. Now it's up to Sammy to figure out what's wrong with E and save his family!

The #1 New York Times bestseller, perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid! An extraordinary robot enters an ordinary fifth grade class in this hilarious, action-packed start to the #1 bestselling series from James Patterson! Sammy Hayes-Rodriguez has never really fit in, with an inventor mother, a graphic novelist father, a lovable little sister with an autoimmune disorder…and house full of robots. So he's dreading the day when his mom insists he bring her newest invention to school: a walking, talking robot he calls E, for'Error'. Sammy's no stranger to robots—he lives with a colorful cast of them—but this one not only thinks it's Sammy's brother... it's actually even nerdier than Sammy. Will E be Sammy's one-way ticket to Loserville? Or will he prove to the world that it's cool to be smart? It's a roller-coaster ride for Sammy as he discovers the amazing secret E holds that could change his family forever... if all goes well on the trial run! “A fast-moving plot, lots of jokes, and a host of weird robots will draw readers in, especially those looking for books similar to series such as ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid.''”—School Library Journal

Every member of the Frazzle family is disastrously forgetful. Mr. Frazzle forgets his trousers. Wags the dog can't find his bone, and Annie and Ben bring fishing poles and towels to school instead of their homework. Not even Aunt Rosemary with her organizational tips can help. But one day Annie has an idea that combines rhyme, recall, and song into a melodic way to remember in this warmheated tribute to compensating for weaknesses.

Perpetual scaredy-cat Conor O'Neill has the fright of his life when a banshee girl named Ashling shows up in his bedroom. Ashling is--as all banshees are--a harbinger of death, but she's new at this banshee business, and first she insists on going to middle school. As Conor attempts to hide her identity from his teachers, he realizes he's going to have to pay a visit to the underworld if he wants to keep his family safe.'Got your cell?''Yeah.... Don't see what good it'll do me.''I'll text you if anything happens that you should know.''Text me? Javier, we'll be in the afterlife.''You never know. Maybe they get a signal.'Discover why Kirkus has called Booraem's work'utterly original American fantasy... frequently hysterical.'This totally fresh take on the afterlife combines the kid next door appeal of Percy Jackson with the snark of Artemis Fowl and the heart of a true middle grade classic.

Robbie Darko is a magician. An old-school, pull-a-rabbit-out-of-your-hat-style magician. Robbie loves magic and he's good at it—sort of. Despite his best efforts, passion, and practice, something always goes wrong with his tricks, landing Robbie in trouble. Enter crotchety Grandma Melvyn, who calls everyone “Trixie” and complains about everything. When Grandma Melvyn moves in and takes over his room, Robbie discovers that she was once an internationally renowned magician and learns about the heartache that turned her into a bitter woman. Against all odds, Robbie and Grandma Melvyn form an uneasy alliance to show the world—or at least the kids of Hobson Elementary School—that he is a true magician. Shortly after a successful talent show, Grandma Melvyn performs a final disappearing act, and Robbie learns a little about the true meaning of magic. Written with pitch-perfect middle-grade humor and unforgettable characters, this gem of a novel will stay with readers long after Dorko the Magnificent has taken his final bow.

There's a thief in town, and all signs point to twelve-year-old Charlie Drinkwater. Once you spontaneously morph into a giant mutant dinosaur in the middle of the school day, people will suspect you of just about anything. Charlie's teachers decide that all he needs is a little discipline, so they make him join the swim team. The only problem is, Charlie is terrified of the water. (He's terrified of a lot of things.) Charlie and his friends vow to apprehend the real criminal and clear Charlie's name. But when they discover who the actual thief is, Charlie's problems get a whole lot bigger... not to mention slimier, scalier, and smellier!

For Rob Burnside, things are going pretty well. His friends are behaving, school isn't too bad, his family's getting along, and Janae, the girl of his dreams, occasionally notices him. Yep, life's okay—until the lying starts.Meet Pinocula, the new creature from Rob's closet. He is a liar and a jokester and is determined to drive Rob crazy. Obert Skye doesn't let his fans down in this hilarious installment in The Creature from My Closet series, which started with Wonkenstein and Potterwookiee.

An ancient myth + a mean girl + a reluctant warrior = a lively take on good vs. evilThe Black Rose--a powerful ancient force--has been let loose and has taken up residence in Celeste Gibson, popular girl at Cassidy Carter-Lewis'high school. Thomas Delacroix is the spirit of a fourteenth-century knight who is devoted to protecting the Black Rose, but he needs a contemporary living being to take on the challenge. That's where Cassidy comes in. She's a quirky high school junior who just wants to dress in her vintage clothes, hang out with her best friend, and take care of her father, who is recovering from surgery. She's the last person who would ever volunteer for such a task, but no one actually asked her. Now, like it or not, she finds herself training before dawn and battling demons at parties, the mall, and even at school. But hey, no one ever said high school was going to be easy...

From award-winning actor-writer-producer-director Bob Balaban comes a hilarious new series, perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid If popularity were a score between one and ten, Charlie Drinkwater would be a zero. He's nerdy and unathletic, and to top it all off, he's suddenly morphed into a giant mutant sea creature sometime between first-period science class and third-period English. Now Charlie's two best friends are treating him like a science project, there's a petition to get him kicked out of school, the cool kids are recruiting him for their clique, and for some reason his parents are acting like everything is perfectly normal. What's a slimy, scaly, seventh-grade creature to do?

Eleven-year-old Jermaine wants to be famous: limo-riding, camera-flashing, crowd-waving famous. Since her family isn't likely to move from Maine to Hollywood so she can become a movie star, she decides she'll make a reality TV show about her family and friends. Jermaine quickly realizes that her everyday life is boring, so to kick up her show a notch, she starts staging events to elicit more humor, more drama, more excitement. This laugh-aloud debut novel takes a lighthearted look at unbridled ambition, the cult of celebrity, the reality behind reality TV, and the upside of being part of an ordinary family.

Laugh-out-loud funny high school drama - perfect for fans of Lauren Myracle and Meg Cabot Let's say you're fourteen and live in New York City. You'd think your life would be like a glamorous TV show, right? And yet... You don't have a checking account, much less a personal Black American Express card. You've never been to a club, and the only couture in your closet is a Halloween costume your mom made from an old laundry bag. In other words? You're Kelsey Finkelstein - fourteen and frustrated. Every time she tries to live up to her awesome potential, her plans are foiled. Kelsey wants to rebrand herself for high school to make the kind of mark she knows is her destiny. But just because Kelsey has a plan for greatness... it doesn't mean the rest of the world is in on it. Kelsey's hilarious commentary and sardonic narration of her freshman year will have readers laughing out loud - while being thankful that they're not in her shoes, of course.

Freddy's just a normal kid... with an out-of-this-world life!Freddy, his sister, Babette, and their parents have been abducted by aliens! Next stop, the planet Flurb, where things couldn't be more different from their ordinary life on Earth. On Flurb, they snack on yootleturds, the buildings are alive, and the aliens make Freddy King! But his reign won't last long if the evil Wizbad has anything to say about it... or Babette! Her brother as king? No way!

Anna and her brother, Tom, have always wanted a pet. Finally, after their latest pestering campaign, their mother gives in and lets them choose a pair of hamsters from the local pet shop. But their happiness soon turns to horror when the hamsters are found mysteriously dead in their cage. Anna and Tom launch a full-scale investigation to determine who—or what—is behind the hamster homicides. Can they solve the case of the Great Hamster Massacre? Kaite Davies's irresistibly funny mystery and Hannah Shaw's spot-on illustrations combine for a quirky, delightful read that is part detective tale, part diary, and altogether hilarious.

It's an interplanetary disaster!As king of Flurb, Freddy's got it made. Everyone worships him! Well, maybe not everyone. Not Deathsnail, Chewtyke, and Big Bad Wongo—the vicious leaders of nearby planets—who want to publicly pulverize him. Not his scheming sister, Babette, who can't stand being ruled by him. And certainly not the superjealous Wizbad, who will stop at nothing to knock Freddy from his throne!

It's not easy being king....King Freddy has been blasted billions of miles into space, the evil Wizbad is holding Freddy's family hostage in the boiling Flurbian desert, and Freddy's sister, Babette, is being forced into battle against his sidekick, Glyzix! Things are looking pretty bad—but Freddy wasn't made supreme ruler of Flurb for nothing! Can he get back to Flurb in time to beat the bad guys, save the day, and take back his throne?

Daniel knows it would be dangerous if anyone found out about his tiny twin brother. But when his sister accidentally posts a video of Pablo on her blog, Daniel is catapulted to instant stardom. Everyone is wowed by his special-effects skills—because there couldn't actually be a miniature boy dancing on camera, could there? Daniel's fear of Pablo being discovered is soon overshadowed by the lure of superstardom. Everyone is thrilled for him—except Pablo. Pablo can't help but be jealous—after all, it's his talent that's getting Daniel noticed. Pablo's tired of being left in the background, and decides it's time for a drastic move. Will Daniel come to his senses before Pablo changes their lives forever?

Malcolm and Dandy may only be 10-year-old boys, but they've already experienced something most adults never do--a ghost! Malcolm's Ecto-Handheld-Automatic-Heat-Sensitive-Laser-Enhanced Specter Detector did its job at the McBleaky house. Malcolm is hoping his next gadget, the Ecto-Handheld-Automatic-Heat-Sensitive-Laser-Enchanced Ghost Zapper, will work on the ghost haunting the Millers'house! Calico Chapter Books is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO Group. Grades 2-5.

You know how your stomach growls when you're really hungry? That's how it started, except the growling wasn't coming from my stomach. It was coming from behind my eyeballs....'Help!'I screamed. But my voice wasn't normal either. It was the voice of a small person. A very very very small person. Meet Daniel Funk, a regular guy who's stuck living in a house full of girls. Why couldn't he have a brother instead of all those sisters? That would be so cool. When Daniel shrinks to the size of the fourth toe on his left foot, he discovers that he actually does have a brother. A little brother. A very little brother. He's Pablo Funk, Daniel's tiny twin, who is a toeful of trouble. When Daniel and Pablo decide to have some fun at their sisters'party and let loose a giant hissing cockroach just to watch the girls scream, they find out that it's dangerous to be so small. Lin Oliver's hilarious new series, with Stephen Gilpin's comical illustrations, reveals that sometimes big-time fun comes in very small packages.

'In a singularly important publishing even, the first complete collection of Aiken's 24 beloved Armitage cycle of stories appears here for the first time. The family who dwells in and out of magical worlds transcends fantasy and enters the world of classic, entrancing literature. Belongs on every child's bookshelf. For all ages.'—Smithsonian Magazine Notable Books for Children 2008'For sheer charm it's hard to beat these wonderful, dead-pan comic tales about one family's adventures—nearly always on a Monday—with ghosts, witches, time travel, the Furies and every sort of magic.'—Michael Dirda, The Washington Post Book World'Buy it to read to your kids, and you'll find yourself sneaking tastes on the sly; a little Aiken is a fine thing to have in your system at any age.'—Salon.com'Joan Aiken's invention seemed inexhaustible, her high spirits a blessing, her sheer storytelling zest a phenomenon. She was a literary treasure, and her books will continue to delight for many years to come.'—Philip Pullman“The best kind of writer, strange and spooky and surprising, never sentimental or whimsical.”—Kelly Link'Gathered under one cover from several Aiken collections, the magical, eccentric and very British Armitage family reappears in a collection of 24 stories, four never before published. The Armitages'wacky magic (usually a Monday occurrence) and that of their fantastical town, a place filled with witches and magical beings, rises from the pages when matters go slightly awry, in the manner of Edward Eager and E. Nesbit.'—Kirkus Reviews'Readers of all ages have the opportunity to enjoy some of the best writing by one of the most superb and timeless fantasy writers.'—Green Man Review'The Armitage's world grows richer as it is extended. This is a collection of stories which allow—in fact demand—the reader joins in with their own imagination and remakes the story inside their own head. Aiken's pragmatism shows through in her stories. Instead of remaining in or reflecting upon the past like some of her contemporaries, they show an author making the best of the world and coming out ahead with humor and imagination.” —January Magazine'Each of the tales brims with old-fashioned adventure and charm. An excellent way to show Harry Potter fans that magic can come in small doses too.'—Author MagazineThis is the first complete collection of Joan Aiken's beloved Armitage stories—and it includes four new, unpublished stories. After Mrs. Armitage makes a wish, the Armitage family has “interesting and unusual” experiences every Monday (and the occasional Tuesday). The Board of Incantation tries to take over their house to use as a school for young wizards; the Furies come to stay; and a cutout from a cereal box leads into a beautiful and tragic palace garden. Charming and magical, the uncommon lives of the Armitage family will thrill and delight readers young and old. Includes Joan Aiken's “Prelude” from Armitage, Armitage, Fly Away Home, as well as introductions from Joan Aiken's daughter, Lizza Aiken, and best-selling author Garth Nix. Illustrated by Andi Watson.Best known for The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, Joan Aiken (1924-2004) wrote over a hundred books and won the Guardian and Edgar Allan Poe awards. After her first husband's death, she supported her family by copyediting at Argosy magazine and an advertising agency before turning to fiction. She went on to write for Vogue, Good Housekeeping, Vanity Fair, Argosy, Women's Own, and many others.

From the New York Times bestselling and two-time Newbery Medal-winning author of The Giver and Number the Stars comes a delightfully tongue-in-cheek story about parents trying to get rid of their four children and the children who are all too happy to lose their beastly parents and be on their own. The Willoughby children—Timothy, twins Barnaby A and Barnaby B, and their sister Jane—are fond all old-fashioned things, but especially old-fashioned adventures. What they aren't fond of, however, are their parents. Truth be told, their parents aren't the fondest of them, either, and they're concocting an evil plan to get rid of their children once and for all!Both parents and children have plenty of dastardly ideas and tricks up their sleeves. The only thing they don't have is any idea of what lies between them and a happily-ever-after.Complete with a cheeky glossary and bibliography, this hilarious and wonderfully old-fashioned parody pays playful homage to classic works of children's literature like Mary Poppins and A Christmas Carol. Now a Netflix animated film, starring Ricky Gervais, Maya Rudolph, Terry Crews, Martin Short, Jane Krakowski, Will Forte, Alessia Cara, and Séan Cullen!

Cue the pretend drum-roll: Keats's parents have a big surprise. No, they're not having a new baby. It's—wait for it, wait for it—a family road trip!Okay, so this is not exactly the birthday present Keats had in mind (no iPod?!), but when Dad parks a rented RV in the Dalinger's driveway, Keats piles in with the rest of his family—and the manny, of course—bound for the open road. From the big skies of farm country to the bright lights of Las Vegas, this, in typical manny fabulousness, is an all-American adventure filled with more Glamour-dos than Glamour-don'ts. But a stopover at the manny's childhood home is making the manny feel not so fabulous. Why can't his parents ever accept him for who he is? And Keats, at first, sees their point. Why does the manny always have to be so interesting? Hit the road for more manny shenanigans, where it's all about Elton John, Diet Coke, and being brave enough to be yourself.

After his breakthrough performance in last year's school play, Dustin Grubbs gets the taste of fame he dreams about. He's even recognized in the streets. (OK, so his hometown of Buttermilk Falls is small and everybody knows everybody... even so!) Fresh into seventh grade, he is ready for his acting career to take off in his school's upcoming musical production of Oliver! The twist is that phys-ed funds are being cut to do it, sparking grounds for an all-out war of the worlds: athletes vs. drama geeks. Even worse, Dustin discovers he's tone deaf and has two left feet! Just when things are looking grim, Dustin gets his big break when a field trip to Chicago teams him up with his wacky show biz dad for an opportunity of a lifetime--a shot at a national TV commercial! Will Dustin jump at the chance at all costs? Dustin Grubbs: Take Two! is full of the same hysterical one-liners and slapstick middle graders saw and loved in Dustin Grubbs: One-Man Show. Beneath the'show'is deeper story--that of a boy who longs to reunite his parents and will do anything to see them together.