Children's Literature

Running into the school to escape a hungry owl was easy. But with the door locked and an angry dog chasing him, how will Twitch the squirrel get back out? He'll need a hand, of course. . . . and maybe a paw, a fin, and a wing, too.

Flora the pig was born for adventure: "If it's unexplored and needs to get dug up, call me. I'm your pig," she says. The day Flora spots a team of sled dogs is the day she sets her heart on becoming a sled pig. Before she knows it, she's on board a ship to Antarctica for the most exhilarating--and dangerous--adventure of her life. This poignant novel of a purposeful pig is sure to become a favorite with any young readers who have ever dreamed of exploring the great beyond.

When a four-inch-tall alien crash-lands through Zack McGee's bedroom window, Zack is sure he's about to become the first victim in a new War of the Worlds. But when the alien turns out to have weapons that are more ticklish than terrifying, Zack realizes that rather than protect the world from the alien, it's up to him to protect the alien in his pocket from the world.

An absolute delight of a madcap story for the young (and young-at-heart) by New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman, with equal parts pirates and piranhas, adventure and aliens, oddity and love. "I bought the milk," said my father. "I walked out of the corner shop, and heard a noise like this: t h u m m t h u m m. I looked up and saw a huge silver disc hovering in the air above Marshall Road." "Hullo," I said to myself. "That's not something you see every day. And then something odd happened." Find out just how odd things get in this hilarious story of time travel and breakfast cereal, expertly told by Newbery Medalist and bestselling author Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Skottie Young.

What's a bird to do when his sibling is a big-time celebrity? It's a question Speed Bump has to deal with every single morning because his brother happens to be the one and only Early Bird. You know, THE Early Bird, who ALWAYS gets the worm! Unfortunately, Speed Bump is a sleepy little bird with a big head and tiny wings who's worried he'll never live up to his brother. But he has a great buddy, the ever-hungry Slingshot, who knows how to lift his spirits. Together, they end up on an adventure deep in the nighttime forest, where they're forced to confront something more terrifying--and slimier--than they've ever imagined. It could all go horribly wrong . . . or it could just change Speed Bump's luck for good. Night of the Living Worms is a laugh out loud adventure that's perfect for younger readers. From award-winning cartoonist Dave Coverly, the hilarious, zany illustrations and addictive humor of this chapter book series will be sure to delight. "Dave Coverly is ridiculously funny and clever and creative. I'm jealous of his bird brain." -Stephan Pastis,New York Times-bestselling author of the Timmy Failure series

Get ready for a ruff, ruff ride! For early chapter book readers who are ready for something longer, the Not-So-Impossible Tales are packed with humor, action, and illustrations on almost every page.   Far away, in a winter wonderland, an amazing sled race is about to begin. The winner can make one wish, and it will magically come true! Two friends, Sika and Shen, want to win more than anything. But all they have is a pack of yappy, yippy, pug puppies.   Ten pugs can't move their sled. Even with thirty, it doesn't budge. But what about . . . SIXTY-SIX? With a little bit of luck, anything is paws-ible.   "A madcap, magical blend of fluff and other good stuff." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review   "Rich in humor and meaning both. Pug power!" --Booklist, starred review

Teddy Mars is determined to stand out in a world full of wonders and a house bursting with siblings. With the help of his best friends, Teddy will do anything to succeed. Too bad his pesky little brother, also known as The Destructor, always wrecks Teddy's record-breaking plans!

Miles Murphy is not happy to be moving to Yawnee Valley, a sleepy town that's famous for one thing and one thing only: cows. In his old school, everyone knew him as the town's best prankster, but Miles quickly discovers that Yawnee Valley already has a prankster, and a great one. If Miles is going to take the title from this mystery kid, he is going to have to raise his game.It's prankster against prankster in an epic war of trickery, until the two finally decide to join forces and pull off the biggest prank ever seen: a prank so huge that it would make the members of the International Order of Disorder proud.In The Terrible Two, bestselling authors and friends Mac Barnett and Jory John have created a series that has its roots in classic middle-grade literature yet feels fresh and new at the same time.Advance Praise for The Terrible Two:"A double helping of fun and mischief!"--Jeff Kinney, author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series"The pranks, the brotherhood, the art, the heart! What's not to love about The Terrible Two?"--Sara Pennypacker, author of the Clementine series"You don't have to be a cow, like cows, or even know a cow to love The Terrible Two."--Dave Eggers"This book is terrible! Terribly funny, terribly full of pranks, and terribly wonderful."--Jon Scieszka, author of The Stinky Cheese Man and the Frank Einstein series"The Terrible Two are my kind of kids. And what's more, they're kids' kind of kids."--Annie Barrows, author of the Ivy & Bean series"Hilarious."--Dav Pilkey, author of the Captain Underpants series

Want to see something cool? I can make that quartervanish. All it takes is a little magic... Fourth grade was supposed to be a fresh start, but Mike's already back in the principal's office. He's not a bad kid. He just can't sit still. And now, his parents won't let him play soccer anymore; instead he has to hang out with his new neighbor Nora, who is good ateverything! Then, Mike and Nora discover the White Rabbit. It's an odd shop--with a special secret inside. Its owner, Mr. Zerlin, is a magician, and, amazingly, he believes Mike could be a magician, too. Has Mike finally found something he's good at?

Zoe's family rescues dogs in need. There is always the sweet smell of dog and a warm body looking to cuddle or play. There is always a new dog to be saved and loved. Fur flies everywhere. It covers everything. Zoe's house is never silent. But the house across the street is always silent these days. A new family has moved in and Phillip, the boy, has stopped speaking. He doesn't even want to try. Zoe knows that saving dogs and saving boys are different jobs, but she learns that some parts are the same. Both take attention and care, understanding and time. And maybe just a bit of white fur flying. From Newbery Medalist Patricia MacLachlan, White Fur Flying is an endearing tale of companionship and hope.

Fifth grade is one crazy ride in this middle grade novel about two best friends. Rip and Red are best friends whose fifth-grade year is nothing like what they expected. They have a crazy new tattooed teacher named Mr. Acevedo, who doesn't believe in tests or homework and who likes off-the-wall projects, the more "off" the better. And guess who's also their new basketball coach? Mr. Acevedo! Easy-going Rip is knocked completely out of his comfort zone. And for Red, who has autism and really needs things to be exactly a certain way, the changes are even more of a struggle. But together these two make a great duo who know how to help each other--and find ways to make a difference--in the classroom and on the court. With its energetic and authentic story and artwork, A Whole New Ballgame by Phil Bildner is a fresh, fun book about school, sports, and friendship. "Cartoony illustrations lend energy and personality to the likable cast of characters. A school story with heart." --Kirkus Reviews This title has Common Core connections.

Earth-dwelling fourth-grader Willy Maykit couldn't be more excited about his school field trip to Planet Ed. Willy's class will blast off for the afternoon, learn about outer space, and be home in time for dinner. But when he wanders off on his own, Willy ends up being left behind on Ed! Can Willy, along with his classmate Cindy and an alien boy named Norp, outsmart the big hungry monsters on Ed until someone rescues them? With a little help from an android who likes knock-knockjokes and a seagull with terrific aim, they just might!