Everyone knows a bird dog leads with its nose. Everyone but J.C. After all, what's a pup supposed to think when he's welcomed to his new home by a cat who thwacks him on the nose with his claws, a dog who bites him on the nose and a mad mamma bird who attacks the sorest part of his body with her beak. J.C. can't help thinking there must be a better way.

Twelve-year-old Annyrose Smith relates her adventures with Joaquin Murieta and his band of outlaws in the California gold-mining region during the mid-1800s, in this acclaimed work by the Newbery Medal-winning author of "The Whipping Boy." Illustrations.

It's a race against time! Abigail and her friends can't believe it -- Babs Magee has finally convinced someone to quit, and that someone is Benjamin Franklin! Babs is making a terrible mess of history, and it's up to the third-grade time-travelers to put things right. But no matter how far back the kids go, Babs is always one step ahead of them. Will they be able to find Ben and stop Babs in tim ...

One morning Hen wakes up and finds a gigantic egg in her nest. Whose ege can it be? Here's a hint, Hen--it "doesn't belong to that wily Fox!

A chance encounter between a young Sasquatch and a young human leads both to wonder about the wider world. After a few messages delivered via toy boat, Hugo (the Sasquatch) and Boone (the boy) finally meet. An unlikely friendship develops, and soon the pair are exploring the wider world together. Gentle humor and memorable characters make this a fun read that even reluctant readers will enjoy.

On her day in town with her mother, a little girl starts off with an empty big green pocketbook--just like her mother's--and along the way collects pieces of her day to put inside, inventing stories for each treasure. Color illustrations. Trophy edition.

While many books on Jamestown chronicle Pocahontas, this captivates readers with Samuel Collins's struggle to survive in a hostile environment. Through well-written text, readers grow to understand how uninformed England was of the Colonists' dire situation.

This fast-paced tale of two adventurers invites readers on a quest filled with mystery, danger, and a whole lot of excitement. As readers get to know Emily and James, they learn important lessons about choices and consequences, friendship, and what home really means. Whimsy and literary references mixed with technology make this story a modern classic. School drama and family conflict offer authen ...

When someone breaks in to the Black Cat Bookstore, Cobweb, the owner's cat, is on the case. Cobweb plans to scare the burglar away with the help of the ghost who lives in the bookstore. There's only one problem--the burglar doesn't believe in ghosts. But maybe he'll change his mind once he meets this special ghost. Full-color illustrations.

"Boris is surrounded by adventure, except in his actual experiences. When the van his family lives in begins moving, can adventure be around the corner? or will expectations and reality clash enough to cause disappointment? A fun story of family and discoveries!"

This winning heroine will inspire every child to cheer her on as she ventures through a bitter cold snowstorm in William Steig's classic Brave Irene Brave Irene is Irene Bobbin, the dressmaker's daughter. Her mother, Mrs. Bobbin, isn't feeling so well and can't possibly deliver the beautiful ball gown she's made for the duchess to wear that very evening. So plucky Irene volunteers to get the gown ...

A beautifully written near-allegory that borrows liberally from classic and contemporary stories. A powerful tale that must be discussed! Best for readers who appreciate depth and significance.

Courage can require more than a brave act; it can call on on to overcome the past and its associated fears to act for the benefit of others. This story, set in Northeastern Pennsylvania's col country, explores themes of courage, family, friendship, and acceptance. A gentle yet powerful reading experience.

Bronco Charlie longs for a life of adventure. By the time he turned eleven, he'd been a sailor, a cowboy, and could tame wild bucking broncos. But Charlie was always itching for new challenges, and when a Pony Express horse shows up riderless, Charlie gets his big chance. The next station is fifty miles away, and Charlie will have to ride through rocky mountains in the blinding rain to safely deli ...

In this sequel to "Bub Moose," Bub, Snow, and all their woodland friends have more funny adventures in their forest home. Illustrations.

It's 1936 Flint, Michigan. Times may be hard, and 10-year-old Bud may be a motherless boy, but Bud's got a few things going for him: 1. He has his own suitcase full of special things; 2. He's the author of "Bud Caldwell's Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself"; 3. His momma never told him who his father was, but she left a clue: posters of Herman E. Cal ...

One of the best stories ever written, loaded with memorable characters, crazy adventures, and a heartwarming ending.

In this second volume in Deborah Hopkinson's saga of a family's first year in Bleeding Kansas, Papa is off in Lawrence defending the town from Missouri border ruffians, and it's up to Charlie to take care of his family in their remote cabin--with a violent prairie blizzard blowing in. Illustrations.

After clearing enough Ohio forest to build a log cabin in 1803, Pa sets off for Pennsylvania to fetch the rest of the family, while brothers Daniel and Will stay behind. But when Pa doesn't return, the boys must survive the winter with only an axe, two knives, a sack of cornmeal, and their ability to improvise.

A captivating sequel to Mr. Tucket.