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Alvin Ho, a fearful but appealing boy, has a new set of worries. His mom is going to have a baby — and Alvin has all of the symptoms! To add to his worries, his dad is away helping earthquake victims in Haiti. The happy resolution includes the arrival of Alvin’s new baby sister and his dad is return home.

Stonewall Hinkleman’s parents are Civil War buffs who reenact its battles, insisting that Stonewall (named for Stonewall Jackson, of course) accompany them. When Stonewall Hinkleman finds has traveled back in time to a real battle, he must work to save history!

With Dwight away, things are changing at McQuarrie Middle School especially when the Fortune Wookiee (what was once known as a “cootie catcher”) appears on the scene to answer the girls’ questions. This third installment in the Origami Yoda series is sure to please.

Horton Halfpott is the underappreciated but rule-abiding kitchen boy for the Luggertucks of Smugwick Manor. Everything changes — literally and figuratively — when Lady Luggertuck’s corset is loosened to unleash a series of farcical, laugh-out-loud adventures.

Terry and Andy are friends who live in a huge tree house complete with a bowling alley, game room, laboratory, and much more all of which lead to fantastic, funny adventures. Comic cartoon illustrations vary the format which ranges from traditional to comic book.

Stink is still afraid to put his head underwater so fears he’ll remain a “polliwog”. When frogs start to appear everywhere, however, Stink learns about them, what’s really going on, and learns to swim! The latest installment about Judy Moody’s little brother is sure to please.

Meet Jet, Chuck, Donnie and Bruce — not only ninjas skilled in martial arts but clever, bright and brave. The first books in the series about ninja meerkats are fast and funny, silly and generously illustrated, just right for light summer reading!

Dani has a happy life but as do all lives, hers is filled with ups and downs. Short, lyrical chapters and expressive black line drawings present Dani, her trepidation about starting school, finding a friend and having her move away, even revealing her mother’s death all told with warm charm.

Meet Kelsey Green, extraordinary 3rd grade reader, maybe even the best. When her school begins a reading competition, Kelsey discovers what’s most important about reading and about readers. This is the first installment in a new series, “Franklin School Friends”.

Bella was always a beautiful pup but as she grew, her owners knew that the bright, energetic beagle needed more to do. With the help of the Rainbow Street Shelter, Bella finds friendship and just the right job for a happy conclusion for everyone — canine and human.

Bramble is a stubborn mare who becomes lonely when Maggie attends school. This makes Mr. Dingle’s garden even more appealing. The resolution of the dilemma is gently humorous as are the abundant, expressive illustrations throughout this early chapter book.

Friends Bink and Gollie are very different but they have fun together — even when one of them behaves peculiarly. In three vignettes, Gollie assumes a royal role, Bink tries to get taller, and together they start a memorable collection. Comic illustrations add to the fun of the short text.

In this Magic Tree House book, siblings Jack and Annie time travel to ancient Greece to help Alexander the Great, successfully read by the book’s author.

The four easy readers, modern classics, are effectively read by their author and sprinkled with music and sound effects.

Clementine is looking forward to the school field trip to Plimoth Plantation and other signs of spring her family’s Annual Spring Walk Through Boston Common. But things don’t always go the way the lively 3rd grader anticipates in the latest story about likeable, energetic Clementine.

Emily Bartlett lives in an old farmhouse in Pitchfork, Oregon at a time when automobiles are brand-new inventions and libraries are a rare luxury. Can Emily use her lively mind to help bring a library to Pitchfork? ReadWriteThink (opens in a new window) offers a persuasive writing lesson plan featuring this book.

Familiar subjects are presented in short poems by a range of writers. These easier-to read works are just right to encourage careful listening.

Mr. and Mrs. Rogers leave their new maid, Amelia Bedelia, a list of things to do on her first day of work. For anyone else, changing the towels or dusting the furniture would have been quite straightforward — but not for Amelia Bedelia! Her lemon meringue pie, however, more than compensates for her failings caused only by her literal interpretations! Amelia Bedelia was launched 50 years ago, commemorated in this anniversary edition with a fascinating, brief but informative history, “The Story Behind the Story” included.

When Penny picks up a marble near her neighbor’s home, she begins to imagine that it really belongs to Mrs. Goodwin. In short chapters with Henkes’ signature illustrations, the young mouse successfully works through her guilt to a very satisfying conclusion.

Young readers will understand what Owl doesn’t in each of five short chapters. The episodic tales and lighthearted illustrations are sure to engage newly independent readers.

In this latest installment about a boy named Buzz and his pet fly, Fly Guy, takes readers on a slapstick journey that gives new meaning to the old joke about the fly in the soup. Bug-eyed characters and absurd situations with easy language propel readers to the silly, satisfying end.

Could the ears and tail be the frightening fox that Jilli was just reading about? When her dog, Fiercely, takes off is he chasing the fox? Jilli and her friend Jim venture out into the snow to find out in this gently mysterious wintery tale.

J.J. Tully, retired search-&-rescue dog, continues to protect a flock of chickens. But trouble is afoot! Is there a connection between the attractive new canine next door and the villain who is after the chicks? Will J.J. figure it out in time? Readers will laugh as they solve the mystery.