Book Finder

Knock-knock. Who’s there? Lift the flap and find out in this silly, pun-filled look at school and everything from lockers to spelling bees. Comic illustrations incorporate both flaps and cut-outs to create a satisfying format.

Naomi and her younger brother Owen have lived with their grandmother in a small trailer for many years, ever since they were abandoned by their mother. When Mom Terri Lynn suddenly returns, does she really have the kids’ best interests at heart?

Ever since Peter moved away (We Are Best Friends, 1982), he and his best friend Robert have kept in touch. Now that they’re together during Peter’s visit, the boys learn that while some things have changed, others, happily, have stayed the same.

Even though they talk by phone every Sunday, Grace has felt an “Aimee-shaped hole in her life” ever since her best friend moved away. But that’s only one of the changes Grace deals with in this engaging novel. Grace and her friends were first introduced in Starring Grace (2000).

When Ruby sends out invitations to a party, Max sends out his own which are delivered to Grandma. Children are encouraged to participate by lifting the flaps in this sturdy, colorful book. They’ll try to figure out the meaning of Max’s messages and may even be inspired to write their own letters in this latest Max and Ruby jaunt.

As mysterious things happen in and around their Chicago school, Petra and Calder use their knowledge of the painter Vermeer, their intuition, and their problem solving skills to retrieve a stolen painting. The book’s Illustrations contain clues that are revealed only upon close (and multiple) examinations. This quirky mystery is sure to please fans of E.L. Konigsburg’s From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

Chester and Wilson are like peas in a pod. Not only do they do everything together; they do most things in the same way. Then, a new mouse moves in to the neighborhood and things will never be the same! Lilly (Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, 1996) is irrepressible and energetic, as Chester and Wilson soon happily find out.

A grandmother tells her granddaughter the history of baskets, going all the way back to Africa. The circular history of a people and of families is suggested in gentle text and evocative watercolors.

In this Newbery Medal-winning novel, Crispin is falsely accused of murder and must flee his medieval town to save his life. But, just as he’s leaving, he learns from the village priest that his parents’ origins — and fates — might be more mysterious than he ever imagined… (2003 Newbery Medal Winner)

Ike LaRue, famous correspondent (introduced in Dear Mrs. LaRue) known by readers as a four-legged letter writer with a flair for exaggeration now turns to solving the mysterious disappearance of neighborhood cats.

As a child doodles and draws, she plays with lively language and creates all that she’s illustrated. Which comes first, the doodles or the words? Well, it’s a tantalizing tangle to untwist tongues and identify illustrations.

When an orphaned boy fulfills an ancient prophesy and becomes a dragon rider to help Firedrake find the Rim of Heaven, he finds more than just adventure. The fantastic journey is filled with characters from folklore, and the classic struggle between good and evil makes a spirited good read aloud.

The ducks and goose start the animals’ frenzied flight when they see a mostly hidden animal and exclaim, “A coyote’s on the loose!” Colorful, comic illustrations culminate in a house in a rain storm where the “coyote” turns out to be a small white rabbit.

Duck has lost the keys to his big red truck. While he looks for them, readers lift the flap to see that Frog is hiding them, leading Duck to the car where the keys are hidden in plain sight! Frog’s joke is sure to please the youngest reader as they predict where the keys will turn up next.

Judge is desperate. His mother has threatened to send him to a different school next year. To prove he can succeed at his current school, Judge needs to bring up his grades. After weeks of hard work — all while dealing with his sometimes difficult brother and his dyslexia — Judge’s hopes depend on winning a science competition. Soon it all comes down to the egg drop.

Even though she has allergies, Emma wants a pet for her birthday. Not only does Emma find an acceptable and intriguing pet, she convinces her parents that her younger brother Max needs one, too.

Encyclopedia Brown comes by his name honestly: he often seems like a walking book of knowledge. But this fifth grader knows how to put his knowledge to use — much to the disgust of the bad guys! At the end of each chapter, Encyclopedia Brown solves the mystery and readers are asked if they know how. The clever answers are at the book of the book.

Instead of celebrating her 13th birthday in her prosperous Mexican home as she expected, Esperanza must adjust to the murder of her father, the loss of her house and wealth, and her new life as a farm worker in California. This readable coming-of-age novel is based on the life of the author’s grandmother.

A boy sets off to rescue a baby dragon and has a series of adventures before the happy conclusion. Though written long ago, the slightly eccentric tale continues to engage young readers.

Though her family tries to replace it, Little Flora, a young rabbit, can’t sleep because her blanket is missing. After much anxiety, the blanket is uncovered and all is well again.

For fans of these famous amphibians, this story continues Frog and Toad’s saga and gives a glimpse of what the two friends are up to all year long. They frolic together over four seasons, with a story for each, plus one for Christmas. Glide down the snow-covered hill with Toad, hunt for spring with Frog, and discover just who is hiding under all that melted chocolate ice cream.

Geraldine’s parents think it’s time for her to give up her old, tattered, but much loved pink baby blanket. Instead, Geraldine comes up with an inventive way to keep it with her always.

Knock-knock jokes – many of them real groaners, all of them sure to generate chortles – are arranged in alphabetical order. Knock-knock. Who’s there? Amen. Amen who? Amen in hot water again! Or try Boo. Boo who? Well, you don’t have to cry about it! An index is included to help you find the perfect joke for any occasion.

A father and his children go over, under, and through while on an exciting bear hunt in this retelling of a traditional chant. Illustrations alternate between black and white and color, enhancing the engaging repetition and the exciting chase — all the way home!