Synopses & Reviews
Owen has discovered an amazing catalog called "Junk You Never Knew About," and found a bunch of neat stuff to buy. The only trouble is, hes broke! How can he make some cash, quick? His parents are willing to give him an allowance, but that would mean doing all sorts of boring chores. Owen is sure theres a better wayall he needs is the perfect plan. With the help of his best friend, Joseph, Owen comes up with one money-making scheme after another, butfunny thinghes still broke. Not till Owen changes his ideas about how to make money, and how to spend it, does the tide of fortune start to flow the other way. Owen Footes new adventure makes a hilarious and fast-paced book, perfect for kids fascinated with the joys of getting and spending money.
Review
"Girls undergoing the same growing-up trials will be happy to have Sophie make them laugh."--Kirkus Reviews "A lively chapter book full of humor, believable family dynamics, and characters who think and talk like real people. . . . Greene explores her themes of identity, ambivalence about growing up, and friendship with an unusual naturalness and depth, yet the themes never trump story or character."--The Horn Book, starred review "[Readers will] want to unwrap this gem of a story and savor the delicious conclusions."--School Library Journal
Synopsis
Owen Foote knows that soccer is the greatest sport in the world. He's so excited about being old enough to join the town soccer league that he has talked his best friend, Joseph, into signing up too. But Joseph turns out to be terrible at soccer. That's not the only thing troubling Owen: the other kids on his team, the Aliens, seem to be bigger and older and better at soccer than he is, and at least one of them is mean. But Owen isn't about to give up his best friend or his favorite sport without a struggle. Readers will cheer for Owen as he and Joseph face new challenges on and off the field and come up winners.
Synopsis
Wearing his coonskin cap, carrying his book about animal tracks, and armed with a jar of red pepper flakes in case he meets a bear or a mountain lion, Owen feels like a pioneer when he goes into the woods with his best friend, Joseph. But there are other kinds of varmints in the wilderness-not bears and mountain lions, but two big kids who have nothing better to do than trash a treehouse fort. It's up to Owen and Joseph to stop them, and so, following in the footsteps of his hero, Daniel Boone, Owen makes the forest his teacher. Using all the woodland lore at his disposal, Owen comes up with new identities for himself and Joseph-Wolverine and Badger-and a plan to drive out the intruders and reclaim their kingdom.
Synopsis
Owen, a second grader who is being teased for his small size, discovers that his friend Joseph is just as concerned about being overweight, and they share their fear of being humiliated by the school nurse on the annual weigh-in day.
Synopsis
Owen Foote has a new obsession: spying. He thinks that secretly watching people is the coolest thing in the world. But eavesdropping on his dad talking with a neighbor about lawn care is getting a little boring. Owen is ready for bigger challenges, and he has already selected his next target: Mr. Mahoney, his school principal. Its going to be the ultimate spy test. Cloaked in camouflage and prepared to Duck or Die, Owen and his friends embark on their covert assignment. It will be Owens most daring adventure yet.
Fast-paced and funny, Owens latest enterprise has all the insightful humor and character appeal that make this series a sure bet for young readers.
Synopsis
Sophie Hartley is almost sure that her dad said okay when she asked for a baby gorilla for her birthday. Soon the kids at school want to know every detail about the gorilla, and dealing with her enthusiastic classmates gets harder as the big day approaches. When teenage sister Nora leaves their shared bedroom for her own space in the attic, and close friend Jenna shows signs of becoming a shrieker, Sophie finds it hard to remain optimistic. Maybe painting her windowsills purple will help. And maybe shell get the perfect present! Funny and believable, the story of a big birthday will please old and new Sophie fans.
Synopsis
The third novel about indomitable, quirky, passionate Sophie. For her double-digit (tenth) birthday, Sophie wants a baby gorilla and convinces herself and most of her friends that shes getting one. This birthday has many surprises in store for Sophie—and not just the kind you unwrap.
Synopsis
Grace loves cats. She also loves taking pictures of cats and drawing Not So Super comics. She doesnand#8217;t like Sammy Stringer, a boy in her class. Sheand#8217;s got lots and lots of ideas, and when her neighborand#8217;s cat goes missing, Grace does her best to make Mrs. Luther feel less lonely. But as the mystery of the missing cat continues, Graceand#8217;s wellintentioned plan backfires, and she finds herself in a bit of trouble. Maybe, just maybe, Sammy Stringer will help her through.
About the Author
Charise Mericle Harper is the author and illustrator of many books for children, including the Just Grace series. In a starred review, Booklist called Just Grace and#8220;Hilarious,and#8221; and said, and#8220;The kids come alive in the story, and Harper enhances the comical goings-on with sparkling cartoon sketches. Give this to . . . anyone looking for a funny book.and#8221; Charise lives in New York City.