New Releases by Dori Hillestad Butler

King takes center stage when there’s a mystery to solve at his new doggy day care. When King visits the new doggy day care, he meets lots of new friends, including Houdini, who claims he can escape any situation. King vows to keep an eye on Houdini, but the next thing you know, he’s vanished! King and his fellow canine guests begin the investigation and soon Kayla and the humans that work at the Dog House join in.

To rebuild their broken family, a pair of audacious tween cousins must confront the long-buried secrets that destroyed it in this upper middle grade novel told from dual perspectives. Twelve-year-olds Alice and Bee are practically strangers when their grandparents’ anniversary party reunites their estranged families and ignites their own fast friendship. But their reunion doesn’t last long—Bee’s mother and grandfather are dead set on keeping the liberal Seattle faction of the family away from the conservative Minnesota crew. “It’s complicated,” the grown ups tell them over and over (and over!) again. Bee and Alice grow closer despite their geographical distance, determined to keep their friendship going—and to uncover the big family secret. What happened all those years ago, and why did it tear their family apart? Just when they''ve started to make progress, the COVID pandemic strikes. Bee and Alice watch as the world shuts down and their loved ones grow further divided along their fractured lines. Somehow, it’s up to the twelve-year-olds to clean up the mess that the grown ups have made. This powerful, timely story cuts deep, touching on recent historic events and intimate family details alike. With an age-appropriate approach, Rabbit Rabbit tackles religion, sexuality, bodily autonomy, and other juicy stuff you''re not supposed to talk about at Thanksgiving. Readers will fall headfirst for Alice and Bee as the unforgettable tweens make space for their friendship and shifting identities while standing up to their far-from-perfect family, with all the love and grace they can muster.

Jillian thinks there’s a ghost in her basement. King and Kayla know that ghosts aren’t real, but what is making that dark shape and that scary noise? King and Kayla are going to a sleepover at Thor and Jillian’s house. King LOVES sleepovers. They’re his favorite thing! And he particularly likes Jillian’s basement, because animals are allowed on the furniture. But Jillian and Thor are afraid to go downstairs because there’s big, dark blob that goes “Whoooooo!” and chases her around the basement. Kayla’s not worried; she wants to know what’s happening downstairs. With her intrepid co-detective, she investigates the weird sights and sounds and solves the mystery—but not before an encounter with Cat with No Name and a run-in with a skunk.

In this latest book in the Geisel Honor award-winning series, our intrepid human-and-dog detective duo have another mystery to solve: how did Raj’s cat escape from a locked house? King and Kayla have a new case and a new friend. King LOVES new friends. They’re his favorite! Raj needs our beloved detectives to help him find his cat. Blue was in the house when Raj left for school but now he’s gone. Blue didn’t come for dinner or breakfast. (King can’t imagine missing a meal.) Blue never goes outside and he never had the chance to escape. Where did he go? When Raj describes Blue, he sounds very familiar. Could Blue be Cat with No Name?

A stuck-up cat and a good-natured dog are pen pals from a distance, until a disastrous sleepover brings them together in this playful illustrated chapter book told in letters. Andy has two pets and two houses: a cat, Simon, at his mom’s house and a dog, Baxter, at his dad’s house. But when Andy’s mom goes on a business trip, Simon must spend a few nights at Andy’s dad’s house. A sleepover with the beast? Simon says, "No, thank you." Baxter, on the other hand, is sooooo excited to play together. He and Simon can go on walks! Stay up late! Eat liver treats! He can’t wait to finally meet his pen pal in person. What could go wrong? The big introduction does NOT go well for these wildly different pets. Simon is so desperate to get back home to his quiet, clean oasis that he escapes through a basement window. Can Baxter convince him to return before Andy notices his beloved cat is gone? This funny and heartwarming collaboration between Geisel Honor and Edgar Award–winning author Dori Hillestad Butler and bestselling illustrator Kevan Atteberry is a tribute to the love of a good pet—and the joy found in new friendship. With nine chapters and adorable full-color illustrations on every spread, the series is a perfect read for parents to share with kids. Named to the Delaware Diamonds Book List

King & Kayla are back on the case in this laugh-out-loud mystery from the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award-winning series. Kayla needs to return her library books, but she can''t find one of them. King knows that if they don''t return all the books, they can''t check out more—and that means no new stories. Analytical Kayla retraces her steps, with the assistance of their friend Jillian. Sensitive King smells a library book. Could it be lost in Dad''s chair? Nope, that''s a different book. In fact, it''s a book that belongs to Jillian''s little brother Adam. Can King and Kayla put the pieces together and find the lost library book? With simple, straightforward language and great verbal and visual humor, the King & Kayla series is perfect for newly independent readers. King and Kayla model excellent problem-solving skills, including working as a team, gathering facts, making lists, and evaluating evidence.

Who says cats and dogs don''t get along? A snobby cat and a good-natured dog team up--sort of--to solve the mystery of a missing classroom pet in this playful illustrated chapter book told in letters. Simon the cat and Baxter the dog have finally learned how to share their owner, Andy. It helps that Simon lives with Andy''s mom and Baxter lives with Andy''s dad. When a problem comes up, they simply exchange letters to sort it out. Baxter''s spelling has even improved, though not by much. But then Andy''s class pet goes missing, causing an argument with his friend Noah. Andy is so, so sad. Now it''s every pet for himself! Both Simon and Baxter want to solve the mystery and make Andy happy again. Which pet will collect the clues and piece together the solution? Or will another neighborhood animal get there first . . . This funny and heartwarming collaboration between Geisel Honor and Edgar Award-winning author Dori Hillestad Butler and bestselling illustrator Kevan Atteberry is a tribute to the love of a good pet--and the joy found in new friendship. With eight chapters and adorable full-color illustrations on every spread, the series is a perfect read for parents to share with kids.

From Edgar Award Winner Dori Hillestad Butler comes The Treasure Troop, a chapter book mystery series! Join Marly, Sai, and Isla, three code-cracking kids on the hunt for an old neighbor''s hidden treasure. In the fourth and final book of this code-busting series, Marly, Sai, and Isla are back on the hunt. After their shocking discoveries on Summer Island, the Treasure Troop has one final set of clues to follow before reaching the end of their search. And now our trio must solve the toughest mystery of all: what really happened to Mr. Summerling?

From Edgar Award Winner Dori Hillestad Butler comes a new chapter book mystery series, The Treasure Troop! Join Marly, Sai, and Isla, three code-cracking kids on the hunt for an old neighbor''s hidden treasure. In the third book of this code-busting series, Marly, Sai, and Isla are back on the hunt! Mr. Summerling has left them a brand-new set of clues to follow, including tickets to the mysterious Summer Island. So with tickets in hand, our trio sets off to their late neighbor''s island. Can they finally discover what lies at the end of this treasure hunt?

It''s three times the mystery and three times the fun in one boxed set! Join Buddy, a newly adopted dog, as he solves mysteries in his first three adventures of the award-winning Buddy Files chapter book series. This boxed set includes The Case of the Lost Boy, The Case of the Mixed-Up Mutts, The Case of the Missing Family, more than fifty stickers, and a journal to jot down clues to solve your own mysteries.

From Edgar Award Winner Dori Hillestad Butler comes a new chapter book mystery series, The Treasure Troop! Join Marly, Sai, and Isla, three code-cracking kids on the hunt for an old neighbor''s hidden treasure. In the second book of this code-busting series, Marly, Sai, and Isla are back on the hunt. After finding Mr. Summerling''s hidden treehouse, they''ve discovered a new set of clues for them to follow, leading them straight to the heart of their mysterious neighbor''s life: his house. The same house Marly has been living next to all of these years, which, they discover, is filled with hidden rooms and staircases. With just a few scraps of papers as clues, and Mr. Summerling''s angry son on their tails, can the Treasure Troop find the answers they''re looking for?

From Edgar Award Winner Dori Hillestad Butler comes a new chapter book mystery series, The Treasure Troop! Join Marly, Isla, and Sai, three code-cracking kids on the hunt for an old neighbor''s hidden treasure. Marly always knew Mr. Summerling as her friendly neighbor living in the big, old house next-door. Sure, he walked around with a metal detector and talked about being a "treasure hunter," but she didn''t think much of it. But when news of Mr. Summerling''s death arrives at her doorstep, Marly is brought into a treasure hunt of her own. In Mr. Summerling''s will, he''s left a treasure for Marly and her two classmates, Isla and Sai. The catch? They have to solve a series of riddles, puzzles, and clues to find its location. And not only that, they have to work together on it -- which Marly is not looking forward to. But with no other choice, she, Isla, and Sai set off on the hunt. Can the three kids come together to crack the code? And even if they do solve the clues... what could Mr. Summerling possibly have left them?

King, Kayla, Mason, and Asia are playing in the snow. Later Asia discovers her new gold ring is missing. What happened to it?

After their shocking discoveries on Summer Island, the Treasure Troop has one final set of clues to follow before reaching the end of their search. And now our trio must solve the toughest mystery of all: what really happened to Mr. Summerling?

A jealous cat really, really, REALLY wants to drive away his young owner''s new dog in this playful illustrated chapter book from a two-time Geisel Honor winner. Simon has taken care of his owner, Andy, for many years. He''s a good cat. Clean, responsible, and loyal. What more could a boy want? Even when Andy''s dad moves out, Simon is certain that Andy doesn''t need another pet. So why would Andy''s dad adopt a DOG?! To make matters worse, the animal is a rude, rowdy troublemaker. Simon''s job is clear: the beast has got to go. He decides to write him a letter. Strongly worded, of course. But when the dog''s response sets off an unexpected correspondence, Simon realizes the beast may be here to stay. Can he make room for another pet in Andy''s life? This funny and heartwarming collaboration between Geisel Honor and Edgar Award-winning author Dori Hillestad Butler and bestselling illustrator Kevan Atteberry is a tribute to the love of a good pet - and the joy found in new friendship. With nine chapters and adorable full-color illustrations on every spread, the series is a fun read for parents to share with kids. A Junior Library Guild Selection

King & Kayla are back on the case in this laugh-out-loud mystery from the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award-winning series. Thor is in big trouble. Mr. Gary says he knocked over his trash cans, dug up his garden, and ate some of his vegetables. King and Kayla have to clear Thor''s name and find the actual culprit. Analytical Kayla demonstrates that Thor isn''t big enough to knock over heavy trash cans and he doesn''t like vegetables. Sensitive King discovers evidence that someone else has been in Mr. Gary''s yard—and it''s not a dog. Who made Mr. Gary unhappy? With simple, straightforward language and great verbal and visual humor, the King & Kayla series is perfect for newly independent readers. King and Kayla model excellent problem-solving skills, including working as a team, gathering facts, making lists, and evaluating evidence.

Trying to communicate with his human owner (and detective partner) can be frustrating for King the golden retriever as he uncovers clues in a missing dog case.

King & Kayla are back on the case in this laugh-out-loud mystery from the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award-winning series. King and Kayla are playing fetch with Jillian and Thor. Jillian throws King''s favorite ball too hard, and it goes over the fence and into the neighbor''s yard. The ball she brings back isn''t King''s. Where is King''s favorite ball? Analytical Kayla creates a list of possible explanations to investigate. Sensitive King puts aside his worries and questions the cat hiding under the porch, who claims a mouse did it. How could a mouse take King''s ball? With simple, straightforward language and great verbal and visual humor, the King & Kayla series is perfect for newly independent readers. King and Kayla model excellent problem-solving skills, including working as a team, gathering facts, making lists, and evaluating evidence.

Kayla lost a tooth, but now it''s missing! What does Kayla know? -Her tooth is not inside the tooth fairy pillow. It''s not inside her backpack. It''s not inside the car. What does King know?

What happens when everything you thought was true about your life turns out to be a lie? Thirteen-year-old T. J. always believed that her twin sister and her mother were dead—because that''s what her father had told her. But Mom and Sam are very much alive. And now they want T. J. to be part of their family. When T. J. reluctantly visits her mom and Sam for the first time, she is stunned by how similar she is to her twin sister, even though their lives have been very different. While she is drawn to her new family, she is also wary of becoming attached to them and hurting her father''s feelings. Then he suffers a debilitating accident and tries to ensnare T. J. in another web of lies. Her loyalties are finally tested. In this thought-provoking companion to Do You Know the Monkey Man?, Dori Hillestad Butler explores the other side of the story, creating a complex portrait of a family in crisis and offers readers the opportunity to compare different characters'' perspectives on the same story.

King & Kayla are back on the case in this laugh-out-loud mystery from the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award-winning series. Kayla lost a tooth. She put it in the special pocket in her tooth fairy pillow and now her tooth is missing! If she can''t find it, the tooth fairy won''t come. Analytical Kayla retraces her steps, searches everywhere, and questions Mason, who rode home from school with her. Sensitive King wonders why Mason smells like a tooth. Could he have Kayla''s lost tooth? Or should King take another look at the tooth fairy pillow? With simple, straightforward language and great verbal and visual humor, the King & Kayla series is perfect for newly independent readers. King and Kayla model excellent problem-solving skills, including working as a team, gathering facts, making lists, and evaluating evidence.

King & Kayla are back on the case in this laugh-out-loud mystery from the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award-winning series. Kayla made peanut butter treats for Thor, Jillian''s new puppy. But now the treats are missing, and King is under suspicion. Analytical Kayla notices that King''s breath doesn''t smell like peanut butter, so he didn''t eat them. Sensitive King detects the presence of an intruder in their house. Is it Jillian''s little brother Adam? Or someone else? Who took the missing dog treats? With simple, straightforward language and great verbal and visual humor, the King & Kayla series is perfect for newly independent readers. King and Kayla model excellent problem-solving skills, including working as a team, gathering facts, making lists, and evaluating evidence.

King & Kayla are back on the case in this laugh-out-loud mystery from the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award-winning series. King and Kayla receive a mysterious letter written in code. Mason received an almost identical letter. How can they crack the code? Kayla notices that there aren''t any vowels in most of the words; you can''t write words without vowels. When she compares her letter to Mason''s, only one word is different. Sensitive King notices that the letter smells like Jillian. Why would Jillian write them letters in code? With simple, straightforward language and great verbal and visual humor, the King & Kayla series is perfect for newly independent readers. King and Kayla model excellent problem-solving skills, including working as a team, gathering facts, making lists, and evaluating evidence.

Kayla made peanut butter treats for Jillian''s new puppy Thor. But now the treats are missing. What does Kayla know? There''s an intruder in the house. How will they solve the mystery?

Edgar Award Winner Dori Hillestad Butler gives us the tenth—and final!—title in her not-too-scary chapter book mystery series, The Haunted Library, in the form of a super special! It''s almost Halloween, and Kaz and Claire are off to Seattle to visit Claire''s cousins. They explore the local library...and find a ghost living there! The ghost''s family has been missing, so Kaz and Claire decide to investigate. When they discover ghostly activity in the city''s subterranean passages, they put their detective skills to work. Kaz and Claire are on the case!

It''s almost Halloween, and Kaz and Claire are off to Seattle to visit Claire''s cousins. They explore the local library...and find a ghost living there! The ghost''s family has been missing, so Kaz and Claire decide to investigate. When they discover g

Edgar Award Winner Dori Hillestad Butler gives us the ninth title in her not-too-scary chapter book mystery series, The Haunted Library. Kaz are Claire are on the case again—this time, they''re looking for Kaz''s long-lost uncle! Their search takes them to a bakery and a movie theater. Along the way, they meet another kid ghost detective. Will Kaz and Claire be able to figure out what''s going on?

"Kaz and Claire take a trip downtown, hoping to find Kaz''s long-lost uncle. Instead, they meet a group of ghosts who live in the movie theater. But soon the ghosts start mysteriously disappearing! Who or what is chasing them away? And can Kaz and Claire bring the ghosts back?"-- P. [4] of cover.