Most Popular Books by Dori Hillestad Butler

2012-2013 Iowa Teen Award Master List They just wanted to tell the truth. When Zebby and Amr create the website thetruthabouttruman.com, they want it to be honest. They want it to be about the real Truman Middle School, to say things that the school newspaper would never say, and to give everyone a chance to say what they want to say, too. But given the chance, some people will say anything—anything to hurt someone else. And when rumors about one popular student escalate to cruel new levels, it''s clear the truth about Truman School is more harrowing than anyone ever imagined.

Girls can''t play baseball at Hoover Middle School, but Joelle is determined to find a way to play the game she loves. It''s not fair! Thirteen-year-old Joelle Cunningham is passionate about baseball. When her family moves to the small town of Greendale, Iowa, she quickly discovers that there are strict rules preventing her from playing on the school team. At Hoover Middle School, only boys play baseball. Girls play softball. Joelle tries to tell everyone they''re not the same sport. But no one is listening. Not Coach Carlyle who doesn''t want her on his team, even though they''re at the bottom of the league. Not Ms. Fenner, the softball coach who wants Joelle to use her big-league swing on the girls'' softball team. Not even Jason, her older brother, who is too busy at college to be of much help. Through some creative problem-solving and surprising alliances, Joelle finds a solution to her dilemma that brings the disputing sides together...and baseball to the girls of Greendale. Author Dori Hillestad Butler has created a high-spirited, indomitable character that readers will admire and root for in this story of frustrated ambition and ultimate triumph.

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!

"My Name is Buddy. I am a dog. I am also a detective." Buddy is in the school library and kids are taking turns reading with him. While Buddy listens to a ghost story, he hears rustling in the shelves behind him. He turns to look, but doesn''t see anyone back there. He hears a book fall. Something smells strange. Not human...not canine, not like anything Buddy has ever smelled before. Could it maybe be the school ghost Buddy has heard so much about? When the child he''s sitting with leaves, Buddy goes over to the shelves to investigate...and comes face to face with a mysterious creature that has a long, blue tongue. Buddy fans will cheer as their favorite dog detective solves another case with own great doggy style.

When strange noises are heard in the tree house where their club meets, Claire and Kaz wonder if a rival club is causing problems in order to scare them away, or if they are coming from the ghosts of one of Kaz''s departed ancestors.

There have always been rumors of a ghost at Four Lakes Elementary. On the night of the fourth grade sleepover, Mr. Poe, the custodian, tells the story of Agatha, the girl who haunts the school. Then secret notes, unusual banging, and a ghostly voice invade the sleepover. Buddy is determined to find out if there really is a ghost.

Kaz and Claire must try to figure out if their new client Eli really has a ghost in his house, or if Eli is just pulling pranks himself.

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?

A brand-new young chapter book series from Edgar Award winner Dori Hillestad Butler! After successfully solving the mystery of the ghost in the library, Kaz and Claire land the first case for their detective agency—a haunted attic in a neighbor’s home! With a little help from Grannie, Kaz and Claire discover that what appeared to be something spooky has a much simpler explanation.

Kaz and Claire are back for a timely mystery in this adorable series by Edgar Award winner Dori Hillestad Butler! Kaz and Claire are called in for another ghostly mystery, and this ghost is always right on time. When Claire''s friend tells the young detectives about his five o''clock ghost, Kaz wonders if it could be his own missing brother, Little John. Kaz and Claire search the house up and down, but they can''t find any trace of Little John--or any other ghost. Yet when five o''clock comes along, the strange occurrences come back again...

Buddy was adopted from the P-O-U-N-D and he likes his new family, but he''s still searching for Kayla-his first family. What has happened to them? He hopes to solve that mystery soon, but right now he''s got another urgent case-two dogs, Muffin and Jazzy, have been switched! How can Buddy get poor Muffin and Jazzy back to their real owners?

A brand-new young chapter book series from Edgar Award winner Dori Hillestad Butler! When ghost boy Kaz’s haunt is torn down and he is separated from his ghost family, he meets a real girl named Claire, who lives above the town library with her parents and her grandmother. Claire has a special ability to see ghosts when other humans cannot and she and Kaz quickly form a friendship. The two join forces to solve the mystery of the ghost that’s haunting the library. Could it be one of Kaz’s lost family members?

Elizabeth''s mom is having a baby, and the whole family is involved. Elizabeth learns all about the baby''s development, and she traces his growth, month by month. She learns how the baby got inside Mom, too.

Kaz and Claire’s new detective agency is a success! Their latest case, though, is proving to be the hardest yet. When Claire’s classmate says he saw a ghost backstage while rehearsing the school play, Kaz goes to school with Claire to investigate. From the description the boy gave, Kaz is sure it’s his mom—but where has she gone? Kaz and Claire search everywhere and find no trace of her, but the mysterious ghostly activities are still happening…

Buddy has settled with his adopted family, but he''s never given up on finding his beloved human, Kayla, and his first family. One night he sees men taking things out of Kayla''s old house and loading them into a van. What''s up? Though his friend Mouse advises against it, in the middle of the night Buddy decides to make a daring move, leaving everything he knows behind. Dori Butler''s third case in The Buddy Files will entertain and satisfy the many fans of this brave, funny, and loyal dog.

"My name is King. I am a dog. I am also a detective. King has a very big mystery to solve. His family is missing, and he''s been put in the P-O-U-N-D. Why doesn''t his beloved human (Kayla) come to get him? When King is adopted by Connor and his mom, things get more confusing. The new family calls him Buddy! And just as Connor and Buddy start to get acquainted, Connor disappears! Buddy (aka King) has big problems to solve, but with some help from his friend Mouse (a very large dog) and the mysterious cat with no name, he shows what a smart, brave dog can do. Mystery fans and dog lovers will be swept up in Dori Hillestad Butler''s funny, satisfying story...and left eager for Buddy''s next adventure.

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?

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. 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.

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.

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?

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.

Describes the history and meaning of Christmas and how it is celebrated today.

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.

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.

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?

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?

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?

With a lot of searching and a lot of luck, Kaz has found his dog Cosmo, his little brother Little John, his grandmom, and his grandpops. But what about his parents? Or his big brother Finn? Will he ever see them again? Kaz wants to keep looking for his family, but when Claire hears about a ghost at the fire station, Kaz knows it’s a case for C & K Ghost Detectives!

Illustrated entries for each letter of the alphabet present information about the history, geography, natural resources, and important sights of Indiana.

Jason, who would rather work on his horror movie screenplay than learn to swim, finds an unlikely ally in Tank, the class bully, who is being forced to take ballroom dance lessons.

A snobby cat and a good-natured dog fight over the chance to dress up with their owner in this playful illustrated chapter book series told in letters. It''s time for the annual city pet parade! Only one pet can win first place . . . Simon the cat has always hated wearing costumes, so he decides it''s okay for Andy''s new dog, Baxter, to march with Andy instead. This way, Simon gets to avoid a costume and keep his dignity. But when Baxter keeps the costume plans a secret, Simon changes his mind. His boy Andy needs him! Who knows what trouble Baxter is up to? That beast can''t be trusted--and it''s Simon''s job to save the day. 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. With eight chapters and adorable full-color illustrations on every spread, the series is purr-fect for parents to share with their beginning readers. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

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.

Showcases the joys of everyday life in Wisconsin while teaching the letters of the alphabet.

Now that Kaz can finally pass through walls without feeling all “skizzy,” he can go explore Beckett’s secret room at the back of the library. What he finds there is a mystery he never expected!

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?