Best Selling Books by Elise Broach

Marvin lives with his family under the kitchen sink in the Pompadays'' apartment. He is very much a beetle. James Pompaday lives with his family in New York City. He is very much an eleven-year-old boy.After James gets a pen-and-ink set for his birthday, Marvin surprises him by creating an elaborate miniature drawing. James gets all the credit for the picture and before these unlikely friends know it they are caught up in a staged art heist at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that could help recover a famous drawing by Albrecht Dürer. But James can''t go through with the plan without Marvin''s help. And that''s where things get really complicated (and interesting!). This fast-paced mystery will have young readers on the edge of their seats as they root for boy and beetle. In Shakespeare''s Secret Elise Broach showed her keen ability to weave storytelling with history and suspense, and Masterpiece is yet another example of her talent. This time around it''s an irresistible miniature world, fascinating art history, all wrapped up in a special friendship— something for everyone to enjoy. Masterpiece is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children''s Book of the Year.

★ “Exceptional…. Rich with facts around goldfinches and music, vivid descriptions, unique characters, and carefully crafted suspense.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review ★ “Perfect for readers who, like Mirabelle, are sometimes spellbound by music.” —Booklistu00ad, starred review A musically gifted bird, a piano-playing boy, and a real-life mystery involving three artistic geniuses Welcome to the world of Mirabelle, a young goldfinch who loves to sing and dreams of becoming a musical star. She lives with her family in the backyard of a piano teacher, and she is quickly intrigued by Mr. Starek''s newest pupil. Michael Jin is an eleven-year-old keyboard sensation, but lesson after lesson, he refuses to play. With the prestigious Chopin Festival looming at summer’s end, how will he be ready in time? Mirabelle is responsible for Michael’s breakthrough—to her own astonishment, she sings the Chopin piece he is beginning to play at the piano. It is their first duet. Thus begins a secret adventure that will take Mirabelle and Michael further than they ever imagined—in music, in friendship, and in solving the mystery of a lost piano that could be worth millions. A house full of treasures holds the clues. There, Mirabelle, Michael, and their friend Emily will make an important discovery that links the great composer Frederic Chopin, the trailblazing author George Sand, and the French Romantic painter Eugene Delacroix. A fast-paced, history-rich mystery will have young readers hooked as they root for boy and bird in this beautifully told novel, full of emotion and suspense. A Bank Street College Best Book of the Year A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

In this Masterpiece Adventure, the first in a companion series for younger readers from bestselling author Elise Broach, James is going on vacation for a week. His best friend, Marvin the beetle, has to stay at home. Without James to keep him company, Marvin has to play with his annoying cousin, Elaine. Marvin and Elaine quickly find themselves getting into all sorts of trouble—even getting trapped inside a pencil sharpener! Marvin misses James and starts to worry about their friendship. Will James still be Marvin''s friend when he gets home or will James have found a new best friend? A Christy Ottaviano Book

A charming picture book that cleverly captures a universal wish—to love and care for something—and shows that you''re never too little to share in that dream, by New York Times-bestselling author Elise Broach. Once there was a boy who wanted something to take care of. Something of his very own. He begged his mother for a puppy. Until she said YES! The boy loved his puppy. He fed him and played with him and cuddled him. But soon, the dog wanted something to take care of—something of his very own. So the dog gets a pet cat; then the cat gets a pet bird; the bird gets a pet worm; the worm gets a pet flea . . . and on and on it goes as utter chaos ensues. Christy Ottaviano Books

A missing diamond, a mysterious neighbor, a link to Shakespeare—can Hero uncover the connections?

Peter''s been invited to go on a safari. He''s brought: 1. Uncle Nigel, who''s an explorer 2. hiking shorts 3. a canteen But what he will need most is a bit of gumption. (Gumption: n. Courage; spunk; fortitude; resourcefulness; good sense.) Oh, wait...there are crocodiles in the river? Then he might need a lot of it!

Book 4 in the Masterpiece Adventures chapter book series featuring Marvin the beetle and his best friend, James. James’s father, Karl, and Christina, his friend from the museum, are getting married! James is the ring bearer and he is excited but also nervous. He loves Christina yet he is worried about losing his dad to a different family and a different life. And what if, at the wedding, James drops the ring? His beetle best friend Marvin promises to help him, but Marvin ends up with an even more critical job when something goes wrong. Will the whole wedding be ruined? Not if Marvin and James and Elaine can help it. This young chapter book for emergent readers captures the miniature world and friendship of Marvin the beetle and James. Complete with charming illustrations on every page by Kelly Murphy. Christy Ottaviano Books

From the award-winning team who created Masterpiece comes a charming chapter book about a young bulldozer who is nervous about making friends and starting school. ★ "Broach and Murphy rev up for a promising new series…. An enthralling tale about doing the heavy lifting of making friends." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review ★ "This sweetly simple story addresses sometimes-challenging issues surrounding meeting new people with a light and understanding touch, and expressive drawings with muted orange accents bring Bulldozer and his world to life.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review Bulldozer is shy when it comes to making new friends and nervous about starting school. But when he meets his new neighbor Millie and her little brother Jay, Bulldozer embarks on a daring adventure to rescue a stranded cat. With the help of his own machinery—and a plate of freshly baked cookies—Bulldozer overcomes his fears just by being himself. The beloved team of Elise Broach and Kelly Murphy are back with a compelling new series about an endearing bulldozer living in a human world. Each book contains five chapters, perfect for emerging readers learning how to read on their own.

In the new Masterpiece Adventure Trouble at School for Marvin & James, the third in a series for younger readers from bestselling author Elise Broach, Marvin the beetle is off to school with James for the very first time! Everything runs smoothly on this big adventure until the bell rings after lunch and Marvin gets separated from James. In fact, he gets accidentally thrown away! Will Marvin make it back home to his family? How will James find him? This young chapter book for emergent readers captures the miniature world of Marvin the Beetle and his special friend James. A Christy Ottaviano Book

A high-stakes middle grade historical adventure through Yosemite National Park by the New York Times-bestselling author of Masterpiece. Twelve-year-old Lizzie Durango and her dad have always had a zoo to call their home. Lizzie spends her days watching the animals and taking note of their various behaviors. Though the zoo makes for a unique home, it''s a hard place for Lizzie to make lasting friends. But all this changes one afternoon when she finds Tyler Briggs, a runaway who has secretly made the zoo his makeshift home. The two become friends and, just as quickly, stumble into a covert investigation involving the zoo wolves who are suddenly dying. Little do they know, this mystery will draw them into a high-stakes historical adventure involving the legend of John Muir as they try to navigate safely while lost in Yosemite National Park. A Christy Ottaviano Book

From beloved duo Elise Broach and David Small comes an adorable picture book about a little boy who gets a free dino with purchase! Free gift with purchase: Dinosaurs! Wait—free what?! Just when a little boy thinks he’s going to die of boredom from running errands with his mom, the most remarkable, the most stupendous thing happens. He discovers that on this day, and this day only, stores everywhere are giving away a very special treat with any purchase. No, not the usual lollipop or sticker. Something bigger. Much, MUCH bigger. It’s a dream come true, except…what exactly do you do with these Jurassic treats? And how do you convince Mom to let you keep them?

Little Bulldozer struggles to fall asleep in Bedtime for Little Bulldozer, a sweet and clever bedtime picture book by New York Times bestselling author Elise Broach with illustrations by Barry E. Jackson. Falling asleep isn’t always easy, especially for a loud and rumbling little bulldozer. Once he finally gets into bed, he can’t fall asleep no matter what he tries to do: has another drink of oil, gathers his favorite stuffies, and even reads his favorite book. Still, something’s not right, and only his sisters—a steamroller and a crane—can make it better. This reassuring and clever bedtime story is for young ones who need a bit of help “bull-dozing” off to sleep. Christy Ottaviano Books

Read a sneak peek of THE WOLF KEEPERS! Twelve-year-old Lizzie Durango and her dad have always had a zoo to call their home. Lizzie spends her days watching the animals and taking note of their various behaviors. Though the zoo makes for a unique home, it''s a hard place for Lizzie to make lasting friends. But all this changes one afternoon when she finds Tyler Briggs, a runaway who has secretly made the zoo his makeshift home. The two become friends and, just as quickly, stumble into a covert investigation involving the zoo wolves who are suddenly dying. Little do they know, this mystery will draw them into a high-stakes historical adventure involving the legend of John Muir as they try to navigate safely while lost in Yosemite National Park.

There are some kinds of trouble you never see coming, like those thunderstorms that start from nothing at all. One minute the sky is bright blue and distant. Then, all of a sudden, it''s dark and thick with clouds, pressing down right on top of you. The leaves turn silvery and twist in the wind, the air starts to hum, and the rain comes, so heavy and fast you can''t even see. You almost never make it to the house on time. A dead body on the road—who is responsible and how will it affect the lives of three teens? For fourteen-year-old Lucy Martinez, the moment when everything changes comes one night during a long car trip with her older brother and his friend Kit. They are on their way to visit Lucy''s father for spring break, but never make it. While driving across northern New Mexico through a blinding rainstorm, their car hits something—an animal, they think. But when they backtrack, they find a dead body on the side of the road. With amazing insight and compelling prose, Elise Broach charts a suspenseful journey full of danger, loss, and painful self-discovery. What will happen to the lives of three teenagers who can suddenly no longer pretend innocence?

The Barker brothers and their friend Delilah secretly climb up to Superstition Mountain one last time, hoping to solve the remaining mysteries, including whether the librarian is really the ghost of Julia Thomas, what was their uncle Hank''s role in discovering the gold mine, and especially, who is trying to kill them.

A Trip to the Country for Marvin & James is the fifth book in New York Times bestselling author Elise Broach''s Masterpiece Adventures chapter book series featuring Marvin the beetle and his best friend, James--featuring illustrations by Kelly Murphy. Marvin gets invited to spend a weekend with James visiting Karl and Christina in the country. And Marvin is bringing his cousin Elaine! Together, they partake in exciting outdoor activities. But a playful boat ride on a pond turns into an unexpected adventure. How will James and Marvin and Elaine find each other out in the wilderness? This fifth book in the Masterpiece Adventures series brings Marvin and James together in a celebration of friendship and family. Christy Ottaviano Books

Two children must find a way around their father''s "no pets" rule when a friendly dragon appears in their backyard.

In this Masterpiece Adventure, the second in a companion series for younger readers from bestselling author Elise Broach, Marvin the beetle is going collecting with his family. All is good and well until Uncle Albert gets hurt. Marvin needs James''s help to save Uncle Albert before it''s too late. This young chapter book captures the miniature world of Marvin the beetle and his special friendship with James.

It''s summer and the three Barker brothers—Simon, Henry, and Jack—just moved from Illinois to Arizona. Their parents have warned them repeatedly not to explore Superstition Mountain, which is near their home. But when their cat Josie goes missing, they see no other choice. There''s something unusually creepy about the mountain and after the boys find three human skulls, they grow determined to uncover the mystery. Have people really gone missing over the years, and could there be someone or some thing lurking in the woods? Together with their new neighbor Delilah, the Barker boys are dead-set on cracking the case even if it means putting themselves in harm''s way. Here''s the first book in an action-packed mystery series by a New York Times bestselling author. Missing on Superstition Mountain is a Publishers Weekly Best Children''s Fiction title for 2011.

Returning to Superstition Mountain, the Barker brothers, along with their friend Delilah, soon find themselves entangled in more danger and mystery as they uncover a treasure. Illustrations.

Tired of all the trouble his no-good baby sister causes, John tells his mother the baby has to go and she agrees, but as John packs the baby''s suitcase, he realizes there are some things he likes about his sister, too.

Seashore baby Start the day Beach-time baby Let''s go play! Little ones will love playing along with baby during a day at the beach with this interactive novelty board book featuring large lift-the-flaps on each spread. With delightful rhyming text and playful illustrations by Cori Doerrfeld, this is the perfect read-aloud to share after a day of fun in the sun!

A dog''s attempts to cool off on a hot day get him into trouble with a series of people and finally lead him to interrupt a country wedding.

A Lucy Martínez, una adolescente de 14 años, le cambió la vida en un instante durante un largo viaje con su hermano mayor Jamie y el amigo de éste. Iban a pasar las vacaciones con su padre. Mientras atraviesan el desierto de Nuevo México, en medio de una gran tormenta golpean algo con el coche. Creen que es un animal, pero al dar marcha atrás encuentran el cadáver de una chica al borde de la carretera. En esta situación extrema, Lucy decide emprender la búsqueda del responsable de esta muerte y los tres protagonistas deberán enfrentarse a situaciones inesperadas. Con una perspicacia asombrosa y un cautivador estilo, Elise Broach traza un viaje lleno de suspense y peligro, marcado por la amistad y el amor.

«Una obra maestra de la narrativa.»School Library Journal «Llena de suspense, historia del arte, relaciones familiares complejas y una profunda amistad, este divertido viaje fascinará por igual a tímidos y aventureros.»Booklist Marvin es un escarabajo que vive en Nueva York debajo del fregadero de la cocina de la familia de James Pompaday, un chico solitario de once años. Por su cumpleaños, James recibe un juego de pluma y tintero, y se lleva una gran sorpresa al descubrir que Marvin ha hecho un pequeño dibujo tan... tan bueno que recuerda los trabajos del gran Alberto Durero. Todos piensan que el dibujante ha sido James, quien se ve en un aprieto cuando le piden más dibujos y no puede revelar que el verdadero artista es su nuevo amigo, ¡un escarabajo! Cuando Marvin y James visitan el Metropolitan de Nueva York, se ven envueltos en una emocionante aventura; los dos amigos harán uso de todo su ingenio para desvelar el misterio del cuadro robado.

Springtime babyDrizzly day Rainboot babyLet''s go play! Little ones will love to join baby on a fun-filled spring day. The adventure begins with some mudpie-making and puddle-stomping, followed by sunshine, a rainbow and gorgeous, sweet smelling blossoms. All the favorite springtime creatures, from ducklings to butterflies, share a splendid day with our springtime baby! This interactive novelty board book features large lift-the-flaps on each spread, hiding charming surprises underneath. With acclaimed author Elise Broach''s delightful rhyming text and playful illustrations by Cori Doerrfeld, this is the perfect read-aloud to share on a perfect spring afternoon.

Barnyard baby, Autumn day. Flannel baby Out to play! Little ones will love playing along with baby during a day full of fall fun, from hayrides to apple picking. This interactive novelty board book features large lift-the-flaps on each spread, hiding charming surprises underneath. With acclaimed author Elise Broach''s delightful rhyming text and playful illustrations by Cori Doerrfeld, this is the perfect read-aloud to share after a beautiful autumn afternoon!

Een 14-jarig meisje rijdt met haar broer en een vriend door een woestijngebied in de Verenigde Staten als de auto in plotselinge heftige regen iets, of iemand raakt.

Bulldozer overcomes his anxieties before the first day of school in this second installment of the Bulldozer and Friends series, by the award-winning team who created The Masterpiece Adventure chapter book series. Bulldozer is nervous about his new school year and worried he won’t fit in. His friend Millie tries to reassure him, but Bulldozer isn’t convinced…especially when he gets to his classroom and things start going wrong. But just when he’s sure his day couldn’t get worse, something amazing happens! The first day of school proves to be special for everyone, all because of Bulldozer. Perfect for kids learning how to read on their own, the second book in this endearing series follows Bulldozer through the challenges and rewards of going to school.

Una caccia al tesoro appassionante e ricca di colpi di scena.

Snowflake baby Winter day Snowsuit baby Out to play! Little ones will love playing along with baby during a day full of wintry fun, from snowballs to sledding. This interactive novelty board book features large lift-the-flaps on each spread, hiding charming surprises underneath. With acclaimed author Elise Broach''s delightful rhyming text and playful illustrations by Cori Doerrfeld, this is the perfect read-aloud to share after fun-filled snowy day!

In this Junior Library Guild Selection, Broach weaves an intriguing literary mystery full of historical insights and discoveries, as a young girl tries to uncover the connections between a missing diamond, a mysterious neighbor, and a link to Shakespeare.

Ils sont trois ados sur la route des vacances. Lucy est à l''arrière, pendant que son frère aîné Jamie conduit, flanqué de son inséparable copain, Kit, un type mignon mais insupportable. La route est longue jusqu''à Phoenix et, alors qu''ils traversent une zone désertique du Nouveau-Mexique, un orage violent éclate, en début de nuit. Visibilité zéro. C''est alors que leur voiture heurte quelque chose. En un instant, leurs vies basculent... Coincés au milieu de nulle part, Lucy et les deux garçons vont perdre une part de leur innocence, mais aussi se découvrir eux-mêmes, pour le meilleur.