Most Popular Books by Gennifer Choldenko

A funny, spirited and uplifting historical novel by the author of the firm favourite Notes From and Liar and Her Dog

Thirteen-year-old Lizzie and her secret friend Noah, who''s hiding in her house, plan to rescue Noah''s father from the quarantined Chinatown and save everyone they love from contracting the plague that''s spreading in 1900 San Francisco.

Ant (short for Antonia) is sure she is adopted. She doesn''t look anything like her mother or her sisters - or even her dad (who is away working too much). Ant''s best friend is a boy called Harrison who draws chickens, and her dog Pistachio, a tiny ageing chihuahua, is her constant companion, but she feels that she just doesn''t fit in. Ant''s life meanders along until one day her lying starts to cause her, and those around her, some rather serious problems. Forced to face up to some of the things she has spent her life trying to hide from, in particular Ant has to come to terms with why she doesn''t get on with her mother. An uplifting, exciting and truly original story.

Alcatraz Island in the 1930s isn''t the most normal place to grow up, but it''s home for Moose Flanagan, his autistic sister, Natalie, and all the families of the guards. When Moose''s dad gets promoted to Associate Warden, despite being an unlikely candidate, it''s a big deal. But the cons have a point system for targeting prison employees, and his dad is now in serious danger. After a fire starts in the Flanagan''s apartment, Natalie is blamed, and Moose bands with the other kids to track down the possible arsonist. Then Moose gets a cryptic note from the notorious Al Capone himself. Is Capone trying to protect Moose''s dad too? If Moose can''t figure out what Capone''s note means, it may be too late. The last heart-pounding installment in the New York Times bestselling, Newbery Honor-winning Alcatraz trilogy is not to be missed! "Superlative historical fiction." -- School Library Journal (starred review for Al Capone Shines My Shoes)

Seventh-graders Kirsten and Walk alternate telling how race, wealth, and weight shape their relationships as they and other misfits stand up to a mean classmate, even as they are uncovering a long-kept secret about themselves.

What do you do when your neighbors are a bunch of hit men, con men, and mad dog murderers? Well, if you''re Moose Flanagan, you ask the most notorious convict of them all, Al Capone, for help. But when that convict comes through for youÑand then asks you for a favor in returnÑsuddenly it''s a whole different ball game. Picking up where the NewberyÐHonor winning Al Capone Does My Shirts left off, this lively second romp featuring Moose, his friends, and some of Alcatraz''s "finest" is just as satisfying as the first.

Ten-year-old Liam and his two younger sisters, precocious third-grader Dakota and second-grader Izzy, who has Down syndrome, face the possibility of losing their beloved dog, Cupcake, who keeps urinating on their apartment''s carpet in this funny, fast-paced, and heartfelt story from the Newbery Honor-winning author of the Al Capone series. Illustrations.

Return to Al Capone''s Alcatraz with Newbery Honor-winning author Gennifer Choldenko in this charming addition to the beloved series about the son of a prison guard. Moose Flanagan''s father is the assistant warden of Alcatraz--the roughest hard-time prison in America--so he and his family live on the island. It''s the summer before high school, and he is desperate to get on the baseball team. The problem? The captain will only let Moose and his best friend on if they get him something from Alcatraz--something impossible. Meanwhile, Moose must keep an eye on his fragile older sister, Natalie, as well as the warden''s two-faced, danger-loving daughter, Piper, who has a crush on him. He must learn to stand up to people: His parents. The warden. Piper. Even the most dangerous criminal in the country--Al Capone. And then Moose gets the pitch of a lifetime and delivers a hit no one on Alcatraz will ever forget. Don''t miss the rest of the Tales from Alcatraz series! Al Capone Does My Shirts Al Capone Shines My Shoes Al Capone Does My Homework

A heartwarming father-son story about bravery and facing fears. Nicholas was afraid of the dark outside his door, the bushes where the giant bugs live, and the underside of manhole covers. His dad was not afraid of anything. Nicholas wants to be as brave as his dad, but he needs help. That’s why he needs a dinosaur. After all, dinosaurs like the dark, bugs are nothing to them, and they eat manhole covers for lunch (and everything under them for dinner). With his toy dinosaur, Nicholas can scale tall walls, swim in deep water, even score a goal against the huge goalie everyone calls Gorilla. But when the dinosaur goes missing, everything is scary again. Luckily, his dad knows that even the bravest people can get scared, and it’s okay to ask for help facing your fears. It’s just guy stuff. A family classic in the making from the dream team of Newbery Honor-winner Gennifer Choldenko and Caldecott Medal-winner Dan Santat. ★ "[Choldenko''s] knowing, understated storytelling and Santat’s warm, expressive spreads give full credence to the fears that weigh on kids, as well as the presences—both real and imagined—that can help alleviate them."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

An engaging adventure from a Newbery Honor-winning storyteller for readers who love the circus, and anyone who has dreamed of finding the perfect home. Four orphans have escaped from the Home for Friendless Children. One is Lucy, who used to talk and sing. No one knows why she doesn''t speak anymore; silence is her protection. The orphans find work and new friends at a traveling circus. Lucy loves caring for the elephants, but she must be able to speak to them, and to warn others of danger. If Lucy doesn''t find her voice, she''ll be left behind when the circus goes on the rails. Meanwhile, people are searching for Lucy, and her puzzling past is about to catch up with her. This lively, heartwarming novel by the award-winning author of the Tales from Alcatraz series is full of marvels and surprises.

Now a New York Times bestseller, an Indie bestseller, and an Amazon Best Children''s Book! From beloved authors Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko and with illustrations by Wallace West, Dogtown is at once an uplifting story and a page-turning adventure, sure to find a forever home in readers’ hearts. Dogtown is a shelter for stray dogs, misbehaving dogs, and discarded robot dogs, whose owners have outgrown them. Chance, a real dog, has been in Dogtown since her owners unwittingly left her with irresponsible dog-sitters who skipped town. Metal Head is a robot dog who dreams of being back in a real home. And Mouse is a mouse who has the run of Dogtown, pilfering kibble, and performing clever feats to protect the dogs he loves. When Chance and Metal Head embark on an adventure to find their forever homes, there is danger, cheese sandwiches, a charging station, and some unexpected kindnesses along the way.

Everyone will be rooting for a happy ending for Hank, a boy struggling to hold his family together when his mom doesn''t come home, in this gripping story from Newbery Honor winner Gennifer Choldenko. “One of those rare and important books . . . Hank Hooperman may well be the most resourceful, courageous, and loving big brother in the history of children’s literature.”—Katherine Applegate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The One and Only Ivan A CALIBA GOLDEN POPPY AWARD WINNER • A SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL AND KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR When eleven-year-old Hank’s mom doesn’t come home, he takes care of his toddler sister, Boo, like he always does. But it’s been a week now. They are out of food and mom has never stayed away this long… Hank knows he needs help, so he and Boo seek out the stranger listed as their emergency contact. But asking for help has consequences. It means social workers, and a new school, and having to answer questions about his mom that he''s been trying to keep secret. And if they can''t find his mom soon, Hank and Boo may end up in different foster homes--he could lose everything. Gennifer Choldenko has written a heart-wrenching, healing, and ultimately hopeful story about how complicated family can be. About how you can love someone, even when you can’t rely on them. And about the transformative power of second chances.

After losing their house to foreclosure, three siblings - India, Finn and Mouse - have less than twenty-four hours to pack their belongings and fly, without their mother, to stay with an uncle in Colorado. But when they land, a mysterious driver meets them at the airport in a pink car adorned with feathers. He has never heard of their Uncle Red. Like Dorothy in Oz, they find themselves in an unknown place, with no idea of how to get home. Time is running out . . .

A segregated town, a hidden boy, a courageous girl - and a mystery in desperate need of solving

A hilarious story that shows kids that they can get themselves to sleep at bedtime! Sam is never ready to go to sleep at bedtime. There are always more questions to ask Mama, more books to read . . . not to mention the monkeys! Sam’s rambunctious trio of toy monkeys would much rather jump on the bed and make up songs about ping pong than go to sleep. Eventually Sam wants to go to sleep. But how will he ever get the monkeys to settle down? This story’s silly monkey mayhem also includes a calming bedtime routine that really works.

Lili is so shy that her voice is never heard in class until the day a good friend needs her help.

River and Niko find their dad is missing, and they have no choice but to track him down. But when they discover the clues lead to a shady reptile dealer, they start to think they might have gotten in over their heads. A short story from Guys Read: Thriller, edited by Jon Scieszka.

Mouse lives in Dogtown, a shelter for real dogs and robot dogs, where the kibble is plentiful, and the rafters hide a secret community of mice. His unlikely best friend is Buster, a big-hearted real dog who attracts trouble like a burr to fur. Determined to help Buster find his forever home, even if means losing his best pal, Mouse embarks on a bold quest with three of Dogtown’s “unadoptables”: Buster, Stewie--a huge, lovable dog whose ex-owner said he was mean, and Smokey--a robot dog hardwired with a smoke alarm he can’t control. But Mouse is just a mouse, and the world is big and complicated. How’s a little guy supposed to find homes for the dogs he loves?

The horse seriously doubts that the cow will ever be able to jump over the Moon but offers respect and admiration when the determined bovine accomplishes that feat.

Korean edition of Newbery Honor-winning (2005) AL CAPONE SHINES MY SHOES by Gennifer Choldenko. Author illustrates a moving and affectionate story through the 12-year-old boy Moose who shares love and communicate with others in the depressing reality that seems like a jail with no exit. In Korean. Distributed by Tsai Fong Books, Inc.

2005 Newbery Honor Book, An ALA Best Book for Young Adults, An ALA Notable Book, AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS by Gennifer Choldenko. Moose and his family moves to Alcatraz Island for his autistic sister Natalie''s special school and his father''s job. Choldenko''s heartwarming story illustrates friendship and love between family, friends and the neglected people around. Korean edition translated by Kim Yeong Ug. In Korean. Distributed by Tsai Fong Books, Inc.

Too shy to approach the girl he likes, Jackson hides little gifts for her to discover before Valentine''s Day.

A twelve-year-old boy named Moose moves to Alcatraz Island in 1935 when guards'' families were housed there, and has to contend with his extraordinary new environment in addition to life with his autistic sister.

"Nicolas a peur de la noirceur derriáere sa porte, des buissons oáu vivent des insectes gâeants et du dessous des plaques d''âegout. Son páere n''a peur de rien. Nicolas veut ãetre courageux comme son páere, mais c''est un grand dâefi pour un petit garðcon. Heureusement, il a un dinosaure qui le rend intrâepide. Un jour, son dinosaure disparaãit, et son courage aussi. Nicolas avoue áa son páere que le dinosaure âetait brave, mais pas lui. Son páere comprend. Tous les gars ont peur de temps áa autre. C''est comme ðca"--

Moose und die Mafia - aufregende Tage auf Alcatraz Der zwölfjährige Moose wohnt mit seiner Familie seit kurzem auf Alcatraz - sein Vater arbeitet dort als Gefängniswärter. Moose fällt es nicht leicht, sich auf der Gefängnisinsel einzuleben. Das liegt vor allem an Piper, der Tochter des Direktors, die immer wieder Unfrieden stiftet, und nicht so sehr an den Gefangenen. Denn der Faszination, Tür an Tür mit Al Capone zu leben, kann auch Moose sich nicht entziehen. Und als seine Schwester eines Tages Hilfe braucht, wendet Moose sich mit einer Bitte an den berühmten Verbrecher ... "Fesselnd und wunderbar zu lesen!" (Kirkus Reviews) "Außergewöhnlich und atmosphärisch dicht! Choldenko schildert die Stimmungsschwankungen in Moose'' Familie genauso nuanciert wie das Mysterium Alcatraz und das Miteinander der Kinder auf der Insel." (Publishers Weekly)

Traditional Chinese edition of Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko. In Traditional Chinese. Annotation copyright Tsai Fong Books, Inc. Distributed by Tsai Fong Books, Inc.

A twelve-year-old boy named Moose moves to Alcatraz Island in 1935 when guards'' families were housed there, and has to contend with his extraordinary new environment in addition to life with his autistic sister.

Von einem ist Antonia felsenfest überzeugt - Sie lebt in der falschen Familie! Beharrlich behauptet sie ein Adoptivkind zu sein. Das würde auch erklären, warum ihre angeblichen Eltern ihre beiden musterhaft braven Schwestern offenbar viel lieber haben als

A twelve-year-old boy named Moose moves to Alcatraz Island in 1935 when guards'' families were housed there, and has to contend with his extraordinary new environment in addition to life with his autistic sister.

A selection of nominees and winners of the Monarch and Bluestem children''s book awards on a full-color Kindle Fire.

The other first-graders make fun of the new boy because he is so tall, but his short classmate Jake helps him fit in.