Most Popular Books by James Preller

Eric is the new kid in seventh grade. Griffin wants to be his friend. When you''re new in town, it''s hard to know who to hang out with—and who to avoid. Griffin seems cool, confident, and popular. But something isn''t right about Griffin. He always seems to be in the middle of bad things. And if Griffin doesn''t like you, you''d better watch your back. There might be a target on it. As Eric gets drawn deeper into Griffin''s dark world, he begins to see the truth about Griffin: he''s a liar, a bully, a thief. Eric wants to break away, do the right thing. But in one shocking moment, he goes from being a bystander . . . to the bully''s next victim. This title has Common Core connections.

Unable to recover from the guilt of his younger sister''s death when he was supposed to be watching her, Jude endures a bleak and silent existence the summer before his senior year before finding the strength to move on.

AHOY MATEYS! The first day of first grade is FUN for a boy accompanied by a band of pirates.

A Bank Street - Best Children''s Book of the Year A game in the life of a Little League team playing their championship game – and two best friends whose bond is put to the test. Two teams, six innings, one game. A lively cast of characters—baseball-loving boys between the ages of eleven to thirteen—are playing the biggest game of their lives. With acrobatic catches, clutch hits, dramatic whiffs, and costly errors, this game is full of action. But as the book unfolds, pitch by pitch, a deeper story emerges, with far more at stake: Sam and Mike, best friends, are trying to come to terms with Sam''s newly diagnosed cancer. And this baseball diamond becomes the ultimate testing ground of Sam and Mike''s remarkable friendship as they strive to find a way to both come out winners. This is for the championship. This is for life.

Welcome. Have a seat. Ignore the shambling undead outside. Let us tell you a story. But be warned. Good Night, Zombie isn''t just any tale. This is a Scary Tale. Meet Carter, Esme, and Arnold, three students accidentally locked together inside an almost deserted school. They are not friends. They scarcely know each other. But In the basement, a mysterious night janitor waits. And outside, moving in the mist, dark shapes shuffle closer... James Preller knows his audience: "It''s what so many students, on every school visit, tell me that they want. You guessed it, scary stories for grades 2-4, 80 page chapter books. And by scary I mean . . . spine-tingling, heart-pounding scary."

In writing in his journal about middle school classmate Morgan Mallen''s suicide from bullying, Sam explores whether he was a friend, or one of the bullies who ignored her at school and tormented her online.

Will has no choice. His father drags him along on a wilderness adventure in the footsteps of legendary explorers Lewis and Clark--whether he likes it or not. All the while, Will senses that something about this trip isn''t quite right. Along the journey, Will meets fascinating strangers and experiences new thrills, including mountain cliffs, whitewater rapids, and a heart-hammering bear encounter. It is a journey into the soul of America''s past, and the meaning of family in the future. In the end, Will must face his own, life-changing test of courage. This title has Common Core connections.

Third-graders Deon, Kym, Lizzy, and Connor, armed with Miss Zips'' persuasive tips, set out to convince the PTA to use their cash surplus to put a "buddy bench" on the playground.

Kristy Barrett is a soccer star. She''s been a star since elementary school, and now is so good that she''s been told she may someday make the women''s Olympic team. Everything changes in an instant, when a blow to her head during a game results in a severe concussion. It''s not her first head injury, but it''s the worst one she''s ever had. The doctors say it will take time to recover; they don''t know how long. All Kristy knows is that her team is moving on without her, and her purpose—soccer—is gone, and she doesn''t know what to do, or even who she is. Her days are marked by pain and panic attacks. Through two unexpected new friendships and insightful therapists, Kristy starts to rebuild her life. The question is, will her new life include soccer? Sports injuries are a reality of competitive play, for both male and female athletes. Here is a story that athletes and other readers will relate to as they navigate middle-school and their own identities.

After becoming undead, a boy tries to survive middle school. Adrian Lazarus has met with a curious fate. He’s returned from the dead (after a bad bike accident, no helmet), yet not a lot has changed. He’s always been an outcast. But it’s not just being a zombie that makes Adrian feel different. He notices the world has changed, too: bees are vanishing, forest fires are burning, super-flus are spreading. The holographic advertisements in the night sky assure people that all is well. Adrian and his friends – a beekeeping boy, a mysterious new girl, and a seventh-grade sleuth – aren’t so sure. When they discover a birdlike drone has been spying on Adrian, the clues lead to two powerful corporate moguls. What do they really want? James Preller brings his singular humor to Better Off Undead, a middle-grade zombie story that''s about fitting in as much as it''s about the end of the world. This title has Common Core connections.

The Big Idea Gang is buzzing with excitement! They''re going to show Clay Elementary just how important bees can be in this chapter book series about making a case--and making a difference--by the author of Jigsaw Jones. After Kym and Lizzie get the awesome opportunity to visit a bee colony, they realize all the wonderful things bees do! But how can it be that these amazing insects are disappearing? And what will happen to our food chain without the great pollinators buzzing about? If only everyone else at Clay Elementary could understand how important the bees are for the environment! Now that''s a big idea that needs to be shared! With the help of Connor and Deon, Kym and Lizzie set out to show their school the beauty of bees, and use their powers of persuasion to make a difference in the world.

After the death of his mother, eight-year-old Liam and his father and sister move to a new house for a fresh start, but Liam soon discovers that the old house is haunted.

Famous landmarks, moving memorials and quirky culture all await in Only in Washington, D.C., your go-to guide to the capital city of the United States.

Malik and his sister Tiana find a creepy doll in a locked box buried behind an abandoned house.

In this charming story about an unlikely friendship, Mouse tucks his friend Bear into bed and promises to wake him in spring--when flowers bloom and best friends sing! Full color illustrations throughout.

Amusement park-loving Samantha receives a ticket to a very special ride that takes her on a heart-stopping adventure along with her equally terrified companion.

Sucked into a strange video game where he finds himself caught in a snowstorm, young Aaron ventures into the nearby woods only to hear scary howls and discover that he''s trapped.

Featuring friendship, school, family, and a diverse community, these early illustrated chapter books from James Preller have it all. Got a mystery to solve? Jigsaw Jones is on the case. Eddie Becker has the idea of a lifetime, and creates plans for what he promises is going to be a million-dollar invention. Then the plans get stolen. Worst of all, after Jigsaw does some digging, he suspects the principal may be the thief! Now Jigsaw has to invent a gadget of his own to find out the truth. James Preller''s wry, witty, Jigsaw Jones books are once again available to inspire the next generation of young readers, featuring both new titles and classroom classics! This title has Common Core connections.

Something stinks, and it''s coming from a science project in Ms. Gleason''s classroom. Could someone have sabotaged the volcano? Looks like another mystery for the best detectives in the second grade. Humorous line drawings throughout.

Girl bullies, internet bullying, and substance use are themes in this James Preller middle grade standalone companion to Bystander Mary O’Malley is tired of keeping secrets. Secrets like her older brother, Jonny’s, drug use. Starting seventh grade is tough enough without the upheaval her brother is bringing to their family. It seems the only person who might understand is Griffen Connolly, whose older sister runs with Jonny in the wrong crowd. Mary thought Griff was too cool, too popular for her. But now he wants to hang out with her, and listen. When two girls Mary thought were her friends decide to slam another girl online, Mary tries to look the other way. Then the girls turn on Mary, and suddenly, she doesn’t have a safety zone. Her brother is out of control, her family’s energies are all spent on him. There is only one person she can turn to. But can she trust Griff? Or is he one of the bullies?

Fifth-grader Spider Stevens--nicknamed for his climbing ability--wrestles with his loyalty to his best friend versus friendship with the popular crowd.

60 creators of favorite children''s books talk about their work.

Shiver me timbers—it''s a sequel to A Pirate''s Gudie to First Grade! Ahoy, mateys! It''s time for recess, and the schoolyard is teeming with young pirates who are ready for action. Who will rule the stormy seas of the playground? Recess has never been such an adventure!

Ghosts start haunting Jigsaw''s classmates, and there''s a new ghostbuster in town stealing all of Jigsaw''s potential clients.

When the grand prize for an upcoming animal talent show disappears, Jigsaw hopes that entering his dog, Rags, in the contest will help to uncover the suspect.

Four friends inaugurate their Big Idea Gang by starting a campaign to convince their principal and school to get a new mascot.

Jigsaw Jones goes undercover to find out who has been stealing brownies from Mike and Mary''s restaurant, while competing with a classmate to see who will be the first to solve the case of a missing football.

Welcome back to the EXIT 13 Motel! We are so so happy you decided to return. After all, why would you ever want to leave? If you''d like, we can even make sure that your stay is... permanent. With black-and-white comic pages throughout, EXIT 13 is perfect for mystery and horror loving kids everywhere! Try as they might, the McGinn family can''t seem to escape from the clutches of the EXIT 13 Motel. Other guests come and go, totally unaware of the fact that Ash, Willow, and the rest of their family aren''t able to leave, no matter how hard they try. But as they attempt to get to the bottom of the mystery of the Motel, things only seem to get more bizarre. Ash is hearing and seeing strange things almost every night, and Willow''s attempts to learn more about Kristoff - the dark and brooding Motel receptionist - uncover a massive secret that has so far remained hidden underneath the Motel itself. New guests, new frights, and new animals in need of saving mean that the McGinn siblings - and Daisy the goldendoodle - have their work cut out for them. Can they get to the bottom of it all before the Motel closes its doors on them, once and for all? Return to the weird and creepy world of EXIT 13 in this hair-raising sequel. Whether you''re a fan of mystery, a lover of horror, or even a graphic novel super reader, EXIT 13 is sure to grab you. This illustrated novel -- the second in the series -- includes black-and-white comic pages throughout!

Jigsaw and Mila''s detective work takes a slightly different route when Jigsaw becomes his own client after misplacing his grandfather''s old pocket watch.

After Jigsaw''s class finds a riddle that may lead to a pirate''s buried treasure, Jigsaw and Mila are enlisted to help find it.

Featuring friendship, school, family, and a diverse community, these early illustrated chapter book Jigsaw Jones Mysteries from James Preller have it all. It''s the biggest—okay the most stressful—night of the year . . . Parents'' Night! And Geetha Nair''s painting has just gone missing. The stakes are high, but Jigsaw Jones and Mila Yeh have never encountered a mystery they couldn''t solve. Can they track down their friend''s art in time for the most important show of the year in The Case of the Vanishing Painting? James Preller''s wry, witty, Jigsaw Jones books are once again available to inspire the next generation of young readers, featuring both new titles and classroom classics!

Introduce children to 75 favorite authors and illustrators with this all-in-one resource! The lively profiles in this collection provide insight into the lives, work, inspiration, and creative process of these talented writers and artists. Share these fascinating mini-biographies with students to enhance author studies and help your students read with greater enthusiasm and understanding. Book jacket.

It''s April Fools'' Day and while Jigsaw''s brothers are busy with pranks, Jigsaw must solve the mystery of Danika''s missing cat, Fou-Fou.

When a new kid moves into town, he brings with him a mystery as big as his house! Reggie Armitage the III has found a box with a list of codes and a golden skeleton key--but he has no idea what the key opens or how to crack the code. It''s a good thin

Featuring friendship, school, family, and a diverse community, these early illustrated chapter book Jigsaw Jones Mysteries from James Preller have it all. When a new kid moves into town, he brings with him a mystery as big as his house! Reggie Armitage the III has found a box with a list of codes and a golden skeleton key—but he has no idea what the key opens or how to crack the code. It''s a good thing 2nd-grade sleuths, Jigsaw Jones and Mila Yeh, are investigating The Case of the Golden Key. James Preller''s wry, witty, Jigsaw Jones books are once again available to inspire the next generation of young readers, featuring both new titles and classroom classics!

Is there a bear loose in the woods by Jigsaw Jones'' town? For once this second-grade detective and his partner Mila Yeh might be out of their depth! One way or another, these too young sleuths will get to the bottom of who, or what, is growling and s

Jigsaw and Mila are hired to locate a prized statue of a falcon.

Jigsaw Jones Mystery series #22.