New Releases by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

In these hilarious stories by some of the top authors of middle grade fiction today, each young character is coping with a minor superpower—while also discovering their power to change themselves and their community, find their voice, and celebrate what makes them unique. The kids in these humorous short stories each have a minor superpower they’re learning to live with. One can shape-shift—but only part of her body, and only on Mondays. Another can always tell whether an avocado is perfectly ripe. One can even hear the thoughts of the animals in the pet store! But what these stories are really about is their young protagonists “owning” a power that contributes to their individuality, that allows them to find their place in the world, that shows them a potential they might not have imagined. Because if you really think about it, we all have something special and unique about ourselves that makes us a little bit super. We all have the power to change as an individual, to change our communities for the better, to have a voice and to speak up. These playful, thought-provoking tales from some of today’s top middle grade authors prompt readers to consider what their own superpower might be, and how they can use it. Written by Pablo Cartaya, Nikki Grimes, Leah Henderson, Jarrett Krosoczka, Remy Lai, Kyle Lukoff, Meg Medina, Daniel Nayeri, Linda Sue Park, Mitali Perkins, Pam Muñoz Ryan, Gary D. Schmidt, Brian Young, and Ibi Zoboi; coedited by Leah Henderson and Gary D. Schmidt.

The extraordinary -- and extraordinarily powerful -- follow-up to Hey, Kiddo. When Jarrett J. Krosoczka was in high school, he was part of a program that sent students to be counselors at a camp for seriously ill kids and their families. Going into it, Jarrett was worried: Wouldn''t it be depressing, to be around kids facing such a serious struggle? Wouldn''t it be grim? But instead of the shadow of death, Jarrett found something else at Camp Sunshine: the hope and determination that gets people through the most troubled of times. Not only was he subject to some of the usual rituals that come with being a camp counselor (wilderness challenges, spooky campfire stories, an extremely stinky mascot costume), but he also got a chance to meet some extraordinary kids facing extraordinary circumstances. He learned about the captivity of illness, for sure... but he also learned about the freedom a safe space can bring. Now, in his follow-up to the National Book Award finalist Hey, Kiddo, Jarrett brings readers back to Camp Sunshine so we can meet the campers and fellow counselors who changed the course of his life.

Perfect for fans of Dogman and The Bad Guys, the popular Lunch Lady graphic novels are now in full color for the first time, with two adventures in one book...from the author of National Book Award finalist Hey, Kiddo! Lunch Lady has villains to fight at school and camp in this action-packed book. First, Dee, Terrence, and Hector come face to face with a very special guest on Author Visit Day--but there''s something a little off about the world-famous writer. What evil designs does he have on his agenda? Then, the kids take a sigh of relief and are relaxing at summer camp. What evils could befall them there? Of course, there is the legendary swamp monster. Stories say he haunts the camp at night. But that''s just a legend. Or is it? This new edition includes brand-new, full-color versions of Lunch Lady and the Author Visit Vendetta and Lunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown, as well as all-new exciting materials in the back !

Christina Starspeeder graduates in this 9th volume in the New York Times bestselling series Star Wars: Jedi Academy! The epic conclusion to the Starspeeder saga in this 9th volume of Jedi Academy by Jarrett Krosoczka and Amy Ignatow!As told through a mix of comics, doodles, and journal entries, Christina Starspeeder takes us on a new adventure at the advanced Jedi Academy campus! There are unfamiliar faces and old ones too, but one thing remains the same: Jedi Academy is full of laughs and warm moments that fans and readers discovering the series for the first time will love.

The Christina Starspeeder saga continues in this laugh-out-loud epic froom author Amy Ignatow and illustrator Jarrett Krosoczka on this New York Times bestselling series, Star Wars: Jedi Academy! As told through a mix of comics, doodles, and journal entries, it''s a new year at Jedi Academy! Christina Starspeeder made it through her first year at the advanced Jedi Academy . . . Barely . . . And year two isn''t looking any easier! Christina still apprentices under Jedi Master Skia Ro while enduring the non-stop sass from droid Q-13. But this year, she has to balance her studies with constant travel, accompanying Skia Ro on non-stop trips to new worlds full of cool creatures. And those cool creatures are the start of all Christina''s problems this year.When working on the planet Cholganna, Christina falls in love with a baby nexu - a cat-like creature who''s fluffiness is impossible to resist. But when she sneaks the nexu - named "Fluffernut" - back into the dorms, Christina slowly begins to realize why it''s never a good idea to take wild animals for pets. Fluffernut begins growing and growing - she''ll eventually grow to be 14 feet long and 3 feet tall! Plus, she''s chewing up EVERYTHING in sight. And if that weren''t bad enough, a mysterious bounty hunter seems to be on her trail, trying to steal Fluffernut back. Can Christina escape this jam without getting thrown out of Jedi Academy? Or will this be the end of her Jedi Academy career?

An all-new story arc begins in the New York Times bestselling series, with author Amy Ignatow and illustrator Jarrett Krosoczka in Star Wars: Jedi Academy! Starring Christina Starspeeder! Christina Starspeeder, legendary Padawan and sister to Victor Starspeeder, has graduated from the Jedi Academy at Coruscant. But that doesn''t mean her education is over! Just the opposite. Now Christina is a student at the advanced Jedi Academy at Jedha City. It''s super big, and super stressful. At Coruscant, Christina was top of her class. But at this new school, it seems like everyone is on a different level. To make matters worse, she''s apprenticing under legendary Jedi Skia Ro, whose droid seems to have it out for Christina. Since when did droids come preprogrammed with attitude? Every time Skia Ro gives Christina a task, she manages to screw it up. Can Christina step it up at this new school? Or will she get booted out to the outer rim? Find out in this all-new volume of the New York Times bestselling series Star Wars: Jedi Academy!

The powerful, unforgettable graphic memoir from Jarrett Krosoczka, about growing up with a drug-addicted mother, a missing father, and two unforgettably opinionated grandparents. A National Book Award Finalist! In kindergarten, Jarrett Krosoczka''s teacher asks him to draw his family, with a mommy and a daddy. But Jarrett''s family is much more complicated than that. His mom is an addict, in and out of rehab, and in and out of Jarrett''s life. His father is a mystery -- Jarrett doesn''t know where to find him, or even what his name is. Jarrett lives with his grandparents -- two very loud, very loving, very opinionated people who had thought they were through with raising children until Jarrett came along. Jarrett goes through his childhood trying to make his non-normal life as normal as possible, finding a way to express himself through drawing even as so little is being said to him about what''s going on. Only as a teenager can Jarrett begin to piece together the truth of his family, reckoning with his mother and tracking down his father. Hey, Kiddo is a profoundly important memoir about growing up in a family grappling with addiction, and finding the art that helps you survive.

There''s a new principal at Jedi Academy, and Victor Starspeeder senses a great disturbance in the force! The sixth book in the New York Times bestselling series.

There''s a new principal at Jedi Academy, and Victor Starspeeder senses a great disturbance in the force! The sixth book in the New York Times bestselling series. As told through a mix of comics, doodles, and journal entries, it''s Victor Starspeeder''s third year at Jedi Academy! It''s also his first year EVER without his sister, Christina. Plus, things at Jedi Academy are... weird. After last year''s security breach, Principal Marr has been demoted and replaced with Commander ZC-04, a big, scary droid. There''s a curfew, new regulations, and everyone is on edge. But when Victor and his friends dig a little deeper into the changes at the school, they find that there''s a lot more to this story than the droids want to admit! It''s an all-new, out-of-this-world Jedi Academy adventure as The Principal Strikes Back!

Victor Starspeeder is back in action with more lightsabers, space races, and middle school escapades in the newest volume of the bestselling series "Star Wars: Jedi Academy"! Victor Starspeeder is back at Jedi Academy for year two, but it''s not going the way he''d planned. He was thrilled about Drama Club and hoped to get the lead in this year''s musical... But a new kid got the role! What gives?! Plus, he keeps oversleeping and getting to class late . . . Worst of all, his big sister Christina is getting ready to graduate from Jedi Academy, and there are rumors going around that she''s a Sith! What''s a Padawan to do? In times when he feels more alone than ever, Victor will have to trust the ways of the Force and his friends if he''s going to survive year two in this all-new chapter in the Jedi Academy series.

A comics collection from some of the biggest stars in graphic novels, including Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, and Victoria Jamieson! Calling all kidz! Do you like comics? Do you like laughing till you get sent to the principal?! Don’t punish yourself! Read the next Comics Squad! Leave your troubles behind with this collection of quick and funny stories about many kids’ biggest fear—detention! Sure, detention can be scary or frustrating or just plain boring, but who knew it could also be an adventure? With a disrespectful Greek god, antimatter ooze, bioengineered rats, and a school full of stampeding bulls, it is definitely full of fun! It’s a bust-your-gut-laughing comics anthology with original contributions from the most beloved and bestselling names in graphic novels!

From award-winning author Elissa Brent Weissman comes a collection of quirky, smart, and vulnerable childhood works by some of today’s foremost children’s authors and illustrators—revealing young talent, the storytellers they would one day become, and the creativity they inspire today. Everyone’s story begins somewhere… For Linda Sue Park, it was a trip to the ocean, a brand-new typewriter, and a little creative license. For Jarrett J. Krosoczka, it was a third grade writing assignment that ignited a creative fire in a kid who liked to draw. For Kwame Alexander, it was a loving poem composed for Mother’s Day—and perfected through draft after discarded draft. For others, it was a teacher, a parent, a beloved book, a word of encouragement. It was trying, and failing, and trying again. It was a love of words, and pictures, and stories. Your story is beginning, too. Where will it go?

From the author of National Book Award finalist Hey, Kiddo. From the creator of Punk Farm and the acclaimed Lunch Lady graphic novel series comes a hilarious romp about one little girl’s insistence that she does NOT need a nap. It’s a tale as old as time—naptime, that is. Lucy is not tired, not tired, NOT tired. She is not going to nap today. Lucy is an expert at staying awake. But when running errands with her dad, it’s suddenly way too LOUD. The lights in the store are way too bright. It’s . . . a naptastrophe! With vibrant, charming illustrations and a relatable main character, this hilarious story is the perfect reminder to parents and kids that you only miss out on the fun when you skip your nap! Praise for Punk Farm: “Never have ‘Old MacDonald’ and ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ seemed so hip.” —NPR “Laugh-out-loud funny. . . . Fans will definitely want a return engagement. Rock on!” —Kirkus, starred review

"A New Class" arrives in the fourth episode of Star Wars(R) Jedi Academy! There are some new faces and old, but the amount of laughs and fun is still the same! Victor Starspeeder is psyched to be starting school at the Jedi Academy. His sister, Christina does not share an enthusiasm for Victor''s newfound educational path. She''s horrified that her annoying baby brother will be there to cramp her style.While Victor means well, his excess energy leads him to spend a lot of time in detention with the little, green sage, Yoda. Yoda wants to channel Victor''s talents, so he makes the young Padawan join the drama club. Victor is not pleased. "Learn to control your anger, you must! Successfully manage their emotions, a good Jedi can. Box step and jazz hands ... hee hee ... young Padawan will!"Victor will have to make new friends, get on his sister''s good side, learn to use the force, and hope the year''s drama club performance ("Wookiee Side Story"? "Annie Get Your Lightsaber"?) goes off without a hitch!

From Jarrett J. Krosoczka comes Never Say Narwhal, the final installment in the hilarious, high-action illustrated middle grade series featuring two platypus detectives, perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, and Jarrett''s own Lunch Lady series. Frank Pandini Jr. is the mayor of Kalamazoo City, and everyone is celebrating—everyone except for Zengo, O’Malley, and Cooper, who can’t seem to close a single case. To make matters worse, a mysterious hulking shadow has appeared in waters around KC. Could this spell the end for the Platypus Police Squad?

Calling all kidz! Do you like comics? Do you like laughing till milk comes out of your nose?! Look no further—do we have the book for you! All your favorite comic characters are right here in one book, including the Peanuts gang, Babymouse, and Lunch Lady. This all-star tribute to classic Sunday comics includes eight sidesplitting, action-packed stories about every kid’s favorite subject—LUNCH! Lunchtime can be fun, wild, yummy, or complete chaos! And in this second collection of comics, it is definitely hilarious.

From the author of National Book Award finalist Hey, Kiddo. Lost balloons. Melted ice cream. Babysitters. Life as a kid can be pretty daunting. But don’t let these troubles get you down. With the right attitude, a hurdle can become a hammock and an obstacle can become an opportunity! Veteran picture book creator Jarrett J. Krosoczka teaches kids to look on the bright side of things. With lively illustrations and spot-on humor, It’s Tough to Lose Your Balloon champions resilience and helps children navigate childhood indignities while making them laugh at the same time.

At the end of the day, while Farmer Joe gets ready for bed, his animals tune their instruments to perform in a big concert as a rock band called Punk Farm.

From Jarrett J. Krosoczka comes Last Panda Standing, the third installment in the hilarious, high-action illustrated middle grade series featuring two platypus detectives, perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, and Jarrett''s own Lunch Lady series. The Kalamazoo City mayoral race is heating up, and Frank Pandini Jr. has been threatened by a mysterious assailant. He requests a special Platypus Police Squad protection detail: Detective Rick Zengo. This leaves O''Malley to be partnered up with Jo Cooper, the newest detective on the force. Can Zengo get to the bottom of the attacks—without O''Malley backing him up?

A bust-your-gut-laughing graphic-novel anthology with original contributions from the most beloved names in the genre! * Jennifer Holm & Matthew Holm * Jarrett J. Krosoczka * Dav Pilkey * Dan Santat * Raina Telgemeier * Dave Roman * Ursula Vernon * Eric Wight * Gene Yang * Wowza! Calling all kidz! Do you like comics? Do you like laughing till milk comes out of your nose?! Look no further—do we have the book for you! All your favorite comic creators are right here in this handy-dandy hilarious book! This all-star tribute to classic Sunday comics includes eight sidesplitting, action-packed stories about every kid’s favorite subject—RECESS! With popular characters from Babymouse and Lunch Lady and brand-new soon-to-be favorite characters from superstars including Dav Pilkey! Raina Telgemeier! Gene Yang! and many more! Comics Squad also features Pizza Monsters! Secret ninja clubs! Aliens! Talking desserts! Dinozilla! Death-defying escapes! Bad guys! Good guys! Medium guys! Superheroes! Bullies! Mean girls! Epic battles! True love! Outlandish schemes! Evil plans! Fun! Jokes! Terrible puns! And other surprises that will tickle your funny bone! WARNING: THIS BOOK MAY CAUSE EXCESSIVE LAUGHTER AND POSSIBLE SILLINESS. No assembly required. (Pizzatron 2000 not included.)

Jarrett J. Krosoczka is back with The Ostrich Conspiracy, the second installment in a fast-paced, action-packed, and hilarious middle-grade series featuring two platypus detectives, perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, and Lunch Lady. The opening of the Kalamazoo City Dome—the world''s largest indoor amusement complex—has everyone in the city buzzing, especially because it''s going to be the shooting site for Chase Mercy''s new blockbuster film. But that''s when things start to go haywire. Who would want to sabotage the Dome, and why? Detectives Rick Zengo and Corey O''Malley are on the case!

Peanut Butter and Jellyfish are the best of friends. They swim up. They swim down. They swim all around. Except near Crabby, who never has anything nice to say to them. "You two swim like humans" is the least of his insults. Then one day Crabby is caught in a lobster trap and needs their help! Should they help him? It''s Peanut Butter and Jellyfish to the rescue! Crabby might be afraid of heights . . . but will he be brave enough to apologize? This charming story about friendship, kindness, and building social skills is perfect for preschoolers and kindergarteners.

From the author of National Book Award finalist Hey, Kiddo. Lunch Lady and Betty have been unceremoniously cut from the school budget, and the timing couldn''t be worse—the villains from all nine of her previous adventures are worming their way back into Thompson Brook with a masterfully devious plan. Will the Breakfast Bunch still be able to count on Lunch Lady''s superhero gadgets and abilities to save the school, or are they on their own? Don''t miss Lunch Lady''s swashbuckling finale!

Annie was warned to stay away from the creepy Mongomery mansion.andDid it have spiders?Did it have bats?Was it haunted?Annie was warned . . . but Annie wasn''t scared. Or was she''andand

Who''s that eating a banana? Swinging from the shower curtain? Making faces in the mirror? Why, it looks like a monkey! But not to Mommy. Mommy knows it''s her own monkey boy, and even monkey boys need their sleep. But first, they need to clean up their room and take a bath. Then she''ll read a story. "Good night, Monkey Boy . . . and no more bananas!"

Platypus Police Squad: The Frog Who Croaked is the first in a series of zany, action-packed middle grade mysteries featuring platypus police detectives Rick Zengo and Corey O’Malley. When a call comes in about a crime down at the docks involving a missing schoolteacher and a duffle bag full of illegal fish, Zengo and O’Malley are going to have to learn to set their differences aside if they want to get to the bottom of this. Especially when the clues all point to Frank Pandini Jr., Kallamazoo’s first son and its most powerful, well-respected businessman. Fans of Adam Rex, Jon Scieszka, and Jarrett J. Krosoczka’s own Lunch Lady graphic novels will flip for Jarrett’s series of funny illustrated Platypus Police Squad middle grade novels!

From the author of National Book Award finalist Hey, Kiddo. Max thinks that he would like to be class president. So does Kelly. But there can only be one president! Who will the class elect? Full of laughs and suspense, Max for President is a lively story of good sportsmanship—and a great way for kids to learn a little about elections, too!

From the author of National Book Award finalist Hey, Kiddo. From the author of Good Night, Monkey Boy, the hilarious tale of a haircut gone awry! One day Josh had a big, brown bag idea: to wear a paper bag over his head. He thought it was a good idea. His mother did not. Neither did his bus driver, his teacher, or his soccer coach. What could Josh possibly be hiding? A surprise ending will keep kids giggling–and from taking haircuts into their own hands!

It''s picture day at Thompson Brook, but the students are plagued by a freak acne epidemic. While the Breakfast Bunch scrambles to put their best faces forward, their hifalutin photographer raises Lunch Lady''s eyebrows. She suspects the photographer may have an underhanded plan to break into the world of high fashion that puts the students in danger! Will Lunch Lady be able to storm the runway and stop the vogue rogue without blowing her cover?

From the author of National Book Award finalist Hey, Kiddo. The Breakfast Bunch have joined the mathletes team, and are all set to win the championship trophy for Thompson Brook Elementary School—they only need to beat the defending champs from Willowby Academy. But Lunch Lady notices something strange about the opposing matheletes and their sinister coach. Will she and her sidekick Betty be able to sort out the suspicious competitors before they snatch victory away from the Breakfast Bunch?