New Releases by Jeff Gottesfeld

Jeff Gottesfeld is the author of Fight for the Right to Read (2025), The Code (2024), Food for Hope (2023), The Magic Phone (2022), Grave Mistake (2022).

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Fight for the Right to Read

release date: Sep 09, 2025
Fight for the Right to Read
Award-winning author Jeff Gottesfeld introduces us to another important historical figure who deserves to be better known. #OwnVoices co-writer Michelle Y. Green and illustrator Kim Holt bring vibrant life to the story of Wilbert Tucker who grew up in the segregated South and became a lawyer who loved to read. In 1939, he organized a sit-down-in-the-library protest to fight for the right to read along with the rest of the public. It took many court cases and years of fighting, but Tucker fought with words and conviction until everyone could sit and read in the public library.

The Code

release date: Feb 09, 2024
The Code
Themes: Bullying, Tattling, Being an Outcast, Friendship, Cheating, Morals, Ethics. Chris and others are tormented by the school bully, Phil. But no one speaks up because of “the code.” That’s until Chris decides it is time for a change. This series of short 60- to 70-page novels was designed to engage a broad spectrum of striving readers. No longer will upper-elementary students have to read material junior to their maturity and interests. Characters are age appropriate and come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Science fiction, sports, paranormal, realistic life, historical fiction, and fantasy are just a few of the many genres. Books are no higher than a 1.5 reading level, with illustrations on every spread that support visual literacy and draw kids into the text. Red Rhino Books maintain consistency in design and readability throughout each novel, making reading enjoyable and achievable.

Food for Hope

release date: May 02, 2023
Food for Hope
Hunger continues to be an international problem. This true story of how one ordinary person did something extraordinary shows how everyone can do something to make a difference. Readers will feel encouraged to find their own way to make a difference. Real life experience plus social justice interests combine into a powerful solution, filling empty bellies with nourishing food, all without costing a lot of money. Recycling meets hunger in John van Hengel''s ingenious, yet obvious solution to both food waste and widespread hunger.

The Magic Phone

release date: Nov 30, 2022
The Magic Phone
Themes: Friendship, Loyalty, Acceptance, Fiction, Tween. Liv is someone who is careful with money. She plans, saves up, and purchases a phone she has wanted for years. All of her dedication and hard work then pay off in ways she never thought they would. This series of short novels was designed to engage a broad spectrum of struggling readers. No longer will upper-elementary students have to read material junior to their maturity and interests. Characters are age appropriate and come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Science fiction, sports, paranormal, realistic life, historical fiction, and fantasy are just a few of the many genres. Books are no higher than a 1.5 reading level, with illustrations on every spread that support visual literacy and draw kids into the text. Each book is around 70 pages.

Grave Mistake

release date: Mar 29, 2022
Grave Mistake
Sam and Logan are best friends. But sometimes Logan likes to have fun in ways that Sam doesn''t. When Sam decides to join Logan to explore a graveyard, he later comes to regret his choice.

The Vote

release date: Mar 29, 2022
The Vote
Themes: friendship, popularity, student politics, competition, disagreements, rejection, acceptance, loyalty. Rae and Kia are best friends starting sixth grade at a new school. But when they both decide to run for student council, things get complicated. Will this mean the end of their friendship? This series of short 60- to 70-page novels was designed to engage a broad spectrum of striving readers. No longer will upper-elementary students have to read material junior to their maturity and interests. Characters are age appropriate and come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Science fiction, sports, paranormal, realistic life, historical fiction, and fantasy are just a few of the many genres. Books are no higher than a 1.5 reading level, with illustrations on every spread that support visual literacy and draw kids into the text. Red Rhino Books® maintain consistency in design and readability throughout each novel, making reading enjoyable and achievable.

Standing by Emma

release date: Oct 01, 2021
Standing by Emma
Themes: Friendship, Physical Handicap, Fiction, Tween, Emergent Reader, Chapter Book, Hi-Lo, Hi-Lo Books, Hi-Lo Solutions, High-Low Books, Hi-Low Books, ELL, EL, ESL, Struggling Learner, Struggling Reader, Special Education, SPED, Newcomers, Reading, Learning, Education, Educational, Educational Books. BFFs Danya and Emma are known around school as "Demma." The girls are total opposites, but they know each other so well that they finish each other''s sentences. Danya is plagued with guilt when the girls and Rosie, Emma''s mom, are involved in a terrible car accident that leaves Emma in a wheelchair. Danya believes the wreck was her fault because she distracted Rosie from the road and had to be scolded. For a while, Emma believes it too. And she can''t forgive her friend. This series of short novels was designed to engage a broad spectrum of struggling readers. No longer will upper-elementary students have to read material junior to their maturity and interests. Characters are age appropriate and come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Science ficion, sports, paranormal, realistic life, historical fiction, and fantasy are just a few of the many genres. Books are no higher than a 1.5 reading level, with illustrations on every spread that support visual literacy and draw kids into the text. Each book is around 70 pages.

The Christmas Mitzvah

release date: Sep 07, 2021
The Christmas Mitzvah
Al Rosen starts to do favors for his Christian friends and neighbors on Christmas eve and day, starting a tradition of the Christmas Mitzvah, a kind deed that helps out others.

Standing By Emma

release date: Aug 24, 2021
Standing By Emma
BFFs Danya and Emma are known around school as ÒDemma.Ó The girls are inseparable, even though theyÕre total opposites. When a terrible car accident leaves Emma in a wheelchair, Danya is plagued with guilt. She believes the wreck was her fault. Emma believes it too, and she may never be able to forgive her friend.

Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

release date: Feb 12, 2021
Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
With every step, the Tomb Guards pay homage to America’s fallen. Discover their story, and that of the unknown soldiers they honor, through resonant words and illustrations. Keeping vigil at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in Arlington National Cemetery, are the sentinel guards, whose every step, every turn, honors and remembers America’s fallen. They protect fellow soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, making sure they are never alone. To stand there—with absolute precision, in every type of weather, at every moment of the day, one in a line uninterrupted since midnight July 2, 1937—is the ultimate privilege and the most difficult post to earn in the army. Everything these men and women do is in service to the Unknowns. Their standard is perfection. Exactly how the unnamed men came to be entombed at Arlington, and exactly how their fellow soldiers have come to keep vigil over them, is a sobering and powerful tale, told by Jeff Gottesfeld and luminously illustrated by Matt Tavares—a tale that honors the soldiers who honor the fallen.

No Steps Behind

release date: Jan 01, 2020
No Steps Behind
"Her parents moved her from Austria to Tokyo, Japan before she started school. They were all rendered stateless when Nazi Germany and Austria stripped Jews of their citizenship. She graduated high school fluent in Japanese plus four other languages and went to college in America at age 15. Cut off from her parents by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and America''s entry into World War II, she went years not knowing if they were alive. She returned to post-war Japan as an interpreter, found her parents, and wrote the fateful words that make her a storied feminist hero in that nation even today. As Justice Sonia Sotomayor said about Beate Sirota Gordon, ''It is a rare life treat for a Supreme Court Justice to get to meet a framer of a Constitution. It is rarer indeed for that framer to have been a woman''"--

Party of Four

release date: Jun 18, 2018
Party of Four
Themes: friendship, summer camp, writing, stage fright, prejudice, learning life lessons. Ava is ready for a fun summer of helping out at day camp. But she''s not a fan of all the other helpers. Will a new friend help to change her perspective? This series of short 60- to 70-page novels was designed to engage a broad spectrum of striving readers. No longer will upper-elementary students have to read material junior to their maturity and interests. Characters are age appropriate and come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Science fiction, sports, paranormal, realistic life, historical fiction, and fantasy are just a few of the many genres. Books are no higher than a 1.5 reading level, with illustrations on every spread that support visual literacy and draw kids into the text. Red Rhino Books® maintain consistency in design and readability throughout each novel, making reading enjoyable and achievable.

Going Viral

release date: Jun 15, 2018
Going Viral
Themes: Hi-Lo, Fiction, Chapter Books, Social Media, Popularity Annie and Erin were besties who loved YouTube kid star Cory Mall. Could the girls make a video that would go viral? They wanted to try. Their first attempt was goofy, but it worked! The girls got a lot of views. When other friends joined them, their next video was even better. Then TV host Big Don got involved. Were they ready to be superstars? Hi-Lo Chapter Books for Children. This series of short novels was designed to engage a broad spectrum of struggling readers. No longer will upper-elementary students have to read material junior to their maturity and interests. Characters are age appropriate and come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Science fiction, sports, paranormal, realistic life, historical fiction, and fantasy are just a few of the many genres. Books are no higher than a 1.5 reading level, with illustrations on every spread that support visual literacy and draw kids into the text. ¾

Destiny's Dog

release date: Jun 01, 2018
Destiny's Dog
Themes: Family, Keeping Secrets, Fiction, Tween, Emergent Reader, Chapter Book, Hi-Lo, Hi-Lo Books, Hi-Lo Solutions, High-Low Books, Hi-Low Books, ELL, EL, ESL, Struggling Learner, Struggling Reader, Special Education, SPED, Newcomers, Reading, Learning, Education, Educational, Educational Books. Destiny has wanted a dog for a very long time, but her mom always sends her to her dad, who says no every time. Why does he say no? She can''t figure it out, and he won''t give a reason. After her uncle Jake helps her with a school report, she decides to ask for his help again. Can her father''s brother convince him to let her have a dog, or will he come up with a game plan? Hi-Lo Chapter Books for Children. This series of short novels was designed to engage a broad spectrum of struggling readers. No longer will upper-elementary students have to read material junior to their maturity and interests. Characters are age appropriate and come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Science fiction, sports, paranormal, realistic life, historical fiction, and fantasy are just a few of the many genres. Books are no higher than a 1.5 reading level, with illustrations on every spread that support visual literacy and draw kids into the text.

Anne Frank und der Baum

release date: Feb 22, 2018

A árvore no quintal

release date: Jan 31, 2017
A árvore no quintal
" O livro que introduz a delicada história de Anne Frank para o público infantil A árvore da Prinsengracht, 263 observava enquanto a menina brincava e escrevia em seu diário. Quando estranhos invadiram Amsterdã e aviões roncavam acima das cabeças, a árvore via a menina afastar as cortinas do anexo da fábrica do pai para espiá-la. A árvore também viu a menina ser levada dali com sua família – e o seu pai retornar depois da guerra, sozinho. No verão em que Anne Frank completaria oitenta e um anos, a árvore morreu. Mas suas sementes e mudas foram plantadas pelo mundo afora, como símbolo da paz. "

Blackout

release date: Jul 19, 2016
Blackout
Themes: friendship, technology. Ellie and her friend Kate get to spend time with Ellie''s grandparents at their beach cottage. It''s their first trip without their parents. The girls are excited and share everything on social media. But then a solar storm knocks out power to the entire state. People have to learn to live without electricity, running water, or technology. Will the girls be bored to tears?

Under the Stairs

release date: Jul 16, 2016
Under the Stairs
Themes: Trust, Monsters, Mystery, Friendship, Horror, Fiction, Tween, Emergent Reader, Chapter Book, Hi-Lo, Hi-Lo Books, Hi-Lo Solutions, High-Low Books, Hi-Low Books, ELL, EL, ESL, Struggling Learner, Struggling Reader, Special Education, SPED, Newcomers, Reading, Learning, Education, Educational, Educational Books. Diego''s dad buys an old house to flip, previous owners all murdered, Diego''s friends find something gross in the basement. White Lightning Books addresses a wide variety of themes and interests in a narrow range of reading levels, no higher than a 2.5. Students who struggle to read will often not recover from low reading achievement in elementary school if their particular interests are not addressed. Encouragement and finding the theme to u0096hooku0094 them is key. These are not YA or elementary booksu0084a fact younger teens will appreciate. Each book is approximately 100 pages with covers that will appeal to young teen readers. The titles in the White Lightning series are designed in a similar style. Students will know what to expect when they pick up a book: a fast-paced story, mature and age-appropriate topics, short chapters, and achievable reading success.

The Tree in the Courtyard: Looking Through Anne Frank's Window

release date: Mar 08, 2016
The Tree in the Courtyard: Looking Through Anne Frank's Window
A New York Times Best Illustrated Children''s Book A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids, 2016 Told from the perspective of the tree outside Anne Frank''s window—and illustrated by a Caldecott Honor artist—this book introduces her story in a gentle and incredibly powerful way to a young audience. The tree in the courtyard was a horse chestnut. Her leaves were green stars; her flowers foaming cones of white and pink. Seagulls flocked to her shade. She spread roots and reached skyward in peace. The tree watched a little girl, who played and laughed and wrote in a diary. When strangers invaded the city and warplanes roared overhead, the tree watched the girl peek out of the curtained window of the annex. It watched as she and her family were taken away—and when her father returned after the war, alone. The tree died the summer Anne Frank would have turned eighty-one, but its seeds and saplings have been planted around the world as a symbol of peace. Its story, and Anne’s story, are beautifully told and illustrated in this powerful picture book.

The World's Strongest Librarian

release date: Jan 01, 2016
The World's Strongest Librarian
A play about the power of books, muscles and human kindness. Josh (or Jo, since almost any role can be cast as male or female) is the children''s librarian at a poor public library facing a huge budget crisis. He''s also a power lifter, pumping iron in the library basement and running a video blog about young adult and children''s books, weights and life. Kids flock to his unconventional story time and check out books by the dozens. All but one kid, that is - a loner named Mr. T (or Ms. T), who has the loud tics of Tourette syndrome. Slowly, Josh and Mr. T form a friendship, and Mr. T finally ventures to Josh''s basement gym, where a friendship is born. The stakes go up when the town says the library needs to close for monetary reasons. This hits Josh and the kids hard and leads to them staging a ''60s-inspired Read-In rather than letting their library be shut down. At the play''s end, a Sixth Sense-like ending reveals the true identity of Mr. T. The World''s Strongest Librarian will get kids pumped up to read, to work themselves into shape and especially to be kind to others.

World's Ugliest Dog

release date: Aug 01, 2015
World's Ugliest Dog
Tana has wanted a dog for years. Her parents have finally agreed. She loves her shelter dog, Storm. He’s smart and loving. But wow, he is an ugly dog. That doesn’t matter to Tana. Storm gives her more responsibility. When she enters him in an ugly dog contest, she learns about friendship, loyalty, and heroism. Hi-Lo Chapter Books for Children. This series of short novels was designed to engage a broad spectrum of struggling readers. No longer will upper-elementary students have to read material junior to their maturity and interests. Characters are age appropriate and come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Science fiction, sports, paranormal, realistic life, historical fiction, and fantasy are just a few of the many genres. Books are no higher than a 1.5 reading level, with illustrations on every spread that support visual literacy and draw kids into the text.

Starstruck

release date: Jul 15, 2015
Starstruck
The 5,000th caller on fraternal twins Ned and David’s favorite reality show, Ryan’s World, will get to spend an entire week with extreme sports superstar Ryan Wilson. Ned and David both dial and redial. Will they win? It doesn’t seem likely. But they do! Ryan will spend the entire week with the sixth graders. And stay in their home! But TV Ryan is not the same as real-life Ryan. Hi-Lo Chapter Books for Children. This series of short novels was designed to engage a broad spectrum of struggling readers. No longer will upper-elementary students have to read material junior to their maturity and interests. Characters are age appropriate and come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Science fiction, sports, paranormal, realistic life, historical fiction, and fantasy are just a few of the many genres. Books are no higher than a 1.5 reading level, with illustrations on every spread that support visual literacy and draw kids into the text.

Too Many Dogs

release date: Apr 15, 2015
Too Many Dogs
Eva and Carmen want spending money for ice cream at Chill. They want to treat their friends. They want to do more things with their free time than the money they get from their parents allows. But their parents tell them to think of a way to earn it themselves, because they won’t waste their cash on extras. So the girls come up with a plan to make extra cash over the summer. But they don’t realize how hard having a job can be. Hi-Lo Chapter Books for Children. This series of short novels was designed to engage a broad spectrum of struggling readers. No longer will upper-elementary students have to read material junior to their maturity and interests. Characters are age appropriate and come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Science fiction, sports, paranormal, realistic life, historical fiction, and fantasy are just a few of the many genres. Books are no higher than a 1.5 reading level, with illustrations on every spread that support visual literacy and draw kids into the text.

Little Miss Miss

release date: Apr 15, 2015
Little Miss Miss
Tracy decides to enter the Little Miss Miss pageant when she hears the winner will get a free trip to Washington, D.C. Her best friend, Liza, decides to keep her company. And their new camp counselor, beauty queen and college student Ashley, will be their coach. They are in it to win it. Then they meet pageant pro Jordi and her super mean mom. Hi-Lo Chapter Books for Children. This series of short novels was designed to engage a broad spectrum of struggling readers. No longer will upper-elementary students have to read material junior to their maturity and interests. Characters are age appropriate and come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Science fiction, sports, paranormal, realistic life, historical fiction, and fantasy are just a few of the many genres. Books are no higher than a 1.5 reading level, with illustrations on every spread that support visual literacy and draw kids into the text.

Fight School

release date: Dec 12, 2014
Fight School
Tommy loves MMA. He and his friend Ben are the best at Stars MMA Fight School. They both compete to represent the fight school at a MMA competition in the city. As usual, Tommy chokes. Ben is the winner, even though Tommy is the better fighter. But Ben breaks his leg, and Tommy has to learn to tune out and focus to win.

Showdown on the Strip

release date: Oct 01, 2014
Showdown on the Strip
Las Vegas is the city of lady luck. And teen heiress Alana Skye is living the life, thanks to her billionaire dad. But money comes with strings attached. Failure is not an option. Kaylee Ryan was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth. But she has nerve and imagination. Just what this new Vegas transplant needs to make it big. Alana: Some say that New York City is the city that never sleeps. They say wrong. The city that really never sleeps is Las Vegas, Nevada. Or Sin City. And teen heiress Alana Skye is living the life, thanks to her billionaire dad. But her dad’s expectations are high since he’s put her in charge of a new teen venture. Will she prove that the apple doesn’t far fall from the tree? Or will she fall flat on her face?

Independence Day

release date: Oct 01, 2014
Independence Day
Las Vegas is the city of lady luck. And teen heiress Alana Skye is living the life, thanks to her billionaire dad. But money comes with strings attached. Failure is not an option. Kaylee Ryan was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth. But she has nerve and imagination. Just what this new Vegas transplant needs to make it big. Alana: Some say that New York City is the city that never sleeps. They say wrong. The city that really never sleeps is Las Vegas, Nevada. Or Sin City. And teen heiress Alana Skye is living the life, thanks to her billionaire dad. But her dad’s expectations are high since he’s put her in charge of a new teen venture. Will she prove that the apple doesn’t far fall from the tree? Or will she fall flat on her face?

Wedding Bell Blues

release date: Jul 25, 2014
Wedding Bell Blues
Las Vegas is the city of lady luck. And teen heiress Alana Skye is living the life, thanks to her billionaire dad. But money comes with strings attached. Failure is not an option. Kaylee Ryan was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth. But she has nerve and imagination. Just what this new Vegas transplant needs to make it big. Alana: Some say that New York City is the city that never sleeps. They say wrong. The city that really never sleeps is Las Vegas, Nevada. Or Sin City. And teen heiress Alana Skye is living the life, thanks to her billionaire dad. But her dad’s expectations are high since he’s put her in charge of a new teen venture. Will she prove that the apple doesn’t far fall from the tree? Or will she fall flat on her face?

Stripped

release date: Jul 07, 2014
Stripped
Teen flip-book series featuring two different stories. Want a different point of view? Simply flip the book! Las Vegas is the city of lady luck. And teen heiress Alana Skye is living the life, thanks to her billionaire dad. But money comes with strings attached. Failure is not an option. Kaylee Ryan was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth. But she has nerve and imagination. Just what this new Vegas transplant needs to make it big. Alana: Some say that New York City is the city that never sleeps. They say wrong. The city that really never sleeps is Las Vegas, Nevada. Or Sin City. And teen heiress Alana Skye is living the life, thanks to her billionaire dad. But her dad’s expectations are high since he’s put her in charge of a new teen venture. Will she prove that the apple doesn’t far fall from the tree? Or will she fall flat on her face? Kaylee: Kaylee Ryan was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Her dad is in prison. And after her mom’s death, things go from bad to worse. A high school dropout. Friendless. Homeless. Unemployed. But she’s made of tough stuff. And a new teen project opening in Las Vegas is having a job fair. Making her way from L.A. to Vegas is the easy part. The hard part is landing the job. Until lady luck bumps into her. Reading Level 4.0. Interest Level: Young Adult.

Meet Kaylee/Meet Alana

release date: Jul 07, 2014
Meet Kaylee/Meet Alana
Two stories about Las Vegas, including "Meet Kaylee," in which Kaylee Ryan, who comes from a poor background, lands a dream job as an assistant to Las Vegas heiress Alana Skye and uses her drive and imagination to prove that she can overcome any obstacle.
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