New Releases by Jennifer Richard Jacobson

This nonfiction picture book presents a year in the life of a chickadee (the state bird of Maine and Massachusetts) and describes how these birds survive predators, the risk of starvation, and frigid cold winters.

Twig learns that failing doesn''t make you a failure—it just opens up possibilities in the sixth book in the beloved Twig and Turtle chapter book series, perfect for fans of Ivy and Bean and Judy Moody. Sometimes “no” is just the beginning. Lately, Twig’s been having a tough time. Her best friend is too busy to hang out with her. And then she isn’t picked for a special dinner with her favorite pop star. It’s all so unfair! When Dad realizes Twig is feeling low, he tells her a way to take the sting out of rejection. You go out and look for ways to be turned down. The more you do it, the less it hurts. Soon, Twig and her whole family have turned hunting for nos into a fun game. But are some nos just too hard to face? With a focus on perseverance, community, self-discovery, and a little environmental stewardship, this charming story accompanied by warm and inviting black-and-white illustrations throughout, is perfect for developing young readers.

A handy girl business quickly becomes a headache when Twig stretches herself too thin and has to ask her friends for help in the fifth book in the Twig and Turtle chapter book series, perfect for fans of Ivy and Bean and Judy Moody. Inspired by helping out at Sudsy''s, Twig sets up her own business doing odd jobs. Little sister Turtle, Angela, David, and all of Twig''s other friends want to be a part of this new venture, too, but Twig is determined that she wants to do this all on her own. And she''s really good at it! But success can be very tricky, and when Twig overpromises her services to too many people, she doesn''t know where to turn. Her DYI is looking like it''s destined for disaster. Thankfully, a sister and some good friends know the perfect fix for her big problem: some elbow grease and a little teamwork. In the fifth book in the Twig and Turtle chapter book series, themes of entrepreneurship, determination, and teamwork take center stage. Fans of Ivy and Bean and Judy Moody will find this latest installment hard to resist.

When Peyton comes across the victim of a hit-and-run, she knows it’s destiny. But what exactly does fate have in store for her and the boy in the coma? Since her parents divorced, twelve-year-old Peyton has known that to achieve happier outcomes in her life, she’s got to focus on eliminating her flaws—and on making sure her first boyfriend is truly right for her. Guided by her collection of inspirational quotes and her growing list of ideal boyfriend traits, Peyton is convinced that this summer will be the perfect summer, complete with the perfect boyfriend! But when she discovers a boy lying unconscious in the middle of the road, the victim of a hit-and-run, her perfect summer takes a dramatic detour. Determined to find the driver responsible, Peyton divides her time between searching her small town for clues and visiting the comatose (and cute!) boy in the hospital. When he wakes up, will he prove to be her destiny? Or does life have a few more surprises in store? With abundant warmth and gentle humor, Jennifer Richard Jacobson offers a novel about searching for perfect answers—and finding that reality is both messier and far more intriguing than anything you can dream up.

Family, friendship, new school challenges, and a rather large dog problem combine as sisters adjust to their new tiny house life in this charming chapter book series starter from award-winning author Jennifer Richard Jacobson. Perfect for fans of Ivy and Bean and Judy Moody. In a tiny house, 3 shirts + 3 pants = 9 different outfits Eight- and six-year-old sisters Twig and Turtle are excited and curious about their new small town in Colorado. And for their cool, tiny house! Their family is united in living more simply, and not stressing out the Earth''s resources. But the move comes with a major problem: How do you fit a Great Dane in a tiny house? A sweet chapter book series starter with humor and heart, Big Move to a Tiny House is sure to win over fans of Ivy and Bean and Judy Moody.

Friendship woes and a visit from Grandma push Twig to find her voice in the fourth book in the Twig and Turtle chapter book series, perfect for fans of Ivy and Bean and Judy Moody. Speaking up can be super hard. Just when Twig thinks she''s finally found a new best friend, Angela''s former BFF, Effie, comes back to town. And to Twig, Effie is anything but friendly. With Effie hogging the spotlight and Angela''s time, Twig has never felt so alone. And while Twig''s little sister, Turtle, can be a lot of fun to hang out with, she doesn''t replace a best friend. Then Grandma comes to visit, bringing with too much clutter and too many strong opinions for the tiny house, and it all becomes too much. Will Twig be able to find her voice without hurting anyone''s feelings? The fourth book in the Twig and Turtle chapter book series, Make New Friends, But Keep the Old weaves themese of friendshipand finding your voice in a sweet package that fans of Ivy and Bean and Judy Moody will find hard to resist.

Tiny house living leads to big drama as Twig tries to clock reading hours to bring her class a victory in this third installment of the Twig and Turtle series. Perfect for fans of Ivy and Bean and Judy Moody. The tiny house is too loud! Twig''s participating in her school''s read-a-thon, but it''s hard to concentrate with Dad watching TV, and Turtle trying to blow gum bubbles or showing off the tiny house to curious passers-by. And when Twig''s classmate Matteo starts logging more reading time than her, she''s desperate to get back her lead, even if it means staying up way past her bedtime. But when Mom and Dad find out what''s been going on, it''s time to make some changes to the tiny house rules. Can they find a way to make alone time in a family that''s so squished together? Sweet and bright, Quiet Please!, the third book in the Twig and Turtle chapter book series will be loudly cheered by fans of Ivy and Bean and Judy Moody.

A new toy store in town and a present that comes with all kinds of problems cause Twig and Turtle to question rules that don''t always make sense in the second book of the Twig and Turtle chapter book series. Perfect for fans of Ivy and Bean and Judy Moody. Having fun isn''t supposed to be such hard work! In their tiny house, the rule is Twig and Turtle are each allowed to have five toys. With a new toy store opening in town, the rule is creating a big problem--getting a new toy means giving up one they love. But when the girls realize that the owner has very old-fashioned ideas about who should play with what kinds of toys, changing her mind might be the biggest problem of all. The second book in the Twig and Turtle series, Toy Store Trouble tackles real-life challenges with humor and heart, and is a perfect pick for fans of Ivy and Bean and Judy Moody.

Jojo’s ready for her first night all alone in her very own room, but a menagerie of animals have other ideas in this charming and fun picture book. Jojo can’t wait to spend the night in her very own bed in her very own room. She doesn’t care what her big sister Margaret says, she’s NOT afraid and she WON’T be back to the bedroom they used to share. There’s just one problem though—there are intruders in her new room! A lion, a bear, and a very persistent tiger seem to think this is THEIR room, not Jojo’s. Is Margaret right? Is Jojo not quite ready to spend the night on her own? Or can Jojo find a way to show that trespassing tiger just who’s boss in HER room?

When a family buys a house in a struggling town for just one dollar, they’re hoping to start over — but have they traded one set of problems for another? Twelve-year-old Lowen Grover, a budding comic-book artist, is still reeling from the shooting death of his friend Abe when he stumbles across an article about a former mill town giving away homes for just one dollar. It not only seems like the perfect escape from Flintlock and all of the awful memories associated with the city, but an opportunity for his mum to run her very own business. Fortunately, his family is willing to give it a try. But is the Dollar Program too good to be true? The homes are in horrible shape, and the locals are less than welcoming. Will Millville and the dollar house be the answer to the Grovers’ troubles? Or will they find they’ve traded one set of problems for another? From the author of Small as an Elephant and Paper Things comes a heart-tugging novel about guilt and grief, family and friendship, and, above all, community.

Andy Shane and his (know-it-all) friend Dolores Starbuckle have plenty to disagree over — and laugh about — in this four-in-one collection of tales. From insects in the classroom to Halloween pranksters, from the school Culture Fair to the new girl with a basement full of puppies, Andy Shane and his friend Dolores are never lacking for something exciting in these early chapter book stories. This bind-up includes: Andy Shane and the Very Bossy Dolores Starbuckle Andy Shane and the Pumpkin Trick Andy Shane and the Queen of Egypt Andy Shane Is NOT in Love

When pranksters ruin Dolores Starbuckle’s pumpkins, Andy puts his trickiest plan to the test in this humorous tale filled with Halloween fun. Andy Shane does not want to go to Dolores Starbuckle’s birthday party. It’s on the same day as Halloween! Plus, Dolores is always ordering Andy around or squealing over his marble collection. But when Dolores tells Andy that someone is smashing pumpkins in front of her house, the thought of tricking the tricksters is too appealing to resist. Maybe he could scare off the vandals and give Dolores a really great present, all at the same time! Andy Shane returns in a second upbeat tale for early chapter-book readers.

When a new girl comes to Andy''s school, a jealous Dolores thinks he''s in love — but Andy''s thoughts are on a companion of the four-legged kind. On the day Ms. Janice introduces Lark Alice Bell to the class, Dolores is proud to be the new girl''s helper at recess. But Dolores is not so glad to see her friend Andy scribbling LAB inside a heart in his notebook, and she''s downright mad to find out that Lark has visited Andy at home. Luckily, when they all go back to Lark''s house — and take a peek at the squirming puppies in her basement — Dolores figures out what has really been on Andy''s mind all along. In his fourth engaging adventure, Andy Shane learns about the delicate balance of old friends and new, and the special joy of bringing home a dog of his own.

The spirit of giving takes a twisty turn as Andy schemes to give Granny Webb the best present ever--and ends up with a mystery on his hands. (Ages 5-8) It’s Andy Shane and Granny Webb’s unbirthday, and Andy has thought of just the right gift for Granny Webb: a case to hold her beloved binoculars. The only problem is that Andy has no money. But with the help of his friend Dolores Starbuckle, he comes up with the perfect plan--a barn sale! And sure enough, the determined duo sells enough stuff to afford the binoculars case--but now where are the binoculars? The endearing Andy Shane and his enterprising pal Dolores call on their best detective skills in this witty mystery story. But can they solve the case in time for the unbirthday party?

With insight and humor, Jennifer Richard Jacobson explores a common childhood anxiety and finds a quiet way to boost self-esteem, aided by Abby Carter’s expressive illustrations. Andy Shane did not want to be in school. He did not want to be at morning meeting. He did not want to sit up straight on the rug. Andy Shane would much rather be home catching bugs with Granny Webb than sitting in class with the likes of know-it-all Dolores Starbuckle. Any minute, Dolores is likely to shout out, ''Ms. Janice, someone''s not sitting properly!" or "Ms. Janice, someone''s misusing the math materials!" (meaning him, of course). At rhyme time, the words bug and rug get stuck in Andy''s throat while Dolores yells out of turn, "Hullabaloo and Kalamazoo!" "I hate school," he blurts out at the end of the day to Granny Webb, who is sympathetic but firm. But when Granny makes a surprise visit to school with a monarch caterpillar, everyone is mesmerized and Andy remembers how much he knows about insects himself. Even Dolores Starbuckle can’t help but be impressed!

A bicycle-decorating contest provides Andy with a humorous and highly appreciated opportunity to save the hometown parade. There are two things Andy Shane wants more than anything — to win the contest for best-decorated bike in the parade, and . . . to be a hero. He has a great idea for the bike part, although high-strung Dolores is upping the ante with her paper-daisy-covered helmets for her and her cat. But the second goal has Andy stumped, until the parade is in motion and his eagle eyes catch the reason why the drum corps has suddenly thrown the marchers out of whack. Pass the baton to a lovably low-key hero as he saves the day in a new adventure for early chapter-book readers.

"Andy and Dolores tangle as they try to negotiate their bumpy friendship. . . .An upbeat volume for confident beginning readers." — The Horn Book The school Culture Fair is coming up, and Andy Shane has to pick an African country to learn about. Deciding isn’t easy for Andy, so he’s glad when Granny Webb gives him a scarab beetle, which he knows is a symbol of Egypt. But when Andy tries to tell Ms. Janice, Dolores Starbuckle springs up with her gold jewelry and glitter sandals and claims that she is the queen of Egypt. Dolores always gets her way — but this time Andy doesn’t feel like caving in. What will it take for him to share his project with the bossy queen? Fans of the endearing Andy Shane will be happy to see him holding his own in his new early-chapter-book adventure.

When forced to choose between staying with her guardian and being with her big brother, Ari chose her big brother. There’s just one problem—Gage doesn’t actually have a place to live. When Ari’s mother died four years ago, she had two final wishes: that Ari and her older brother, Gage, would stay together always, and that Ari would go to Carter, the middle school for gifted students. So when nineteen-year-old Gage decides he can no longer live with their bossy guardian, Janna, Ari knows she has to go with him. But it’s been two months, and Gage still hasn’t found them an apartment. He and Ari have been “couch surfing,” staying with Gage’s friend in a tiny apartment, crashing with Gage’s girlfriend and two roommates, and if necessary, sneaking into a juvenile shelter to escape the cold Maine nights. But all of this jumping around makes it hard for Ari to keep up with her schoolwork, never mind her friendships, and getting into Carter starts to seem impossible. Will Ari be forced to break one of her promises to Mama? Told in an open, authentic voice, this nuanced story of hiding in plain sight may have readers thinking about homelessness in a whole new way.

Jack’s mom is gone, leaving him all alone on a campsite in Maine. Can he find his way back to Boston before the authorities realize what happened? (Ages 10-14) Ever since Jack can remember, his mom has been unpredictable, sometimes loving and fun, other times caught in a whirlwind of energy and "spinning" wildly until it’s over. But Jack never thought his mom would take off during the night and leave him at a campground in Acadia National Park, with no way to reach her and barely enough money for food. Any other kid would report his mom gone, but Jack knows by now that he needs to figure things out for himself - starting with how to get from the backwoods of Maine to his home in Boston before DSS catches on. With nothing but a small toy elephant to keep him company, Jack begins the long journey south, a journey that will test his wits and his loyalties - and his trust that he may be part of a larger herd after all.

Jocelyn has two boys in her life. And a priest. Gabe has shared fourteen years of growing up next door. He''s "a golden boy, an all-star." Yet now, in the spring of 1975, he''s missing, disappeared on the brink of senior year at Weaver High. The whole town is set to go searching for him. Benny has only been in New Hampshire since January, yet for Joss, he''s the answer to a long-held prayer to be someone in somebody''s eyes. She loves them both. Father Warren--hair turning white and "kind of cool in his black clothes"--is the link between the three of them. Or a wedge. Or a threat. For Joss, the priest holds the power over her sense of self; for Benny, power over his soul; for Gabe, so mysterious and alluring, he holds the power of destiny. In a story shot with suspense, these four characters, and the lives of others they''ve touched in their small town, intermingle with unforgettable force.

Nola wants nothing more than a summer on her own—and a job at an upscale Maine coast resort sounds ideal. She’ll have plenty of beach time between waitressing, some freedom from stresses back home, and the chance to make new friends. Enter Carly, the perfect pal: full of jokes, ideas, energy—and experienced at being away from her mysterious family. But Carly turns out to be much more complicated than the standard summer buddy—her borderline personality can turn on Nola in a flash, and even love becomes a rivalry. As the girls’ instant friendship unhinges by subtle, increasingly powerful turns, the commonplace becomes dramatic—and the outcome unforgettable.

Winnie is worried when her best friends Zoe and Vanessa enroll her in ballet classes with them, since she would rather go to the library and read like they always do. Reprint.

Give 2nd Graders a fun and confidence-building opportunity to learn what they need to know, when they need to know it! With hundreds of questions covering all curriculum areas and a 1- or 2-player game component, kids challenge themselves and each other to hours of brain-building fun. It''s a chance for them to test their memory, prove what they already know, and discover the possibilities of curriculum-connected play.

Give 1st Graders a fun and confidence-building opportunity to learn what they need to know, when they need to know it! With hundreds of questions covering all curriculum areas and a 1- or 2-player game component, kids challenge themselves and each other to hours of brain-building fun. It''s a chance for them to test their memory, prove what they already know, and discover the possibilities of curriculum-connected play.

Give 3rd Graders a fun and confidence-building opportunity to learn what they need to know, when they need to know it! With hundreds of questions covering all curriculum areas and a 1- or 2-player game component, kids challenge themselves and each other to hours of brain-building fun. It''s a chance for them to test their memory, prove what they already know, and discover the possibilities of curriculum-connected play.

It''s oV to camp for Winnie: sunny days of rock climbing, cascading down slippery falls, Xoating in a cool lake--and meeting a fascinating new friend. Winnie can''t remember ever having more fun. But in the midst of the excitement, Winnie discovers how complicated life can get too as she watches one fib tumble mysteriously and rapidly to the next not-so-little lie. Readers will once again find a friend in Winifred Fletcher in this early chapter book, written with authenticity and illustrated with charming line drawings.

When his mother is too busy to play with him, Rafferty Fox sets off to find a new mother, but though others are fun sometimes, he decides that he likes his own mother the best.

Helps parents determine their fifth-grader''s educational progress through a collection of exercises.