New Releases by Jerry Spinelli

Can playing dead bring you back to life? Maybe on Dead Wednesday… On this day the worlds of a shy boy and a gone girl collide, and the connection they make will change them both forever. A brilliant new novel from the Newbery Medal winner and author of the New York Times bestseller Stargirl. "Jerry Spinelli has created another middle grade masterpiece." —BookPage, starred review On Dead Wednesday, every eighth grader in Amber Springs is assigned the name and identity of a teenager who died a preventable death in the past year. The kids don black shirts and for the whole day everyone in town pretends they''re invisible—as if they weren''t even there. The adults think it will make them contemplate their mortality. The kids know it''s a free pass to get away with anything. Worm Tarnauer feels invisible every day. He''s perfectly happy being the unnoticed sidekick of his friend Eddie. So he''s not expecting Dead Wednesday to feel that different. But he didn''t count on being assigned Becca Finch (17, car crash). And he certainly didn''t count on Becca showing up to boss him around! Letting this girl into his head is about to change everything. This is the story of the unexpected, heartbreaking, hilarious, truly epic day when Worm Tarnauer discovers his own life.

This beloved celebration of individuality is now an original movie on Disney+! A modern-day classic and New York Times bestseller from Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli. And don''t miss the author''s highly anticipated new novel, Dead Wednesday! Stargirl. From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of "Stargirl, Stargirl." She captures Leo Borlock'' s heart with just one smile. She sparks a school-spirit revolution with just one cheer. The students of Mica High are enchanted. At first. Then they turn on her. Stargirl is suddenly shunned for everything that makes her different, and Leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her: normal. In this celebration of nonconformity, Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the perils of popularity and the thrill and inspiration of first love. "Spinelli has produced a poetic allegorical tale about the magnificence and rarity of true nonconformity." -- The New York Times

From Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli comes the story of a girl searching for happiness inside the walls of a prison. And don''t miss the author''s highly anticipated new novel, Dead Wednesday! Cammie O''Reilly lives at the Hancock County Prison--not as a prisoner, she''s the warden''s daughter. She spends the mornings hanging out with shoplifters and reformed arsonists in the women''s excercise yard, which gives Cammie a certain cache with her school friends. But even though Cammie''s free to leave the prison, she''s still stuck. And sad, and really mad. Her mother died saving her from harm when she was just a baby. You wouldn''t think you could miss something you never had, but on the eve of her thirteenth birthday, the thing Cammie most wants is a mom. A prison might not be the best place to search for a mother, but Cammie is determined and she''s willing to work with what she''s got. "A tapestry of grief and redemption, woven by a master storyteller ....Moving and memorable." --Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

Jason and Marceline have been friends since the end of seventh grade. Now in ninth grade, Jason''s starting to think that they could be more than friends, and Marceline''s starting to think so, too. But does the beginning of romance mean the end of their friendship?

Without even thinking about it,Mama Seeton puckered her lips and whistled.It was not a loud whistle.Or a fancy whistle. Just a simple two-note whistle. When Mama Seeton whistles, her children run home for chocolate cake, hugs, kisses, and shared memories. But as time passes, they travel farther and farther away from the familiar sound. Can mama''s whistle be heard all over the world, and bring her children home one more time? Newbery Award-winning author Jerry Spinelli''s sweet lyrical text and New York Times bestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham''s charming illustrations show the timeless love between a mother and her children.

Peter Hatcher, a twelve-year-old boy, learns that his mother is going to have a baby and that the whole family will be moving to Princeton for a year. He is worried about starting sixth grade in a strange place and going to the same school as his younger brother, Fudge. But he is a lot more concerned about his new baby sister turning out to be just as big a nuisance as Fudge is now.

Take a look behind the bully in this modern classic from Newbery medalist Jerry Spinelli that packs a punch. And don''t miss the highly anticipated new novel, Dead Wednesday. Cocky seventh-grade super-jock Crash Coogan got his nickname the day he used his first football helmet to knock his cousin Bridget flat on her backside. And he has been running over people ever since, especially Penn Webb, the dweeby, vegetarian Quaker kid who lives down the block. Through the eyes of Crash, readers get a rare glimpse into the life of a bully in this unforgettable and beloved story about stereotypes and the surprises life can bring. "Readers will devour this humorous glimpse of what jocks are made of." --School Library Journal, starred review

Now a seventh grader, Jason finds out the hard way just how different things are where ninth graders are the kings.

Who Put That Hair in My Toothbrush? Sibling rivalry at its finest! Whether it''s on the hockey ice, at school, or at home, Greg and Megin just can''t seem to get along. She calls him Grosso, he calls her Megamouth. They battle with donuts, cockroaches, and hair. Will it take a tragedy for them to realize how much they actually care for each other?

Bertie''s all-girl gang becomes involved in a harmless but heartfelt war with an all-boy gang, until Bertie''s grandmother steps in with a perfect solution.

Read the New York Times bestselling modern-day classic and the companion novel, now available in agift-ready boxed set! A beloved celebration of individuality from Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli. And don''t miss the author''s highly anticipated new novel, Dead Wednesday! Originally published in 2000, Stargirl was instantly embraced and has sold nearly two million copies. With its depiction of a nonconformist with a heart of gold, lyrical writing, and its charming love story, Stargirl quickly asserted itself as a modern classic. Love, Stargirl, the companion novel written from Stargirl''s perspective, was a similarly smashing success in 2007, with over 400,000 hardcover copies sold. Now, both bestselling paperbacks are collected in a handsome new boxed set, the ideal gift for any teen reader, as well as any of the many Stargirl fans looking for a new keepsake edition of this beloved pair of novels.

A Newbery Medal winning modern classic about a racially divided small town and a boy who runs. Jeffrey Lionel "Maniac" Magee might have lived a normal life if a freak accident hadn''t made him an orphan. After living with his unhappy and uptight aunt and uncle for eight years, he decides to run--and not just run away, but run. This is where the myth of Maniac Magee begins, as he changes the lives of a racially divided small town with his amazing and legendary feats.

This ebook collection contains the complete text of Stargirl, Jerry Spinelli''s modern classic for young readers, and its acclaimed follow-up, Love, Stargirl.

The long-awaited prequel to the bestseller FOURTH GRADE RATSGeorge, aka "Suds," has just entered third grade, and he''s heard the rhyme about "first grade babies/second grade cats/third grade angels/fourth grade rats," but what does this mean for his school year? It means that his teacher, Mrs. Simms, will hold a competition every month to see which student deserves to be awarded "the halo" - which student is best-behaved, kindest to others, and, in short, perfect. Suds is determined to be the first to earn the halo, but he''s finding the challenge of always being good to be more stressful than he had anticipated. Does he have to be good even outside of school? (Does he have to be nice to his annoying little sister?) And if Mrs. Simms doesn''t actually see him doing a good deed, does it even count?A warm, funny return to elementary school from master storyteller Spinelli.

A fast, fun, friendship read from the Newbery-award winning author of , Maniac Magee. Fourth graders are tough. They aren''t afraid of spiders. They say no to their moms. They push first graders off the swings. And they never, ever cry.Suds knows that now that he''s in fourth grade, he''s supposed to be a rat. But whenever he tries to act like one, something goes wrong. Can Suds''s friend Joey teach him to toughen up...or will Suds remain a fourth grade wimp?

Beloved Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli, author of Maniac Magee and Wringer, addresses issues of identity, belonging, family, and bullying in this humorous and heartfelt novel about twins. Jake and Lily are twins. Despite their slightly different interests and temperaments, they feel exactly the same—like two halves of one person. But the year they turn eleven, everything changes. Their parents announce it’s time for separate bedrooms. Jake starts hanging out with a pack of boys on the block. And Lily is devastated, not to mention angry. Who is she without Jake? And as her brother falls under the influence of the neighborhood bully, he also must ask himself—who is the real Jake? This is an often funny, poignant, and profound story of growing up, growing apart, and the difficult process of figuring out who you really are.

A stunning novel of the Holocaust from Newbery Medalist, Jerry Spinelli. And don''t miss the author''s highly anticipated new novel, Dead Wednesday! He''s a boy called Jew. Gypsy. Stopthief. Filthy son of Abraham. He''s a boy who lives in the streets of Warsaw. He''s a boy who steals food for himself, and the other orphans. He''s a boy who believes in bread, and mothers, and angels. He''s a boy who wants to be a Nazi, with tall, shiny jackboots of his own-until the day that suddenly makes him change his mind. And when the trains come to empty the Jews from the ghetto of the damned, he''s a boy who realizes it''s safest of all to be nobody. Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli takes us to one of the most devastating settings imaginable-Nazi-occupied Warsaw during World War II-and tells a tale of heartbreak, hope, and survival through the bright eyes of a young Holocaust orphan.

When I grow up, what shall I be? This exuberant book offers up everything from a paper plane folder to a puppy dog holder, from a silly joke teller to a snowball smoother. Newbery-Award winning author Jerry Spinelli''s simple and charming rhymes are accompanied by internationally-renowned illustrator Jimmy Liao''s vibrant and fantastical illustrations. This book is an imaginative joyride about hopes and dreams, and a reminder of all the possibilities life has to offer. So, what do you want to be? Remember--you can be anything!

From renowned Newbery-winning author Jerry Spinelli comes a powerful story about how not fitting in just might lead to an incredible life. This classic book is perfect for fans of Gordon Korman and Carl Hiaasen. Just like other kids, Zinkoff rides his bike, hopes for snow days, and wants to be like his dad when he grows up. But Zinkoff also raises his hand with all the wrong answers, trips over his own feet, and falls down with laughter over a word like "Jabip." Other kids have their own word to describe him, but Zinkoff is too busy to hear it. He doesn''t know he''s not like everyone else. And one winter night, Zinkoff''s differences show that any name can someday become "hero." With some of his finest writing to date and great wit and humor, Jerry Spinelli creates a story about a boy''s individuality surpassing the need to fit in and the genuine importance of failure. As readers follow Zinkoff from first through sixth grade, it becomes impossible not to identify with and root for him through failures and triumphs. The perfect classroom read.

Newbery medalist Jerry Spinelli has penned his early autobiography with all the warmth, humor, and drama of his best-selling fiction. And don''t miss the author''s highly anticipated new novel, Dead Wednesday! "A master of those embarrassing, gloppy, painful, and suddenly wonderful things that happen on the razor''s edge between childhood and full-fledged adolescence" --The Washington Post From first memories through high school, including first kiss, first punch, first trip to the principal''s office, and first humiliating sports experience, this is not merely an account of a highly unusual childhood. Rather, like Spinelli''s fiction, its appeal lies in the accessibility and universality of his life. Entertaining and fast-paced, this is a highly readable memoir-- a must-have for Spinelli fans of all ages.

Crash Coogan is cool. He''s the star of the school football team...and he''s a bully. Penn Webb is small and weedy. Penn Webb hates violence. He''s a ''Peace'' badge-wearing vegetarian...and he wants to try out for the cheerleading team. Crash and Penn are not destined to get along. From the day Penn moves into the neighbourhood, Crash torments him mercilessly. But no humiliation seems to bring Penn down. Could it be that in some way he is actually stronger than Crash?

Nine-year-old David has recently lost his mother to a freak accident, his salesman father is constantly on the road, and he is letting his anger out on his grandmother. Sarcastic and bossy 13-year-old Primrose lives with her childlike, fortuneteller mother, and a framed picture is the only evidence of the father she never knew. Despite their differences, David and Primrose forge a tight yet tumultuous friendship, eventually helping each other deal with what is missing in their lives. This powerful, quirky novel about two very complicated, damaged children has much to say about friendship, loss, and recovery.

Thirteen-year-old Maisie joins her school''s formerly all-male wrestling team and tries to last through the season, despite opposition from other students, her best friend, and her own teammates.

Still moping months after being dumped by her Arizona boyfriend Leo, fifteen-year-old Stargirl, a home-schooled free spirit, writes "the world''s longest letter" to Leo, describing her new life in Pennsylvania.

A young Jewish orphan living in Warsaw changes his mind about his heroes the Nazis when they come to occupy his city.

ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE’S 100 BEST YA BOOKS OF ALL TIME • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A modern-day classic from Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli, this beloved celebration of individuality is now an original movie on Disney+! And don''t miss the author''s highly anticipated new novel, Dead Wednesday! Stargirl. From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of “Stargirl, Stargirl.” She captures Leo Borlock’ s heart with just one smile. She sparks a school-spirit revolution with just one cheer. The students of Mica High are enchanted. At first. Then they turn on her. Stargirl is suddenly shunned for everything that makes her different, and Leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her: normal. In this celebration of nonconformity, Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the perils of popularity and the thrill and inspiration of first love. Don’t miss the sequel, Love, Stargirl, as well as The Warden’s Daughter, a novel about another girl who can''t help but stand out. “Spinelli is a poet of the prepubescent. . . . No writer guides his young characters, and his readers, past these pitfalls and challenges and toward their futures with more compassion.” —The New York Times

Ever since her family moved to Aunt Sally''s farm, Tooter''s known that farm life is definitely not for her. There''s no pizzeria for miles, her nearest neighbor is a dumb boy, and even her own pet chicken hates her! So Tooter decides to show everyone what she''s made of by winning the blue ribbon at the County Fair''s goat show. Now all she has to do is keep her little brother--and his paint brush--away from her prize goat!

The lives of four young people in different circumstances are changed by their encounters with books. Four humorous, poignant stories about how books changed the lives of several youngsters.

While Sunny takes karate lessons in order to learn how to defend herself, Eddie tries to bulk up his body so he will no longer be the skinniest kid in the school. Original.