Most Popular Books by Johanna Hurwitz

What’s the same about identical twins — and what’s different? Sleepovers, poetry projects, and new haircuts are in play as seven-year-old Arlene and Ilene start coming into their own. Arlene and Ilene love so many things about being identical twins. They like sharing a room, sharing friends, and wearing matching outfits. But they’re in different classes at school, and one twin has a scar that the other one doesn’t. One morning, their friends Monty and Joey point out a new difference that takes the sisters by surprise and gets them thinking: if they are identical twins, why are there differences between them at all? Their tongues must be the same, so why do they like different kinds of ice cream? Why does Arlene wear pink nail polish while Ilene thinks it’s silly? Why is Ilene sleeping soundly when Arlene is awake, wondering how she can be sure that she is Arlene, not Ilene? Revisit the funny, lovable characters from The Two and Only Kelly Twins and take a peek at the wonders — and puzzles — of being an identical twin.

“Hurwitz writes in a tender, positive manner.” — School Library Journal A new sibling is just one of the surprises — some good, some not so much — awaiting Monty in another story for early chapter book readers. In this gently humorous adventure, Monty faces the unpredictable, everyday turns of a first-grader’s life with his usual lovable charm.

Yard sales, ice-skating, and surprise parties are just a few of the things that make fourth grade fun. But Julio and his friends know it’s time to get serious when the class begins preparing for the big statewide test at the end of the year. Just thinking about it is enough to give anybody a stomachache! Julio and his best friend, Lucas, are going to try every superstition in the book to make sure they pass. They’ll wear their underwear inside out, use brand-new pencils, and even—gulp—study. But when test day comes, Julio finds out there are some surprises no one can prepare for! Whether one has read about Julio and Lucas and their other classmates before in class clown and class president or this is the first meeting, here is a story that will strike a familiar chord. With the warmth and realism she is known for, beloved author Johanna Hurwitz brings us the hardships and humor of Julio Sanchez’s fourth-grade year.

Increasingly aware of the differences between her family, who are nonobservant Jews, and their Catholic neighbors, 10-year-old Gerry Flam begins to investigate her heritage.

A shy boy with asthma starts first grade — and comes into his own — in this appealing story for early chapter book readers. Six-year-old Monty doesn’t have a brother, a sister, or a pet. What he does have is asthma, which sometimes makes it hard to breathe and often makes him feel like he’d rather be somebody else. And now that he’s starting first grade, he’s very nervous about being with all those kids he won’t know. Luckily, he loves to read — even really hard books — and has a talent for finding things, from a cocooning caterpillar to classmates who want to be in his very own club. With familiar situations and gentle humor, Johanna Hurwitz follows an endearing character as he discovers that being himself can be pretty great after all.

When a childhood illness leaves her blind and deaf, Helen Keller''s life seems hopeless indeed. But her indomitable will and the help of a devoted teacher empower Helen to triumph over incredible adversity. This amazing true story is finally brought to the beginner reader level.

Chronicles the life of the Swedish storyteller, discussing her unplanned development as an author and the creation of her beloved carrot-topped heroine, Pippi Longstocking.

Ali Baba is back as a fourth grader, still having adventures that only he could have. Who but Ali Baba could find the "real" Santa Claus? Or who could make such an incredible mess simply by staying at home alone for the first time?

A year after her father has left home for good, fifth-grader DeDe helps her mother cope with the realities of life after divorce.

Thirteen-year-old Karen Sossi encounters bad luck when she ignores her schoolwork for cooking and baby-sitting.

Peanut and Butter, the two dogs Aldo gets for his eleventh birthday, create chaos inside the house while his parents are out of town and get accused of tearing up the neighbor''s lawn.

A move to a new town, the birth of a sister, and the death of her rabbi father make 1923 a bittersweet year for eleven-year-old Carrie Levin.

Aldo is working through the summer, trying to earn enough money to pay for the ice cream machine his sister wants for her birthday.

Eight-year-old David Bernstein discovers life is much more exciting when he calls himself Ali Baba Bernstein. Only Ali Baba would have dared to grab the class snail and escape to the boys'' room for his own magic experiment. David would never have invited every David Bernstein in the phone book to his birthday party -- or find himself hailed as a great detective -- or discover adventures and misadventures everywhere he went. But Ali Baba Bernstein does!

Owing to a school project, eight-year-old Aldo decides to give up eating meat.

Now that he''s six, Russell has some very important questions 1. If he has to wear hand-me-downs, shoulden''t bigger kids wear hand-me-ups? 2. If he can''t say bad words, can he make up his own words when he''s angry? 3. If he has to get a report card, isn''t it about time his parents got one, too?

As a composer, conductor, pianist and teacher, Leonard Bernstein managed to fit four lives into one. A nine-time Emmy winner, he composed both serious and popular music, including the well-known Broadway and movie hits, West Side Story and On the Town. C

At fifteen, Emma Meade is old enough for just about anything. Old enough to leave school, old enough to help around the farm, and old enough to notice when handsome Cole Berry takes an interest in her.

More than anything, Teddy wants to do something that his older sister, Nora, has never done. So when neighbor Anita hires Teddy to feed her cat while she''s away, Teddy takes on the task. With his Superman cape, Teddy feels confident he can do a good job. And when the family needs a superduper pet, it''s Teddy to the rescue!

Monty tries to master a magic kit -- and finds some real-life situations tricky -- in this spot-on story about an endearing, utterly relatable first-grader.

Ethan''s not the only one having trouble riding his bike. Look out, Dad!

Fifteen-year-old Elaine suddenly finds her life very interesting, as her family deals with the death of a cat, her little brother gets five dogs for his birthday, and she begins a promising romance.

Now that Elisa''s in second grade, she''s taking charge of whatever comes her way — from a baby-sitter who doesn''t know how to change a diaper to an airplane trip without her parents. Of course, it''s not easy taking charge when your big brother thinks you''re too little and your little brother runs amok! But Elisa is determined to make everything work out in the end. And what better way to celebrate being seven and a half than a day of eating nothing but chocolate. Chocolate cookies, chocolate milk, chocolate bars . . . chocolate and more chocolate, from morning to night. With these delicious new episodes from the whirlwind life of Elisa Michaels, Johanna Hurwitz entertains us once again with a vivid portrayal of family life as seen from four feet tall.

When he and his family move to the suburbs, Aldo has difficulty finding new friends.

Ethan chases a fast cat. Will he catch it?

Monty is mighty enough to take karate in a funny, true-to-life sequel with surefire appeal for early chapter-book readers. (Ages 5-7) Monty Gerald Morris may be small and shy, but he''s a mighty smart kid and an A+ reader. In an endearing follow-up to Mostly Monty, the quiet first-grader continues to come into his own -- playing the part of a tree in a comically miscued school play, sharing his enthusiasm for ants at an outdoor birthday party, even signing up for karate class despite his asthma. Once again, Johanna Hurwitz finds gentle humor in everyday situations and offers a charming portrayal of a likable character many young readers will relate to.

Throughout a series of adventures, ten-year-old David Ali Baba Bernstein spends most of his time thinking about becoming a detective and getting a dog.

Ethan tries to feed the birds, but he is no match for hungry squirrels.

Ethan leaves his lunch on the picnic table. A squirrel, a bird, and some ants eat his lunch. When Ethan returns his lunch is all gone.

A simple story about a young boy at bedtime.

A simple story about a young boy when he is sick.

While vacationing at Bolivia''s house in Ithaca, New York, Rory tries to hide his fear of flying after Bolivia suggests a trip in her uncle''s airplane.

When his owner''s parents let him go in Central Park, a young guinea pig learns to survive in the natural world with the help of a "park-wise" squirrel while trying to find his way back home.

Seven-year-old Russell and his three-year-old sister Elisa have adventures with friends and family in their apartment building.

Fifth-grader Adam Fine thinks that his two llamas will be a hit at the grand reopening of the town''s library.

The adventures of Russell, his family, and friends, as he gets ready to celebrate his sixth birthday.