New Releases by Jordan Sonnenblick

Jesse Dienstag''s favorite sweatshirt says, "The real world isn''t real." That''s the slogan of the vacation-home community in Pennsylvania where his family has always spent every vacation and weekend for as long as he can remember. In the summer of 2019, as Jesse is about to enter his junior year of high school in New York City, he desperately wants to believe the slogan is true. For one thing, the two girls he loves -- equally and desperately -- are in Pennsylvania, and all the stresses and pressures of his daily life and school are in New York. But when his parents stop talking to each other, it gets harder and harder for Jesse to maintain his dream life in Pennsylvania. And when Covid shuts New York City down in March 2020 just days after Jesse’s mother leaves his father, Jesse''s worlds collide.

Sixth grade is the worst... and also the best, as Jordan rides the ups and downs of middle-school life in hilarious fashion. Funny, outrageous things didn’t stop for Jordan Sonnenblick after he left fourth grade. No, in many ways the events detailed to hilarious effect in The Boy Who Failed Show and Tell were but a prelude to sixth grade, a time when Jordan would have to deal with... -- A rival named Jiminy (his real name is Jimmy -- but, hey, he looks like a cricket) -- A stickler English teacher who doesn’t care that all the old, worn copies of Great Expectations smell like puke -- An Evel Knievel obsession -- A first crush on a girl from band -- An assistant principal who brands Jordan a repeat offender... on his first day (If you want to know why, you have to read the book. A tooth is involved.) -- A continued reckoning with both anxiety and asthma -- And more!

An unbelievably hilarous middle-grade true story from bestselling author Jordan Sonnenblick. In a typical school year, every kid has one or two things go wrong. But for Jordan, there''s A LOT going wrong ALL THE TIME. Take this year. Here are some of the thing going wrong: -- His teacher hates him. Like, really hates him. Like, is totally out to get him even when he''s trying to be good, and is willing to fail him on the simplest things, like show and tell. -- He has a slight breathing problem because of his asthma. And breathing is never really an optional activity. -- His pet snake has given birth to way, way, way too many baby snakes, all who need a home. -- He is finding that becoming The World''s Best Drummer in no time whatsoever is maybe not the easiest goal. -- There are bullies ready to stomp him when all he has to defend himself with is a lunchbox. And all this doesn''t even include the freak swing set accident, the fears inside his head, or the funniest class presentation ever. By keeping his cool (some of the time), banging on the drums (a lot), and keeping his sense of humor (all the time), Jordan''s going to try to make it through the year... and grow up to write a book about it!

A troubled boy discovers his inner hero in this hilarious, honest, and inspiring middle-grade novel by the author of Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie. In sixth grade, bad things can happen to good kids. Bullies will find your weakness and jump on it. Teachers will say you did something wrong when really you didn’t mean to do anything wrong. The kids who joke the loudest can drown out the quieter, nicer kids. Maverick wants to change all that. One of the last things his father left him was a toy sheriff''s badge, back when Maverick was little. Now he likes to carry it around to remind him of his dad—and to remind him to make school a better place for everyone . . . even if that’s a hard thing to do, especially when his own home life is falling apart. The Secret Sheriff of Sixth Grade is a story about standing up for yourself—and being a hero at home and in the halls of your school. Praise for The Secret Sheriff of Sixth Grade “A rewarding novel, lit with flashes of irrepressible humor.” —Booklist, starred review “Sonnenblick creates in Maverick an endearing protagonist to root for. Despite daunting obstacles, this terrific boy retains a strong sense of self, a sense of humor, and a big heart that impels him to do what''s right, as when he defends his archnemesis.” —Kirkus Reviews “[A] winning formula . . . a child in crisis, lots of humorous situations and one-liners, and moments of genuine warmth and emotion.” —Horn Book

A girl navigates the chaos of eighth grade while handling a family tragedy in this funny and honest novel by the author of Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie. Claire’s life is a joke . . . but she’s not laughing. While her friends seem to be leaping forward, she''s dancing in the same place. The mean girls at school are living up to their mean name, and there’s a boy, Ryder, who’s just as bad, if not worse. And at home, nobody’s really listening to her—if anything, they seem to be more in on the joke than she is. Then into all of this (not-very-funny-to-Claire) comedy comes something intense and tragic—while her dad is talking to her at the kitchen table, he falls over with a medical emergency. Suddenly the joke has become very serious—and the only way Claire, her family, and her friends are going to get through it is if they can find a way to make it funny again. Praise for Falling Over Sideways “It’s a powerful and profound look at a family coping with unexpected change.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review “Authentic, funny, dramatic, fantastic.” —Kirkus Reviews “[Sonnenblick]does an exceedingly good job developing his adolescent characters . . . I would highly recommend this novel for any collection serving a middle school audience.” —School Library Journal

Rich is fifteen and plays guitar. When his girlfriend asks him to perform at protest rally, he jumps at the chance. Unfortunately, the police show up, and so does Rich''s dad. He''s in big trouble. Again. To make matters worse, this happens near the anniversary of his uncle''s death from a drug overdose years ago. Rich''s dad always gets depressed this time of year, but whenever Rich asks questions about his late uncle, his dad shuts down. Frustrated by his dad''s silence, Rich sneaks into his office and breaks into a locked cabinet that holds his dad''s prized possession: an electric guitar signed by Jimi Hendrix. Before he knows it, Rich is transported to the side of a road in Upstate New York with a beautiful girl bending over him. It will take him a while to realize it''s 1969, he''s at Woodstock, and the girl''s band of friends includes his fifteen-year-old dad and his uncle, who''s still alive. In Are You Experienced? by Jordan Sonnenblick, what Rich learns, who he meets, and what he does could change his life forever.

Jeffrey isn''t a little boy with cancer anymore. He''s a teen who''s in remission, but life still feels fragile. The aftereffects of treatment have left Jeffrey with an inability to be a great student or to walk without limping. His parents still worry about him. His older brother, Steven, lost it and took off to Africa to be in a drumming circle and "find himself." Jeffrey has a little soul searching to do, too, which begins with his escalating anger at Steven, an old friend who is keeping something secret, and a girl who is way out of his league but who thinks he''s cute.

Sometimes life''s greatest accomplishments take place off the field. There''s nothing All Star pitcher Peter Friedman loves more than baseball. He breathes it, dreams it, and works his tail off to be great. Most kids are nervous about starting high school, but when you''re the star athlete, girls, popularity, and all-around stud status are sure to follow.Then a pitching accident over the summer ruins Pete''s arm. If he can''t play baseball in high school, what is he supposed to do? If he isn''t the star pitcher, then who is he? To make matters more complicated, there''s something going on with Pete''s grampa -- he''s acting weird and keeps forgetting important things.The only person Pete can confide in is Angelika, the amazingly cute girl in his photography class who might like Pete as much as he likes her . . . Only, Angie doesn''t know if she can date someone who can''t be honest with himself, or with the people he''s closest to.

After an injury ends former star pitcher Peter Friedman''s athletic dreams, he concentrates on photography which leads him to a girlfriend, new fame as a high school sports photographer, and a deeper relationship with the beloved grandfather who, when he realizes he is becoming senile, gives Pete all of his professional camera gear.

What would you do if your best friend was: 1. Still imaginary (and getting into trouble with other "imaginary" creatures, such as leprechauns. That''s right, leprechauns!!)? 2. In danger of losing his home, and the only forest in your town, the magical Field of Dreams? 3. Driving you crazy?!?! (But in a best-friend type of way . . . ) Now you have an idea of what Willie Ryan''s life is like in the third and final installment of the hilarious Dodger and Me series. Only this time, Dodger''s gone and peeved a band of leprechauns; Willie''s sister, Amy, is missing; and class bully James Beeks''s dad wants to build a housing development in the Field of Dreams. It just might take an oversize blue chimp—who may or may not be imaginary—and his two fifth-grade friends, Willie and Lizzie, to step up as environmental activists and save the woods (and still get their homework done).

Just when you thought you had it all figured out . . . "Alex Peter Gregory, you are a moron!" Laurie slammed her palms down on my desk and stomped her foot. I get a lot of that.One car crash.One measly little car crash. And suddenly, I''m some kind of convicted felon.My parents are getting divorced, my dad is shacking up with my third-grade teacher, I might be in love with a girl who could kill me with one finger, and now I''m sentenced to babysit some insane old guy.What else could possibly go wrong?This is the story of Alex Gregory, his guitar, his best gal pal Laurie, and the friendship of a lifetime that he never would have expected.

From masterfully funny and poignant Jordan Sonnenblick, a story that will have everyone searching for their inner Zen. Meet San Lee, a (sort of) innocent teenager, who moves against his will to a new town. Things get interesting when he (sort of) invents a new past for himself, which makes him incredibly popular. In fact, his whole school starts to (sort of) worship him, just because he (sort of) accidentally gave the impression that he''s a reincarnated mystic.When things start to unravel, San needs to find some real wisdom in a hurry. Can he patch things up with his family, save himself from bodily harm, stop being an outcast, and maybe even get the girl?

A brave and beautiful story that will make readers laugh, and break their hearts at the same time. Now with a special note from the author! Steven has a totally normal life (well, almost).He plays drums in the All-City Jazz Band (whose members call him the Peasant), has a crush on the hottest girl in school (who doesn''t even know he''s alive), and is constantly annoyed by his younger brother, Jeffrey (who is cuter than cute - which is also pretty annoying). But when Jeffrey gets sick, Steven''s world is turned upside down, and he is forced to deal with his brother''s illness, his parents'' attempts to keep the family in one piece, his homework, the band, girls, and Dangerous Pie (yes, you''ll have to read the book to find out what that is!).

More hilarity, more friendship, and more French fries make this second book in the Dodger and Me series a winner!

A boy''s imaginary friend is driving him crazy in Dodger and Me, the first installment of a hilarious new series by acclaimed author Jordan Sonnenblick. What would you do if your best friend was: 1. Imaginary? 2. An oversize blue chimp in surfer shorts? (Potentially embarrassing, but hey, no one else can see him . . . right?) 3. Proposing a plan to help you improve your life? 4. Did we say imaginary? 5. Driving you crazy?!?! Now you have an idea of what Willie Ryan''s life is like when he meets Dodger. It''s the beginning of a lot of trouble—and a friendship you''ll never forget!

When his younger brother is diagnosed with leukemia, thirteen-year-old Steven tries to deal with his complicated emotions, his school life, and his desire to support his family.