New Releases by Peg Kehret

Sixth-grader Emmy and her classmates start a secret community service project to help a hungry family, but soon Emmy finds herself involved in a home burglary ring operated by the family''s neighbor.

A moving memoir from an award-winning author A mother cat and her kittens, shot with a pellet gun. A poacher illegally stalking a bear. Peg Kehret tells these true stories and more as she invites readers into her life on a small wildlife sanctuary. Vividly showing the joys of animal rescue while providing facts about the animals and birds she encounters, Kehret also shares the tragedy of her husband''s sudden death, and the pain of losing Pete, the shelter cat who co-authored three of her books. Written with honesty, heart, and humor, Animals Welcome is a personal glimpse into the life of an author who loves animals, and the philosophy by which she lives.

Each day, Rusty feeds a dog that''s left chained in the frigid weather with no shelter and no food or water. When he realizes that the dog''s been injured, Rusty and his friend Andrew unchain the dog and take it. Are they stealing, or are they rescuing a dog in need? With the dog living in their secret hideout, the boys face multiple challenges, including a mysterious ghost dog that tries to lead them to a startling secret, Andrew''s snoopy sister, and the escalating threats of the dog''s abusive owner. The fast-paced suspense builds to a surprising conclusion, which will leave young readers cheering for Rusty''s compassion and determination.

Thirteen-year-old Sunny runs away from her current foster parent in search of her twin sister, from whom she was separated ten years earlier. On the way, she''ll face a tornado, bullies, and a stray dog- and the fact that her sister may not be who Sunny hoped she would be.

Bone Breath to the rescue! Bone Breath is now called Dr. Dog! Rosie Saunders'' pet has become Oakwood Nursing Center''s favorite visitor. But one day when Rosie and her friend Kayo Benton are making a "pet therapy" visit to Oakwood, old Mr. Winters rambles on about "the mustache man" with a gun. They pay no attention...until the night''s news. A man in the house across from Oakwood has been shot -- and senile Mr. Winter is the only witness! The next day he''s missing. Rosie and Kayo race to find him. But suddenly, they''re prisoners themselves!

In this addition to the Iowa Children’s Choice Award nominated series, Warren and Betsy travel back to the Johnstown Flood of 1889 to save a survivor’s young sister and help fulfill her dreams. Warren Spalding and Betsy Tyler have been assigned to do a paper on the Johnstown Flood of May 31, 1889. This time they’ve decided not to use the Instant Commuter time-travel device… It''s just too dangerous. After all, they nearly died on two previous assignments. Instead, they interview ninety-five-year-old Doc Keaton, whose parents survived the flood. But when they learn that Doc still mourns his little sister who died, Warren and Betsy secretly agree to travel back to 1889 to find eight-year-old Anna and save any lives they can.

Mountain terror! Rosie Saunders and Kayo Benton were in the woods, watching bald eagles through their binoculars, when they saw the red-jacketed man climbing below the nest. Suddenly he reached up, snatched an eaglet and scrambled down the mountain as two eagles screamed above. Rosie and Kayo rushed from their hiding place, desperate to follow the poacher and free the endangered eaglet. But soon they were lost in the dense wilderness of the Cascade Mountains -- tired, thirsty, and scared. That''s when they saw the cabin filled with stuffed birds -- and the poacher, who vowed to stop them in their tracks...

A new Pete the Cat mystery in paperback for the first time! Alex and his friends witness a pig falling from a speeding red truck. Working with the police and an animal rescue group, the kids get permission to keep the pig. But after a local TV station runs a story about the rescue, the angry truck driver shows up at Alex''s house, determined to take the pig to slaughter. Who is this man? What is he hiding? Pete uses his skills to solve the mystery but, as usual, his humans don''t understand. When the dangerous situation turns deadly, can Pete save himself?

If there’s a mystery to be solved, Pete’s your man. Er, your cat. Pete’s a cat, specifically, Alex’s cat. And since Alex and his family moved into a new housing development, Pete is Alex’s only friend. Things start looking up for Alex when Rocky moves in next door. But Rocky isn’t very friendly, and Alex starts to suspect he’s hiding something. And when the neighborhood is terrorized by a rash of fires and vandalism, Pete knows that he’s got to investigate.

Pete the Cat''s second adventure is full of wild antics and mystery-solving fun! A series of burglaries in their quiet community upsets Alex''s family, particularly his younger brother Benjie. What would they do if their house were robbed? Pete is confident that he can protect his family, but that doesn''t stop the burglars from trying! Luckily, the bad guys are no match for the very protective family cat and Benjie''s "spy" skills.

A suspenseful thriller about a young babysitter who uses her wits and a big dose of courage as she attempts to save herself and the toddler in her care from kidnappers.

What Josh thought would be the dullest summer of his life, spent with his eccentric great-aunt, turns chilling when he meets the ghost of a coal miner killed in a mine explosion. Willie has been waiting years for some kind soul to dig up his leg and rebury it with the rest of him—only then will he be at peace. Josh agrees to do the grisly deed, but when he digs in the old cemetery, he finds more than Willie’s leg bones! Who buried the box of cash in the grave, and why? How far will that person go to get the money back? The Ghost’s Grave is a deliciously spooky adventure from a master of suspense.

A thought-provoking new collection of monologues by best-selling author Peg Kehret! Each monologue creates a moment of recognition that makes both the performer and the audience smile -- and think! Most are structured to provide insights of discovery to reveal who we are and why. Every young actor performing one of these monologues will recount a memorable event that opened the way to maturity. But there''s more than just provocative thoughts in this collection -- many of the monologues can be performed for laughter alone. All monologues are easily adaptable for boys or girls. Sample titles include: ''I Need a Cell Phone'', ''Toto Tells the Truth about Oz'', ''The Day I Was a Dog'', ''Remembering Little Rock'', ''The Four-Part Plan for a New Me'', ''Taking the SAT'' and ''How to Be Proactive in Maths''.

Matt is missing. Bonnie''s brother left his classroom to use thebathroom —and disappeared. A police dog traces his scent to the curb, where he apparently got into a vehicle. But why would Matt go anywhere with a stranger? Overwhelmed with fear, Bonnie discovers that her dog is gone, too. Was Pookie used as a lure for Matt? Bonnie makes one big mistake in her attempt to find her brother. In a chilling climax on a Washington State ferry, Bonnie and Matt must outsmart their abductor or pay with their lives.

Kyle thought a family vacation on the coast would be great . . . until the evening his parents leave him in charge of his younger sister, BeeBee, and an earthquake starts a fire in their hotel! As they flee, a giant tsunami wave crashes over the hotel and the town, charging up the hillside where the children are running for their lives.(AR) For ages 8-12.Available only in Middle Reader 3.

Ellen and Corey Streater from Terror at the Zoo and Horror at the Haunted House continue their adventures at a county fair. While chasing a pickpocket, Corey and Ellen wander into the River of Fear ride where they soon discover they are the ones being pursued. “The tension mounts deliciously as readers follow Ellen and Corey through their day.” —School Library Journal “A contemporary kid''s nightmare/heroic dream-come-true that won''t stay on the shelf for long.” —Booklist

Peg Kehret, who told of her childhood battle with polio in Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio, now shares the story of her writing career. It began at the age of ten when she wrote and sold the Dog Newspaper. The paper was supposed to feature the tales of local dogs, but mostly it was about her own dog, B.J. After four issues, it folded. But Peg learned a valuable lesson: If she wanted people to read what she wrote, she had to write something interesting. Peg went on to write radio commercials, prize-winning contest entries, magazine articles, plays, and adult nonfiction books before she discovered her true voice as a writer in books for young people.

It was a job any kid would kill for: to play a role in the Historical Society''s Haunted House Halloween fundraising event. Ellen Streater was thrilled to play Joan of Arc, burning at the stake. It was for a good cause—to benefit the eerie old Clayton House, soon to reopen as a museum. They said the house was haunted. Ellen didn''t believe it—until she felt a strange, icy feeling when she touched the beautiful Fairylustre bowl. Then she saw the ghost in the mirror—a beautiful phantom who beckoned her into a nightmare beyond her wildest dreams. "Entertaining and appealing, with lively and believable young people and a personable ghost." —School Library Journal

Trying to save some feral cats living in a field about to be bulldozed, Megan receives an offer of help from an odd man. Feeling his offer isn''t quite right; Megan then witnesses a car accident and receives disturbing notes. Not knowing who to trust, Megan relies on her wits to save the cats—and herself. “Each part of the tale ties neatly together in this exciting book that children won''t want to put down.” —School Library Journal “An absorbing and suspenseful novel with a strong female main character.” —Kirkus Reviews

Ellen Streater received the perfect birthday present—an overnight camp-out at the zoo. Too bad she had to invite her little brother Corey along. But as night falls in the zoo, her brother becomes the least of her worries, as they discover they''re locked in the zoo with an escaped convict who''s stalking their every move. Unable to run, and with no help in sight, their last chance for survival is Ellen''s crazy science project on animal communication. But can they get the animals to help them in time, or will it be too late? "A compelling and fast-paced mystery with characters that are believable and well drawn." —The Horn Book "Plausible incidents and believable characters combine in a fast-moving and well-constructed tale." —Booklist

A sixth grade class tries to save a circus elephant from being cruelly abused.

Who is the strange woman in the white car watching Ginger? She appears at Ginger''s birthday party, at her school, and in front of her house, but Ginger has never met her before. When she confronts Ginger, she reveals a secret that will change Ginger''s life. And when the woman''s confrontations become threatening, Ginger is forced into a crisis of loyalty and honor—a crisis from which her family might never recover.

After Jeremy Holland''s parents are killed by a gunman in a Seattle mall, he travels to Chicago to live with his uncle but encounters yet another twist in his life along the way.

As soon as Molly arrives at her aunt and uncle''s ranch in rural Washington, things start to go very wrong. Her cousin hates her on sight. Her aunt falls into a mysterious coma. Then, left alone on the huge property, Molly and her cousin discover an intruder lurking in the barn! Armed and desperate, he drags them to the top of a nearby mountain--and triggers an avalanche with a gunshot. Can they make it down the mountain alive?

Life has been tough for Spencer since his dad left. His mom complains constantly, they never seem to have enough money, and they''re always having to move. He knows his father works for the Giants baseball team and lives somewhere in San Francisco—and Spencer''s sure that if he can somehow get there, his dad will take him in. But California is a long, dangerous way from Seattle if you''ve only got fourteen dollars, you''re twelve, and you''re alone.

Children''s Choices for 2000, CBC/IRA 2000-2001 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List 2001-2002 Mark Twain Award Master List 2002 Children''s Crown Award Runner-Up 2001-2002 Sequoyah Children''s Book Award Master List 2002-2003 Volunteer State Book Award Intermediate Master List 2002-2003 Iowa Children''s Choice Master List 2003 Sasquatch Reading Award Master List 2002-2003 Land of Enchantment Young Adult Master Reading List 2003-2004 Pennsylvania Young Reader''s Choice Awards Master List From the award-winning author Peg Kehret comes a collection of true stories about the amazing lives of eight shelter dogs. Many of these dogs were unwanted because of their size, behavior, or medical condition. All of the dogs found owners who loved and cared for them and ultimately helped change their lives in tremendous ways. The dogs have changed the owners'' lives, too.

In 1834 when a storm at sea destroys the slave ship on which she is a stoaway, twelve-year-old Emma musters all her resourcefulness to survive in the African jungle.

A story about a boy who teleported back in time and faced a volcano eruption.

When Jonathan and his family go camping on Magpie Island, they look forward to a fun, relaxing weekend. But their fun quickly vanishes when Jonathan, his sister, Abby, and their dog, Moose, find themselves in the middle of a natural disaster. A devastating earthquake has hit, destroying their camper, knocking out the only bridge to the mainland, and leaving Jonathan, Abby, and their dog with no food, water, or shelter. Alone in the woods, can Jonathan manage to keep calm and save Abby and Moose—and stay alive himself?

Two teenagers teleport themselves via the Instant Computer back to Minnesota to learn about the Armistice Day Blizzard of 1940.