New Releases by Richard Peck

Newbery Medalist Richard Peck tells a story of small-town life, gay marriage, and everyday heroes in this novel for fans of Gary Schmidt and Jack Gantos. Archer Magill has spent a lively five years of grade school with one eye out in search of grown-up role models. Three of the best are his grandpa, the great architect; his dad, the great vintage car customizer,; and his uncle Paul, who is just plain great. These are the three he wants to be. Along the way he finds a fourth—Mr. McLeod, a teacher. In fact, the first male teacher in the history of the school. But now here comes middle school and puberty. Change. Archer wonders how much change has to happen before his voice does. He doesn''t see too far ahead, so every day or so a startling revelation breaks over him. Then a really big one when he''s the best man at the wedding of two of his role models. But that gets ahead of the story. In pages that ripple with laughter, there''s a teardrop here and there. And more than a few insights about the bewildering world of adults, made by a boy on his way to being the best man he can be. Boston Globe Horn Honor Book Amazon Editors’ Picks for Fall (Ages 9-12) New York Times Notable Children''s Book Horn Book Fanfare School Library Journal Best Books of 2016 Kirkus Best Books of 2016 Chicago Public Library Best Books of 2016

A very small mouse of unknown origins runs away from school in the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace shortly before the celebration of Queen Victoria''s diamond jubilee, celebrating her 60 years on the British throne, in this new adventure by a Newbery Medalist. Illustrations.

Intrigue, romance, and scheming aboard the Titanic This updated edition of the popular Richard Peck novel, available in time to commemorate the anniversary of the Titanic''s fateful voyage in 1912, starts with a chilling prophecy. When Miranda begins her position as maid-servant to the glamorous and selfish Amanda Whitwell, Amanda wastes no time in using Miranda to suit her own cruel purposes. Miranda becomes the lynchpin to a plot that Amanda devises to marry an American who can maintain her lavish lifestyle, but also keeps the rogue she loves close at hand. However, destiny intervenes, and they board the ill-fated Titanic. This story has all of the romance, glamour, intrigue, and tragedy of the Titanic but ends, satisfyingly, with redemption and forgiveness.

In 1887, the social-climbing Cranstons voyage from New York to London, where they hope to find a husband for their awkward older daughter, secretly accompanied by Helena and her mouse siblings, for whom the journey is both terrifying and wondrous as they meet an array of titled humans despite their best efforts to remain hidden. By a Newbery Medalist and multiple award-winning author.

Being the new girl at school is rough. But when the popular girls choose Kerry as the newest member of their ultra-exclusive clique, she thinks her troubles are finally finished. When her three new friends are killed in a horrifying car crash, her life seems over as well. But then the texts begin. . . . Richard Peck returns to his contemporary teen- and ghost-story roots in this suspenseful page-turner with a subtle commentary on peer pressure that fans of television dramas such as Pretty Little Liars and Vampire Diaries will devour.

One of the most adored characters in children''s literature is the eccentric, forceful, bighearted Grandma Dowdel, star of the Newbery Award-winning A Year Down Yonder and Newbery Honor-winning A Long Way from Chicago. And it turns out that her story isn''t over. It''s now 1958, and a new family has moved in next door to Mrs. Dowdel: a minister and his wife and kids. Soon Mrs. Dowdel will work her particular brand of charm on all of them, and they will quickly discover that the last house in town might also be the most vital.

Davy Bowman’s dad looks forward to Halloween more than a kid, and Davy’s brother, Bill, flies B-17s. Davy adores these two heroes and tries his best to follow their lead, especially now. World War II has invaded Davy’s homefront boyhood. Bill has joined up, breaking their dad’s heart. It’s an intense, confusing time, and one that will spur Davy to grow up in a hurry. This is one of Richard Peck’s finest novels—a tender, unforgettable portrait of the World War II home front and a family’s enduring love.

If your teacher has to die, August isn''t a bad time of year for it," begins Richard Peck''s latest novel, a book full of his signature wit and sass. Russell Culver is fifteen in 1904, and he''s raring to leave his tiny Indiana farm town for the endless sky of the Dakotas. To him, school has been nothing but a chain holding him back from his dreams. Maybe now that his teacher has passed on, they''ll shut the school down entirely and leave him free to roam. No such luck. Russell has a particularly eventful season of schooling ahead of him, led by a teacher he never could have predicted-perhaps the only teacher equipped to control the likes of him: his sister Tansy. Despite stolen supplies, a privy fire, and more than any classroom''s share of snakes, Tansy will manage to keep that school alive and maybe, just maybe, set her brother on a new, wiser course.

Compiled for the first time, here are all of Newbery Award– winning author Richard Peck’s previously published short stories and two brand-new ones. From comedy to tragedy to historical to contemporary; from "Priscilla and the Wimps," Peck’s first short story, to "Shotgun Cheatham’s Last Night Above Ground," which inspired both A Long Way from Chicago and A Year Down Yonder, to "The Electric Summer," Peck’s jumping-off point for Fair Weather, readers will thrill at Peck’s engaging short fiction. Complete with the author’s own notes on the stories as well as tips and hints for aspiring writers and two new stories, this vibrant and varied collection offers something for everyone.

Fourteen-year-old Eleanor "Peewee" McGrath, a tomboy and automobile enthusiast, discovers new possibilities for her future after the 1914 arrival in her small Indiana town of four young librarians.

During the early days of the Civil War, the Pruitt family takes in two mysterious young ladies who have fled New Orleans to come north to Illinois.

Thirteen-year-old Rosie Beckett has never strayed further from her family''s farm than a horse can pull a cart. Then a letter from her Aunt Euterpe arrives, and everything changes. It''s 1893, the year of the World''s Columbian Exposition-the "wonder of the age"-a.k.a. the Chicago World''s Fair. Aunt Euterpe is inviting the Becketts to come for a visit and go to the fair! Award-winning author Richard Peck''s fresh, realistic, and fun-filled writing truly brings the World''s Fair-and Rosie and her family-to life.

A Newbery Medal Winner Richard Peck''s Newbery Medal-winning sequel to A Long Way from Chicago Mary Alice''s childhood summers in Grandma Dowdel''s sleepy Illinois town were packed with enough drama to fill the double bill of any picture show. But now she is fifteen, and faces a whole long year with Grandma, a woman well known for shaking up her neighbors-and everyone else! All Mary Alice can know for certain is this: when trying to predict how life with Grandma might turn out . . . better not. This wry, delightful sequel to the Newbery Honor Book A Long Way from Chicago has already taken its place among the classics of children''s literature. "Hilarious and poignant." —Publishers Weekly, starred review A Newbery Medal Winner A New York Times Bestseller An ALA Notable Book An ALA Best Book for Young Adults A Booklist Best Book of the Year A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

It''s Halloween, 1914. Teenage psychic Blossom Culp sneaks into the house where the rest of her class is having a party-and that''s when everything goes haywire. Suddenly Blossom is hurled into a time warp. Her psychic powers have found a way to send her into the future-our time. But will they be able to send her back?

Blossom Culp is the outspoken outcast of Bluff City, always getting into trouble. No one wants to cross her, especially now that she''s revealed that she can see the Unseen. Then Blossom herself is stunned, because her lie turns out to be truth. She actually does have second sight...and she is "on board" the sinking Titanic.

Molly Moberly knows she doesn''t belong in this small Missouri town with her great-aunt Fay. It''s just a temporary arrangement--until her mother gets out of the hospital. But then Molly meets Will, a fellow stray, and begins to realize she''s not the only one on the outside. In fact, it seems like the town''s full of strays--only some end up where they belong sooner than others. Richard Peck has created a rich, compassionate story that will go straight to the heart of every kid who''s ever felt like an outsider."This sensitive heroine is one readers will want to take under their wing." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

Flip and Brian have been best friends since grade school. But everything changes during the spring of seventh grade. That''s when they find a man lying dead in the leaves near Dreamland Lake. What happens in the summer that follows will change the course of their friendship—and their lives—forever. "A finely tuned shocker."—Kirkus Reviews

An updated look for the classic YA thriller from genre heavyweight Richard Peck Sixteen-year-old Gail is living the upper-class suburban life when she begins receiving terrifying phone calls and notes in her locker. And the calls keep coming. When she''s attacked by the town''s golden boy everyone refuses to take action against him and his powerful family. A frightening drama that deals with heavy teen issues and the idea of justice (or lack thereof) from bestselling author Richard Peck.

A boy recounts his annual summer trips to rural Illinois with his sister during the Great Depression to visit their larger-than-life grandmother.

A teenage girl struggles to understand her place within her family and in the world.

Josh Lewis'' best friend, Aaron Zimmer, has turned his computer into a wish-granting machine. It ought to be every techno-addict''s dream, but there are a few bugs in the system. Nobody knows when the computer will interactivate next--and it doesn''t just grant Josh and Aaron''s wishes. In fact, Aaron''s mom''s poodle seems to eb doing some of the wishing, too. When a mysterious spy called The Watcher starts monitoring their every move in cyberspace, the real trouble begins in this compelling story from Newbery medal-winning author Richard Peck. "A guaranteed fun, faced-paced adventure."--School Library Journal

Meet Josh Lewis, a sixth grader at the elite Huckley School. When his best friend Aaron announces that he can time travel with his computer, Josh isn''t fazed. But when Aaron actually microprocesses himself into cyberspace, the duo must deal with unexpected visitors from the past -- and find out more about Huckley''s history than they ever wanted to know!"Amiable characters, fleet pacing, and witty,in-the-know narration will keep even the non-bookish interested."-- Publishers Weekly

After his mother dies, 17-year-old Jim realizes he must raise his younger brother, Byron, alone. But when their father shows up with plans to take them to Florida, Jim wonders if the reunion will last. An ALA Best Book for Young Adults.

Todd sees his perfect world start to unravel when his sister becomes influenced by a member of a fundamentalist sect and he begins to notice censorship in his community.

When Bambi Babcock''s TV-producer father bankrupt, the Babcocks have to get out of Los Angeles ... fast. Dad heads for his hometown of Hickory Fork, which he remembers as a wholesome place for kids to grow up. But Bambi, her sister Buffie, and their little brother Brick come up against the Mall Rats, a down-home teenage gang run by scary Tanya and beef Jeeter. When the Mall Rats walk into school dives for cover. They''ve already trashed the mall. Bambi knows that if her show-biz family is going to get stuck here, they must turn the school around and save the town. The Mall Rats will never know what hit them.

Blossom, high school freshman and possessor of "second sight," helps an Egyptian princess, dead for 3500 years, to regain her tomb, and in addition saves a suffragette school teacher from losing her job in 1914.

Two eighth-grade loners decide to take up residence in a department store. Little do they know that theirs is not an original idea.

Drew and Steph reluctantly take a Baltic cruise with their grandmother and have the experience of a lifetime.