Jack Gantos

Hoping to beat his cousin Percy in the cat show, Ralph allows Sarah to help him spruce up his image and get in shape.

This fiery autobiographical novel captures a pivotal week or two in the life of fourteen-year-old Jack Gantos, as the author reveals the moment he began to slide off track as a kid who in just a few years would find himself locked up in a federal penitentiary for the crimes portrayed in the memoir Hole in My Life. Set in the Fort Lauderdale neighborhood of his family's latest rental home, The Trouble in Me opens with an explosive encounter in which Jack first meets his awesomely rebellious older neighbor, Gary Pagoda, just back from juvie for car theft. Instantly mesmerized, Jack decides he will do whatever it takes to be like Gary. As a follower, Jack is eager to leave his old self behind, and desperate for whatever crazy, hilarious, frightening thing might happen next. But he may not be as ready as he thinks when the trouble in him comes blazing to life.

This title has Common Core connections.

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This fiery autobiographical novel captures a pivotal week or two in the life of fourteen-year-old Jack Gantos, as the author reveals the moment he began to slide off track as a kid who in just a few years would find himself locked up in a federal penitentiary for the crimes portrayed in the memoir Hole in My Life. Set in the Fort Lauderdale neighborhood of his family's latest rental home, The Trouble in Me opens with an explosive encounter in which Jack first meets his awesomely rebellious older neighbor, Gary Pagoda, just back from juvie for car theft. Instantly mesmerized, Jack decides he will do whatever it takes to be like Gary. As a follower, Jack is eager to leave his old self behind, and desperate for whatever crazy, hilarious, frightening thing might happen next. But he may not be as ready as he thinks when the trouble in him comes blazing to life. This title has Common Core connections.

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"Fourteen-year-old Jack falls under the spell of a delinquent Florida neighbor and gets way more trouble than he bargained for"--

On an unseasonably warm Easter Sunday, a young girl named
Ivy discovers a chilling secret in the basement of the Rumbaugh
pharmacy across the street from the hotel where she lives with
her mother. The discovery reveals a disturbing side to the
eccentric lives of family friends Abner and Adolph Rumbaugh,
known throughout their small western Pennsylvania town
simply as the Twins. It seems that Ab and Dolph have been
compelled by a powerful mutual love for their deceased mother
to do something extraordinary, something that in its own
twisted way bridges the gap between the living and the dead.
Immediately, Ivy's discovery provokes the revelation of a
Rumbaugh family curse, a curse that, as Ivy will learn over the
coming years, holds a strange power over herself and her own
mother.

In his third book for young adults, Jack Gantos has scripted a
completely original drama. With gothic flavor and black humor,
he depicts a group of people bound together by love,
compulsion . . . and a passion for taxidermy.

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On an unseasonably warm Easter Sunday, a young girl named Ivy discovers a chilling secret in the basement of the Rumbaugh pharmacy across the street from the hotel where she lives with her mother. The discovery reveals a disturbing side to the eccentric lives of family friends Abner and Adolph Rumbaugh, known throughout their small western Pennsylvania town simply as the Twins. It seems that Ab and Dolph have been compelled by a powerful mutual love for their deceased mother to do something extraordinary, something that in its own twisted way bridges the gap between the living and the dead. Immediately, Ivy's discovery provokes the revelation of a Rumbaugh family curse, a curse that, as Ivy will learn over the coming years, holds a strange power over herself and her own mother. In his third book for young adults, Jack Gantos has scripted a completely original drama. With gothic flavor and black humor, he depicts a group of people bound together by love, compulsion . . . and a passion for taxidermy.

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A young woman named Ivy, who made a shocking discovery in her small western Pennsylvania town when she was seven years old and learned a surprising secret nine years later, questions whether she has inherited the Rumbaugh curse of having excessive love for one's mother.

"They say I'm wired bad, or wired sad, but there's no doubt about it -- I'm wired."

Joey Pigza's got heart, he's got a mom who loves him, and he's got "dud meds," which is what he calls the Ritalin pills that are supposed to even out his wild mood swings. Sometimes Joey makes bad choices. He learns the hard way that he shouldn't stick his finger in the pencil sharpener, or swallow his house key, or run with scissors. Joey ends up bouncing around a lot - and eventually he bounces himself all the way downown, into the district special-ed program, which could be the end of the line. As Joey knows, if he keeps making bad choices, he could just fall between the cracks for good. But he is determined not to let that happen.

In this antic yet poignant new novel, Jack Gantos has perfect pitch in capturing the humor, the off-the-wall intensity, and the serious challenges that life presents to a kid dealing with hyper-activity and related disorders. This title has Common Core connections.

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key is a 1998 National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature.

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"They say I'm wired bad, or wired sad, but there's no doubt about it -- I'm wired." Joey Pigza's got heart, he's got a mom who loves him, and he's got "dud meds," which is what he calls the Ritalin pills that are supposed to even out his wild mood swings. Sometimes Joey makes bad choices. He learns the hard way that he shouldn't stick his finger in the pencil sharpener, or swallow his house key, or run with scissors. Joey ends up bouncing around a lot - and eventually he bounces himself all the way downown, into the district special-ed program, which could be the end of the line. As Joey knows, if he keeps making bad choices, he could just fall between the cracks for good. But he is determined not to let that happen. In this antic yet poignant new novel, Jack Gantos has perfect pitch in capturing the humor, the off-the-wall intensity, and the serious challenges that life presents to a kid dealing with hyper-activity and related disorders. This title has Common Core connections. Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key is a 1998 National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature.

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To the constant disappointment of his mother and his teachers, Joey has trouble paying attention or controlling his mood swings when his prescription medications wear off and he starts getting worked up and acting wired.

When sixteen-year-old Walker gets caught up in a witch-hunt against homosexuals, he is left to stand by and watch as a tragedy unfolds.

When Ralph's friend Sarah explains that Santa Claus has a special list for the naughty and the nice, Ralph is determined to make the purrr-fect impression. What's a naturally conniving cat to do to claw his way into Santa's sack? Gatefold. Full color.

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Santa Claus is coming to town and Rotten Ralph is determined to make a purr-fect impression.

Jack Henry has moved to the island of Barbados with his offbeat family and his secret diary. But still he can’t escape his penchant for wacky misadventure. Because of a headless chicken, he gets a violent case of blood poisoning. In a pepper-eating contest with his father, he discovers the perils of male bonding. And then he has his heartstrings twanged by an older woman who just happens to be his sister’s best friend.

These are just a few of his trials and tribulations in these eight fierce and funny stories, based on the author’s own childhood diaries.

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When his father moves the family to Barbados, Jack learns that life is not always idyllic on an island paradise.

The Newbery Award–winning author of Dead End in Norvelt shares advice for how to be the best brilliant writer in this funny and practical creative writing guide perfect for all kids who dream of seeing their name on the spine of a book.

With the signature wit and humor that have garnered him legions of fans, Jack Gantos instructs young writers on using their "writing radar" to unearth story ideas from their everyday lives. Incorporating his own misadventures as a developing writer, Gantos inspires readers to build confidence and establish good writing habits as they create, revise, and perfect their stories. Pop-out text boxes highlight key tips, alongside Gantos's own illustrations, sample stories, and snippets from his childhood journals. More than just a how-to guide, Writing Radar is a celebration of the power of storytelling and an ode to the characters who—many unwittingly—inspired Gantos's own writing career.

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Acclaimed author Jack Gantos's guide to becoming the best brilliant writer.

In the summer of 1971, Jack Gantos was just a restless teenager looking for a way out. Desperate for college cash and craving adventure, the aspiring writer made a reckless decision: he agreed to help sail a sixty-foot yacht loaded with a ton of hashish from the Virgin Islands to New York City. But the thrill did not last long. Caught by federal agents, Jack found himself facing up to six years in prison. In this gripping, award-winning memoir, you will follow Jack's turbulent journey from a lost high school graduate to a convicted criminal locked in a small, yellow-walled cell. Yet, it is within those prison walls that his true story begins. Stripped of his freedom, Jack finally dedicates himself to the one thing he always wanted to do, write. Discover how hitting rock bottom helped him survive the darkest chapter of his life and ultimately find his true voice.

Meet Jack, a fourth grader whose life just got a whole lot more exciting—and confusing! When his dad joins the Navy, Jack's family packs up and moves to a brand-new home in Cape Hatteras. Now, Jack has to figure out how to make new friends and navigate a new school, all while getting very different advice from his parents. Mom says always tell the truth, but Dad suggests telling people what they want to hear. What's a kid to do? Join Jack as he tries to keep his head above water. You'll laugh out loud when he develops a huge crush on his teacher, gets roped into being a spy for the principal, and even tries to turn a duck with backward feet into a proper pet. With a funny neighbor and a tricky older sister, Jack's new life is a hilarious adventure in learning how to be himself.

Have you ever felt like your life is full of super strange problems? Well, meet Jack! He's just trying to get through each day, but it’s not always easy when you have a big sister who can be a real terror, a little brother who seems to be made of breakable parts, and neighbors who are, let's just say, 'really weird.' Luckily, Jack has a secret weapon: his diary! Writing everything down helps him make sense of the wild things happening around him, even when there are tales of dog-eating alligators! Join Jack as he navigates the hilarious and sometimes tricky parts of growing up, dealing with family, and figuring out what’s real and what’s just plain goofy. You'll laugh out loud at his adventures and maybe even see a little bit of your own life in his very funny journal entries.

Get ready for a high-energy summer filled with big hopes and even bigger challenges. Joey Pigza is finally feeling like he has his life together. Thanks to his special education program and his new medication, he is no longer bouncing off the walls. But everything changes when Joey travels to spend the summer with his dad, Carter, whom he has not seen in years. It turns out Carter is just as wired and out-of-control as Joey used to be. Eager to make up for lost time, Carter wants to teach Joey how to be a winner and take charge of his own life. The only problem is that Carter believes Joey can be perfectly normal without his doctor's prescription. Joey wants to believe his dad more than anything in the world, but he is terrified of the old, hyperactive Joey coming back. This funny and deeply moving story explores the messy reality of family, the struggle to stay in control, and the courage it takes to know what is truly best for yourself.

The second in a series of Rotten Ralph readers, this tale of the irrepressible cat with a penchant for trouble is once again read by author Jack Gantos.

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The second in a series of Rotten Ralph readers, this tale of the irrepressible cat with a penchant for trouble is once again read by author Jack Gantos.

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When the carnival comes to town, the world's favorite fractious feline discovers the hilariously wrong way to victory before he gets it right. "Illustrated with Rubel's deadpan pictures, this is a prize for newly independent readers, for whom ‘practice makes perfect' indeed." —The Horn Book Guide "Ralph has his own special niche in the world of children's literature, and now on the easy-reader shelves, too." —Kirkus Reviews*

An uproarious companion to" Heads or Tails" and" Jack's New Power"
According to his new motto - A WRITER'S JOB IS TO TURN HIS WORST EXPERIENCES INTO MONEY - Jack Henry is going to be filty rich even before he gets out of junior high, for his life is filled with the worst experiences imaginable. In the course of the few months covered in this cycle of interlinked stories, Jack is humiliated by a gorgeous syncronized swimmer, gets a tattoo the size of an ant on his big toe, flubs an IQ test and nearly fails wood shop, and has to dig up his dead dog not once but twice. And that's not the half of it. But, as The School Library Journal put it, Jack's "a survivor, an 'everyboy' whose world may be wacko but whose heart and spirit are eminently sane." Jack may not end up rolling in dough, but he, along with his humorously off-kilter familly, always keeps on trying.


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Comic misadventures ensue when seventh-grader Jack tries to write the great American novel.

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From the Newbery Medal–winning author of Dead End in Norvelt, the uproarious final volume of Jack Henry stories According to his new motto—A WRITER'S JOB IS TO TURN HIS WORST EXPERIENCES INTO MONEY—Jack Gantos's alter ego Jack Henry is going to be filty rich even before he gets out of junior high, for his life is filled with the worst experiences imaginable. For instance, in the course of the few months covered in this closing cycle of interlinked stories, Jack is humiliated by a gorgeous syncronized swimmer, gets a tattoo the size of an ant on his big toe, flubs an IQ test and nearly fails wood shop, and has to dig up his dead dog not once but twice. And that's not the half of it! At the close of this final book of semi-autobiographical stories, Jack may not end up rolling in dough, but he will prove once again "a survivor, an ‘everyboy' whose world may be wacko but whose heart and spirit are eminently sane" (School Library Journal). This title has Common Core connections.

Dead End in Norvelt is the winner of the Newbery Medal for best contribution to children's literature and the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction!

Melding the entirely true and the wildly fictional, Dead End in Norvelt is a novel about an incredible two months for a kid named Jack Gantos, whose plans for vacation excitement are shot down when he is "grounded for life" by his feuding parents, and whose nose spews bad blood at every little shock he gets. But plenty of excitement (and shocks) are coming Jack's way once his mom loans him out to help a fiesty old neighbor with a most unusual chore—typewriting obituaries filled with stories about the people who founded his utopian town. As one obituary leads to another, Jack is launced on a strange adventure involving molten wax, Eleanor Roosevelt, twisted promises, a homemade airplane, Girl Scout cookies, a man on a trike, a dancing plague, voices from the past, Hells Angels . . . and possibly murder.

Endlessly surprising, this sly, sharp-edged narrative is the author at his very best, making readers laugh out loud at the most unexpected things in a dead-funny depiction of growing up in a slightly off-kilter place where the past is present, the present is confusing, and the future is completely up in the air.

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Dead End in Norvelt is the winner of the Newbery Medal for best contribution to children's literature and the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction! Melding the entirely true and the wildly fictional, Dead End in Norvelt is a novel about an incredible two months for a kid named Jack Gantos, whose plans for vacation excitement are shot down when he is "grounded for life" by his feuding parents, and whose nose spews bad blood at every little shock he gets. But plenty of excitement (and shocks) are coming Jack's way once his mom loans him out to help a fiesty old neighbor with a most unusual chore—typewriting obituaries filled with stories about the people who founded his utopian town. As one obituary leads to another, Jack is launced on a strange adventure involving molten wax, Eleanor Roosevelt, twisted promises, a homemade airplane, Girl Scout cookies, a man on a trike, a dancing plague, voices from the past, Hells Angels . . . and possibly murder. Endlessly surprising, this sly, sharp-edged narrative is the author at his very best, making readers laugh out loud at the most unexpected things in a dead-funny depiction of growing up in a slightly off-kilter place where the past is present, the present is confusing, and the future is completely up in the air.

Jack Henry is moving to a new home in Miami, and he's hoping for exciting adventures! But even with a fresh start, Jack can't seem to shake his old habit of worrying. He worries about everything, from his fascination with all things gross and disgusting to his super quirky, French-obsessed teacher at his new school. Get ready to laugh as Jack tries to navigate his new life, his crazy thoughts, and all the hilarious challenges that come his way. Can Jack find a way to stop worrying so much and enjoy the wild ride of fifth grade? Follow Jack on his outrageous adventures as he tries to get on the right track and make it through one very memorable year.

Ralph outdoes himself again in this picture book of wedding bliss and bedlam.

It's Aunt Martha's wedding day and Sarah is the flower girl, but Ralph is determined to turn this celebration into an event only our favorite rotten cat could enjoy. He begins by wrapping the wedding gift with that special Ralph flair, then selecting some choice "petals" for Sarah to spread over the guests. After a riotous ceremony, he tops the day by wreaking havoc at the reception.

"Oh, Ralph you were so rotten," bemoans Sarah. Is there anything that cat will do to make her happy? You'll be surprised...

"'I bet I know who did that'", Sarah said to herself. She peeked under the table and saw Ralph eating a monster slice of cake.

Sarah's the flower girl at Aunt Martha's wedding, and Ralph is ready to tie all kinds of knots--but are they the kind that will make for marital bliss? If they involve a red cat, a monster truck, and paws full of snails, you can guess the answer. The question to be popped is: After a day of nuptial sabotage, can Ralph still make Sarah smile? Once again, Jack Gantos and Nicole Rubel manage to bring equal measures of love and nastiness to Sarah's special cat.

00 Children's Choices (IRA/CBC)

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Sarah's high-spirited, poorly behaved cat, Ralph, disrupts her aunt's wedding with his outlandish antics.

Sequel to Joey Pigza Loses Control, a Newbery Honor Book

Are they flirting or fighting? This is Joey Pigza's question when the fireworks suddenly start to explode between his long-separated mom and dad, whom he's never really had a chance to see together. The more out of control his parents get, the less in control Joey feels and the more he wants to help make things better. But Joey's ailing tell-it-like-it-is grandmother wants her grandson to see it like it is with his unpredictable parents. Knowing that she is fading fast, she needs Joey to hurry up and show that he can break the Pigza family mold by making a friend in the outside world. The only potential candidate, however, is Olivia Lapp -- Joey's blind homeschooling partner, who brags that she is "blind as a brat" and acts meaner to Joey the more desperate he gets for her friendship -- even if Joey senses there's more to her than meets the eye.

In this dazzling episode, Jack Gantos's acclaimed hyperactive hero discovers that settling down isn't good for anything if he can't find a way to stop the people he cares about from winding him up all over again.

What Would Joey Do? is a 2003 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

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In this dazzling conclusion to the Joey Pigza trilogy, Gantos's acclaimed hyperactive hero discovers that settling down isn't good for anything if he can't find a way to stop the people he cares about from winding him up all over again.

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Sequel to Joey Pigza Loses Control, a Newbery Honor Book Are they flirting or fighting? This is Joey Pigza's question when the fireworks suddenly start to explode between his long-separated mom and dad, whom he's never really had a chance to see together. The more out of control his parents get, the less in control Joey feels and the more he wants to help make things better. But Joey's ailing tell-it-like-it-is grandmother wants her grandson to see it like it is with his unpredictable parents. Knowing that she is fading fast, she needs Joey to hurry up and show that he can break the Pigza family mold by making a friend in the outside world. The only potential candidate, however, is Olivia Lapp -- Joey's blind homeschooling partner, who brags that she is "blind as a brat" and acts meaner to Joey the more desperate he gets for her friendship -- even if Joey senses there's more to her than meets the eye. In this dazzling episode, Jack Gantos's acclaimed hyperactive hero discovers that settling down isn't good for anything if he can't find a way to stop the people he cares about from winding him up all over again. What Would Joey Do? is a 2003 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Sarah takes Ralph to school so he can do his ABC's for show and tell, but as usual, the rotten cat refuses to cooperate. "[Ralph's] mischief is . . . amusing and appealing. Rubel's bright and vibrant watercolors are the perfect match to Gantos's droll text. Naughty but nice". -- School Library Journal

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This latest addition to the Rotten Ralph series will delight his fans everywhere. Ralph is Sarah's rotten cat, always pestering, always making trouble. Children can't resist the nasty tricks of this rambunctious animal. Full color. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

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Sarah takes her rotten cat Ralph to school for Show and Tell and he behaves terribly, as usual, by spoiling everyone's show.

The fifth and final book in the groundbreaking Joey Pigza series brings the beloved chronicle of this wired, wacky, and wonderful boy to a crescendo of chaos and craziness, as everything goes topsy-turvy for Joey just as he starts to get his feet on the ground. With his dad MIA in the wake of appearance-altering plastic surgery, Joey must give up school to look after his new baby brother and fill in for his mom, who hospitalizes herself to deal with a bad case of postpartum blues. As his challenges mount, Joey discovers a key that could unlock the secrets to his father's whereabouts, a mystery that must be solved before Joey can even hope that his broken family might somehow come back together—if only it doesn't pull him apart first.

This title has Common Core connections.

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"Everything goes topsy-turvy for Joey as he becomes the man of the house, looking after his new baby brother, taking care of his troubled mother, and seeking out his missing father."--Provided by publisher.

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Joey Pigza is trying to stay POSITIVE but the odds are stacked against him: his Mom's in hospital; his frankenstein faced father wants to snatch hs baby brother away and he's still as WIRED as ever. In all this CHAOS can Joey find the key to bring the House-of-Pigza back together again?

This rocket-paced follow-up to the Newbery Medal–winning novel Dead End in Norvelt opens deep in the shadow of the Cuban missile crisis. But instead of Russian warheads, other kinds of trouble are raining down on young Jack Gantos and his utopian town of Norvelt in western Pennsylvania. After an explosion, a new crime by an old murderer, and the sad passing of the town's founder, twelve-year-old Jack will soon find himself launched on a mission that takes him hundreds of miles away, escorting his slightly mental elderly mentor, Miss Volker, on her relentless pursuit of the oddest of outlaws. But as their trip turns south in more ways than one, it's increasingly clear that the farther from home they travel, the more off-the-wall Jack and Miss Volker's adventure becomes, in From Norvelt to Nowhere, a raucous road novel about roots and revenge, a last chance at love, and the power of a remarkable friendship.

A Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book of 2013

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This rocket-paced follow-up to the Newbery Medal–winning novel Dead End in Norvelt opens deep in the shadow of the Cuban missile crisis. But instead of Russian warheads, other kinds of trouble are raining down on young Jack Gantos and his utopian town of Norvelt in western Pennsylvania. After an explosion, a new crime by an old murderer, and the sad passing of the town's founder, twelve-year-old Jack will soon find himself launched on a mission that takes him hundreds of miles away, escorting his slightly mental elderly mentor, Miss Volker, on her relentless pursuit of the oddest of outlaws. But as their trip turns south in more ways than one, it's increasingly clear that the farther from home they travel, the more off-the-wall Jack and Miss Volker's adventure becomes, in From Norvelt to Nowhere, a raucous road novel about roots and revenge, a last chance at love, and the power of a remarkable friendship. A Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book of 2013

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After an explosion, a new crime by an old murderer, and the sad passing of the founder of Norvelt, Pennsylvania, twelve-year-old Jack accompanies his slightly mental elderly mentor, Miss Volker, on a cross-country run as she pursues the oddest of outlaws.

Jack knows a thing or two about having fun, even if his brilliant ideas usually end in total disaster. Launching himself across the yard in a homemade catapult? Sounds like the perfect afternoon! But when he starts hanging out with the wild and completely unpredictable Pagoda brothers, Jack has to figure out exactly where to draw the line between a hilarious prank and a terrible mistake. In this laugh-out-loud short story, Jack decides to take matters into his own hands to solve a tricky neighborhood problem, only to discover that his grand plan might just backfire in the messiest way possible. Packed with the kind of crazy playground antics and gross-out humor that will keep you grinning from ear to ear, this quick read perfectly captures the chaotic, funny reality of growing up. Get ready for a hilarious misadventure that leaves Jack with a very unexpected, and more than a little gross, souvenir!

Rotten Ralph makes an earnest attempt at good behavior but is enticed, not too reluctantly, into a series of misadventures by some ruffian alley cats.

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Ralph starts out to go straight but must defend his honor when a gang of alley cats calls him a softy.

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Rotten Ralph makes an earnest attempt at good behavior but is enticed, not too reluctantly, into a series of misadventures by some ruffian alley cats.

Hey there, cat lovers! Get ready for a hilarious Valentine's Day adventure with Rotten Ralph! This mischievous cat is known for his rotten tricks, and this year is no different. His owner, Sarah, is hoping for a sweet and loving holiday, but Ralph has other ideas. It's Valentine's Day, and Petunia is throwing a secret party. Sarah tries her best to make Ralph behave, even dressing him up as Cupid! But can a rotten cat really be nice, even for one special day? You can bet Ralph is up to his usual antics, causing all sorts of funny trouble and chaos wherever he goes. Will Sarah finally give up on her favorite (but very naughty) pet? Or will Ralph surprise everyone and learn a lesson about kindness? Join Ralph and Sarah to find out if Valentine's Day can ever be truly romantic when a rotten cat is involved!

Rotten Ralph, the cat, is not at all nice to the Christmas visitor.

Nothing can scare Rotten Ralph!" That's what this mischievous red cat thinks when Halloween rolls around, even when he faces a creaky, spooky haunted house. Join Ralph as he daringly wanders through a mansion filled with ghouls, vampires, and Frankenstein's head! You'll see him get into all sorts of funny trouble, proving he might just be the scariest one there. But wait, the fright-fest isn't over yet! Ralph's friend Sarah has saved the biggest surprise for last. Get ready to peel back the flaps inside this spooktacular book to discover all of Rotten Ralph's hilarious Halloween tricks and maybe even a few treats. If you love a good laugh and a not-too-scary adventure, you'll howl along with Rotten Ralph!

An alligator who loves to play in mud and slime is given a birthday bath by his friends.

Irrepressible Joey must draw upon all of his emotional reserves to face his latest challenge. His good-for-nothing dad shows up, having won the lottery and acquired a new identity. Carter Pigza is now Charles Heinz; he's won back Joey's mother, Fran (renamed Maria); and Joey is expected to forgive him his past sins and reinvent himself as Freddy Heinz. Dad has big plans for the family. He's bought a run-down diner and will use his son to drum up business by standing by the roadside in a bee costume. Mom is on a spending spree and pressures Joey to forgive his father and do as he says. But Joey senses how wrong this is, and his struggle is palpable. By the time he concedes, his father has given up on the diner idea and has spent all of his money on losing lottery tickets. As usual, when the chips are down, Carter takes off, just as Fran is about to have a baby. Gantos tells the tale with unfailing humor, delicious wordplay, and many hilarious scenes, but this is the darkest Joey book to date. Carter's unreliability is a given, but Fran Pigza's willingness to buy into the surreal scene is unsettling and underscores the fact that Joey is really on his own. Nevertheless, readers will cheer as his indomitable spirit prevails; he neither rescinds nor regrets his forgiveness, and he is thrilled to have a baby brother. The appearance of Junior Pigza promises a new purpose in Joey's life, the possibility of a future ally in his crazy world, and, perhaps, adventures to come.

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Joey's world is turned upside down when his deadbeat dad wins the lottery.

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Joey's father returns, calling himself Charles Heinz and apologizing for his past bad behavior, and he swears that once Joey and his mother change their names and help him fix up the old diner he has bought, their lives will change for the better.

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Just when Joey Pigza's wired world finally seems to be under control, his good-for-nothing dad pops back into his life. This time, though, Carter Pigza is a new man – literally. After a lucky lotto win, Carter Pigza has a crazy new outlook on life, and he's even changed his name to Charles Heinz. He thinks Joey and his mom should become new people, too. Soon Joey finds himself bombarded with changes: a new name, a new home, and a new family business – running the beat-up Beehive Diner. He knows he should forgive his dad as his mom wants him to, and get with the new family program. But Joey is afraid that in changing names and going with the flow he will lose sight of who he really is. In this rocket-paced new chapter in Joey Pigza's life, a favorite hero discovers what identity and forgiveness really mean, and how to cook a delicious turkey burger. This title has Common Core connections.

Get ready to laugh until your sides ache! Funny Business brings together an all-star lineup of your favorite authors for a collection of stories guaranteed to crack you up. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to hang out with a teenage mummy? Or how to survive a turkey with a ridiculous master plan? What about swimming in the world's largest pool of chocolate milk? From wild playground schemes to unbelievable supernatural mix-ups, these ten hilarious tales are packed with mischief, mayhem, and unforgettable characters. Whether you are looking for a quick chuckle or a story to share with your friends, this brilliant anthology delivers non-stop comedy. Dive into a book where the only rule is to expect the unexpected and be prepared to laugh out loud at every turn!

What makes a hero? What makes a villain? Dive into a thrilling collection of ten original stories where the lines between good and evil are wonderfully blurred. Curated by Jon Scieszka for his Guys Read Library of Great Reading, this volume is packed with adventure, mystery, and humor, perfect for readers aged 9 to 12. You'll encounter characters with and without capes, facing challenges in everything from fantastical realms and action-packed comic book worlds to contemporary adventures and even real-life historical moments. With tales spanning fantasy, graphic storytelling, and nonfiction, there's a story for every kind of reader. Featuring brand-new contributions from beloved authors like Laurie Halse Anderson, Sharon Creech, Jack Gantos, Lemony Snicket, and more, this anthology invites you to explore different perspectives and decide for yourself: who truly stands for good, and who for evil? Get ready for a fast-paced journey through unforgettable narratives that will keep you turning pages.