JJ
Author Profile
Jennifer Richard Jacobson
16 Books
Jennifer Richard Jacobson is an acclaimed author of engaging chapter books, middle-grade novels, and picture books that resonate deeply with young readers. She is well known for creating the beloved Andy Shane early chapter book series, which perfectly captures the everyday triumphs and challenges of elementary school life. Jacobson also explores themes of family, environmentalism, and friendship in middle-grade stories like the Twig and Turtle series and the heartfelt novel Crashing in Love. With a background in education, she brings a keen understanding of child development and emotional growth to her narrative voice. Her relatable characters and compassionate storytelling have made her books a staple in classrooms, libraries, and homes everywhere.
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Twig is ready to become a successful entrepreneur. Inspired by watching people work in her new town, she decides to launch her very own business doing odd jobs for her neighbors.
Everyone wants to be a part of her exciting new venture, from her little sister Turtle to all of her school friends. But Twig is completely determined to run the entire business by herself. She soon realizes that being successful is much harder than it looks. When she promises to help too many people at once, her solo operation quickly turns into a massive disaster.
Twig will have to learn how to swallow her pride and ask for help before her business falls apart. Discover the incredible power of working together in this bright and funny chapter book about ambition and friendship.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
115 Pages
Rafferty Fox is ready to play, but his mother is entirely too busy painting to join in the fun. Feeling frustrated and ignored, Rafferty decides the only logical solution is to pack up his things and find a brand new mom.
As he travels through the neighborhood, Rafferty visits the homes of several different friends to see what their mothers are like. He meets moms who love to sing, moms who bake delicious treats, and moms who tell great stories. While these other mothers are certainly fun to visit, Rafferty slowly begins to realize what makes his own family so special.
This gentle and heartwarming picture book perfectly captures the strong bond between parent and child, showing young readers that there truly is no place like home.
6-8 Years
24 Pages
Everyone says that groups of three are incredibly difficult to maintain, but Winnie, Vanessa, and Zoe have always been the perfect trio. Known as the End of the Alphabet Club, these three best friends have done absolutely everything together since their first day of kindergarten.
They share sleepovers, explore the school library, and invent games on the recess playground. But everything begins to shift when the elegant world of ballet enters their lives. As the girls start taking dance classes, new interests and unexpected talents begin to create a sudden divide between them. Winnie becomes terrified that her lack of coordination will cause her to be permanently left behind by her two closest companions.
This sensitive and wonderfully illustrated chapter book gently explores the complex emotions of growing up and finding your own unique rhythm.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
112 Pages
The black capped chickadee is a favorite backyard visitor for bird watchers of all ages, known for its endless curiosity, bravery, and stunning aerial acrobatics. But what happens when this beloved little bird flies out of sight?
This fascinating picture book invites young nature lovers to follow a chickadee through an entire year of its life. Readers will discover the secret locations where these birds build their cozy nests, the clever tricks they use to outsmart dangerous predators, and the remarkable ways their bodies adapt to survive through freezing winter storms.
Filled with amazing facts and beautiful details, this engaging nonfiction exploration brings the hidden world of a remarkable state bird directly to your fingertips.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Eight year old Twig and her six year old sister Turtle are packing up everything they own for a major life change. Their family is moving to a brand new town in Colorado to live in a cool tiny house.
They are excited to live more simply and help the environment by using fewer resources. Living in a tiny house means having very few clothes and sharing a very small space. But the biggest challenge of all is figuring out how to fit their giant Great Dane into their new miniature home.
As the girls adjust to their cramped quarters, they must also navigate the ups and downs of making new friends and starting a new school. This sweet chapter book series starter is filled with humor, heart, and plenty of sibling adventures.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
115 Pages
Jojo is incredibly excited to finally spend the night in her very own bed inside her very own room. Despite what her older sister Margaret says, Jojo insists that she is not afraid of the dark and will absolutely not return to their shared bedroom.
But when Jojo marches into her new space, she discovers a massive problem. There are wild intruders making themselves comfortable on her floor. A bear, a lion, and a remarkably stubborn tiger all seem to believe that this room belongs to them. Was Margaret right all along about Jojo not being ready for independence?
Jojo must summon all of her courage to lay down the law and show this wild menagerie exactly who is in charge. This wonderfully charming picture book perfectly captures the wild imagination of bedtime routines.
6-8 Years
46 Pages
Winnie is thrilled to be spending her summer at sleepaway camp. Her days are packed with exciting adventures like climbing steep rock walls, splashing down slippery waterfalls, and floating in a crystal clear lake with a fascinating new friend.
She has never had more fun in her entire life, but her anxiety about fitting in soon gets the better of her. Worried that her new tent mates might treat her differently, Winnie tells a tiny fib, claiming that her late mother was a famous and successful artist. That single lie quickly spirals out of control, growing bigger and more complicated by the minute. When her father makes an unexpected visit to the campgrounds, Winnie's secret is suddenly on the verge of collapsing.
This authentic and heartwarming chapter book beautifully explores the messy realities of honesty and building genuine friendships.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
116 Pages
No hard feelings
Jennifer Richard Jacobson
Twig is having a very tough time. Her friend Cara is teaching everyone how to call chickadees, but the birds only want to land on Turtle's hand, never Twig's. To make matters worse, she just missed out on being chosen for a school committee she really wanted to join. It feels like nothing is going right and everything is simply unfair.
When her dad notices she needs a confidence boost, he tells her about a very strange experiment. Instead of letting rejection bring you down, what if you actually go out and look for it? What if you try to fail on purpose?
Twig decides to give this upside-down idea a try. She heads into school and around her town actively trying to be turned down. As she faces her fears head-on, the things she discovers about her community, the environment, and her own perseverance might just surprise her. Join Twig as she learns that making mistakes and getting a no does not make you a failure, but instead opens up a bright world full of new possibilities.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
Twig is determined to win her school read-a-thon, but finding a quiet place to concentrate is proving to be a massive challenge.
Living in a tiny house means she can hear absolutely everything. Her dad is always watching television, her little sister Turtle is loudly blowing bubble gum, and curious neighbors are constantly stopping by to ask questions about their unique home. When a classmate starts logging way more reading minutes than her, Twig decides she must stay up past her bedtime to catch up. But when her parents discover her secret late night reading sessions, the family realizes they need to establish some new rules.
Can they figure out how to create peaceful alone time when everyone is squished together in one tiny space? Find out in this delightful chapter book about family cooperation.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
115 Pages
The school Culture Fair is just around the corner, and Andy Shane needs to choose an African country for his project. When Granny Webb gives him a special scarab beetle, Andy knows right away that he wants to study Egypt.
But the moment Andy shares his plan, his bossy classmate Dolores Starbuckle jumps up wearing glittery sandals and gold jewelry. She loudly declares that she is the Queen of Egypt and demands to be his partner. Dolores usually gets her way, but this time Andy decides to stand his ground.
Will Andy find the courage to do the project his own way, or will he be forced to share the spotlight with a demanding queen? Join Andy as he navigates the bumpy road of friendship in this funny and relatable school story.
6-8 Years
39 Pages
There is a brand new girl in class, and Dolores Starbuckle is absolutely thrilled to be her official recess helper. But her excitement fades when she notices her best friend Andy acting very strangely.
Andy keeps scribbling the letters LAB inside a heart in his notebook, which just happen to be the new girl Lark Alice Bell's initials. To make matters worse, Dolores discovers that Lark has been secretly visiting Andy at his house. Dolores is entirely convinced that Andy is in love, and she is not happy about being replaced.
When the friends finally visit Lark's house, they peek into the basement and discover a wiggly, furry surprise that explains everything. Find out what has really been capturing Andy's attention in this delightful story about making new friends and keeping the old.
6-8 Years
44 Pages
The absolute last place Andy Shane wants to be is Dolores Starbuckle's birthday party. Not only does she constantly order him around, but her party happens to be on the exact same day as Halloween.
When Dolores reveals that mysterious pranksters have been smashing the perfectly carved pumpkins in front of her house, Andy suddenly changes his mind. He realizes this is the perfect opportunity to use his clever skills. With a little help from his wise Granny Webb and his prized marble collection, Andy hatches a brilliant plan to catch the vandals in the act.
Can Andy pull off the ultimate trick to save the Halloween treats and give Dolores the best birthday present ever? Enjoy the spooky fun and clever problem solving in this festive chapter book adventure.
6-8 Years
44 Pages
Andy Shane really does not want to go to school. He hates sitting up perfectly straight on the rug, and he especially dislikes being in the same classroom as Dolores Starbuckle.
Dolores acts like she knows absolutely everything. She is constantly shouting out the rules, telling the teacher when someone is sitting wrong, and interrupting everyone else during reading time. Andy would much rather be exploring the outdoors and catching interesting bugs with his Granny Webb. When Andy finally confesses how much he dreads class, Granny Webb decides to make a surprise visit to the school with a fascinating monarch caterpillar.
Her clever plan gives Andy a chance to show off his impressive insect knowledge and finally stand up for himself. This funny and relatable story perfectly captures the ups and downs of elementary school friendships.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Granny Webb is having an unbirthday, and Andy Shane wants to give her the greatest gift ever, a case for her beloved binoculars. There is just one problem. Andy has absolutely no money.
With a little help from his very enthusiastic friend Dolores Starbuckle, Andy comes up with a brilliant plan to host a barn sale. The determined duo manages to sell enough old things to finally afford the perfect case. But when they go to wrap the gift, the binoculars have mysteriously vanished.
Did they accidentally sell Granny Webb's binoculars at the barn sale? Andy and Dolores will have to put their best detective skills to the test in this clever mystery. Find out if they can track down the missing item before the unbirthday party begins in this charming chapter book.
6-8 Years
46 Pages
Book 4
Speaking up and sharing your true feelings is never an easy task. Just when Twig believes she has finally secured a new best friend in Angela, a major obstacle arrives in town.
Angela's former best friend, Effie, has returned, and she is anything but welcoming to Twig. Effie constantly demands all of Angela's time and attention, leaving Twig feeling completely isolated and ignored. Hanging out with her little sister Turtle is always fun, but it simply cannot replace the bond of a best friend. To complicate matters even further, Grandma arrives for a visit, packing their tiny house with too much clutter and an overwhelming number of strong opinions.
Will Twig find the courage to express her frustration without causing a permanent rift? This delightful chapter book explores the tricky dynamics of shifting friendships and learning to use your voice.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
115 Pages
There are only two things Andy Shane wants to accomplish today: win the town contest for the best decorated bicycle, and finally prove that he can be a real hero.
Andy has an absolutely brilliant design for his bike, though he has serious competition from Dolores Starbuckle, who has covered her helmet in bright paper daisies. But figuring out how to become a hero is proving to be a much harder task. Andy is completely stumped until the parade officially begins and disaster strikes. His sharp eagle eyes spot exactly why the marching drum corps has suddenly fallen completely out of rhythm, threatening to ruin the entire celebration.
Can Andy use his quick thinking to fix the massive mistake and save the hometown parade? Join this lovably low key kid on a hilarious neighborhood adventure.
6-8 Years
64 Pages