Gennifer Choldenko

Three siblings - India, Finn, and Mouse - have less than forty-eight hours to pack up all their belongings and fly, without Mom, to their uncle Red's in Colorado, after they lose their house to foreclosure. But when they land, a mysterious driver meets them at the airport, and he's never heard of Uncle Red. Like Dorothy in Oz, they find themselves in a place they've never heard of, with no idea of how to get home, and time is running out.

In a total departure, Gennifer Choldenko tells a story of adventure and survival, set in a fantastical place with rules all its own. Sharp dialogue, high stakes, and taut action make this a book that will stick with you long after you read the incredible ending..

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Three siblings - India, Finn, and Mouse - have less than forty-eight hours to pack up all their belongings and fly, without Mom, to their uncle Red's in Colorado, after they lose their house to foreclosure. But when they land, a mysterious driver meets them at the airport, and he's never heard of Uncle Red. Like Dorothy in Oz, they find themselves in a place they've never heard of, with no idea of how to get home, and time is running out. In a total departure, Gennifer Choldenko tells a story of adventure and survival, set in a fantastical place with rules all its own. Sharp dialogue, high stakes, and taut action make this a book that will stick with you long after you read the incredible ending..

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With their house in foreclosure, sisters India and Mouse and brother Finn are sent to stay with an uncle in Colorado until their mother can join them, but when the plane lands, the children are welcomed by cheering crowds to a strange place where each of them has a perfect house and a clock that is ticking down the time.

Jump back in time to the exciting, and sometimes scary, world of Alcatraz Island in the 1930s! Meet Moose Flanagan, who lives with his family on this infamous island, where his dad works as a prison guard and some of America's most dangerous criminals are locked away. It's the summer before Moose starts high school, and he has big plans to play lots of baseball and try out for the team. But life on Alcatraz is never simple. He still needs to look out for his older sister, Natalie, who sometimes finds herself in tricky situations. And if that wasn't enough, the warden asks Moose to watch over his daughter, Piper, who always seems to find trouble. With rumors of a prisoner strike and big changes possibly coming for Moose's father, things on the island are getting tense. What will this mean for his family, especially Natalie, who has already had some close calls with the prisoners? When Natalie ends up somewhere she should absolutely not be, Moose knows he has to find a way to rescue her. Get ready for an adventure full of family, courage, and unexpected twists in this historical tale.

Alcatraz Island in the 1930s isn't the most normal place to grow up, but it's home for Moose Flanagan, his autistic sister, Natalie, and all the families of the guards. When Moose's dad gets promoted to Associate Warden, despite being an unlikely candidate, it's a big deal. But the cons have a point system for targeting prison employees, and his dad is now in serious danger. After a fire starts in the Flanagan's apartment, Natalie is blamed, and Moose bands with the other kids to track down the possible arsonist. Then Moose gets a cryptic note from the notorious Al Capone himself. Is Capone trying to protect Moose's dad too? If Moose can't figure out what Capone's note means, it may be too late.

The last heart-pounding installment in the New York Times bestselling, Newbery Honor-winning Alcatraz trilogy is not to be missed!

"Superlative historical fiction." -- School Library Journal (starred review for Al Capone Shines My Shoes)

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Alcatraz Island in the 1930s isn't the most normal place to grow up, but it's home for Moose Flanagan, his autistic sister, Natalie, and all the families of the guards. When Moose's dad gets promoted to Associate Warden, despite being an unlikely candidate, it's a big deal. But the cons have a point system for targeting prison employees, and his dad is now in serious danger. After a fire starts in the Flanagan's apartment, Natalie is blamed, and Moose bands with the other kids to track down the possible arsonist. Then Moose gets a cryptic note from the notorious Al Capone himself. Is Capone trying to protect Moose's dad too? If Moose can't figure out what Capone's note means, it may be too late. The last heart-pounding installment in the New York Times bestselling, Newbery Honor-winning Alcatraz trilogy is not to be missed! "Superlative historical fiction." -- School Library Journal (starred review for Al Capone Shines My Shoes)

Jump into San Francisco in the year 1900, a time when life was very different! Meet thirteen-year-old Lizzy Kennedy, a smart and brave girl who would rather help her doctor father than learn fancy dances. But when a terrible sickness called the plague arrives, fear spreads through the city. Lizzy's kind housekeeper, Jing, is sent to a special quarantine in Chinatown, and Lizzy worries about her. Then, a big secret comes to light. Lizzy discovers a hidden boy named Noah in Jing's room, who claims to be Jing's son. Who is this mysterious boy? Is the plague as dangerous as everyone says? And what about the strange "monkey" everyone whispers about? Lizzy must use her courage and cleverness to uncover the truth and help those she cares about. Can you help Lizzy piece together the clues and discover the monkey's secret before it's too late? This exciting historical mystery will keep you guessing!

Meet Ant MacPherson, an eleven-year-old who sometimes feels like she doesn't quite fit in with her own family. She often imagines that her “real” parents are out there somewhere, just waiting to rescue her! For now, the only one who truly understands Ant is her super loyal dog, Pistachio. Together, they make a great team. Ant loves to spend her free time volunteering at the zoo, where she feels much more at home among the animals. But Ant has a secret way of coping with things she doesn't like: she's really good at stretching the truth, or even telling a little fib. This seems like an easy fix at first, but soon, Ant's tall tales start to cause some tricky problems, not just for her, but for everyone around her. Can Ant learn to face the truth, even when it's hard? Join Ant and Pistachio on a funny and heartfelt adventure about honesty, family, and discovering what it means to be truly responsible. It's a story that will make you laugh and think about how important it is to be yourself.

Kirsten's world is crumbling. Her parents are barely speaking to each other and her 'best-friend' has fallen under the spell of queen bee, Brianna.

For Walker the goal is simply to survive in the private school his mother has moved him to because she doesn't want him to mess up with most of the kids in his old school.

Then Kirsten discovers something that has a big impact on both her and Walker's lives.

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Kirsten's world is crumbling. Her parents are barely speaking to each other and her 'best-friend' has fallen under the spell of queen bee, Brianna. For Walker the goal is simply to survive in the private school his mother has moved him to because she doesn't want him to mess up with most of the kids in his old school. Then Kirsten discovers something that has a big impact on both her and Walker's lives.

When Moose Flanagan and his family move to Alcatraz Island, home to the prison and some well-known criminals, he is not hoping for much. But, with some ingenious plans and the help of his new friends, things get quite exciting for Moose - particularly when his sister Natalie get involved.

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A funny, spirited and uplifting historical novel by the author of the firm favourite Notes From and Liar and Her Dog

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A twelve-year-old boy named Moose moves to Alcatraz Island in 1935 when guards' families were housed there, and has to contend with his extraordinary new environment in addition to life with his autistic sister.

Do you ever have trouble getting ready for bed? Sam knows exactly how that feels! When bedtime rolls around, Sam has lots of questions for Mama and always wants to read just one more book. But his biggest challenge? His three super silly toy monkeys! These rambunctious monkeys love to jump on the bed and sing made-up songs about ping pong. They definitely don't want to go to sleep! Even when Sam starts to get sleepy himself, his monkeys are still wide awake and causing hilarious chaos. How will Sam ever get them to settle down for the night? Join Sam on his funny adventure as he discovers a clever way to get his energetic monkeys to bed. You might even find some calming tips for your own bedtime routine in this delightful story about finding your way to sleep.

Moose's sister has got a place in the perfect school on the mainland, one that will help her deal with her autism. But there is one hitch. She got the place with the help of Al Capone and now it's payback time.

Soon Moose is caught up in a terrible cycle of secrets and favours that threatens to destabilise his entire family in this nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat novel.


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Moose's sister has got a place in the perfect school on the mainland, one that will help her deal with her autism. But there is one hitch. She got the place with the help of Al Capone and now it's payback time. Soon Moose is caught up in a terrible cycle of secrets and favours that threatens to destabilise his entire family in this nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat novel.

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Moose Flanagan, who lives on Alcatraz along with his family and the families of the other prison guards, is frightened when he discovers that noted gangster Al Capone, a prisoner there, wants a favor in return for the help that he secretly gave Moose.

Everyone will be rooting for a happy ending for Hank, a boy struggling to hold his family together when his mom doesn't come home, in this gripping story from Newbery Honor winner Gennifer Choldenko.

“One of those rare and important books . . . Hank Hooperman may well be the most resourceful, courageous, and loving big brother in the history of children’s literature.”—Katherine Applegate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The One and Only Ivan

A CALIBA GOLDEN POPPY AWARD WINNER • A SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL AND KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

When eleven-year-old Hank’s mom doesn’t come home, he takes care of his toddler sister, Boo, like he always does. But it’s been a week now. They are out of food and mom has never stayed away this long… Hank knows he needs help, so he and Boo seek out the stranger listed as their emergency contact.

But asking for help has consequences. It means social workers, and a new school, and having to answer questions about his mom that he's been trying to keep secret. And if they can't find his mom soon, Hank and Boo may end up in different foster homes--he could lose everything.

Gennifer Choldenko has written a heart-wrenching, healing, and ultimately hopeful story about how complicated family can be. About how you can love someone, even when you can’t rely on them. And about the transformative power of second chances.

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Everyone will be rooting for a happy ending for Hank, a boy struggling to hold his family together when his mom doesn't come home, in this gripping story from Newbery Honor winner Gennifer Choldenko. “One of those rare and important books . . . Hank Hooperman may well be the most resourceful, courageous, and loving big brother in the history of children’s literature.”—Katherine Applegate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The One and Only Ivan A CALIBA GOLDEN POPPY AWARD WINNER • A SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL AND KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR When eleven-year-old Hank’s mom doesn’t come home, he takes care of his toddler sister, Boo, like he always does. But it’s been a week now. They are out of food and mom has never stayed away this long… Hank knows he needs help, so he and Boo seek out the stranger listed as their emergency contact. But asking for help has consequences. It means social workers, and a new school, and having to answer questions about his mom that he's been trying to keep secret. And if they can't find his mom soon, Hank and Boo may end up in different foster homes--he could lose everything. Gennifer Choldenko has written a heart-wrenching, healing, and ultimately hopeful story about how complicated family can be. About how you can love someone, even when you can’t rely on them. And about the transformative power of second chances.

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Readers will be rooting for a happy ending for Hank in Newbery-Honor-winner Gennifer Choldenko’s gripping story of a boy struggling to hold his family together when his mom doesn't come home. When eleven-year-old Hank’s mom doesn’t come home, he takes care of his toddler sister, Boo, like he always does. But it’s been a week now. They are out of food and mom has never stayed away this long… Hank knows he needs help, so he and Boo seek out the stranger listed as their emergency contact. But asking for help has consequences. It means social workers, and a new school, and having to answer questions about his mom that he's been trying to keep secret. And if they can't find his mom soon, Hank and Boo may end up in different foster homes--he could lose everything. Gennifer Choldenko has written a heart-wrenching, healing, and ultimately hopeful story about how complicated family can be. About how you can love someone, even when you can’t rely on them. And about the transformative power of second chances.

Newbery Honor–winning author Gennifer Choldenko deftly combines humor, tragedy, fascinating historical detail, and a medical mystery in this exuberant new novel. San Francisco, 1900. The Gilded Age. A fantastic time to be alive for lots of people . . . but not thirteen-year-old Lizzie Kennedy, stuck at Miss Barstow’s snobby school for girls. Lizzie’s secret passion is science, an unsuitable subject for finishing-school girls. Lizzie lives to go on house calls with her physician father. On those visits to his patients, she discovers a hidden dark side of the city—a side that’s full of secrets, rats, and rumors of the plague. The newspapers, her powerful uncle, and her beloved papa all deny that the plague has reached San Francisco. So why is the heart of the city under quarantine? Why are angry mobs trying to burn Chinatown to the ground? Why is Noah, the Chinese cook’s son, suddenly making Lizzie question everything she has known to be true? Ignoring the rules of race and class, Lizzie and Noah must put the pieces together in a heart-stopping race to save the people they love. Winner of a Los Angeles Public Library FOCAL (Friends of Children and Literature) Award Nominated for: Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Awards Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award (Middle School division) Missouri Association of School Librarians (MASL) Readers Award California Library Association’s Beatty Award, Eureka List

For readers who love the circus, and anyone who has dreamed of finding the perfect home, comes an engaging adventure from a Newbery Honor-winning storyteller.

Four orphans have escaped from the Home for Friendless Children.

One is Lucy, who used to talk and sing, until life at the Home silenced her. The other orphans find work and friends at the circus, but no one will hire a mute girl. Lucy must find her voice or she will be left behind when the circus goes on the rails. Meanwhile, people are searching for Lucy, and her puzzling past is about to catch up with her.

This irresistible, heartfelt novel by the master storyteller of the Tales from Alcatraz series is full of marvels and surprises.

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For readers who love the circus, and anyone who has dreamed of finding the perfect home, comes an engaging adventure from a Newbery Honor-winning storyteller. Four orphans have escaped from the Home for Friendless Children. One is Lucy, who used to talk and sing, until life at the Home silenced her. The other orphans find work and friends at the circus, but no one will hire a mute girl. Lucy must find her voice or she will be left behind when the circus goes on the rails. Meanwhile, people are searching for Lucy, and her puzzling past is about to catch up with her. This irresistible, heartfelt novel by the master storyteller of the Tales from Alcatraz series is full of marvels and surprises.

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An engaging adventure from a Newbery Honor-winning storyteller for readers who love the circus, and anyone who has dreamed of finding the perfect home. Four orphans have escaped from the Home for Friendless Children. One is Lucy, who used to talk and sing. No one knows why she doesn't speak anymore; silence is her protection. The orphans find work and new friends at a traveling circus. Lucy loves caring for the elephants, but she must be able to speak to them, and to warn others of danger. If Lucy doesn't find her voice, she'll be left behind when the circus goes on the rails. Meanwhile, people are searching for Lucy, and her puzzling past is about to catch up with her. This lively, heartwarming novel by the award-winning author of the Tales from Alcatraz series is full of marvels and surprises.

River and Niko find their dad is missing, and they have no choice but to track him down. But when they discover the clues lead to a shady reptile dealer, they start to think they might have gotten in over their heads. A short story from Guys Read: Thriller, edited by Jon Scieszka.

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River and Niko find their dad is missing, and they have no choice but to track him down. But when they discover the clues lead to a shady reptile dealer, they start to think they might have gotten in over their heads. A short story from Guys Read: Thriller, edited by Jon Scieszka.

Fifth grade is tough enough, but Liam has a lot more on his plate than just surviving middle school. He lives in a cramped basement apartment with his mom and two younger sisters: Dakota, a science-obsessed girl with a massive personality, and Izzy, who has Down syndrome and notices all the wonderful details everyone else misses. The glue holding their chaotic family together is Cupcake, their fiercely loyal and lovable German shepherd. But Cupcake has developed a serious problem and keeps peeing on the apartment carpet. If their grumpy landlord finds out, they could lose their home, and Liam's parents have already warned that Cupcake might have to be given away. You will root for Liam and his sisters as they launch a hilarious, desperate mission to raise enough money for a vet visit before time runs out. This heartwarming and funny story perfectly captures the messy reality of family life, the unbreakable bond between kids and their pets, and the lengths we will go to save the ones we love.

A heartwarming father-son story about bravery and facing fears.

Nicholas was afraid of the dark outside his door, the bushes where the giant bugs live, and the underside of manhole covers.
 
His dad was not afraid of anything.
 
Nicholas wants to be as brave as his dad, but he needs help. That’s why he needs a dinosaur. After all, dinosaurs like the dark, bugs are nothing to them, and they eat manhole covers for lunch (and everything under them for dinner).
 
With his toy dinosaur, Nicholas can scale tall walls, swim in deep water, even score a goal against the huge goalie everyone calls Gorilla. But when the dinosaur goes missing, everything is scary again.
 
Luckily, his dad knows that even the bravest people can get scared, and it’s okay to ask for help facing your fears. It’s just guy stuff.

A family classic in the making from the dream team of Newbery Honor-winner Gennifer Choldenko and Caldecott Medal-winner Dan Santat.

★ "[Choldenko's] knowing, understated storytelling and Santat’s warm, expressive spreads give full credence to the fears that weigh on kids, as well as the presences—both real and imagined—that can help alleviate them."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

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A heartwarming father-son story about bravery and facing fears. Nicholas was afraid of the dark outside his door, the bushes where the giant bugs live, and the underside of manhole covers. His dad was not afraid of anything. Nicholas wants to be as brave as his dad, but he needs help. That’s why he needs a dinosaur. After all, dinosaurs like the dark, bugs are nothing to them, and they eat manhole covers for lunch (and everything under them for dinner). With his toy dinosaur, Nicholas can scale tall walls, swim in deep water, even score a goal against the huge goalie everyone calls Gorilla. But when the dinosaur goes missing, everything is scary again. Luckily, his dad knows that even the bravest people can get scared, and it’s okay to ask for help facing your fears. It’s just guy stuff. A family classic in the making from the dream team of Newbery Honor-winner Gennifer Choldenko and Caldecott Medal-winner Dan Santat. ★ "[Choldenko's] knowing, understated storytelling and Santat’s warm, expressive spreads give full credence to the fears that weigh on kids, as well as the presences—both real and imagined—that can help alleviate them."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

High up in the rafters of the Dogtown shelter lives Mouse. While the pens below are filled with real dogs and robot dogs waiting for families, Mouse is perfectly happy hiding out where the kibble is plentiful. He even has a best friend: Buster, a big-hearted real dog who seems to attract trouble everywhere he goes. When Mouse decides that Buster deserves a real forever home, he goes on a brave mission to make it happen. He teams up with a funny group of dogs that no one seems to want to adopt. There is Stewie, a giant dog who is actually a huge softie, and Smokey, a robot dog whose built-in smoke alarm goes off at the worst times. Even though Mouse is tiny, his courage is huge. He will do whatever it takes to help the dogs he loves find the perfect families.

Step into Dogtown, a shelter unlike any other. Here, stray dogs, rule-breakers, and discarded robot dogs wait side-by-side for a second chance. Chance is a real dog who ended up here when her owners left her with terrible dog-sitters. Metal Head is a robot dog whose shiny exterior hides a deep wish for a real family. And then there is Mouse, an actual mouse who roams the shelter, sneaking kibble and watching over his canine friends. When Chance and Metal Head decide they are done waiting, they team up for a daring escape to find their own forever homes. Their journey beyond the shelter walls is packed with danger, unexpected kindness, emergency charging stations, and plenty of cheese sandwiches. You will cheer for this unlikely duo as they navigate the outside world, discovering the true meaning of loyalty and what it takes to find where you truly belong.