Dan Gemeinhart

High on a gloomy hill, inside a spooky laboratory, Frank N. Stine has a ferocious sweet tooth that simply demands to be fed. He sets out to bake the perfect treat, but when an eerie experiment accidentally spills into his mixing bowl, the batter takes on a terrifying life of its own. Out pops the Gingerbread Monster, a hulking, horrific, and incredibly hungry cookie creation. Suddenly, the baker becomes the prey as Frank is chased through his own lab by his creepy culinary disaster. You will be on the edge of your seat as Frank scrambles to escape the frosting-covered beast. But as the frantic chase unfolds, the young baker starts to wonder what this massive monster is actually craving. Could it be that beneath the frightening exterior, this giant cookie just wants some company? Dive into a hilarious and slightly spooky adventure that proves even the most intimidating monsters might just be looking for a pal. It is a delightfully sweet and thrilling tale that shows how a little empathy can turn a frightening mistake into the perfect recipe for friendship.

Twelve-year-old Jonathan Grisby has just been banished to the Slabhenge Reformatory School for Troubled Boys. Housed in a crumbling former asylum on a remote, sinking island, the school is a grim fortress where parents send kids they want to forget. The cruel adults in charge are more interested in punishing the boys than helping them. But on Jonathan's very first day, a massive, freak lightning storm strikes the island, killing all the adults and leaving the boys entirely alone. Suddenly, the inmates are running the asylum. At first, the freedom is intoxicating, but the dark reality of their situation quickly sets in. The island is sinking, supplies are limited, and dangerous rivalries begin to tear the boys apart. You will be plunged into a desperate struggle for survival as Jonathan realizes that escaping the island means confronting the dark secrets of his own troubled past. He must find the courage to step up as a leader before the chaos consumes them all. This is a gripping, high-stakes adventure about outcasts fighting to survive the elements and each other.

Meet Joseph Johnson, a brave boy who has faced a lot of heartache, losing his family one by one. But when his beloved pony, Sarah, is taken from him, Joseph knows he can't give up. Sarah isn't just a horse; she's the last bit of family he has left, and he's determined to get her back, no matter what it takes. Join Joseph on an incredible adventure across the wild landscape of 1890 Washington. He'll face dangerous animals, tricky situations with grown-ups, and the untamed power of nature itself. It won't be easy, but Joseph has a fire in his belly and a heart full of hope. This powerful story is all about finding courage when things are tough and never giving up on the ones you love.

Have you ever dreamed of a big adventure, a trip so huge it feels like it could change everything? Meet Mark, a brave boy who decides to set off on a journey to climb Mount Rainier. He’s been feeling sick for a long time, and now he wants to prove something big to himself. Mark isn't going alone! His loyal dog, Beau, is right by his side, ready for whatever the trail brings. But leaving home means everyone worries, especially Mark's best friend, Jessie. She's the only one who might guess where Mark is headed, and she has a big decision to make: should she tell someone or keep Mark's secret? This exciting story is about courage, friendship, and finding strength deep inside yourself when things get tough. Join Mark and Beau on an incredible journey across many miles, where every step brings new challenges and big discoveries. Will Mark reach the top of the mountain and find what he’s looking for?

Twelve-year-old Oscar Aberdeen is not your average kid. He is a master at playing bridge, listens to Frank Sinatra, and attends a surprising number of funerals. In fact, he is the youngest resident of the Sunny Days retirement home by more than fifty years, and he loves his unusual life. But when his grandpa suddenly receives an eviction notice, their peaceful existence is shattered. Oscar needs to find a massive amount of cash, and he needs it fast, or they will lose the only home he has ever known. His desperate situation catches the attention of Jimmy Deluca, a shady elderly resident with a mysterious past. Jimmy offers Oscar a deal he cannot refuse: help him break out of Sunny Days, and they will split a hidden stash of riches waiting on the outside. What follows is a high-stakes, hilarious escape plan that pairs the ultimate odd couple on a wild ride. You will join Oscar, Jimmy, and an uninvited stowaway as they gamble in underground poker games, borrow cars, and race to uncover the secret loot. It is a rollicking adventure about loyalty, taking risks, and going all-in for the people you love.

Brodie was a good dog, and everyone knows that good dogs go to heaven. But when Brodie arrives in the afterlife, he realizes he cannot simply move on and enjoy paradise. He cannot stop thinking about the boy he left behind on Earth. The boy who loved him more than anything, and the boy who is still in terrible danger. Breaking the ultimate rules of heaven, Brodie makes the daring choice to return to Earth as a spirit. He is determined to protect his best friend, no matter the cost. Teaming up with two other lost souls, a lovable pitbull named Tuck and a grumpy housecat named Patsy, Brodie embarks on a desperate and dangerous quest across the living world. You will follow this brave canine as he risks losing his eternal soul to keep his boy safe. It is a gripping, emotional journey that explores the unbreakable bond between a pet and their human. Prepare for a heartwarming and thrilling adventure that proves true loyalty stretches far beyond the boundaries of life and death.

Get ready to hit the road for an unforgettable journey! When a father and daughter set out on a massive cross-country road trip, they are looking for more than just a change of scenery—they are searching for pieces of themselves that they have lost along the way. Navigating the winding highways and endless horizons of America, Coyote and her dad encounter a colorful cast of characters, unexpected detours, and plenty of bumps in the road. But as the miles roll by, they begin to realize that the most important discoveries aren't found on a map. Filled with heart, humor, and the healing power of adventure, this touching story explores the deep bonds of family and the courage it takes to keep moving forward. Buckle up and join Coyote on a beautiful ride about finding your way home, even when you are far away.

In the dead of night, a mysterious truck pulls into Slaughterville, a quiet town named after its windowless slaughterhouse. Seven strange kids with suitcases step out and sneak into an abandoned home on a dead-end street. They are constantly looking over their shoulders, and most mysteriously of all, there are no adults with them. Timid and lonely Ravani Foster watches their secret arrival from his bedroom window. Eager to learn more about his unusual new neighbors, Ravani soon befriends the warm and gutsy Virginia. For the first time in his life, he finds someone who truly understands him. But this new friendship brings dangerous secrets to light. When Ravani discovers a looming threat to the runaway children, he must find the courage to fight for them. If he fails, he risks losing the only real family he has ever chosen. This atmospheric mystery will pull you into a world of shadowy secrets, showing you exactly what it takes to believe in yourself.

The moment you open the cover of a truly great book, a lifelong friendship begins. When a young reader opens Meego's story, the two instantly become inseparable companions. Side by side, they leap seamlessly from the thrilling adventures hidden within the pages to the very real challenges of the child's everyday life. Whether they are courageously creeping into shadowy, imaginary caves or facing the daunting reality of the first day of school, Meego and the reader tackle every obstacle together. You will experience the unique comfort and joy that comes from finding a character who truly understands you. As the seasons change and the pages turn, the child grows older, but the memories they build with their fictional friend remain safely tucked in their heart. This beautiful and imaginative tale celebrates the magic of reading and the powerful bond between a story and its reader. It is a heartwarming tribute to the beloved characters who guide us through our toughest moments and stay with us long after the final chapter is closed.

Five years is a long time to live on a school bus. For Coyote and her dad, Rodeo, criss-crossing the nation is the only way to keep moving forward after losing her mom and two sisters in a car crash. They never look back, and they never go home. But when Coyote discovers that the park in her old Washington state neighborhood is about to be demolished, everything changes. That park holds a treasured memory box buried by Coyote, her mom, and her sisters. She cannot let it be destroyed. Now, she has to devise an elaborate, foolproof plan to get her dad to drive 3,600 miles in just four days, completely without him realizing their true destination. Along the dusty highways, their rolling home picks up a strange and wonderful crew of misfit travelers. Lester is rushing to meet a lady love, Salvador and his mom are searching for a fresh start, and Val needs a safe place to finally be herself. As the miles tick down, Coyote discovers that returning home might be the hardest journey of all. With her new friends by her side, you will ride shotgun on a joyful, heartbreaking, and unforgettable road trip to save a piece of the past and find a way into the future.