New Releases by James Preller

Kristy Barrett is a soccer star. She's been a star since elementary school, and now is so good that she's been told she may someday make the women's Olympic team. Everything changes in an instant, when a blow to her head during a game results in a severe concussion. It's not her first head injury, but it's the worst one she's ever had. The doctors say it will take time to recover; they don't know how long. All Kristy knows is that her team is moving on without her, and her purpose—soccer—is gone, and she doesn't know what to do, or even who she is. Her days are marked by pain and panic attacks. Through two unexpected new friendships and insightful therapists, Kristy starts to rebuild her life. The question is, will her new life include soccer? Sports injuries are a reality of competitive play, for both male and female athletes. Here is a story that athletes and other readers will relate to as they navigate middle-school and their own identities.

Welcome back to the EXIT 13 Motel! We are so so happy you decided to return. After all, why would you ever want to leave? If you'd like, we can even make sure that your stay is... permanent. With black-and-white comic pages throughout, EXIT 13 is perfect for mystery and horror loving kids everywhere! Try as they might, the McGinn family can't seem to escape from the clutches of the EXIT 13 Motel. Other guests come and go, totally unaware of the fact that Ash, Willow, and the rest of their family aren't able to leave, no matter how hard they try. But as they attempt to get to the bottom of the mystery of the Motel, things only seem to get more bizarre. Ash is hearing and seeing strange things almost every night, and Willow's attempts to learn more about Kristoff - the dark and brooding Motel receptionist - uncover a massive secret that has so far remained hidden underneath the Motel itself. New guests, new frights, and new animals in need of saving mean that the McGinn siblings - and Daisy the goldendoodle - have their work cut out for them. Can they get to the bottom of it all before the Motel closes its doors on them, once and for all? Return to the weird and creepy world of EXIT 13 in this hair-raising sequel. Whether you're a fan of mystery, a lover of horror, or even a graphic novel super reader, EXIT 13 is sure to grab you. This illustrated novel -- the second in the series -- includes black-and-white comic pages throughout!

Welcome to the EXIT 13 Motel! Pets welcome! And don't worry, we've been waiting for you, so stay as long as you like. With black-and-white comic pages throughout, EXIT 13 is perfect for mystery and horror loving kids everywhere! The McGinns were supposed to be going on a perfectly normal family vacation. Sure, Ash's older sister Willow was a pain, their dog Daisy was a whiny scaredy cat, and their parents were being kind of lame. All of that was to be expected. Perfectly normal! But when the family decides to make an unplanned stop one night, it quickly becomes clear that this family vacation is about to get more than a little weird, because there is nothing normal about the EXIT 13 Motel.Rooms and hallways that don't go where they're supposed to, a receptionist that looks like he came straight out of a horror movie, and creepy woods that Ash swears have some kind of monster lurking in them - maybe even more than one. Something has been going on ever since the McGinns checked in to this motel, and if Ash and Willow can't get to the bottom of it, they might never be able to check out.Explore the weird and creepy world of EXIT 13 in this spine-chilling series. Whether you're a fan of mystery, a lover of horror, or even a graphic novel super reader, EXIT 13 is sure to grab you. This illustrated novel -- the first in a new series -- includes black-and-white comic pages throughout!

Girl bullies, internet bullying, and substance use are themes in this James Preller middle grade standalone companion to Bystander Mary O’Malley is tired of keeping secrets. Secrets like her older brother, Jonny’s, drug use. Starting seventh grade is tough enough without the upheaval her brother is bringing to their family. It seems the only person who might understand is Griffen Connolly, whose older sister runs with Jonny in the wrong crowd. Mary thought Griff was too cool, too popular for her. But now he wants to hang out with her, and listen. When two girls Mary thought were her friends decide to slam another girl online, Mary tries to look the other way. Then the girls turn on Mary, and suddenly, she doesn’t have a safety zone. Her brother is out of control, her family’s energies are all spent on him. There is only one person she can turn to. But can she trust Griff? Or is he one of the bullies?

With gorgeous multimedia paintings-and-collages by acclaimed artist Mary GrandPre, James Preller's All Welcome Here promises to be an evergreen gift picture book for children about to take the big leap into their first days of school. The bus door swishes Open, an invitation. Someone is not sure . . . The first day of school and all its excitement, challenges, and yes, anxieties, are celebrated here in connected haiku poems. A diverse cast of characters all start—and finish—their first days of school, and have experiences that all children will relate to.

Featuring friendship, school, family, and a diverse community, these early illustrated chapter book Jigsaw Jones Mysteries from James Preller have it all. When a new kid moves into town, he brings with him a mystery as big as his house! Reggie Armitage the III has found a box with a list of codes and a golden skeleton key—but he has no idea what the key opens or how to crack the code. It's a good thing 2nd-grade sleuths, Jigsaw Jones and Mila Yeh, are investigating The Case of the Golden Key. James Preller's wry, witty, Jigsaw Jones books are once again available to inspire the next generation of young readers, featuring both new titles and classroom classics!

Jigsaw Jones and Mila Yeh have solved many cases involving stolen or missing items. But when the search for Kim's necklace turns up more than they bargained for, Jigsaw can't trust his eyes. Did the scarecrow on Ms. Rigby's lawn just . . . move?

Featuring friendship, school, family, and a diverse community, these early illustrated chapter book Jigsaw Jones Mysteries from James Preller have it all. It's the biggest—okay the most stressful—night of the year . . . Parents' Night! And Geetha Nair's painting has just gone missing. The stakes are high, but Jigsaw Jones and Mila Yeh have never encountered a mystery they couldn't solve. Can they track down their friend's art in time for the most important show of the year in The Case of the Vanishing Painting? James Preller's wry, witty, Jigsaw Jones books are once again available to inspire the next generation of young readers, featuring both new titles and classroom classics!

Four friends put their heads together to convince their school to get a new mascot in The Big Idea Gang—an exciting new chapter book series about making a case . . . and making a difference! Quick-thinking third-graders Lizzy, her twin, Connor, and their friends Kym and Deon have a big idea: their school desperately needs a new mascot, and they've got the perfect one in mind. Now they have to figure out a way to convince their principal and rally the rest of the school behind them. Luckily, their teacher, Miss Zips (short for Zipsokowski—but who can say that?) is skilled in the art of persuasion. Armed with Miss Zips's persuasive tips, the gang of four set out to make their claim, build a case for a new mascot, and convince Clay Elementary that Arnold the Armadillo has had his day.

Third-graders Deon, Kym, Lizzy, and Connor, armed with Miss Zips' persuasive tips, set out to convince the PTA to use their cash surplus to put a "buddy bench" on the playground.

The Big Idea Gang is buzzing with excitement! They're going to show Clay Elementary just how important bees can be in this chapter book series about making a case--and making a difference--by the author of Jigsaw Jones. After Kym and Lizzie get the awesome opportunity to visit a bee colony, they realize all the wonderful things bees do! But how can it be that these amazing insects are disappearing? And what will happen to our food chain without the great pollinators buzzing about? If only everyone else at Clay Elementary could understand how important the bees are for the environment! Now that's a big idea that needs to be shared! With the help of Connor and Deon, Kym and Lizzie set out to show their school the beauty of bees, and use their powers of persuasion to make a difference in the world.

Featuring friendship, school, family, and a diverse community, these early illustrated chapter books from James Preller have it all. Got a mystery to solve? Jigsaw Jones is on the case. When Bigs Maloney finds a cryptic note in room 201 that supposedly leads to buried treasure, only Jigsaw can crack the riddle. Soon, the whole class is counting on him and Mila to strike gold. But one clue leads to another and when Jigsaw finally finds the treasure, it's not exactly what anybody expected. James Preller's wry, witty Jigsaw Jones books are once again available to inspire the next generation of young readers, featuring both new titles and classroom classics! This title has Common Core connections.

Includes an excerpt from The case from outer space.

Featuring friendship, school, family, and a diverse community, these early illustrated chapter books from James Preller have it all. Got a mystery to solve? Jigsaw Jones is on the case. Anything that ever goes missing or lost, Jigsaw and his partner, Mila, can find. Then, during a magic show, they watch a toy dinosaur disappear, right in front of their eyes! Even the magician can't seem to bring it back. Luckily Jigsaw doesn't believe in magic, and he's determined to find that dinosaur! James Preller's wry, witty, Jigsaw Jones books are once again available to inspire the next generation of young readers, featuring both new titles and classroom classics!

Jigsaw and friends have a clue, but is there really life in outer space?

Second-grade detectives Jigsaw, Mila, and their friends follow clues to learn if a mummy will really rise from the dead on Halloween.

Second-grade detectives Jigsaw, Mila, and their friends follow clues found in a Little Free Library suggesting that aliens are coming to Earth.

Second-grade detectives Jigsaw, Mila, and their friends follow clues after Old Rusty, a little boy's rattletrap bicycle, is stolen.

Second-grade detectives Jigsaw, Mila, and their friends follow clues when a girl reports seeing a glow-in-the-dark ghost dancing at night in their school.

Will has no choice. His father drags him along on a wilderness adventure in the footsteps of legendary explorers Lewis and Clark--whether he likes it or not. All the while, Will senses that something about this trip isn't quite right. Along the journey, Will meets fascinating strangers and experiences new thrills, including mountain cliffs, whitewater rapids, and a heart-hammering bear encounter. It is a journey into the soul of America's past, and the meaning of family in the future. In the end, Will must face his own, life-changing test of courage. This title has Common Core connections.

AHHHHHHHHAHAHA! Selamat datang. Silakan duduk. Pasanglah sabuk pengamanmu, yang nyaman dan kencang. Ada sebuah kisah yang ingin kami ceritakan. Namun, waspadalah. I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM! bukanlah cerita biasa. Ini adalah cerita yang menakutkan. Perkenalkan, Sam Carver, seorang bocah biasa dengan selembar tiket sangat istimewa di sakunya. Tiket ini akan mengantarkan dia dan teman barunya ke sebuah wahana paling ganjil yang akan membuat mereka menjerit sekencang-kencangnya. [Mizan, Noura Books, Scary Tales, Horror, Remaja, Seram, Hantu, Indonesia]

In writing in his journal about middle school classmate Morgan Mallen's suicide from bullying, Sam explores whether he was a friend, or one of the bullies who ignored her at school and tormented her online.

Fifth grade is no joke! James Preller takes on the class clown in this new school story, full of humor, hijinks, and heart. At Spiro Agnew Elementary, the fifth graders rule the school. And class clown Justin Fisher rules them all.Or, at least, he did.Justin has always been the funniest kid in school. But this year, his new teacher isn't amused. And when Justin gets in trouble with Mr. Tripp over and over, the other kids turn on him, too. No one wants to be friends with the class troublemaker.But Justin Fisher isn't going down without a fight.

Meet Carter, Esme, and Arnold, three students accidentally locked together inside an almost deserted school. They are not friends. They scarcely know each other. But In the basement, a mysterious night janitor waits. And outside, moving in the mist, dark shapes shuffle closer.

Shiver me timbers—it's a sequel to A Pirate's Gudie to First Grade! Ahoy, mateys! It's time for recess, and the schoolyard is teeming with young pirates who are ready for action. Who will rule the stormy seas of the playground? Recess has never been such an adventure!

The summer before his senior year, Jude (yes, he's named after the Beatles song) gets his first job, falls in love for the first time, and starts to break away from his parents. Jude's house is kept dark, and no one talks much—it's been that way since his little sister drowned in a swimming pool seven years ago when Jude was supposed to be watching her. Now, Jude is finally, finally starting to live. Really live. And then, life spins out of control. Again. Acclaimed author James Preller explores life, death, love, faith, and resilience in his first young adult novel that will grip readers from the book's dramatic first few pages to its emotional end.

AHOY MATEYS! The first day of first grade is FUN for a boy accompanied by a band of pirates.

Eric is the new kid in seventh grade. Griffin wants to be his friend. When you're new in town, it's hard to know who to hang out with—and who to avoid. Griffin seems cool, confident, and popular. But something isn't right about Griffin. He always seems to be in the middle of bad things. And if Griffin doesn't like you, you'd better watch your back. There might be a target on it. As Eric gets drawn deeper into Griffin's dark world, he begins to see the truth about Griffin: he's a liar, a bully, a thief. Eric wants to break away, do the right thing. But in one shocking moment, he goes from being a bystander . . . to the bully's next victim. This title has Common Core connections.

When the grand prize for an upcoming animal talent show disappears, Jigsaw hopes that entering his dog, Rags, in the contest will help to uncover the suspect.

Presents a collection of scary tales, including a cat that lurks around every corner even though it is dead, a horrible monster hiding in the closet, and an imaginary friend that does bad things.