New Releases by Mary Amato

In this thrilling conclusion to the Star Striker series, Albert and his team face the final round of the interplanetary soccer tournament—but with the Zeenods’ freedom on the line, it’s no game. As Albert and the Zeenods prepare for their final games in the interplanetary soccer tournament, Albert knows he should feel like he’s already won. He loves soccer, and he and his teammates have survived constant danger. But instead, it’s more like the ground is falling out from under him—literally. In order to win, Albert must face his fear of drowning when he learns the game takes place on a hostile planet where fissures split the field wide open. But in order to expose the Tev’s war crimes, he’ll have to take on trouble much deeper than any underground river . . . all with Zeenod enemies still trying to kill him. Will Albert and his friends be able to land a score against a team—and empire—that has taken everything from them? Or will everyone he cares about wind up the biggest losers in the galaxy? Action-packed, yet filled with humor and heart, the final book of Mary Amato’s Star Striker series combines a sci-fi sports story with powerful social justice themes for a satisfying, high-stakes conclusion.

Albert and the Zeenods are back in this second book in the thrilling Star Striker series about unlikely friendships and interstellar soccer. Albert and his Zeenod teammates might not be the best soccer players in the universe but there''s nothing Albert would rather do--and no one he''d rather play with. Plus at least they made it to the second round of the big interplanetary tournament. When their coach is wrongly arrested by an intergalatic police force, Albert and the Zeenods must work to clear their coach''s name and stay in the tournament. But Albert can''t keep his head in the game, putting the whole team''s win in jeopardy. Can Albert come through for his friends and find justice for their coach? Action-packed, yet filled with humor and heart, Star Striker is the second book in a series that combines a sports friendship story with an exploration of social justice and the importance of compassion for others.

Join Albert and a group of ragtag aliens as they dribble, cross, and score across the galaxy in this soccer-themed story of unlikely friendships. The day that aliens abducted 13-year-old Albert Kinney was the day he was hoping to make the school soccer team.But that''s the way life works sometimes, especially for Albert. Astonishingly the Zeenods, don''t want to harm Albert, they want him to play soccer. And so, Albert jumps at the chance to join the Zeenods. Yet just as he is introduced to the specifics of their game and all their high-tech gear, he faces a series of direct threats to his life. Does someone have a mysterious vendetta against Albert? Or does their first opponent, the ruthless team from Planet Tev, want to guarantee that they win? Action-packed, yet filled with humor and heart, Game On! is the first book in a series that features thrilling play-by-play soccer scenes and an intergalactic plot with far-reaching consequences for the Zeenods--and Earth.

A chance to be on TV brings out the worst in fourth grader Lucy McGee--and now her friends want her out of the Songwriting Club! Lucy McGee and Phillip Lee are invited to perform a song on their school''s morning show--this is their big break! First, they agree to keep it a secret from spotlight-stealing classmate Scarlett Tandy. But what about the other members of the Songwriting Club? Lucy forgets to tell them, setting off a chain of hurt feelings, a disastrous secret party, a runaway brother, and much more. The loveable but impulsive Lucy will have to write a lot of apology letters before everything can go back to normal. The delightful Lucy McGee series features a diverse cast of fourth and fifth grade characters who all love to sing and play the ukulele in the Songwriting Club; funny and sweet illustrations on every page; and song lyrics for aspiring musicians to try out on their own. Called "Ramona-esque" by the Bulletin of the Center for Children''s Books, Lucy McGee is sure to be a reader favorite.

Fourth grader Lucy McGee''s ukulele is missing--and if she doesn''t find it soon, she''ll be kicked out of the Songwriting Club! Lucy McGee is determined to track down her beloved instrument, but she can''t let anyone catch on--even best friend Phillip. When Lucy learns that YouTube songwriting stars Ben & Bee are playing a show on Saturday and they''re giving away a free ukulele, it seems like the perfect solution. If only it wasn''t the most in-demand, expensive concert ever. Soon frenemy Scarlett announces that she has an extra ticket to the show, prompting everyone in the Songwriting Club to try to win her over. Lucy McGee will have to get extra creative to find out what happened to her uke and to charm the always-scheming Scarlett in this humorous but heartfelt chapter book. The third book in Mary Amato''s charming Lucy McGee series features artwork on every page as well as song lyrics for aspiring musicians to try out on their own.

It''s the first day of summer vacation, and life is great—until the Riot Brothers find out their cousin is coming to visit How can you complete secret missions and make exciting things happening when you have to drag around a guest? Luckily, it turns out Cousin Amelia is the kind of cousin they like—the fun kind! She''s just as great at coming up with cool games and clever sayings as Orville and Wilbur, and she even travels with her very own (fake) pet snake. Riot Brother Rule #24 says, "Kids who are fun can become Riot Brothers, even if they aren''t brothers," so obviously Amelia is in. Together, the trio takes on all-new adventures, from starting a robot car wash to finding a lost mummy to solving mysteries . . . like why the neighborhood bully is following them around wearing aftershave. This new hardcover edition features an updated paper over board cover (with shiny mummy bandages), plus all the new Games, Rules, and Songs—not to mention instructions on how to do the super-secret Riot Brothers handshake, so you can join in!

Are you bored? Do you like exciting and dangerous adventures? Then it''s your lucky day! Orville and Wilbur Riot are back with all-new escapades—because, you know, you can''t do the same mission twice. (That''s Rule #15!) As the brothers say, a bad day is like bad breath . . . it just gets worse unless you do something about it. So Wilbur and Orville are determined to never be bored, even if that means they have to figure out how to become movie stars or foil a diamond heist. This time even Mom gets in on the fun when the brothers announce a switch day—sorry, a dwitch say—and take over the house and their school. This new edition features an updated cover, a list of the Riot Brothers'' new games, and a sneak peak of Riot Brothers #3: Stinky and Successful.

When a talent show brings out cutthroat tendencies in her classmates, aspiring singer, songwriter, and ukulele player Lucy has to fight for what''s fair and avoid falling for mean girl Scarlett''s ploys yet again in the second book in the generously illustrated Lucy McGee series. Feisty and gullible Lucy McGee has a lot to learn-- but''ll have a blast doing it in this fun-filled chapter book with over 100 illustrations, a sequel to News From Me, Lucy McGee. Lucy and Philip are fuming when they find out that Scarlet is trying to exclude them from the songwriting club''s ukulele and singing act at the talent show. Soon Lucy is in the doghouse again after her plan to get back at Scarlet backfires. So, Lucy calls a truce, but Scarlet only pretends to stop her antics. She locks Lucy and her friends in a janitor''s closet during the show. It''s up to Lucy to help the club members escape yet keep her own integrity. Characters dance across the pages in this heavily illustrated book. Backmatter includes lyrics to songs written by the kids of the songwriting group and ukulele chords to encourage readers to play along and improvise.

When the coolest girl in the class invites you to her exclusive after-school club, how can you say no? Even if it means skipping out on Songwriting Club? Even if she''s always been too popular to give you the time of day? Even if she asks you to paint the walls and serve the tea...? Soon Lucy McGee realizes she''s been tricked into becoming mean girl Scarlett Tandy''s errand girl—and she''s getting in trouble for skipping her after-school activities. Things get complicated as she tries to balance school, friends, frenemies, songwriting, and family expectations. Clearly Lucy has to strike back! But it turns out that singing and playing your ukulele—and having loads of fun doing it—are the best revenge. In this new series from state-award favorite Mary Amato, a spunky heroine matches wits with a mean girl and learns that middle school can be a balancing act—so you can''t lose sight of what''s important. This heavily-illustrated chapter book features a durable paper-over-board cover, three of Lucy''s songs, and a sneak peek of Book Two, Sing With Me, Lucy McGee!

When Lacy wakes up dead in Westminster Cemetery, final resting place of Edgar Allan Poe, she''s confused. It''s the job of Sam, a young soldier who died in 1865, to teach her the rules of the afterlife and to warn her about Suppression—a punishment worse than death. Lacy desperately wants to leave the cemetery and find out how she died, but every soul is obligated to perform a job. Given the task of providing entertainment, Lacy proposes an open mic, which becomes a chance for the cemetery''s residents to express themselves. But Lacy is in for another shock when surprising and long-buried truths begin to emerge.

"On her birthday, Minerva, a seventeen-year-old singer/songwriter, hears from the father she has never known and her placid life is turned upside down"--

Good Crooks Book Three: Sniff a Skunk! brings back our favorite pair of do-gooder crooks in a hilarious adventure that brings about an odiferous encounter with a skunk. Author Mary Amato is a star of state master and children''s choice lists and returns to the age category of her popular Riot Brothers chapter book series with this funny, silly new series.

When their parents steal a monkey from the zoo to help them pick pockets, our heroes rush into action and return the wily animal using disguises, inventions, and old-fashioned shoe leather. They also learn what a monkey can do in 11 minutes: 1) Stick his fingers in your right nostril. 2) Lick your eyebrows, pick his teeth, and then wipe his finger on your shirt. Giggles and guffaws will be the result of anyone reading Book One of Good Crooks. Author Mary Amato is a star of state master and children''s choice lists and returns to the age category of her popular Riot Brothers chapter book series with this funny, silly new series.

On odd days, Tripp uses a school practice room to let loose on a borrowed guitar. Eyes closed, strumming that beat-up instrument, Tripp escapes to a world where only the music matters. On even days, Lyla Marks uses the same practice room. To Tripp, she''s trying to become even more perfect—she''s already a straight-A student and an award-winning cellist. But when Lyla begins leaving notes for him in between the strings of the guitar, his life intersects with hers in a way he never expected. What starts as a series of snippy notes quickly blossoms into the sharing of interests and secrets and dreams, and the forging of a very unlikely friendship. Challenging each other to write songs, they begin to connect, even though circumstances threaten to tear them apart. From beloved author Mary Amato comes a YA novel of wit and wisdom, both heartfelt and heartbreaking, about the power of music and the unexpected chords that draw us together.

When their parents steal a Hollywood star (a white poodle) to hold it for ransom, our young heroes leap into action. Too bad the spoiled star will not raise a paw to help. Barks and howls will be the result of anyone reading Book Two of Good Crooks. Author Mary Amato is a star of state master and children''s choice lists and returns to the age category of her popular Riot Brothers chapter book series with this funny, silly new series.

When someone takes a pet goldfish then other items from Ms. Herschel''s classroom, each time leaving a clue in the form of a poem, student Edgar Allan competes with a classmate to be the first to solve the mystery.

When a teacher leaves a blank book in the Writer’s Corner for her students to find, with the instructions "Please Write in this Book," she hopes it will encourage her students to talk to one another in its pages. They do, and the result is an epic classroom battle.

Libraries will have a hard time keeping "Snarf Attack" on the shelf and readers will beg for a sequel.

When her father begins a long-distance romance with a Washington, D.C. zookeeper, twelve-year-old Frankie sends fabricated email letters to the zookeeper in an attempt to end the relationship.

Lerner Chanse, a new student at Cleveland Park Middle School, finds a worm that magically makes things disappear, and she hopes it will help her fit in, or get revenge, at her hated school.