New Release Books by Catherine Hapka

Set in Pennsylvania, the fifth book in the American Horse Tale series follows the story of a young girl who moves to a small rural town and begins a friendship with the horse next door. Nat is a city girl through and through. She loves playing in open fire hydrants, laughing with her friends during block parties, and making trips to her local comic book shop to grab the latest copy of her favorite graphic novel series. So she's heartbroken when her mom says they're moving to a rural town hours away from Philadelphia. Who wants to live in the middle of Nowheresville? But getting used to her new small-town life might not be as bad as Nat thought now that she's met the boy next door and his beautiful horse, Ghost. Nowheresville is part of a series of books written by several authors highlighting the unique relationships between young girls and their horses.

Welcome to Dolphin Island, where the tropical sun shines, the dolphins play, and friendship is always just down the beach!

Welcome to Dolphin Island, where the tropical sun shines, the dolphins play, and friendship is always just down the beach! Abby's family has just moved to the Florida Keys to run an island resort. She's excited to feel the surf, sand, and ocean breeze every day! And when Bella, a visitor to the island, discovers a hidden cove that's home to a pod of dolphins, Abby knows she's right where she should be. But Bella makes Abby swear to keep the dolphins a secret. Can Abby keep her promise or will their friendship be over for good?

Crack the code with Carmen Sandiego! In this original story, a special clue decoder allows readers to hunt for long-lost pirate's treasure alongside the world's greatest thief. Inspired by the Netflix animated series. Carmen Sandiego and crew are off on a thrilling treasure hunt in this original story inspired by the Netflix animated series. When the secrets of a centuries' old treasure map are uncovered, it's up to Carmen to puzzle out the pirate's code and track down a long lost treasure. From the cobblestone streets of London to a sunken city in the Caribbean, Carmen must stay one step ahead on a trail of clues in order to beat her nemeses to the buried treasure! Using the book's special decoder, readers can help Carmen unlock the map's clues—and make sure this pirate's booty finally makes its way into the right hands.

The second book in this action-packed adventure series follows a team of young ninjas to the final round of the first-ever Junior Ninja competition—perfect for young ninjas and ninja fans everywhere! When tweens Izzy, Ty, Kevin, JJ, and Mackenzie heard there was going to be a kids' version of the reality-TV obstacle competition National Ninja Champion, they all found themselves drawn to Fit Kidz Gym. They quickly formed a team—training together and helping one another overcome all kinds of obstacles as they tried out for a spot on Junior Ninja Champion. It's surreal but exciting to watch themselves on TV . . . and the show is a huge hit! Now Izzy and JJ are headed to the finals in Hollywood, and the rest of the team is coming along to cheer them on. Ty is an alternate, hoping for his shot at glory. But when the show throws them a curve ball and announces a wildcard episode, it brings a new competitor to the Fit Kidz team and takes the competition up a notch. Who will lose their grip on victory, and who will climb their way to the top on the first season of Junior Ninja Champion?

Take a charming, sentimental journey through the Hundred-Acre Wood with Winnie the Pooh. Nearly a century ago, A.A. Milne created the Hundred-Acre Wood and the cast of curious creatures who delight us to this day with their humorous quirks, endearing friendships, and contemplative wisdom. Winnie the Pooh has a finer-than-most appreciation of the simple things--a satisfying snack, a warm and cozy chair, or a long walk with a friend. Come along with Pooh on a journey to share his simple yet profound observations of the natural world. Each page inspires the reader to stop and take a moment to observe and consider the joy that The Little Things in Life can bring.

In this original novel based on the hit Netflix TV show, Zoe and Jade's friendship is put to the test when they compete for a spot in a high-profile riding clinic. Includes an eigh-page photo insert!

Lily's summer is off to a rocky start. Her best friends have abandoned her for sleep-away camp, without even considering whether she'd want to go or not. Worse, she's stuck with a long summer reading list her parents insist she finish when all she really wants to do is hang out at the aquarium so she can learn everything she'll need to know to become a marine biologist someday. They don't understand her dreams. So when Lily discovers a dolphin in a nearby canal, she's torn. She knows she shouldn't be spending all her time watching over the sweet, playful creature. But if the dolphin can't find the way back to its pod in the bay, it could be in serious trouble. Lily can't help feeling that saving the dolphin might just be her destiny...

Avery comes to the cove to imagine swimming with dolphins -- and to avoid thinking about her parents' divorce. Maria comes to draw pictures of the special creatures. Pictures she'll never show to anyone.When a sweet dolphin brings two girls from very different worlds together, it looks like they might make their dreams come true . . . together. Maria helps Avery battle her fear of the ocean. And Avery encourages Maria to share her art with the world. But family expectations could tear their new friendship apart. Then the girls discover their special dolphin is in trouble. Can they overcome their differences to help the dolphin -- and each other -- before it's too late?

Nina tries to help a friend in the eighth and final book in a contemporary middle grade series in the tradition of Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague. Nina’s friend Leah has been acting oddly lately. The two of them attend the same small private school, and Leah also takes lessons at the barn where Nina keeps Breezy. But suddenly Leah seems to have lost interest in riding, and her behavior is oddly erratic. When Nina tries to find out what’s wrong, Leah pulls away. At the same time, Nina becomes worried about Breezy, and discovers someone is sneaking in at night to ride him without permission! When Nina finds out it’s Leah whose family is having financial difficulties, she knows she has to do anything and everything to help her friend. After all, isn’t that what friends are for?

A twist of fate brings a man and horse together in this remarkable true story now available in a new version adapted by the author of the Marguerite Henry’s Ponies of Chincoteague series. Snowman, an Amish plow horse, was bound for the meat market when Harry deLeyer, a Long Island riding instructor, spotted him at auction. After making eye contact with the gentle giant deLeyer decided to purchase him for $80. At first, Snowman was just a horse that children rode during lessons, but when deLeyer sold him to a neighbor, the horse had other ideas. He would jump the high fences so he could return “home.” Harry then began training Snowman as a show jumper. Less than two years out of the plow fields, Snowman won the 1958 horse show jumping Triple Crown—the American Horse Shows Association Horse of the Year, Professional Horseman’s Association Champion, and Champion of Madison Square Garden’s Diamond Jubilee. Snowman was inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame in 1992.

Haley and her pony, Wings, enter a prestigious competition in this seventh book in a contemporary middle grade series in the tradition of Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague. Haley has been focused on one goal with her pony Wings: entering an upcoming competition in the fall and winning. She’s so busy trying to make that happen that her grades drop and her family is worried. And then, when the big day finally arrives, Haley falls off Wings and is eliminated! It’s the worst thing she can imagine after all her hard work and sacrifice. Can she get back on her horse and regain her self-confidence?

It's time for dolphin school's annual Show Off Day! It's a chance for students to perform what they've learned for the whole dolphin community. Pearl and her friends Echo, Splash, and Flip are excited to come up with the best group routine ever! But they all have different interests, and they can't agree on what to show off. Can the dolphin friends come up with a compromise, or will they end up looking silly in front of everyone?

Pearl is a magical dolphin of the Salty Sea, and today is her first day of school. Her classmates Echo and Splash make great new friends! Together they start learning dolphin skills like magic, music, and jumping. But another student, Flip, just won't stop bragging. And when he accepts a dare from an older student, he ends up in terrible danger from a shark! Can Pearl and her friends save him? It's an exciting first day at Dolphin School!

Pearl and her friends Echo, Splash, and Flip are preparing for their first test at dolphin school! It's in Magic class, which is Echo's best subject, so she's helping them study. But then Echo loses her lucky shell necklace. She's very upset -- and, even worse, she's barely able to do any magic! Can Pearl and her friends help Echo find her necklace and regain her skills before their big test?

An original novel based on the award-winning (2 Emmys) Netflix show! The riders of Bright Fields Stables are playing a game of Truth or Dare - or rather, Truth or Mare, since the horses are involved, too! All of the riders' fun dares end up on Becky's vlog, which she hopes will make it big. Meanwhile, there's a ghost dog that might be running around Pin's castle - anda treasure to be found. Lots is happening ... but above all, Zoe is beginning to question, is the island where she's supposed to be?

First crush, first love, first kiss—Chloe must choose between her virtual almost-boyfriend and her best guy friend in this addition to the sweet and clean Flirt series. Chloe has the best almost-boyfriend ever. Trevor is smart, talented, witty, and good-looking. Basically, he’s the perfect guy for her—except for one tiny detail. He lives hundreds of miles away. Chloe met Trevor at music camp when they were kids and was so excited when they reconnected in an online music forum a few months ago. And they’ve been flirting non-stop ever since. Chloe’s boy-crazy best friend Vanessa thinks it’s the most romantic thing she’s ever heard, though her other best friend, Kazuo, isn’t so sure. Turns out Kaz actually has a crush on her! Chloe can’t imagine her life without him, but she’s never thought of him that way. Still, Kaz talks Chloe into giving him a chance and going to the big school dance together. Chloe is almost ready to agree when she gets the most amazing news—Trevor is coming for a visit! But when Trevor shows up, things don’t go quite as well as Chloe was expecting, and by the time she realizes her old camp buddy has changed—and that he might not be Mr. Perfect (for her) after all—Kaz has already asked Vanessa to the dance. Did Chloe just miss her chance at true love?

When Annie spots a dolphin trapped in fishing line in the cove near her house, she rushes to free him. Everyone cheers when she returns to shore, but only Annie knows that she and the dolphin have forged a special bond. He's become her friend -- and keeps returning to the cove to visit and play! Meanwhile, out of the water, nothing is going right. Annie's best friend, Emma, has changed, and keeps ditching her to hang out with snobby Morgan. At home, Annie's busy parents barely seem to have time for her, and she's stuck with her hyper younger brother always tagging along. Then a misunderstanding with Morgan makes things even worse... and ultimately leaves Annie alone and in danger. Can her dolphin friend help her when she needs it most?

Brooke has major boy problems—from her brothers to her crush to her horse—in this sixth book in a contemporary middle grade series in the tradition of Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague. Boys + ponies = trouble. Lots of it. Brooke’s parents force Brooke to share Foxy with her little brothers and Brooke is none too happy. But she is happy that her friend Adam has been hanging around more again. She even lets him talk her into entering Foxy in a local show. But it doesn’t help that the twins riding Foxy so much lately is making the pony backslide in her training and act up a bit. And then: disaster! Adam backs out of attending the show, and Brooke almost backs out as well when Foxy throws her off for the first time ever! Will Brooke give up on riding for good?

Welcome to the Pet Rescue Club! Zach's mom has a new patient—a giant dog named Maxi who has been helping her owner train for a marathon. Maxi's knees can't handle all that running and now she needs an expensive operation! Time for the kids in the Pet Rescue Club to help! Together they find a way to help Maxi. When Janey starts a blog where people can share cute pet photos and stories, she never imagined she’d receive a heartbreaking photo of a skinny, abandoned dog. She calls on her friends Lolli, Zach, and Adam to help – and that’s just the start! When these animal-loving fourth graders discover how many animals need help in their suburban hometown, they can’t just sit by and do nothing… Read a book and help save a life: 5-7% of the purchase price of every ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Pet Rescue Club book goes directly to the ASPCA® so they can continue their mission of helping the helpless, with a minimum donation of $50,000 through December 2019.

For all lovers of horses and history, the beloved Horse Diaries series is heading to the circus! A beautiful Friesian horse and the younger sister of a circus star develop a heartwarming friendship in this sweet and lively story told straight from the horse’s mouth. The Netherlands, 1855 Luna is a black Friesian mare with one small white crescent- moon marking on her forehead. She lives a quiet life on a farm . . . until the circus comes to town! Luna bonds with a girl named May, who dreams of starring in the show, just like her older sister. And together, Luna and May just might be able to shine. Here is Luna’s story . . . in her own words.

When her horse show performance goes horribly wrong, Nina wonders if a Halloween ghost could be involved in this fourth book in a contemporary middle grade series in the tradition of Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague. Nina Peralt’s boarding and lesson barn will be putting on a horse show this fall, and she can’t wait to show off how well she and her pony, Breezy, have been doing lately! Bonus: the cute older brother of one of her fellow riders will be helping out as jump crew. Unfortunately, once the show starts, everything goes wrong for Nina in the most embarrassing ways possible. Could something supernatural be to blame? New Orleans is always a little spooky around Halloween, but this year Nina slowly becomes convinced she’s being haunted by the ghost of an angry ancestor. Can her Pony Post pals help her banish her fears and live down her terrible show day?

When all of Haley’s time goes to training her pony, keeping an eye on the prize causes problems in this third book in a contemporary middle grade series in the tradition of Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague. For months, Haley Duncan has been saving up to ride with her pony Wings in a clinic with a world-famous event rider. On top of that, she wants to make sure Wings is as fit and ready as he can be, which means extra trot sets before school and training and cleaning tack all weekend. So what if Haley’s friends complain that she doesn’t have time for them anymore? So what if she has to miss her very first ever school dance, or skip a favorite family tradition, or leave early from her BFF’s first boy-girl party? Everyone will get it when they see her in the Olympics someday. But when Haley’s overscheduled existence and exhaustion causes an accident, she may have to say good-bye to her dreams…

First crush, first love, first kiss—in this addition to the sweet and clean Flirt series, Lauren gets a lesson in love when she takes her new puppy to training classes. Fifteen-year-old Lauren has always loved dogs, but could never have one of her own until her highly allergic older sister went to college. Now she has her very own puppy, and she’s head over heels…until the cute little monster starts chewing everything in sight and barking loud enough to drive the whole family crazy! So it’s off to puppy kindergarten they go. There, Lauren quickly falls for the dog trainer, a seventeen-year-old dog whisperer with a hot accent. But is he really the one for her…or would she be better matched with Jamal, a fellow fumbling owner her own age with an unruly mutt? Will Lauren graduate from puppy kindergarten with a just a well-trained pup? Or will she have a new boyfriend by her side?

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of LOST's debut on ABC, delve back into the excitement and mystery through the eyes of three new characters stranded on the island! This three-book compilation of compelling, original stories features your favorite characters—Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Hurley, and more. Perfect for fans of the hit TV series, the books—Endangered Species, Secret Identity, and Signs of Life—add even more depth to the show.

Maddie is desperate to keep her favorite horse from being sold in this first book in a contemporary middle grade series in the tradition of Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague. Madison “Maddie” Martinez loves her weekly riding lessons, and she loves working with her favorite horse, Cloudy, every time. So she is shocked when she finds out Cloudy’s former owners might want to buy her back! Maddie desperately concocts various plans to stop the sale: maybe she can raise money to buy Cloudy herself, or what if she can make the potential buyers lose interest? Maddie’s online Pony Post friends—Brooke Rhodes, Hayley Duncan, Nina Peralt, who all share a love of Chincoteague ponies—can tell something is up, but at first Maddie is afraid to tell them what’s happening. If she loses her only connection to Chincoteague, will they even want to be friends with her anymore?

The Pet Rescue Club must work together to save three unique pets in this unique collection. Welcome to the Pet Rescue Club! The series begins when Janey starts a blog where people can share cute pet photos and stories. She never imagined she’d receive a heartbreaking photo of a skinny, abandoned dog. She calls on her friends Lolli, Zach, and Adam to help—and that’s just the start! When these animal-loving fourth-graders discover how many animals need help in their suburban hometown, they can’t just sit by and do nothing… This collection includes three Pet Rescue Club stories. In them, Janey, Lolli, Adam, and Zach must work together to save three unique pets: a skinny dog named Truman, an older cat named Hallie, and a giant dog named Maxi. Will the Pet Rescue Club find a way to help? Read along to find out! Read a book and help save a life: 5-7% of the purchase price of every ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Pet Rescue Club book goes directly to the ASPCA® so they can continue their mission of helping the helpless, with a minimum donation of $50,000 through December 2019.

From the creators of Ice Age and Epic, Rio 2 flies into theaters in April 2014. Join Blu, Jewel, and all your favorite Rio characters for a wild adventure in this retelling of the movie perfect for young fans! Blu and Jewel are taking the kids on a trip to the Amazon jungle. Jewel wants the kids to know what it was like for her growing up in the wild, but Blu is missing the comforts of home. Will this vacation be one to remember? Based on the movie, Rio 2: Vacation in the Wild is a Level 2 I Can Read book, perfect for kids who read on their own but still need a little help.

From the creators of Ice Age and Epic, Rio 2 flies into theaters in April 2014. Join Blu, Jewel, and all your favorite Rio characters for a wild adventure in this retelling of the movie, perfect for young fans! When a wild blue Spix's Macaw is spotted in the Amazon jungle, Blu and Jewel head off to search for more of their kind. But who they meet is the biggest surprise of all. Based on the movie, Rio 2: One Big Blue Family is a Level 2 I Can Read book, perfect for kids who read on their own but still need a little help.

There might not be an exact science to first kisses, but Bailey’s about to experiment! This standalone addition to the Flirt series, now with a new cover, is sweet, fresh, and clean. For fifteen-year-old high school sophomore Bailey Myers, science comes easy. But her feelings about the new boy in town, super hot Logan Morse, are a bit more complicated. For whatever reason, the newcomer’s smile makes butterflies flutter rapidly in Bailey’s stomach and causes her knees to go weak. There’s no scientific explanation for such a reaction, at least none that Bailey knows of, unless… No, it can’t be. Bailey doesn’t get crushes. Sure, she thinks Logan’s good-looking in a jaw-dropping way, has eyes she could stare at forever, and speaks with a voice that sounds like cherubs blasting their cute little trumpets. But that’s a normal reaction, right? And even if it wasn’t, it’s not like Bailey has a chance, not with all the other gorgeous, popular girls at their school who have Logan Morse on their radar. But when Logan needs a science tutor and Bailey gets the job, their growing friendship begins to turn into something more, as Bailey learns that chemistry is a powerful force…

Read along with Disney! When Sofia's stepbrother, James, asks her to be his partner in the carriage race at the annual Tri-Kingdom Picnic, Sofia hopes she'll be up to the task. Even though she tries her best, their carriage comes in last. But in the end, Sofia winds up teaching James a little something about the value of being a good sport.

All eight books in Marguerite Henry’s Ponies of Chincoteague series are now available together in a collectible boxed set! In Maddie’s Dream, Madison “Maddie” Martinez is shocked when she arrives at the barn for her weekly lesson only to discover that “her” pony, Cloudy, isn’t available that day. Will Cloudy’s former owners want the Chincoteague pony back? Will Maddie lose her best friend forever? In Blue Ribbon Summer, Brooke Rhodes goes to sleepaway riding camp for two weeks with her pony, Foxy. The other campers aren’t the friendliest girls and Brooke feels left out. But when Brooke overhears the camp might be sold, she and her enemies join forces to save the summer. In Chasing Gold, Haley Duncan has been saving up to ride in a clinic with a world-famous event rider. She is so busy with Wings she starts ignoring her friends and family and when her over-scheduled existence and exhaustion causes an accident, she may have to say goodbye to her dreams. In Moonlight Mile, Nina Peralt’s boarding/lesson barn is putting on a horse show and she can’t wait to show off how well she and Breezy have been doing lately. Unfortunately, once the show starts everything goes wrong for Nina in the most embarrassing ways possible. And then there’s the ghost…Nina slowly becomes convinced she’s being haunted by an angry ancestor. In A Winning Gift, it’s almost Maddie’s birthday, and while snooping around for her hidden gifts (a family tradition), she stumbles across something that makes her think her mother is getting transferred by the Air Force—this time overseas! Oh, no! What will that mean for Maddie and her pony, Cloudy? In True Riders, Brooke’s little brother sees a cowboy movie, and after he suddenly decides he wants to ride her pony, Foxy. But riding Foxy so much lately is making the pony backslide in her training and when Foxy throws in a surprise buck and dumps Brooke, she worries her horse is ruined forever. In Back in the Saddle, Haley has been focused on one goal with her pony, Wings: entering a recognized event coming up that fall and winning. She’s so busy trying to make that happen that her grades drop and her family is worried. And then, on the big day: Haley falls off Wings and is eliminated. Can she get back on her horse and regain her self-confidence? In The Road Home, Nina’s friend Leah has suddenly lost interest in riding, and her behavior is strange. When Nina tries to find out what’s wrong, Leah pulls away. At the same time, Nina becomes worried about Breezy, and discovers someone is sneaking in at night to ride him. When Nina finds out it’s Leah whose family is having financial difficulties, she knows she has to do everything she possibly can to help her friend.