New Releases by Dori Hillestad Butler

2012-2013 Iowa Teen Award Master List They just wanted to tell the truth. When Zebby and Amr create the website thetruthabouttruman.com, they want it to be honest. They want it to be about the real Truman Middle School, to say things that the school newspaper would never say, and to give everyone a chance to say what they want to say, too. But given the chance, some people will say anything—anything to hurt someone else. And when rumors about one popular student escalate to cruel new levels, it''s clear the truth about Truman School is more harrowing than anyone ever imagined.

Girls can''t play baseball at Hoover Middle School, but Joelle is determined to find a way to play the game she loves. It''s not fair! Thirteen-year-old Joelle Cunningham is passionate about baseball. When her family moves to the small town of Greendale, Iowa, she quickly discovers that there are strict rules preventing her from playing on the school team. At Hoover Middle School, only boys play baseball. Girls play softball. Joelle tries to tell everyone they''re not the same sport. But no one is listening. Not Coach Carlyle who doesn''t want her on his team, even though they''re at the bottom of the league. Not Ms. Fenner, the softball coach who wants Joelle to use her big-league swing on the girls'' softball team. Not even Jason, her older brother, who is too busy at college to be of much help. Through some creative problem-solving and surprising alliances, Joelle finds a solution to her dilemma that brings the disputing sides together...and baseball to the girls of Greendale. Author Dori Hillestad Butler has created a high-spirited, indomitable character that readers will admire and root for in this story of frustrated ambition and ultimate triumph.

When Samantha was three, her twin sister died, her parents divorced, and her father left. Sam''s life has never been the same. Now that she''s thirteen, Sam can''t stop wondering about her past. Why hasn''t her father tried to contact her all these years? How could he have allowed Sarah to drown? And how can her mother expect her to accept some man she hardly knows as her new father? Samantha already has a father out there. Somewhere. A fateful decision sets into motion a chain of events and confrontations that will change Samantha''s and her family''s lives forever. As she sets out to find her father and discover what really happened the day her sister drowned, she uncovers painful secrets that threaten to destroy her family all over again. Dori Hillestad Butler''s sensitive story draws readers into a suspenseful mystery about a flawed but loving family trying to heal.

There have always been rumors of a ghost at Four Lakes Elementary. On the night of the fourth grade sleepover, Mr. Poe, the custodian, tells the story of Agatha, the girl who haunts the school. Then secret notes, unusual banging, and a ghostly voice invade the sleepover. Buddy is determined to find out if there really is a ghost.

Buddy was adopted from the P-O-U-N-D and he likes his new family, but he's still searching for Kayla-his first family. What has happened to them? He hopes to solve that mystery soon, but right now he's got another urgent case-two dogs, Muffin and Jazzy, have been switched! How can Buddy get poor Muffin and Jazzy back to their real owners?

Investigating a classmate's claim that he saw a ghost backstage while rehearsing for the school play, Kaz and Claire, harboring suspicions that the ghost may be Kaz's mom, discover compelling evidence of otherworldly activities. Investigating a classmate's claim that he saw a ghost backstage while rehearsing for the school play, Kaz and Claire, harboring suspicions that the ghost may be Kaz's mom, discover compelling evidence of otherworldly activities. Book #3

Obtaining the ability to pass through walls without feeling "skizzy," Kaz explores Beckett's secret room at the back of the library and encounters an unexpected mystery.

With a lot of searching and a lot of luck, Kaz has found his dog Cosmo, his little brother Little John, his grandmom, and his grandpops. But what about his parents? Or his big brother Finn? Will he ever see them again? Kaz wants to keep looking for his family, but when Claire hears about a ghost at the fire station, Kaz knows it's a case for C & K Ghost Detectives!

Here is Edgar Award Winner Dori Hillestad Butler's seventh title in her not-too-scary chapter book mystery series, The Haunted Library. Perfect for reluctant readers in the mood for a great mystery!

A group of girls in Claire's town have noticed strange sights and sounds coming from the tree house where their club meets. Is it a rival boys' club trying to scare them away? Or is it a ghost? The girls ask Claire to tackle the mystery—and Kaz hopes to finally find the rest of his missing family members!


From the Trade Paperback edition.

An illustrated young chapter book series full of friendship and mystery from Edgar Award winner Dori Hillestad Butler! When ghost boy Kaz’s haunt is torn down and he is separated from his ghost family, he meets a real girl named Claire, who lives above the town library with her parents and her grandmother. Claire has a special ability to see ghosts when other humans cannot and she and Kaz quickly form a friendship. The two join forces to solve the mystery of the ghost that’s haunting the library. Could it be one of Kaz’s lost family members?