New Releases by Ellen Potter

Is a serial killer capable of love? High-school English teacher Gina Jablonski had better figure it out quick. Chained to a pipe in an abandoned building by her underage student, she needs to find Tito Hernandez'' weakness before he kills her-by surrendering to her own dark desire. It starts with Tito''s damn amber eyes. Those eyes promise rapture beyond anything the lonely Gina could imagine; able to fulfill her deepest need for passionate love. Those eyes pin her against the wall and press into her stomach with swollen greed. They whiskey burn down her throat. Those eyes trap her like a fly in hardened resin. Gina''s heart bleeds for the poor, misunderstood boy. He has chosen her to be his special muse. He needs her. She can guide him in his search for expression through words to show him someone cares. She can secretly love him. The teacher offers to tutor her student after class. The developing friendship leads the relationship outside of school-lunch at the mall, a lakeside picnic, a vacant parking lot. Gina ignores her growing attraction. Tito doesn''t. Can a serial killer choose not to kill? WINGS TO DARKNESS is not exactly a love story. It is an edgy psychological thriller with a deeply-flawed female protagonist, a sexually psychopathic antagonist, and a provocative foray into dark sexuality. The novel abducts morality, shackles it against the wall, and demands submission to uncontrolled lust. Mostly, it is dark and twisty.

Cordelia and Isaac set out to solve a monstrous mystery at the Central Park Zoo in this exciting third installment of the “sweet and silly” (Booklist) Squirlish series perfect for fans of Sophie Mouse and Critter Club! Cordelia is a human girl raised by squirrels in Central Park and well-known among the park’s other critters. When she gets an urgent message summoning her to the Central Park Zoo, Cordelia learns from the sea lions that a monster has been roaming the park grounds—something the size of a bear with glowing eyes! With the help of her best friend, Isaac, Cordelia sets out to trap this mystery creature. They follow a string of questionable leads taking them to a dog park, a parade, and even an encounter with the New York Yankees! But can they find the Central Park Ghost?

Perfect for fans of Sophie Mouse and Critter Club, the first three fun-filled books in the Squirlish illustrated chapter book series about a girl raised by the squirrels in Central Park are now available in one marvelous shrink-wrapped collection! Cordelia is a little girl who lives in a tree in Central Park. Found as a baby and raised by an adoring squirrel named Shakespeare, Cordelia acts just like any other young squirrel, leaping across treetops, chasing her squirrel friends, and sleeping in her nest in a tree. Still, she wonders what it would be like to have a human friend, and when she stumbles into a gymnastics class, it seems like she might have her chance. Living in a tree might have made Cordelia an exceptional gymnast, but people skills are a whole other matter. If Cordelia can’t fit in with the other kids, can she at least make one friend? She also uses her skills to babysit a squirrel prince and solve a ghostly mystery. Cordelia is on her journey to be—not exactly a girl, but more than a squirrel—squirlish! This charming paperback shrink-wrapped collection includes: The Girl in the Tree Shark in the Park Central Park Ghost

"Cordelia, a human girl living with squirrels in Central Park, must protect squirrel Prince Oliver during his quest for the Royal Scepter, but Prince Oliver has other plans and is more interested in finding a shark than a scepter"--

If Nell wants to keep her magic and save her brother, she’ll have to master her spell work and find some way back to the Nigh in this fun and fast-paced sequel to Hither & Nigh, perfect for fans of James Riley and Thirteen Witches! Weeks have passed since Nell Batista and her friends from the Last Chance Club learned how to use magic to access the hidden world of New York City called the Nigh. Weeks since Nell found her missing brother River in the Nigh and was forced to leave him behind. Desperate to find him again, Nell is eager to improve her spell work and get back to the Nigh. Then a visitor shows up at the club with the news that Nell and her friends are all being fast-tracked to become Watchers, magic practitioners tasked with making sure important events unfold the way they are supposed to. Before they can become Watchers, they must all pass three Initiation Trials, armed with tiny powerful creatures from the Nigh called Fates. Nell’s Fates aren’t particularly special, but they’ll have to do, for the costs of failing are steep: not only would she be kicked out of the club and expelled from school, but she would lose all memories of magic—including the Nigh and her brother. Then she gets word that the terrifying Minister is gathering her Magicians in the Nigh to come after both Nell and River. If there were ever a time for Nell to excel at her spell work, it’s now…but can she master her lessons—and muster enough magic—in time?

Cordelia, a young girl raised by squirrels, tries to branch out from her squirrel family and make a human friend, but after stumbling into a gymnastics class she finds social skills are a tough nut to crack.

As they uncover their magical powers, Nell and her new friends discover a parallel New York City called the Nigh, where monsters roam Central Park, Finfolk haunt the Hudson River, and a terrifying Minister, who controls it all, holds the key to Nell''s missing brother.

Book 5 in the charming chapter book series about the adventures of a human boy and a young Sasquatch—now in paperback! Hugo and Boone were having a bad case of Nothing-to-do-itis: They have free time but can''t think of a single thing to do! Finally, they decide to head to Uncle Figgy''s Toy Store, where they discover the legendary Mad Marvin presenting his new invention: the Marvelous Monster Magnet! The only problem is the toy costs twenty-five nubbins––a huge sum! Hugo and Boone set off on an adventure to earn the money, a journey that leads them to a treasure hunt through the woods. As always, the friends will find much more than they expected!

Determined to buy a Marvelous Monster Magnet, Hugo and Boone set out to earn the money on an adventure through the woods, where they meet some interesting new friends.

Determined to buy a Marvelous Monster Magnet, Hugo and Boone set out to earn the money on an adventure through the woods, where they meet some interesting new friends.

Can''t seem to finish your story or novel? Maybe you got stuck halfway through? Or maybe your story idea hasn''t even made it to the page yet. Award-winning author Ellen Potter helps young writers recapture their creativity. Serious writing advice in a seriously fun format. Writer''s First Aid Kit will show you how to . . .?Get started.?Figure out which story ideas to pursue and which to ditch.?Keep writing when you think you can''t.?Go to school, work a part-time job, walk the dog, tend to personal hygiene, and yes, still find time to write.?Deal with distraction, boredom, frustration, and self-doubt.?Find the perfect ending?Know when you''re ready to share your work.?Connect to publishing resources.

A human boy and young Sasquatch explore the mysterious woods in this adventure by the author of The Squatchicorns. It''s a big day for Hugo, Boone, and the students at the Academy for Curious Squidges (a Squidge is a young Sasquatch). Today''s the day they''ll get their Bimbling Badge, which allows them to explore the North Woods on their own. But humans, snakes, and sinkholes aren''t the only things they have to look out for! The legend of a lizard-like monster lurking in the swamp is enough to spook any young Sasquatch. When Hugo, Boone, and Gigi find themselves stranded in the middle of Ripple Worm River, they discover that there are more mysterious creatures in the North Woods than they''d bargained for. Praise for the Big Foot and Little Foot series "A fun romp with valuable lessons in friendship and forgiveness." — Booklist

When a tribe of Sasquatches flee from a mysterious curse, they take refuge in Hugo''s home, Widdershins Cavern. These new Sasquatches look a bit ... odd. For example, they all have unicorn horns on their heads! Always open to meeting new creatures, Hugo befriends one of these strange squidges, Nobb. Nobb offers to escort Hugo though the North Woods so that Hugo can attend the birthday party of his human friend, Boone. Having never been inside a Human house, Hugo finds the experience confusing and somewhat disastrous. Just when it looks like Hugo may have ruined Boone''s birthday, they set out on a mission to put an end to the troubling curse in Nobb''s cavern.

In this tale by the author of The Monster Detector, a Sasquatch and a human boy make a new friend while dealing with a curse and celebrating a birthday. When a tribe of Sasquatches flee from a mysterious curse, they take refuge in Hugo''s home, Widdershins Cavern. These new Sasquatches look a bit . . . odd. For example, they all have unicorn horns on their heads! Always open to meeting new creatures, Hugo befriends one of these strange squidges, Nobb. Nobb offers to escort Hugo though the North Woods so that Hugo can attend Boone''s birthday party. Having never been inside a Human house, Hugo finds the experience confusing and somewhat disastrous. Just when it looks like Hugo may have ruined Boone''s birthday, they set out on a mission to solve the troubling curse in Nobb''s cavern. Praise for the Big Foot and Little Foot series "A delightful series about friendship and embracing difference." — School Library Journal

Hugo is a young Sasquatch who longs for adventure. Boone is young boy who longs to see a Sasquatch. When their worlds collide, they become the unlikeliest pair of best friends. At the Academy for Curious Squidges, Hugo learns all manner of Sneaking—after all, the most important part of being a Sasquatch is staying hidden from humans. But Hugo dreams of roaming free in the Big Wide World rather than staying cooped up in caves. When he has an unexpected run-in with a young human boy, Hugo seizes the opportunity for a grand adventure. Soon, the two team up to search high and low for mythical beasts, like Ogopogos and Snoot-Nosed Gints. Through discovering these new creatures, together, Big Foot and Little Foot explore the ins and outs of each other’s very different worlds but learn that, deep down, maybe they’re not so different after all.

Love Ramona or Judy Moody? Then you definitely need to know Piper Green! The girl with the fairy tree in her backyard returns, and this time the fairies have left her a mysterious pirate patch. Every year, Piper Green looks forward to a visit from the Sea Star, a community boat that docks at Peek-a-Boo Island and hosts a dinner. And best of all? Piper and the other kids get to serve the meal. Most years, Piper has to settle for being “mashed potato girl.” But this year her mom made dessert, and everyone knows that being Pie Girl is the best role to have. But when a doctor makes a surprising diagnosis, Piper’s dream of being Pie Girl may be in jeopardy. Will a gift from the fairy tree help save the day? Praise for Piper Green: “Piper has a winning combination of stubbornness, loyalty, and independence.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred “Following in the fine tradition of spunky girls—Ramona, Amber Brown, Judy Moody, Clementine—Piper Green is set to make some friends in the early chapter book world.” —School Library Journal’s 100 Scope Notes

Move over, Junie B. Jones! Piper Green is back in her fourth chapter-book adventure, and it could take her all the way to China. Suitcase? Check. Passport? Check. Magic X-ray vision glasses from the Fairy Tree? Check, check, check! Piper Green’s class is taking a school trip to China—well, they’re taking a “pretend” trip, on a “pretend” airplane. And when all the kids in the class announce they’ve been on a plane plenty of times, Piper says she has, too. After all, it’s just a pretend trip, right? But when Piper gets chosen to be a flight attendant, her little fib suddenly feels like a very big problem. Could the X-ray vision glasses Piper found in the Fairy Tree help her out? “Following in the fine tradition of spunky girls—Ramona, Amber Brown, Judy Moody, Clementine—Piper Green is set to make some friends in the early chapter book world.” —School Library Journal’s 100 Scope Notes “Piper has a winning combination of stubbornness, loyalty, and independence.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

Move over Junie B. Jones! Get to know Piper Green as she discovers the ordinary magic right outside her front door. Piper Green is in for another adventure when she finds an unusual whistle hidden inside the Fairy Tree in her front yard. But Piper doesn’t want a whistle... she wants a pony! On a trip with her dad to check the family’s lobster traps, the whistle attracts the attention of an unexpected friend. Could the fairy whistle be working its magic after all? "Following in the fine tradition of spunky girls – Ramona, Amber Brown, Judy Moody, Clementine – Piper Green is set to make some friends in the early chapter book world." —School Library Journal 100 Scope Notes ★ “Skillfully blending humor, pathos, and warmth with an atmospheric setting, Potter has created an honest, empathic slice-of-life story, laced with a touch of magic.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

On an island off the coast of Maine, where children ride lobster boats to school, Piper wants a horse but finds, instead, another object hidden in the red maple tree.

Book two of Ellen Potter’s charming new illustrated early chapter book series set on an island off the coast of Maine, where kids, lobster boats, and a hint of magic are part of everyday life. As far as Piper Green is concerned, the day started out lucky: • Lucky thing #1: Her mom is painting Piper’s bedroom her favorite color. • Lucky thing #2: Piper found a perfect strawberry at breakfast. • Lucky thing #3: Piper lost a tooth. And as everyone knows, tooth + tooth fairy = ka-ching! There’s just one problem. According to her friend Jacob, too much good luck can sometimes equal bad luck. And when Piper gets to school that day, Bad Luck is waiting for her. Will the Fairy Tree in Piper’s front yard be enough to break her unlucky streak?

On an island off the coast of Maine, where children ride lobster boats to school, Piper worries that too much good luck can sometimes equal bad luck.

Otis Dooda''s adventures in a New York City apartment building continue as he gets baby carrots jammed up his nose while competing against Sid Frackas for the title of the greatest LEGO genius who ever lived.

Twelve-year-old orphan Roo Fanshaw is sent to live with an uncle she never knew in a largely uninhabited mansion on Cough Rock Island and discovers a wild river boy, an invalid cousin, and the mysteries of a hidden garden.

Life in a small town can be pretty boring when everyone avoids you like the plague. But after their father unwittingly sends them to stay with an aunt who''s away on holiday, the Hardscrabble children take off on an adventure that begins in the seedy streets of London and ends in a peculiar sea village where legend has it a monstrous creature lives who is half boy and half animal. . . . In this wickedly dark, unusual, and compelling novel, Ellen Potter masterfully tells the tale of one deliciously strange family and a secret that changes everything.

LEARN HOW TO WRITE LIKE THE EXPERTS, FROM THE EXPERTS. In Spilling Ink: A Young Writer''s Handbook, you''ll find practical advice in a perfect package for young aspiring writers. After receiving letters from fans asking for writing advice,accomplished authors Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter joined together to create this guidebook for young writers. The authors mix inspirational anecdotes with practical guidance on how to find a voice, develop characters and plot, make revisions, and overcome writer''s block. Fun writing prompts will help young writers jump-start their own projects, and encouragement throughout will keep them at work.

Outrageously funny and smart, this story of an obese boy who takes on his bullies is as heartwarming as it is clever. Twelve-year-old Owen Birnbaum is the fattest kid in school. But he''s also a genius who invents cool contraptions, like a TV that shows the past. Something happened two years ago that he needs to see. But genius or not, there is much Owen can''t outthink. Like his gym coach, who''s on a mission to humiliate him. Or the way his Oreos keep disappearing from his lunch. He''s sure that if he can only get the TV to work, things will start to make sense. But it will take a revelation for Owen, not science, to see the answers are not in the past, but the present. That no matter how large he is on the outside, he doesn''t have to feel small on the inside. With her trademark humor, Ellen Potter has created a larger-than-life character and story whose weight is immense when measured in heart.

Forced to attend a fancy art school in Manhattan, Olivia''s simple life takes a turn for the worse when helping her new friend leads her deep into the New York City subway system--discovering that her ability to speak to ghosts is now the least of her problems.