New Releases by Henry Winkler

Unhappy that his parents are expecting a baby and that his birthday party will be nothing special this year, fifth-grader Hank decides to celebrate by doing his favorite things, with only his new pet tarantula, Rosa, for company.

Hank must work on a huge homework packet during a family trip to North Carolina or he will spend the day with his father at a crossword puzzle tournament rather than riding roller coasters with his mother, sister, and friend Frankie.

Failing fifth grade math, Hank must depend on Heather, the class brain, to help him get a "B" on the next test in order for him to be eligible to play the lead in the school play, "The King and I."

Summer school are two words in the English language that Hank Zipzer doesn''t want to learn. But there''s no getting out of this one for Hank-summer school, here he comes! Will Hank have to spend the summer bored to death inside a sweltering classroom, or will he actually learn a cool lesson or two?

It’s time for the end of year parent-teacher conference, and Hank’s in a panic. He’s afraid that his teacher is going to tell his parents that he has to repeat the fourth grade. So Hank creates an elaborate scheme to have his parents win an out-of-town trip so they’re gone during the conference days. Of course, the plan backfires. Will Hank have to stay in fourth grade forever?

Inspired by the true life experiences of Henry Winkler, whose undiagnosed dyslexia made him a classic childhood underachiever, the Hank Zipzer series is about the high-spirited and funny adventures of a boy with learning differences. PS 87 is having multicultural week, and Ms. Adolf''s class is putting on a "Foods From Around the World" luncheon. Hank makes enchiladas, and at the luncheon, Ms. Adolf piles her plate with lots of food. But after a few bites, her face turns bright red-one of the dishes is super-spicy! Ms. Adolf accuses someone of playing a mean practical joke and punishes the entire class with no recess until the guilty party comes forward. Hank realizes his trouble with numbers might have caused the problem-what if he accidentally used three cups of peppers instead of 1/3 cup? Will Hank be able to get recess back for everyone without getting detention for the rest of his life? Illustrated by Carol Heyer.

Inspired by the true life experiences of Henry Winkler, whose undiagnosed dyslexia made him a classic childhood underachiever, the Hank Zipzer series is about the high-spirited and funny adventures of a boy with learning differences. It''s science project time in Ms. Adolf''s class. This is good news and bad news for Hank-he loves science, but he hates the report part. So Hank turns to TV to take his mind off things. But when the program directory scrolls by too quickly for Hank to know what''s on, he decides to take apart the cable box to try to slow down the crawl. Great! Now Hank has found the perfect science project! But what he wasn''t counting on was his sister''s pet iguana laying eighteen eggs in the disassembled cable box. How is Hank going to get out of this one? Illustrated by Carol Heyer.

For Hank, fourth grade does not start out on the right foot. First of all, he gets called to the principal''s office on the very first day of school. Then the first assignment his teacher gives him is to write five paragraphs on "What You Did This Summer." Hank is terrified-writing one good sentence is hard for him, so how in the world is he going to write five whole paragraphs? Hank comes up with a plan: instead of writing what he did on vacation, he''ll show what he did. But when Hank''s "living essay" becomes a living disaster, he finds himself in detention. Strangely enough, however, detention ends up becoming a turning point in his life.

It''s report card day-the most dreaded day in Hank''s school year. And when Hank gets his grades, they''re his worst nightmare come true: a D in spelling, a D in reading, a D in math. After school, Hank and his friends go to his mom''s deli. His mom is on the prowl-she knows a report card day when she sees one. Hank tries to stall her, but she''s going for his backpack. He''s cornered. Hank hands the report card off to his friend Frankie, who gives it to his friend Ashley, who gives it to Robert, who puts it into a meat grinder! Hank watches as his Ds are ground into a big salami, and this particular salami is being made for a very important client. How will Hank get out of this one?

The pressure is on when Hank Zipzer is chosen as pitcher for the softball team at Public School 87''s annual Olympiad, the most anticipated day of the school year.

Fourth-graders Hank, Ashley, and Frankie are excitedly preparing for a magic show at the Rock ''N Bowl when Hank''s creative alternative to an English essay lands him in detention and grounded the week of the show.

"With Halloween approaching, Hank and his friends decide to watch a scary movie to get ready for the holiday. But the movie turns out to be a bit too scary for Hank, and suddenly he sees zombies every time he closes his eyes. Everyone says zombies are not real, but then people around him start moaning and acting like the undead, and he is not so sure. Hank is not taking any chances--not when there might be zombies on the loose!"--

Everyone in Hank''s class has to write and perform a poem, so when his family goes camping, Hank finds plenty of inspiration in nature, even when a rainstorm threatens to ruin their night.

"When Hank''s class takes a field trip to the zoo, he quickly gets lost after his partner (and nemesis) ditches him. Unable to read the map, Hank wanders and finds himself locked in a habitat with Elsie the elephant"--