Most Popular Books by James Preller

In writing in his journal about middle school classmate Morgan Mallen''s suicide from bullying, Sam explores whether he was a friend, or one of the bullies who ignored her at school and tormented her online.

With gorgeous multimedia paintings-and-collages by acclaimed artist Mary GrandPre, James Preller''s All Welcome Here promises to be an evergreen gift picture book for children about to take the big leap into their first days of school. The bus door swishes Open, an invitation. Someone is not sure . . . The first day of school and all its excitement, challenges, and yes, anxieties, are celebrated here in connected haiku poems. A diverse cast of characters all start—and finish—their first days of school, and have experiences that all children will relate to.

The summer before his senior year, Jude (yes, he''s named after the Beatles song) gets his first job, falls in love for the first time, and starts to break away from his parents. Jude''s house is kept dark, and no one talks much—it''s been that way since his little sister drowned in a swimming pool seven years ago when Jude was supposed to be watching her. Now, Jude is finally, finally starting to live. Really live. And then, life spins out of control. Again. Acclaimed author James Preller explores life, death, love, faith, and resilience in his first young adult novel that will grip readers from the book''s dramatic first few pages to its emotional end.

Third-graders Deon, Kym, Lizzy, and Connor, armed with Miss Zips'' persuasive tips, set out to convince the PTA to use their cash surplus to put a "buddy bench" on the playground.

"Perfect for fans of adventure novels by Jean Craighead George, Peg Kehret, and Gary Paulsen." Carter and his older sister Grace thought the hike with their dad and their dog would be uneventful. If anything, they figured it was Dad’s way of getting them off their screens for a while. But the hike on Blood Mountain turns ominous, as the siblings are separated from their father, and soon, battling the elements. They are lost. They are being hunted, but who will reach them first? The young ranger leading the search? Or the mysterious mountain man who has gone off the grid?

Malik and his sister Tiana find a creepy doll in a locked box buried behind an abandoned house.

Welcome. Have a seat. Let us tell you a story. But be warned. Home Sweet Horror isn''t just any tale. This is a Scary Tale. Meet Liam Finn, who''s just moved into a new home with his father and sister. But this old house that seems empty, isn''t . . . Bloody Mary is here. Called back from the dead by a game, she''s just dying to talk.

5 first-rate mysteries in 1 value-packed boxed set! Ace detective Jigsaw Jones & his partner, Mila, know that mysteries are like jigsaw puzzles--you have to look at all the pieces to solve the case! Missing hamsters, lost coins, haunted houses...Jigsaw Jones has seen it all before. With his top-secret detective journal, eye for detail, and ace partner Mila, Jigsaw is always ready to take on a new case. Now, get the first five mysteries in one value-packed boxed set. Titles include: #1 THE CASE OF HERMIE THE MISSING HAMSTER #2 THE CASE OFTHE CHRISTMAS SNOWMAN #3 THE CASE OF THE SECRET VALENTINE #4 THE CASE OF THE SPOOKY SLEEPOVER #5 THE CASE OF THE STOLEN BASEBALL CARD

Shiver me timbers—it''s a sequel to A Pirate''s Gudie to First Grade! Ahoy, mateys! It''s time for recess, and the schoolyard is teeming with young pirates who are ready for action. Who will rule the stormy seas of the playground? Recess has never been such an adventure!

While searching through his great-uncle Rathgate''s old bedroom, new kid in town Reginald Pinkerton Armitage III discovers an old key, prompting him to call in Jigsaw and Mila to find out what the key unlocks.

Fifth-grader Spider Stevens -- nicknamed for his climbing ability -- wrestles with his loyalty to his best friend versus friendship with the popular crowd.

Famous landmarks, moving memorials and quirky culture all await in Only in Washington, D.C., your go-to guide to the capital city of the United States.

Will has no choice. His father drags him along on a wilderness adventure in the footsteps of legendary explorers Lewis and Clark--whether he likes it or not. All the while, Will senses that something about this trip isn''t quite right. Along the journey, Will meets fascinating strangers and experiences new thrills, including mountain cliffs, whitewater rapids, and a heart-hammering bear encounter. It is a journey into the soul of America''s past, and the meaning of family in the future. In the end, Will must face his own, life-changing test of courage. This title has Common Core connections.

Second-grade detectives Jigsaw, Mila, and their friends follow clues found in a Little Free Library suggesting that aliens are coming to Earth.

Welcome. Have a seat. The wolves will wait. Let us tell you a story. But be warned. Nightmareland isn''t just any tale. This is a Scary Tale. Meet Aaron Wheeler, who just got a strange, new video game. A game that sucks Aaron right in. All alone, caught in a snowstorm, a howl comes from the nearby woods. And there is no way out.... Prepare yourself for the next installment of James Preller''s heart-poundingly scary chapter book series filled with dark and creepy illustrations from acclaimed artist Iacopo Bruno.

Welcome. Pull up a chair. Don''t worry about the watching eyes. Let us tell you a story. But be warned. Swamp Monster isn''t just any tale. This is a Scary Tale. The brothers have been dreaming of a new pet for a while, but the monster they find in the swamp might not be the best choice . . . and the creature''s mother agrees. Prepare yourself for the next installment of James Preller''s heart-poundingly scary chapter book series filled with dark and creepy illustrations from acclaimed artist Iacopo Bruno.

The Big Idea Gang is buzzing with excitement! They''re going to show Clay Elementary just how important bees can be in this chapter book series about making a case--and making a difference--by the author of Jigsaw Jones. After Kym and Lizzie get the awesome opportunity to visit a bee colony, they realize all the wonderful things bees do! But how can it be that these amazing insects are disappearing? And what will happen to our food chain without the great pollinators buzzing about? If only everyone else at Clay Elementary could understand how important the bees are for the environment! Now that''s a big idea that needs to be shared! With the help of Connor and Deon, Kym and Lizzie set out to show their school the beauty of bees, and use their powers of persuasion to make a difference in the world.

Meet Carter, Esme, and Arnold, three students accidentally locked together inside an almost deserted school. They are not friends. They scarcely know each other. But In the basement, a mysterious night janitor waits. And outside, moving in the mist, dark shapes shuffle closer.

Jigsaw and friends have a clue, but is there really life in outer space?

When the grand prize for an upcoming animal talent show disappears, Jigsaw hopes that entering his dog, Rags, in the contest will help to uncover the suspect.