Most Popular Books by James Preller

Eric is the new kid in seventh grade. Griffin wants to be his friend. When you''re new in town, it''s hard to know who to hang out with—and who to avoid. Griffin seems cool, confident, and popular. But something isn''t right about Griffin. He always seems to be in the middle of bad things. And if Griffin doesn''t like you, you''d better watch your back. There might be a target on it. As Eric gets drawn deeper into Griffin''s dark world, he begins to see the truth about Griffin: he''s a liar, a bully, a thief. Eric wants to break away, do the right thing. But in one shocking moment, he goes from being a bystander . . . to the bully''s next victim. This title has Common Core connections.

Arr! It''s the first day of first grade, and it''s all hands on deck for a young pirate and his crew. How much trouble can they get into? What will they do at recess? And, most important, what treasure awaits them at school?

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.

In this charming story about an unlikely friendship, Mouse tucks his friend Bear into bed and promises to wake him in spring--when flowers bloom and best friends sing! Full color illustrations throughout.

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.

From James Preller, the author of Bystander, another unflinching book about bullying and its fallout. The summer before school starts, Sam''s friend and classmate Morgan Mallen kills herself. Morgan had been bullied. Maybe she kissed the wrong boy. Or said the wrong thing. What about that selfie that made the rounds? Morgan was this, and Morgan was that. But who really knows what happened? As Sam explores the events leading up to the tragedy, he must face a difficult and life-changing question: Why did he keep his friendship with Morgan a secret? And could he have done something-anything-to prevent her final actions? This title has Common Core connections.

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. A father-and-son journey along the Lewis and Clark Trail--from Fort Mandan to the shining sea--offers readers a genre-bending blend of American history, thrilling action, and personal discovery. This title has Common Core connections.

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.

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.

A middle-school zombie uncovers an environmental mystery in this middle-grade novel.

After the death of his mother, eight-year-old Liam and his father and sister move to a new house for a fresh start, but Liam soon discovers that the old house is haunted.

Girl bullies, internet bullying, and substance use are themes in this James Preller middle grade standalone companion to Bystander Mary O’Malley is tired of keeping secrets. Secrets like her older brother, Jonny’s, drug use. Starting seventh grade is tough enough without the upheaval her brother is bringing to their family. It seems the only person who might understand is Griffen Connolly, whose older sister runs with Jonny in the wrong crowd. Mary thought Griff was too cool, too popular for her. But now he wants to hang out with her, and listen. When two girls Mary thought were her friends decide to slam another girl online, Mary tries to look the other way. Then the girls turn on Mary, and suddenly, she doesn’t have a safety zone. Her brother is out of control, her family’s energies are all spent on him. There is only one person she can turn to. But can she trust Griff? Or is he one of the bullies?

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.

Welcome back to the EXIT 13 Motel! We are so so happy you decided to return. After all, why would you ever want to leave? If you''d like, we can even make sure that your stay is... permanent. With black-and-white comic pages throughout, EXIT 13 is perfect for mystery and horror loving kids everywhere! Try as they might, the McGinn family can''t seem to escape from the clutches of the EXIT 13 Motel. Other guests come and go, totally unaware of the fact that Ash, Willow, and the rest of their family aren''t able to leave, no matter how hard they try. But as they attempt to get to the bottom of the mystery of the Motel, things only seem to get more bizarre. Ash is hearing and seeing strange things almost every night, and Willow''s attempts to learn more about Kristoff - the dark and brooding Motel receptionist - uncover a massive secret that has so far remained hidden underneath the Motel itself. New guests, new frights, and new animals in need of saving mean that the McGinn siblings - and Daisy the goldendoodle - have their work cut out for them. Can they get to the bottom of it all before the Motel closes its doors on them, once and for all? Return to the weird and creepy world of EXIT 13 in this hair-raising sequel. Whether you''re a fan of mystery, a lover of horror, or even a graphic novel super reader, EXIT 13 is sure to grab you. This illustrated novel -- the second in the series -- includes black-and-white comic pages throughout!

Sucked into a strange video game where he finds himself caught in a snowstorm, young Aaron ventures into the nearby woods only to hear scary howls and discover that he''s trapped.

A Bank Street - Best Children''s Book of the Year A game in the life of a Little League team playing their championship game – and two best friends whose bond is put to the test. Two teams, six innings, one game. A lively cast of characters—baseball-loving boys between the ages of eleven to thirteen—are playing the biggest game of their lives. With acrobatic catches, clutch hits, dramatic whiffs, and costly errors, this game is full of action. But as the book unfolds, pitch by pitch, a deeper story emerges, with far more at stake: Sam and Mike, best friends, are trying to come to terms with Sam''s newly diagnosed cancer. And this baseball diamond becomes the ultimate testing ground of Sam and Mike''s remarkable friendship as they strive to find a way to both come out winners. This is for the championship. This is for life.

Kristy Barrett is a soccer star. She''s been a star since elementary school, and now is so good that she''s been told she may someday make the women''s Olympic team. Everything changes in an instant, when a blow to her head during a game results in a severe concussion. It''s not her first head injury, but it''s the worst one she''s ever had. The doctors say it will take time to recover; they don''t know how long. All Kristy knows is that her team is moving on without her, and her purpose—soccer—is gone, and she doesn''t know what to do, or even who she is. Her days are marked by pain and panic attacks. Through two unexpected new friendships and insightful therapists, Kristy starts to rebuild her life. The question is, will her new life include soccer? Sports injuries are a reality of competitive play, for both male and female athletes. Here is a story that athletes and other readers will relate to as they navigate middle-school and their own identities.

Twins Lance and Chance LaRue are seeking a pet in the swamp near their Texas shack when they happen upon an egg and bring it home to hatch, but the creature''s mother finds them, determined to rescue her little one.

Amusement park-loving Samantha receives a ticket to a very special ride that takes her on a heart-stopping adventure along with her equally terrified companion.

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

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.

Welcome. Have a seat. Ignore the shambling undead outside. Let us tell you a story. But be warned. Good Night, Zombie isn''t just any tale. This is a Scary Tale. 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... James Preller knows his audience: "It''s what so many students, on every school visit, tell me that they want. You guessed it, scary stories for grades 2-4, 80 page chapter books. And by scary I mean . . . spine-tingling, heart-pounding scary."

Welcome. Have a seat. The doll will move if you ask nicely. She''s got a story to tell. But be warned. One-Eyed Doll isn''t just any tale. This is a Scary Tale. Meet Malick Rice and his sister, Tiana. Two kids who love to hunt for hidden treasure and are about to make their biggest find yet. A small box, locked tight, buried behind a deserted house. A box meant to stay buried forever... in this bone-chilling tale from James Preller and Iacopo Bruno.

Is there a bear loose in the woods by Jigsaw Jones'' town? For once this second-grade detective and his partner Mila Yeh might be out of their depth! One way or another, these too young sleuths will get to the bottom of who, or what, is growling and s

"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?

After Jigsaw''s class finds a riddle that may lead to a pirate''s buried treasure, Jigsaw and Mila are enlisted to help find it.

It''s time for recess, and the schoolyard is teeming with young pirates ready for action.

Introduce children to 75 favorite authors and illustrators with this all-in-one resource! The lively profiles in this collection provide insight into the lives, work, inspiration, and creative process of these talented writers and artists. Share these fascinating mini-biographies with students to enhance author studies and help your students read with greater enthusiasm and understanding. Book jacket.

Four friends inaugurate their Big Idea Gang by starting a campaign to convince their principal and school to get a new mascot.

Jigsaw Jones goes undercover to find out who has been stealing brownies from Mike and Mary''s restaurant, while competing with a classmate to see who will be the first to solve the case of a missing football.

Jigsaw and Mila''s detective work takes a slightly different route when Jigsaw becomes his own client after misplacing his grandfather''s old pocket watch.

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

From award-winning author James Preller comes the first book in a Level 1 Ready-to-Read series about a moose looking for birds of a feather! Moose really wants to join two birds at the top of a tree. But how does a moose climb up a tree, and what will he do when he gets to the top? Find out in this delightfully silly story about a moose on a mission…and the birds that are in for a pleasant, moonlit surprise!

Featuring friendship, school, family, and a diverse community, these early illustrated chapter books from James Preller have it all. Got a mystery to solve? Jigsaw Jones is on the case. Eddie Becker has the idea of a lifetime, and creates plans for what he promises is going to be a million-dollar invention. Then the plans get stolen. Worst of all, after Jigsaw does some digging, he suspects the principal may be the thief! Now Jigsaw has to invent a gadget of his own to find out the truth. James Preller''s wry, witty, Jigsaw Jones books are once again available to inspire the next generation of young readers, featuring both new titles and classroom classics! This title has Common Core connections.

Jigsaw and Mila are hired to locate a prized statue of a falcon.

Featuring friendship, school, family, and a diverse community, these early illustrated chapter book Jigsaw Jones Mysteries from James Preller have it all. Is there a bear loose in the woods by Jigsaw Jones'' town? For once this second-grade detective and his partner Mila Yeh might be out of their depth! One way or another, these two young sleuths will get to the bottom of who, or what, is growling and snapping in those woods in The Case of the Bear Scare. James Preller''s wry, witty, Jigsaw Jones books are once again available to inspire the next generation of young readers, featuring both new titles and classroom classics!

When a new kid moves into town, he brings with him a mystery as big as his house! Reggie Armitage the III has found a box with a list of codes and a golden skeleton key--but he has no idea what the key opens or how to crack the code. It''s a good thin

Moose dances like no one’s watching in this second book in the Level 1 Ready-to-Read series from award-winning author James Preller! Moose wants to dance gracefully like the two ballerinas he meets. He may not have ballet slippers, but he will not give up! Find out how he makes it work in this delightfully silly story about a moose on a mission.

While on a class camping trip, Danika informs Jigsaw that there is a Marshmallow Monster haunting the lake, so Jigsaw joins foces with Mila to find out the truth.

Jigsaw Jones Mystery series #22.