Most Popular Books by Jeff Gottesfeld

"A solemn and respectful reminder to younger readers of what was paid and what is owed." —School Library Journal (starred review) The team behind Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier join forces to create a touching companion book honoring military veterans and the program that keeps their contribution alive. Located in our nation’s capital are monuments dedicated to the service members who fought in the last century’s wars. Visitors line up to gaze at the Iwo Jima Memorial, stark against the sky; the solemn Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; the national World War II Memorial with its circle of unity; the Korean War Veterans Memorial; and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, engraved with tens of thousands of names. It is here that the Honor Flight program has brought some 300,000 aging veterans, all of them deserving a chance to see their commitment and sacrifice honored and commemorated. Told in the voice of an anonymous veteran, Jeff Gottesfeld’s first-person narrative conveys the emotional impact of a visit that not only encompasses a tour of the monuments but also includes moving tributes from friends and schoolchildren and ends with the kind of welcome home that some of the veterans had never received. Matt Tavares’s striking illustrations bring readers close to both Washington’s timeless monuments and the veterans whose role in history will never be forgotten. An afterword and notes from the author provide more information for curious readers.

Sam and Logan are best friends. But sometimes Logan likes to have fun in ways that Sam doesn''t. When Sam decides to join Logan to explore a graveyard, he later comes to regret his choice.

With every step, the Tomb Guards pay homage to America’s fallen. Discover their story, and that of the unknown soldiers they honor, through resonant words and illustrations. Keeping vigil at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in Arlington National Cemetery, are the sentinel guards, whose every step, every turn, honors and remembers America’s fallen. They protect fellow soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, making sure they are never alone. To stand there—with absolute precision, in every type of weather, at every moment of the day, one in a line uninterrupted since midnight July 2, 1937—is the ultimate privilege and the most difficult post to earn in the army. Everything these men and women do is in service to the Unknowns. Their standard is perfection. Exactly how the unnamed men came to be entombed at Arlington, and exactly how their fellow soldiers have come to keep vigil over them, is a sobering and powerful tale, told by Jeff Gottesfeld and luminously illustrated by Matt Tavares—a tale that honors the soldiers who honor the fallen.

BFFs Danya and Emma are known around school as ÒDemma.Ó The girls are inseparable, even though theyÕre total opposites. When a terrible car accident leaves Emma in a wheelchair, Danya is plagued with guilt. She believes the wreck was her fault. Emma believes it too, and she may never be able to forgive her friend.

Themes: Self-confidence, Friendship, Mystery, Fantasy, Fiction, Tween. Maddie and Lori find some very unusual mints that they love at first. But what happens when they learn something entirely unexpected about their favorite candy? This series of short novels was designed to engage a broad spectrum of struggling readers. No longer will upper-elementary students have to read material junior to their maturity and interests. Characters are age appropriate and come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Science ficion, sports, paranormal, realistic life, historical fiction, and fantasy are just a few of the many genres. Books are no higher than a 1.5 reading level, with illustrations on every spread that support visual literacy and draw kids into the text. Each book is around 70 pages.

Themes: friendship, popularity, student politics, competition, disagreements, rejection, acceptance, loyalty. Rae and Kia are best friends starting sixth grade at a new school. But when they both decide to run for student council, things get complicated. Will this mean the end of their friendship? This series of short 60- to 70-page novels was designed to engage a broad spectrum of striving readers. No longer will upper-elementary students have to read material junior to their maturity and interests. Characters are age appropriate and come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Science fiction, sports, paranormal, realistic life, historical fiction, and fantasy are just a few of the many genres. Books are no higher than a 1.5 reading level, with illustrations on every spread that support visual literacy and draw kids into the text. Red Rhino Books® maintain consistency in design and readability throughout each novel, making reading enjoyable and achievable.

Themes: Hi-Lo, Fiction, Chapter Books, Social Media, Popularity Annie and Erin were besties who loved YouTube kid star Cory Mall. Could the girls make a video that would go viral? They wanted to try. Their first attempt was goofy, but it worked! The girls got a lot of views. When other friends joined them, their next video was even better. Then TV host Big Don got involved. Were they ready to be superstars? Hi-Lo Chapter Books for Children. This series of short novels was designed to engage a broad spectrum of struggling readers. No longer will upper-elementary students have to read material junior to their maturity and interests. Characters are age appropriate and come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Science fiction, sports, paranormal, realistic life, historical fiction, and fantasy are just a few of the many genres. Books are no higher than a 1.5 reading level, with illustrations on every spread that support visual literacy and draw kids into the text.

A New York Times Best Illustrated Children''s Book A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids, 2016 Told from the perspective of the tree outside Anne Frank''s window—and illustrated by a Caldecott Honor artist—this book introduces her story in a gentle and incredibly powerful way to a young audience. The tree in the courtyard was a horse chestnut. Her leaves were green stars; her flowers foaming cones of white and pink. Seagulls flocked to her shade. She spread roots and reached skyward in peace. The tree watched a little girl, who played and laughed and wrote in a diary. When strangers invaded the city and warplanes roared overhead, the tree watched the girl peek out of the curtained window of the annex. It watched as she and her family were taken away—and when her father returned after the war, alone. The tree died the summer Anne Frank would have turned eighty-one, but its seeds and saplings have been planted around the world as a symbol of peace. Its story, and Anne’s story, are beautifully told and illustrated in this powerful picture book.

Themes: Friendship, Summer Camp, Writing, Stage Fright, Prejudice, Learning Life Lessons. Ava is ready for a fun summer of helping out at day camp. But she’s not a fan of all the other helpers. Will a new friend help to change her perspective? This series of short 60- to 70-page novels was designed to engage a broad spectrum of striving readers. No longer will upper-elementary students have to read material junior to their maturity and interests. Characters are age appropriate and come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Science fiction, sports, paranormal, realistic life, historical fiction, and fantasy are just a few of the many genres. Books are no higher than a 1.5 reading level, with illustrations on every spread that support visual literacy and draw kids into the text. Red Rhino Books maintain consistency in design and readability throughout each novel, making reading enjoyable and achievable.

Eva and Carmen want spending money for ice cream at Chill. They want to treat their friends. They want to do more things with their free time than the money they get from their parents allows. But their parents tell them to think of a way to earn it themselves, because they won’t waste their cash on extras. So the girls come up with a plan to make extra cash over the summer. But they don’t realize how hard having a job can be. Hi-Lo Chapter Books for Children. This series of short novels was designed to engage a broad spectrum of struggling readers. No longer will upper-elementary students have to read material junior to their maturity and interests. Characters are age appropriate and come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Science fiction, sports, paranormal, realistic life, historical fiction, and fantasy are just a few of the many genres. Books are no higher than a 1.5 reading level, with illustrations on every spread that support visual literacy and draw kids into the text.

Al Rosen, a Jewish man, takes on the jobs of his Christian neighbors on Christmas Eve and day so they can spend the holiday with their families, starting a tradition that lasts for decades. A mitzvah, as Al explains, is a good deed, especially apt on holidays. A strong cross-over read, this warm story is about kindness and differences bringing people together. This book was selected as a Best Jewish Children''s Book of 2021 by Tablet Magazine and is a Sydney Taylor honor award!

Tommy loves MMA. He and his friend Ben are the best at Stars MMA Fight School. They both compete to represent the fight school at a MMA competition in the city. As usual, Tommy chokes. Ben is the winner, even though Tommy is the better fighter. But Ben breaks his leg, and Tommy has to learn to tune out and focus to win.

The 5,000th caller on fraternal twins Ned and David’s favorite reality show, Ryan’s World, will get to spend an entire week with extreme sports superstar Ryan Wilson. Ned and David both dial and redial. Will they win? It doesn’t seem likely. But they do! Ryan will spend the entire week with the sixth graders. And stay in their home! But TV Ryan is not the same as real-life Ryan. Hi-Lo Chapter Books for Children. This series of short novels was designed to engage a broad spectrum of struggling readers. No longer will upper-elementary students have to read material junior to their maturity and interests. Characters are age appropriate and come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Science fiction, sports, paranormal, realistic life, historical fiction, and fantasy are just a few of the many genres. Books are no higher than a 1.5 reading level, with illustrations on every spread that support visual literacy and draw kids into the text.

Themes: friendship, technology. Ellie and her friend Kate get to spend time with Ellie''s grandparents at their beach cottage. It''s their first trip without their parents. The girls are excited and share everything on social media. But then a solar storm knocks out power to the entire state. People have to learn to live without electricity, running water, or technology. Will the girls be bored to tears?

Themes: Friendship, Loyalty, Acceptance, Fiction, Tween. Liv is someone who is careful with money. She plans, saves up, and purchases a phone she has wanted for years. All of her dedication and hard work then pay off in ways she never thought they would. This series of short novels was designed to engage a broad spectrum of struggling readers. No longer will upper-elementary students have to read material junior to their maturity and interests. Characters are age appropriate and come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Science fiction, sports, paranormal, realistic life, historical fiction, and fantasy are just a few of the many genres. Books are no higher than a 1.5 reading level, with illustrations on every spread that support visual literacy and draw kids into the text. Each book is around 70 pages.

Tana has wanted a dog for years. Her parents have finally agreed. She loves her shelter dog, Storm. He''s smart and loving. But wow, he is an ugly dog. That doesn''t matter to Tana. Storm gives her more responsibility. When she enters him in an ugly dog contest, she learns about friendship, loyalty, and heroism.

Hunger continues to be an international problem. This true story of how one ordinary person did something extraordinary shows how everyone can do something to make a difference. Readers will feel encouraged to find their own way to make a difference. Real life experience plus social justice interests combine into a powerful solution, filling empty bellies with nourishing food, all without costing a lot of money. Recycling meets hunger in John van Hengel’s ingenious, yet obvious solution to both food waste and widespread hunger.

Themes: heroism, friendship, pets, earthquakes, survival. One ordinary day, everything changes for Jen and her stubborn cat, Mimi. Jen soon realizes that she and Mimi share a gift that''s beyond belief. This series of short 60- to 70-page novels was designed to engage a broad spectrum of striving readers. No longer will upper-elementary students have to read material junior to their maturity and interests. Characters are age appropriate and come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Science fiction, sports, paranormal, realistic life, historical fiction, and fantasy are just a few of the many genres. Books are no higher than a 1.5 reading level, with illustrations on every spread that support visual literacy and draw kids into the text. Red Rhino Books maintain consistency in design and readability throughout each novel, making reading enjoyable and achievable.