New Releases by Jennifer L. Holm

The New York Times bestselling SUNNY series continues as Sunny finds herself in the spotlight in a competition unlike any other... Sunny is starting to understand the ins and outs of middle school... but she still feels more out than in. It''s about classes or homework, really. No, it''s the fact that most kids have a thing they do outside of class. Like football or track or cheerleading. Sunny isn''t quarterback material, and her cheer attempts are... not the best. So what can she do? When Sunny''s friend Arun says he wants to start a debate club, she''s not really sure what he means. Isn''t debate just... arguing? Sunny''s never had a problem with arguing. Arun and the advisor show her there''s more to it than that -- there''s also teamwork, and research, and being able to speak up in front of judges. Some of the debates are fun ones -- which is the best candy? Is peanut butter a force for evil or a force for good? But when the debate club starts to be a success, Sunny realizes she won''t just be able to talk her way into winning... she''ll have to make her case!

Meet Babymouse--the spunky mouse beloved by young readers! Babymouse learns how to be a good friend in this BIG, FULL-COLOR graphic novel series, perfect for young readers who love to laugh! "Move over, Superman, here comes Babymouse!"—The Chicago Sun-Times Babymouse has the BEST imagination. She makes the BEST cupcakes. And her BEST friend is Wilson. Then why is Wilson hanging out with the new kid in school so much? And why is the new kid so GOOD at everything?! Well, Babymouse is just going to have to be even BETTER than this new kid. No, she’s going to have to be the BEST! This larger-than-life young graphic novel, full of humor and fun, is a spin-off of the bestselling series that’s sold more than three million copies! DON''T MISS a single BIG ADVENTURE with BABYMOUSE--starting with #1: ONCE UPON A MESSY WHISKER!

Meet Babymouse--the spunky mouse beloved by young readers for more than a decade! Babymouse learns to be careful what you wish for in this BIG, FULL-COLOR graphic novel series, perfect for young readers who love to laugh! This larger-than-life young graphic novel, full of humor and fun, is a spin-off of the bestselling series that’s sold more than three million copies! "Move over, Superman, here comes Babymouse!"—The Chicago Sun-Times Babymouse has a BIG imagination. In her dreams, she''s the BEST at everything -- she''s the coolest, the smartest, the strongest, and she DEFINITELY has nice, neat whiskers! In real life? Not so much. But WHAT IF Babymouse could make her fantasies come true...? DON''T MISS the original groundbreaking series starting with BABYMOUSE #1: QUEEN OF THE WORLD!

Watch out, Big City! Babymouse is on a field trip without a chaperone in the third book in the Babymousetastic, highly illustrated Babymouse: Tales from the Locker series--now in paperback! Babymouse''s art class is headed to a museum in the Big City. And now that they''re middle schoolers, she and her friends will be totally unsupervised! She can''t wait to check out all the world-famous art...that is, until she overhears Felicia Furrypaws planning to ditch the museum and hit the town instead. Babymouse decides to test her freedom with an urban adventure of her own. Will she make it back to the museum before the bus leaves? Or will life in the Big City trip her up big-time? Highly illustrated with black-and-white art throughout and a dozen or so comic pages, this is the perfect showcase for the Holms'' signature humor. Middle school may never be the same!

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Life on Mars is pretty standard…. until a mysterious virus hits. Don’t miss this timely and unputdownable novel from the bestselling author of The Fourteenth Goldfish. Bell is just like any other kid. He loves cats, eats all kinds of cake, and is curious about everything. Oh, and he lives on another planet! Living on Mars comes with a ton of rules. Like don’t go outside without a buddy. Always keep a glow stick in your pocket. And no contact with the kids in the other settlements. Ever. Then a virus breaks out among the grown-ups, and the children are the only ones who can help. Suddenly it''s up to Bell - a regular kid in a very different world - to uncover the truth and save his family ... and possibly unite an entire planet.

Watch out, middle school! Babymouse graduates from graphic novels in the first of the Babymouse Tales from the Locker series--now in paperback! For Babymouse, middle school is like a monster movie. You can never be sure who’s a friend and who’s an enemy, and the halls are filled with mean-girl zombies. Instead of brains, the zombies hunger for stuff—the perfect wedge sandals or the right shade of sparkly lip gloss—and they expect everyone to be just like them. But Babymouse doesn’t want to fit in—she wants to stand out! So she joins the film club to write and direct a sweeping cinematic epic. Will making the film of her dreams turn into a nightmare? Highly illustrated with black-and-white art throughout and a dozen or so comic pages, this is the perfect showcase for bestselling authors Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm''s signature humor. Middle school may never be the same!

Now in paperback! In this hilarious installment of the Tales from the Locker series, Babymouse has a smartphone, and she''s not afraid to use it. . . . Ping! Ping! The sound of texting is in the air. Everyone at middle school has a cell phone. Babymouse just has to get one, too. But having a phone is a lot of work! Building up a following on SoFamous, learning text lingo, keeping up with all the important koala videos . . . Babymouse is ready to tear her whiskers out. Why does it suddenly feel like she has no friends? Somehow, Babymouse needs to figure out how to stop worrying and love her smartphone . . . if Locker doesn''t eat it first. #Typical.

The latest in the New York Times bestselling Sunny series brings Sunny into a sink-or-swim summer, where she needs to float her first job and dive into her first maybe-flirtation. It''s summer, and Sunny is BORED. Most of her friends are out of town. Her mom wants her to baby-sit way more than Sunny wants to baby-sit. There''s nothing good on TV. The only place that''s cool (in a not-boring sense) and cool (in a not-hot sense) is the community pool. Sunny loves going there . . . and loves it even more when she''s offered a job at the snack shack. Soon she''s flinging fries and serving soft ice-cream like a pro . . . with the assistance of the very sweet boy who works with her. Sunny''s mom isn''t sure Sunny should be quite so independent. But Sunny is definitely sure: Life is best when it''s free swim.

For every parent and caregiver tired of telling the kids it''s not a good idea to eat cake for breakfast, this hilarious and imaginative new Step into Reading--from the beloved creators of Babymouse--is here to help. Sort of. Should the Evil Princess eat cake for breakfast? Should the Brave Knight jump in the muddly puddle? Watch them try to learn...to make, ahem, better choices, in this hilarious and perfectly young Step 2 Step into Reading. Step 2 readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. They are perfect for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help.

In 1935, when her mother gets a job housekeeping for a woman who does not like children, eleven-year-old Turtle is sent to stay with relatives she has never met in far away Key West, Florida. In graphic novel format.

It''s summer, and Sunny is BORED. Most of her friends are out of town. Her mom wants her to baby-sit way more than Sunny wants to baby-sit. The only place that''s cool (in a not-boring sense) and cool (in a not-hot sense) is the community pool. Sunny loves it when she''s offered a job at the snack shack. In graphic novel format.

For every parent and teacher tired of telling the kids to PLEASE JUST GET ALONG, this hilarious and imaginative new Step into Reading--from the beloved creators of Babymouse--is here to help. Sort of. The Evil Princess casts terrible spells, while the Brave Knight fights dragons. Could these siblings be any more different? Watch them try to learn to TAKE TURNS in this hilarious and perfectly young Step 1 Step into Reading!

"Believe in the unexpected" with this hilarious, heartwarming, and acclaimed sequel to the New York Times bestseller The Fourteenth Goldfish! Ellie''s grandpa Melvin is a world-renowned scientist . . . in the body of a fourteen-year-old boy. His feet stink, and he eats everything in the refrigerator--and Ellie is so happy to have him around. Grandpa may not exactly fit in at middle school, but he certainly keeps things interesting. When he and Ellie team up for the county science fair, no one realizes just how groundbreaking their experiment will be. The formula for eternal youth may be within their reach! And when Ellie''s cat, Jonas Salk, gets sick, the stakes become even higher. But is the key to eternal life really the key to happiness? Sometimes even the most careful experiments yield unexpected--and wonderful--results.

From the award-winning duo of Jennifer and Matthew Holm comes the third book in the bestselling Sunny series, Sunny Rolls the Dice -- full of heart, laughs, and adventure! Too cool for school . . . or the least groovy girl in the grade?Sunny''s just made it to middle school . . . and it''s making her life very confusing. All her best friend Deb wants to talk about is fashion, boys, makeup, boys, and being cool. Sunny''s not against any of these things, but she also doesn''t understand why suddenly everything revolves around them. She''s much more comfortable when she''s in her basement, playing Dungeons & Dragons with a bunch of new friends. Because when you''re swordfighting and spider-slaying, it''s hard to worry about whether you look cool or not. Especially when it''s your turn to roll the 20-sided die. Trying hard to be cool can make you feel really uncool . . . and it''s much more fun to just have fun. Sunny''s going to find her groove and her own kind of groovy, with plenty of laughs along the way.

For every parent tired of telling their kids to PLEASE JUST GET ALONG, this hilarious and imaginative new picture book--from the beloved creators of Babymouse--is here to help. Sort of. Meet the Evil Princess and the Brave Knight. She casts terrible spells, while he fights dragons. He rescues cats in distress, while she makes mischief. No wonder there isn''t much peace in this kingdom! But is the Evil Princess really so evil? And is the Brave Knight truly as chivalrous as he seems? Children and parents will laugh at seeing familiar family dynamics play out in this charming and imaginative new story.

Winner of the Scott O''Dell Award Five Starred Reviews! A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids, 2016 Grown-ups lie. That’s one truth Beans knows for sure. He and his gang know how to spot a whopper a mile away, because they are the savviest bunch of barefoot conchs (that means “locals”) in all of Key West. Not that Beans really minds; it’s 1934, the middle of the Great Depression. With no jobs on the island, and no money anywhere, who can really blame the grown-ups for telling a few tales? Besides, Beans isn’t anyone’s fool. In fact, he has plans. Big plans. And the consequences might surprise even Beans himself. Return to the wonderful world of Newbery Honor Book Turtle in Paradise through the eyes of Turtle’s cousin Beans! "A surprising coming-of-age story with a remarkably honest message." —The New York Times "[Holm] captures this colorful slice of Depression history with her usual vivacious wit. . . . Children will love Beans." —Shelf Awareness, Starred "A novel as entertaining as the motion pictures [Beans] loves to see."—The Horn Book Magazine, Starred “Inspired by actual events, Holm’s talent for writing historical fiction is on full display. . . . Interesting family and small-town dynamics further enrich this fascinating account of a young boy’s life in Florida’s ‘Recovery Key.’” —Booklist, Starred "Filled with humor, heart, and warmth." —Kirkus Review, Starred "Entertaining and illuminating historical fiction." —Publishers Weekly, Starred

From the award winning duo of Jennifer and Matthew Holm comes the sequel to the bestselling Sunny Side Up -- full of just as much heart and just as many laughs. Summer''s over and it''s time for Sunny Lewin to enter the strange and unfriendly hallways of . . . middle school. When her Gramps calls her from Florida to ask how she''s doing, she always tells him she''s fine. But the truth? Sunny is NOT having the best time.Not only is the whole middle school thing confusing . . . but life at home is confusing, too. Sunny misses her brother Dale, who''s been sent to boarding school. But when Dale comes back, she STILL misses him . . . because he''s changed. Luckily Sunny''s got her best friend and a mysterious new neighbor on her side . . . because she is NOT going let all this confusion get her down. Instead, she''s going to remain Sunny-side up!

The fourth board book in Matthew and Jennifer L. Holm’s My First Comics series! I’m Scared teaches young children a simple lesson about overcoming fears and trying something new. In I’m Scared, Chilly the snowflake is a real worrywart. He is scared of everything! The reassuring narrator in this very simple, comic book–style board book gently shows Chilly that sometimes, to have fun, it is important to face your fears and try something new! Matthew and Jennifer L. Holm are the bestselling creators of Babymouse and Squish, and Jennifer is the author of novels such as The Fourteenth Goldfish. The Eisner Award–winning siblings use panel frames, speech balloons, and thought bubbles to teach children how to read a story. Be sure to look for the other My First Comics books: I’m Grumpy, I’m Sunny!, and I’m Silly!

A comics collection from some of the biggest stars in graphic novels, including Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, and Victoria Jamieson! Calling all kidz! Do you like comics? Do you like laughing till you get sent to the principal?! Don’t punish yourself! Read the next Comics Squad! Leave your troubles behind with this collection of quick and funny stories about many kids’ biggest fear—detention! Sure, detention can be scary or frustrating or just plain boring, but who knew it could also be an adventure? With a disrespectful Greek god, antimatter ooze, bioengineered rats, and a school full of stampeding bulls, it is definitely full of fun! It’s a bust-your-gut-laughing comics anthology with original contributions from the most beloved and bestselling names in graphic novels!

Parents looking for funny books to read to their babies and toddlers have something to cheer about—a new comic board-book series about feelings from Jennifer and Matthew Holm! In I’m Silly!, a hyperactive tornado gets a bit TOO goofy and ruins his friends’ tea party. A sweet, funny, and simple introduction to the impact that emotions can have on the people around you from the bestselling creators of Babymouse and Squish, Jennifer L. Holm (author of The Fourteenth Goldfish) and Matthew Holm. The Eisner Award winners use panel frames, speech balloons, and thought bubbles to teach children how to read a story. For more My First Comics stories, look for I’m Grumpy and I’m Sunny!

Graphic-novel darling and kid-favorite Babymouse makes her picture-book debut in a Christmas story . . . all about cupcakes! (Typical.) Thank goodness Babymouse ate all of the Christmas cookies her mom made for Santa. Now she can make him something he really wants—CUPCAKES! But wait . . . what’s that rumbling in the other room? OH NO! A DRAGON!!!!! Can Sir Babymouse defeat her fiery foe and save Christmas?! Or at least save a cupcake or two? Maybe not. . . . Jennifer and Matthew Holm bring us Babymouse’s very first full-color adventure! With signature Babymouse humor, comic book–style panels, and oodles of pink-frosted cupcakes, new readers and devoted fans alike will find plenty to love.

Now an animated show streaming on HBO Max! From the New York Times bestselling, Eisner-winning creators of Babymouse, it’s green . . . it’s blobby . . . it’s gross . . . it’s SQUISH(!), a comic-book-loving amoeba whose adventures are perfect for fans of Dog Man, Captain Underpants, and My Weird School. Uh-oh! Squish’s friend Pod just hasn’t been himself lately. One minute he’s happy-dancing; the next he’s sobbing in his soup. What’s going on? (Hint: “mitosis” is the process that splits single-celled organisms. That’s right, splits.) It is truly Pod vs. Pod—and may the best Pod, umm, win? BONUS: Look in the back to find out how to draw one of the Squish characters and to get instructions for a SENSATIONAL science experiment you can do at home! SHAZAM! Praise for Squish: * “Hilarious. If ever a new series deserved to go viral, this one does.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred “An energetic, good-hearted escapade, one that young readers will enjoy.” —The New York Times “Simple enough for early readers but still remarkably snarky, clever, and entertaining.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

The beloved Newbery Honor book by the author of The Fourteenth Goldfish, about a spirited heroine growing up with trying circumstances, a sense of adventure, and tremendous heart. It isn''t easy being a pioneer in the state of Washington in 1899. It''s particularly hard when you are the only girl ever born in the new settlement. With seven older brothers and a love of adventure, May Amelia Jackson just can''t seem to abide her family''s insistence that she behave like a Proper Young Lady. She''s sure she could do better if only there were at least one other girl living along the banks of the Nasel River. And now that Mama''s going to have a baby, maybe there''s hope. Inspired by the diaries of her great-aunt, the real May Amelia, three-time Newbery Honor-winning author Jennifer Holm gives a beautifully crafted tale of one young girl whose unique spirit captures the courage, humour, passion and depth of the American pioneer experience.

Meet Babymouse—the spunky mouse beloved by young readers for more than a decade! Babymouse has joined the swim team! Even though she’s not always the best at sports, will her hard work earn her the top spot on the podium? This groundbreaking young graphic novel series, full of humor and fun, is a bestseller that’s sold more than three million copies! "Move over, Superman, here comes Babymouse!"—The Chicago Sun-Times Babymouse has big dreams . . . and wet whiskers. She has joined the swim team and is ready to dive in. Next stop, the Olympics! But competitive sports aren’t really her strong suit. Will hard work and determination earn her a gold medal? DON''T MISS The BIG Adventures of Babymouse: Once Upon a Messy Whisker, the newest, brightest, and BIGGER THAN EVER graphic novel from BABYMOUSE!

Believe in the possible . . . with this New York Times bestseller by three-time Newbery Honor winner Jennifer L. Holm. A perfect read about a child''s relationship with her grandfather! Galileo. Newton. Salk. Oppenheimer. Science can change the world . . . but can it go too far? Eleven-year-old Ellie has never liked change. She misses fifth grade. She misses her old best friend. She even misses her dearly departed goldfish. Then one day a strange boy shows up. He’s bossy. He’s cranky. And weirdly enough . . . he looks a lot like Ellie’s grandfather, a scientist who’s always been slightly obsessed with immortality. Could this gawky teenager really be Grandpa Melvin? Has he finally found the secret to eternal youth? With a lighthearted touch and plenty of humor, Jennifer Holm celebrates the wonder of science and explores fascinating questions about life and death, family and friendship, immortality . . . and possibility. Look for EXCLUSIVE NEW MATERIAL in the paperback—including Ellie’s gallery of scientists and other STEM-appropriate features. And don’t miss the much-anticipated sequel, The Third Mushroom! “Warm, witty, and wise.” —The New York Times * “Written in a clean, crisp style, with lively dialogue and wit, this highly accessible novel will find a ready audience.” —Booklist, Starred * “Top-notch middle-grade fiction.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred * “Ellie’s memorable journey into the world of science will inspire readers to explore the world around them and celebrate the possible.” —Shelf Awareness, Starred “Awesomely strange and startlingly true-to-life. It makes you wonder what’s possible.” —Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medal–winning author of When You Reach Me 25 STATE AWARD LISTS including the Sunshine State!

From the bestselling creators of Babymouse and Squish and the author of The Fourteenth Goldfish comes a new comic board-book series about feelings! Eisner Award winners Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm use panel frames, speech balloons, and thought bubbles to teach children how to read a story. In I’m Sunny, the cheerful sun upsets his friend and must make amends. A sweet, funny, and simple introduction to the impact that emotions can have on those around you.

Calling all kidz! Do you like comics? Do you like laughing till milk comes out of your nose?! Look no further—do we have the book for you! All your favorite comic characters are right here in one book, including the Peanuts gang, Babymouse, and Lunch Lady. This all-star tribute to classic Sunday comics includes eight sidesplitting, action-packed stories about every kid’s favorite subject—LUNCH! Lunchtime can be fun, wild, yummy, or complete chaos! And in this second collection of comics, it is definitely hilarious.

From the bestselling creators of Babymouse and Squish and the author of The Fourteenth Goldfish comes a new comic board-book series about feelings! Eisner Award winners Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm use panel frames, speech balloons, and thought bubbles to teach children how to read a story. In I’m Grumpy, a grumpy cloud upsets his friend Sunny and must make amends. A sweet, funny, and simple introduction to the impact that emotions can have on those around you.

Squish''s friend Pod hasn''t been acting like himself lately, so when he splits via mitosis, it is a case of Pod versus Pod.

When is a summer vacation not really a summer vacation? Sunny Lewin has been packed off to Florida to live with her grandfather for the summer. At first she thought Florida might be fun -- it is the home of Disney World, after all. But the place where Gramps lives is no amusement park. It''s full of . . . old people. Really old people.Luckily, Sunny isn''t the only kid around. She meets Buzz, a boy who is completely obsessed with comic books, and soon they''re having adventures of their own: facing off against golfball-eating alligators, runaway cats, and mysteriously disappearing neighbors. But the question remains -- why is Sunny down in Florida in the first place? The answer lies in a family secret that won''t be secret to Sunny much longer. . .