New Releases by Johanna Hurwitz

Chronicles the life of the Swedish storyteller, discussing her unplanned development as an author and the creation of her beloved carrot-topped heroine, Pippi Longstocking.

Two weeks seems like forever to Dossi Rabinowitz, a poor Jewish orphan from New York City who is sent by the Fresh Air Fund to a small Vermont town during the summer of 1910. With her journal as her closest companion, Dossi reflects on her struggle to understand her Christian host family and their rural community

At fifteen, Emma Meade is old enough for just about anything. Old enough to leave school, old enough to help around the farm, and old enough to notice when handsome Cole Berry takes an interest in her.

Moving to a new town, the birth of a sister, and the death of her rabbi father make 1923 a bittersweet year for eleven-year-old Carrie Levin. Based on the real-life story of author Johanna Hurwitz's mother.

When Cricket Kaufman breaks her ankle just before her spring-break vacation trip to Washington, D.C., she's stuck at home with prankster Lucas Cott instead of sightseeing with her best friend, Zoe. But when Cricket stirs up some mischief of her own, she learns that good friends can remain true even at the most unexpected times. Another winning installment in the 'Class Clown' series.

When Adam's mother promises a surprise, he is sure it will be the mountain bike he's been pining for. The arrival of a llama-with the news that Mrs. Fine will start a trekking business from their Vermont home-comes as a bit of a blow.

Ali Baba is back as a fourth grader, still having adventures that only he could have. Who but Ali Baba could find the "real" Santa Claus? Or who could make such an incredible mess simply by staying at home alone for the first time?

Fearing that Edison-Armstrong School will close and force him into a school away from his closest friends, Julio rallies Lucas, Cricket, and Zoe into a campaign to save the school that tests his school spirit.

Monty tries to master a magic kit -- and finds some real-life situations tricky -- in this spot-on story about an endearing, utterly relatable first-grader.

Monty is mighty enough to take karate in a funny, true-to-life sequel with surefire appeal for early chapter-book readers. (Ages 5-7) Monty Gerald Morris may be small and shy, but he's a mighty smart kid and an A+ reader. In an endearing follow-up to Mostly Monty, the quiet first-grader continues to come into his own -- playing the part of a tree in a comically miscued school play, sharing his enthusiasm for ants at an outdoor birthday party, even signing up for karate class despite his asthma. Once again, Johanna Hurwitz finds gentle humor in everyday situations and offers a charming portrayal of a likable character many young readers will relate to.

Rory and Derek were best friends but with Bolivia visiting next door would their friendship last?.

Bolivia, Rory, and Derek are back together again! When Bolivia's parents head off to Turkey on an archaeological dig, Bolivia goes to stay with her aunt and uncle-in the same town where her two friends live. Whether they're taking care of a litter of abandoned kittens, coping with poison ivy, or getting drenched in a simulated classroom rain forest, there's always adventure afoot. But when Bolivia befriends a girl named DeDe and a boy named Aldo, watch out! Rory's possessiveness may ruin everything, unless Bolivia can show him that it's possible to make new friends and keep the old.

Nora loves making new friends--but there aren't many kids to play with in her New York apartment building. Apart from her little brother, Teddy, there's only four-year-old Russell. The three of them have lots of fun--but what would happen if there were more kids around? More fun, that's what!

Missing objects cause Derek, Rory, and Bolivia to accuse each other of lying and stealing. It isn't until the three friends become snowed-in that they come to understand what trust and friendship are all about.

"Have you ever heard the words "Sure, you can stay at home and be a baby today"" On a school day? Russell has. And, boy, is he in for a surprise!"

Finally...first grade! Elisa is finally in a grade with a number -- just like her big brother, Russell. Elisa is old enough to take piano lessons, lose a tooth, or make a special Mother's Day breakfast. Sometimes Russell treats her like a baby, but Elisa is making big plans! Elisa is finally in a grade with a number -- just like her big brother, Russell. Elisa is old enough to take piano lessons, lose a tooth, and make a special Mother's Day breakfast. Sometimes Russell treats her like a baby, but Elisa has big plans!

Seven-year-old Russell and his three-year-old sister Elisa have adventures with friends and family in their New York City apartment building. Another entry in the popular Riverside Kids series.

More than anything, Teddy wants to do something that his older sister, Nora, has never done. So when neighbor Anita hires Teddy to feed her cat while she's away, Teddy takes on the task. With his Superman cape, Teddy feels confident he can do a good job. And when the family needs a superduper pet, it's Teddy to the rescue!

When a childhood illness leaves her blind and deaf, Helen Keller's life seems hopeless indeed. But her indomitable will and the help of a devoted teacher empower Helen to triumph over incredible adversity. This amazing true story is finally brought to the beginner reader level.

When Lexi the squirrel and his cousin Lenox leave Central Park to find the New York City streets for which they were named, they discover that the human world is wilder--and more dangerous--than they had ever imagined.

Yard sales, ice-skating, and surprise parties are just a few of the things that make fourth grade fun. But Julio and his friends know it’s time to get serious when the class begins preparing for the big statewide test at the end of the year. Just thinking about it is enough to give anybody a stomachache! Julio and his best friend, Lucas, are going to try every superstition in the book to make sure they pass. They’ll wear their underwear inside out, use brand-new pencils, and even—gulp—study. But when test day comes, Julio finds out there are some surprises no one can prepare for! Whether one has read about Julio and Lucas and their other classmates before in class clown and class president or this is the first meeting, here is a story that will strike a familiar chord. With the warmth and realism she is known for, beloved author Johanna Hurwitz brings us the hardships and humor of Julio Sanchez’s fourth-grade year.

Four-year-old Elisa gets her picture taken, starts learning to read, breaks her arm, and experiences other exciting aspects of growing up.

Noah struggles to impress the kids he meets when he and his family move to a new house.

Relates the adventures of an inquisitive little girl who lives in a large apartment building in New York with her parents and little brother Teddy.

For use in schools and libraries only. Can Lexi, the street-smart squirrel and his friend PeeWee, a well-read guinea pig, make a difference in the life of a man living hungry and friendless in Central Park?

For use in schools and libraries only. When his owner's parents let him go in Central Park, a young guinea pig learns to survive in the natural world with the help of a "park-wise" squirrel.

Summer is here, and Elisa has plenty to look forward to. She can help take care of her little brother, Marshall, and she gets to be the oldest child in the family while her older brother, Russell, is at sleepaway camp. When Russell returns, so does his teasing. Elisa won't let that dampen her spirits, though. She is too excited about the big news--her family is going on vacation in the country. There she finds new ways to prove that she can do anything Russell can do--but sometimes the outcome is more than she has bargained for! Once again, Johanna Hurwitz has used her ability to evoke the true feelings of childhood to bring us warm and funny episodes in the life of spunky heroine Elisa.

Ezra Feldman, almost ten, likes baseball more than anything else in the world. But his father cannot understand why his son would rather rot his brains watching men swinging big wooden sticks than read a book or play chess. Can an unwanted car trip, a grumpy old professor, and a surprising chess victory help father and son find a little common ground--and convince Ezra's dad that cheering for the national pastime isn't completely off base?Ezra Feldman, almost ten, likes baseball more than anything else in the world. But his father cannot understand why his son would rather rot his brains watching men swinging big wooden sticks than read a book or play chess. Can an unwanted car trip, a grumpy old professor, and a surprising chess victory help father and son find a little common ground--and convince Ezra's dad that cheering for the national pastime isn't completely off base?

Fifth-grader Adam Fine thinks that his two llamas will be a hit at the grand reopening of the town's library.

Eight-year-old David Bernstein discovers life is much more exciting when he calls himself Ali Baba Bernstein. Only Ali Baba would have dared to grab the class snail and escape to the boys' room for his own magic experiment. David would never have invited every David Bernstein in the phone book to his birthday party -- or find himself hailed as a great detective -- or discover adventures and misadventures everywhere he went. But Ali Baba Bernstein does!