New Releases by Jon Scieszka

"Inspired by Dadaism''s rejection of reason and rational thinking, and in cahoots with Blanche Fisher Wright''s The Real Mother Goose, this anthology of absurdity unravels the fabric of classic nursery rhymes and stitches them back together (or not quite together) in every clever way possible. One by one, cherished nursery rhymes--from ''Humpty Dumpty'' to ''Hickory Dickory Dock,'' ''Jack Be Nimble'' to ''Mother Hubbard''--fall prey to sly subversion as Jon Scieszka and illustrator Julia Rothman refashion them into comics strips, errant book reports, anagrams, and manic mash-ups. Playfully reconstructed, the thirty-six old-new rhymes invite further baloney, bringing kids in on the joke and inviting them to revel in reimagining"

This laugh-out-loud, visually groundbreaking read launches a major new series by children''s literature legend Jon Scieszka. Featuring full-color illustrations throughout, a spectacular gatefold, plus how-to-draw pages in the back, it''s an outer space adventure that demonstrates a giant leap for bookmaking and a giant leap for any kid looking for their next go-to series. AstroWolf, LaserShark, SmartHawk, and StinkBug are animals that have been hybridized to find other planets for humans to live on once we''ve ruined Earth. So off they rocket to the Plant Planet! Will that planet support human life? Or do Plant Planet''s inhabitants have a more sinister plan? AstroNuts Mission One is a can''t-put-it-down page-turner for reluctant readers and fans ready to blast past Wimpy Kid.

What makes funny FUNNY? An esteemed anthologist interviews thirteen favorite children’s authors -- and asks them to share their trade secrets. (Age 12 and up) DO YOU EVER MAKE YOURSELF LAUGH WHILE YOU ARE WRITING? "A joke isn’t a joke if you need to explain it," notes Leonard S. Marcus. "Even so, the hidden clockwork of comedy . . . has long been considered one of the great riddles of life." There are many kinds of humor, but capturing their essence on paper is a remarkably difficult (and often undervalued) skill. So how do authors create books that not only stand the tests of time but also make us laugh? In thirteen fascinating interviews, well-loved writers of humorous books for children discuss an array of topics, from their sources of inspiration to the ways they began writing, from their revision processes to childhood anecdotes to the value they place on comedy in their work and lives. Beautifully designed and thoughtfully edited, this collection is bound to tickle the fancy of children and adults alike.

Heroes and Villains, the seventh volume in Jon Scieszka’s Guys Read Library of Great Reading, is chock-full of adventure featuring an array of characters—with and without capes. Featuring ten all-new, original stories that run the gamut from fantasy to comics to contemporary adventure to nonfiction, and featuring eleven of the most acclaimed, exciting writers for kids working today, this collection is the perfect book for you, whether you use your powers for good—or evil. Authors include Laurie Halse Anderson, Cathy Camper and Raúl Gonzalez, Sharon Creech, Jack Gantos, Christopher Healy, Deborah Hopkinson, Ingrid Law, Pam Muñoz Ryan, Lemony Snicket, and Eugene Yelchin, with illustrations by Jeff Stokely.

A collection of horror and ghost stories featuring monsters, ghosts and more. Eleven masters of suspense Kelly Barnhill, Michael Buckley, Adam Gidwitz, Adele Griffin and Lisa Brown, Claire Legrand, Nikki Loftin, Daniel Jos Older, Dav Pilkey, R.L. Stine, and Rita Williams-Garcia have come together to bring you a bone-chilling collection of original ghost stories with illustrations by Gris Grimly, perfect for sharing around the campfire, reading under the covers with a flashlight, and scaring your friends'' pants off.

THE MODERN CLASSIC WITH OVER TWO MILLION COPIES SOLD • The Big Bad Wolf tells his side in this fractured fairy tale, brought to life with irreverent storytelling and artwork that “older kids (and adults) will find very funny” (School Library Journal). Now in a stunning anniversary edition! A New York Times Best Book of the Year • American Booksellers Association Picture Book Hall of Fame • Society of Illustrators Silver Medal • New York Public Library 100 Great Children’s Books for 100 Years • An American Library Association Notable Book You may think you know the story of the Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf—but only one person knows the real story. That person is A. Wolf. His tale starts with a birthday cake for his dear old granny, a bad head cold . . . and a bad reputation. It ends in the Big House: the Pig Pen. What really happened when A. Wolf was at the door? Was it an historic pig out or a Mother Goose frame-up? You read it. You decide. Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith combine their talents for droll tales and provocative reporting to bring the true story of this much maligned figure to the public. Big and Bad? Could be. Hilarious? Of course.

Child genius Frank Einstein tries to invent a robot that can learn on its own, and after an accident brings Klink and Klank to life, they work to help Frank perfect his Antimatter Motor until his nemesis steals the robots for his doomsday plan.

New York Times Bestseller "I never thought science could be funny . . . until I read Frank Einstein. It will have kids laughing." —Jeff Kinney, Diary of a Wimpy Kid "Huge laughs and great science—the kind of smart, funny stuff that makes Jon Scieszka a legend." —Mac Barnett, author of Battle Bunny and The Terrible Two Clever science experiments, funny jokes, and robot hijinks await readers in the first of six books in the New York Times bestselling Frank Einstein chapter book series from the mad scientist team of Jon Scieszka and Brian Biggs. The perfect combination to engage and entertain readers, the series features real science facts with adventure and humor, making these books ideal for STEM education. This first installment examines the science of “matter.” Kid-genius and inventor Frank Einstein loves figuring out how the world works by creating household contraptions that are part science, part imagination, and definitely unusual. In the series opener, an uneventful experiment in his garage-lab, a lightning storm, and a flash of electricity bring Frank’s inventions—the robots Klink and Klank—to life! Not exactly the ideal lab partners, the wisecracking Klink and the overly expressive Klank nonetheless help Frank attempt to perfect his inventions.. . . until Frank’s archnemesis, T. Edison, steals Klink and Klank for his evil doomsday plan! Integrating real science facts with wacky humor, a silly cast of characters, and science fiction, this uniquely engaging series is an irresistible chemical reaction for middle-grade readers. With easy-to-read language and graphic illustrations on almost every page, this chapter book series is a must for reluctant readers. The Frank Einstein series encourages middle-grade readers to question the way things work and to discover how they, too, can experiment with science. In a starred review, Kirkus Reviews raves, “This buoyant, tongue-in-cheek celebration of the impulse to ‘keep asking questions and finding your own answers’ fires on all cylinders,” while Publishers Weekly says that the series “proves that science can be as fun as it is important and useful.” Read all the books in the New York Times bestselling Frank Einstein series: Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor (Book 1), Frank Einstein and the Electro-Finger (Book 2), Frank Einstein and the BrainTurbo (Book 3), and Frank Einstein and the EvoBlaster Belt (Book 4). Visit frankeinsteinbooks.com for more information. STARRED REVIEW "In the final analysis, this buoyant, tongue-in-cheek celebration of the impulse to ‘keep asking questions and finding your own answers’ fires on all cylinders." --Booklist, starred review "Scieszka mixes science and silliness again to great effect." —Kirkus Reviews "In refusing to take itself too seriously, it proves that science can be as fun as it is important and useful." —Publishers Weekly "With humor, straightforward writing, tons of illustrations, and a touch of action at the end, this book is accessible and easy to read, making it an appealing choice for reluctant readers. A solid start to the series." --School Library Journal "Kids will love Frank Einstein because even though he is a new character he will be instantly recognizable to the readers...Jon Scieszka is one of the best writers around, and I can''t wait to see what he does with these fun and exciting characters." —Eoin Colfer, Artemis Fowl "Jon Scieszka''s new series has the winning ingredients that link his clever brilliance in story telling with his knowledge of real science, while at the same time the content combination of fiction and non fiction appeals to the full range of the market." —Jack Gantos, Dead End in Norvelt

Kat loves maps! She loves to make maps for everything. Her room, her block, her town, even her heart. When she gives Jack a map it leads to a surprise! After taking twists and turns through Trucktown and going over bridges and under tunnels, Jack finds out what it is. An art show of all of Kat''s maps!

Encourage creativity with this wildly entertaining picture book mash-up from the minds of Jon Scieszka and Mac Barnett. Alex has been given a saccharine, sappy, silly-sweet picture book about Birthday Bunny that his grandma found at a garage sale. Alex isn’t interested—until he decides to make the book something he’d actually like to read. So he takes out his pencil, sharpens his creativity, and totally transforms the story! Birthday Bunny becomes Battle Bunny, and the rabbit’s innocent journey through the forest morphs into a supersecret mission to unleash an evil plan—a plan that only Alex can stop. Featuring layered, original artwork that emphasizes Alex’s additions, this dynamic exploration of creative storytelling is sure to engage and inspire.

Don’t miss the stunning, riveting, hilarious, and 100% fresh conclusion to the interactive Spaceheadz saga! The SPHDZ accomplished their goal of recruiting 3.14 million and one SPHDZ. But the brainwave has been stolen by the chief of the Anti Alien Agency, and it’s up to Michael K., the SPHDZ, and their allies to get it back. With three potential Chief sightings, the team is spread around the world, leaving Michael K., Venus, TJ, and the SPHDZ to hold down the fort and finish fifth grade. But with a mysterious new principal and graduation fast approaching, will they be able to find the missing brainwave before the Chief uses it to destroy a planet?

Class Acts is your hall pass to great kids'' books! In this sampler, New York Times bestselling authors Tim Green (Football Genius), Dan Gutman (The Genius Files), Gordon Korman (Ungifted), Adam Rex (The Cold Cereal Saga), and Jon Scieszka (Guys Read) are teaming up with other stellar middle-grade authors: Bryan Chick (The Secret Zoo), Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson (The Familiars), Christopher Healy (The Hero''s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom), Nils Johnson-Shelton (Otherworld Chronicles), Jeramey Kraatz (The Cloak Society), Christopher Krovatin (Gravediggers), and Maryrose Wood (The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place). Preview twelve awesome books, get hooked on favorite series, and decide for yourself which author is "best in class."

Jack Truck and his best friend Dump Truck Dan are spending the day doing their favorite thing... Smashing and Crashing throughout the whole town! Along the way the meet up with their friends and give us a rollicking tour! But when a mysterious shadow falls and a strange voice calls, is the duo in trouble? Or has a new friend come to town to join in all the smashing fun.

With only one hundred more Spaceheadz to sign up, Michael K.''s friends start planning an Earth-saving party but Michael fears the Brainwave might be used for a much more sinister purpose.

A body on the tracks A teenage terrorist A mysterious wish-granting machine The world’s worst private detective The second volume in the Guys Read Library of Great Reading is chock-full of mystery, intrigue, and nefarious activity. Featuring some of the best writers around, and compiled by certified guy Jon Scieszka, Guys Read: Thriller is a pulse-pounding collection of brand-new short stories, each one guaranteed to keep you riveted until the final page.

Kids. They think they got it so rough these days. But nobody has it worse than Papa Red did when he was a kid. And you better listen up when he talks. A short story from the acclaimed collection Guys Read: Funny Business, edited by Jon Scieszka.

Long before Artemis Fowl appeared in Eoin Colfer’s hit series, he was born in the form of Eoin’s younger brother Donal--the “young criminal mastermind” of the family. And on one particular spring day, he concocts his most sinister plot yet. A short story from the acclaimed collection Guys Read: Funny Business, edited by Jon Scieszka.

Sam has a problem: his dad doesn’t think he’s “man enough.” So Dad decides he’s going to toughen Sam up by getting a turkey to raise in preparation for Thanksgiving. But no one is prepared for the place Travis the turkey finds in the family, and Sam soon realizes the frightening truth: it’s him, or the turkey. A short story from the acclaimed collection Guys Read: Funny Business, edited by Jon Scieszka.

After a marshmallow mix-up, Jodie, Freddi, and Samantha find themselves back in 1805 on an adventure with the famous Lewis and Clark explorers! Along the way, they meet Sacagawea, a seventeen-year-old Shoshone girl, and learn the ropes of wilderness travel. The girls must retrieve The Book from a wild bear, but in order to do so, they have to travel along with Lewis and Clark and face the dangers that come with discovering America.

After being warped back to ancient China, Joe, Fred, and Anna are faced with some big tasks. They must rescue General Li Shimin from prison so he can defeat the awful ruler, Wang. Then they must figure out how to free Sam, who is trapped in . . . The Book. Join the Time Warp Trio as they learn kung fu, scale the Great Wall of China, and learn to stop time itself!

The book that launched the careers of Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith?now a bilingual flip-over book! You may think you know the story of the Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf, but now here?s the story as you?ve never heard it before. In the highly acclaimed, bestselling collaboration between Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, Alexander T. Wolf tells his side of the story. Was it premeditated swineacide or simply an accident? For the first time, the full English and Spanish editions of The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! are combined in a bilingual flipover book.

When Joe, Fred, and Sam are sent back in time by a magic book, they find themselves face to face with giants, dragons, wizards, and the Knights of the Round Table.

How did Jon Scieszka get so funny, anyway? Growing up as one of six brothers was a good start, but that was just the beginning. Throw in Catholic school, lots of comic books, lazy summers at the lake with time to kill, babysitting misadventures, TV shows, jokes told at family dinner, and the result is Knucklehead. Part memoir, part scrapbook, this hilarious trip down memory lane provides a unique glimpse into the formation of a creative mind and a free spirit. Watch a QuickTime trailer for this book.

The Trucktown trucks follow the road signs directing them to Pete''s party.

The Time Warp Trio meets Marco Polo! What would happen if someone had a time-warping book he got from his uncle who was a magician, and he took it to the local YMCA pool while he played Marco? Polo! with his best friends? In the sixteenth adventure of the Time Warp Trio, it happens to Joe (and Fred and Sam). And what happens is sandstorms, desert bandits, a smelly camel, strange horoscopes, the emperor of all China, and one very famous explorer. If the explorer is Marco Polo, this must be thirteenthcentury China!

After being warped back to ancient China, Joe, Fred, and Anna are faced with some big tasks. They must rescue General Li Shimin from prison so he can defeat the awful ruler, Wang. Then they must figure out how to free Sam, who is trapped in . . . The Book. Join the Time Warp Trio as they learn kung fu, scale the Great Wall of China, and learn to stop time itself!

"I cannot tell a lie," said General George Washington. "The Time Warp Trio helped me cross the Delaware River and surprise the enemy troops." So how did Christmas Eve in the twenty-first century turn into Christmas Day in 1776? Well, it was sort of an accident. And for once, it wasn''t Joe''s, Sam''s, and Fred''s fault! Can American history survive the Time Warp Trio? You''ll just have to ask Sam''s time-warping great-granddaughter Samantha . . . and her leaky cat.

Freddi, Jodie, and Samantha travel back in time to the 1930''s as they try to solve the mystery of Amelia Earhart''s final flight.

Joe, Jodie, and Anna are not in Brooklyn anymore! They''ve warped back to fourteenth century medieval Scotland, and according to old Scottish lore, The Book is hidden somewhere in the walls of a Scottish castle. Join the Time Warp Trio as they help Lady Agnes battle the English, fight off Mad Jack one more time, and warp themselves back to present-day Brooklyn, all in a day''s work!