New Releases by Mary Jane Auch

Starstruck by her dream of becoming a famous ballerina, Poulette the hen is nearly taken in by a slick talent scout (a fox) who offers her the lead in his production of "Peeping Beauty."

Branded the class loser, 12-year-old Basil reluctantly becomes friends with a bossy new girl who like Basil, has synesthesia and comes to Basil's aid when his estranged mother returns and turns his life upside down.

Henrietta loves to read. When she clucks buk, buk, buk at the library, the librarian knows exactly what to recommend. Then Henrietta decides to write a book. With the help of her three aunties, she hatches a plot. But when Henrietta publishes her story, the critics say she's laid an egg! Is this the end of Henrietta's career as an author?

After losing his hand in an accident in his father's butcher shop in 1946, sixth-grader Norman uses hard work and humor to learn to live with his disability and to succeed at baseball, art, and other activities.

When Chickerella's new stepmother and stepsisters, Ovumelda and Cholestera, move in, life in the chicken coop takes a turn for the worse. Forced to cook and clean for her new family, Chickerella won't even be able to attend the Fowl Ball, that is, until her Fairy Goosemother appears. The unusually stylish Chickerella dazzles the prince in her eggsquisite gown, but at the stroke of midnight she must race home before the spell is over. Will the prince ever be able to find his love? Only a glass egg remains as a clue to her identity.

On Halloween night, two rowdy young roosters encounter a "poultrygeist" in the barn.

Believe it or not–and you better believe it–Josh’s dog Arful can talk! This is very useful to Josh and his pals who want to win the school talent contest. First the boys have to find out what the girls are planning for the contest. That’s when they send Arful to get an earful by spying on the girls. Just wait until show time to see what Arful the spy uncovers.

Rose and her family are grateful to have reached America but their happiness is shattered when part of their family is forced to return to Ireland. Two of the sisters work at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory where a devastating fire forces the girls to fight for their lives.

It sure is handy having Brian the Brain for a best friend—how else would Josh have a shot at first prize in the science fair and winning tickets to Wonderland Lake? But when Brian plans to hypnotize his dog, Arfie, into thinking he’s a cat, Josh knows he can say goodbye to Wonderland Lake—this scheme will never work. The next thing he knows, Josh is climbing trees and craving raw fish sandwiches. What’s going on? Will the real science project please meow?

In 1816, twelve-year-old Mem's new home in the wilderness of western New York is disrupted when the birth of another baby sends her mother into "spells" that disconnect her from reality.

In the spring of 1815, Remembrance "Mem" Nye and her family set off in a covered wagon from their farm in Connecticut to the western New York wilderness. Mem and her mother see it as a journey to nowhere since there won't be any houses or neighbors, just endless forest. Their journey is filled with the uncertain danger of wild animals, raging storms, and cruel strangers. When Mem is unexpectedly separated from her family, she must face every danger alone while hoping to find her family again.

When her new stepfather imposes restrictions on her daily life, and her best friend prepares to move to Cleveland, Natalie takes drastic steps to stem the tide of change in her life.

Problems develop when Sam's mother has to go to work and leaves their dog Amber alone all day.

After his father remarries, twelve-year-old Jeremy begins to feel that there is no place for him in a family which now includes a stepsister his age who is a superb athlete.

Mrs. Pennywort's hen, Pauline, can't seem to lay eggs like the others. . . . Until she finds some inspiration, and a strange talent. When she nests outside to get away from the noise and teasing of the others, Pauline manages to lay a beautiful sky-blue egg. Watching a ladybug in the grass, she lays a bright red spotted egg. The hen is confused, but Mrs. Pennywort is thrilled—and she takes Pauline on an adventure! Soon Pauline is laying eggs of all colors and patterns, to the delight of everyone who sees them. It seems like the perfect way to celebrate Easter. . . . even when the eggs start hatching into brightly colored chicks. Mary Jane Auch's funny text and vibrant illustrations will make this an Easter favorite. . . . and a year-round reminder of the importance of being true to yourself.

An eleven-year-old adopted child realizes that being an only child has its advantages when her mother becomes pregnant after years of sterility.

An elderly uncle given to occasional bouts of confusion causes the Andersons to wonder if they are able to care for him or if he should be sent to a nursing home.

When twelve-year-old Ben moves with his family to a town on the shore of Lake Ontario he finds a friend who seems to be a witch and who helps him meet the problems associated with his moving and with his stormy relationships with his father and big sister.