New Releases by Mary Stolz

After spending the day fishing in the Gulf of Mexico with Grandfather, eight-year-old Thomas has a quiet evening on the porch hearing more about his African heritage.

Can feline detective Eileen O''Kelly crack the case that has left the Boston police baffled and wringing their paws? Will she be able to track down the murderer who did away with celebrated chef Madame Jewel?

A Brother''s War Tom Rigby didn''t think that anything could ever come between him and his twin, Jack. But things begin to change when Tom learns that they are not allowed to play with their friend Aaron anymore because he''s a slave. Tom is upset, but Jack doesn''t seem to care. All Jack cares about is playing soldier. Eleven years later, when war breaks out, Jack joins the Confederation army. But Tom can''t bring himself to fight for a cause he doesn''t believe in -- slavery. So Tom rides north to join the Union army -- even though he knows he may one day have to face his brother on the battlefield.

Mrs. Weed, a former teacher, and her dog and cat enjoy their daily routine--with occasional disruptions--throughout each season of the year.

Examines the varying emotions and confrontations of three siblings as they attempt to rebuild a family after their mother has deserted them.

Emmett endures the death of his pet pig and his family''s move from New York City to Ohio and finally comes to accept the thought of getting another pet.

While out on a fishing trip with his son, a father is asked to say something about the moon, night, sky, wind, caves, brooks, and many other things that surround us in nature.

When Thomas''s great-aunt Linzy writes that she is coming to Chicago for a visit, Grandfather and Thomas have a sinking feeling. Linzy has no use at all for baseball and fishing. Her sport is cleaning--anything and everything in sight. It''s going to be a long summer. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

Deputy Jack Shep, the laziest police dog to ever wear a badge, is called upon to investigate a wave of burglaries in the sleepy village of Canoville.

Storm in the night. Thunder like mountains blowing up. Lightning licking the navy-blue sky. Rain streaming down the windows, babbling in the downspouts. And Grandfather? . . . And Thomas? . . . And Ringo, the cat? They were in the dark. Too early to go to bed, and with only flashes of lightning to see by, Thomas and his grandfather happily find themselves re-discovering the half-forgotten scents and sounds of their world, and having a wonderful time learning important, new things about each other in a spirited conversation sparked by darkness. Mary Stolz and Pat Cummings have each brought their unique talents to this lyrical tale about a magical, stormy night and a special relationship.

Realizing his fate is to be spareribs, a pig disguises himself as a boy, runs away, finds employment, and becomes friends with a little girl.

While looking for employment, two scarecrows become separated from their cat child, finding each other again on Halloween.

In New York City during the Depression, fourteen-year-old Ivy tries to cope with feelings of not belonging in her elegant private school and with her father''s losing his job.

Despite his struggles to improve his behavior at school and at home, an overweight, eleven-year-old bully''s efforts to reform seem doomed to fail.

Describes the night-time activities of the hermit crab, horse conch, heron, loggerhead turtle, and other animals that inhabit the seashore.

Polly spends the summer trying to fill the void created when her best friend moves to California.

Taylor, Jem, and B. J. each react differently to the breakup of their parents'' marriage.

A young girl''s persistent overtures to a new neighbor result in friendship.

Disappointed at being cast as a turkey in the school Thanksgiving play, Adam Joshua figures out a way to make the best of it.

Many conflicts arise within the Reed family when they are forced to move in with relatives in the country.

In the attempt to redefine her family''s relationship after her parents'' divorce, Jimmie realizes there are no families without interpersonal conflicts.

Eleven-year-old Franny Davis and her best friend share school and family problems in this realistic, often humorous story set in New York''s Greenwich Village. 1966 Newbery Honor Book Notable Children''s Books of 1965 (ALA) Children''s Books of 1965 (Library of Congress) "City" Books of the Sixties (The Instructor)