New Releases by Melissa Wiley

A feisty girl from a family of ranchers lands a job as a daredevil stunt girl in the early days of silent film in this adventurous and funny cross between Wild Hearts Can''t Be Broken and Ramona. Pearl lives on a ranch where her chores include collecting eggs and feeding ornery ostriches. She has three older brothers, who don''t coddle her at all. And she knows a thing or two about horses, too. One day, Pearl''s brothers get cushy jobs doing stunts for this new form of entertainment called "moving pictures." They''re the Daredevil Donnelly Brothers, a Death-Defying Cowboy Trio. Before she knows it, Pearl has stumbled into being a stunt girl herself--and dreams of becoming a star. The only problem is, her mother has no idea what she''s up to. And let''s just say she wouldn''t be too happy to find out that Pearl''s been jumping out of burning buildings in her spare time. Filled with action, humor, and heart--not to mention those pesky ostriches--The Nerviest Girl in the World introduces a spunky heroine whose adventures will have kids on the edge of their seats and whose sense of humor will have them laughing until the very last line.

What’s that in the grass? Help Inch and Roly solve an outdoor mystery in this sunshiny Level 1 Ready-to-Read story. Roly sees something in the grass, but she does not know what it is. Roly, Inch, Dragonfly, and Beetle try to identify it. Is it a tunnel, or perhaps a hill? Maybe it is a snake! Each of the bugs thinks something different based on their different perspectives. In the end, after much panic, Roly identifies the mysterious object, and all the bugs receive a refreshing surprise! Perfect for enjoying on a sunny day, this Level 1 Ready-to-Read tale is a delightful addition to an adorable series that stars familiar backyard and playground insects and is ideal for beginning readers.

Roly finds Inch hiding in a hole to avoid a bird, but as she and other creatures dive into the same hole to be safe, the hiding place becomes more and more dangerous. Full color.

In this “delightful mash-up of Little House on the Prairie and The Spiderwick Chronicles” (SLJ), experience life on the prairie—with one fantastical twist! Louisa Brody’s life on the Colorado prairie is not at all what she expected. Her dear Pa, accused of thievery, is locked thirty miles away in jail. She’s living with the awful Smirches, her closest neighbors and the very family that accused her Pa of the horrendous crime. And now she’s discovered one very cantankerous—and magical—secret beneath the hazel grove. With her life flipped upside-down, it’s up to Louisa, her sassy friend Jessamine, and that cranky secret to save Pa from a guilty verdict. Ten bold illustrations from Erwin Madrid accompany seasoned storyteller Melissa Wiley’s vibrant and enchanting tale of life on the prairie—with one magical twist.

Roly Poly, Inchworm, Dragonfly, and Beetle all feel bored one sleepy afternoon, until Roly suggests they go to the wishing well to wish for something to do. Full color.

Fox and Crow can agree on two things: their love of cheese and loathing of each other. These cagey animals will do whatever they can to outwit their sworn enemy and claim sole possession of the prized cheese they keep finding. But they are too caught up in their plotting and planning to realize they''ve picked the wrong house to steal from—since the mother of the house is one fed up Mama Bear who knows exactly how to contend with freeloaders.

In the winter of 1814 in Boston, Charlotte Tucker is busy helping her mother with the house. Charlotte''s friend Will is marching north with the militia, and she can''t wait until he''s safe at home again.

Growing up in Scotland in 1789 is very exciting for Martha Morse. When word comes that her cousins are moving into the house across the loch, she can hardly believe the good news.

It''s 1814 and Charlotte lives just outside the city of Boston. She always has something to look forward to—tending Mama''s garden, visiting Papa''s blacksmith shop, and embarking on her very own Scottish adventure!

It''s 1788 and Martha lives in a little stone house in Glencaraid, Scotland. Her father is Laird Glencaraid, which means Martha must behave like a young lady even when she would much rather run around the Scottish hillside!

Boston''s Little House Girl Meet Charlotte Tucker, the little girl who would grow up to be Laura Ingalls Wilder''s grandmother. Eleven-year-old Charlotte can''t imagine living anywhere but Tide Mill Lane. She is delighted when a school for young ladies opens nearby. The prospect of a new baby brother and the reappearance of a long-lost relative combine to complete Charlotte''s world. But a new dam connecting Roxbury and Boston turns Tide Mill Lane into a noisy, messy construction site, and Charlotte''s parents worry about what this will mean for their family. Across the Puddingstone Dam is the fourth book in The Charlotte Years, an ongoing series about another spirited girl from America''s most beloved pioneer family.

In this fourth book in the Martha Years series, ten-year-old Martha journeys to the bustling city of Perth to visit her newly married sister Grisie. This is Martha′s first time beyond the familiar heather hills and this city on the River Tay is more exciting than she could have ever imagined! Ages 8-12

Seven-year-old Charlotte Tucker begins to sense the big world around Roxbury, Massachusetts, and wonder when she will get to see it.

After scaring off the first governess, Miss Norrie, Martha is faced with Miss Crow. It takes some unusual expeditions for the spirited Scottish girl to realize that there "are" things you can learn from governesses besides sewing and manners.