Books with author Ann Herriges

Grace can’t wait to be at the top of the grade-school heap—especially since she’s dealing with loss at home. Her father’s away in Antarctica, her mother’s still angry with Grace’s Dad for leaving, and Grampa’s losing his memory. But even sixth grade starts to feel like life stinks. Grace discovers she's not in the same home room with her best friend. New girl Kiki moves onto the scene and starts acting like the boss of the whole sixth grade. And the handsome new teacher seems way too interested in Grace's mother. Grace agrees to be a candidate for class president only to stop Kiki from winning. She regrets accepting Kiki’s bet that if Kiki wins the election, she gets to tell Grace what to do for the whole school year. It takes some inspiration from her school project about René Descartes and his “I think, therefore I am” beliefs to help Grace keep her sixth-grade experience from totally going down the toilet.

Laura finds out that, Ricky, the boy who created her horrible nickname, "Lard Butt," has moved back into town—and immediately schemes to keep him quiet. After all, she can't let her new swim teammates, especially drool-worthy Noah, hear the horrible name! No way! She's determined to put a million years between grade school and junior high—even in the face of a father who drives an éclair, a would-be-movie-star mother who suddenly moves back home, and a past that comes back to haunt her with the dreaded nickname.Although Laura's embarrassed about how she looks in a swimsuit, she tries to stay true to her vow to take risks. She even lets Maria talk her into going to the school dance, where she braves negotiating a truce for a quarreling couple. New friendships form, Laura's mother starts getting too domesticated for Laura's comfort, and hints of romance start to develop—or do they?Review:This book should be read by ALL girls no matter what age they are, even if it means reading the book to each other so girls can understand each other's feelings…This book is so inspiring because as a girl, it is hard not to worry about my size and weight. This book really changed my perception of my body! … ~~Angel, 5 Girls Book Reviews

When Gwynne is forced to leave New York City and all her summer plans for a personal makeover to visit her cousin Neeta in Oregon, she can't believe she's being sent to "the middle of nowhere." What's in Oregon anyway, besides trees and bears? And what's this about a monster called "Bigfoot?" Gwynne wonders how she'll ever survive her trip to the wilderness. It isn't long, however, before cousin Neeta wonders how the wilderness will survive Gwynne's visit! On a camping trip Gwynne gets lost, has an encounter with a bear, stumbles on the stars from her favorite soap opera, and adds to the legend of Bigfoot. But along the way, she learns to appreciate the magic and purpose of old-growth trees and the philosophy of leaving only footprints in the ancient forest.

When Jason and his friends form a garage band, they call it "No Frills" because they want to keep it real—even when they enter a band contest and pressures to alter their image mount. Then one day, due to a close encounter with lightning, Jason's life changes in a big way—but is he magically cooler or is it just his perception? As he goes from blah to cool, his head swells as he takes his fifteen minutes of fame too seriously. His too-busy mother and fortune-telling grandmother don't get through to him. Even maybe-more-than-a-friend Layla is ready to give up on Jason, especially when he starts flirting with much-older Mindy. Only a rescued kitten keeps him even remotely grounded. It isn't until he loses the friendships with the band mates he once counted on that he realizes he has a major problem, and he worries it might be too late to fix it.

A story of how love heals and love endures. Eric and Glynnie go from butting heads to grudging friendship to something more .... Eric used to think he'd live forever, but not anymore. As football season starts, he hopes he can live normally again after the death of his father. But his refusal to face his grief results in anger at his coach, fights with his sister, resenting added responsibilities, and disillusionment with football. It takes a special relationship with Glynnie, who is struggling with the divorce of her parents, to open his heart to love again. Reviews “… This book was beautifully written. There were moments that I laughed, got frustrated, and cried, but mostly I felt hopeful that this boy and this girl would be able to comfort each other and begin to heal ….” ~~ The Autumn Review “… I easily connect with stories that deal with personal issues of triumph after tragedy, and the journey they require. The Farewell Season is definitely one of those stories. I will admit that I cried while reading this book because I am that connected with Eric. Yes, I totally bond with a guy. In a book. Who is fictional. Go. Figure …” ~~Lauren, Epilogue Reviews “…this was an excellent book about love and loss, grief and acceptance. Thought provoking, and sensitive this is a book that is better than many in the genre. A nice love story is always good, but this was that and oh so much more. I liked that it ended in a very real way. There wasn't a magic wand cure all end, it was real, and all the more touching and much more impact for that realism. Highly recommended.” ~~ Michael Burhans “…This is really a lovely book, with a sweet tone and story that pulls you into its world subtly but deeply, until you begin to care deeply about the characters and the way they are all dealing with change, loss, grief, old pain and new beginnings…This is a quietly emotional read that will sneak up on your heart (and tear ducts) if you let yourself sink into its world….” Fred LeBaron, Librarian "…compelling story... an important lesson about life and loss. ...This story crosses the 'goal line'--both for teens who may face similar hurdles, and for those who wonder about such 'what ifs' in life that may be befall them." ~~ ALAN Review, Vol. 39, No. 3

Hey, Nobody's Perfect Insulting a guy in a wheelchair—is that any way to start a romance? Life was complicated enough for Sivia before a guy with no legs came into her life. Family friction, peer pressure and her overly controlling father are threats to her budding relationship with Keeley—but prejudices she never knew she had and doesn't want to acknowledge are the biggest hurdle of all. The Real Me When Mattie has issues with her weight, she decides to take charge of her life, redo her image, find confidence and maybe even dare to talk to guys. Will a change in lifestyle, a friend, a tormentor, and a dream guy help Mattie discover her real self and find romance along the way? The Perfect Guy Can Rebecca turn her new stepbrother into her new love? When Rebecca's mother marries Pres's father, Rebecca is sure that living in the same house with the guy of her dreams will have its perks and it will be just a matter of time before Pres sees her as more than a kid sister. But things don't go as planned, and as friendships start to change, Rebecca faces surprising truths about herself and her friends. Will she find happiness in her new family and find The Perfect Guy? REVIEWS for PERFECT LOVE books: "...it is delightful to trace the twists and turns of the plot… filled with honesty, tenderness, humor, and serious moments… deep, meaningful, and overall a beautiful story… a plot that is big on empowerment…a great insight into the realization that not all is how it appears to be at first…sometimes perfect isn't what you first imagined."

City girl, country guy. Will opposites attract—or clash? When New-York-City girl Emily visits her cousin Janelle in Oregon, Emily wonders how she'll survive the wilderness. Janelle wonders if the wilderness will survive Emily's visit—and if she can convince her cousin to help save part of an old-growth forest. Meanwhile, Emily also wonders if a big-city girl can get along with a county guy—named Bret. Under forest canopies and by crystal-clear waters she struggles with her growing attraction to him. But they're so different. Whoever thought she'd fall for someone like him?

Sun, surf, sand and Alex--Katie was swept away! Katie eagerly agrees to pretend she is Alex's girlfriend for the summer in order to protect his job. Amid sundrenched waves, they develop a friendship that is on the verge of turning romantic, when who should arrive but Nicole, Alex's old girlfriend. In three days, Nicole ruins Katie's relationship with Alex. So Katie gets involved with Logan, Nicole's handsome older brother, though Alex is the one for her. Soon enough Katie learns that fake romances can get out of hand and lead to complications she never imagined.

When Rebecca's mother marries Pres's father, Rebecca is sure that living in the same house with the guy of her dreams will turn her new step-brother into her new love. Even though her best friend, Celeste, warns her to face reality, Rebecca doesn't listen. She thinks Pres is the perfect guy for her! But Celeste's brother, Josh, has been friends with Pres for years, and Celeste thinks she knows what she's talking about. Rebecca's not so sure about her relationship with her new step-father. She knows he can't replace her real dad, but she thinks she can get through to him by helping him with the school play. But things don't go as planned, and as friendships start to change, Rebecca faces surprising truths about herself and her friends. Will she find happiness in her new family and find The Perfect Guy?(This edition is out of print--see new edition of The Perfect Guy.)