Books with author Bill Wallace

The day of the Naming is an important one for young roadrunners. That's when roadrunner parents judge the speed, courage, and hunting skill of their offspring and choose fitting names for them. One proud fledgling dreams of being named Muscles, or Dash, or even Hunter. If only he hadn't pursued those three juicy grasshoppers for a final snack. If only he'd remembered his parents' lesson: "Always look before you leap." If only he'd paid more attention to the mouse family that had lost two children to a nearby snake. If only the rattler had given some warning before it struck.... Miraculously, the young roadrunner survives the attack, but not without damage. With their son's feet swollen to such an enormous size, his parents have no choice but to give him the humiliating name of Thunderfoot. It's enough to make a roadrunner wallow in self-pity and give up. But the only thing bigger than Thunderfoot's feet is his heart, and with some not always gentle goading from a wise old gopher tortoise named Berland, he finds the courage to go forward and seek his destiny -- and to become the stuff of legends.

Whoever heard of a name like Mewkiss! Ugh! How can a "Mewkiss" be brave? Why couldn't my Jessica call me "fearless" or "Ratkiller"? And why do I have to share a tub with a barky puppy named Barkus? Actually...its nice to have somebody to cuddle up to. My real problem is rats. Two scary rats in the storm cellar are plotting to attack Jessica! What's a kitten to do? How do I find the courage to protect the person I love?

It's not easy being a kitten. Don't get me wrong. I love being scratched behind the ears, chasing Butch the dog, and eating Mother's stew. My brother Toby and I learned about "people things" when we were adopted by Sarah and Ben. The only problem with kid-people is the games they like to play, like "Dress the Cat" -- and "Snot Stew". It's not stew! But what is it? It's making a bully out of Toby and a wreck out of me!

Will Burke is daydreaming about Nate's wonderful shotgun when he runs smack-dab into the fiercest brave of them all, Geronimo! Terrified, he lashes out against the mighty warrior, who's amused -- and impressed. This boy is braver than the army of soldiers who have just captured Geronimo after his fifteenth escape from the White man's reservation. It will not be his last.... Suddenly, Will has an unexpected friend. Geronimo saves his life in a deadly ice storm, then teaches him how to survive, and fight back against bullies like Nate. it isn't until Geronimo takes Will on an unforgettable Wild West adventure at the St. Louis World's Fair that he finally tells Will what he must do in return. It is the hardest thing Will has ever had to do....