Books with author Brian Selznick (Illustrator) by Andrew Clements

Ordinarily, no one would have imagined that Jack Rankin would vandalize a desk. But this was not an ordinary school year for Jack.... When Jack Rankin learns that he is going to spend the fifth grade in the old high school -- the building where his father works as a janitor -- he dreads the start of school. Jack manages to get through the first month without the kids catching on. Then comes the disastrous day when one of his classmates loses his lunch all over the floor. John the janitor is called in to clean up, and he does the unthinkable -- he turns to Jack with a big smile and says, "Hi, son." Jack performs an act of revenge and gets himself into a sticky situation. His punishment is to assist the janitor after school for three weeks. The work is tedious, not to mention humiliating. But there is one perk janitors have access to keys, keys to secret places.... In this new novel by the author of Frindle, a boy's explorations lead to surprising new discoveries about himself and his father.

Twelve-year-old Natalie Nelson has written a powerful school story. It's a short novel called "The Cheater," and her best friend Zoe is certain it should be published. All Natalie has to do is give the manuscript to her mom, an editor at a big publishing house. However Natalie doesn't want any favors from her mom. Still, Zoe won't drop the idea. Spurred into action, Natalie invents a pen name for herself and Zoe becomes a self-styled literary agent. But if the girls are to succeed, they'll need support from their wary English teacher, legal advice from Zoe's tough-talking father, and some clever maneuvering to outwit the overbearing editor in chief of Shipley Junior Books. Andrew Clements, the best-selling author of Frindle, The Landry News, and The Janitor's Boy, delights his audience with this story of two irrepressible girls who use their talent, ingenuity, and a little cunning to try to make a young writer's dream come true.

Meet Greg Kenton, billionaire in the making. Greg Kenton has two obsessions -- making money and his long-standing competition with his annoying neighbor, Maura Shaw. So when Greg discovers that Maura is cutting into his booming Chunky Comics business with her own original illustrated minibooks, he's ready to declare war. The problem is, Greg has to admit that Maura's books are good, and soon the longtime enemies become unlikely business partners. But their budding partnership is threatened when the principal bans the sale of their comics in school. Suddenly, the two former rivals find themselves united against an adversary tougher than they ever were to each other. Will their enterprise -- and their friendship -- prevail?

The heroines of this newest book from the author of FRINDLE will leave readers feeling breathless at all the things these two girls manage to accomplish. Best friends Natalie Nelson and Zoe Reisman prove that opposites attract...and create powerful results. Natalie is the quiet one of the pair, a born writer who has been working on a novel that is almost finished. Zoe is the talker who gets things done, and woe to anyone who stands in her way! When Zoe reads Natalie's manuscript, she doesn't believe how great the story is, and can't wait to read the ending. In fact, she is so convinced that it's a great book, she believes it should be published. And once something gets in Zoe's head, there is no turning back. Zoe sees the perfect opportunity to publish the book --- Natalie's own mother is an editor at Shipley Junior Books, but Natalie doesn't want special treatment from her Mom. So, Zoe concocts a scheme that will involve pen names, their English teacher, a phony office, Mrs. Nelson's mean boss, Zoe's lawyer father, and some big media coverage. But will Zoe be able to pull this off? Clements has crafted wonderfully real characters that jump off the pages of the book. Not only is it a wonderful story, it also gives the reader a fascinating close-up look at how a book is published. Natalie and Zoe prove that almost anything is possible when you combine talent and ingenuity. Here's hoping that every budding author find their Zoe to support and propel them toward publication.

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Greg Kenton has two obsessions -- making money and his long-standing competition with his annoying neighbor, Maura Shaw. So when Greg discovers that Maura is cutting into his booming Chunky Comics business with her own original illustrated minibooks, he's ready to declare war. The problem is, Greg has to admit that Maura's books are good, and soon the longtime enemies become unlikely business partners. But their budding partnership is threatened when the principal bans the sale of their comics in school. Suddenly, the two former rivals find themselves united against an adversary tougher than they ever were to each other. Will their enterprise -- and their friendship -- prevail?