Books with author Dennis E McGowan

You are encouraged to order a copy of the book before using this study guide. Most readers use this guide by first reading a chapter from the book, and then reviewing the corresponding section from this guide. Others prefer to read the entire book, and then review using the questions found in this guide. The questions will facilitate meaningful conversations with readers both in and out of the classroom. Members of the Jolly family encounter some of the same problems that we all experience.

You are encouraged to order a copy of the book before using this study guide. Most readers use this guide by first reading a chapter from the book, and then reviewing the corresponding section from this guide. Others prefer to read the entire book, and then review using the questions found in this guide. The questions will facilitate meaningful conversations with readers both in and out of the classroom. Members of the Jolly family encounter some of the same problems that we all experience.

You are encouraged to order a copy of the book before using this study guide. Most readers use this guide by first reading a chapter from the book, and then reviewing the corresponding section from this guide. Others prefer to read the entire book, and then review using the questions found in this guide. The questions will facilitate meaningful conversations with readers both in and out of the classroom. Members of the Jolly family encounter some of the same problems that we all experience.

Age Level: 9 and up / Grade Level: 4 and upI’m Les Desirable. Don’t laugh. That’s my real name. And my teacher, Mrs. Mudhole, won’t let me forget it. I’m a world famous news reporter. While most kids my age are breaking wind, I’m always looking for breaking news.Mrs. Mudhole says this is Adopt-a-Pet Cultural Appreciation Month at school. That only means our teacher is dumping more work on us. Yuck!Since no student brought a pet animal to school for “Show and Tell,” Mrs. Mudhole is forcing us to take a Rio McCaw stuffed toy parrot home for one night. Another wackadoodle idea of hers.But I don’t have time for school homework nonsense. Because I have to help my cousin Bo Teak and Aunt Teak move in next door.When I hear Aunt Teak screaming that she’s being robbed, I call on my trusted intern Ebb Peckinpaw to scramble and help solve this breaking news story.Solving real life news stories filled with intrigue and mystery is always more fun than babysitting a stuffed toy parrot.However, a famous reporter’s life is not easy. I often run into challenges—like my constant need to duck from a crazy live Cockatoo that keeps pooping on me. Do you have this problem?Les Desirable: It’s Not Fair is a funny story that everyone will find entertaining—children, middle school students, and adults.

Age Level: 9 and up / Grade Level: 4 and upI’m Les Desirable. Don’t laugh. That’s my real name. And my teacher, Mrs. Mudhole, won’t let me forget it. I’m a world famous news reporter. While most kids my age are breaking wind, I’m always looking for breaking news.When my plan to encourage my favorite teacher to move into a nursing home backfires, I seek other opportunities.However, writing a poem to showcase cultural differences isn’t what I expected! This sounds like heavy lifting! I’m too fragile to think this hard.The only thing that saves me from this yucky fate is when my mom tells me that we’re moving. Hooray! WAIT A MINUTE! That’s not what I want!I’m leaving my best friends and being forced to move across country to another school where I meet the biggest and ugliest hairy bully I’ve ever seen.My whole world collapses when my oldest friend suffers a stroke and is admitted to the hospital. Things don’t look too good right now.A famous reporter’s life is not easy. It’s tough. I often run into challenges—like my constant search for the latest news. You probably understand—don’t you?Les Desirable: Not My Fault is a funny story that everyone will find entertaining—children, middle school students, and adults.

Age Level: 9 and up / Grade Level: 4 and upI’m Les Desirable. Don’t laugh. That’s my real name. And my teacher, Mrs. Mudhole, won’t let me forget it. I’m a world famous news reporter. While most kids my age are breaking wind, I’m always looking for breaking news.When you’re surrounded by nuts all day long, life can be difficult.We have a crisis at Greenville Middle. The student who dresses as our mascot for school rallies is transferring. And I get tricked into campaigning to run for the Goober mascot.Should I accept help from the Mayor’s son—who wants to manipulate the outcome of the election? If I DON’T win, I’ll look like a loser! If I DO win, I’ll have to dress up in a silly peanut costume! Either way, I’ll look like a fool!Unfortunately, school often gets in the way of my real job—as a famous news reporter. In fact, I’m expecting a call at any moment.What can I do to get out of this mess? Do you have any ideas?R-i-n-g! R-i-n-g! Ooh! Ooh! It’s probably a call from someone very important with a news tip. Gotta run.Les Desirable: Final Straw is a funny story that everyone will find entertaining—children, middle school students, and adults.

Age Level: 9 and up / Grade Level: 4 and upI’m Les Desirable. Don’t laugh. That’s my real name. And Principal Butcher won’t let me forget it. I’m a world famous news reporter. While most kids my age are breaking wind, I’m always looking for breaking news.WHACK! I get smacked in the face with Tuffus Nails’ sweaty jockstrap. AGAIN!I hate gym class. They call it ‘PE’—but only because the letters ‘PU’ are taken!We have a crisis at Greenville Middle School. Coach Butts is demanding that we learn THE CHICKEN DANCE. I can’t dance.I’m DOOMED!To get my mind off school, I go to a basketball game with my cousin, Bo Teak. He’s the COOL kid with HOT WHEELS! When he’s selected as the contestant to make a free throw from center court, everyone panics.After all, you know that he’s in a wheelchair, don’t you? If he makes the basket, he’ll win big bucks. But if he misses, he’ll be a big loser.I’m closing my eyes. I can’t watch. Tell me what happens, okay?Les Desirable: Kick Butts is a funny story that everyone will find entertaining—children, middle school students, and adults.

Being kind—and letting others know how much we appreciate them—are some of the most important lessons we can share with our children.This book adds value by helping your kids discover how easy it is to be kind—and helps them learn to accept and believe in themselves.Ella the Elephant is feeling sad and lonely because she thinks no one likes her.Follow Kelly as she cheers up Ella by reminding her of the many times she has helped others.If you value raising kids who are kind and tolerant, this book is for you.Add the paperback book to your library now. ENJOY reading!

Being kind, embracing diversity, and accepting others—even if they don’t look like us—are some of the most powerful lessons about values that we can teach our children.If you want your kids to be kind and tolerant, this book encourages open discussions about differences in the world.Often, you will find that you have more in common than you first thought.When a new kid moves next door, Leo the Lion doesn’t like him because he has a funny name. So he decides to build a wall to keep the new kid out.When Leo the Lion learns that the new kid has a swimming pool in his yard, Leo realizes they have a lot in common.This book is a wonderful resource for parents, counselors, and teachers.Add the paperback book to your library now. ENJOY reading!

Age Level: 9 and up / Grade Level: 4 and upI’m Les Desirable. Don’t laugh. That’s my real name. And my teacher, Mrs. Mudhole, won’t let me forget it. I’m a world famous news reporter. While most kids my age are breaking wind, I’m always looking for breaking news.When my plan to encourage my favorite teacher to move into a nursing home backfires, I seek other opportunities. However, writing a poem to showcase cultural differences isn’t what I expected! This sounds like heavy lifting! I’m too fragile to think this hard. The only thing that saves me from this yucky fate is when my mom tells me that we’re moving. Hooray! WAIT A MINUTE! That’s not what I want! I’m leaving my best friends and being forced to move across country to another school where I meet the biggest and ugliest hairy bully I’ve ever seen. My whole world collapses when my oldest friend suffers a stroke and is admitted to the hospital. Things don’t look too good right now. A famous reporter’s life is not easy. It’s tough. I often run into challenges—like my constant search for the latest news. You probably understand—don’t you?Les Desirable: Not My Fault is a funny story that everyone will find entertaining—children, middle school students, and adults.

Being kind—and letting others know how much we appreciate them—are some of the most important lessons we can share with our children.This book adds value by helping your kids discover how easy it is to be kind—and helps them learn to accept and believe in themselves.Witch Hazel and Winnie the Mouse arrive too late for Halloween. Follow their humorous adventures as they land on a rooftop—and are surprised by Santa Claus delivering gifts on Christmas Eve.This is a cute story to teach your children about friendship and empathy. The flowing rhymes make it ideal for reading aloud. Your children will love the bright and warm illustrations.This book is a wonderful resource for parents, counselors, and teachers.

Sammy Starfish is so excited to bring his new birthday pencil to school! But he can't find the pencil when he gets back from recess. Sammy has always been a little shy, but he has to overcome his shyness and talk to new kids in his class in order to figure out what happened to his birthday pencil. He quickly realizes he had no reason to be afraid of talking to new kids, and he is happy to have made new friends!