Books with author James Keller

“Chasing Becky Turner” is the story of young Johnny Miller's obsession with a skinny neighborhood brat who had morphed into an unbelievably delicious redhead virtually overnight. The story takes place in 1956, a time when a new kind of music called Rock and Roll swept the land, UFOs populated the skies, and hot rods roamed the streets. Although many years have passed since then, Johnny still talks about it like it was yesterday:I was just a high school freshman at the time, and I was totally mystified when it came to understanding what makes women tick. Just about the time I thought I had them figured out, I would be blindsided by some completely unexpected behavior. If only I could have walked into a library or book store and picked up a copy of “Women: Instruction Manual for Dummies,” things might have been different. By the time I was fifteen, I had already been dumped twice by my girlfriends, the first time because I was “boring” and the second time because I was “dull”. My third time at bat I resolved I would be neither boring nor dull; instead I would be creative, exciting, and generally irresistible. And so it was, with high hopes and steely determination, that I set my sights on Becky Turner. And creative I was. Becky loved Elvis Presley, the Rock and Roller who had girls all across the country swooning at the mere mention of his name. Becky's love for the man was so great, she founded the local chapter of the Elvis Presley fan club. My new, creative self came up with a surefire plan to win her heart: I would serenade her by singing “Hound Dog” beneath her bedroom window. I know, that sounds like an idiotic song choice, but it was her favorite Elvis recording. Boy, did that plan backfire.Undaunted, I came up with a new plan. I figured that if I became a star basketball player, she would ditch Elvis for me. That little scheme veered off coarse when I met Sidney “Ollie” Oliphant, the grandson of a UFO abduction victim. Ollie introduced me to UFOs, which led to the idea that I could become famous if I could prove that UFOs came from a secret base on the far side of the moon. Becky would be impressed for sure. I know, that sounds beyond idiotic, but you have to admit that it was very creative. That plan fizzled, also.Next, I tried to impress her with my boy racer driving skills by doing a burnout in the Drivers Education car. Pretty dumb, I admit, and it brought me tons of grief.Enter Dr. Hypno. That was my name for Ollie after he hypnotized me and convinced me I was a puppy dog. Except I didn't know it. One minute I was walking down the hallway at school and the next I had my paws on Becky's shoulders and I was licking her face and wagging my butt. Pretty creepy, huh? Becky sure thought so.Then I was in for a big shock when I saw her at the drag races in the company of my tormentor, senior Bob Gander, and she is looking mighty cozy with him. But I did get the last laugh. You will just have to read the book to find out what happened. Please don't laugh, though, I am very sensitive guy.

Fifth grade is no joke! James Preller takes on the class clown in this new school story, full of humor, hijinks, and heart.At Spiro Agnew Elementary, the fifth graders rule the school. And class clown Justin Fisher rules them all.Or, at least, he did.Justin has always been the funniest kid in school. But this year, his new teacher isn't amused. And when Justin gets in trouble with Mr. Tripp over and over, the other kids turn on him, too. No one wants to be friends with the class troublemaker.But Justin Fisher isn't going down without a fight.

Featuring friendship, school, family, and a diverse community, these early illustrated chapter book Jigsaw Jones Mysteries from James Preller have it all.Is there a bear loose in the woods by Jigsaw Jones' town? For once this second-grade detective and his partner Mila Yeh might be out of their depth! One way or another, these two young sleuths will get to the bottom of who, or what, is growling and snapping in those woods in The Case of the Bear Scare. James Preller's wry, witty, Jigsaw Jones books are once again available to inspire the next generation of young readers, featuring both new titles and classroom classics!

5 first-rate mysteries in 1 value-packed boxed set! Ace detective Jigsaw Jones & his partner, Mila, know that mysteries are like jigsaw puzzles--you have to look at all the pieces to solve the case!Missing hamsters, lost coins, haunted houses...Jigsaw Jones has seen it all before. With his top-secret detective journal, eye for detail, and ace partner Mila, Jigsaw is always ready to take on a new case.Now, get the first five mysteries in one value-packed boxed set. Titles include:#1 THE CASE OF HERMIE THE MISSING HAMSTER#2 THE CASE OFTHE CHRISTMAS SNOWMAN#3 THE CASE OF THE SECRET VALENTINE#4 THE CASE OF THE SPOOKY SLEEPOVER#5 THE CASE OF THE STOLEN BASEBALL CARD

Four friends put their heads together to convince their school to get a new mascot in The Big Idea Gang—an exciting new chapter book series about making a case . . . and making a difference! Quick-thinking third-graders Lizzy, her twin, Connor, and their friends Kym and Deon have a big idea: their school desperately needs a new mascot, and they've got the perfect one in mind. Now they have to figure out a way to convince their principal and rally the rest of the school behind them. Luckily, their teacher, Miss Zips (short for Zipsokowski—but who can say that?) is skilled in the art of persuasion. Armed with Miss Zips's persuasive tips, the gang of four set out to make their claim, build a case for a new mascot, and convince Clay Elementary that Arnold the Armadillo has had his day.

A new collection of spooky, funny, and mysterious short stories for young readers from popular children's author James Preller.A scary new house. A horrible monster hiding in the closet.An imaginary friend that does very bad things. And a cat that lurks around every corner -- even though it's dead. These are just a few of the things that go bump in the night inside the pages of this creepy collection. Look inside, if you dare. . . .

Thirteen-year-old Ripley can't believe his luck when the dock master hands him the knotted, twisted tree branch from among his pile of treasures. Its strange markings appear to be text, but no one knows what they mean.Fashioning it into two walking sticks, Ripley shows them to an eccentric potential buyer only to be harassed later by a local bully who flings one of the sticks into a murky pond. Ripley rushes to save it only to drown.But, as the villagers of Bellowood mourn his loss, Ripley wakes up in a wheat field--in another world.Packed with political upheaval, ancient signs, and mystic portals, The Walking Stick is a thrilling and thought-provoking young adult fantasy that follows Ripley as he tries to navigate the alternate world of Luxor, while hoping to find a way back home to Lydia.

This 5 x 8 bound journal is perfect size to easily fit in the tackle box. 90 Pages of fishing memories! We've all heard the fishing tales. The Rainbow Trout was so big it wouldn't fit in the net. The Largemouth Bass was so big it took two hands to pull it out of the water. Use this Fishing Journal to document all your catches so your stories will last a lifetime. Also makes a great gift for the fishing enthusiast in your life to document their fishing adventures.