Books with author Mary Schmidt

2011 National Book Award FinalistAs a fourteen-year-old who just moved to a new town, with no friends and a louse for an older brother, Doug Swieteck has all the stats stacked against him. So begins a coming-of-age masterwork full of equal parts comedy and tragedy from Newbery Honor winner Gary D. Schmidt. As Doug struggles to be more than the “skinny thug” that his teachers and the police think him to be, he finds an unlikely ally in Lil Spicer—a fiery young lady who “smelled like daisies would smell if they were growing in a big field under a clearing sky after a rain.” In Lil, Doug finds the strength to endure an abusive father, the suspicions of a whole town, and the return of his oldest brother, forever scarred, from Vietnam. Together, they find a safe haven in the local library, inspiration in learning about the plates of John James Audubon’s birds, and a hilarious adventure on a Broadway stage. In this stunning novel, Schmidt expertly weaves multiple themes of loss and recovery in a story teeming with distinctive, unusual characters and invaluable lessons about love, creativity, and survival.

What fills a hand fuller than a skein of gold? By order of the king, two boys, Tousle and Innes, must find the answer to this puzzling riddle within seven days or be killed. A former nursemaid to the queen’s child tells the boys that the banished queen may have the answer they seek. Danger presents itself at every turn, for the boys are pursued by the Great Barons, who are secretly plotting against the king. Another pursuer, the greedy King’s Grip, reveals a strange story of a little man who once spun straw into gold of incredible beauty for the queen but then disappeared with her firstborn son. Tousle realizes that the man he calls Da is the strange little man and, even more amazing, that he himself may be the lost prince. Or could it be Innes, who although cruelly blinded can hear the music of the dawn?This skillful blend of fantasy and adventure reveals what might have happened before the queen makes her third and last guess and the story of Rumpelstiltskin—as we know it—ends.

In this adventurous children's story, by best selling author A.M.Schmidt, a girl and her puppy must learn the true power of love and friendship. Perfect for ages 3-8! It combines the adventures of Clifford and the playfulness of Biscuit with the heart of authors like Shel Silverstein and Eric Carle. While playing with her friends, Zoe forgets about watching her young puppy. Her heart is broken and she knows she is the only one that can bring her puppy back home. Her puppy must survive on her own in the outdoors. Can Zoe find her in time? This is a children's story about friendships, love, and hope. Perfect for ages 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and Pre-K to 5th grade.

It is the mid-eighteenth century, and young British subject Anson Granville Staplyton has traveled to Ireland, where his regiment has been sent to keep the king's peace. Anson has waited all his life for the day he would follow his father to serve His Majesty in the Staffordshire Fencibles. But the young drummer's notions of glory are shaken when he witnesses the violent injustices thrust upon the Irish people. Anson is torn even further when he meets an Irish hedge master who secretly teaches children the lilting language and history of their won country-lessons that it is Anson's duty to silence. Torn between family honor and his ever-changing sense of justice, Anson struggles to choose his own way in beautiful yet turbulent Ireland.

“Henry Smith’s father told him that if you build your house far enough away from Trouble, then Trouble will never find you.”But Trouble comes careening down the road one night in the form of a pickup truck that strikes Henry’s older brother, Franklin. In the truck is Chay Chouan, a young Cambodian from Franklin’s preparatory school, and the accident sparks racial tensions in the school—and in the well-established town where Henry’s family has lived for generations. Caught between anger and grief, Henry sets out to do the only thing he can think of: climb Mt. Katahdin, the highest mountain in Maine, which he and Franklin were going to climb together. Along with Black Dog, whom Henry has rescued from drowning, and a friend, Henry leaves without his parents’ knowledge. The journey, both exhilarating and dangerous, turns into an odyssey of discovery about himself, his older sister, Louisa, his ancestry, and why one can never escape from Trouble.

In this debut story by best selling author, A.M. Schmidt, Knox and Robot Mox grab the attention of all Minecraft and Roblox enthusiast from page one! For ages 6-10, boys and girls will be mesmerized by from start to finish! Knox lives in a small town with his family. His best friend has just moved away. The tough kids at school are starting to pick on him. Knox needs a best friend now more than ever before. This is a beginner chapter book story to engage the young reader into a world where your best friend does not have to be a human. It combines the adventures of Dav Pilkey with the heart of stories like Diary of a Minecraft Zombie. Let your image soar in this world of adventure where a young boy and robot never give up just to be friends. Perfect for ages 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and grades 1 to grades 5.

In this tender children's story, by best selling author A.M.Schmidt, a girl dreams of spending just one more day with a loved one that has passed away. This story will warm the hearts of young readers by reminding them that there is life in Heaven. Children will realize that just because you cannot see someone, does not mean that they are not there. It will satisfy the heart and soul just as the stories of Lisa T. Bergren have for years in the books of God Gave Us Heaven and God Gave Us You. Perfect for ages 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and Pre-K to 5th grade.

Gary Schmidt's First Boy fast-paced political thriller will have the reader turning the pages in anticipation of the next clue."You're my first boy, Cooper, my first boy," grandfather says just before he dies. All alone in the world, without even a dog, the only thing that keeps Cooper going is running the dairy farm.Suddenly, black sedans are swarming all around Cooper's small New Hampshire town, driven by mysterious men in dark suits. Cooper's barn is burned to the ground, and his house is broken into and searched during the night. The President of the United States calls on Cooper for a visit, and her opponent wants Cooper to join him on the campaign trail. Who exactly is Cooper Jewett, and what does the government want with him?

A fast-paced political thriller “You’re my first boy, Cooper, my first boy,” grandfather says just before he dies. All alone in the world, without even a dog, the only thing that keeps Cooper going is running the dairy farm. Suddenly, black sedans are swarming all around Cooper’s small New Hampshire town, driven by mysterious men in dark suits. Cooper’s barn is burned to the ground, and his house is broken into and searched during the night. The President of the United States calls on Cooper for a visit, and her opponent wants Cooper to join him on the campaign trail. This fast-paced political thriller will have the reader turning the pages in anticipation of the next clue.