Books with author Nancy J. Cavanaugh

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 to 7From the award-winning author of This Journal Belongs to Ratchet, a hilarious and heartwarming story about cheerleading, popularity, and middle school survival told exclusively through lists and letters.Always Abigail is the perfect growing up book for girls, and with its illustrated format, this book is perfectly suited for reluctant readers kids aged 9-12 who love graphic novels.Sixth Grade To Do List:Make the Pom Pom Squad!Be best friends forever with Alli and CamiDon't panic when #1 and #2 look like they're totally not going to happenAbigail and her two best friends are poised for a life of pom-poms and popularity. But not only does Abigail end up in a different homeroom, she doesn't make the squad. Then everyone's least favorite teacher pairs Abigail up with the school's biggest outcast for a year-long Friendly Letter Assignment. Abigail can hardly believe her bad luck! As her so-called best friends and dreams of pom pom fame start to slip away, Abigail has to choose between the little bit of popularity she has left or letting it go to be a true friend.A Texas Bluebonnet NomineeA South Carolina Book Awards Honoree"Brimming with honesty and heart."—Caroline Starr Rose, award-winning author of MAY B."Told in the hyper-chatty, status-obsessed voice of your secretly sweet best friend, Always, Abigail is always adorable."—Tim Federle, author of Better Nate Than EveGreat for parents and educators looking for:A story told in a unique format, perfect for readers that love graphic novels and reluctant readersA good conversation starter for girls who are having trouble adjusting to a new grade or schoolA realistic story about a girl who struggles to balance social pressures and her own moral compass

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 3 to 6This heartwarming, coming of age story is the perfect book for middle school girls. Featuring a strong female character named Ratchet, who identifies as a motherless daughter, this relatable story with its illustrated format is particularly suited for 9-12 year old kids who love graphic novels.If only getting a new life were as easy as getting a new notebook. But it's not.It's the first day of school for all the kids in the neighborhood. But not for me. I'm homeschooled. That means nothing new. No new book bag, no new clothes, and no friends―old or new. The best I've got is this notebook. I'm supposed to use it for my writing assignments, but my dad never checks. Here's what I'm really going to use it for:Ratchet's Top Secret PlanProject Goal: turn my old, recycled, freakish, friendless, motherless life into something shiny and new."I cannot imagine a middle grade classroom or library where this book wouldn't be popular."―Colby Sharp, teacher and co-founder of Nerdy Book Club"One of the freshest new voices I've heard in a while...this debut novel is a winner."―Augusta Scattergood, Author of GLORY BE, an Amazon Best Middle Grade Novel of 2012"A book that is full of surprises...Triumphant enough to make readers cheer; touching enough to make them cry."―Kirkus, STARRED ReviewGreat for parents, librarians and educators looking for:An illustrated format for middle grade readers, especially for reluctant readers and those who love graphic novelsA narrative featuring environmentalism and a positive view on activism for kidsA story featuring a strong female characterA heartwarming story that combines coming of age and accepting one's identityA Florida Book Awards Gold MedalistA Black-Eyed Susan Book Award nomineeA South Carolina Book Awards nomineeA Maine Student Book Award titleA Green Prize for Sustainable Literature winner Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award nominee

From the author of the award-winning This Journal Belongs to Ratchet comes a new kind of journal by a girl on a madcap road trip, featuring a karaoke-loving grandma, a cute boy, and a wild summer of memories that will last a lifetime.Samantha is not exactly excited to spend what was supposed to be an awesome summer vacation with her grandma all the way in Florida. Or to be testing out her mom's "Dear Me" Journals―writing to her future self just feels weird. But it turns out Gram has some not-so-boring plans up her sleeve...Gram and her friend Mimi are going to audition for the Seniors Have Got Talent Karaoke Contest!A road trip in Gram's new Mustang turns into a series of hilarious mishaps that flip Samantha's summer on its head. And to make things more awkward, Brandon, Mimi's totally handsome grandson, is also along for the ride.It looks like those journals just might be worth keeping after all. Because this summer will be one Samantha will never want to forget.

Just Like Me is the perfect book for middle school girls and doubles as an adoption book for kids, as three adopted sisters navigate their relationship with one another while at summer camp.From the award-winning author of This Journal Belongs to Ratchet, comes a funny, uplifting summer camp story about unlikely friendships and finding your place in the world, making this the perfect growing up book for girls. Told through a mix of traditional narrative and journal entries, don't miss this funny, surprisingly sweet summer read!Who eats Cheetos with chopsticks?! Avery and Becca, my "Chinese Sisters," that's who. We're not really sisters―we were just adopted from the same orphanage. And we're nothing alike. They like egg rolls, and I like pizza. They wave around Chinese fans, and I pretend like I don't know them.Which is not easy since we're all going to summer camp to "bond." (Thanks, Mom.) To make everything worse, we have to journal about our time at camp so the adoption agency can do some kind of "where are they now" newsletter. I'll tell you where I am: At Camp Little Big Lake in a cabin with five other girls who aren't getting along, competing for a camp trophy and losing (badly), wondering how I got here...and where I belong. Told through a mix of traditional narrative and journal entries, don't miss this funny, surprisingly sweet summer read!"A tender and honest story about a girl trying to find her place in the world, and the thread that connects us all."―Liesl Shurtliff, author of Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin "A heartwarming story about the universal struggle of yearning to be an individual while longing to fit in."―Karen Harrington, author of Sure Kinds of Crazy

Elsie Mae Has Something to Say is the perfect book for middle school girls and summer reading book for kids.From the award-winning author of This Journal Belongs to Ratchet, comes a sweet and uplifting coming of age tale about friendship, sensitivity, and the importance of protecting our planet, making this the perfect growing up book for girls.Elsie Mae is pretty sure this'll be the best summer ever.She gets to explore the cool, quiet waters of the Okefenokee Swamp around her grandparents' house with her new dog, Huck, and she's written a letter to President Roosevelt that she's confident will save the swamp from a shipping company and make her a major hometown hero. Then, news reaches Elsie Mae of some hog bandits stealing from swamper families, and she sees another opportunity to make her family proud while waiting to hear back from the White House.But when her cousin Henry James, who dreams of one day becoming a traveling preacher like his daddy, shows up and just about ruins her investigation with his "Hallelujahs," Elsie Mae will learn the hard way what it really means to be a hero.Praise for Elsie Mae Has Something to Say:"Swamp magic."―Kirkus Reviews"An engrossing story."―BooklistAlso by Nancy J. Cavanaugh:This Journal Belongs to RatchetAlways, AbigailJust Like Me

Just Like Me is the perfect book for middle school girls and doubles as an adoption book for kids, as three adopted sisters navigate their relationship with one another while at summer camp.From the award-winning author of This Journal Belongs to Ratchet, comes a funny, uplifting summer camp story about unlikely friendships and finding your place in the world, making this the perfect growing up book for girls. Told through a mix of traditional narrative and journal entries, don't miss this funny, surprisingly sweet summer read!Who eats Cheetos with chopsticks?! Avery and Becca, my "Chinese Sisters," that's who. We're not really sisters—we were just adopted from the same orphanage. And we're nothing alike. They like egg rolls, and I like pizza. They wave around Chinese fans, and I pretend like I don't know them.Which is not easy since we're all going to summer camp to "bond." (Thanks, Mom.) To make everything worse, we have to journal about our time at camp so the adoption agency can do some kind of "where are they now" newsletter. I'll tell you where I am: At Camp Little Big Lake in a cabin with five other girls who aren't getting along, competing for a camp trophy and losing (badly), wondering how I got here...and where I belong. Told through a mix of traditional narrative and journal entries, don't miss this funny, surprisingly sweet summer read!"A tender and honest story about a girl trying to find her place in the world, and the thread that connects us all."—Liesl Shurtliff, author of Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin "A heartwarming story about the universal struggle of yearning to be an individual while longing to fit in."—Karen Harrington, author of Sure Kinds of Crazy

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 3 to 6This heartwarming, coming of age story is the perfect book for middle school girls. Featuring a strong female character named Ratchet, who identifies as a motherless daughter, this relatable story with its illustrated format is particularly suited for 9-12 year old kids who love graphic novels.If only getting a new life were as easy as getting a new notebook. But it's not.It's the first day of school for all the kids in the neighborhood. But not for me. I'm homeschooled. That means nothing new. No new book bag, no new clothes, and no friends—old or new. The best I've got is this notebook. I'm supposed to use it for my writing assignments, but my dad never checks. Here's what I'm really going to use it for:Ratchet's Top Secret PlanProject Goal: turn my old, recycled, freakish, friendless, motherless life into something shiny and new."I cannot imagine a middle grade classroom or library where this book wouldn't be popular."—Colby Sharp, teacher and co-founder of Nerdy Book Club"One of the freshest new voices I've heard in a while...this debut novel is a winner."—Augusta Scattergood, Author of GLORY BE, an Amazon Best Middle Grade Novel of 2012"A book that is full of surprises...Triumphant enough to make readers cheer; touching enough to make them cry."—Kirkus, STARRED ReviewGreat for parents, librarians and educators looking for:An illustrated format for middle grade readers, especially for reluctant readers and those who love graphic novelsA narrative featuring environmentalism and a positive view on activism for kidsA story featuring a strong female characterA heartwarming story that combines coming of age and accepting one's identityA Florida Book Awards Gold MedalistA Black-Eyed Susan Book Award nomineeA South Carolina Book Awards nomineeA Maine Student Book Award titleA Green Prize for Sustainable Literature winner Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award nominee

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 to 7From the award-winning author of This Journal Belongs to Ratchet, a hilarious and heartwarming story about cheerleading, popularity, and middle school survival told exclusively through lists and letters.Always Abigail is the perfect growing up book for girls, and with its illustrated format, this book is perfectly suited for reluctant readers kids aged 9-12 who love graphic novels.Sixth Grade To Do List:Make the Pom Pom Squad!Be best friends forever with Alli and CamiDon't panic when #1 and #2 look like they're totally not going to happenAbigail and her two best friends are poised for a life of pom-poms and popularity. But not only does Abigail end up in a different homeroom, she doesn't make the squad. Then everyone's least favorite teacher pairs Abigail up with the school's biggest outcast for a year-long Friendly Letter Assignment. Abigail can hardly believe her bad luck! As her so-called best friends and dreams of pom pom fame start to slip away, Abigail has to choose between the little bit of popularity she has left or letting it go to be a true friend.A Texas Bluebonnet NomineeA South Carolina Book Awards Honoree"Brimming with honesty and heart."―Caroline Starr Rose, award-winning author of MAY B."Told in the hyper-chatty, status-obsessed voice of your secretly sweet best friend, Always, Abigail is always adorable."―Tim Federle, author of Better Nate Than EveGreat for parents and educators looking for:A story told in a unique format, perfect for readers that love graphic novels and reluctant readersA good conversation starter for girls who are having trouble adjusting to a new grade or schoolA realistic story about a girl who struggles to balance social pressures and her own moral compass

Handpicked by Amazon kids’ books editor, Seira Wilson, for Prime Book Box – a children’s subscription that inspires a love of reading.In the tradition of Every Soul a Star and Inside Out & Back Again, Just Like Me is a funny, uplifting summer camp story about unlikely friendships and finding your place in the world from the award-winning author of This Journal Belongs to Ratchet.Who eats Cheetos with chopsticks?! Avery and Becca, my "Chinese Sisters," that's who. We're not really sisters-we were just adopted from the same orphanage. And we're nothing alike. They like egg rolls, and I like pizza. They're wave around Chinese fans, and I pretend like I don't know them.Which is not easy since we're all going to summer camp to "bond." (Thanks, Mom.) To make everything worse, we have to journal about our time at camp so the adoption agency can do some kind of "where are they now" newsletter. I'll tell you where I am: At Camp Little Big Lake in a cabin with five other girls who aren't getting along, competing for a camp trophy and losing (badly), wondering how I got here...and where I belong. Told through a mix of traditional narrative and journal entries, don't miss this funny, surprisingly sweet summer read!"A tender and honest story about a girl trying to find her place in the world, and the thread that connects us all." -Liesl Shurtliff, Author of Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin "A heartwarming story about the universal struggle of yearning to be an individual while longing to fit in."-Karen Harrington, author of Sure Kinds of Crazy

From the author of the award-winning This Journal Belongs to Ratchet comes a new kind of journal by a girl on a madcap road trip, featuring a karaoke-loving grandma, a cute boy, and a wild summer of memories that will last a lifetime.Samantha is not exactly excited to spend what was supposed to be an awesome summer vacation with her grandma all the way in Florida. Or to be testing out her mom's "Dear Me" Journals—writing to her future self just feels weird. But it turns out Gram has some not-so-boring plans up her sleeve...Gram and her friend Mimi are going to audition for the Seniors Have Got Talent Karaoke Contest!A road trip in Gram's new Mustang turns into a series of hilarious mishaps that flip Samantha's summer on its head. And to make things more awkward, Brandon, Mimi's totally handsome grandson, is also along for the ride.It looks like those journals just might be worth keeping after all. Because this summer will be one Samantha will never want to forget.

Elsie Mae Has Something to Say is the perfect book for middle school girls and summer reading book for kids.From the award-winning author of This Journal Belongs to Ratchet, comes a sweet and uplifting coming of age tale about friendship, sensitivity, and the importance of protecting our planet, making this the perfect growing up book for girls.Elsie Mae is pretty sure this'll be the best summer ever.She gets to explore the cool, quiet waters of the Okefenokee Swamp around her grandparents' house with her new dog, Huck, and she's written a letter to President Roosevelt that she's confident will save the swamp from a shipping company and make her a major hometown hero. Then, news reaches Elsie Mae of some hog bandits stealing from swamper families, and she sees another opportunity to make her family proud while waiting to hear back from the White House.But when her cousin Henry James, who dreams of one day becoming a traveling preacher like his daddy, shows up and just about ruins her investigation with his "Hallelujahs," Elsie Mae will learn the hard way what it really means to be a hero.

From the author of the award-winning This Journal Belongs to Ratchet comes a new kind of journal by a girl on a madcap road trip, featuring a karaoke-loving grandma, a cute boy, and a wild summer of memories that will last a lifetime.Samantha is not exactly excited to spend what was supposed to be an awesome summer vacation with her grandma all the way in Florida. Or to be testing out her mom's "Dear Me" Journals―writing to her future self just feels weird. But it turns out Gram has some not-so-boring plans up her sleeve...Gram and her friend Mimi are going to audition for the Seniors Have Got Talent Karaoke Contest!A road trip in Gram's new Mustang turns into a series of hilarious mishaps that flip Samantha's summer on its head. And to make things more awkward, Brandon, Mimi's totally handsome grandson, is also along for the ride.It looks like those journals just might be worth keeping after all. Because this summer will be one Samantha will never want to forget.