Books with author Patricia O'Reilly

Mitchell really doesn't want to go camping with the other kids at the Zigzag Afternoon Center. Sleeping in the woods with creepy crawly things, coyotes, and bears? Yikes! But his best friend Habib is going, and it's Mitchell's birthday that weekend. He's just got to find a way to be brave, and scare the bears away!As the fifth book in the Zigzag Kids series—which also includes Number One Kid, Big Whopper, Flying Feet, and Star Time—Bears Beware continues to delight readers with award-winning author Patricia Reilly Giff's quirky, lovable group of kids, capturing all the excitement and surprises of new friends and after-school fun.

Nory Ryan's family has lived on Maidin Bay on the west coast of Ireland for generations, raising a pig and a few chickens, planting potatoes, getting by. Every year Nory's father goes away on a fishing boat and returns with the rent money for the English lord who owns their cottage and fields, the English lord bent upon forcing the Irish from their land so he can tumble the cottages and clear the fields for grazing. Times are never easy on Maidin Bay, but this year, a terrible blight attacks the potatoes. No crop means starvation. Twelve-year-old Nory must summon the courage and ingenuity to find food, to find hope, to find a way to help her family survive.

"Milk, Bread, Cheese, Food For Angel " reads the shopping list inside the shiny red purse Dawn Bosco finds in the school yard. Also inside is some sandy grit that looks like cracker crumbs and seventeen cents.This is Dawn's chance to solve another mystery! Three people say the purse is theirs, but whose is it really? With the help of Jason Bazyk and The Polka Dot Private Eye, which says "Ask Questions. You'll Find Things Out," Dawn discovers some surprising answers.

It's 1944, W.W. II is raging. Jayna's big brother Rob is her only family. When Rob is called to duty on a destroyer, Jayna is left in their small town in upstate New York with their cranky landlady. But right before he leaves, Rob tells Jayna a secret: they may have a grandmother in Brooklyn. Rob found a little blue recipe book with her name and an address for a bakery. When Jayna learns that Rob is missing in action, she's devastated. Along with her turtle Theresa, the recipe book, and an encouraging, ghostly voice as her guide, Jayna sets out for Brooklyn in hopes of finding the family she so desperately needs.

It’s August 1941, and Brick and Mariel both love the Brooklyn Dodgers. Brick listens to their games on the radio in Windy Hill, in upstate New York, where his family has an apple orchard; Mariel, once a polio patient in the hospital in Windy Hill, lives in Brooklyn near the Dodgers’ home, Ebbets Field. She was adopted by Loretta, a nurse at the hospital, and has never known what happened to her own mother. Someday, somehow, she plans to return to Windy Hill and find out. When a fire destroys their orchard, Brick’s parents must leave the farm to find work. They send him to live in Brooklyn with their friend Loretta, even though Brick knows that their elderly neighbors need his help to pick what’s left of the apples. The only good thing about Brooklyn is seeing the Dodgers play–that, and his friendship with Mariel. Maybe, together, they’ll find a way to return to Windy Hill, save the harvest, and learn the truth about Mariel’s past.

Two-time Newbery Honor-winning author PATRICIA REILLY GIFF shares her best tips for writing fiction with aspiring young writers. In a humorous and entertaining guide, two-time Newbery Honor-winning author PATRICIA REILLY GIFF breaks down the process of writing fiction into steps, all while trying to cope with the constant distractions from her exuberant seventy-pound golden retriever puppy, Rosie. Citing examples from her award-winning novels she explains how to proceed with each step in chapter sections titled "Can You See What I Did?" Young writers can find the inspiration and tips they need to try their hand in sections called "Your Turn." Anecdotes from her writing life and hilarious adventures with her high-energy pet provide entertainment and encouragement.

Newbery Honor–winning author Patricia Reilly Giff tells a vivid, contemporary story about a remarkable boy who risks everything for his family and a bold girl who helps him. At home in Mexico, Mateo knows where he belongs: with Mami, Abuelita, little brother Lucas, and big brother Julian. When Julian leaves to work in el Norte, the United States, Mateo misses him. And when the family stops hearing from Julian, Mateo knows he has to find his beloved brother. With only his old notebook and a backpack, Mateo heads for the border, where dangers await: robbers, and the border police, who will send him back home or perhaps even put him in prison. On his journey, Mateo meets Angel, a smart, mysterious girl who can guide his crossing. Angel is tough; so is Mateo, and his memories of his loving family sustain him. Because no matter what happens, he can’t go home until he finds Julian.

Siria loves everyone at Pop's firehouse. And she loves the stars in the winter sky. Her mother, who died, named her after Sirius—the Dog Star, brightest in January. But starry nights can fill with flames, and Siria sneaks out to chase the firetrucks. If she's there, everyone will be safe. Still, Siria's not brave like Pop. Her best friend Douglas used to chase with her, and it wasn't so scary. But she did something wrong; they're not friends now. This winter, Siria must learn to be brave. Because she's got to fix things with Douglas; and when Pop is injured, she needs courage, and her friends, more than ever.

In a humorous and entertaining guide, two-time Newbery Honor-winning author Patricia Reilly Giff breaks down the process of writing fiction into steps, all while trying to cope with the constant distractions from her exuberant seventy-pound golden retriever puppy, Rosie. Citing examples from her award-winning novels she explains how to proceed with each step in chapter sections titled “Can You See What I Did?” Young writers can find the inspiration and tips they need to try their hand in sections called “Your Turn.” Anecdotes from her writing life and hilarious adventures with her high-energy pet provide entertainment and encouragement.

Patricia Reilly Giff, a 1998 Newbery Honor winner for Lily's Crossing, takes us on a journey to Philadelphia! Richard "Beast" and the Polk Street kids are off to the City of Brotherly Love. They get to see the Liberty Bell, the Declaration of Independence, and Benjamin Franklin's inventions. Will the day be ruined when they find out that Mrs. Miller, "the Killer," the substitute teacher, is coming along?

"You never help people," Jiwon says.Her friend is right. Stacy can't remember the last time she'd helped anyone! Now Mrs. Zachary wants her class to be people-helpers and prepare a Spectacular Stone Soup together.Stacy works hard to be helpful, but no one seems to notice. Can quick thinking and a bunch of onions turn her into a spectacular people-helper?