Books with author Shelley Marie Tougas

A bully, a wedding, and a larger-than-life family add up to a hilarious and heartfelt middle-grade novel.Mary Margaret Miller is going to be a junior bridesmaid―that is, if she isn't grounded for the rest of her life. She's feuding with school bully Brent Helzinski, and her cousin Eden, aka The Bride, is clashing with her grandmother about wedding plans. Mary knows it's her job as a junior bridesmaid to make the day run smoothly, but she sure could use a little help from above.Award-winning author Shelly Tougas (Finders Keepers, The Graham Cracker Plot) has created a relatable and funny heroine in this touching and true-to-life novel. Praise for A Patron Saint for Junior Bridesmaids:"Hand this to tween readers who crave sweet and innocent realistic tales." ―School Library Journal"Wedding-prep comedy balances serious questions of morality in this sweetly perceptive book." ―Kirkus Review"Is there a Patron Saint for smart, funny, touching narrators? If there is, this book's narrator- Mary Margaret Miller - must have a direct line. Mary is a first-class storyteller with a wonderful eye for detail, a wicked sense of humor, and a tender and searching heart. I love her, and I love this book." ―Sheila Turnage, author of Three Times Lucky"Mary's take on the stressful situations and dynamic cast of characters makes for an energetic, absorbing read as she sorts through her religious and social conflicts, which most recently include a cute boy named Nick who challenges her views on her Catholicism. Her voice is funny without being hyperbolic; instead, she is ordinary, observant, and realistically plagued by an overburdened sense of responsibility to keep everyone happy, which makes her relatable to many tweens. Readers looking for a lighthearted summer read about faith, family, and figuring out who you are in the midst of a lot of noise will enjoy this." ―The Bulletin

Meet Daisy Bauer and her sometimes best friend, Graham, who are determined to break Daisy's dad out of prison in this hilarious middle-grade debut.No one believes her, but Daisy Bauer knows her dad has been wrongfully imprisoned and that it's up to her to break him out of jail (aka Club Fed). She has a plan that she's calling the Graham Cracker Plot because it was all Graham's idea. She just needs a miniature horse, a getaway truck, and a penny from 1919—the idea coin. This funny, nail-biter of a novel is about friendship and admitting you're wrong. Debut novelist Shelley Tougas balances humor and warmth against themes of family, broken trust, and unconditional love against all odds. This title has Common Core connections.

A life on the prairie is not all its cracked up to be for one girl whose mom takes her love of the Little House series just a bit too far.Charlotte’s mom has just moved the family across the country to live in Walnut Grove, “childhood home of pioneer author Laura Ingalls Wilder.” Mom’s idea is that the spirit of Laura Ingalls will help her write a bestselling book. But Charlotte knows better: Walnut Grove is just another town where Mom can avoid responsibility. And this place is worse than everywhere else the family has lived―it’s freezing in the winter, it’s small with nothing to do, and the people talk about Laura Ingalls all the time. Charlotte’s convinced her family will not be able to make a life on the prairie―until the spirit of Laura Ingalls starts getting to her, too.

Terrorism has been called “warfare of the mind” and can take many forms. The people who commit violent acts of terrorism are varied as well. One thing they have in common, however, is the feeling that they must act outside the normal channels in order to be heard or achieve their goals. They believe their goals are more important than life. These people may see violence as the only way to change the world.

A bully, a wedding, and a larger-than-life family add up to a hilarious and heartfelt middle-grade novel.Mary Margaret Miller is going to be a junior bridesmaid--that is, if she isn't grounded for the rest of her life. She's feuding with school bully Brent Helzinski, and her cousin Eden, aka The Bride, is clashing with her mother about wedding plans. Mary knows it's her job as a junior bridesmaid to make the day run smoothly, but she sure could use a little help from above.

From the author of The Graham Cracker Plot, a story about two friends playing finders keepers for the missing loot of Al Capone.Christa spends every summer at the most awesome place in the whole world: her family's cabin on Whitefish Lake in Wisconsin. Only her dad recently lost his job and her parents have decided to sell the cabin. But not if Christa can help it. Everyone knows there is Al Capone blood money hidden somewhere in Whitefish Lake, and her friend Alex's cranky grandpa might have the key to finding it. Grumpa says the loot is gone, or worse-cursed!-but Christa knows better. If she finds it, she can keep it and save her family and their beloved cabin.

Meet Daisy Bauer and her sometimes best friend, Graham, who are determined to break Daisy's dad out of prison in this hilarious middle-grade debut.No one believes her, but Daisy Bauer knows her dad has been wrongfully imprisoned and that it's up to her to break him out of jail (aka Club Fed). She has a plan that she's calling the Graham Cracker Plot because it was all Graham's idea. She just needs a miniature horse, a getaway truck, and a penny from 1919―the idea coin. This funny, nail-biter of a novel is about friendship and admitting you're wrong. Debut novelist Shelley Tougas balances humor and warmth against themes of family, broken trust, and unconditional love against all odds. This title has Common Core connections.

A bully, a wedding, and a larger-than-life family add up to a hilarious and heartfelt middle-grade novel.Mary Margaret Miller is going to be a junior bridesmaid--that is, if she isn't grounded for the rest of her life. She's feuding with school bully Brent Helzinski, and her cousin Eden, aka The Bride, is clashing with her grandmother about wedding plans. Mary knows it's her job as a junior bridesmaid to make the day run smoothly, but she sure could use a little help from above.

From the author of The Graham Cracker Plot, a story about two friends playing finders keepers for the missing loot of Al Capone.Christa spends every summer at the most awesome place in the whole world: her family's cabin on Whitefish Lake in Wisconsin. Only her dad recently lost his job and her parents have decided to sell the cabin. But not if Christa can help it. Everyone knows there is Al Capone blood money hidden somewhere in Whitefish Lake, and her friend Alex's cranky grandpa might have the key to finding it. Grumpa says the loot is gone, or worse-cursed!-but Christa knows better. If she finds it, she can keep it and save her family and their beloved cabin.