Books published by publisher Lobster Press

The Max-a-Million series follows the adventures of Maxamillian J. Wigglesworth III, who is determine to become millionaire by age twelve. But whether he's a magician in search of a money-making trick, a hero looking for someone to rescue, or a movie director set to make the next box office hit, his get-rich-quick schemes often end in spectacular disaster! Max and his best friend Sid might not manage to make millions, but they always find lots of action, and discover that money isn't the greatest reward after all. Lights ... Camera ... Action! In Max the Movie Director, Max is watching his favorite movie for the trillionth time when a spotlight goes on in his head: he could make a brilliant movie and all his dreams of fame and fortune would be solved! After borrowing his father's video equipment, he convinces Sid to be his leading lady, and his dreams of a box office hit seem not too far off ... until Sid walks off the set. But things take a happy turn when Max gets the chance to use his camera to ensure that the bad guy gets caught and the right person wins.

Finally, a book for the budding wordsmith! Veteran author Cynthia MacGregor tells it like it is: the only way to become a good writer is to write, write, write! With entertaining anecdotes, practical tips, and useful exercises, MacGregor encourages children to sharpen their pencils, satisfy their creative urges, and strengthen their communication skills. Packed with practical tips and exercises, When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Writer offers something for every kind of writer. From journalism to fiction writing, this book covers it all, introducing kids to the many different career paths writing can take.

Cody, Eric and Rachel—also known as the Archaeolojesters—have returned from their time-traveling adventures in Egypt. Now it's back to Manitoba and their boring old routine—or so they think! While getting ready for yet another day of fishing, Cody and Eric run into a pair of divers who say they are on a mission to recover a sunken military plane from the restricted World War II base at Impact Lake. Something about their story seems off, and the kids can't resist investigating. It turns out there is a lot of history—and mystery—surrounding the base, including rumors of valuable meteorites in the area and the legend of a seven-foot-tall "mad trapper." After researching military records online, the kids stake out the base to spy on the divers, but can't shake the feeling that somebody else is secretly observing them. Have these clever sleuths dug up more danger than they can handle? Find out in the exciting third installment in the Archaeolojesters series.

Fifteen-year-old Willow Kingswell has been listening to her Nana's tales of faeries and enchanted kingdoms for as long as she can remember. But when she is magically transported to the realm of Mistolear, she is stunned to learn that the stories were true, and that she is actually a princess. Suddenly, Willow has to fit into a royal family she didn't know she had, deal with customs she doesn't understand and sort out her feelings for Brand, the handsome knight who has sworn to protect her. On top of everything, she may also be the key to saving Mistolear from a terrifying spell. The nefarious faerie prince Nezeral has pitted two kingdoms against each other in a life-or-death chess match, in which people are the game pieces. As a pawn, Willow now glows with the light of the game and must find the courage and cleverness to battle Nezeral before her loved ones fall. Could a meager pawn really be the most powerful piece on the board? Captured is the first book in the thrilling Divided Realms series.

(ages 13 - 17) When Belinda sees her mom walking arm in arm with a man who is not Belinda's father, her parent's marriage suddenly becomes the focus in her life. Obsessed with the affair that could break up her family, Belinda ignores the people closest to her. From the "Not Just Proms & Parties" series of fast-paced, character-driven, contemporary novels, ideal for reluctant readers and any teen looking for a quick, engaging read.

Come along for a visit to the farm where we'll meet many animal friends, breathe in the fresh clear air and find wide-open spaces where we can play...and dream. Whimsical illustrations come alive with color and texture to complement simple, joyful text. From the lamb's nuzzle to the cow's morning greeting, from the horse's velvety nose to the ducklings' playful quacks, the barnyard is brimming with possibilities to explore. Acclaimed Ontario artist Crystal Beshara was the youngest member to be elected into the Ottawa Watercolour Society and was named one of Ottawa's top three emerging artists by the Ottawa School of Art. She infuses these idyllic scenes with a sense of wonder and whimsy, drawing inspiration from her daughter's discoveries and reactions when visiting farms.

Everyone is excited about the school play -- except for Total Tomboy Zibby, who thinks acting is utterly boring. But when she learns that the main character in the play is a soccer star, just like her, she decides that playing a famous athlete and having tons of adoring fans would be More Than Okay. After she gets the part, she realizes her character has to kiss a boy. Even worse, the boy is her soccer buddy ... and he may actually like her. That way. Zibby will do anything to get out of The Kiss, if it means rewriting the script, wearing plastic lips, or quitting the show! Can she find a way out of smooching on stage without letting down her cast members, or will she wreck the entire sixth grade musical?

Throwing a party is a great way to express your personality! Need ideas for your upcoming bash? Let's Party! provides eight cool and complete party plans, which will reflect one's own unique style, like the "Sensational Spa" and the "Spy Thriller Party." With mix n' match party ideas, quizzes, and personality-specific troubleshooting tips, Let's Party! is the perfect guide for any aspiring hostess, whether she's a control chick or an improv queen!

(ages 13 - 17) The picturesque Raven's mountain lodge has been in Ronnie's family for generations, allowing Ronnie and her sister to grow up surrounded by nature. But with fewer and fewer tourists coming to the lodge each summer, their father is forced to look for investors, and is killed in an accident on a business trip. The situation leaves Ronnie's mother with no choice but to sell the lodge to Louis Moss – a man Ronnie blames when her idyllic life is turned upside down.Uprooted from their home in the mountains, the family struggles to get by in a dingy apartment, where Ronnie's fragile mother quickly succumbs to depression and alcoholism. The one bright spot in Ronnie's life is Lee, an outsider like herself. Ronnie offers Lee safe haven at her family's former lodge, but a chance meeting with Louis Moss at the Raven's ends in disaster. The lodge burns to the ground, with Moss inside. Ronnie is the police's only suspect, and as the dramatic court case unfolds, some portray her as a monster who killed a generous man, while others see her as a minor whose rights were violated by detectives.This riveting novel, set in 1969, was selected for the Quill & Quire "Best Books of the Year" list.

Ariane's life is already a mess before she hears the singing. Two years ago, her mother disappeared. She bounced around different foster homes until her aunt finally took her in. Now she's become the prime target of the meanest clique at school. And to top it all off, she is having frightening premonitions, and they are becoming more intense. The moment water touches her skin, she starts hallucinating—about a lake, a lady, and a sword. When a staircase opens up in the middle of Wascana Lake, and the water begins singing to her, she has no choice but to answer the call. Ariane learns she is a descendant of the Lady of the Lake, and soon the stories that she thought were legend become a real life nightmare. She and her unexpected companion, Wally Knight, are charged with finding the scattered shards of Excalibur before Merlin can get his hands on them. The infamous magician, known in this world as software tycoon, Rex Major, is trying to recover the pieces of Arthur's sword so he can reforge it and restore his limitless power. Can this troubled teen and her brainy sidekick stop the ruthless sorcerer?

Spring break is just around the corner, and Abby has been asked to pet-sit Mr. Nibbles, the class hamster. But will sisterly rivalry take a bite out of the pet-sitting business? Winner, Parent's Guide to Children's Media Award (2001) Trina Wiebe lives in Invermere, British Columbia, and is the author of the Abby and Tess Pet-Sitters series and the Max-a-Million series. Combined, these books have sold over 65,000 copies worldwide and have been translated into five languages.

"Cat Peters will do anything to participate in Darkmont High's student exchange to Sweden, even if it means endless fundraising and striking a bargain with her teachers. Hanging out with friends in a foreign country, traveling without parents, not having a kid sister to keep an eye on it sounds like the trip of a lifetime! And finally, Cat will be free from the constant worry of Grim Hill.But in order to afford the trip Cat must make a major sacrifice: letting her little sister Sookie tag along, which means both of them will be staying with their great-aunt Hildegaard, who has a startling secret of her own. It turns out Cat is not the first fairy fighter in the family, and the skills she's learned battling Grim Hill's evil creatures will come in handy against an ancient Scandinavian threat. The tales of witches, elves and trolls are eerily familiar to Cat, and soon she and her friends are trying to unravel a frightening new mystery."