Books published by publisher Cricket Books

Ancient Egypt is one of the most evocative cultures for young readers. This book shows them what their lives would have been like there. There was no school, since most people couldn’t read or write, and no need to worry about fashion, because children didn’t wear clothes! Rich or poor, their houses would have been made of mud bricks. If I Were a Kid in Ancient Egypt takes readers through daily life in a vibrant culture that pioneered paper, linen, irrigation, medicine, and much more, and shows how these inventions came about and how they affected the culture’s younger citizens.

Mystery Box is the story of Franklin Dixon and Carolyn Keene, authors of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries. It?s true that these two never actually lived in the real world, but the mystery of their identities has intrigued readers for years. Gordon McAlpine here imagines the lives behind these two well-loved American names.Following parallel escapes from awkward situations at home, Frank and Carolyn both find themselves in Paris in the 1920s, among the glittering expatriate literary circles. Frank, who initially made the trip overseas in search of his lost brother Joe, now runs his own detective agency and frequents the parlor of Gertrude Stein. Carolyn, who left River Heights when her young stepmother made her feel unneeded, has befriended Hemingway and Fitzgerald is trying to craft her own writing style. At the same time, though, Frank and Carolyn each pursue personal mysteries, deeper than those ever undertaken by their youthful characters. the world is full of betrayal and disillusionment. To find themselves, they must find each other?and the truths contained in their soon-to-be written fictions.

"Easy there," came the voice. "If you’re fixin’ to throw somethin’, at least let me get my mitt on." CHIEF SUNRISE, JOHN McGRAW, AND ME is a middle-grade baseball story featuring an all-American kid head-over-heels in love with the game. On the run from his abusive dad, Hank joins forces with an ace Seminole Indian pitcher who’s determined to break into the big leagues. Together they go in search of the big time: playing for the New York Giants during their 1919 season. The pair’s picaresque adventures take them from Florida to New York, where nineteen-year-old Chief makes a believer of the Giants’ famed manager, John McGraw, and Hank gets to experience life as a bat boy.

One of the greatest legends in the world is brought to life in ODYSSEUS, the first book of the four-volume HEROES series. Author Geraldine McCaughrean's taught prose brings a modern, thriller-like immediacy to the ancient story, while still retaining the characters, details and even some of the rhythms of the epic poem.Odysseus and his loyal troops narrowly escape being eaten by the Cyclops, shipwrecked by Scylla and Charybdis, and turned into pigs by the beautiful Circe. The company must travel to Hell (or Hades) and back, dodge the constant pursuit of the vengeful Poseidon, and row across oceans in order to get back home where Odysseus' wife, Penelope fends off a gaggle of greedy suitors bent on taking Odysseus' throne.Filled with excitement and romance, ODYSSEUS makes a perfect sequel for any young readers interested in learning more about the Greek heroes portrayed in the summer 2004 blockbuster, TROY.

Beowulf is the conventional title of an Old English heroic epic poem, set in Scandinavia, commonly cited as one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literature. Its composition by an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet is dated between the 8th and the early 11th century. In the poem, Beowulf, a hero of the Geats, battles and defeats two monsters in his youth, but is fatally wounded when he fights a dragon later in life. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beowulf

What's in a word? A lot, as IN A WORD tells us! Words travel through time and evolve—-taking on new characteristics, new meanings, and providing fascinating tales of people, places, and times long ago. Each entry of IN A WORD tells its tale in a witty short-story style, often accompanied by fun illustrations.Though several of the entries in the book provide the kind of linguistic details found in the finest dictionaries, IN A WORD's lively, anecdotal style makes it more entertaining than a traditional reference book. It's a perfect addition to any family home, or as a gift.The book also comes with a language chart and index. With an introduction by a linguistics scholar.

This illustrated collection by the author of Short and Shivery: Thirty Chilling Tales includes ghost tales, ?jump? stories, dark fantasy, and science fiction, all set in contemporary situations that will seem hauntingly familiar to young readers. Several of the stories draw on the rich heritage of legends, folklore, and cultural traditions as they extend into children?s lives today. With suspense, action, and manageable ?scare level,? these stories will be popular around the campfire and during summertime sleepovers.

No ordinary man is permitted to see the great Kwan-Yu, emperor of China, but this doesn't stop the beautiful, green-eyed Dream-of-Jade, since she is not an ordinary man, but a rather unusual cat. When Dream-of-Jade decides she wants to see His Highness, she simply slips into the empty throne room and sits upon the imperial throne. When Kwan-Yu arrives, she does not give up her seat, but does point out the dangerous state of the emperor’s ceiling. Thus begins the great friendship between an Emperor and a little white cat, who not only saves the emperor’s life at their first meeting, but knows how to cure his ailments, make him laugh, and entertain him, and whose greatest wish is to make Kwan-Yu the best emperor ever to rule China.Lloyd Alexander has written this little masterpiece filled with details from ancient Chinese court life. With his sharp wit, tongue-in-cheek humor, and good-natured satire, he exposes the rigidity of ancient imperial customs and traditions. Dream-of-Jade’s no-nonsense solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems delight children and adults alike, making this tale an unforgettable reading adventure for the entire family.

The vast night sky holds a special attraction for young readers, and Stargazing with Jack Horkheimer: Cosmic Comics for the Sky Watcher captures that sense of wonder in words and pictures. Jack, whose monthly cartoon “Stargazing with Jack Horkheimer,” has been a popular feature in Odyssey Magazine for many years, appears in animated form. As his human counterpart does in real life at the Miami Space Transit Planetarium, this cartoon Jack guides youngsters into space, helping them to explore the amazing lore and science of the moon, the sun, the planets and constellations, and other objects visible in the night sky. The book also introduces the basic concepts of stargazing and mind-boggling facts — all presented from the viewpoint of Jack and his quirky cast of cartoon characters. Individual chapters cover “The Bright Stars and the Patterns They Make,” “Seasonal Star Watching,” and seasonal sky changes. Included are more than 50 cosmic comics, seasonal star-watching activities, star charts, tips for the best sky-watching, and an astronomy glossary and index.

What’s creepier than being lost in the woods all alone? How about being lost in those woods, and sensing that you’re not alone?Robert D. San Souci, popular author of Dare to Be Scared, has spun another thirteen masterful tales to keep nightlights burning across the country. Fans of his first book will be thrilled to find not only the same spirit of scary fun, but even deeper, darker twists and surprises. Newcomers will discover something for every (daring) palate, with stories that range from campfire grabbers to unsettling chillers, and combine elements of folklore and pop culture.

Robert's class is having an achievement contest, and Robert desperately wants to win. Anyone who gets A's on homework, reads books, or helps the teachers will earn points toward the prize. Robert pledges to do all those things, but it won't be easy. He's never read a whole book and his papers are usually marked with a pig stamp that says "could be neater." Robert becomes a teacher's helper, cleans up after art class, and serves as library monitor. But will his good intentions and steadfastness be enough? Lively drawings illustrate this hilarious story of a likable boy who is finally rewarded for his good nature and hard work.

Feather, the easily muddled Muse of Plants, is confused when he runs beak-first into young Emma. Emma, you see, is a Human and NO HUMANS ARE ALLOWED in Kokonino County, home to Feather and the rest of the New Muses.Emma wants the Muses to help rescue her teacher, Mrs. Krishnamurti, from the evil (and rather doughy) clutches of her wicked foster father, Mr. Drinkwater. A helpful Muse, Feather would normally love to lend a wing. Unfortunately, Emma has arrived during the Great Pie War, a time when any sudden moves could result in getting a smart pie full in the face. You see, the Great Pie War has escalated from Smart Pies to Smarter Pies to SMARTEST PIES – giant, state-of-the-art, satellite-guided pies.POP! SPLAT! Will the war reach its messy conclusion in time for Feather and the other Muses to help Emma? Or will the trickster Muse Kokopelli sabotage everything?