Books in Nancy Pearl's Book Crush Rediscoveries series

The Ridgeway family takes on France in this delightful story from Newbery Medal winner Carol Ryrie Brink.Professor Ridgeway is on sabbatical in the South of France—and the whole family is along for the adventure. Susan has brought her diary to document their vacation fun, but Dumpling isn’t convinced that France can compete with their house with the tower back in Midwest City. She’s brought along her doll, Irene, as her little piece of home. George is just happy to have some new terrain to search for rocks. As the Ridgeways settle in, they find out that a real, live princess is staying at their hotel. But who could she be? While they search for the princess, they also begin studying French with their stern tutor, Mademoiselle—but isn’t it more fun teaching her some not-so-proper English? And as Halloween and Thanksgiving roll around, the Ridgeway children decide to show France a little bit of what these holidays mean back home in America—with some unexpected results! France will never be the same after the Ridgeways come to visit!

The classic tale by award-winning author Marjorie Flack is back in print for the first time in decades!Walter is a lazy mouse. He is so lazy that he always misses school and spends all his time in bed. He is so lazy that eventually his family forgets about him and moves away…without him. Alone and scared, Walter heads out into the world to search for his family. He travels through a dark forest and soon meets a turtle and some frogs. Walter decides to create a new home on Mouse Island. His froggy friends live nearby, and Walter tries to teach them things. With his own island—and friends who depend on him—Walter must learn to take care of himself. There is no time to be lazy! But will Walter ever see his family again? First published in 1937 and back in print for the first time in decades with Marjorie Flack’s own illustrations, this is a classic tale of adventure and friendship, and the importance of perseverance. An introduction from noted librarian Nancy Pearl is included.

"Think of Mr. Pudgins as a male Mary Poppins in a story filled with wacky, magical days; a classic that is as much fun today as when it was first published. This is a fun pick for readers who enjoy chapter books with more complexity." - Seira Wilson, Amazon EditorYou’ve never met a babysitter like Mr. Pudgins!When Mr. Pudgins comes to watch John, Pete, and Janey, all kinds of crazy things happen. Faucets run soda pop instead of water, the bathtub takes them for a ride, a case of the hiccups releases birds into the house, and friends step out of the mirror! Somehow all evidence of their antics is erased by the time Mother and Father get home. Mr. Pudgins is the best babysitter ever! But what happens when John, Pete, and Janey grow older? Ruth Christoffer Carlsen’s classic novel, first published in 1951, celebrates the power of the imagination through one unforgettable babysitter. An introduction by noted librarian Nancy Pearl is included.

Hannah West loves her latest dog-walking gig with Elvis the basset hound, who is showing her around the new Seattle neighborhood where she and her mom are house-sitting. But when a local dog goes mysteriously missing, it’s clear that a dognapper is on the loose. Hannah gets right on the scent to uncover the canine thief! Then Hannah and her mom move to their swankiest address yet. “Millionaire’s Row” may have wealthy residents, but not everything is perfect. A thief lurks among the close-knit community, breaking into homes, rearranging things, and removing special items. With the Antiques Caravan TV show rolling into town, can Hannah and her best friend, Lily, stop the culprit before he or she can cash in on the stolen goods? Once again, Hannah is on the set—and on the trail!Hannah West: Sleuth on the Trail is a compilation of two previously published volumes, Hannah West in the Center of the Universe and Hannah West on Millionaire’s Row.

From Caldecott-winning illustrator David Small and bestselling author Bonny Becker, an unforgettable Christmas story that will leave the whole family giggling.When Alice Jayne finds a crocodile under the tree on Christmas Eve, her family goes into an uproar! The Christmas Crocodile doesn’t mean to be bad, not really, but soon he is eating up Christmas—from the dinner roast to the left stove-top burner…even the Christmas tree! Everyone has an opinion about what to do with him. Uncle Theodore suggests they send him to Africa, Father recommends the zoo, and Aunt Figgy mentions an orphanage. But Alice Jayne thinks the Christmas Crocodile deserves a real family. Can she find him a new home? And will she and the family survive till Christmas morning, with that naughty crocodile gobbling up everything in sight?

For eighteen-year-old Shannon Lightley, life’s been an endless parade across Europe, following either her actress mother or her renowned journalist father. Paris, Milan, London—Shannon has been everywhere, but somewhere along the way, she realizes she’s really…nowhere.Having graduated from high school and about to board yet another flight for yet another destination, Shannon is offered an alternative: stay in Portland, Oregon, with her parents’ close friend and help his law firm investigate a group of strangers living near the local university. A will with a substantial inheritance is being contested, and Shannon’s task is to gather information on the unlikely recipients of the money.Using an assumed name and working as a waitress in a diner, Shannon finds herself entirely on her own for the first time in her life; and as the long summer days go by, she tries to sort out who she really is and what her future holds.Originally published in 1968 and newly released as part of Nancy Pearl’s Book Crush Rediscoveries, Greensleeves is a smart and timeless tale of how far people must go to find themselves.

You’ve never met a babysitter like Mr. Pudgins!When Mr. Pudgins comes to watch John, Pete, and Janey, all kinds of crazy things happen. Faucets run soda pop instead of water, the bathtub takes them for a ride, a case of the hiccups releases birds into the house, and friends step out of the mirror! Somehow all evidence of their antics is erased by the time Mother and Father get home. Mr. Pudgins is the best babysitter ever! But what happens when John, Pete, and Janey grow older? Ruth Christoffer Carlsen’s classic novel, first published in 1951, celebrates the power of the imagination through one unforgettable babysitter. An introduction by noted librarian Nancy Pearl is included.

Herman has made plans to visit his aunt Gert, so he sets out in his fur coat for her house. But on his way, a passing bear mistakes Herman for the Bear family’s cousin Julius. The bear invites Herman home for a visit, and all the bears think Herman is Cousin Julius! Can Herman convince the Bear family that he is definitely not their cousin and most definitely not a bear? Bernice Myers’s classic picture book, first published in 1967, is a timeless treasure that will have young children giggling. An introduction, discussion questions and activities, and further suggested reading from noted librarian Nancy Pearl are included. This first picture book in nationally renowned librarian Nancy Pearl’s new Book Crush Rediscoveries series for children and young adults is now available for a new generation of readers.

From Newbery Medal winner Carol Ryrie Brink comes a story about one unforgettable family.Susan, George, and Dumpling have a special life in Midwest City, where they live with their college-professor dad and mystery-writer mom. Not only can they watch the university’s football games from the tower of their house on College Avenue, but now Tommy Tokarynski, who mows their lawn, is famous. He’s Midwest University’s star quarterback. There’s only one problem: Tommy’s grades are dreadful, and he might get kicked off the team before the homecoming game. With a little ingenuity, Susan, George, and Dumpling team up for a season of fun as they set out to save their beloved quarterback, outsmart their naughty neighbors, rescue animals, and start a new business that just might help out the whole family. It’s never a dull moment when the Ridgeway kids are involved!The adventures of the Ridgeway family in Family Grandstand and its sequel, Family Sabbatical, were inspired by Carol Ryrie Brink’s own family and their life together in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Hannah West is not your average sixth grader. Ever since her mom got laid off and started house-sitting, Hannah has been living all over Seattle—and solving mysteries along the way! With her trusty sketchbook and doggy pals in tow, Hannah is always ready for adventure. So when she and her mom move into a swanky high-rise where a valuable piece of art has just been stolen, Hannah immediately gets in the “frame” of mind for sleuthing to track down the art thief. Then it’s lights…cameras…and lots of action after Hannah and her mom move into a houseboat. Not only is the crew for a TV show taking over the dock but dead fish are also washing up nearby. Once Hannah and her best friend, Lily, become extras on the show, Hannah is on the set—and on the case!Hannah West: Sleuth in Training is a compilation of two previously published volumes, Hannah West in the Belltown Towers and Hannah West in Deep Water.

There is so much work for a boy to do in the serious town of Puddling Center that eleven-year-old Willie can’t even go to school. So when Willie meets Professor Petit and his five “Highly Trained Dogs”—each with its own special talent—he’s delighted. Maybe their traveling show will shake things up! But then Petit’s rival, Hulk Hoskins, rolls into town with a circus tiger, and the professor and one of his dogs end up in big trouble. Now it’s up to Willie and his new canine friends to save the day and put on a show this town will never forget!Back in print for the first time in decades, this 1953 novel by Newbery winner Carol Ryrie Brink will have kids rooting for cheerful Willie, honest Professor Petit, and the amazing Highly Trained Dogs.

Suzie Green has only dreamed of having a best friend. Someone to vent to and giggle with—and someone to help her face the Select Seven at school every day. Those girls are boy crazy, they talk in codes, and they call Suzie “teacher’s pet.” It’s not easy being a teacher’s kid! And it’s not easy being eleven, going on twelve, without a best friend. Then Co Co Langdon moves in next door. Suzie has never met anyone like Co Co. She’s from France and has traveled all over the world. And she’s never been to school, having been tutored all her life. But now that Co Co is in America, she will go to school for the very first time. And Suzie will finally have a best friend by her side! First published in 1955, Best Friends follows two girls through one unforgettable school year as they take on mean girls, a cranky neighbor, boys, and the search for a missing neighborhood dog. In the end, they’ll find out what it truly means to be best friends.