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Books in Puffin Chapters series

  • How to Be Cool in the Third Grade

    Betsy Duffey, Janet Wilson

    Paperback (Puffin Books, July 1, 1999)
    It's not easy to seem cool when the whole class knows you wear superhero underwear and your mom still kisses you goodbye at the bus stop. But Robbie York has a plan. 1) Get rid of the name Robbie. 2) Get jeans. 3)Avoid bullies like Bo Haney. If only it were that simple!
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  • Starring Grace

    Mary Hoffman, Caroline Binch

    Paperback (Puffin Books, Dec. 31, 2001)
    A chapter bookk sequel to New York Times bestseller and finalist Kate Greenaway Medal, Amazing Grace and Boundless Grace.School’s out . . . and of course that means it’s time for fun! Grace and her friends are always ready for a little adventure, and Grace’s backyard is the perfect place to set up headquarters. Suddenly the lawn is transformed into the center ring of a big-top circus, then a rocket launch pad, and then a hospital emergency room! The group’s exploits, both real and imagined, provide all kinds of unexpected rewards—and might even land Grace on an actual stage in a real theater production! “This is sure to be a hit with fans of Amazing Grace and Boundless Grace. . . . [A] fast-paced choice.”—School Library Journal
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  • Arrow over the Door

    Joseph Bruchac, James Watling

    Paperback (Puffin Books, July 8, 2002)
    For young Samuel Russell, the summer of 1777 is a time of fear. The British Army is approaching, and the Indians in the area seem ready to attack. To Stands Straight, a young Abenaki Indian scouting for King George, Americans are dangerous enemies who threaten his family and home. When Stands Straight's party enters the Quaker Meetinghouse where Samuel worships, the two boys share an encounter that neither will ever forget. Told in alternating viewpoints, The Arrow over the Door is based on a true story. Illustrated by James Watling."Thoughtful and eminently readable." (School Library Journal)
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  • Hey, New Kid!

    Betsy Duffey, Ellen Thompson

    Paperback (Puffin Books, June 1, 1998)
    Cody's father is an F.B.I. agent, he's got a pet emu, and he's an ace on Rollerblades. At least, that's what Cody tells his class on the first day at his new school. Being Super Deluxe Cody is great, until someone throws a skating party. And suddenly, the game may be up!
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  • Anna, Grandpa, and the Big Storm

    Carla Stevens

    Paperback (Puffin Books, Oct. 1, 1998)
    The whole city of New York is blanketed by snow. But it's the final day of the spelling bee, and snow or no snow, Anna has to get to school. It's not as easy as she expected!
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  • A Gift for Mama

    Esther Hautzig

    Paperback (Puffin Books, May 1, 1997)
    A heartwarming story about a girl's plan to buy her mom the perfect Mother's Day presentWhere there’s a will, there’s a way . . . As soon as Sara sees the beautiful black satin slippers in the shoe store window, she knows they’re the perfect Mother’s Day gift for Mama. Sara has always made gifts for her family on special occasions, but this time she’s determined to give a store-bought present—just like grown-ups do. But grown-ups have spending money, and Sara does not. Until she makes a plan . . . “A gentle tribute to family solidarity. . . . Vigorous and expressive illustrations capture the luminous charm of the book.”—The Horn Book
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  • The Math Wiz

    Betsy Duffey, Janet Wilson

    Paperback (Puffin Books, Oct. 1, 1997)
    Does "Math Wiz" have to equal "Sports Dud"?Marty Malone thinks no problem is too complicated for him. Then he starts third grade--and learns that being a math wiz won't stop him from getting picked last in gym class. Kids like tom Ballan are so much better at sports that Marty will never be able to catch up. Trying harder doesn't work. Trying to get out of gym doesn't work. But what if Marty makes a friend in class? And what if that friend is a math wiz, too?
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  • The Canada Geese Quilt

    Natalie Kinsey-Warnock, Leslie W. Bowman

    Paperback (Puffin Books, Oct. 1, 2000)
    The spring brings many changes to ten-year-old Ariel's life. The prospect of a new baby in the house leaves her feeling strange and left out. But Grandma knows how to make Ariel feel a part of things. Together, secretly, they will make a beautiful quilt as a special gift for the baby. Then Grandma suffers a stroke, and Ariel is left lost and afraid. Determined to complete their gift, Ariel struggles to piece the quilt together. But will that inspire her grandmother to get better and share in her efforts? Little does Ariel know her grandmother has a secret gift planned just for her, a gift that will wrap Ariel in the warmth and love of family.
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  • The Gadget War

    Betsy Duffey, Janet Wilson

    Paperback (Puffin Books, Feb. 1, 2000)
    Kelly Sparks is the undisputed gadget champ at Danville School. Then Albert Einstein Jones, an alumnus of Young Inventor's Camp, joins her class. Kelly could give up the gadget crown gracefully -but she'd much rather let the spitballs and smelly goo fly!
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  • Eagle Song

    Joseph Bruchac, Dan Andreasen

    Paperback (Puffin Books, March 1, 1999)
    A contemporary middle grade story about confronting bullying and prejudice Danny Bigtree's family has moved to Brooklyn, New York, and he just can't seem to fit in at school. He's homesick for the Mohawk reservation, and the kids in his class tease him about being an Indian—the thing that makes Danny most proud. Can he find the courage to stand up for himself? “A worthy, well-written novella.” —Kirkus Reviews “This appealing portrayal of a strong family offers an unromanticized view of Native American culture, and a history lesson about the Iroquois Confederacy; it also gives a subtle lesson in the meaning of daily courage.” —Publishers Weekly "With so many Native American stories set in the misty past, it's great to read a children's book about an Iroquois boy who lives in the city now. Bruchac weaves together the traditional and the realistic as Danny's ironworker father tells stories of his people's history and heroes, stories that give Danny courage to confront his schoolyard enemies and make friends with them.” —Booklist
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  • Rats on the Roof

    James Marshall

    Paperback (Puffin Books, May 1, 1997)
    "In seven illustrated stories . . . this Caldecott Honor artist introduces an array of lively anthropomorphized animals in amusing predicaments."--Publishers WeeklyRats can’t dance, right? Wrong. Here are seven silly stories about some very unusual creatures. Meet a sheep who can’t read (but thinks he can), an owl who outwits a brontosaurus, and a goose who thinks her wolf neighbors are canaries. “Those just beginning to read chapter books should find that this is just the thing to tickle their funnybones.”—School Library Journal
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  • Mister and Me

    Kimberly Willis Holt, Leonard Jenkins

    Paperback (Puffin Books, Nov. 1, 2000)
    Jolene's family was just Momma and Grandpa until big, loud Leroy Redfield started taking Momma dancing. Jolene refuses to call him anything but "Mister." Without a name, he isn't a real person to her. But then Jolene learns that Mister wants to marry Momma. Is there anything Jolene can do to make him go away?"The warmth and love in the Johnson household envelops the novel... Jolene's willingness to face the uncertainties of her future may well give courage to readers confronting sea changes of their own."-Publishers WeeklyAwards:( New York Public Library "100 Titles for Reading and Sharing"( A Texas Bluebonnet Master List Book
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