Author Profile
Jack Gantos
14 Books
Jack Gantos is an American author of children's and young adult literature, best known for his humorous and semi-autobiographical fiction. He is the creator of several popular series, including the mischievous Rotten Ralph picture books and the Jack Henry middle-grade novels. His acclaimed works often draw upon his own life experiences to tell engaging, relatable stories for young readers.
Aunt Martha's wedding day has finally arrived, and Sarah is thrilled to be the flower girl. Unfortunately, her notoriously naughty red cat has also tagged along, and he is fully prepared to turn the elegant celebration into a spectacular disaster. From wrapping a highly questionable wedding gift to selecting completely inappropriate items for the flower basket, he uses his unique talent for mischief to sabotage the special occasion. By the time the reception rolls around, the cake is in danger, the guests are in shock, and the entire venue is in an uproar. This hilarious addition to a beloved series highlights the absolute chaos that ensues when a terribly behaved pet attends a formal event. Young readers will be delighted by his outrageous antics and Sarah's endless patience as she wonders if her furry companion will ever learn to behave. It is a wildly funny tale of unconditional love amidst total wedding bedlam.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Ida is convinced that her Aunt Bernice and her terrible dog are going to make her life completely miserable. When her outrageous relative visits, it feels like a nonstop parade of calamitous events and embarrassing disasters. From loud outfits to bizarre rules, living with her aunt feels like trying to survive a daily hurricane. To make matters worse, the messy dog seems determined to cause as much trouble as possible. But as the hilarious mishaps pile up, Ida starts to notice something unexpected hiding beneath the chaos. She slowly discovers that her aunt's wild personality also brings warmth and laughter into the house. This entertaining story explores the funny frustrations of dealing with eccentric family members. Young readers will laugh at the spectacular messes and learn that sometimes the most difficult relatives turn out to be the ones we love the most.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Sarah is feeling the pressure to create the perfect school project about ancient Egypt, but her mischievous red cat is making things incredibly difficult. Rotten Ralph thinks studying history is incredibly boring, and he would much rather cause trouble. After completely ruining Sarah's research trip to the library with his terrible behavior, Ralph realizes he needs to make things right. When he discovers that ancient Egyptians actually worshipped cats and believed they had magical powers, Ralph is thrilled. He is suddenly eager to help Sarah with her project, determined to prove that he is just as wise and powerful as those ancient felines. Get ready for a hilarious historical adventure as this notoriously bad cat tries his paw at being a helpful student. Perfect for new readers, this funny story proves that even the most rotten pets can sometimes save the day.
6-8 Years
52 Pages
Percy, the perfectly behaved cat-cousin, has taken over the kitchen to cook the big turkey this Thanksgiving. Ralph, the notoriously mischievous red feline, is forced to wear an apron and act as junior chef. Being helpful is not exactly in his nature, and working alongside his polite relative quickly brings out his wildest instincts. From flying ingredients to kitchen chaos, his pranks threaten to ruin the holiday feast before the guests even arrive. This hilarious holiday adventure follows a mischievous pet as he struggles to keep his paws to himself during the most important meal of the year. Readers will love watching his deliciously chaotic attempts to spice up the family gathering and find out if a peaceful dinner is truly possible.
6-8 Years
20 Pages
Sarah finally decides she has endured enough of her red cat's terrible behavior. Desperate for peace, she enrolls him in a strict feline finishing school designed to cure bad habits. When he returns home, the transformation is unbelievable. The once-rambunctious pet is now perfectly polite and flawlessly well-behaved. He no longer crashes through the house or plays his signature pranks. But as the days pass in quiet perfection, Sarah slowly realizes that a perfectly good pet is also incredibly boring. She begins to miss the chaotic energy that made her furry friend so unique. This entertaining story takes a humorous look at the idea of perfection and the unconditional love between a child and her pet. Young readers will laugh at the stark contrast in behavior and discover that true friendship means accepting someone exactly the way they are.
6-8 Years
Ralph is not your average house cat. He is a bright red feline with a serious talent for making mischief and causing absolute uproar wherever he goes. From terrorizing his family to crashing his bicycle into the dining room table, there is no limit to his delightfully awful behavior. Even though his owner, Sarah, loves him dearly and tries to see the best in him, his nasty tricks eventually push his family to their breaking point. After a particularly disastrous outing, he is left to fend for himself and must figure out if he is capable of changing his troublesome ways. This classic, hilarious story introduces readers to an unforgettable pet whose bad behavior is as bold as his bright red fur. With vibrant illustrations and a rebellious protagonist, the book offers a funny and reassuring message about unconditional love and the difficult journey of learning how to behave.
6-8 Years
53 Pages
The Perfect Pal
Jack Gantos, Nicole Rubel
Vanessa is on a mission to find the ultimate animal companion, but picking out the perfect pet is harder than it looks. When she visits the local pet store, she meets Wendell, a friendly salesman who is determined to match her with the ideal new friend. As Wendell introduces her to a variety of animals, Vanessa discovers that every pet has its own unique personality and quirks. From furry friends to scaly sidekicks, she has to carefully consider which creature will fit best into her life. Finding a pet requires patience, but with Wendell's expert guidance, she is bound to discover an animal that steals her heart. Join Vanessa on her fun-filled search for a new best friend in this charming story about the special bond between people and their pets. You might just find yourself wishing for a new pal of your own!
6-8 Years
30 Pages
The holiday season is usually filled with joy and cheer, but Rotten Ralph has a different plan in mind. When a special Christmas visitor arrives at the house, this famously naughty red cat refuses to roll out the welcome mat. Instead of sharing the holiday spirit, Ralph decides to do what he does best: cause absolute chaos. As the family tries to enjoy the festivities, Ralph cooks up a series of mischievous pranks aimed right at their new guest. From ruined decorations to completely disastrous moments, his rotten behavior threatens to turn the happiest time of the year upside down. Will Ralph figure out how to be a good cat before he ruins the holiday completely, or is he destined to stay on the naughty list forever? Find out in this hilarious and entertaining festive tale.
6-8 Years
30 Pages
Halloween is the perfect time for spooky surprises, and Rotten Ralph is ready to take full advantage of the holiday. When a festive costume party rolls around, this notoriously bad cat comes up with the ultimate sneaky plan. To get away with as much mischief as possible, Ralph decides to dress up exactly like his best friend, Sarah. Hidden safely behind his clever disguise, Ralph is free to cause absolute chaos without anyone knowing his true identity. He sneaks treats, plays wild tricks, and turns the entire party completely upside down. Since everyone thinks he is Sarah, Ralph gets to enjoy all the fun while she takes all the blame. Will Ralph finally get caught and have to confess his sneaky Halloween trick, or will he pull off the greatest prank of his life? Join this funny feline for a wildly entertaining trick-or-treating adventure.
6-8 Years
108 Pages
Greeny is a little monster with a very big appetite. When he sneaks into the kitchen and gobbles up the giant watermelon his mother was saving for the family dessert, he thinks he has gotten away with the perfect snack. But when bedtime arrives, his full tummy leads to a wild and unsettling dream that shows him the true cost of his greed. This vibrant story follows Greeny as he navigates the consequences of breaking the rules and eating more than his fair share. With playful illustrations and a gentle lesson about self-control, this book perfectly captures the relatable struggle of wanting just one more bite. Young readers will easily connect with Greeny's predicament and discover why sharing with family makes dessert taste so much better.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Mud, slime, and murky water are the three things that make Swampy the happiest reptile in the entire marsh. As his birthday approaches, all he wants to do is roll around in his favorite swampy puddles and enjoy the glorious mess. However, his well-meaning friends have a completely different plan for his special day. Determined to celebrate with a clean and presentable guest of honor, they team up to give him the one thing he dreads the most: a giant, soapy bath. This playful story follows the hilarious struggle between a delightfully dirty alligator and his determined friends who insist on a spotless birthday party. Young readers will giggle at the splashy chaos as bubbles and mud collide in a funny battle of wills. It is a lighthearted tale about friendship, compromises, and the universal reluctance to get into the bathtub when playing in the dirt is so much fun.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
A Short Story from Funny Business
Jack knows a thing or two about having fun, even if his brilliant ideas usually end in total disaster. Launching himself across the yard in a homemade catapult? Sounds like the perfect afternoon! But when he starts hanging out with the wild and completely unpredictable Pagoda brothers, Jack has to figure out exactly where to draw the line between a hilarious prank and a terrible mistake. In this laugh-out-loud short story, Jack decides to take matters into his own hands to solve a tricky neighborhood problem, only to discover that his grand plan might just backfire in the messiest way possible. Packed with the kind of crazy playground antics and gross-out humor that will keep you grinning from ear to ear, this quick read perfectly captures the chaotic, funny reality of growing up. Get ready for a hilarious misadventure that leaves Jack with a very unexpected, and more than a little gross, souvenir!
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
40 Pages
Nothing can scare Rotten Ralph!" That's what this mischievous red cat thinks when Halloween rolls around, even when he faces a creaky, spooky haunted house. Join Ralph as he daringly wanders through a mansion filled with ghouls, vampires, and Frankenstein's head! You'll see him get into all sorts of funny trouble, proving he might just be the scariest one there.
But wait, the fright-fest isn't over yet! Ralph's friend Sarah has saved the biggest surprise for last. Get ready to peel back the flaps inside this spooktacular book to discover all of Rotten Ralph's hilarious Halloween tricks and maybe even a few treats. If you love a good laugh and a not-too-scary adventure, you'll howl along with Rotten Ralph!
6-8 Years
20 Pages
Get ready to laugh until your sides ache! Funny Business brings together an all-star lineup of your favorite authors for a collection of stories guaranteed to crack you up. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to hang out with a teenage mummy? Or how to survive a turkey with a ridiculous master plan? What about swimming in the world's largest pool of chocolate milk? From wild playground schemes to unbelievable supernatural mix-ups, these ten hilarious tales are packed with mischief, mayhem, and unforgettable characters. Whether you are looking for a quick chuckle or a story to share with your friends, this brilliant anthology delivers non-stop comedy. Dive into a book where the only rule is to expect the unexpected and be prepared to laugh out loud at every turn!
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
268 Pages
