Author Profile
Jack Gantos
8 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.
Books in "Rotten Ralph"
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
