Sara Pennypacker

Mr. and Mrs. Dullard have one major goal in life: they want to be as boring as humanly possible. They love plain food, they think beige is the most thrilling color, and they would much rather watch paint dry than go on a fun adventure. In fact, they are so committed to being boring that they pack up and move their entire family just to escape a friendly neighbor who tried to bring them cake! However, their three children—Blanda, Borely, and Little Dud—have a totally different plan. While their parents try their best to keep everything incredibly monotonous and dull, the kids are secretly bursting with imagination. They have an amazing, hidden talent for turning the most ordinary moments into massive fun, even if they have to hide it from their parents. You will giggle your way through this deadpan and delightfully absurd picture book. Dive into this clever story that celebrates creativity and the joyful power of play. See what happens when three bright kids try to find the circus right under their boring parents' noses.

Have you ever felt completely bloopy and love-swoggled? That is exactly how Pierre feels whenever he is around Catherine. Pierre is a humble fisherman who spends his days out on the water, but his heart truly belongs to the elegant ballet teacher in town. The only problem is that Pierre is terribly shy. Every time he tries to tell Catherine how he feels, his courage swims away. You will cheer for Pierre as he comes up with sweet and surprising ways to show his affection, hoping she might notice him. This beautifully illustrated fiction tale is a gentle and funny story about being brave enough to share your feelings. Join Pierre on his clumsy but adorable journey to win Catherine's heart. It is the perfect read for anyone who knows that true kindness and a little bit of courage can make wonderful things happen.

Waylon has been counting down the days until the big Boston Science Expo on June 14th. He is absolutely positive his science project will impress the crowds. Best of all, his ultimate idol—a world-famous astrophysicist—is going to be there, and Waylon might finally get to meet her! But the universe seems to have other plans. It turns out June 14th is also the exact same day as his older sister Neon's major theater performance, the deadline for his dad to sell a huge Hollywood screenplay, and the day of a very mysterious appointment his mom refuses to talk about. When his dad is suddenly called away to Hollywood at the last second, Neon desperately needs a stand-in for her play. She locks her eyes on Waylon, and he realizes he might have to miss the science expo completely. You will laugh out loud as Waylon attempts to juggle his family's chaotic schedules. Dive into this hilarious middle grade fiction story about sacrifice, siblings, and surprises. Discover how a night that promises to be the most embarrassing of Waylon's life might actually turn out to be the most awesome one yet.

Get ready to pack your bags and head to the amazing Black Hills of South Dakota! Stanley Lambchop and his brother Arthur are off on a brand new adventure to see the famous faces carved into Mount Rushmore. But with a flat boy like Stanley around, a simple sightseeing trip never stays simple for very long. Soon after they arrive, the boys meet up with a cowgirl named Calamity Jasper, and the real excitement begins. You will join this daring trio as they explore the rugged terrain, get mixed up in a wild gold rush treasure hunt, and find themselves in the middle of a massive mountain rescue. This action-packed chapter book is filled with hilarious moments and thrilling escapes. Whether he is slipping through tiny cracks or acting as a human parachute, Stanley proves that being flat has some incredible advantages. Jump into this funny and fast-paced mystery to see how Stanley and his friends save the day at one of America's most famous landmarks.

Clementine is usually great at surviving the third grade, but her teacher's latest announcement has her in a complete panic. The school is putting on a huge third and fourth-grade talent show, and Clementine has absolutely no idea what to do. She cannot sing in tune, she definitely cannot dance, and she cannot even hop with any style. To make matters worse, her perfect best friend, Margaret, has so many amazing talents that she literally had to alphabetize them just to keep track! Feeling completely left out, Clementine is desperate to find an act, any act, before the big Talent-palooza night arrives. You will laugh out loud as Clementine tries all sorts of crazy routines to find her hidden skills. This funny and heartwarming chapter book captures the pressure of trying to fit in. Discover how the most unexpected talent of all ends up surprising the entire school—and most importantly, Clementine herself!

Eight-year-old Stuart has just moved to a brand new town, and he is a complete bundle of nerves. He is worried about his strange new house, stressed about starting at a new school, and incredibly bored because he does not have any friends yet. To make matters worse, his favorite collection of Valuable Things vanished during the move. Stuart realizes that what he desperately needs is a real adventure. And everyone knows that to have a proper adventure, you absolutely must have a cape! Using a bunch of his uncle's old, colorful neckties, Stuart creates a magical cape of his very own. Suddenly, his boring new bedroom becomes the center of wild, unbelievable action. You will be thrilled to see what happens when Stuart ties on his handmade cape. This inventive and highly entertaining chapter book proves that a little imagination goes a long way. Join Stuart as he bravely entertains a gorilla, a wild horse, and even a dinosaur right inside his own house!

Summer is right around the corner, but Clementine is absolutely not ready for it. Usually, the end of the school year is something to celebrate, but right now, too many things are changing all at once. At home, there is a brand new baby on the way. Her mom is suddenly acting frantic about cleaning everything in sight, but they still have not picked out a name for the new arrival. Clementine just crosses her fingers and hopes the baby will not be a complete dud. On top of the family chaos, she is really struggling with having to say goodbye to her wonderful third-grade teacher, Mr. D'Matz. You will laugh and sympathize with this clever, quirky third grader as she tries to handle all these massive shifts. This funny chapter book captures perfectly what it feels like when life moves faster than you want it to. Join Clementine as she learns that even when the world around you changes completely, you can still stay wonderfully true to yourself.

Waylon firmly believes that almost any problem in the world can be solved using the power of science. However, science does not seem very helpful when he finds out he has to share a dog with Baxter Boylen. Baxter is the closest thing to a troublemaker that Waylon has ever met, constantly getting called down to the principal's office. Despite their differences, the two boys share a deep love for a dog named Dumpster Eddy. Unfortunately, Eddy is currently locked up behind bars at the local stray animal shelter. When a strict new animal control officer takes over the station, it looks like Eddy is in serious danger. Time is quickly running out. You will be on the edge of your seat as Waylon invents a brilliant, science-based plan to rescue their furry friend. But to pull off the ultimate jailbreak, he will have to put his trust in Baxter. This exciting middle grade fiction story is packed with teamwork, humor, and plenty of heart as two unlikely friends team up to save the dog they love.

Clementine is having a total nervous breakdown. The dreaded Family Meeting sign has just been hung up in her house, and she is absolutely positive she is in big trouble. Did she leave her room too messy? Was she too mean to her little brother? Has she been hiding far too much junk food in her room? Despite her best detective work, her parents refuse to reveal the agenda before the meeting begins. Clementine is secretly hoping the big announcement is that they are getting a pet gorilla. Instead, her father drops a massive surprise: they are having a new baby! Clementine is not thrilled at all. In her mind, four is the perfect number for a family. After all, a table has four sides, not five. You will laugh out loud at Clementine's hilarious logic and dramatic reactions in this fantastic chapter book. Dive into this relatable story about family dynamics, handling big emotions, and learning how to make room in your heart and your home for someone new.

The first day of a new school year has arrived, and eight-year-old Stuart is already a bundle of nerves. He is a natural worrier, and his brain is working overtime. What if he accidentally gets locked inside the boys' bathroom? What if he cannot find anything good to share during show and tell? Worst of all, his mother is making him wear green plaid pants and a shirt covered in tiny cowboys. Stuart knows that on a high-stakes day where you have to make new friends, the only thing he truly needs to wear is his magical cape. Made from a bunch of his uncle's old ties, this special cape might just be the secret weapon he needs to survive the third grade. You will instantly connect with Stuart as he tries to navigate the scary but exciting halls of his new school. This hilarious chapter book perfectly captures those first-day jitters. Discover how a little bit of magic, a lot of imagination, and learning to face your fears can turn a worried kid into an everyday superhero.

Imagine looking up at the sky and seeing no birds at all. That is exactly what Ming-Li fears when her country's leader decides that sparrows are the enemy. He declares a great Sparrow War, blaming the little birds for eating too much of the farmers' grain. Soon, the people in Ming-Li's village are using firecrackers and crashing loud gongs to chase all the birds away. The loud noises frighten the birds so much that they begin falling from the sky. Ming-Li knows she cannot just stand by and watch. Even though she is only one person and cannot stop the loud noises of the whole village, she makes a brave promise to herself. She will save as many sparrows as she possibly can, one tiny bird at a time. Step into a beautiful and moving story about courage and standing up for what you believe is right. You will follow Ming-Li as she figures out how to help the innocent creatures around her. This thoughtful historical tale shows that no matter how small you feel, your kindness can make a massive difference in the world.

Ware loves nothing more than escaping into his own imagination. While other kids spend their summer playing sports and hanging out in loud groups, Ware prefers the quiet safety of his daydreams, where he can be a brave knight in a medieval world. When he stumbles upon an abandoned church lot, he finally finds the perfect place to build his own secret castle. But the lot is not as empty as it seems. He meets Jolene, a tough, practical girl who is using the space to grow a secret garden. Jolene does not believe in magic or daydreams; she only believes in what is real. Despite their differences, the two form a fragile alliance to protect their hidden sanctuary from developers who want to destroy it. As they work together, Ware begins to understand that true courage means standing up for what you care about right here in the real world.

Are you ready to meet a girl who sees the world a little differently? Clementine is a one-of-a-kind third grader with fiery red hair and an even hotter imagination. Every day is an adventure when you're Clementine, but sometimes her amazing ideas lead to big messes! Whether she's accidentally giving her best friend a strange haircut, trying to remove permanent marker from her little sister, or dealing with a new baby in the building, Clementine always means well. You'll laugh out loud as she tries to fix problems in her own unique way, often making things even funnier. Join Clementine for a hilarious and heartwarming look at school, family, and the delightful chaos of being herself.

Clementine cannot believe her ears. Her absolute favorite teacher in the entire world, Mr. D'Matz, has just announced he might be leaving their class to go on a special research trip to Egypt. No other teacher has ever understood her the way he does. He understands her sudden urges to draw all over everything, and he knows exactly when she needs a fun game to get through a long afternoon. To make matters worse, the new substitute teacher has introduced a whole list of strict rules that Clementine simply cannot figure out. Feeling totally frustrated, she decides she cannot just sit back and let this happen. She needs a brilliant plan to get Mr. D'Matz back where he belongs. You will be cheering for this clever third grader as she schemes and plots to save her classroom. This funny and highly relatable chapter book explores what happens when school life gets turned upside down. Join Clementine on a hilarious mission that teaches her important lessons about change, letting go, and writing the perfect letter.

Waylon has an amazing brain filled with brilliant ideas to make life more awesome through science. He is constantly thinking about teleportation, human gills, and even how to attract cupcakes by controlling gravity. But lately, it is impossible for him to focus on his inventions because his personal universe feels like it is exploding. At school, a classmate is trying to divide all the fourth-grade boys into two rival groups. Waylon does not want to pick a side. He would much rather be friends with everyone, except maybe the scary new kid, Baxter Boylen. To make matters worse, his older sister is suddenly wearing all black and pulling away from the family. You will relate to Waylon as he tries to navigate these confusing changes at home and in the classroom. This funny and heartfelt middle grade fiction story proves that even when your world feels like a chaotic science experiment, things can still work out. Discover how one truly awesome thing might be exactly what Waylon needs to bring everything back together.

Spring has finally arrived, and for Clementine, this is a really big deal. It is the perfect time to watch the apple tree outside start to bloom and to get ready for the huge third-grade field trip to Plimoth Plantation. Clementine is totally prepared to explore Ye Olden Times. However, she is not so sure she can survive the strict eating rules the fourth graders have created for lunch. They insist on absolute silence, which makes eating crunchy foods extremely difficult. If that is not stressful enough, she also has to survive the mysterious and terrible stink taking over Bus 7. During the trip, a historical pilgrim guide explains why her people made the long journey from England. This makes Clementine think deeply about who creates the rules we follow. You will love tagging along on this chaotic and funny school trip. This engaging chapter book is packed with hilarious observations and unexpected discoveries. Join Clementine as she tries to figure out exactly which rules are important, and which ones are meant to be broken.

Clementine has just been given the greatest honor in the third grade: she has been chosen as Friend of the Week! This means she finally gets to be the line leader, collect the milk money, and feed the classroom fish. Best of all, at the end of the week, she will get a special booklet filled with notes from all her classmates explaining exactly why they like her so much. She desperately wants her booklet to be perfect. So, when her best friend Margaret suggests some crazy ideas to prove to everyone just how great of a friend she is, Clementine immediately follows her advice. But instead of making her look good, the plan backfires completely. Suddenly, her beloved kitten Moisturizer goes missing, she gets into a fight with Margaret, and the best week ever quickly turns into a disaster. You will sympathize with Clementine's hilarious struggles in this charming chapter book. Jump into this funny and heartfelt story about discovering that trying too hard can sometimes ruin the fun. Watch as Clementine learns that being a true friend is about being yourself, not just following a list of rules.

Have you ever wanted to travel the globe by hopping into a mailbox? Flat Stanley is doing exactly that! In this thrilling adventure, Stanley folds himself up, slides into an envelope, and airmails himself across the world to Japan. His goal is to meet his ultimate hero: the legendary ninja movie star, Oda Nobu. But Stanley gets much more than an autograph! Thanks to his incredibly flat shape, he is fast, sneaky, and able to slide under doors without making a sound. Before he knows it, Stanley is hired as his famous idol's personal ninja bodyguard. You will love following along as Stanley sneaks through bustling Japanese cities. This action-packed chapter book is packed with hilarious surprises. Join Stanley for a fast-paced mystery where being completely flat turns out to be the ultimate ninja superpower!

Exploring ancient pyramids can be flat-out dangerous! Ever since Stanley Lambchop was accidentally squashed by a falling bulletin board, he has been able to slip into places nobody else can reach. So, when he receives an urgent letter from a famous archaeologist, Stanley knows exactly what he needs to do. Folding himself up, he travels by airmail all the way to the sandy deserts of Egypt. His mission is to help uncover a priceless ancient treasure hidden deep inside the dark heart of a massive pyramid. But exploring an ancient tomb is filled with tricky traps and unexpected surprises. You will be completely gripped by this thrilling mystery as Stanley navigates the shadows of the pyramid. This fast-paced chapter book is perfect for young readers who love action and travel. Find out if even the absolute flattest boy on earth can wriggle his way out of a terrible ancient mess!

Have you ever wished you could fly? For Stanley Lambchop, being flat can lead to some truly wild adventures! One day, while he's busy acting like a snowboard, a strong gust of wind picks him right up and carries him away. What a surprise! Suddenly, Stanley finds himself on an incredible cross-country journey across Canada, and he's not alone! He makes a new friend, Nick, and together they're off on an unexpected expedition. Imagine all the amazing sights they'll see and the thrilling things they'll discover as they soar over mountains, forests, and perhaps even some bustling cities. Join Stanley and Nick as they have the adventure of a lifetime, all thanks to a very windy day!