Fourth-grader Chaya Ann Tober loves cats. Even her initials, C.A.T., are perfect for her!She feels so cat-like herself that when her actual cat Ollie, a very picky eater, refuses to eat a mysterious new kind of cat food, she tries to encourage him by tasting a tiny bit of it herself (and finds it, surprisingly, not awful.) That night Chaya has the craziest dream--she dreams she really has become a cat, one with orange fur, the exact color of her own hair. Or is it a dream? Join in the adventures as C.A.T. and her annoying older brother Daniel use some magical food to become cats, prowl their neighborhood at night, prevent a cat-astrophe, and see each other in a whole new light. A purr-fect chapter book for early grade readers (ages 7-9) who like animals and fantasy adventure, even if they are pickier eaters than C.A.T.

Ezra Feldman, almost ten, likes baseball more than anything else in the world. But his father cannot understand why his son would rather rot his brains watching men swinging big wooden sticks than read a book or play chess. Can an unwanted car trip, a grumpy old professor, and a surprising chess victory help father and son find a little common ground--and convince Ezra's dad that cheering for the national pastime isn't completely off base?Ezra Feldman, almost ten, likes baseball more than anything else in the world. But his father cannot understand why his son would rather rot his brains watching men swinging big wooden sticks than read a book or play chess. Can an unwanted car trip, a grumpy old professor, and a surprising chess victory help father and son find a little common ground--and convince Ezra's dad that cheering for the national pastime isn't completely off base?

For ages 8 and up "

Anne Frank loved to play tennis and swim. She enjoyed being with her friends in school and couldn't resist chattering during class. But, tragically, Anne was growing up in Holland during the Second World War, when all European Jews lived in grave danger. When Dutch Jews were forced to leave their homes, Anne and her family found a hiding place.

Anne kept a diary in which she described the two years of their secret life. After the war ended, the diary was found and published. Her innocent account of the horrors of war was widely read, and it touched readers all over the world. This biography tells about Anne's family and their lives before the Second World War, the Nazi persecution of Jews, and Anne's years in hiding.
Johanna Hurwitz's readable, direct style enables young readers to share Anne's childhood dreams and to feel the tension of the years that followed. The realistic black-and-white drawings by Vera Rosenberry bring Anne Frank even closer to readers' hearts.

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All Curtis wants is a dog.

At the animal shelter, Curtis falls in love with Sammy, a friendly puppy with curly black fur, floppy ears, a wagging tail, and perfect white teeth. He's the best dog in the whole world.

At home, things are different-Sammy steals food and chews sneakers and toys-but Curtis loves him anyway. Then Sammy bites Curtis's mom, and Curtis has to face the fact that Sammy's not perfect after all.

Will Curtis have to give Sammy up? Or will he do whatever it takes to keep his dog?

When a childhood illness leaves her blind and deaf, Helen Keller's life seems hopeless indeed. But her indomitable will and the help of a devoted teacher empower Helen to triumph over incredible adversity. This amazing true story is finally brought to the beginner reader level.  

A new sibling is just one of the surprises -- some good, some not so much -- awaiting Monty in another story for early chapter book readers.
It's because six-year-old Monty is such a great reader that he finds out about a free pair of parakeets in need of a new owner. And though Yankee and Doodle end up in his classroom, not his own house, unexpected things are happening at home as well. First there's the tooth that finally falls out, then the amazing news that Monty will have a new brother or sister. But one surprise -- the carwash his friends Ilene and Arlene find exciting -- turns out to be more of an asthma trigger for Monty than a treat. In this gently humorous adventure, Monty faces the unpredictable, everyday turns of a first-grader's life with his usual lovable charm.

Eight-year-old David Bernstein discovers life is much more exciting when he calls himself Ali Baba Bernstein. Only Ali Baba would have dared to grab the class snail and escape to the boys' room for his own magic experiment. David would never have invited every David Bernstein in the phone book to his birthday party -- or find himself hailed as a great detective -- or discover adventures and misadventures everywhere he went. But Ali Baba Bernstein does!

"This unique collection of short stories celebrates the creative power of imagination. At Hurwitz's invitation 10 well-known children's authors have written pieces based on a single premise: a young person finds an empty box among his or her birthday gifts. The enormously varied responses range in tone from amusing to heartwarmingly sad; all provide food for thought....An excellent surprise package."--School Library Journal.

The fifth-grade class election is shaping up as a close contest between class clown Lucas Cott and one time teacher's pet Cricket Kaufman. It's just possible that the student with the greatest leadership ability is Julio Sanchez, but Julio's too busy running Lucas's campaign to notice. Or is he? And how can Julio throw his hat into the ring without betraying his best friend?

Johanna Hurwitz introduced Julio, Cricket, and Lucas in Class Clown and Teacher's Pet, earning a ringing vote of confidence from Publishers Weekly: "Hurwitz masterfully demonstrates why she is one of the premier practitioners of the humorous school story genre."In Class President, she has backed these delightful characters with a winning ticket of humor and insight.

"What is your name?"

That's what Nora asks her neighbors as she rides up and down the elevator of her apartment house. She doesn't mean to be a busybody. She just wants to be like doorman Henry and know all the people in her building--all 200 of them! And then one day Nora gets a great idea: they'll have a giant party, for everyone in the building!