It all started at the carnival. That is where Joey makes a new friend: a bright yellow balloon. Joey and his beloved balloon do everything together, until the balloon accidentally slips off Joey's wrist and flies far, far away. What will Joey do without his special friend? Tiffany Papageorge has crafted a poignant tale of love, loss, and letting go that will serve as a comforting guide to children who are navigating the complicated emotions of grief. Rich, luminous illustrations by Erwin Madrid perfectly capture these timeless themes, making them accessible to even the youngest reader. Honest, unflinching, and ultimately reassuring, this book will resonate with anyone who has endured the darkness of grief, while offering hope for brighter days ahead.

Get triple the tales -- and triple the fun -- in this collection of three Judy Moody and Friends books for newly independent readers.

Three books in one? How RARE is that? Included in one convenient bind-up you'll find:

• Frank Pearl in The Awful Waffle Kerfuffle: Frank Pearl is in it to win it. He's not sure what, exactly, but he wants to win something.
• Stink Moody in Master of Disaster: Stink takes a star turn -- and helps stave off cosmic calamity.
• Triple Pet Trouble: The unusual Moody pets (Jaws, Mouse, and Toady) are the center of attention for Dr. Judy, pet vet!

Frank Pearl is chasing a prize in this Judy Moody(R) story for newly independent readers.
Just once, Frank Pearl would like to "win" at something He is going to win a prize if it's the last thing he does. Could an amazing yo-yo trick or Cookie the parrot land him a prize? Could a blue ribbon be his at the Great Third-Grade Breakfast Bash? With three shots at a prize and Judy Moody cheering him on (sort of?), there's no way that Frank can miss out on a trophy this time.

Judy can't wait for her mischief to bear fruit when Stink discovers that his backyard science project is an overnight success. Hardy-har-har!

Prankenstein strikes again! The Summer Science Showdown is just around the corner, and Stink is positive that he has the recipe for a winning entry. Soon he's acting like a mad scientist, with strong-smelling potions in hand and visions of super tomatoes dancing in his head. Judy takes one look at her busy brainiac brother and sees a situation ripe for a little mischief! Everyone knows that Judy has never met a practical joke she doesn&;t like, and soon the Princess of Pranks is cooking up a recipe of her own. From Megan McDonald comes an epic match of wits in a Judy Moody story perfect for newly independent readers.

Judy’s mom takes the spotlight as the Moody family tries to give her the birthday she would like in a broadly funny episode just right for newly independent readers.

Make a wish, Mrs. Moody! Every year on Mom’s birthday, one way or another, something goes wrong-not-right. Maybe Judy’s been in a bad mood. Maybe Stink’s gotten a little carsick. Maybe Dad can’t bake Mom’s favorite carrot cake. But this year is going to be different. This year is going to be perfect. This year, Judy is going to do all she can to make sure Mom gets the happy birthday she deserves. Watch out! The Boss of Birthday (aka Judy) is on the job! Parsnip cake with avocado frosting, anyone?

Amy Namey is chasing a news story in this Judy Moody(R) story for newly independent readers.
Amy Namey, Ace Reporter, is on the hunt for a good news story. But not a lot happens in the town of Frog Neck Lake. So what's a budding reporter to do? Team up with Judy Moody With Judy along to sniff out a story, anything can happen. Like maybe a close encounter with the famed Great Virginia Sea Serpent, Taboo Are Amy and Judy about to stumble upon the scoop of the century?

Rocky is perfecting the tricks for his magic show when Judy Moody offers to be his assistant. Rocky agrees, but it turns out that Judy -- or Stella the Spectacular as she calls herself -- is the most UN-spectacular assistant ever. When she gets ketchup all over the magic rabbit, the Amazing Mr. Magic has had enough Is Rocky's magic good enough to mend his and Judy's friendship? From Megan McDonald comes a Judy Moody story just right for newly independent readers.

"Pee Gee Wee Gee " What's that sound?
With her birthday coming up, Jessica hopes that, just maybe, her present will be a real-live potbellied pig. Jessica can hardly wait for her party with Judy Moody and all their friends. But Judy Moody is acting like a pig-head, and Jessica UN-invites her from the party. To make matters worse, Jessica has snooped around the house and has found zero sign of a pig present. Could her birthday be any more of a disaster? Geared to newly independent readers, this story will have Judy Moody fans in pig heaven.

Be careful what you wish for.

Young Juniper Berry knows her mother and father aren't the same people they used to be. Of course, they're no longer struggling actors--they're now the most famous movie stars in the world. But it's more than that. She can't shake the feeling that something isn't quite right with them. And one rainy night, in the shadowy and sinister woods behind their mansion, she discovers she's right.

Now, it's up to Juniper to overcome her own demons in order to save the ones who couldn't.

By popular demand, Judy Moody herself steps into the spotlight in a story that is sure to have kids grinning — and believing.

Judy and her friends are on the playground when Jessica Finch overhears a fifth-grader talking. What!? There’s no such thing as the Tooth Fairy? Can that big kid be right? Luckily, Judy Moody is on the case! All she needs is one loose tooth, a semireluctant little brother, a bathtub, a string, a toy motorboat, and . . . open wide, Stink! But what if the real Tooth Fairy is a no-show? Judy Moody fans will happily sink their teeth into this cavity-free caper full of surprises — and a little bit of magic.

Soon after his popular A Travel Guide to Heaven was published, bestselling author Anthony DeStefano recognized that children also have many questions about heaven. In celebration of the tenth anniversary of that book, Anthony wrote this fun-filled, action story about a little boy named Joey who gets to take a whirlwind tour of heaven with his guardian angel, Gabby. Artist Erwin Madrid's stunning illustrations bring the story to life, showing heaven to be a place where everyone is happy, the animals all get along, and God's glory is more amazing than anything Joey had ever seen in his whole life.

This long-awaited children's edition will quickly become a favorite for the reader and the child alike. Imagine the comfort and peace children will experience when they hear about this incredible place God has prepared for them.

Judy s unusual pets Jaws, Mouse, and Toady are the center of attention in a new Judy Moody(r) book for newly independent readers. Dr. Judy knows a sick pet when she sees one, and Jaws the Venus flytrap is for-sure sick. Time for some urgent care and first" "aid Judy Moody, pet vet, will never rest in her efforts to nurse Jaws back to health. In her quest for a medical miracle, Judy finds herself wrangling an unruly toad and seeking help from Mouse, the mind-reading cat. Nothing will stand in the way of Judy s search for a cure. Not even the fearsome "Carnivoria vampira" From Megan McDonald comes this selection of three mini-stories just right for luring young readers into the Moody universe."

An oil spill in the ocean means destruction for both animals and their habitats - and lots of work for Seaside Sanctuary, where Elsa Roth's parents work. When pelicans are gravely hurt in the spill and brought into the sanctuary, Elsa and her friends are given important roles in caring for the birds. But the animals can't be released until their habitat is clean - and the company responsible for the spill doesn't seem interested in stepping up. Can Elsa and her friends spearhead the clean-up and save the pelicans?

Now kids can get a jump start on the Judy Moody and Friends series with this appealing bind-up of three books in one.

Here's what's included in this trio of tales -- no lie!

- Jessica Finch in Pig Trouble

- Rocky Zang in The Amazing Mr. Magic

- Amy Namey in Ace Reporter

Mighty righty Judy Moody is out of her element in this righty-to-lefty switcheroo just right for newly independent readers.

Left-handers are creative. Left-handers are geniuses. Half of all cats are lefties! (Or so says Stink.) But Judy is a righty . . . and Judy is feeling left out. Tomorrow is Left Handers Day, and Stink and Dad, the southpaws in the Moody family, are celebrating at the pretzel factory. Judy is allowed to come along on one condition: she has to be left-handed — the whole entire day. It’s on!

When disaster strikes, the only thing you can count on is yourself
A winter trip in the remote Michigan wilderness seemed like the perfect way for Jayden to get to know his new foster family. Though he doesn't have much in common with siblings Maggie and Connor, he's hoping they'll get to like each other over snow mobile races and steaming mugs of cocoa.
But when the snow really starts to come down, the family van crashes and the three kids must go out into the bleak, white storm to search for help. Soon the wind is howling and night is starting to fall. Jayden, Maggie, and Connor will have to think fast, find shelter, watch out for bears, and somehow stay warm if they don't want to end up frozen in their tracks....

A new chapter book series from Major League Baseball's 2006 National League MVP, Ryan Howard! The Mustangs were on a hot winning streak and every victory was important. Little Rhino's whole team was cheering for him. Even Dylan was standing on the bench rooting for Little Rhino, the home run hitter. It all came down to the next pitch. When the pitcher threw the ball, Little Rhino swung as hard as his arms could handle, felt a pop in his ankle, and dropped to the ground. That was yesterday. Today, Little Rhino is propped up on the couch with a sprained ankle. The doctor said Little Rhino is not going to be able to play baseball for the next two weeks. Rhino's friends keep dropping by to bring him his homework but Rhino just wants to be back on the field. Can he find a way to help his team without playing?