"I can spell tintinnabulation!"

Donald Zinkoff is a one-off. He loves school – even gets there two hours early. When his first teacher tells him he has 2160 days in school to look forward to, Donald is the happiest boy alive. He loves funny long words, and howls with laughter over the silliest of them. When his teacher calls his spelling 'atrocious', he's thrilled – what a word! To Zinkoff, every new experience is a pleasure. But to his classmates he's Loser and no-one wants to be friends with a loser. Soon – before the end of 2160 days – they'll know that any name can be replaced with 'hero'…

From the award-winning author of 'Manic Magee', 'Wringer' and 'Stargirl'

"With some of his finest writing to date, Spinelli uses wit and emotion to create the unique story of Zinkoff as he travels from the first through sixth grade"
'Publishers Weekly'

Stargirl. From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of “Stargirl, Stargirl.” She captures Leo Borlock’s heart with just one smile. She sparks a school-spirit revolution with just one cheer. The students of Mica High are enchanted. At first.

Then they turn on her. Stargirl is suddenly shunned for everything that makes her different, and Leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her: normal. In this celebration of nonconformity, Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the perils of popularity and the thrill and inspiration of first love.

Soon to be an original film on Disney+ streaming service! Before ELEANOR AND PARK, there was STARGIRL. The seminal life-affirming YA novel celebrating first love and self-acceptance - now in a beautiful new edition for the next generation of readers. She's as magical as the desert sky. As mysterious as her own name. Nobody knows who she is or where she's from. But everyone loves her for being different. And she captures Leo's heart with just one smile. STARGIRL is a classic of our time that celebrates being true to ourselves and the thrill of first love. A life-changing read that touches souls of all ages.

After his parents die, Jeffrey Lionel Magee's life becomes legendary, as he accomplishes athletic and other feats which awe his contemporaries.

When I grow up, what shall I be? In this exuberant book, a little boy contemplates all the interesting and exciting things he could be when he grows up: everything from a paper plane folder to a puppy dog holder, from a baby sis soother to a snowball smoother. Newbery-Award winning author Jerry Spinelli's simple and charming rhymes are accompanied by internationally-renowned illustrator Jimmy Liao's vibrant and fantastical illustrations. Now available in a board book format, this imaginative joyride about hopes and dreams, and all the things life has to offer will make for the perfect graduation gift.

Originally published in 2000, Stargirl was instantly embraced and has sold over one million copies. With its depiction of a nonconformist with a heart of gold, its lyrical writing from Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli, and its charming love story, Stargirl quickly asserted itself as a modern classic. Love, Stargirl, the companion novel written from Stargirl's perspective, was a similarly smashing success in 2007, with over 300,000 hardcover copies sold.
Now, both bestselling paperbacks are collected in a handsome new boxed set, the ideal gift for any teen reader, as well as any of the many Stargirl fans looking for a new keepsake edition of this beloved pair of novels.

A stunning novel of the Holocaust from Newbery Medalist, Jerry Spinelli.

He’s a boy called Jew. Gypsy. Stopthief. Filthy son of Abraham. He’s a boy who lives in the streets of Warsaw. He’s a boy who steals food for himself, and the other orphans. He’s a boy who believes in bread, and mothers, and angels.

He’s a boy who wants to be a Nazi, with tall, shiny jackboots of his own-until the day that suddenly makes him change his mind.

And when the trains come to empty the Jews from the ghetto of the damned, he’s a boy who realizes it’s safest of all to be nobody.

Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli takes us to one of the most devastating settings imaginable-Nazi-occupied Warsaw during World War II-and tells a tale of heartbreak, hope, and survival through the bright eyes of a young Holocaust orphan.

For as long as he can remember, Palmer has dreaded his birthdays. On his ninth birthday he has to take The Treatment, to be initiated into the coolest gang in town. On his tenth birthday, he has to become a wringer and finish off the pigeons at the annual pigeon-shoot. But Palmer has to find a way to break this tradition, to stop being afraid and stand up for what he truly believes in.

"In Spinelli's hands, the bizarre never alienates, it fascinates. Wringer closes with physical and emotional bravery which is almost literally breathtaking. Palmer Larue is truly a memorable hero."
'Guardian'

"Weird and pacey, this novel is utterly compelling with boy characters who never fail to convince."
'Scotsman'

"The novel is a brilliant exposition of the way boys subscribe to cruelty in order to belong."
'Sunday Times'

Beloved Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli, author of Maniac Magee and Wringer, addresses issues of identity, belonging, family, and bullying in this humorous and heartfelt novel about twins. Jake and Lily are twins. Despite their slightly different interests and temperaments, they feel exactly the same—like two halves of one person. But the year they turn eleven, everything changes. Their parents announce it’s time for separate bedrooms. Jake starts hanging out with a pack of boys on the block. And Lily is devastated, not to mention angry. Who is she without Jake? And as her brother falls under the influence of the neighborhood bully, he also must ask himself—who is the real Jake? This is an often funny, poignant, and profound story of growing up, growing apart, and the difficult process of figuring out who you really are.

The long-awaited prequel to the bestseller FOURTH GRADE RATS
George, aka "Suds," has just entered third grade, and he's heard the rhyme about "first grade babies/second grade cats/third grade angels/fourth grade rats," but what does this mean for his school year? It means that his teacher, Mrs. Simms, will hold a competition every month to see which student deserves to be awarded "the halo" - which student is best-behaved, kindest to others, and, in short, perfect. Suds is determined to be the first to earn the halo, but he's finding the challenge of always being good to be more stressful than he had anticipated. Does he have to be good even outside of school? (Does he have to be nice to his annoying little sister?) And if Mrs. Simms doesn't actually see him doing a good deed, does it even count?
A warm, funny return to elementary school from master storyteller Spinelli.

Last year Suds was a Third Grade Angel, but now... it's time to be a Fourth Grade Rat
Fourth graders are tough. They aren't afraid of spiders. They say no to their moms. They push first graders off the swings. And they never, ever cry.
Suds knows that now he's in fourth grade, he's supposed to be a rat. But whenever he tries to act like one, something goes wrong. Can Suds's friend Joey teach him to toughen up... or will Suds remain a fourth grade wimp?
Now with brand-new illustrations, this sequel to Jerry Spinelli's THIRD GRADE ANGELS is a classic story of fitting in (or not) and friendship.

Stargirl. From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of "Stargirl, Stargirl." She captures Leo Borlock's heart with just one smile. She sparks a school-spirit revolution with just one cheer. The students of Mica High are enchanted. At first.
Then they turn on her. Stargirl is suddenly shunned for everything that makes her different, and Leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her: normal. In this celebration of nonconformity, Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the perils of popularity and the thrill and inspiration of first love.

"From the Hardcover edition."

Now for the first time on television: February 23rd at 7PM EST on Nickelodeon. Starring Mike Angarano as Maniac Magee, Kyla Pratt as Amanda, Rip Torn as George McNab, Jada Pinkett Smith as Mrs. Bealle, Orlando Brown as Mars Bar and Garrett Morris as Mr. Cobbell. Directed by Bob Clark.

He wasn't born with the name Maniac Magee. He came into this world named Jeffrey Lionel Magee, but when his parents died and his life changed, so did his name.

And Maniac Magee became a legend.

Even today kids talk about how fast he could run; about how he hit an inside-the-park "frog" homer; how no knot, no matter how snarled, would stay that way once he began to untie it.

But the thing Mania Magee is best known for is what he did for the kids from the East Side and those from the West Side.

He was special all right, and this is his story, and it's a story that is very careful not to let the facts get mixed up with the turth.

Winner of the 1991 Newbery Medal

Check out the reading group guide.

From renowned Newbery-winning author Jerry Spinelli comes a powerful story about how not fitting in just might lead to an incredible life. This classic book is perfect for fans of Gordon Korman and Carl Hiaasen.

Just like other kids, Zinkoff rides his bike, hopes for snow days, and wants to be like his dad when he grows up. But Zinkoff also raises his hand with all the wrong answers, trips over his own feet, and falls down with laughter over a word like "Jabip."

Other kids have their own word to describe him, but Zinkoff is too busy to hear it. He doesn't know he's not like everyone else. And one winter night, Zinkoff's differences show that any name can someday become "hero."

With some of his finest writing to date and great wit and humor, Jerry Spinelli creates a story about a boy's individuality surpassing the need to fit in and the genuine importance of failure. As readers follow Zinkoff from first through sixth grade, it becomes impossible not to identify with and root for him through failures and triumphs.

The perfect classroom read.

He's a boy called Jew. Gypsy. Stopthief. Runt. Happy. Fast. Filthy son of Abraham.
He's a boy who lives in the streets of Warsaw. He's a boy who steals food for himself and the other orphans. He's a boy who believes in bread, and mothers, and angels. He's a boy who wants to be a Nazi some day, with tall shiny jackboots and a gleaming Eagle hat of his own. Until the day that suddenly makes him change his mind. And when the trains come to empty the Jews from the ghetto of the damned, he's a boy who realizes it's safest of all to be nobody.
Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli takes us to one of the most devastating settings imaginable--Nazi-occupied Warsaw of World War II--and tells a tale of heartbreak, hope, and survival through the bright eyes of a young orphan.

"From the Hardcover edition."

Now available in paperback, Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli's hilarious, poignant story of  cocky seventh-grade superjock Crash Coogan.  

"A beloved "New York Times "bestseller--now in trade paperback!
Love, Stargirl "picks up a year after "Stargirl "ends and reveals the new life of the beloved character who moved away so suddenly at the end of "Stargirl." The novel takes the form of "the world's longest letter," in diary form, going from date to date through a little more than a year's time. In her writing, Stargirl mixes memories of her bittersweet time in Mica, Arizona, with involvements with new people in her life.
In "Love, Stargirl," we hear the voice of Stargirl herself as she reflects on time, life, Leo, and"--"of course"--"love.
"A "USA Today "Bestseller
A Book Sense Children's Pick
A "Publishers Weekly "Bestseller"

WHO KNOWS WHAT IT WILL MAKE YOU DO....

When Mongoose finds a blue library card hidden among the candy he's shoplifted, his friend Weasel tosses the card away. But the card comes back.

Brenda, a television addict, must endure the Great TV Turn-Off. No more "Teen Toons". No more "Dude Feud". Then the blue card appears...

On a hot summer day, Sonseray wanders into a library knowing he'll find air-conditioning -- and finds much more.

And April Mendez takes a ride in a bookmobile unlike any other.

In stories that range from humorous to heartbreaking, Newbery award-winner Jerry Spinelli reveals the amazing possibilities lurking behind library doors.

Newbery Honor Book * ALA Notable Children's Book "Deeply felt. Presents a moral question with great care and sensitivity." --The New York Times "A spellbinding story about rites of passage." --Publishers Weekly (starred review) "A realistic story with the intensity of a fable." --The Horn Book (starred review) "Thought-provoking." --School Library Journal (starred review)In Palmer LaRue's hometown of Waymer, turning ten is the biggest event of a boy's life. But for Palmer, his tenth birthday is not something to look forward to, but something to dread. Then one day, a visitor appears on his windowsill, and Palmer knows that this, more than anything else, is a sign that his time is up. Somehow, he must learn how to stop being afraid and stand up for what he believes in.Wringer is a powerful tour de force from Newbery Medal winner Jerry Spinelli.

For Jason, junior high school has its ups and downs. But this is the funniest, truest, and best book about turning into a teenager you'll find. Really.