EllRay Jakes is Not a Chicken!

Eight-year-old EllRay Jakes is sick of getting picked on. But every time he tries to defend himself against class bully Jared Matthews, EllRay is the one who winds up in trouble. It's just not fair! Then his dad offers him a deal: If EllRay can stay out of trouble for a week, they'll go to Disneyland! But being good for one whole week is not so easy. . . .

This humorous and true-to-life story kicks off the EllRay series, which is just right for boys (and girls!) who are beginning to read chapter books.

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Ages 7 and up

Illustrations by Jamie Harper

EllRay Jakes is a Rock Star!

Everyone has something to brag about in EllRay's third-grade class. Corey's on the swim team, Kevin is super tall, Jared's dad has an ATV (with flames!). But what about EllRay? He isn't about to gloat about how his geologist dad collects rocks. Boring! Or is it? The crystals in his dad's office are really cool looking. And if EllRay just "borrows" them to show his classmates, he knows they will be impressed. He'll be a rock star-literally! And his dad will never have to know. It's a fail-safe plan . . . until everything doesn't go according to plan.

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Ages 7 and up

Illustrations by Jamie Harper

EllRay Jakes is a Rock Star is a Scholastic Book Club selection.

EllRay Jakes Walks the Plank!

Dead goldfish + bossy girls = big trouble!

Things are going just swimmingly for EllRay. He's getting along with most of the kids at school. He's even getting along with his family. But then everything comes screeching to a halt when his younger sister accidently overfeeds Zippy, the classroom goldfish that EllRay was taking care of over spring vacation. Zippy is a goner. What is EllRay going to tell the kids in his third-grade class? Fortunately, most of them are sympathetic. But not bossy Cynthia. She sees this as an opportunity to blame EllRay for her own mess-ups. Must EllRay now walk the plank for stuff that he didn't do?

Click here to read about Ellray Jakes Walks the Plank!

Ages 7 and up

Illustrations by Jamie Harper

EllRay Jakes Walks the Plank is a Junior Library Guild selection.

Happily Ever Emma

Extremely horrible news! Emma McGraw has just learned that her divorced mom is dating a complete stranger! Well, Emma doesn't know him, and she is not pleased. And so she decides to do what she can to put an end to it. Will she go just a little too far?

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Ages 7 up

Illustrations by Jamie Harper

Excellent Emma

Emma is good at many things, but is she good enough to make her father proud? He lives so far away! Maybe her school's first Winter Games Day will give Emma the much-needed chance to shine, she thinks. To be excellent!

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Ages 7 up

Illustrations by Jamie Harper

Best Friend Emma

As soon as Emma McGraw sees Krysten Rodriguez, she knows that Krysten would make a great best friend. There's just one problem. Emma already has a best friend--Annie Pat! At once charming, funny, and thoughtful, this fourth book about eight year-old Emma is sure to find new fans.

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Ages 7 up

Illustrations by Jamie Harper

Super Emma

Emma McGraw may be a bit shy, but when someone's being teased, she's the first one to defend them. Following in the entertaining footsteps of ONLY EMMA and NOT-SO-WEIRD EMMA, SUPER EMMA'S smart heroine is sure to appeal to many young readers!

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Ages 7 up

Illustrations by Jamie Harper

Not-So-Weird Emma

Third-grader Emma McGraw, the new girl at school, is embarrassed when CynthiaÑher only friend at Oak Glen Primary SchoolÑcalls her “weird.” Just because Emma (a future nature scientist) has various posters and nature collections in her room!

In an attempt to be not-so-weird, Emma redecorates her room and changes how she dresses at school. And then she and Annie Pat Masterson decide to teach Cynthia a lesson about name-calling. But it looks like the lesson is going to backfire!

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Ages 7 up

Illustrations by Jamie Harper

Only Emma

Eight-year-old Emma McGraw loves science. She also love being an only child! So when four-year-old Anthony moves in for a while (into her room!) Emma isn't too happy. He may be cute, but he can't keep his hands off her stuff. But Emma's in for a surprise.... Click here to read about Only Emma.

Illustrations by Jamie Harper

Only Emma is a Junior Library Guild selection, and a Scholastic Book Club selection.

Smart About the First Ladies

This fun team project (four author/illustrators) takes a behind-the-scenes look at America's first ladiesÑand a few of its first kids, too. Piano teachers, school teachers, bad spellers, horseback riders, hikers: America's first ladies have been a fascinating group of women! Click here to learn about the first ladies.

Sweet and Sour Lily

Click here to meet Lily Hill, a six-year-old who's sometimes sweet, sometimes sour, and always entertaining in "Sweet and Sour Lily."

Leftover Lily

Guess which six-year-old decided that she's going to be the boss for a change? To read about "Leftover Lily," click here!

Private Lily

Lily Hill, a six-year-old who's ready for a room of her own, and willing to try anything to get it! Click here to check out "Private Lily."

Accidental Lily

Lily's got a little problem and a lot of big ideas about how to fix it! Click here to read about "Accidental Lily."