When his father rejoins the Navy and moves the family to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, ten-year-old Jack becomes confused by a crush on his teacher, contradictory advice from his parents, and a very strange neighbor.
Fourth-grader Calvin creates a unique way to express his desire for a dog after his teacher asks him to write a persuasive argument about something he really wants.
Peter finds his demanding two-year-old brother an ever increasing problem. Living with his little brother, Fudge, makes Peter feel like a fourth grade nothing. Fudge is never far from trouble. He's a two-year-old terror who gets away with everything-and Peter's had enough. When Fudge walks off with Dribble, Peter's pet turtle, it's the last straw.
With national pride and occasional fear, a brother and sister face the increasingly oppressive occupation of Korea by Japan during World War II, which threatens to suppress Korean culture entirely.
Buster, a walnut orb weaving spider, enlists the help of Jo Beth, one of a family of poisonous but friendly brown recluse spiders, to help stop humans who are stealing from the rare books room of the Boston Public Library, where the spiders live.
Mattie, a shy fifth grader, wants to hide out at her new school by acting as apprentice to her Uncle Potluck, the custodian, but her plan falls apart when she summons the courage to speak about what matters most and finds a true friend.
In 1949, thirteen-year-old Francine goes to Catholic school in Los Angeles where she becomes best friends with a girl who questions authority and is frequently punished by the nuns, causing Francine to question her own values.
After she leaves Boston's Farthinggale Manor carrying a dark secret with her, Leigh VanVoreen turns to Luke Casteel for love, peace, respect, and safety.
