"Boys and girls alike will appreciate the mix of classic and contemporary elements in this creepy, suspenseful middle-grade mystery" ( The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books ).Roddy Hall overhears his mother saying "Princess" is coming to visit. He's excited—he's always wanted a dog. But then he finds out that— ick—Princess is a girl and— yuck—she'll be staying for a whole week. One nigh...

As two brothers try to reunite the lonely ghosts of a farmer and a sheepdog, "readers will be cheering them on every step of the way" ( Publishers Weekly).In this short-chapter winner of the IRA Children's Choices, Peter and Martin enjoy living atop Popcorn Hill, except for two things: They long for a big dog and their cabin is haunted by a lonely ghost. They do get a frisky mutt named Rosie, but she's not as big or as appealing as the stray sheepd...

The big piano recital is coming up soon, and Rosie feels anything but ready—"captures the down-to-earth rhythms of suburban life, spiced with humor" ( Kirkus Reviews).Even though Rosie has only nine fingers, she's always managed well. Until now. For some reason, she can't master the piano solo she's been rehearsing for the annual recital. It's called "The Dance of the Dinosaurs," and it's hard! As the recital draws near, Rosie is desperate. Why does everyt...

What do you do when you're being bullied—by a ghost? Find out in this story that "nicely blends the comic and the sinister" ( Booklist).Three months ago, when Ernie P. Barber came to Treverton from Los Angeles, he'd been like a missile aimed at trouble. And Ernie had chosen Jeff to be his best friend, whether he liked it or not. "You're my buddy, old buddy," Ernie would always say, ". . . and I'm going to cut you in on my T.S.P." But when Ernie dies as a re...

A girl learns that glamour isn't always what it seems: "Well written with humor, strong characterization, and a convincing plot" ( School Library Journal).Twelve-year-old Caroline feels torn. She grieves over her sister who has a severe heart problem that keeps her in and out of the hospital. But at the same time, she is jealous of her sister's beauty and sweet disposition, which causes everyone to admire her. Caroline longs to be beautiful, to get attentio...

Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for . . . "An adventure story with a hint of the supernatural . . . full of action and suspense" ( School Library Journal).Most years Corby likes summer vacation, but not now. He's stuck at his grandparents' house in Wisconsin, where his grandfather constantly reminds him how timid he is and how different his father was at his age. And his new friend Buck seems to think he's chicken, too, just because he'd rath...

A girl's scary dream may come true in this "fast moving" story starring "a likable and believable heroine" ( School Library Journal).Meg's nightmare about a thin, gray-haired man who beckons her to follow him through a dark doorway will no doubt come true. That's the way it is with all of her "real" dreams, the ones that her grandmother calls "a secret window into the future."Meg suspects that her dream is about sixteen-year-old Caleb Larsen's fathe...

The new kid in school accepts a dare—and finds himself facing some spooky and surprising consequences: "[A] page-turner" ( Booklist).Matthew Barber thinks that being the new kid in school will be the scariest thing about fourth grade. But is he ever wrong! When the class bully challenges him to spend the night in Healy Elementary, Matthew learns that the rumor of a ghost teacher wandering the halls is more than just a story. And because he has already lost ...

Two girls suspect an abandoned mansion is haunted—but will anyone believe them before it's too late? "[A] well-written, shivery ghost story" ( Booklist).Beware! At first, Charli is excited about the Crandall family's newest endeavor—fixing up the town's old mansion and turn it into a bed-and-breakfast. She even volunteers to help. Then strange things begin to happen. Charli hears someone singing—but no one is there. She sees the shadow of a rocking cradle—b...

Jenny's new house has an unwanted ghost: "Readers will enjoy the imaginative pranks of the specter and the resourceful way [Jenny] solves her problem" ( School Library Journal).Jenny knows she should be excited about the beautiful old house that her mother has inherited from Miss Nagle. She'll finally have her own bedroom, and the place even comes with Rufus the cat, a ready-made pet. But when Jenny visits the house, she's scared out of her wits. Giant snak...

A vengeful ghost haunts a small town—until two cousins confront her—in this "fast-paced, entertaining" story ( School Library Journal).While thirteen-year-old Rachel dreams of becoming Pike River's Sunbonnet Queen, her cousin Charlie Hocking dreams of leaving. But both dreams are threatened by the presence of a fierce old lady who lives just outside of town. At first Charlie is more puzzled than frightened by the fact that the woman looks younger each time ...

Meg's dreams seem to predict the future—but can she make a better future for herself? "Filled with sensitivity and warmth" ( Children's Book Review Service)."It was crazy to have dreams that came true. If you talked about them, it'd upset the people you loved and make them angry. Meg had learned something bad about herself, an ugly secret." And so she decided to keep the dreams to herself, writing them down in a special notebook. Sometimes her dreams were p...