Joanne Rocklin

Penny is excited to welcome her new sibling, so throughout her mom’s pregnancy she writes letters to it (not it, YOU!). She introduces herself (Penelope, but she prefers “Penny”) and their moms (Sammy and Becky). She brags about their home city, Oakland, California (the weather, the Bay, and the Golden State Warriors) and shares the trials and tribulations of being a fifth-grader (which, luckily, YOU won’t have to worry about for a long time). Penny asks little questions about her sibling’s development and starts to ask big questions about the world around her (like if and when her moms are ever going to get married “for real”). Honest, relatable, and full of heart, Love, Penelope explores heritage, forgiveness, love, and identity through the eyes (and pen) of one memorable 10-year-old in a special year when marriage equality and an NBA championship made California a place of celebration.

Love, Penelope

The last remaining orange tree on a Southern California street brings together neighbors of all ages as they face their problems and anxieties, including the possibility that a mysterious stranger is a threat to their tree.

One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street

"This middle-grade novel takes place in Pittsburgh in 1952-53. The protagonist is Franny, a young girl of imagination, curiosity, and stubbornness. While recovering from polio, she begins a correspondence with a flea named Fleabrain"--

While recovering from polio, Franny, a young girl of imagination, curiosity, and stubbornness, begins a correspondence with a flea named Fleabrain. The plot contains descriptions of animal experimentation.

Fleabrain loves Franny

As ten-year-old Oona and younger brother Fred conspire to break their sick cat Zook out of the veterinary clinic, Oona tells the story of Zook's previous lives.

The five lives of our cat Zook

This gem of a novel takes place in Pittsburgh in 1952. Franny Katzenback, while recovering from polio, reads and falls in love with the brand-new book Charlotte’s Web. Bored and lonely and yearning for a Charlotte of her own, Franny starts up a correspondence with an eloquent flea named Fleabrain who lives on her dog’s tail. While Franny struggles with physical therapy and feeling left out of her formerly active neighborhood life, Fleabrain is there to take her on adventures based on his extensive reading. It’s a touching, funny story set in the recent past, told with Rocklin’s signature wit and thoughtfulness. Awards Bank Street Children's Books "Best Books of the Year," Fiction Ages 9-12 Sydney Taylor Notable Book for Older Readers Praise for Fleabrain Loves Franny "Heartwarming and endlessly funny, Fleabrain Loves Franny will delight readers of all ages. Rocklin’s sharp wit and exuberant writing style are refreshing. This book is not to be missed." --VOYA "Franny—a compassionate, thoughtful and sympathetic protagonist—is believably erratic in her emotions and reflections on her illness and its effects on her previously carefree life." --Publishers Weekly "Rocklin perfectly captures the era of 1952 and creates a sympathetic, realistic character in Franny, who begins to accept her condition, rejoin her friends and even protest her school’s inaccessibility." --Kirkus Reviews "Comedic and philosophical, readers will find multiple levels to enjoy." --School Library Journal

Fleabrain Loves Franny

When Mr. Moffat, the new substitute teacher, gets everyone in class to keep a journal, Lucy bears her soul to him, while Andy, the bane of Lucy's existence, reveals a secret in his journal that he can no longer bear. Illustrations. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

For Your Eyes Only!

A picture book about playing pretend—and the joy of trying out being “bad” or “good” This charming picture book is a timeless celebration of imagination and make-believe. A brother and sister invite their friends to play good guys and bad guys with them. While playing pretend, this rowdy group of kids dress up as pirates, swimmers, cowboys, and more—imagining a vibrant world where the bad guys cause mischief and the good guys save the day. As the day comes to a close, we see the siblings agree to switch who’s “good” and who’s “bad” the next day—showing readers that kids can safely try out good and bad personas as they play.

Good Guys, Bad Guys

Marilyn Burns

Rowan Barnes-Murphy

Pilotto, Hélène

Tom se sert de la division - et de son insatiable appétit - pour découvrir combien de gâteries préparer pour ses invités. Mais il aime tellement manger... En restera-t-il assez?

Matou mange-tout

"This middle-grade novel takes place in Pittsburgh in 1952-53. The protagonist is Franny, a young girl of imagination, curiosity, and stubbornness. While recovering from polio, she begins a correspondence with a flea named Fleabrain"--

The entries in the journals of two sixth grade students reveal much about their personal feelings, family lives, and a growing interest in poetry sparked by their new substitute teacher.

Narrated by a ghost, this book offers a collection of six, slightly spooky tales with rhyming text and colorful illustrations. Reprint.

This Book Is Haunted

We will not scare you… much! Children will love this tickling collection of poems and short tales...told by a ghost!

In this warmhearted middle-grade novel, Oona and her brother, Fred, love their cat Zook (short for Zucchini), but Zook is sick. As they conspire to break him out of the vet’s office, convinced he can only get better at home with them, Oona tells Fred the story of Zook’s previous lives, ranging in style from fairy tale to grand epic to slice of life. Each of Zook’s lives has echoes in Oona’s own family life, which is going through a transition she’s not yet ready to face. Her father died two years ago, and her mother has started a relationship with a man named Dylan—whom Oona secretly calls “the villain.” The truth about Dylan, and about Zook’s medical condition, drives the drama in this loving family story. Praise for The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook STARRED REVIEW "Rocklin’s characters are fully developed: readers will be invested. Set in Oakland, readers are also treated to a refreshingly authentic child’s view of a diverse city. The only imperfection in this novel is that it ends." —Booklist, starred review “Oona’s character is a combination of Harriet the Spy in curiosity and Anastasia in spunk. Another emotionally satisfying outing from Rocklin; hanky recommended.” —Kirkus Reviews "Just as she did in One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street, Rocklin intertwines her characters so smartly that the many coincidences and serendipitous events feel organic to the story. The story’s ending—bittersweet, inevitable, and true—offers much-needed catharsis for the family and for anyone who has ever loved a pet." —The Horn Book "This heartwarming family tale is filled with resilient and thoughtful characters who are willing to learn from their mistakes. Readers who enjoy the novels of Jeanne Birdsall and Leslie Crunch will appreciate this charming story." —School Library Journal "There is a strong sense of place in this loving story with the ending sure to generate some tears. This would make a strong library lesson extension activity." —Library Media Connection Awards SCBWI’s Golden Kite Award for Fiction - 2012 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award

Joanne Rocklin

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