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 ReadersPraise 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  

Product Description: 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, Oona tells the stories of his previous lives, ranging in style from fairy tale to grand epic to slice of life...read more

When a mysterious man arrives one day on Orange Street, the children who live on the block try to find out who he is and why he’s there. Little do they know that his story—and the story of a very old orange tree—connects to each of their personal worries in ways they never could have imagined. From impressing friends to dealing with an expanding family to understanding a younger sibling’s illness, the characters’ storylines come together around that orange tree.Taking place over the course of a day and a half, Joanne Rocklin’s masterful novel deftly builds a story about family, childhood anxieties, and the importance of connection. In the end the fate of the tree (and the kids who care for it) reminds us of the magic of the everyday and of the rich history all around us.Praise for One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange StreetSTARRED REVIEWS“Unfolding in one day’s time, the story recounts how secrets are revealed, curiosity is satisfied and wishing becomes hope because the spirit and ties of friendship and community are resilient and strong. Fully realized characters and setting definitely make this one morning on Orange Street amazing.”–Kirkus Reviews, starred review"Fascinating and thought-provoking, the writing has a gentle cadence, richness in detail, and is charged with emotion. The book, like the oranges on the Orange Street tree, presents segments of life that are both sweet and tart and sure to satisfy."–School Library Journal, starred review“A touching story, beautifully told in multiple viewpoints.”–Booklist“Each chapter focalizes the third-person narration through a particular child, and the book weaves the singular tales into a larger story about a community that is pleasingly quirky but still believable. Readers and parents looking for some wholesome sweetness will want to make a visit to Orange Street.”–The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s BooksAWARD:Pennsylvania School Librarians Association (PSLA) Young Adult Top Forty list

Product Description: Liz the Whiz and her younger brother use codes, a chart, and a map of the backyard that matches a clock face to solve Zack's mystery. Includes a section with related activities.

This book's 'not too scary' ghost host tells five spooky stories.

During his family's eight-day celebration of Hanukkah, eight-year-old Daniel learns the pleasure of giving and overcomes his fear of dogs.

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.

Seven generations of a Jewish family hear stories of their family history, all told while making apple strudel.

Product Description: Hank and Frank are planning a "Nice Day for a Party" party, so they've got to get plenty of treats for their guests. Then Hank gets a great idea: if they multiply guests times treats, they'll know exactly what to put on their shopping list.

Jan sends her friend Nick email messages describing how she and her cousins learn about shapes as they try to assemble a present for their grandmother's birthday. Includes related activities.

Jake is tired of his copycat little brother Pete, until the day when Pete's help is required in the rescuing of Jake's cat (view table of contents)

When two sisters have to move into the same room, they use tape to divide the room into different shapes so that each one can have her own space, in a story that includes related activities

Mike and his friends try to figure out why the money in his allowance jar appears to be shrinking

Tom the cat tries to evenly divide the snacks he has baked for himself and two friends, but after gobbling up a few treats, Tom is faced with a new division problem

Liz the Whiz & Co. help a neighbor find her way to a birthday party by using their knowledge of place value

Voting on a guinea pig as a prospective class pet, the students in Mr. Day's class calculate how much recycling they will have to do in order to afford everything they need

Product Description: Does the mysterious purple guitar possess magic or does learning to play it merely motivate Martha, a sixth-grader going through an awkward stage, to change her life a little?

Three friends find humorous solutions to several problems as they spend a sunny afternoon together

In the tradition of favorite birthday party games, a group of bears do their favorite dances when the music starts, and they must scramble for a seat when the music stops.

Product Description: Feeling Great: Reaching Out to Life, Reaching in to Yourself-Without Drugs

When ten-year-old Jason moves from New York to Los Angeles, he finds himself telling wildly exaggerated stories about being a junior photojournalist and investigative reporter.

In letters to her unborn baby brother or sister, Farla describes her feelings about her father, who died of cancer, her stepfather, and her plan to move to Brooklyn to live with her grandmother

Sonia, the only family member not involved in the family's successful lingerie business, starts her own summertime security service with disastrous, but hilarious, results