Books for Young Readers
Fast, Funny, & Great Read-Alouds
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Brand New!
Mr. Whiskers & the Shenanigan Sisters
​​A paw-some (and punny) new middle grade mystery!

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This howl-arious book is narrated by a scrappy stray dog as he navigates the streets of San Francisco helping two sisters solve the mystery of their dad-napped father.

"This lighthearted, fast-paced mystery features an endearing canine lead, two fearless kids, and plenty of wordplay, all of which will appeal to young readers. A mystery both gripping and heartwarming." ~ Kirkus

"Van Draanen sustains suspense as the sisters navigate clue-filled riddles and secret passageways, uncover long-lost treasure, and outwit a nasty trio of thieves." ~ Publishers Weekly
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​Length: 208
Best for grades: 3-6
Cover & Interior illustrations: Laura Catalán
Awards: 2025 Sequoyah Book Award Masterlist
A Bank Street College of Education Best Book of 2024
Buy Links: IndieBound  / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Shredderman
Bullies beware!

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​​Winner of the Christopher Medal, for “affirming the highest values of the human spirit.” 
A Disney Adventures Book Award Nominee
A Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year:
A Booklist Editors Choice
A Cuffie for Best New Series
A Child Magazine Best Book of the Year
Illustrations by Brian Biggs
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Was Bubba Bixby born big and mean, full of teeth and ready to bite? Or did he grow into being that way? In this 4-book series, super-nerd Nolan Byrd  comes to the rescue of his classmates (and himself) and in the process unveils the answer. Bullies beware! Shredderman is watching.
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​Length: 138 pages
Best for grades: 2-5

Buy Links: IndieBound  / Amazon / Barnes & Noble
Someone's spraying graffiti and the police don't seem to be able to stop them. In the name of truth and justice, it's Shredderman to the rescue!

Buy Links: 
IndieBound  / Amazon / Barnes & Noble
A sneaky reporter, a television star, and a new sidekick--word is spreading across the nation about Shredderman. Will Nolan lose his secret identity?

​Buy Links: 
IndieBound  / Amazon / Barnes & Noble
Nolan helps the police break up an international spy ring but Bubba is onto him. Is it curtains for Shredderman? The exciting conclusion to the series.

​Buy Links: 
IndieBound  / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Looking for more? The Gecko & Sticky series stars the "real-life" characters from Nolan's favorite TV show. Readers will meet the deadly, diabolical Damien Black, the reluctant superhero Dave Sanchez, and his hilarious sidekick--the one and only kleptomaniacal (ahem, sticky-fingered) talking gecko lizard--Sticky. 

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​​The Gecko & Sticky
Inspired by migrant worker families in communities of the central valley of California,
​ these adventures make any reader want to reach for the superhero inside.

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“May well become the next can’t-wait-for-the-next-one series” – Kirkus 

“Kids who want fast and funny—and adults looking for lively read-alouds--
will want to get their sticky fingers on [these books].” – Booklist

“Written with gleeful wit, rapid-fire pacing and snappy dialogue” – Kirkus
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“My son loves this series. I struggled to get him to pick up a chapter book, but now he’s hooked!” – Amazon reviewer

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Book #1 (Villain's Lair) Summary: Dave Sanchez discovers that the gecko hiding behind his bookcase can talk. And has a magic wristband. One that will allow him to walk on walls. Or gain super strength. Or go invisible. Or fly. Asombroso!​ All Dave needs is to retrieve some magic ingots hidden in the dungeon of the dastardly, diabolical Damien Black. Dangerous, but… what boy doesn’t want to fly? Dave is in trouble now. Big, big trouble.
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​Length: 201 pages
Best for grades: 3-7
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Buy Links: IndieBound  / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

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Book #2 (Greatest Power) Summary: On a quest to right a bank heist, Dave and Sticky are lured through the city’s sewer network and find themselves entering the underbelly of Damien Black’s monstrous mansion. Ay-ay-ay! Inside the mansion, they encounter the bumbling Bandito Brothers, the sinister Snake Alarm, and learn what’s behind a blood red door. They also come face to fur with Damien’s Java-Junkie Monkey, only to learn that he, too, is trouble. Big, big trouble.
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​Length: 197 pages
Best for grades: 3-7

​Buy Links: IndieBound  / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

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Book #3 (Sinister Substitute) Summary: Dave’s snarky science teacher goes missing. Excelente picante! However, Dave soon discovers that bemeath the substitute’s deceptive disguises beats a wicked heart. A heart that returns each night to a maniacal mansion where a certain science teacher is being held captive. The only way to give the sub the slip is to save the science teacher. Ay-ay-ay. Yes, Dave is in trouble again. Big, big trouble.
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​Length: 213 pages
Best for grades: 3-7

​Buy Links: IndieBound  / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

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​Book #4 (The Power Potion) Summary: Sick of trying to reclaim the magic wristband, the dastardly, dangerous and decidedly devious Damien Black commissions a potion to give him super strength. Holy tacarole! We can’t have that! So Dave and Sticky go to intercept the delivery, only to find themselves going up against tree-climbing goats, terrifying tarantulas, and one hyped-up Java-Junkie Monkey. Yes, our heroes are in trouble again. Big, big trouble. 
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​Length: 231 pages
Best for grades: 3-7

Buy Links: IndieBound  / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Books illustrated by Stephen Gilpin​