In this Masterpiece Adventure, the first in a companion series for younger readers from bestselling author Elise Broach, James is going on vacation for a week. His best friend, Marvin the beetle, has to stay at home. Without James to keep him company, Marvin has to play with his annoying cousin, Elaine. Marvin and Elaine quickly find themselves getting into all sorts of trouble--even getting trapped inside a pencil sharpener Marvin misses James and starts to worry about their friendship. Will James still be Marvin's friend when he gets home or will James have found a new best friend?
The Miniature World of Marvin and James by Elise Broach, with illustrations by Kelly Murphy, is the first in a series of chapter books set in the world of the acclaimed middle-grade novel Masterpiece. A Christy Ottaviano Book★ Exceptional.... Rich with facts around goldfinches and music, vivid descriptions, unique characters, and carefully crafted suspense. --Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ Perfect for readers who, like Mirabelle, are sometimes spellbound by music. --Booklist, starred review A musically gifted bird, a piano-playing boy, and a real-life mystery involving three artistic geniuses Welcome to the world of Mirabelle, a young goldfinch who loves to sing and dreams of becoming a musical star. She lives with her family in the backyard of a piano teacher, and she is quickly intrigued by Mr. Starek's newest pupil. Michael Jin is an eleven-year-old keyboard sensation, but lesson after lesson, he refuses to play. With the prestigious Chopin Festival looming at summer's end, how will he be ready in time? Mirabelle is responsible for Michael's breakthrough--to her own astonishment, she sings the Chopin piece he is beginning to play at the piano. It is their first duet. Thus begins a secret adventure that will take Mirabelle and Michael further than they ever imagined--in music, in friendship, and in solving the mystery of a lost piano that could be worth millions. A house full of treasures holds the clues. There, Mirabelle, Michael, and their friend Emily will make an important discovery that links the great composer Frederic Chopin, the trailblazing author George Sand, and the French Romantic painter Eugene Delacroix. A fast-paced, history-rich mystery will have young readers hooked as they root for boy and bird in this beautifully told novel, full of emotion and suspense. A Bank Street College Best Book of the YearA New York Times bestselling middle grade mystery novel full of adventure, friendship, and stolen art.
Marvin lives with his family under the kitchen sink in the Pompadays' apartment. He is very much a beetle. James Pompaday lives with his family in New York City. He is very much an eleven-year-old boy. After James gets a pen-and-ink set for his birthday, Marvin surprises him by creating an elaborate miniature drawing. James gets all the credit for the picture and before these unlikely friends know it they are caught up in a staged art heist at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that could help recover a famous drawing by Albrecht D rer. But James can't go through with the plan without Marvin's help. And that's where things get really complicated (and interesting ). This fast-paced mystery will have young readers on the edge of their seats as they root for boy and beetle. In Shakespeare's Secret Elise Broach showed her keen ability to weave storytelling with history and suspense, and Masterpiece is yet another example of her talent. This time around it's an irresistible miniature world, fascinating art history, all wrapped up in a special friendship-- something for everyone to enjoy. Masterpiece is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.Starting sixth grade at a new school is never easy, especially when your name is Hero. Named after a character in a Shakespeare play, Hero isn't at all interested in this literary connection. But when she's told by an eccentric neighbor that there might be a million dollar diamond hidden in her new house and that it could reveal something about Shakespeare's true identity, Hero is determined to live up to her name and uncover the mystery.
Little Bulldozer struggles to fall asleep in Bedtime for Little Bulldozer, a sweet and clever bedtime picture book by New York Times bestselling author Elise Broach with illustrations by Barry E. Jackson.
Falling asleep isn't always easy, especially for a loud and rumbling little bulldozer. Once he finally gets into bed, he can't fall asleep no matter what he tries to do: has another drink of oil, gathers his favorite stuffies, and even reads his favorite book. Still, something's not right, and only his sisters--a steamroller and a crane--can make it better. This reassuring and clever bedtime story is for young ones who need a bit of help bull-dozing off to sleep. Christy Ottaviano BooksBulldozer overcomes his anxieties before the first day of school in this second installment of the Bulldozer and Friends series, by the award-winning team who created The Masterpiece Adventure chapter book series.
Bulldozer is nervous about his new school year and worried he won't fit in. His friend Millie tries to reassure him, but Bulldozer isn't convinced...especially when he gets to his classroom and things start going wrong. But just when he's sure his day couldn't get worse, something amazing happens! The first day of school proves to be special for everyone, all because of Bulldozer. Perfect for kids learning how to read on their own, the second book in this endearing series follows Bulldozer through the challenges and rewards of going to school. Praise for Bulldozer's Big Rescue: ★ Broach and Murphy rev up for a promising new series.... An enthralling tale about doing the heavy lifting of making friends. --Kirkus Reviews, starred review ★ This sweetly simple story addresses sometimes-challenging issues surrounding meeting new people with a light and understanding touch, and expressive drawings with muted orange accents bring Bulldozer and his world to life. --Publishers Weekly, starred reviewA Trip to the Country for Marvin & James is the fifth book in the Masterpiece Adventures chapter book series by New York Times bestselling author Elise Broach, featuring Marvin the beetle and his best friend, James, as they deal with new life challenges.
Marvin gets invited to spend a weekend with James visiting Karl and Christina in the country. And Marvin is bringing his cousin Elaine Together, they partake in exciting outdoor activities. But a playful boat ride on a pond turns into an unexpected adventure. How will James and Marvin and Elaine find each other out in the wilderness? This story brings Marvin and James together in a celebration of friendship and family. Christy Ottaviano BooksIn this Masterpiece Adventure, the second in a chapter book series for younger readers from Elise Broach, bestselling author of Masterpiece, Marvin the beetle is going collecting with his family.
All is good and well until Uncle Albert gets hurt. Marvin needs James's help to save Uncle Albert before it's too late. James to the Rescue captures the miniature world of Marvin the beetle and his special friendship with James. Praise for The Adventures of Marvin and James:★ Exceptional.... Rich with facts around goldfinches and music, vivid descriptions, unique characters, and carefully crafted suspense. --Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ Perfect for readers who, like Mirabelle, are sometimes spellbound by music. --Booklist, starred review A musically gifted bird, a piano-playing boy, and a real-life mystery involving three artistic geniuses Welcome to the world of Mirabelle, a young goldfinch who loves to sing and dreams of becoming a musical star. She lives with her family in the backyard of a piano teacher, and she is quickly intrigued by Mr. Starek's newest pupil. Michael Jin is an eleven-year-old keyboard sensation, but lesson after lesson, he refuses to play. With the prestigious Chopin Festival looming at summer's end, how will he be ready in time? Mirabelle is responsible for Michael's breakthrough--to her own astonishment, she sings the Chopin piece he is beginning to play at the piano. It is their first duet. Thus begins a secret adventure that will take Mirabelle and Michael further than they ever imagined--in music, in friendship, and in solving the mystery of a lost piano that could be worth millions. A house full of treasures holds the clues. There, Mirabelle, Michael, and their friend Emily will make an important discovery that links the great composer Frederic Chopin, the trailblazing author George Sand, and the French Romantic painter Eugene Delacroix. A fast-paced, history-rich mystery will have young readers hooked as they root for boy and bird in this beautifully told novel, full of emotion and suspense. A Bank Street College Best Book of the YearBulldozer overcomes his anxieties before the first day of school in this second installment of the Bulldozer and Friends series, by the award-winning team who created The Masterpiece Adventure chapter book series.
Bulldozer is nervous about his new school year and worried he won't fit in. His friend Millie tries to reassure him, but Bulldozer isn't convinced...especially when he gets to his classroom and things start going wrong. But just when he's sure his day couldn't get worse, something amazing happens! The first day of school proves to be special for everyone, all because of Bulldozer. Perfect for kids learning how to read on their own, the second book in this endearing series follows Bulldozer through the challenges and rewards of going to school. Praise for Bulldozer's Big Rescue: ★ Broach and Murphy rev up for a promising new series.... An enthralling tale about doing the heavy lifting of making friends. --Kirkus Reviews, starred review ★ This sweetly simple story addresses sometimes-challenging issues surrounding meeting new people with a light and understanding touch, and expressive drawings with muted orange accents bring Bulldozer and his world to life. --Publishers Weekly, starred reviewIn the new Masterpiece Adventure Trouble at School for Marvin & James, the third in a series for younger readers from bestselling author Elise Broach, Marvin the beetle is off to school with James for the very first time
Everything runs smoothly on this big adventure until the bell rings after lunch and Marvin gets separated from James. In fact, he gets accidentally thrown away Will Marvin make it back home to his family? How will James find him? This young chapter book for emergent readers captures the miniature world of Marvin the Beetle and his special friend James in stunning two color illustrations that accompany the text. A Christy Ottaviano Book Books in the Masterpiece Adventure series:Marvin & James Save the Day and Elaine Helps! is the fourth book in New York Times bestselling author Elise Broach's Masterpiece Adventures chapter book series featuring Marvin the beetle and his best friend, James.
James's father, Karl, and Christina, his friend from the museum, are getting married! James is the ring bearer and he is excited but also nervous. He loves Christina yet he is worried about losing his dad to a different family and a different life. And what if, at the wedding, James drops the ring? His beetle best friend Marvin promises to help him, but Marvin ends up with an even more critical job when something goes wrong. Will the whole wedding be ruined? Not if Marvin and James and Elaine can help it. This young chapter book for emergent readers captures the miniature world and friendship of Marvin the beetle and James. Complete with charming illustrations on every page by Kelly Murphy. Christy Ottaviano BooksA thrilling middle-grade historical mystery set in Yosemite National Park from the New York Times-bestselling author of Masterpiece
Twelve-year-old Lizzie Durango and her dad have always had a zoo to call their home. Lizzie spends her days watching the animals and taking note of their various behaviors. Though the zoo makes for a unique home, it's a hard place for Lizzie to make lasting friends. But all this changes one afternoon when she finds Tyler Briggs, a runaway who has secretly made the zoo his makeshift home. The two become friends and, just as quickly, stumble into a covert investigation involving the zoo wolves who are suddenly dying. Little do they know, this mystery will draw them into a high-stakes historical adventure involving the legend of John Muir as they try to navigate safely while lost in Yosemite National Park. Find out what happens in this captivating and original story from author Elise Broach and illustrator Alice Ratterree. A Christy Ottaviano Book Praise for The Wolf Keepers: A Junior Library Guild SelectionIt's summer and the three Barker brothers--Simon, Henry, and Jack--just moved from Illinois to Arizona. Their parents have warned them repeatedly not to explore Superstition Mountain, which is near their home. But when their cat Josie goes missing, they see no other choice. There's something unusually creepy about the mountain and after the boys find three human skulls, they grow determined to uncover the mystery. Have people really gone missing over the years, and could there be someone or some thing lurking in the woods? Together with their new neighbor Delilah, the Barker boys are dead-set on cracking the case even if it means putting themselves in harm's way.
Here's the first book in an action-packed mystery series by a New York Times bestselling author. Missing on Superstition Mountain is a Publishers Weekly Best Children's Fiction title for 2011.