Cynthia Voigt

"When Max's parents leave the country without him, he must rely on his wits to get by, and before long he is running his own--rather unusual--business"--

Self-reliant Max Starling, a twelve-year-old detective and problem solver, struggles to keep his identity a secret as he investigates a case of arson, while cryptic messages from his still missing parents indicate that they need rescuing.

Toaff is a small squirrel full of big questions. Why must I stay away from the human's house? Why shouldn't I go beyond the pine trees? Why do we fight with the red squirrels across the drive? His sister shrugs--that's just the way things are. His brother bullies--because I said so. And the older squirrels scold--too many questions! Can Toaff really be the only one to wonder why?

"Solutioneer Max Starling travels to a fictional South American country to rescue his parents who have become embroiled in a political power grab"--

In a time of winter famine, the People tell the legend of Jackaroo, a masked outlaw who comes at night to aid the destitute and helpless, and sixteen-year-old Gwyn, the innkeeper's daughter, begins a quest to find the truth behind the legend--or maybe start a legend of her own.

After meeting on the first day in Mrs. Chemsky's fifth-grade class, Margalo and Mikey help each other in and out of trouble, as they try to maintain a friendship while each asserts her independence.

Rosie, a dog who loves to eat, waits for breakfast, gets into the garbage can for lunch, and joins the family in following along with an exercise video.

Preferring to be cut from the team rather than break his own rules, which include closing himself off rather than letting down his guard, Bullet Tillerman learns from his friend Patrice that running well does not mean running away.

Jeff's mother, who deserted the family years before, reenters his life and widens the gap between Jeff and his father, a gap that only truth, love, and friendship can heal.

I looked over the edge of the ravine to see somebody there, helpless, barely moving. She lifted her head to look at me and I fled, stumbling, back to my room in Mr. Thiel's house. Something had followed me there. Something, somebody, tall and dark, wrapped in a cloak, able to move soundlessly through the house. The Callender Papers Jean Wainwright, ward of Wainwright Academy's strict but affectionate headmistress, Miss Constance, was quite unprepared...