Book picks similar to
The Rise and Fall of Ben Gizzard by Richard Kennedy


childrens
ya-and-intermediate
early-readers
home-library

Dinosaurs Before Dark


Mary Pope Osborne - 1992
    Now they have to figure out how to get home. Can they do it before dark . . . or will they become a dinosaur's dinner?

Elsie Dinsmore: Books 1-4


Martha Finley - 1997
    Besides updated, modern language, these editions have a stronger Christian message, added historical information, a family tree, and other new features designed to enhance the books. Set in the South in the mid- to-late 1800s, the books tell the story of the life and spiritual commitment of Elsie Dinsmore, a charming young heroine whose Christian faith and hope guide her as she grows from childhood to adulthood. This boxed set of the popular fiction books for girls includes the first 4 titles in the series: Elsie's Endless Wait (Book 1), Elsie's Impossible Choice (Book 2), Elsie's New Life (Book 3), Elsie's Stolen Heart (Book 4).

The Berenstain Bears' Bedtime Battle


Jan Berenstain - 2016
    Who wants to go to bed when you can play with dinosaurs, have a tea party, or get a piggyback ride from Papa Bear? Brother Bear and Sister Bear are doing everything they can to postpone their bedtime -- even if that means putting Mama Bear and Papa Bear to bed first!

Sharp's Revenge


Jesse Nethermind - 2016
    Together, they'll explore secret chambers in temples, fight zombies and spiders, and a set out on a quest for revenge. Fans of the Elementia Chronicles and the Gameknight999 series will be drawn to Jesse Nethermind's epic tales of treasure hunts, pirates, ninjas, and more. Filled with action, humor, and monsters galore, SHARP'S REVENGE is the perfect adventure story for Minecraft fans!

The Last Alchemist


Colin Thompson - 1999
    Gold! For as long as the castle had stood, alchemists had struggled to make gold from the simple elements of the earth. And for as long as the castle stood they had failed. Then comes the greedy, ambitious Spinifex, who promises the king riches and glory beyond his wildest dreams. Arthur, the alchemist's young apprentice, cannot see the point - after all gold cannot make you happy, heal the sick, or make people love you - and he watches in amazement as the experiments grow more elaborate and fantastic. As time ticks on Spinifex becomes a man obsessed, plundering the country for more gold to aid his experiments, even tearing the rings from people's fingers. Then, as the Millennium approaches, Spinifex constructs his last great experiment - a monstrous machine stretching up from the cellar through the castle to the roof. But the great gold-making machine only suceeds in destroying its creator, leaving just one tiny nugget of gold. However, gold of another kind floods the castle - glorious sunlight rains down on the kingdom, dispelling darkness and gloom forever. As for Arthur, he takes the tiny nugget and fashions a sunflower pendant for the king. One day the king loses it while out swimming, but he doesn't even notice, it is forgotten.

Blue Fin


Colin Thiele - 1969
    He's thin and long-faced, like the fish he's named after. At school he's no good at sport and, at home, his father scorns him. Snook joins his father and fellow crewmen on a tuna-fishing expedition, when disaster strikes. It is up to Snook to save himself and his father from a desperate situation.

Dear Whiskers


Ann Whitehead Nagda - 1948
    Every fourth grader is writing letters to a second grader--in mouse character. Most of her classmates think it's fun, but Jenny can't think of much to say. When she fails to get an answer from her second grader, Sameera, Jenny is embarrassed and angry. Soon Jenny discovers the reason behind Sameera's silence: she doesn't speak English. At first Jenny is mad that her project is a flop. But later she sees how hard it is for Sameera in her new country. Will Jenny decide to use her project to help the new girl fit in? Or will she trade her in for another second grader?

Before Green Gables


Budge Wilson - 2008
    This remarkable and heart-warming prequel to the classic Anne of Green Gables was specially authorized by L.M. Montgomery's heirs to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the publication of the original novel. Before Green Gables is the story of Anne Shirley's life before her arrival at Green Gables-a heartwarming tale of a precocious child whose lively imagination and relentless spirit help her to overcome difficult circumstances and of a young girl's ability to love, learn, and above all, dream. Published in 1908, L. M. Montgomery's coming-of-age classic Anne of Green Gables has enchanted generations of readers, both children, and adults. The story of the spunky red-haired orphan from Prince Edward Island is known to millions, and copies of the eight titles in the series have never gone out of print. But when readers first meet Anne, she is eleven and has just been sent from an orphanage to meet her new family. No one ever learned the events of Anne's life before she arrived at Green Gables. Until now. For the millions of readers who devoured the Green Gables series, Before Green Gables is an irresistible treat; the account of how one of literature's most beloved heroines became the girl who captivated the world.

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron


Kathleen Duey - 2002
    Filled with drama, adventure, and uplifting themes from the film, this full-length novel tells the whole story of "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron" for older readers.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard


J.K. Rowling - 2008
    K. Rowling, that will be treasured for years to come.

Surf's Up!


Chrissie Perry - 2005
    Kowabunga!  Lucy can’t wait to go on vacation with her BFF, Bonnie, and her family.  They’re going to stay by the beach, take surf lessons, and eat tons of junk food!  But the trip takes a nosedive as soon as they hit the waves.  Bonnie is a natural, while Lucy keeps wiping out.  Lucy doesn’t want to feel jealous, but she can’t help wondering…will they still be friends when this vacation is over?

Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb


Al Perkins - 1969
    in full color. A madcap band of dancing, prancing monkeys explain hands, fingers, and thumbs to beginning readers.

Just Me and My Dad


Mercer Mayer - 1977
    In spite of difficulties, however, the happy father and son manage to put up their tent, catch fish for dinner, and sleep beneath the stars.

The Mousewife


Rumer Godden - 1951
    The house of Miss Barbara Wilkinson, where the Mouses make their home, is a nice house and the mousewife is for the most part happy with her lot—and yet she yearns for something more. But what? Her husband, for one, can’t imagine. “I think about cheese,” he advises her. “Why don’t you think about cheese?”Then an odd and exotic new creature, a turtledove, is brought into the house, and the mousewife is fascinated. The mousewife makes friends with the strange dove, who is kept in a cage but who tells her about things no housemouse has ever imagined, blue skies, tumbling clouds, tall trees, and far horizons, the memory of which haunt the dove in his captivity. The dove’s tales fill the mousewife with wonder and drive her to take daring action.Rumer Godden’s lovely fable about the unexpected ways in which dreams can come true is illustrated with beautiful pen-and-ink drawings by William Pène du Bois.

I Want to Be Somebody New!


Robert Lopshire - 1986
    And with changing his spots, too. Now he’s into changing his shape, and he wants to be somebody new! But as Spot soon discovers, it’s not easy being as big as an elephant or as tall as a giraffe or as small as a mouse. In fact, sometimes it’s easiest just being yourself, as he— and young readers—learn in this cheerful, rhyming Beginner Book about self-acceptance.