Lois Lowry

Watertower Elementary School has never seen a student quite like Gooney Bird Greene. From her very first day in the second grade, she proves that she is entirely one of a kind. Whether she arrives wearing pajamas and cowboy boots or a bright polka-dot shirt with a tutu, Gooney Bird is always the center of attention. This delightful collection brings together three hilarious adventures. Join Gooney Bird and her classmates as she shares her absolutely true, wildly entertaining stories that leave everyone captivated. She turns ordinary school days into exciting events, tackling every challenge with confidence and a massive vocabulary. Through her unique outfits, strange lunches, and brilliant storytelling, Gooney Bird teaches her friends how to find the magic in their own lives. This funny, heartwarming series is perfect for inspiring creativity and encouraging the storyteller inside every young reader.

Liz has almost no memories of her father. He has been away fighting in World War II for as long as she can remember, and now that he is finally home, he feels like a complete stranger. She is timid and uncertain around him, unsure of how to bridge the gap the war has created between them. On a crisp Pennsylvania morning, her father invites her on a special expedition into the rural farmland. Dressed in a cozy plaid shirt that is far too big for her, Liz walks beside him into the quiet woods. Through the simple sharing of a sweet cherry pie, gentle conversation, and the fascinating use of a wooden crow call, the ice begins to melt. This beautifully illustrated, tender story captures the delicate, quiet moments of a father and daughter learning to know and love each other all over again.

Step right into Mrs. Pidgeon's second grade classroom where learning is never boring, especially when Gooney Bird Greene is around. This week, the class is diving into the wonderful world of poetry. From writing short haiku and rhyming couplets to exploring free verse, the students are discovering all the fun ways words can fit together. When the class learns that their teacher's mother is coming to visit, they want to do something very special to welcome her. Naturally, the irrepressible Gooney Bird Greene takes charge of the plans. She organizes the entire class to create a beautiful, heartfelt poetry tribute. But with Gooney Bird leading the way, you can be sure there will be plenty of surprising, silly, and utterly absurd moments along the journey. This delightful story celebrates the magic of writing, the joy of classroom friendships, and the power of finding your own unique voice.

Ten-year-old Anastasia Krupnik knows exactly what she thinks about almost everything in the world. In fact, she keeps very organized lists in her green notebook to keep track of it all. On her list of Things I Love, you will find making lists, writing poems, and her goldfish named Frank. On her list of Things I Hate, you will find boys, pumpkin pie, and her teacher Mrs. Westvessel. But this year, Anastasia's lists are getting complicated. A lot of very significant things are happening to her, like falling in love for the first time and really getting to know her grandmother. Just when she thinks she has her life perfectly figured out, her parents drop the biggest bombshell of all. They are having a baby. To Anastasia, an impending baby brother is the absolute last straw. She is determined to hate this new addition to her family. Join Anastasia as she navigates the hilarious ups and downs of being ten years old, trying to understand her changing world, and discovering that sometimes the things you expect to hate might just end up on your list of things you love.