Joanne Rocklin

As ten-year-old Oona and younger brother Fred conspire to break their sick cat Zook out of the veterinary clinic, Oona tells the story of Zook's previous lives.

This gem of a novel takes place in Pittsburgh in 1952. Franny Katzenback, while recovering from polio, reads and falls in love with the brand-new book Charlotte's Web. Bored and lonely and yearning for a Charlotte of her own, Franny starts up a correspondence with an eloquent flea named Fleabrain who lives on her dog's tail. While Franny struggles with physical therapy and feeling left out of her formerly active neighborhood life, Fleabrain is there...

Illustrations and rhyming text follow a brother and sister and their friends as they play lively games of good guys and bad guys, portraying pirates, cowboys, and more.

Fifth-grader Penny writes a series of letters to her future sibling, including facts about their Oakland, California, home, questions about whether their moms will ever marry, and especially that he or she is loved.

Mr. Day's fourth-grade class has a contest, recycling bottles and cans so that they will have enough money to buy a guinea pig.

During his family's eight-day celebration of Hanukkah, eight-year-old Henry learns the pleasure of giving and overcomes his fear of dogs.

Seven generations of a Jewish family hear stories of their family history, all told while making apple strudel.