Kate Messner

Now in paperback! Explore the wonders and beauties of the ocean's kelp forests in this addition to the acclaimed Over and Under series. Award-winning duo Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal return in this latest addition to the Over and Under picture book series, this time exploring the rich, interconnected ecosystem of the ocean! Over the waves, the sea lions bark and seagulls wheel and call. The bay is smooth and bright in the sun. But under the waves, there's a whole hidden forest, full of whales and wolf eels, sardines and sea bass, leopard sharks and luminous jellies, as well as the waving kelp that shelters them all. Discover the magical depths of the kelp forest, and all the fascinating creatures living just a paddle's length away—over and under the waves.

Celebrate the diversity and biodiversity of Central Park in this fascinating exploration of urban parks, from the New York Times bestselling author and award-winning illustrator of the beloved Over and Underseries! Part of the acclaimed nature book series that includes Over and Under the Pond, Over and Under the Coral Reef, and Over and Under the Snow, this volume follows four different families as they explore the four seasons of Central Park in New York City. Over the park, children soar on swings while dragonflies hover and dart. Blackbirds trill octaves above a cellist’s deeply moving melody. And under the park, where earthworms wiggle in the soil and tadpoles nibble on algae, there waits a whole population of painted turtles and woolly bear caterpillars, of fluffy raccoons and chipmunks whose cheeks are stuffed with seeds. Welcome each new season with a new sense of community—of families, friends, and wildlife—over and under the park.

Readers will laugh aloud at the silly antics of a pair of opinionated sea mammals in a tale presenting one side of a debate when read front-to-back and the other side when read back-to-front, slyly revealing the way identical facts can be used to support opposite positions. A boastful whale and a showboating otter compete in a battle of words to prove that each is the greatest animal ever to swim the seas. Read one way, the first-person text brags about whales’ superiority; read the other way, it extols how much better otters are. Using true information about the two marine species to make both arguments, Kate Messner’s adroit text and Brian Biggs’s giggle-worthy artwork brilliantly illustrate how the same words can be used to express contradictory opinions when speakers have a one-sided view of the world. Includes factual back matter about language usage and the actual similarities of whales and otters.

Cinderella has never been so adorable--or amphibious --as in this fractured fairytale picture book by New York Times bestselling author Kate Messner, with art by award-winning illustrator Lian Cho. Axolotl-Ella is a quick and clever salamander with a daring, deliciously ambitious dream. All she needs to do to make her dream a reality is to meet the Prince at the King's Festival. So with a little bit of magic from the lake of the night, Ella makes her skin gleam and her gills glow--and conjures the perfect outfit for a fancy party But the Prince talks a lot, and the magic wears off at midnight. Can Axolotl-Ella find a way to make her dream come true, or will she be stuck at the murky lake with her annoying stepsisters forever? Bestselling author Kate Messner has created a funny, empowering retelling of the Cinderella story with a confident heroine who's way too practical for glass slippers. Complemented with laugh-out-loud illustrations by award-winning illustrator Lian Cho, and filled with amusing axolotl facts, Axolotl-Ella is destined to become a storytime favorite.

Meet the kids in Mrs. Z's wacky and wonderful third grade class! Fia Hosein loves life in Peppermint Falls, but when she notices her Trinidadian accent beginning to fade, she hits a few bumps in the road while regaining her voice. When Fia Hosein and her family moved from Trinidad & Tobago to Peppermint Falls, she was excited for everything new that awaited them, like snow days! But one cold winter day, Fia's voice starts to sound different and Ma and Grampy tell her it sounds like she has snow in her throat. Oh no! Did Fia catch a cold? Now, Mrs. Z has assigned Fia a verbal presentation to perform in front of the whole class. How is Fia supposed to speak in front of her classmates when her voice feels all wrong? With the support of her parents, friends, and teachers, Fia must find a new sound that rings true to who she is! ? Both sweetly poignant and laugh-out-loud funny, with black-and-white illustrations by Pura Belpre Honor artist Kat Fajardo, Fia's story invites readers into Mrs. Z s class where friendship and fun rule the school, from New York Times bestselling author Tracey Baptiste.

Meet the kids in Mrs. Z s wacky and wonderful third grade class! Sebastian Metzger is overjoyed when he checks out a brand-new book on octopodes from the school library, but everything goes awry when the book gets ruined. Sebastian Metzger loves learning new things, especially about animals. He's actually been experiencing many new things recently: third grade marks his first year living as a boy. Some things don't change, though. His imaginary friend, Jimothy the chipmunk, is always by his side! When Sebastian spots a new book in the school library on octopodes, he just knows he has to check it out. The only problem is: this book is so new, the librarian hasn't even prepared it to be checked out! Sebastian promises to take great care of it, and the librarian makes an exception. But when his little sister accidentally ruins the book, Sebastian is devastated. Will Sebastian find a way to save the library book and redeem himself? Both sweetly poignant and laugh-out-loud funny, with black-and-white illustrations by Pura Belpre Honor artist Kat Fajardo, Sebastian s story invites readers into Mrs. Z s class where friendship and fun rule the school, from award-winning author Kyle Lukoff.

Bestselling author of the Ranger in Time series Kate Messner continues with the third book in this fun, science-based series about a family dedicated to rescuing animals. Ana and Sofia's cousins Ivy and Ezra volunteer for the local wildlife hospital as "critter couriers", helping transport injured and orphaned animals so they can get medical help. Ana has always followed in her older twin's footsteps, but ever since they moved to California, Ana has been wondering what it'd be like to try something new--like joining the Makers Club instead of playing volleyball again with Sofia. Then the cousins get a call about an injured gopher tortoise that's been hit by a car. The city hasn't done anything to make crossings safer for the endangered animals, so Ivy, Ezra, Ana, and Sofia come up with a plan to do just that. Ana has never been one for the spotlight . . . but the tortoises need her If Ana can gather the courage to stand up for the tortoises, maybe she can be brave enough to tell Sofia that she wants to try something new.

Bestselling author of the Ranger in Time series Kate Messner continues with the third book in this fun, science-based series about a family dedicated to rescuing animals. Ana and Sofia's cousins Ivy and Ezra volunteer for the local wildlife hospital as "critter couriers", helping transport injured and orphaned animals so they can get medical help. Ana has always followed in her older twin's footsteps, but ever since they moved to California, Ana has been wondering what it'd be like to try something new--like joining the Makers Club instead of playing volleyball again with Sofia. Then the cousins get a call about an injured gopher tortoise that's been hit by a car. The city hasn't done anything to make crossings safer for the endangered animals, so Ivy, Ezra, Ana, and Sofia come up with a plan to do just that. Ana has never been one for the spotlight . . . but the tortoises need her If Ana can gather the courage to stand up for the tortoises, maybe she can be brave enough to tell Sofia that she wants to try something new.

An instant New York Times and USA Today bestseller Bestselling and award-winning author Kate Messner takes readers on a heart-filling journey as a boy finds his path to healing. One summer.46 mountain peaks.A second chance to make things right. Finn Connelly is nothing like his dad, a star athlete and firefighter hero who always ran toward danger until he died two years ago. Finn is about to fail seventh grade and has never made headlines . . . until now. Caught on camera vandalizing a cemetery, he's in big trouble for knocking down some dead old lady's headstone. Turns out that grave belongs to a legendary local mountain climber, and her daughter makes Finn an unusual offer: she'll drop all the charges if he agrees to climb all forty-six Adirondack High Peaks in a single summer. And there's just one more thing--he has to bring along the dead woman's dog. In a wild three months of misadventures, mountain mud, and unexpected mentors, Finn begins to find his way on the trails. At the top of each peak, he can see for miles and slowly begins to understand more about himself and his dad. But the mountains don't care about any of that, and as the clock ticks down to September, they have more surprises in store. Finn's final summit challenge may be more than even a hero can face.

New York Times bestselling author Kate Messner invites you to Camp Monster in this fun-filled young middle-grade graphic novel series perfect for fans of InvestiGators. Tasha's family has run Camp Yeti for generations, but these days there just aren't enough Yetis to fill the bunks. This summer they are rebranding as CAMP MONSTER--a superfun summer camp experience for ALL of monster-kind. Tasha can't wait to show off all the camp traditions she loves But things get off to a rocky start--the goblins are causing a ruckus, the ogre is a total diva, and the werewolf keeps disappearing. This is not the perfect summer Tasha had hoped for. Then a series of mysterious mishaps occurs . . . someone is trying to sabotage Camp Monster Can these monsters set aside their differences to find out who is behind the hijinks?

Meet the kids in Mrs. Z's wacky and wonderful third grade class When Mrs. Z's class is looking for an animal to "adopt," Thunder Nelson knows just the critter--the baby possum she just saved. But Thunder isn't ready for what happens when a wild animal goes to school Mrs. Z's class is voting on an animal for them to virtually "adopt" and study the rest of the year. Elephants Blue whales Sparklemuffin Peacock Spiders But Thunder hates voting--it's like sports but less fun. Then she finds an abandoned baby possum and she has a brilliant idea. She'll bring the baby possum to school in her backpack, present a passel of possum facts, demonstrate the adorable "choo-choo" sound the babies make--and then unveil Moxie, the joey she's hoping can join the class How could they resist picking a real-live animal mascot? But when Thunder's plan goes off the rails, Moxie--and the class--may end up in danger if Thunder can't find a way to fix her mistakes. Both sweetly poignant and laugh-out-loud funny, with black-and-white illustrations by Pura Belpr Honor artist Kat Fajardo, Thunder's story invites readers into Mrs. Z's class where friendship and fun rule the school, from award-winning author Martha Brockenbrough. Perfect for ★ My Weirdtastic School fans ★ Reluctant readers ★ Classroom read-alouds ★ Andrew Clements fans ★ Animal lovers Read them all The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class have plenty of stories to share Emma McKenna, Full out (#1) Rohan Murthy Has a Plan (#2) Poppy Song Bakes a Way (#3) The Legend of Memo Castillo (#4) Wyatt Hill Brings a Lizard to School (#5) Ayana Ndoum Takes the Stage (#6) Olive Little Gets Crafty (#7) -- available for preorder now Synclaire Fields Knows the Score (#8) -- available for preorder now Theo Chang is Not a Cat (#9) -- available for preorder now *The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class is an innovative series where every book is written by a different all-star author and features a different kid in the same third-grade class. They can be read in any order

Meet the kids in Mrs. Z's wacky and wonderful third grade class Theo Chang is thrilled his family adopted a new cat, but the cat is less thrilled about his new home. Can Theo find a way to befriend the kitty before his family gives up and takes him back to the shelter? Theo Chang loves Trainwhistle, his family's newly adopted cat. There's just one problem: Trainwhistle does not love Theo. Although he's a lovey-dovey lap cat with humans, Trainwhistle is very rough with other cats. And for some reason he clearly thinks Theo is another cat. Chased around the apartment and bitten on the ankle by the ferocious feline, Theo doesn't know what to do Too embarrassed about getting beaten up by his own cat, Theo can't ask his best friend Memo for advice, but when his parents start talking about returning Trainwhistle to the shelter, he realizes time is running out. Can Theo convince Trainwhistle he's a boy, not a cat, before it's too late? Both sweetly poignant and laugh-out-loud funny, with black-and-white illustrations by Pura Belpr Honor artist Kat Fajardo, Theo Chang welcomes readers into Mrs. Z's class where friendship and fun rule the school, from author and librarian Mike Jung. Perfect for ★ My Weirdtastic School fans ★ Reluctant readers ★ Classroom read-alouds ★ Andrew Clements fans ★ Cat lovers Read them all The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class have plenty of stories to share Emma McKenna, Full out (#1) Rohan Murthy Has a Plan (#2) Poppy Song Bakes a Way (#3) The Legend of Memo Castillo (#4) Wyatt Hill Brings a Lizard to School (#5) Ayana Ndoum Takes the Stage (#6) Olive Little Gets Crafty (#7) -- available for preorder now Synclaire Fields Knows the Score (#8) -- available for preorder now Thunder Nelson Does the Impossumble (#10) -- available for preorder now *The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class is an innovative series where every book is written by a different all-star author and features a different kid in the same third-grade class. They can be read in any order

Meet the kids in Mrs. Z's wacky and wonderful third grade class! In the first six books of this playful chapter book series, you'll go on adventures with an energetic cheerleader, a scared pet sitter, a baking whiz, a fantasy enthusiast, an imaginative lizard lover, and a talent show star. These funny and reassuring classroom tales are perfect for fans of Andrew Clements, My Weirdtastic School, and The Questioneers.It's time for school at the brand new Curiosity Academy, where a certain third grade classroom stands out from the rest. It's got a zany teacher named Mrs. Z, who wears high-tops and science earrings, and an eclectic class of students from all over Peppermint Falls. But even when school is cool, life can still be challenging. In each book, follow along with a different student as they try new things, face their fears, and learn to soar in Mrs. Z's class.? Emma just wants to makes friends at her new school, but an old friend-turned-enemy might ruin her chance at a fresh start.? Rohan opens a pet care company to raise money for a school garden, but it's hard to care for pets when you've never done it before...and might be a little afraid of them!? Poppy tries out a new candy recipe for her class, but she's distracted by her grandma, who's suddenly forgetting things she used to know by heart.? Memo is thrilled to be going to a sci-fi fantasy convention, but his Spanish-speaking abuela has to take him there and Memo doesn't speak Spanish. Nothing could go wrong, right?? Wyatt usually keeps to himself and chats with his best friend, Lizzie, who happens to be a stuffed lizard. But as he gets older, is it still okay for him to bring Lizzie to school? ? Ayana doesn't know what to perform at the upcoming variety show. Even worse, her dad is a variety show volunteer! How can she figure out her act when he keeps embarrassing her?With six exciting tales of friendship and family packaged together, and six all-star children's authors, this series is perfect for getting early readers hooked on books! The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class can be read in any order you choose.Included in this box set:?Emma McKenna, Full Out ?Rohan Murthy Has a Plan?Poppy Song Bakes a Way?The Legend of Memo Castillo?Wyatt Hill's Best Friend Is a Lizard?Ayana Ndoum Takes the StageBut Mrs. Z's Class isn't done yet! Don't miss!?Olive Little Gets Crafty (#7)?Synclaire Fields Knows the Score (#8)?Theo Chang is Not a Cat (#9)?Thunder Nelson and the Impossumble Dream (#10)

Myths Lies Secret mummy curses? Grab your head lamp, the award-winning History Smashers are headed to Ancient Egypt to dig up the truth about this incredible early civilization--and the many myths that will be buried once and for all. In 1922, explorers opened King Tut's tomb and a nasty hex was placed on everyone present. RIGHT? Not so much. Okay, but aliens did soar in on a space craft and build the Pyramids, right? WRONG The discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb taught historians a lot about ancient Egyptian culture. But no one incurred the wrath of a mummy. And this early civilization had the money, power, and smarts to build the Pyramids--along with a host of other impressive structures Join the History Smashers Ready to bust new myths? Check out more titles in the History Smashers series: History Smashers: The MayflowerHistory Smashers: The TitanicHistory Smashers: Pearl HarborHistory Smashers: Plagues and Pandemics

Myths Lies Secret mummy curses? Grab your head lamp, the award-winning History Smashers are headed to Ancient Egypt to dig up the truth about this incredible early civilization--and the many myths that will be buried once and for all. In 1922, explorers opened King Tut's tomb and a nasty hex was placed on everyone present. RIGHT? Not so much. Okay, but aliens did soar in on a space craft and build the Pyramids, right? WRONG The discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb taught historians a lot about ancient Egyptian culture. But no one incurred the wrath of a mummy. And this early civilization had the money, power, and smarts to build the Pyramids--along with a host of other impressive structures Join the History Smashers Ready to bust new myths? Check out more titles in the History Smashers series: History Smashers: The MayflowerHistory Smashers: The TitanicHistory Smashers: Pearl HarborHistory Smashers: Plagues and Pandemics

Discover the colorful wonder of the Caribbean in this fascinating and beautiful exploration of the coral reef from the New York Times bestselling author and award-winning illustrator of the beloved Over and Under series!Part of the acclaimed nature book series that includes Over and Under the Pond, Over and Under the Wetland, and Over and Under the Snow, this volume takes readers on a journey into the colorful and lively coral reef of Grand Cayman in the Caribbean. Over the reef, terns circle and frigate birds soar. Sea turtles paddle and balloonfish float through the sparkling waves. But under the reef’s arms, where nurse sharks prowl the seafloor and octopuses slip away into shadows, there waits a living rainbow of peacock flounders and blue damselfish, pink anemones and creamy conch shells. Discover the dazzling world just beneath the waves—over and under the coral reef.

New York Times–bestselling author Kate Messner presents a daring game of one-upmanship that pushed the sport of rock climbing to new heights during the Golden Age of Yosemite climbing. Royal Robbins and Warren Harding were two wildly different men who loved the challenge posed by big walls of granite—some that had never been climbed! They paired up to attempt an epic climb on Half Dome. When they didn’t make it to the top, they went their separate ways and soon became fierce rivals, racking up first ascents around Yosemite Valley. This suspenseful, true story offers a fast-paced adventure with a dash of sports history and environmental awareness, told by Kate Messner—one of today’s foremost writers of nonfiction for young people—and climber-illustrator Stevie Lewis, whose love of the sport is on dazzling display. Readers will join the journey as the climbers chase their personal passion for thrilling exploits, which in turn showed the world the heights that are possible when there is someone pushing you to achieve. Perfect for:Fans of Kate Messner’s popular History Smashers seriesFans of adventure stories, sports biographies, and national parks talesTeachers and librarians looking for picture books about nontraditional and action sportsParents, grandparents, and caregivers searching for exciting nonfiction to engage young minds

From the bestselling author of the Ranger in Time series, Kate Messner, comes a chapter book series about a family dedicated to rescuing animals. Siblings Ivy and Ezra couldn't be more different, but they have one thing in common: a love of animals. Their family volunteers for the local wildlife hospital as "critter couriers", helping transport injured and orphaned animals so they can get medical help. Ezra starts off his new baseball season in a batting slump, fearing that he's not as good a player as the others on his new team. Then, while playing with his friend, Ezra finds two baby screech owls that seem to have fallen from a nest. Ivy and Ezra's family transports the owl chicks to the wildlife hospital, but because their tree was damaged in a recent storm, they're unable to return to their original nest. Feeling anxious about his own place on his baseball team, Ezra worries that the baby owls will feel scared and alone. Determined to help the owlets however they can, Ezra and Ivy decide to build a human-made nest for the baby animals. Can Ezra find his batting groove again and help the owls return to the wild?