Newbery Medal-winning author Patricia MacLachlan has written a magical and funny tale about the joy found in using words, sharing stories, and loving a wondrous dog named Rex.

When an arrogant new girl comes to school, third-graders and best friends Nikki and Deja decide to form a club that would exclude her but find the results not what they expected.

Clementine's beloved teacher, Mr. D'Matz might be leaving for the rest of the year to go on a research trip to Egypt. The only solution, she decides, is to hatch a plan to get Mr. D'Matz back even if it means ruining his once-in-a-lifetime chance.

Martin's back in two more stories. His first overnight camping trip with the Junior Badgers brings a mixed blessing as he shares a cabin room with his friend Alex. The second story, is about a familiar family conflict, watching TV or helping dad? See how Martin learns that spending time with Dad is more special that his favorite TV show.

Henry and his basketball teammates, the Bats, take on the Tigers, and Henry learns a lesson about working as a team.

Ten-year-old Goose is best at goofing off, but when he decides to become the goalie for their soccer team, his friend Henry sets up a practice schedule and enlists their other friends to help Goose improve his skills.

Rita tries to improve her times and flip turns as she struggles to decide whether to remain the best swimmer on the Dolphins team or the worst on the Sharks team, where she could be with her friends.

On New Year's Eve, the octuplets Huit--Annie, Durinda, Georgia, Jackie, Marcia, Petal, Rebecca, and Zinnia--discover that their parents are missing, and then uncover a mysterious note instructing them that each must find her power and her gift if they want to know what happened to their parents.

Maybelle the cockroach follows the advice of her new fly friend Maurice and tumbles into a terrifying but tasty adventure during Mrs. Peabody's Ladies' Spring Tea.

Deja's birthday is coming up, and she and her best friend, Nikki, have been planning the perfect party for weeks. But just before the big day, Auntie Dee gets called away on a business trip, and Deja has to stay with old Miss Ida ... who cooks turnips for dinner and doesn't even have a color TV! Worse, a sneaky scheme hatched by Antonia threatens to ruin Deja's party plans. -- P. [4] of cover.