Jack Gantos

In the historic town of Norvelt, Pennsylvania, twelve-year-old Jack Gantos spends the summer of 1962 grounded for various offenses until he is assigned to help an elderly neighbor with a most unusual chore involving the newly dead, molten wax, twisted promises, Girl Scout cookies, underage driving, lessons from history, typewriting, and countless bloody noses.

The Newbery Award—winning author of Dead End in Norvelt shares advice for how to be the best brilliant writer in this funny and practical creative writing guide perfect for all kids who dream of seeing their name on the spine of a book. With the signature wit and humor that have garnered him legions of fans, Jack Gantos instructs young writers on using their "writing radar" to unearth story ideas from their everyday lives. Incorporating his own...

Ralph, a very, very, nasty cat, finally sees the error of his ways--or does he?

Sarah's cat Rotten Ralph tries to help her create a school project based on ancient Egypt, but he is more of a hindrance than a help.

Joey tries to keep his life from degenerating into total chaos when his mother sends him to be home-schooled with a hostile blind girl, his divorced parents cannot stop fighting, and his grandmother is dying of emphysema.

Jack's diary helps him deal with his problems which include dog-eating alligators, a terror for an older sister, a younger brother who keeps breaking parts of himself, and next-door neighbors who are really weird.

When his father rejoins the Navy and moves the family to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, nine-year-old Jack becomes confused by a crush on his teacher, contradictory advicxe from his parents, and a very strange neighbor.

Joey's father returns, calling himself Charles Heinz and apologizing for his past bad behavior, and he swears that once Joey and his mother change their names and help him fix up the old diner he has bought, their lives will change for the better.

Book Description: : This Thanksgiving, Sarah's cat, Ralph, has something extra to be thankful for: his cat-cousin Percy is cooking the big turkey -- with Ralph as junior chef. Will dinner ever be served?Pull back the flaps to see each of Ralph's deliciously rotten Thanksgiving pranks!

Sarah's mischievous cat, Rotten Ralph, is sent to feline finishing school, but Sarah finds she liked him better the way he was.