Jake and his buddies are over being bullied by the thugs at the housing projects he calls home. That’s why Jake decides to play the goons at their own game by creating a fake gangster, the Big Baresi. But before long, the imaginary mobster seems to have taken on a life of his own! The stakes are raised when a stash of stolen diamonds goes missing. From behind the wheel of an ice cream van, Jake’s got to pull off the ultimate con–while managing to keep the mint chocolate chip from a meltdown. Because, as the Big Baresi knows, revenge is a dish best served cold.
Europe
Materials from Europe
Solving the Mysteries of Pompeii (Digging into History)
Discusses important archaeological finds from Pompeii and reveals how archaeologists use the latest technology to discover clues to its civilization.
Mistmantle Chronicles Book: Urchin and the Raven War
When the swans of Swan Isle are attacked by vicious ravens, Urchin the squirrel and the inhabitants of Mistmantle rush to their aid.
Gingerbread Friends
That popular little character is back looking for friends, in an adventure he’ll never forget. Confident and cocky, the Gingerbread Baby happens upon a bakery, where he dances and prances in front of a sugar cookie girl, trying to make friends. But she just stares and doesn’t say a word, like all the other sweet treats he tries to meet. Discouraged, the Gingerbread Baby runs home, chased by a long line of hungry creatures, where Mattie has a fantastic surprise for him—gingerbread friends that fill a giant fold-out page.
Ms. Wiz Spells Trouble
A mysterious new teacher, thought by some to be a witch, changes the worst class in the school into the best with some strange and wonderful tricks.
In Stitches With Ms. Wiz
When Ms. Wiz shows up in the hospital as a doctor, things will never be the same. Her stethoscope plays Disco music, a pickled appendix escapes from its jar, and the children’s ward is overrun by mice!
Marco Polo
Marco Polo’s adventures as he travels from Venice to Beijing.
Solving the Mysteries of Ancient Rome (Digging into History)
Discusses important archaeological finds from Rome and reveals how archaeologists use the latest technology to discover clues to its ancient civilization.
Philippa Fisher’s Fairy Godsister
Embarrassed by her free-spirited parents and lonely when her best friend moves away, a self-conscious eleven-year-old girl named Philippa summons a wish-granting fairy godmother, with unexpected results.
Cinderella
Cinderella’s evil stepmother makes her cook and clean and dust and sweep until her arms ache and her head spins. But with a tap of her fairy godmother’s wand, the kind, mistreated beauty becomes a shimmering vision worthy of a prince.