When Rufus, Murphy, Lurena, and their pets go camping, they meet Pedro, a shy boy who seems afraid of just about everything - especially the water. One thing leads to another and the kids go into a nearby town to buy him a pet to cheer him up - a guinea pig, naturally. Yet what they bring home may look like a guinea pig, but it can swim like an otter!

"'Dad, what happened?'...The shootings keep coming, and so do Jeremiah's questions. Dad doesn't have easy answers, but that doesn't mean he won't talk about it - or that he won't act.... Even if he wants to believe in a better world, is there anything Jeremiah can do about it?"--from front jacket flap.

"James always knew moving from Texas to Oregon was going to be horrible. But no sooner have he and his family arrived ... than he starts getting mysterious letters from someone called the Keeper. Someone who claims to be watching him ... James and his sister, Ava, are obviously in danger. But the problem with having a history of playing practical jokes is that no one believes James--not even his parents."--

"In this high-interest accessible novel for middle readers, Buddy tries to impress his big brother by spending the night in a haunted theme park"--

Twins Alfie and Alfreeda are trying to cope with Freddie, a beagle who is terrified of thunder during a particularly stormy week at the Hound Hotel--and Alfie is astonished realize that his normally bossy sister shares Freddie's fear.

Sixth-grader Jack Mogens loses his nerve after getting hit by a pitch, and has to dig deep within himself to avoid giving up the sport he loves.