Daniel Manus Pinkwater

Arthur goes to pick up the turkey for Thanksgiving dinner but comes back with a 260-pound chicken.

Upon moving to Hoboken, New Jersey, a boy convinces his two new friends to help him track down the mysterious phantom who stole his bicycle, as well as Arthur Bobowicz, owner of a giant chicken that once terrorized local citizens. Nick Itch isn't thrilled about having to move from the suburbs to hot, muggy Hoboken. But when he meets Bruno Ugg and Loretta Fischetti, the three become fast friends, bonding over Classics Comics, pirate radio, and a plan to find the legendary Arthur Bobowicz and his 266-pound chicken, Henrietta.

Despite the insistence of her second-grade teacher that their Halloween celebration will focus on pumpkins, Big Gloria finds a way to introduce her favorite vegetable, the potato.

Through his radio tooth, William learns of an invasion by spacemen who are taking all of earth's supply of junk food.

When left to take care of himself, a young boy becomes involved with a community of intelligent lizards who tell him of a little known invasion from outer space.

While searching for a comfortable new home, three domestic hogs run into some unexpected and alarming situations, including hostile residents and police, a butcher's shop, and a fierce forest hog.

A bear continues to paint what he likes despite criticism from two passing gentlemen.

Flash Fleetwood finds a very quiet gorilla which he names Phil, and, to the delight of the second grade students, their teacher Mrs. Hotdogbun says he may attend school along with them.

Fourth-grader Norman Gnormal, who behaves a lot like a dog, finds his first real friends when the principal signs him up for the Werewolf Club at school.

Under the guidance of his new friends, the drugstore scale and a gorilla, fat Elliot starts to lose weight.

Chronicles the adventures of the remarkable canine who became the undisputed king of Hoboken's dockside dogs.

The Watson Elementary School Werewolf Club goes on a field trip to Basketball Hall, where Sir Hugo hopes they will solve the mystery of the hound which has plagued his family for generations.

The bear and the bunny are friends who like to wander in the woods, look for things to eat, sing songs, and talk things over. One day, the bunny asks the bear, "Why do we not have some kind of pet?" Well, the bear is not sure what a pet is. So the bunny explains that it's an animal that you take care of and feed, and one that loves you. But a pinecone is not the right pet for a bear and a bunny. And a caterpillar is nice, but it may not be very much fun. After a much-needed nap in the forest, will these two find their perfect pet?

From Tales of a fourth grade nothing / Judy Blume -- From the chalk box kid / Clyde Robert Bulla -- From Ramona forever / Beverly Cleary -- From fourth-graders don't believe in witches / Terri Fields -- From the adventures of Ali Baba / Johanna Hurwitz -- From Pippi Longstocking / Astrid Lindgren -- From skylark / Patricia MacLachlan -- From fourth grade is a jinx / Colleen O'Shaughnessy McKenna -- Being nine is just fine / Patricia C. McKissack -- From the Hoboken chicken / Daniel Pinkwater -- From the flunking of Joshua T. Bates / Susan Shreve -- From fourth grade rats / Jerry Spinelli.

After Ralph and Sylvia Nebula flee a fat camp ashram to join their friend Mavis at a dude ranch, they help her unite the Western town's factions by preparing for the arrival of an unidentified flying object.

Though he has turned into a werewolf, his parents, teacher, and classmates still see him as Lawrence Talbot, second-grader.

In this comedy of errors, a famous children's author visits an elementary school.