(Holt, 2000)

A mysterious Cinderella story about a boy, a plastic lizard, and a circus that’s possibly from outer space. For middle-grade readers.

(Scholastic, 1999)

Josie’s attempts to raise money, in order to help her parents who are expecting a baby, result in big trouble. Illustrations by S.D. Schindler.

(Disney-Hyperion, 1993)

Twelve-year-old Wheel Wiggins is the head honcho of his neighborhood. Every year he masterminds the town’s 4th of July extravaganza. But this time he’s stuck for an idea and suffering from, as he puts it, “executive stress,” made worse when everyone’s favorite deejay, Wild Willie, announces a contest for the best Independence Day celebration. At last Wheel does dream up his greatest scheme ever – an amazing carnival. But then a new kid arrives in town – a hot shot, unicycle-riding rich kid named Topper, who wants not only to join Wheel’s gang, but to take it over. And the war begins.

(Disney-Hyperion, 1992)

When fourteen-year-old, would-be witch Rosie Rivera tried to concoct a love potion, she accidentally let a nasty, not-so-little imp out of a bottle instead. The creature stows away to California in a Christmas gift opened by Danny Pauling and his sister Laura. The kids think they’ve hit the jackpot and acquired a genie, who calls himself Mr. Ed, to grant them endless wishes. But Mr. Ed’s outlandish tricks soon wreak havoc all over L.A., landing Danny, Laura, and their mother in danger. It’s up to Rosie and her mother Lydia, a retired witch, to save the day.

(Harper & Row, 1990)

Emma has been taught to “do the right thing.” So she votes for a better actor rather than her best friend to play the lead in the fourth grade class play. When her friend, Sandy, finds out, Emma’s in trouble. A Junior Library Guild selection. A Trumpet Book Club selection (paperback), 1992. Illustrations by Jeffrey Lindberg.

(Atheneum, 1990)

Twelve-year-old Miranda and her invisible fenine friend, Bastable, who looks much like an upright cat, must join forces with several other beings from different worlds to defeat the evil Charmer.

(Harper & Row, 1989)

Is the new foreign exchange student a thief? Or is she something – someone – else? Sam and Dave do some sleuthing to find out. Illustrations by Richard Williams.

(Harper & Row, 1989)
Dave is the victim of a crime when someone fixes the election for Student Council president.
Illustrations by Richard Williams.

(Four Winds Press, 1987)
Three sisters, forced to spend the summer with their grandparents whom they don’t like, decide to form the Lightey Club. At each meeting, Henny, the oldest sister, recounts a new tale about Lightey the Lightning Bug and his insect pals. Henny’s stories help change a bad vacation into a magical one.
Illustrations by Kathryn Brown.

(Harper & Row, 1987)
Sixteen-year-old Bart Hawkins, star quarterback, learns that his house is haunted when Millicent, a sixteen-year-old “spokespook” for nine other ghosts, asks his help in ridding the place of a new and obnoxious poltergeist. With her help, Bart, who has been hiding his brains and love of reading, learns to be truthful about himself to his friends and his girlfriend.