By Barbara O'Connor

An amazing secret has tumbled off a freight train into Carter, Georgia, and Owen Jester is the only person who knows about it. If he can simply manage to evade his grandfather’s snappish housekeeper, organize his two best friends, and keep his nosy neighbor, Viola, at bay, he just might be in for the summer of a lifetime. With her trademark wit and easy charm, Barbara O’Connor spins a fantastic fable of friends, enemies, and superbly slimy bullfrogs.

168 pages, recommended grades 3-6, ages 8-12

By Barbara O'Connor

Nothing ever happens in Fayette, South Carolina. That’s what Popeye thinks, anyway. His whole life, everything has just been boring, boring, boring. But things start to look up when the Jewells’ Holiday Rambler makes a wrong turn and gets stuck in the mud, trapping Elvis and his five rowdy siblings in Fayette for who knows how long. Then things get even better when something curious comes floating down the creek—a series of boats with secret messages—and Popeye and Elvis set out on a small adventure. Who could possibly be sending the notes and what do they mean?

150 pages, recommended grades 3-7, ages 8-12

By Barbara O'Connor

Nothing ever happens in Fayette, South Carolina. That’s what Popeye thinks, anyway. His whole life, everything has just been boring, boring, boring. But things start to look up when the Jewells’ Holiday Rambler makes a wrong turn and gets stuck in the mud, trapping Elvis and his five rowdy siblings in Fayette for who knows how long. Then things get even better when something curious comes floating down the creek—a series of boats with secret messages—and Popeye and Elvis set out on a small adventure. Who could possibly be sending the notes and what do they mean?

150 pages, recommended grades 3-7, ages 8-12