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Great Books for 2nd & 3rd Grade: |
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Crown
by Derrick D Barnes
Celebrates the magnificent feeling that comes from walking out of a barber shop with newly-cut hair.
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Wolves
by Emily Gravett
When a young rabbit checks out a library book about wolves, he learns much more about their behavior than he wanted to know, in a dramatic and witty story with two surprise endings.
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The Village That Vanished
by Ann Grifalconi
Hearing that the slavers are making their way to their village deep within the forest, young Abekenile looks to her elders for guidance and decides to stay with the few villagers who remain in order to help them in their stand for freedom.
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Chester's Way
by Kevin Henkes
Chester and Wilson share the same exact way of doing things, until Lilly moves into the neighborhood and shows them that new ways can be just as good.
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This is Not My Hat
by Jon Klassen
A follow-up to the award-winning I Want My Hat Back follows the antics of a tiny fish who wears a perfectly fitting round blue hat while trying to avoid an enormous sleeping fish.
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TÃa Isa Wants a Car
by Meg Medina
A picture book debut by the author of Milagros: Girl from Away follows the efforts of a Spanish-American child as she adds her earnings to the family savings, which she hopes will help them afford a first car and contribute to assisting faraway relatives to join them someday.
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Creepy Carrots!
by Aaron Reynolds
The Twilight Zone comes to the carrot patch in a clever and hilarious picture book parable about a rabbit that fears his favorite treats are out to get him. Illustrations by the celebrated creator of Children Make Terrible Pets.
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Zathura
by Chris Van Allsburg
This enthralling sequel to Jumanji follows brothers Danny and Walter Budwing as they once again roll the dice in a new game called Zathura and embark on an unforgettable journey to a magical realm that forever changes their lives.
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Young Cam Jansen and the Dinosaur Game
by David A. Adler
With the clues he finds at the birthday party, such as a smudge of chocolate cake and a jar of toy dinosaurs, Cam Jansen is on his way to solving his latest easy-to-read mystery.
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Minnie and Moo Go to the Moon
by Denys Cazet
Minnie and Moo are cows, best friends, and the craziest duo on their farm as they take the farmer's tractor on a drive that they believe will take them to the moon.
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Baseball Ballerina
by Kathryn Cristaldi
A die-hard tomboy discovers team spirit at the barre when her mother forces her to drop her baseball mit and don a leotard for ballet class.
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Get Ready for Second Grade, Amber Brown
by Paula Danziger
A bit worried about what will come with the start of a new grade and a new teacher, Amber Brown heads to school with her friend, Justin, to face whatever comes her way.
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Iris and Walter
by Elissa Haden Guest
Certain that her new life in the country will be terrible, Iris goes on a walk and discovers a hideaway tree house and a new friend named Walter, who makes her change her mind.
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Lionel at Large
by Stephen Krensky
Lionel faces such ordeals as having to eat green beans, going to the doctor, and looking for the snake his sister lost in his room.
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Captain and Matey Set Sail
by Daniel Laurence
Together with their faithful parrot, Squawk, Captain and Matey sing and dance, rescue a stranded pirate, and hunt for buried treasure, in an easy-to-read swashbuckling adventure. Jr Lib Guild.
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Days with Frog and Toad
by Arnold Lobel
Frog and Toad enjoy each other's company as they spend their days together, but sometimes they find that it is nice just to be alone.
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Soccer Sam
by Jean Marzollo
Sam's cousin from Mexico comes for an extended visit and teaches Sam and all the second graders to play soccer.
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Bravo, Amelia Bedelia!
by Herman Parish
From the time she is sent to pick up the guest conductor, Amelia Bedelia's normal confusion causes quite an uproar at the school concert.
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Henry and Mudge and the Happy Cat
by Cynthia Rylant
Henry's family takes in a stray cat, the ugliest cat they have ever seen, and an amazing relationship blossoms between it and their big dog Mudge.
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Nate the Great
by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
Nate the Great solves the mystery of the missing picture.
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Andy Russell, NOT Wanted by the Police
by David A. Adler
Andy and Tamika are watching their neighbor's house while they are away, but when strange and troubling things start happening inside the house, the police do not believe the children.
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Anna Hibiscus
by Atinuke
Set in contemporary West Africa, this delightful story introduces a young girl named Anna Hibiscus, who has many adventures with her family—all of whom live together in a beautiful compound in Nigeria. Illustrations.
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Ivy + Bean
by Annie Barrows
When seven-year-old Bean plays a mean trick on her sister Nancy, she finds unexpected support for her antics from Ivy, the new neighbor, who is less boring than Bean first suspected. Reprint.
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Freckle Juice
by Judy Blume
Believing freckles will change his prospects for the better, young Andrew pays fifty cents to an obnoxious classmate for her secret recipe only to endure a tummy-churning disaster, in a reformatted edition of a classic favorite by the award-winning author of Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing.
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The Stories Julian Tells
by Ann Cameron
Relates episodes in seven-year-old Julian's life which include getting into trouble with his younger brother Huey, planting a garden, what he did to try to grow taller, losing a tooth, and finding a new friend.
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The Chocolate Touch
by Patrick Skene Catling
A title first published in 1952 recounts the trials and tribulations of a greedy boy's predicament when everything John Midas touches turns to chocolate. Reprint.
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Ramona Quimby, age 8
by Beverly Cleary
Confronting good times and bad times during her third-grade year, Ramona Quimby rediscovers the strength and durability of her loving family. Newbery Honor Book. Reissue.
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Jake Drake, Know-It-All
by Andrew Clements
Desperately wanting to win the grand prize at the school's science fair, Jake knows he has to beat out the third-grade hot-shots Marsha McCall and Kevin Young, but in planning to do so, Jake has to turn his whole life inside out and may end up losing more than he could win in the end. Reissue.
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Mercy Watson to the Rescue
by Kate DiCamillo
After Mercy the pig snuggles to sleep with Mr. and Mrs. Watson, all three awaken with the bed teetering on the edge of a big hole in the floor. Jr Lib Guild.
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The Whipping Boy
by Sid Fleischman
A bratty prince and his whipping boy have many adventures when they inadvertently trade places after becoming involved with dangerous outlaws
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Jasmine Toguchi, Mochi Queen
by Debbi Michiko Florence
A debut entry in a new chapter book series featuring a spunky Japanese-American heroine finds messy 8-year-old Jasmine Toguchi wanting to do something unique in response to the fact that her older sister always gets to go first, a desire that leads to an opportunity during the mochi rice preparations for New Year.
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The Wolves in the Walls
by Neil Gaiman
Lucy is sure there are wolves living in the walls of her house, although others in her family disagree, and when the wolves come out, the adventure begins. Reprint.
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Runaway Radish
by Jessie Haas
Radish, an endearing yet stubborn and spirited pony, who loves teaching Judy and Nina how to ride, how to go fast, and how to fall, becomes sad and lonely after Judy and Nina outgrow him and decides to run away, in an adorable story that will delight little riders.
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Pinky and Rex
by James Howe
Rex and her best friend Pinky, each the proud possessor of twenty-seven stuffed animals or dinosaurs, find their visit to the museum and its gift shop complicated by Pinky's little sister Amanda.
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Lady Lollipop
by Dick King-Smith
Johnny Skinner, a quick-witted swineherd, and a pig named Lollipop are royally rewarded after they reform a spoiled princess named Penelope. An ALA Notable Children's Book. Jr Lib Guild. Reprint. 20,000 first printing.
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Horrible Harry in Room 2B
by Suzy Kline
Doug discovers that though being Harry's best friend in Miss Mackle's second grade class isn't always easy, as Harry likes to do horrible things, it is often a lot of fun.
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Catwings
by Ursula K. Le Guin
Four young cats with wings leave the city slums in search of a safe place to live, finally meeting two children with kind hands.
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Morgy Makes His Move
by Maggie Lewis
Morgy's move from California to Massachusetts seemed to be a total disaster when he had to deal with Ferguson's bullying and when he was sent to play hockey with little seven-year-olds, but slowly things start to look better.
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The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking
by Astrid Lindgren
Bright illustrations enhance this colorful collection of works, complete with Pippi Longstocking, Pippi Goes on Board, and Pippi in the South Seas, as well as information about the author and more.
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Betsy-Tacy and Tib
by Maud Hart Lovelace
Three little girls experiment with cooking, visit the carnival, and have wonderful adventures.
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Gooney Bird Greene
by Lois Lowry
A most unusual new student who loves to be the center of attention entertains her teacher and fellow second graders by telling absolutely true stories about herself, including how she got her name.
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Sarah, Plain and Tall
by Patricia MacLachlan
When their father invites a mail-order bride to come live with them in their prairie home, Caleb and Anna are captivated by their new mother and hope that she will stay.
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Judy Moody
by Megan McDonald
Third grader Judy Moody is in a first day of school bad mood until she gets an assignment to create a collage all about herself and begins creating her masterpiece, the Me collage.
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Juana & Lucas
by Juana Medina
A spunky young girl from Columbia loves playing with her canine best friend and resists boring school activities, especially learning English, until her family tells her that a special trip is planned to an English-speaking place. By the creator of One Big Salad.
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7 x 9 = Trouble
by Claudia Mills
Finding it difficult to learn his multiplication tables, Wilson tries to do other things that he enjoys to take his mind off his difficult work, but with the help of his younger brother and the support of the class hamster, Wilson struggles on in the hopes of passing his upcoming test.
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Amelia Works It Out
by Marissa Moss
In pursuit to own a pair of high-tech sneakers, Amelia embarks on a variety of funny business ventures before learning that success lies in drawing upon her own natural talents.
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Dinosaurs Before Dark
by Mary Pope Osborne
When he and his younger sister discover a tree house that travels through time, Jack and his younger sister, Annie, begin an adventure that takes them to the era of dinosaurs.
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Clementine
by Sara Pennypacker
Armed with attitude, individuality, and a penchant for disaster, Clementine, a wonderfully wacky girl who is the inventor of the world's first pair of bologna glasses, makes her first appearance in this hilarious chapter book. Reprint.
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The Adventures of Captain Underpants
by Dav Pilkey
Published to commemorate the 25th and a half anniversary of the worldwide best-selling series, this special edition, featuring a brand new dog man comic, follows the adventures of best friends George and Harold who create the greatest superhero in the history of their elementary school. Illustrations.
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The Many Adventures of Johnny Mutton
by James Proimos
Young readers can follow Johnny Mutton, who even though he is the only sheep in his class, delights in his originality, as he embarks on many escapades armed with a great sense of humor and the ability to appreciate the simple pleasures in life. 20,000 first printing.
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The Used-To-Be Best Friend
by Dawn Quigley
"Jo Jo Makoons Azure is a spirited seven-year-old who moves through the world a little differently than anyone else on her Ojibwe reservation. It always seems like her mom, her kokum (grandma), and her teacher have a lot to learn--about how good Jo Jo isat cleaning up, what makes a good rhyme, and what it means to be friendly. Even though Jo Jo loves her #1 best friend Mimi (who is a cat), she's worried that she needs to figure out how to make more friends. Because Fern, her best friend at school, may not want to be friends anymore".
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The Worst Best School Year Ever
by Barbara Robinson
The six horrible Herdmans, the worst kids in the history of the world, cause mayhem throughout the school year.
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The Absent Author
by Ron Roy
Dink Duncan and his two friends investigate the apparent kidnapping of famous mystery author Wallis Wallace.
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Knights of the Kitchen Table
by Jon Scieszka
When Joe, Fred, and Sam are sent back in time by a magic book, they find themselves face-to-face with giants, dragons, wizards, and the Knights of the Round Table.
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The Cricket in Times Square
by George Selden
The adventures of a country cricket who unintentionally arrives in New York and is befriended by Tucker Mouse and Harry Cat.
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Secret Identity
by Wendelin Van Draanen
After Mr. Green assigns everyone the task of becoming reporters, Nolan Byrd decides to go undercover and do an exposé via a web site on Bubba and the bullies at his school--giving them a dose of their own medicine by showing what they really are and what their classmates really think of them. Reprint.
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Charlotte's Web
by E. B. White
Fern raises the little runt pig, Wilbur, only to have her father give him away.
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Little Wolf's Book of Badness
by Ian Whybrow
Little Wolf has been behaving too courteously, so his parents send him to his uncle's Big Bad Wolf school to learn to be a proper wolf.
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Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears
by Verna Aardema
A mosquito's lie sets off a series of reactions in the jungle that results in the owl's refusal to wake the sun and the lion's decision to call a meeting of the animals.
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Bruh Rabbit and the Tar Baby Girl
by Virginia Hamilton
In this retelling of a familiar story, using Gullah speech, the wily Bruh Rabbit uses reverse psychology and outwits Bruh Fox who has set out to trap him with the help of a tar baby.
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The Boy Who Drew Cats
by Margaret Hodges
A young boy's obsession with drawing cats sometimes got him in trouble, but one day the cats found a way to reward their skillful creator.
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Toads and Diamonds
by Charlotte S. Huck
Two step-sisters receive appropriate gifts for their actions: one's words are accompanied by flowers and jewels, the other's by toads and snakes.
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John Henry
by Julius Lester
Comparing the legendary hero to a shooting star whose strength propels him and whose courage will never fade away, the inspiring story of the African-American folk hero is gloriously told and lavishly illustrated.
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The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales
by Jon Scieszka
A revisionist storyteller provides his mad, hilarious versions of children's favorite tales in this collection that includes "Little Red Running Shorts," "The Princess and the Bowling Ball," "Cinderumpelstilskin," and others.
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Not One Damsel in Distress
by Jane Yolen
A collection of fifteen traditional tales from various parts of the world, with the main character of each being a fearless, strong, heroic, and resourceful woman.
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Lon Po Po
by Ed Young
A haunting Chinese rendition of the classic tale of "Little Red Riding Hood" follows the adventures of young Shang, Tao, and Paotze, who encounter a terrifying wolf. Reprint. Caldecott Medal. Boston Globe-Horn Book Award.
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The Undefeated
by Kwame Alexander
Originally performed for ESPN's The Undefeated, this poem by the Newbery Award-winning author of The Crossover and artwork from a two-time Caldecott Honoree is a love letter to black life in the United States, highlighting the unspeakable trauma of slavery; the faith and fire of the Civil Rights Movement; and the grit, passion and perseverance of some of the world's greatest heroes. Illustrations.
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Read a Rhyme, Write a Rhyme
by Jack Prelutsky
Segmented into ten subjects, a collection of "poemstarts" provides amusing beginnings to a series of poems and challenges readers to complete the tale in their own special way, enhanced with large text and bold illustrations.
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Where the Sidewalk Ends
by Shel Silverstein
This masterful collection of poems and drawings is at once outrageously funny and profound, and this special edition, which marks 40 years in print, contains 12 extra poems that did not appear in the original collection.
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Trombone Shorty
by Troy Andrews
A visual profile of the musical child prodigy and Grammy-nominated headliner at the legendary New Orleans Jazz Fest relates, through sumptuous artwork and text, the story about his childhood dream of becoming a musician against the odds. 50,000 first printing.
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Glow
by W. H. Beck
An introduction to bioluminescence and its unique adaptations in nature shares engaging facts and vibrant images by world-renowned biologists and photographers.
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Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera
by Candace Fleming
Describes the life of a typical worker bee, as she emerges from her cell, does different jobs around the hive while growing big enough and strong enough to fly, and flies far and wide to search for nectar.
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Harvesting Hope
by Kathleen Krull
After living a difficult childhood as the son of parents who worked hard as poor, migrant workers in the fields of California, young Cesar took the initiative to change the system through a series of non-violent protests that helped improve the working conditions for thousands. Jr Lib Guild. 25,000 first printing.
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Locomotive
by Brian Floca
The award-winning creator of Moonshot presents a richly detailed visual exploration of America's early railroads that examines the sounds, speed and strength of the fledgling transcontinental locomotives and the experiences of pioneering travelers.
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Actual Size
by Steve Jenkins
From the author of The Top of the World: Climbing Mount Everest, a picture book presents a look at the real size of animals and their body parts through comparisons with other common things, such as a human hand.
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How Much Is a Million?
by David M. Schwartz
The author of How to Make a Million brings complex numbers down to size with the help of Marvelosissimo the Mathematical Magician and a bunch of curious kids. Reprint.
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Separate is Never Equal
by Duncan Tonatiuh
Shares the triumphant story of young Civil Rights activist Sylvia Mendez, an American citizen of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage who, at the age of 8, worked with her parents and other community members to file a landmark lawsuit in federal district court to end segregated education in mid-20th-century California.
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El Deafo
by Cece Bell
A poignant graphic tale based on the creator's own experiences with hearing loss follows the adventures of young Cece, who develops "superpowers" to manage the challenges of making friends while wearing a bulky hearing aid that sometimes lets her hear things she shouldn't. By the Geisel Honor-winning creator of Rabbit & Robot.
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Squish, Super Amoeba
by Jennifer L. Holm
Squish, a meek amoeba who loves the comic book exploits of his favorite hero, "Super Amoeba," tries to emulate him when his best friend is threatened by a bully.
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Dog Man
by Dav Pilkey
Dog Man, a crimefighter with the head of a police dog and the body of a policeman, faces off against his archnemesis Petey the Cat.
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Hamster and Cheese
by Colleen A. F. Venable
Sasspants, a guinea pig, reluctantly agrees to act as a private investigator when Hamisher the hamster begs for her help in discovering who is stealing sandwiches from the pet shop's befuddled owner.
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