Claudia Mills Books In Order

After-School Superstars Books In Publication Order

  1. Nixie Ness (2019)
  2. Vera Vance (2020)
  3. Lucy Lopez (2020)
  4. Boogie Bass, Sign Language Star (With: ) (2021)

Dinah Books In Publication Order

  1. Dynamite Dinah (1990)
  2. Dinah for President (1992)
  3. Dinah in Love (1993)
  4. Dinah Forever (1995)

Franklin School Friends Books In Publication Order

  1. Kelsey Green, Reading Queen (2012)
  2. Annika Riz, Math Whiz (2014)
  3. Izzy Barr, Running Star (2015)
  4. Simon Ellis, Spelling Bee Champ (2015)
  5. Cody Harmon, King of Pets (2016)

Gus and Grandpa Books In Publication Order

  1. Gus and Grandpa (1996)
  2. Gus and Grandpa and the Christmas Cookies (1997)
  3. Gus and Grandpa Ride the Train (1998)
  4. Gus and Grandpa at the Hospital (1998)
  5. Gus and Grandpa and the Two-Wheeled Bike (1999)
  6. Gus and Grandpa and Show-and-Tell (2000)
  7. Gus and Grandpa at Basketball (2001)
  8. Gus and Grandpa and the Halloween Costume (2002)
  9. Gus and Grandpa Go Fishing (2003)
  10. Gus and Grandpa and the Piano Lesson (2004)

Mason Dixon Books In Publication Order

  1. Pet Disasters (2011)
  2. Fourth-Grade Disasters (2011)
  3. Basketball Disasters (2012)

The Nora Notebooks Books In Publication Order

  1. The Trouble With Ants (2015)
  2. The Trouble with Babies (2016)
  3. The Trouble with Friends (2017)

Walker’s American History for Young People Books In Publication Order

  1. What about Annie? (1985)

West Creek Middle School Books In Publication Order

  1. Losers, Inc. (1997)
  2. You’re a Brave Man, Julius Zimmerman (1999)
  3. Lizzie At Last (2000)
  4. Alex RyanStop That! (2003)
  5. Makeovers by Marcia (2005)

Standalone Novels In Publication Order

  1. Luisa’s American Dream (1981)
  2. At the Back of the Woods (1982)
  3. The Secret Carousel (1983)
  4. All The Living (1983)
  5. Boardwalk with Hotel (1985)
  6. One and Only Cynthia Jane Thornton (1986)
  7. Melanie Magpie (1987)
  8. Cally’s Enterprise (1988)
  9. After Fifth Grade, the World! (1989)
  10. A Visit to Amy-Claire (1992)
  11. Hannah on Her Way (1993)
  12. The Secret Life Of Bethany Barrett (1994)
  13. Standing Up to Mr. O. (1998)
  14. 7 X 9 = Trouble! (2002)
  15. The Best Show-And-Tell Ever (2002)
  16. Perfectly Chelsea (2004)
  17. Trading Places (2006)
  18. Being Teddy Roosevelt (2007)
  19. The Totally Made-up Civil War Diary of Amanda MacLeish (2008)
  20. How Oliver Olson Changed the World (2009)
  21. One Square Inch (2010)
  22. Fractions = Trouble! (2011)
  23. Zero Tolerance (2013)
  24. Write This Down (2016)
  25. The Lost Language (2021)

Picture Books In Publication Order

  1. Phoebe’s Parade (1994)
  2. One Small Lost Sheep (1997)
  3. Ziggy’s Blue-Ribbon Day (2005)

After-School Superstars Book Covers

Dinah Book Covers

Franklin School Friends Book Covers

Gus and Grandpa Book Covers

Mason Dixon Book Covers

The Nora NoteBooks Book Covers

Walker’s American History for Young People Book Covers

West Creek Middle School Book Covers

Standalone Novels Book Covers

Picture Book Covers

Claudia Mills Books Overview

Gus and Grandpa

The first book in a series starring a boy and his jaunty grandpaGus and Grandpa make their debut in three lively and tender stories. In the first, Gus makes a mess while trying to feed Grandpa’s dog, Skipper Grandpa makes him clean it up. In the second, Grandpa loses his car at the mall Gus finds it. In the third, Gus and Grandpa share a birthday party and exchange presents Grandpa gives Gus a dog food scoop for neater feedings, and Gus gives Grandpa a ball of yarn to help him keep track of the car. Claudia Mills’s Gus and Grandpa, a pair whose enthusiasm and affection will captivate beginning readers, are brought to life by Catherine Stock in sparkling, sun drenched pictures.

Gus and Grandpa and the Christmas Cookies

‘More Gus and Grandpa books are promised, and kids will welcome them.’ BooklistWhen Gus goes to Grandpa’s house at Christmas, they decide to bake cookies. But then they discover that they don’t have sprinkles. Off to the store they go. On the way, they pass a Santa collecting money for the poor. Gus summons the courage to contribute two quarters and is rewarded with a ‘God bless you.’ Returning home, Gus and Grandpa are visited by three neighbor ladies, one at a time, each bringing two dozen cookies. What are Gus and Grandpa to do with so many cookies? Gus knows! Give some to the poor! And when they do, he gets antoher taste even better than the first of the joy of giving. In the second Gus and Grandpa book, Claudia Mills and Catherine Stock capture the very spirit of Christmas.

Gus and Grandpa Ride the Train

Gus and Grandpa is ‘a witty, warm offering.’ Publishers WeeklyWhen the train pas*ses Grandpa’s house, Gus is so excited that he runs outside to wave at the cars. He forgets all about Grandpa’s dog, and Skipper escapes through the open gate. It takes Grandpa to get him back. Then, when Grandpa decides to look for Daddy’s old toy train, Gus leaps into the act, and they are so absorbed that they both forget Skipper. Together, they find him. Later, Gus and Grandpa plan to ride a real train. But when they get on, they realize that they’re in trouble Grandpa has forgotten where he put the tickets but not for long. In the third Gus and Grandpa book, Claudia Mills and Catherine Stock evoke all the joy of trains and of remembering.

Gus and Grandpa at the Hospital

Children love reading with Gus and GrandpaGus and Grandpa love to answer mail. Shortly after they enter the lottery, Grandpa has a heart attack. Gus is afraid to visit the hospital, but as soon as he arrives, Grandpa makes him feel right at home. Grandpa teaches Gus how to raise and lower the bed, and gives him quarters for the soda machine. Still, Gus is eager to have Grandpa back where he belongs. Then Grandpa does go home. There’s lots of mail, but no lottery prize. No matter, says Grandpa; being with his family again is better than ten million dollars. Gus agrees wholeheartedly. Once again, in gentle words and pictures, Claudia Mills and Catherine Stock celebrate an invaluable relationship.

Gus and Grandpa and the Two-Wheeled Bike

The fifth book in the seriesGus is unimpressed when Ryan coolly stops his sleek five speed bike with the hand brake. But he’s totally nonplussed when Daddy buys him a bicycle like Ryan’s. Gus will never give up his training wheels. Enter Grandpa, who wisely removes Gus from the neighborhood and curious eyes for practice, digs out Daddy’s old bike for the occasion, and patiently holds that bike as Gus rides it around and around. Gus’s ultimate triumph belongs to Grandpa as well, and will be shared enthusiastically by reluctant riders and their supportive families. Claudia Mills and Catherine Stock contribute a gem to the bike riding genre.

Gus and Grandpa and Show-and-Tell

The sixth book about this ‘perfect team.’ School Library JournalShow and tell was a breeze in first grade, when Gus brought to school baseball cards and a plastic rattlesnake and a super duper flashlight. Now, in second grade, he’s stumped. And wouldn’t you know it, rival Ryan Mason outshines him every time. When Gus brings a picture of a beaver lodge for his natural habitat project, Ryan brings a huge, homemade model of a beaver lodge. When Gus brings a balloon for his solid, liquid, or gas, Ryan makes gas out of vinegar and baking soda. Will Ryan’s show and tell for Colorado history also be superior to Gus’s? No way not when Gus decides that his show and tell will be Grandpa, the best representative ever of Colorado history, and the best grandpa, bar none. Once again, Claudia Mills and Catherine Stock reveal the riches of ‘one of the nicest intergenerational relationships’ The Horn Book.

Gus and Grandpa at Basketball

‘A great intergenerational team.’ Kirkus ReviewsGus loves basketball that is, basketball practice with Pete, the coach, and shooting baskets at Grandpa’s house with only Grandpa’s dog, Skipper, in attendance. Basketball games are another story. What if Gus misses every basket, and everybody laughs? If only his parents wouldn’t come. Gus is especially unnerved by his father’s shouting. Then Grandpa comes to Gus’s last game and teaches him the secret of success to tune out the other voices and listen to his own. Claudia Mills and Catherine Stock present the seventh beginning reader starring Gus and Grandpa, of whom Kirkus Reviews says, ‘They’re lucky to have each other and readers are lucky to have them.’

Gus and Grandpa and the Halloween Costume

It’s Halloween, and Gus doesn’t know what to wear. His mom won’t let him have a store bought costume; his dad thinks any old thing will do. Ryan Mason is going to be a vampire, with a cape, fangs, and fake blood. Gus wishes he could be a vampire, too, but, unfortunately, his mother thinks gory store bought costumes are the worst of all. Gus’s only hope is Grandpa’s house. Readers will delight in what Gus finds a fabulous costume and finds out Grandma made it for Daddy when nothing else would do, as once again Gus and Grandpa prove what ‘a perfect team’ they are. Credit for the ‘superb job of illuminating Gus’s emotions and thoughts’ goes to Claudia Mills, and for the ‘expressive illustrations’ to Catherine Stock The Horn Book.

Gus and Grandpa Go Fishing

The ninth book in this beloved seriesGus goes fishing for the first time. Mommy can’t help him because she doesn t fish, and Daddy is completely absorbed in his fancy new fishing gear. Fortunately, Grandpa is there. Grandpa shows Gus how to cast, but Gus gets all tangled up in the line. When he masters casting and lands the lure in the water, nothing bites. Finally he feels something it gets away. ‘I want to catch a fish,’ Gus tells Grandpa. ‘Keep trying,’ says Grandpa. ‘We know they re out there.’As always, Grandpa gently points Gus in the right direction and Gus finds the way in yet another story, illustrated with watercolor paintings that reflect the sunny warmth of loving connections passed across generations Booklist

Gus and Grandpa and the Piano Lesson

The tenth book in the beloved seriesFor Gus, the longest half hour of the day is spent practicing the piano. Why can’t he be outside, shooting hoops with Ryan Mason? Even more painful are the lessons: Mrs. Moore complains about Gus’s squishy fingers. But most painful of all is the piano recital. Gus has to play a piece called ‘The Horse Race,’ and he’s not sure he will remember it. As a child, Grandpa played the violin, so he knows exactly how Gus feels. Grandpa also knows about something Gus will love making music with others and once again he shows Gus the way in a story with pictures that ‘reflect the sunny warmth of loving connections passed across generations’ Booklist.

Pet Disasters

Soon to be fourth grader Mason Dixon does not want a pet, but his parents think it will be good for him. Goldfish dies soon after his arrival from overfeeding. Mason is relieved. Hamster escapes. Mason is relieved. Cat has to go back because best friend Brody is too allergic to ever be at their house while Cat is there. Mason is relieved. But when Dog comes, it takes a little dose of jealousy for Mason to realize he does want a pet, all of his very own. Claudia Mills introduces a new, hilarious character in Mason, and each of the three books about him will feature both boys as they cope with a new experience; pitch perfect for 8 to 10 year old newly independent readers, the books will maintain a consistent page count and feature black and while art throughout.

Basketball Disasters

Here’s the third entry in Claudia Mills’ charming middle grade series. Mason Dixon survived the school choir. He survived adopting his now beloved dog named, uh, Dog. But now he faces his biggest challenge yet: joining the local basketball team. Not by choice, of course. Not only do his parents encourage it, but his dad even volunteers to be his coach. Now, with his best pal Brody and a team of misfits even worse at basketball than him if that’s possible, Mason must try to rally to beat his arch rival, the school bully Dunk. Just another day in the life of a disaster prone fourth grader.

Losers, Inc.

Ethan Winfield has never been an academic or athletic star like his older brother, Peter. But does that make him a failure? Of course not. Still, Ethan and his best friend, Julius Zimmerman, decide that they qualify to found an exclusive club: Losers, Inc. No sooner have they done this, however, than both boys fall in love with the new student teacher. Ethan knows right away that to impress Ms. Gunderson he has to excel. Instead of reading the shortest book for his report, he has to read the longest. Instead of working with Julius on the worst project for the science fair, he has to make the best one alone. Unfortunately, it isn’t Ms. Gunderson who falls for Ethan, but Lizzie Archer, class nerd. The teasing is unbearable! So without regard for Lizzie’s feelings and over Julius’s objections Ethan helps hatch a plot to prove that he’s not Lizzie’s boyfriend. The result is that even as he reports on a book that’s longer than any Peter read in the sixth grade, and prepares a potentially winning science project, Ethan feels that he doesn’t deserve anyone’s love not Ms. Gunderson’s, not Lizzie’s, not Julius’s, not his own. Claudia Mills, creator of Dinah Seabrooke Dynamite Dinah, Dinah for President, Dinah in Love, Dinah Forever and other overachievers, portrays a boy who needs a reason to strive, finds one, then realizes that success isn’t enough. Smart, funny, and down to earth, this hero engages and entertains as he struggles mightily to grow up.

You’re a Brave Man, Julius Zimmerman

The sequel to Losers, Inc. Twelve year old Julius Zimmerman is the former vice president of the defunct organization Losers, Inc. Ethan Winfield, the former president, no longer feels like a loser. But Julius still does, maybe because his mother thinks of him that way. To ‘improve’ him, Mrs. Zimmerman signs Julius up for a summer course in intensive French and for a part time job baby sitting three year old Edison Blue. She also sets a summer reading goal for him. Julius doesn’t ace the French class and doesn’t do the required reading, but he does turn out to have a winning way with kids and adults and in the end proves to his mother that her criteria for success aren’t the only ones.

Lizzie At Last

The sequel to Losers, Inc. and You’re a Brave Man, Julius ZimmermanAs seventh grade begins, Lizzie Archer knows she can’t endure another year of being derided as the class nerd. Maybe she can’t stop being smart does she want to? but at least she doesn’t have to look so different. Out of her Emily Dickinson dresses and into Gap jeans she goes, and the effect is amazing. The girls talk to her; the boys tease her. But her braininess remains an obstacle to her popularity, and Lizzie wants so to be liked, especially by Ethan Winfield. To her teacher’s amazement, Lizzie begins to make mistakes in math. Ethan is horrified he’s her math partner but no one is more unhappy, or confused, than Lizzie. Will she ever find herself? Through her sparkling Lizzie Archer, Claudia Mills extends a hand to girls, gently encouraging them to be all that they can and to feel confident that like will befriend like.

Alex RyanStop That!

A wise guy gets wiseThe school year is almost over, and Alex Ryan still has plenty of pranks to pull and jokes to tell. Then his dad attends the meeting about the seventh grade outdoor education trip. Alex knows nothing good can come of this Mr. Ryan is a jester, too, and the butt of his funny stories is often Alex. Still, Alex is not prepared for the comment that mortifies him in front of pretty, popular Marcia Faitak, his friend Dave Barnett, and the rest of his classmates. When Marcia tries to comfort him, Alex pounces on her. Marcia crumples, and Alex sets out to make up for his remark, even as he struggles to understand what impelled it. When all his attempts at reconciliation fail, Alex conceives a plan, to be executed during the outdoor ed trip. A surefire attention getter, this should bring Marcia around, entertain Dave, and impress Alex’s father. But is this really what Alex wants to do? In the fourth book about the kids at West Creek Middle School, readers will root for Alex Ryan as he discovers his true self, and the wisest way to handle the most oppressive person in his life his own father.A Junior Library Guild Selection

Makeovers by Marcia

Pretty is as pretty does

Pretty, popular Marcia Faitak is not her usual self. Over the summer she gained five pounds, and when school begins, Marcia, desperate for an invitation from Alex Ryan to the October dance, goes on a diet. In art class, she’s supposed to bring a red apple to life on paper, but all she wants to do is eat it. Mr. Morrison doesn’t like her work anyway: disdainfully, he calls her drawing of a beautiful girl ‘Barbie.’ Worse than art is social studies. This is the year that kids have to choose their community service project. When Ms. Williams signs up Marcia to work at the local nursing home, she’s aghast. What can she possibly do for a bunch of old people in wheelchairs? Since experimenting with makeup is Marcia’s favorite activity, her half sister suggests ‘Makeovers by Marcia.’

In the fifth and final story in Claudia Mills’s funny, philosophical series about the West Creek Middle School kids, Marcia discovers the nature of true beauty and even learns to draw it.

Standing Up to Mr. O.

A seventh grade girl refuses to do dissections. Maggie McIntosh is crazy about her biology teacher and loves to impress him with her academic excellence. But when the dreaded day of the first dissection arrives, Maggie has to disappoint Mr. O. There’s no way she can cut up a worm. Maggie’s best friend, Alycia, understands. Alycia is squeamish, too, and shares Maggie’s moral outrage. However, she’s willing to keep quiet and let her lab partner do the dirty work. Maggie’s own lab partner, Matt, completely disagrees. Then, after Maggie walks out on the dissection, he seems to respect her. And classmate Jake, who follows Maggie out the door, appears positively smitten. As she struggles to clarify her position about dissections, Maggie discovers that people and relationships are not always what they seem, and just as there are no perfect fathers hers left years before, there are no perfect father figures or even friends. A Junior Library Guild Selection

7 X 9 = Trouble!

Wilson Williams worries about passing his times table testsWilson has a hard time with math, especially with Mrs. Porter’s timed multiplication tests. If only he were as quick as Laura Vicks, the smartest kid in third grade, or as quick as his brother, Kipper a kindergartner. Wilson s mother and father try to help, but Wilson doesn t appreciate having to do practice tests on a play date. Fortunately, his friend Josh Hernandez is a comfort, as is Squiggles, the class hamster. Wilson is sure that with his own little animal squeaking and cuddling beside him, he could learn anything. But his mom doesn t like pets. So Wilson bravely struggles on, hoping that one day in the not too distant future he ll pass all his times table tests. Then, surprisingly, Kipper comes to the rescue. With sensitivity and gentle humor, Claudia Mills examines a common childhood fear and a common family experience. G. Brian Karas provides tender, funny pictures. 7 X 9 = Trouble! is a 2003 Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year.

Perfectly Chelsea

Chelsea learns she is perfectly humanIf Chelsea Garing likes anything better than school, it’s church, especially when she gets the chance to shine. Unfortunately, Chelsea can’t perform perfectly every time. One day, when she’s serving as acolyte, her candlelighter unexpectedly goes out. Another day, when she’s acting a role from the Good Samaritan story in Sunday school, annoying Danny Repetti plows into her. Why her friend Naomi Goldberg doesn’t find Danny unbearable is beyond Chelsea. During fourth grade gym, Danny makes a remark about Hanukkah that Chelsea is sure has offended Naomi yet it hasn’t! A much more serious matter perplexes Chelsea: how can God let people die? Chelsea Garing may not always be at her best for God or man, but she learns to accept everyone’s shortcomings including her own in this thoughtful, funny portrait of a child who loves her life at church. Warm, lively drawings by Jacqueline Rogers complement the story.

Trading Places

Todd and Amy Davidson may be twins, but they’re completeopposites Todd is organized and is the family ‘engineer,’while Amy is outgoing and has been dubbed the ‘poet.’ So itwould seem that for a fifth grade economics project, Toddwould come up with a master invention, and Amy would havea blast with her best friends as partners. To their surprise, Toddcan’t think of a single idea, and Amy gets stuck working withthe class crybaby. Then Todd begins writing poetry…
But thisis nothing compared to the switch their parents have made. Their father has been unemployed for months and their motherhas started to work at a crafts store. Now there’s never enoughfood in the house, everybody is always on edge, and whenAmy’s friends come over after school, they find Mr. Davidson,uncombed and unshaven, in his ratty old bathrobe. Will lifeever return to normal?With chapters that alternate between Todd’s and Amy’s pointsof view, this novel is a realistic and sometimes funny portrayalof a family adapting to changing roles.

Being Teddy Roosevelt

Riley O Rourke is writing his report on President Teddy Roosevelt in preparation for the fourth grade biography tea, but he has a far more important goal: to get a saxophone so he can take instrumental music. His mother can t afford to rent him a sax, and he’s sure he ll never save up enough money to buy one. But as Riley learns more about Roosevelt s bully spirit, he realizes that there just might be a way to solve his problem after all. This sparkling story about the influence of important historical figures is enhanced by tender, insightful illustrations. Being Teddy Roosevelt is a 2008 Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year.

The Totally Made-up Civil War Diary of Amanda MacLeish

Amanda MacLeish might be the only student in Mr. Abrams’s fifth grade class who doesn t mind doing her homework. Now that her father has left home and moved into a motel, the only thing that brings Amanda any joy is writing her fictional diary entries about a young girl named Polly who lives amid the chaos of the Civil War. Polly would understand Amanda. With one brother fighting for the North and one fighting for the South, Polly knows just how it feels to have a family split in half. But if the North and the South could find a way to reunite despite their differences, can t Amanda s family do the same?In this touching novel by Claudia Mills, the hero*ine learns that enduring a split doesn t have to mean losing a family. The Totally Made up Civil War Diary of Amanda MacLeish is a 2009 Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year.

How Oliver Olson Changed the World

Oliver Olson’s teacher is always saying that one person with a big idea can change the world. But how is Oliver supposed to change the world when his parents won t let him do anything on his own not his class projects or even attending activities such as the space sleepover at school. Afraid he will become an outsider like ex planet Pluto, Oliver decides to take control of his corner of the universe! In this irresistible chapter book featuring lively illustrations, Oliver Olson learns that before you can change the world, sometimes you need to change yourself.

Ziggy’s Blue-Ribbon Day

Every kid’s a winner!Ziggy dreads track and field day. He isn t good at running races or at high or long jumping. He isn t good at throwing balls, either. Ziggy is good at drawing pictures, but there s no picturedrawing event on track and field day. At least he can decorate the envelope that will hold his disappointing gray ribbons. To Ziggy s surprise, his drawing becomes a huge hit! The kids all want their envelopes decorated by Ziggy and offer him their blue ribbons in exchange. Bright, animated pictures add spunk to a story about the joy of doing what one does best.

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