Betsy Byars: 45 books

When Sammy must spend weeks alone with his grandfather, he learns that the old man isn’t quite as boring as he thought . . . When his parents leave for Detroit, Sammy is left alone with his out-of-touch grandfather in a dull, creaky house. All Sammy wants to do is run away to rejoin his folks....

Benjie and his friend Ezzie have escape plans for every emergency, including lion attacks and quicksand, but no clue what to do about the class bully So what if Benjie “Mouse” Fawley likes practical jokes? He’s a good kid who never meant to harm anyone. The same cannot be said for Marv...

Anna’s role in her family of gospel singers is an important one—far away from the stage Every member of the Glory family is blessed with abundant musical talent. Everyone, that is, except for Anna. She can’t sing or play an instrument, so the family counts on her to sell their music at...

The first book in the beloved series by the Newbery Medal–winning author “races without pause between hilarious, suspenseful and touching crises” (Publishers Weekly). Newbery Award–winning author Betsy Byars’s heartwarming and timeless books about the irrepressible Blossom family...

From Newbery-winning author Betsy Byars comes a story full of "poignancy, perception, and humor" (The Chicago Tribune), about three foster kids who learn what it takes to make a family. You can't always decide where life will take you—especially when you're a kid. Carlie knows she's...

The giant pod in Professor Orloff’s greenhouse is giving Mozie some terrifying nightmares . . . After Mozie loses his father, he longs for someone to look up to. Enter Professor Orloff: a brilliant, mysterious scientist with a greenhouse full of experimental vegetation. When he leaves on...

Rama the cat has no home. He is the Gypsy Cat, and a life full of travel and adventure awaits him. When a gypsy woman found Rama as a kitten, she pierced his ear with a golden earring and named him after an exiled prince who wandered for years, having many adventures. Rama the cat lives up...

Clara and Deanie are on vacation to see their dad—so why do they have to spend time with his new girlfriend and her annoying son? After their parents’ divorce, sisters Clara and Deanie are more than happy to have some time alone with their father during a beach vacation. After all, nobody...

From a Newbery Medal winner, another high-spirited adventure starring this “gutsy, captivating family” (School Library Journal). It is a time of ups and downs for the Blossoms. Maggie is thrilled to be on the rodeo circuit . . . until she witnesses Mom kissing a handsome stranger. Back...

Retta, Johnny, and Roy have no parental rules to follow, so they’ve made up their own After their mother passes away, Retta, Johnny, and Roy don’t have much parenting in their lives. Their dad is a country singer who keeps them well fed but isn’t around much. Older sister Retta takes...

Anna Bean goes to the roof in search of inspiration, and soon her family will follow her into a new world just a few floors above their home The Bean children are not allowed to play on the roof of their apartment building. One evening Anna Bean goes up to the roof—not to play, but to be...

Algebra is hard, but love is harder For a twelve-year-old, Bingo Brown has a lot figured out. He has good friends, he knows how to cook, and he’s even made peace with the school bully. But the problem with being twelve is that new problems keep popping up and confusing him. Soon Bingo is...

Alfie only feels comfortable when he’s drawing comics in the attic—but soon his safe haven will be off limits Alfie is perfectly content to spend his time drawing alone in the attic. Nobody bothers him, and he has his door sealed tight against interruption. Up under the roof, he illustrates...

An ALA Notable Book for Children: “The Blossoms are totally real and believable, yet quirky enough to be fun” (School Library Journal). Junior Blossom has created the most spectacular invention of all time: a homemade UFO. The Green Phantom took all of the garbage bags and Day-Glo paint...