Kara LaReau

9-year-old Mellie Gore rescues Bert the cat from behind the YummCo Foods factory, and Mellie soon wonders if the mystery surrounding Bert's behavior is connected to the powerful YummCo Foods company or could he truly be a zombie?

When Bert, the formerly bedraggled stray cat adopted by nine-year-old Mellie Gore, escaped the YummCo lab, he promised the other creatures there that he would be back. Now he has returned, but not quite as he planned. He's been captured by the Yumms, but he is determined to exact his revenge. Meanwhile Mellie is doing everything she can to get Bert back, trying to piece together not only why the Yumms captured him, but also why nearly all the people...

Fasten your seat belts for some unexpected turbulence ahead, as Jaundice and Kale Bland are back for their final unintentional adventure! Now that they've returned from the Uncanny Valley to find their home in Dullsville in absolute shambles, the sisters are rescued by high-flying aviatrix Beatrix Airdale. This time, they're jetting off (literally) to Egypt to uncover the mysteries of a magical scarab. By way of Casablanca and after foiling multiple...

"Ezra always lets his light shine bright--extra bright. And he always makes an extra effort when it comes to the people he loves. So when Ezra meets Jane, the new girl at school, he's ready to do whatever it takes--and more--to be her friend. He offers her a sparkly cupcake and colorful balloons, and he even writes a flashy song. But Jane doesn't seem to notice. Ezra is confused--everyone usually loves his gifts! After his failed attempts, Ezra realizes...

"Louie and Ralphie Ratso and the rest of the Big City Scouts are going camping for the first time. And they have a special guide: Grandpa Ratso! Grandpa teaches everyone the Scouts oath, which says Scouts are always able to solve problems without asking for help. But the Scouts soon discover that figuring out how to pitch a tent, make a fire, and find their way is tough to do by themselves. In fact, not asking for help isn't working at all, and everybody...

"Officially adopted by 9-year-old Mellie Gore after escaping from YummCo Laboratories, ZomBert must play along with Mellie's plan to enter him into the Best Pet contest while plotting his revenge"--

Ralphie stands up to two bullies for picking on his mouse friend Tiny. He is encouraged to tell an adult but doesn't want to be thought of as a tattletale. Ralphie's father, Big Lou, teaches him that doing what is right is more important than doing what is cool.

Acclaimed children's author Kara LaReau was inspired to write this story after reading an article about school bullies. Ugly Fish is a big, mean and ugly fish. And because he's big and mean, he scares all the other little fish so that he can keep the fish tank all to himself. Ugly Fish enjoys swimming through his driftwood tunnel and eating his special briny food, and he won't share with anyone else. But when an even bigger, meaner fish shows up in...

Evie and Simon always mind their manners, but their father has a lot to learn before a surprise dinner guest arrives.