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ERIK vs. EVERYTHING tells the story of a boy whose life motto is "Avoid Stuff," while his family seems determined to bring out his inner Viking.
A nominee for the Vermont Golden Dome Award, the Maine State Book Award, and the Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award. A Junior Library Guild Selection ★“...This riotous...novel by Uss...interlaced with quotes from [Viking] Lore and a toddler’s edition of The Art of War, overflows with rollicking scenes of Viking-inspired mayhem and droll dialogue without forgoing respect for the difficulties wrought by Erik’s anxiety." - Publisher's Weekly (starred review) ★ In this funny and perceptive tale...readers will enjoy cheering [Erik] on as much as they will delight in the antics of his loving, Wagnerian extended family. - Booklist (starred review) "A quirky delight." - Kirkus Reviews "This story takes family lore and tradition and blends them with modern tips and tricks to tackle life. It is a fun, uplifting, and often laugh-out-loud story." - School Library Journal |
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A FEW BICYCLES MORE
The sequel to THE ADVENTURES OF A GIRL CALLED BICYCLE, wherein Bicycle's bicycle starts acting more unusual than usual, leading her to connect with her long-lost family. A few adventures more? Check. A few talking bikes more? Check. A few non-bike-riding family members more? Shockingly, check. A kung-fu goose, a fluffball dog, and a haunted cat more? Check and check and check. A Junior Library Guild Selection "Uss again assembles a cast of terrifically engaging human characters...A heady rush of girl power paced by the delights both of biking and bringing out the best in oneself and others." - Kirkus Reviews |
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THE ISLAND BEFORE NO
The Kids are coming. No toothbrush or doughnut is safe. On an island out of balance with too much YES, will the walruses find their NO in time? It can be so hard to set gentle boundaries! ★ “The Island Before No is a quirky gem of a tale that’s sure to elicit giggles even as it inspires confidence.” – BookPage (starred review) “A clever, absurdist tale laced with strong takeaways.” – Kirkus Reviews “The Island Before No cleverly and comically relates the story of how a huddle of overly agreeable walruses learns the value of partnering ‘yes’ with ‘NO.’” – Shelf Awareness |
I don't just love to write......I love to read. If a day passes that I can't read, I start to get twitchy. If two days pass, I find it hard to see the point to getting out of bed. I would hate to see what would happen if denied access to books for three days in a row. Let us never speak of such a thing.
I'm a member of the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and write middle-grade (ages 8-12) fiction. I read a ton of middle-grade fiction too, and I most appreciate writers who give readers the sense that maybe the world is a whole lot more magical and strange than one might assume. |
On my bookshelf since forever... |
NOBODY DIES BOOK CLUB Recommendations
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My kids' favorite middle-grade books (and my faves as a kid) are ones where nobody dies during the story--not a parent or a friend or a pet or a kindly neighbor or a sibling or a friend's sibling or the head of the wizarding school--no one. When we choose books to read as a family, we're usually on the lookout for stories that make us laugh and wonder about the world.
Are you ever in the mood for a well-told story with the guarantee that NOBODY DIES? (Wish there were stickers on the front of the cover that said so? There could also be ONLY CHARACTERS WHO DESERVE IT DIE stickers for when we feel a tad bloodthirsty.) Check out our current recommendations of what we've read that fit the NOBODY DIES bill: |
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