Maribeth Boelts

Sixth-graders Russell and Shawn, poor and picked on, work together scooping dog droppings to earn money for a Rottweiler puppy to protect them from bullies, but when they learn the puppies' owner is running an illegal dog-fighting ring, they are torn about how to respond.

With the help of her fairy dogmother, Dogerella attends Princess Bea's ball where she competes with other dogs to become the princess's royal pet.

Jeremy, who longs to have the black high tops that everyone at school seems to have but his grandmother cannot afford, is excited when he sees them for sale in a thrift shop and decides to buy them even though they are the wrong size.

A young boy imagines what his rescued dog's life might have been like before he adopted him.

Evalina dreams of having a dog to help with her troublesome sheep, but when she bakes a gingerbread dog he wreaks havoc all over town.

Offers tips on how to keep safe at a playground, including using the swings, seesaws, and other equipment safely and not talking to strangers.

Explains school safety, including tips on how to stay safe on the school bus, what to do about peer pressure and violence, and what to do about weapons at school.

LB spends the summer dreading the first day of preschool, especially after his second-grade cousin makes him worry about what it will really be like.