NEW BOOK!

Kindle and Nook versions available.

ISBN: 978-1-60684-054-2

EGMONT USA

The Summer before Enzo enters middle school he has “the most amazingest trip in the history of time,” courtesy of his dad’s new job with Kap, a major sportswear company. He spends a month staying in hotels, getting tips from pro athletes, and wearing the latest and greatest gear, including a one-of-a-kind prototype cap. Enzo believes that it is responsible for his amazing trip and his subsequent run of good luck upon starting school. He is nominated for class president, makes the basketball team, and is more popular than he ever imagined. His swift ascension to success and popularity isn’t faultless, as he ditches his immature best friend almost immediately for someone he thinks is cooler. Bu overall, though, things are great, until the cap disappears. Suddenly, his luck turns and Enzo becomes desperate to find it before his life spirals out of control. Short chapters and plenty of humorous dialogue and descriptions keep the story moving at a quick pace. Enzo tries to figure out his identity and how to do what’s right. The narrative also touches briefly on issues of marketing or branding, which could make for interesting discussion. Enzo certainly has his flaws, and they make him a believable character whose voice will ring true with children even when they don’t agree with his choices.
—School Library Journal

"Lucky Cap" is a humorous chapter book for 8-12 year-olds. The many funny twists and turns of Enzo's adventures and relationships with his friends make for great middle school adventure reading, with a nice pinch of attainable maturity goals built right in. Kids will enjoy "Lucky Cap" while inching along the road to adulthood one juvenile crisis at a time. As always, humor wraps and absolves all tragedies, mistakes, and misadventures, while gently prodding the reader along to higher moral outlooks. —Midwest Book Review

Now at a Scholastic Book Fair near you!

And available via Scholastic's Arrow book club!

Washington State Book Award Winner

New Hampshire Great Stone Face Award Nominee

Hardcover ISBN# 978-1-60684-053-5

Now in paperback! ISBN# 978-1-60684-153-2

EGMONT USA i

New York Public Librarian BETSY BIRD says, "NOTHING SHORT OF DIVINE":

"Right over here! Look this way! Over here! TWEET! You looking? Yeah, so right over here we've got ourselves a Patrick Jennings fan. Yup. Patrick Jennings. The guy who wrote that fantastic We Can't All Be Rattlesnakes, along with approximately a hundred other books. You've read him, right? No? Well that's fine with me. It's like when you discover this cool underground band, and you get to be their biggest fan all by yourself. It's great. You walk around with this knowledge in your head of, "I am into something incredible that only I know about." That's how it is with Patrick Jennings and me. Problem is, I keep recommending his books to the kids in my library. And if I keep this up, I may end up unexpectedly creating a whole host of Jennings fans. Then he'll get hugely popular and go mainstream and I'll have to share him with the rest of the world."

READ THE ENTIRE REVIEW : Elizabeth Bird reviews Guinea Dog

WIRED magazine says, "HILARIOUS":

"'It’s a very weird book for me. And I like it because it’s hilarious. It’s about this boy who really wants a dog, but he gets a guinea pig who acts totally like a dog. That’s why it’s called Guinea Dog.' There you have it, straight from my six-year-old’s mouth. When I asked if she thought other kids would like this book, she said, 'Yes, very much!'"

READ GEEKDAD'S REVIEW HERE: meet-fido-the-guinea-dog

BOOKLIST says, "UNIQUE AND HILARIOUS":

"Jennings’ salute to kids who get less (and more) than they ask for offers a unique and hilarious take on boy-dog bonding. As he did in Faith andthe Electric Dogs (1996) and more recently in We Can’t All Be Rattlesnakes (2009), Jennings injects magic realism into a story filled with believable yet flawed characters, resulting in a satisfying story..Short, manageable chapters; a breezy, conversational style; and identifiable characters (the bully, the show-off, the obsessive stay-at-home dad) make this a good choice for readers making the transition to chapter books."

Also available in Book Fairs & Clubs,

and out in April in paperback

ISBN 978-0-06-082114-2

HARPER COLLINS

I am a snake. I have been captured and put into a glass cage by an

oily, filthy, fleshy human child. He tried to feed me a dead mouse, then a live mouse,

which he called Breakfast, but I wouldn't eat them. He thinks I'm his pet.

He's wrong. I plan to escape. I may take Breakfast with me.

New York Public Library 100 Best Books 2009

Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2009

Vermont's Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award Nominee

Great Stone Face Award Nominee (NH)

Georgia Children's Book Award Nominee

Nebraska Library Association Best Book of 2009

Politics & Prose Favorite Book of 2009

IndieBound Indie Next Pick

Children's Book-of-the-Month Club Pick

"Like Dick King-Smith with a bit more bite

—and a certain amount of biting."—Kirkus

"Do yourself a favor. Find it. Enjoy it.

Give it to boys and girls alike,

because when it comes to kid-friendly,

well-written fare, this book is for everybody.

A delicate little jewel of a novel."

—Elizabeth Bird, "Review of the Day" 3/9/09

A Fuse #8 Production at schoollibraryjournal.com

"Crusher's adventures and her gradual development of

compassion for Breakfast, the live mouse in her cage, and even for

Gunnar himself work together with the hilarious satire on modern

American life to give this terrific child appeal but also a lot of room

for discussion." —The Horn Book Magazine

"The wisecracking and irritable-sounding narrator here is definitely

something different.... Her seen-it-all voice, and the twists and turns of

Jennings's plot, make for an engaging and very funny story." —The New York Times

THE NEW YORK TIMES

Barb & Dingbat's Crybaby Hotline

Holiday House, 2007

ISBN: 0823420558

Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Award Nominee
Society of School Librarians International Honor Book

"Insanely humorous.... This laugh-out-loud novel is ideal for reluctant readers" —School Library Journal

"It’s 1975, and Barb calls Jeff to dump him on behalf of her friend Viv, Jeff’s former girlfriend. From the phone call, Barb and Jeff begin a friendship of sorts. On the telephone, Barb will speak with Jeff, if only to mock him as a junior-high philanderer. Jeff, meanwhile, tries to get Barb to speak truthfully and seriously, which she refuses to do. But as their conversations continue, it becomes clear that both are lying to each other constantly. With a story told entirely in dialogue spoken by two characters who can’t be trusted to speak an honest word, the book offers a fascinating puzzle: What truth can be learned when everything spoken is suspect? In conversations laden with mid-’70s pop-culture references, from Welcome Back, Kotter to Watergate, these two flawed and interesting characters develop a wary friendship as they fumble toward a kind of truth. Compelling." —Kirkus Reviews

Wish Riders

Hyperion Books for Children, 2006
ISBN: 14-231-0010-7 (paperback, June 2008)

"Bits and pieces of the 'Cinderella' story weave themselves through this startingly original tale set in a West Coast logging camp during the Depression. Edith is one of six 'flunkies,' orphans or otherwise unwanted children adopted by the managers of Camp Nine to help with the unceasing work. A seagull deposits some mysterious seeds in Edith's hairbrush; when sown near the hazel bush she has planted to memorialize her mother, they grow into wonderful horses formed of vegetation. Fairy-tale elements from 'Cinderella' variants such as 'Aschenputtel' and 'Donkeyskin' and sly references to Prince Charming combine with the isolated world-unto-itself nature of the logging camp to create a narrative environment in which these remarkable horses thrive, abetted by Edith's memories of the flesh-and-blood horses she used to ride with her mother. The book doesn't try for one-to-one correspondence to any one tale, instead taking what it needs and hewing to its own vision. Thus, when Edith and four of her 'siblings'—one pregnant with their adoptive 'father's' child, and as disagreeable a stepsister as a reader could hope for—escape on the magical horses, the resolution is both surprising and eminently satisfying." —The Horn Book

"Jennings captures the flavor of the Great Depression in this mystical tale about 15-year-old Edith....Fantasy fans will find the changing relationships between and among the children particularly well done." —Booklist

"A blend of magical realism, fairy tale, and ecoliterature, Jennings's story is moving and engaging...." —VOYA

Out Standing In My Field

Scholastic Press, 2005
ISBN: 0-439-46581-8 (cloth); 0-439-48749-8 (pb)

BookSense Children’s Pick
Starred Review, Publishers Weekly
Starred Review, Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Chicago Public Library "Best of the Best" Book

“Jennings once again demonstrates his versatility with this novel for baseball fans and for those who are more comfortable in the stands than on the playing field....Fans often say that baseball is a metaphor for life; Jennings here proves the adage’s truth.” —Publishers Weekly

“Jennings refreshes [the genre] by cleverly confining the action within a single game and allowing readers to suffer—and ultimately grow—along with Ty in his near real-time experience.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“The book is funny, poignant, and deeper than one might think at first glance. Its deceptively uncomplicated plot makes it a great choice for reluctant readers.” —School Library Journal

“Jennings has crafted an unusual father-son story that goes far beyond the typical baseball novel. Humorous and insightful.” – Kirkus Reviews

Friends

Stories About New Friends, Old Friends, And Unexpectedly True Friends

Scholastic Press, 2005
ISBN: 0-439-72991-2

A collection of stories about friendship edited by Ann M. Martin & David Levithan and written by Martin, Levithan, Virginia Euwer Wolff, Meg Cabot, Jennifer L. Holm, Brian Selznick, Rachel Cohn, Pam Muñoz Ryan, Patricia McCormick, Tanuja Desai Hidier, and Tiger. All proceeds & royalties from sales of the book go to the Lisa Libraries, a nonprofit organization that donates new children’s books and small libraries to organizations serving needy children. For more information, visit www.lisalibraries.org.

"The definitions of friendship expressed in this collection of eleven short stories are as varied as the heroines and heroes introduced by these well-established authors....Offering a wide realm of moods, outcomes and morals, these stories are perfect for sharing with friends." —Publishers Weekly

The Wolving Time

Scholastic Press, 2003
ISBN: 0-439-39555-0 (cloth); 0-439-39556-9 (pb)

Starred review, Publishers Weekly
Judy Lopez Memorial Award Honor Book

“This page-turner delivers a fascinating commentary on what constitutes true goodness.” —Publishers Weekly

“Jennings achieves much with this gripping, multilayered tale about persecution, faith, and that most werewolf-analogous stage of life, adolescence. With its sharp descriptions and original story, this fine novel stands out from the pack.” —Family Fun

“Jennings spins this interesting historical yarn about a family of werewolves who make their living herding sheep. This tale is no comedy, though, but rather a compelling, thoughtful story.” —School Library Journal

“Readers who enjoy fantasy or stories about werewolves will grab this one, but encourage historical fiction fans to try the book as well. Much of the story is based on historical fact, explained in the author’s endnote.” —VOYA

The Beastly Arms

Scholastic Press, 2001
ISBN: 0-439-16589-X (cloth); 0-439-16590-3 (pb)

PEN Center USA 2002 Literary Award Finalist
Smithsonian Magazine Notable Book for Children
Junior Library Guild Selection
Starred review, Publishers Weekly

Paperback illustrated by Caldecott Medal winner Brian Selznick

“[W]hat stands out here is… the protagonist. [L]ike Jack Gantos, Jennings reveals a similarly vivid, winning blend of strength and vulnerability inside the head of his bright, creative, dreamy child.” —School Library Journal

“[A] wildly imagined urban fantasy that celebrates individual strength and creative spirit… Urban animal lovers, young artists, and those who have weathered divorce will find themselves in these pages.” —Booklist

“[A] novel full of revelations and dream-like encounters.” —Kirkus Reviews

The Ike and Mem Stories

Illustrated by Anna Alter

Holiday House, 2001
ISBN: 0-8234-1670-4

“With a simple sentence structure and gentle repetition, the author instills a sense of confidence in readers just starting to tackle longer stories.” —Publishers Weekly

“Young readers will want to stay tuned for other volumes of the adventures of Ike and Mem…” —Kirkus Reviews

Holiday House, 2002
ISBN: 0-8234-1672-0

Starred Review, The Horn Book

“In this realistic and beautifully written short novel, pencil illustrations and unadorned writing convey both Ike’s love for his family and his sense of responsibility as well as the very real dangers presented by tornadoes.” —Book Links

“The text and pacing of this brief novel are ideal for beginning readers who are ready to tackle a longer chapter book with a slightly more complex plot.” —School Library Journal

Holiday House, 2002
ISBN: 0-8234-1671-2

“A well-written, perceptive story with likable characters, this is also about the value of compromise and the rewards of making amends.” —Booklist

“Jennings’s simple yet realistic story presents situations easily understood by the intended audience, and the characters’ dialogue and hurt feelings are adeptly expressed.” —School Library Journal

Holiday House, 2003
ISBN: 0-8234-1770-0

Association of Booksellers for Children Best Book

“A tender and poignant chapter book about mistakes and consequences, and the importance of forgiveness.” —Association of Booksellers for Children

“With its simple sentence structure and appealing characters, this title is appropriate for youngsters who are just ready to try chapter books.” —School Library Journal

Holiday House, 2003
ISBN: 0-8234-1673-9

“A good addition for beginning chapter book collections.” —School Library Journal

“Ike and Mem remain so much themselves in this telling that new fans and those already familiar with their previous outings....will applaud Ike’s hard won—and imaginative—penance and absolution.” —Roger Sutton, The Horn Book

Putnam & Pennyroyal

Illustrated by Caldecott Honor winner Jon J Muth

Scholastic Press, 1999
ISBN: 0-439-07965-9

“A carefully crafted and engagingly offbeat depiction of a prickly, affectionate pair delicately negotiating a family truce. The lively dialogue would make this an especially good read-aloud.” —The Horn Book

“The deepest pleasures of this text are the original and somehow believably self-reflective animal characters, accurate zoological details imparted by a narrator who cares deeply about the natural world—and who believes in the abilities and intelligence of children – and an engaging child character firmly anchored in reality who, like the reader, gets lost for a time in the storyteller’s tale.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Jennings’s folksy, first-person narrative immediately draws the reader into the easy, comfortable relationship between Cora and her uncle Frank… the characters, both feathered and human, are strikingly fresh.” —Booklist

Faith and the Rocket Cat

Scholastic Press, 1998
ISBN: 0-590-11004-7 (cloth); 0-590-11005-5 (pb)

“Eddie is back, telling Jennings’s newest tale. And it’s as charming as the original… Jennings’s stories capture the humor and friendship that bond people and animals. His characters are intelligent, imaginative, and loving, if slightly misunderstood… Narrator Edison obviously delights in words and wordplay, making this a real reader’s read.” —Christian Science Monitor

“This follow-up to Faith and the Electric Dogs, with its authentically doggy narrator, is as refreshingly unconventional as the original… [A] plot as full of twists and surprises as its two unusually talented main characters… A blissful multilingual escapade.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Highly original and engaging… [I]t is Jennings’ writing, sophisticated and yet wonderfully quirky, that sets these books apart. [A] pure pleasure to read.” —Family Life

Faith and the Electric Dogs

Scholastic Press, 1996
ISBN: 0-590-69768-4 (cloth) 0-590-69769-2 (pb)

ALA Booklist Editors Choice 1996

Starred review, Booklist
Starred review, Kirkus Reviews
Starred review, Publishers Weekly
Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List Selection

“A joy—an original, uniquely funny first novel that is thought-provoking as well, from a witty ambassador of languages and culture… A great read-aloud, y un libro perfecto!”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“The magic realism, a thoughtful message, and the unconventional narrator… add up to a first novel brimming with charm and substance.” —Booklist (starred review)

“First-time novelist Jennings takes a soaring flight into magic realism in this captivating tale narrated with brio by a Mexican street dog.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)