The New York Times bestselling debut novel from acclaimed children's author Katherine Hannigan is both very funny and extraordinarily moving.

Who is Ida B. Applewood? She is a fourth grader like no other, living a life like no other, with a voice like no other, and her story will resonate long after you have put this book down.

How does Ida B cope when outside forces—life, really—attempt to derail her and her family and her future? She enters her Black Period, and it is not pretty. But then, with the help of a patient teacher, a loyal cat and dog, her beloved apple trees, and parents who believe in the same things she does (even if they sometimes act as though they don't), the resilience that is the very essence of Ida B triumph...and Ida B. Applewood takes the hand that is extended and starts to grow up.

This modern classic is a great choice for independent reading.

True: Delly Pattison likes surpresents (presents that are a surprise). The day the Boyds come to town, Delly''s sure a special surpresent is on its way. But lately, everything that she thinks will be good and fun turns into trouble. She''s never needed a surpresent more than now.

True: Brud Kinney wants to play basketball like nothing anybody''s ever seen. When the Boyds arrive, though, Brud meets someone who plays like nothing he''s ever seen.

True: Ferris Boyd isn''t like anyone Delly or Brud have ever met. Ferris is a real mysturiosity (an extremely curious mystery).

True: Katherine Hannigan''s first novel since her acclaimed Ida B is a compelling look at the ways friendships and truths are discovered.

It''s all true ( . . . sort of).

True: Delly Pattison likes surpresents (presents that are a surprise). The day the Boyds come to town, Delly''s sure a special surpresent is on its way. But lately, everything that she thinks will be good and fun turns into trouble. She''s never needed a surpresent more than now.

True: Brud Kinney wants to play basketball like nothing anybody''s ever seen. When the Boyds arrive, though, Brud meets someone who plays like nothing he''s ever seen.

True: Ferris Boyd isn''t like anyone Delly or Brud have ever met. Ferris is a real mysturiosity (an extremely curious mystery).

True: Katherine Hannigan''s first novel since her acclaimed Ida B is a compelling look at the ways friendships and truths are discovered.

It''s all true ( . . . sort of).

The New York Times bestselling debut novel from acclaimed children''s author Katherine Hannigan is both very funny and extraordinarily moving.

Who is Ida B. Applewood? She is a fourth grader like no other, living a life like no other, with a voice like no other, and her story will resonate long after you have put this book down.

How does Ida B cope when outside forces—life, really—attempt to derail her and her family and her future? She enters her Black Period, and it is not pretty. But then, with the help of a patient teacher, a loyal cat and dog, her beloved apple trees, and parents who believe in the same things she does (even if they sometimes act as though they don''t), the resilience that is the very essence of Ida B triumph...and Ida B. Applewood takes the hand that is extended and starts to grow up.

This modern classic is a great choice for independent reading.

The New York Times bestselling debut novel from acclaimed children's author Katherine Hannigan is both very funny and extraordinarily moving.

Who is Ida B. Applewood? She is a fourth grader like no other, living a life like no other, with a voice like no other, and her story will resonate long after you have put this book down.

How does Ida B cope when outside forces—life, really—attempt to derail her and her family and her future? She enters her Black Period, and it is not pretty. But then, with the help of a patient teacher, a loyal cat and dog, her beloved apple trees, and parents who believe in the same things she does (even if they sometimes act as though they don't), the resilience that is the very essence of Ida B triumph...and Ida B. Applewood takes the hand that is extended and starts to grow up.

This modern classic is a great choice for independent reading.

True: Delly Pattison likes surpresents (presents that are a surprise). The day the Boyds come to town, Delly''s sure a special surpresent is on its way. But lately, everything that she thinks will be good and fun turns into trouble. She''s never needed a surpresent more than now.

True: Brud Kinney wants to play basketball like nothing anybody''s ever seen. When the Boyds arrive, though, Brud meets someone who plays like nothing he''s ever seen.

True: Ferris Boyd isn''t like anyone Delly or Brud have ever met. Ferris is a real mysturiosity (an extremely curious mystery).

True: Katherine Hannigan''s first novel since her acclaimed Ida B is a compelling look at the ways friendships and truths are discovered.

It''s all true ( . . . sort of).

True: Delly Pattison likes surpresents (presents that are a surprise). The day the Boyds come to town, Delly''s sure a special surpresent is on its way. But lately, everything that she thinks will be good and fun turns into trouble. She''s never needed a surpresent more than now.

True: Brud Kinney wants to play basketball like nothing anybody''s ever seen. When the Boyds arrive, though, Brud meets someone who plays like nothing he''s ever seen.

True: Ferris Boyd isn''t like anyone Delly or Brud have ever met. Ferris is a real mysturiosity (an extremely curious mystery).

True: Katherine Hannigan''s first novel since her acclaimed Ida B is a compelling look at the ways friendships and truths are discovered.

It''s all true ( . . . sort of).

The New York Times bestselling debut novel from acclaimed children''s author Katherine Hannigan is both very funny and extraordinarily moving.

Who is Ida B. Applewood? She is a fourth grader like no other, living a life like no other, with a voice like no other, and her story will resonate long after you have put this book down.

How does Ida B cope when outside forces—life, really—attempt to derail her and her family and her future? She enters her Black Period, and it is not pretty. But then, with the help of a patient teacher, a loyal cat and dog, her beloved apple trees, and parents who believe in the same things she does (even if they sometimes act as though they don''t), the resilience that is the very essence of Ida B triumph...and Ida B. Applewood takes the hand that is extended and starts to grow up.

This modern classic is a great choice for independent reading.