Mary Amato – författare

When the coolest girl in the class invites you to her exclusive after-school club, how can you say no? Even if it means skipping out on Songwriting Club? Even if she's always been too popular to give you the time of day?  Even if she asks you to paint the walls and serve the tea...?  Soon Lucy McGee realizes she's been tricked into becoming mean girl Scarlett Tandy's errand girl—and she's getting in trouble for skipping her after-school activities.  Things get complicated as she tries to balance school, friends, frenemies, songwriting, and family expectations.  Clearly Lucy has to strike back!  But it turns out that singing and playing your ukulele—and having loads of fun doing it—are the best revenge.  In this new series from  state-award favorite Mary Amato, a spunky heroine matches wits with a mean girl and learns that middle school can be a balancing act—so you can't lose sight of what's important. This heavily-illustrated chapter book features a durable paper-over-board cover, three of Lucy's songs, and a sneak peek of Book Two, Sing With Me, Lucy McGee!

Fourth grader Lucy McGee's ukulele is missing--and if she doesn't find it soon, she'll be kicked out of the Songwriting Club!Lucy McGee is determined to track down her beloved instrument, but she can't let anyone catch on--even best friend Phillip. When Lucy learns that YouTube songwriting stars Ben & Bee are playing a show on Saturday and they're giving away a free ukulele, it seems like the perfect solution. If only it wasn't the most in-demand, expensive concert ever.Soon frenemy Scarlett announces that she has an extra ticket to the show, prompting everyone in the Songwriting Club to try to win her over. Lucy McGee will have to get extra creative to find out what happened to her uke and to charm the always-scheming Scarlett in this humorous but heartfelt chapter book. The third book in Mary Amato's charming Lucy McGee series features artwork on every page as well as song lyrics for aspiring musicians to try out on their own.

Riot Brother Rule #1: Make something exciting happen every day It's no easy task, but Wilbur and Orville Riot are up to the challenge. Whether it's catching a bank robber, finding hidden treasure while cleaning the house, or overthrowing a wicked king, the Riot brothers are clever, resourceful, and just plain funny.  They sing songs, make up games, and always come out on top in the end—in spite of a few bumps along the way.  The inventive, energetic brothers have a warm sibling relationship (even when they're trying to make each other snarf milk out of their noses), and though they get called into the Principal's office now and then, the trouble they make is always in good fun. Plus, she's their mom, so she always gives them a ride home.  Not a bad end to an exciting day.  The short chapters make great bedtime reads—though beware! You might be tempted to stay up all night playing Underfoodle or the Frying-Pan Game. And with lots of puns and just the right amount of gross-out humor, this updated edition contains three stories about the Riot Brothers, plus lists, lists, and more lists—including the Riot Brother Rules, all their games, and the extra-special Riot Brother Top Ten List of Important Things To Be Able To Do With Your Face . . . plus, a preview of the Riot Brothers sequel, Drooling and Dangerous.

Are you bored? Do you like exciting and dangerous adventures? Then it's your lucky day! Orville and Wilbur Riot are back with all-new escapades—because, you know, you can't do the same mission twice. (That's Rule #15!) As the brothers say, a bad day is like bad breath . . . it just gets worse unless you do something about it. So Wilbur and Orville are determined to never be bored, even if that means they have to figure out how to become movie stars or foil a diamond heist. This time even Mom gets in on the fun when the brothers announce a switch day—sorry, a dwitch say—and take over the house and their school.  This new edition features an updated cover, a list of the Riot Brothers' new games, and a sneak peak of Riot Brothers #3: Stinky and Successful.

Tomorrow is April Fool's day, the best holiday of all, and the Riot Brothers have only one goal: FOOL MOM! This April Fool's day they're determined to finally do it—but Mom isn't an easy mark.  If fake rats don't do the trick, what will?  And what happens when Mom fools them first? Always inventive and energetic, the Riot Brothers are back and pun-nier than ever.  Can they save a damsel in distress by employing Operation Armpit?  And how do you become a mad scientist, anyway? One thing is certain—the Riot Brothers are always up to something, and it's always something great. This new hardcover edition features an updated paper over board cover (with extra shiny stink clouds!) as well as a list of the Riot Brothers' new games, rules, songs, and sayings... And hark! A goodly guide to talking like a Riot Knight. Plus, a sneak peek of Riot Brothers #4: Take the Mummy and Run

It's the first day of summer vacation, and life is great—until the Riot Brothers find out their cousin is coming to visit How can you complete secret missions and make exciting things happening when you have to drag around a guest?  Luckily, it turns out Cousin Amelia is the kind of cousin they like—the fun kind! She's just as great at coming up with cool games and clever sayings as Orville and Wilbur, and she even travels with her very own (fake) pet snake.  Riot Brother Rule #24 says, "Kids who are fun can become Riot Brothers, even if they aren't brothers," so obviously Amelia is in. Together, the trio takes on all-new adventures, from starting a robot car wash to finding a lost mummy to solving mysteries . . . like why the neighborhood bully is following them around wearing aftershave.  This new hardcover edition features an updated paper over board cover (with shiny mummy bandages), plus all the new Games, Rules, and Songs—not to mention instructions on how to do the super-secret Riot Brothers handshake, so you can join in!

Lucy McGee and Phillip Lee know they have just the song to win big the talent show, which attracts the attention of the ever-scheming Scarlett in this next installment of the generously illustrated Lucy McGee series.The Songwriting Club at Slido Creek Elementary is going strong with Lucy and Phillip collaborating on new songs, playing the ukulele, and adding new friends to the group. But when Scarlett tries to pass off their hard work as her own, some hurtful words are exchanged, leaving Lucy, Scarlett, and Phillip looking at themselves differently. Is Lucy's hair too flat? Scarlett too tall? Phillip too short? The members of the Songwriting Club will have to make amends before the night of the big talent show, if they still want to pull off a win. Short chapters filled with charming artwork on every spread make this a perfect pick for aspiring musicians and fans of Ivy & Bean and Junie B. Jones.Back matter includes song lyrics and ukulele chords to encourage readers to play along and improvise.

A chance to be on TV brings out the worst in fourth grader Lucy McGee--and now her friends want her out of the Songwriting Club!Lucy McGee and Phillip Lee are invited to perform a song on their school's morning show--this is their big break! First, they agree to keep it a secret from spotlight-stealing classmate Scarlett Tandy. But what about the other members of the Songwriting Club? Lucy forgets to tell them, setting off a chain of hurt feelings, a disastrous secret party, a runaway brother, and much more. The loveable but impulsive Lucy will have to write a lot of apology letters before everything can go back to normal.The delightful Lucy McGee series features a diverse cast of fourth and fifth grade characters who all love to sing and play the ukulele in the Songwriting Club; funny and sweet illustrations on every page; and song lyrics for aspiring musicians to try out on their own. Called "Ramona-esque" by the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Lucy McGee is sure to be a reader favorite.

Join Albert and a group of ragtag aliens as they dribble, cross, and score across the galaxy in this soccer-themed story of unlikely friendships.The day that aliens abducted 13-year-old Albert Kinney was the day he was hoping to make the school soccer team.But that's the way life works sometimes, especially for Albert.Astonishingly the Zeenods, don't want to harm Albert, they want him to play soccer. And so, Albert jumps at the chance to join the Zeenods. Yet just as he is introduced to the specifics of their game and all their high-tech gear, he faces a series of direct threats to his life. Does someone have a mysterious vendetta against Albert? Or does their first opponent, the ruthless team from Planet Tev, want to guarantee that they win?Action-packed, yet filled with humor and heart, Game On! is the first book in a series that features thrilling play-by-play soccer scenes and an intergalactic plot with far-reaching consequences for the Zeenods--and Earth.

Albert and the Zeenods are back in this second book in the thrilling Star Striker series about unlikely friendships and interstellar soccer.Albert and his Zeenod teammates might not be the best soccer players in the universe but there's nothing Albert would rather do--and no one he'd rather play with. Plus at least they made it to the second round of the big interplanetary tournament. When their coach is wrongly arrested by an intergalatic police force, Albert and the Zeenods must work to clear their coach's name and stay in the tournament. But Albert can't keep his head in the game, putting the whole team's win in jeopardy. Can Albert come through for his friends and find justice for their coach? Action-packed, yet filled with humor and heart, Star Striker is the second book in a series that combines a sports friendship story with an exploration of social justice and the importance of compassion for others.

When their parents steal a Hollywood star (a white poodle) to hold it for ransom, our young heroes leap into action. Too bad the spoiled star will not raise a paw to help. Barks and howls will be the result of anyone reading Book Two of Good Crooks.Author Mary Amato is a star of state master and children''s choice lists and returns to the age category of her popular Riot Brothers chapter book series with this funny, silly new series.

Minerva has been raised by her single mother after her father left them. On her 17th birthday, she is shocked to discover that he has been trying to keep in touch, and that her mother has been sabotaging his attempts. Furious at her mom, Minerva begins to investigate her dad, a famous marine biologist, only to discover that he has a new family, including a beloved and perfect, stepdaughter—a girl Minerva already knows and despises. As Minerva tries to build her songwriting career, jealousy takes over and threatens to derail her life completely. It is only through the efforts of her best friend, Fin, and the introduction of Hayes, a new young man in her life, that she is able to see clearly who she is and who makes up her family.

On odd days, Tripp uses a school practice room to let loose on a borrowed guitar. Eyes closed, strumming that beat-up instrument, Tripp escapes to a world where only the music matters.On even days, Lyla Marks uses the same practice room. To Tripp, she''s trying to become even more perfect—she''s already a straight-A student and an award-winning cellist. But when Lyla begins leaving notes for him in between the strings of the guitar, his life intersects with hers in a way he never expected.What starts as a series of snippy notes quickly blossoms into the sharing of interests and secrets and dreams, and the forging of a very unlikely friendship.Challenging each other to write songs, they begin to connect, even though circumstances threaten to tear them apart.From beloved author Mary Amato comes a YA novel of wit and wisdom, both heartfelt and heart­breaking, about the power of music and the unexpected chords that draw us together.

When their parents steal a monkey from the zoo to help them pick pockets, our heroes rush into action and return the wily animal using disguises, inventions, and old-fashioned shoe leather. They also learn what a monkey can do in 11 minutes: 1) Stick his fingers in your right nostril. 2) Lick your eyebrows, pick his teeth, and then wipe his finger on your shirt. Giggles and guffaws will be the result of anyone reading Book One of Good Crooks.Author Mary Amato is a star of state master and children''s choice lists and returns to the age category of her popular Riot Brothers chapter book series with this funny, silly new series.

Good Crooks Book Three: Sniff a Skunk! brings back our favorite pair of do-gooder crooks in a hilarious adventure that brings about an odiferous encounter with a skunk.Author Mary Amato is a star of state master and children''s choice lists and returns to the age category of her popular Riot Brothers chapter book series with this funny, silly new series.

When Lacy wakes up dead in Westminster Cemetery, final resting place of Edgar Allan Poe, she''s confused. It''s the job of Sam, a young soldier who died in 1865, to teach her the rules of the afterlife and to warn her about Suppression—a punishment worse than death.Lacy desperately wants to leave the cemetery and find out how she died, but every soul is obligated to perform a job. Given the task of providing entertainment, Lacy proposes an open mic, which becomes a chance for the cemetery''s residents to express themselves. But Lacy is in for another shock when surprising and long-buried truths begin to emerge.

On odd days, Tripp uses a school practice room to let loose on a borrowed guitar. Eyes closed, strumming that beat-up instrument, Tripp escapes to a world where only the music matters.On even days, Lyla Marks uses the same practice room. To Tripp, she''s trying to become even more perfect—she''s already a straight-A student and an award-winning cellist. But when Lyla begins leaving notes for him in between the strings of the guitar, his life intersects with hers in a way he never expected.What starts as a series of snippy notes quickly blossoms into the sharing of interests and secrets and dreams, and the forging of a very unlikely friendship.Challenging each other to write songs, they begin to connect, even though circumstances threaten to tear them apart.From beloved author Mary Amato comes a YA novel of wit and wisdom, both heartfelt and heart­breaking, about the power of music and the unexpected chords that draw us together.

When their parents steal a monkey from the zoo to help them pick pockets, our heroes rush into action and return the wily animal using disguises, inventions, and old-fashioned shoe leather. They also learn what a monkey can do in 11 minutes: 1) Stick his fingers in your right nostril. 2) Lick your eyebrows, pick his teeth, and then wipe his finger on your shirt. Giggles and guffaws will be the result of anyone reading Book One of Good Crooks.Author Mary Amato is a star of state master and children''s choice lists and returns to the age category of her popular Riot Brothers chapter book series with this funny, silly new series.

When their parents steal a Hollywood star (a white poodle) to hold it for ransom, our young heroes leap into action. Too bad the spoiled star will not raise a paw to help. Barks and howls will be the result of anyone reading Book Two of Good Crooks.Author Mary Amato is a star of state master and children''s choice lists and returns to the age category of her popular Riot Brothers chapter book series with this funny, silly new series.

Minerva has been raised by her single mother after her father left them. On her 17th birthday, she is shocked to discover that he has been trying to keep in touch, and that her mother has been sabotaging his attempts. Furious at her mom, Minerva begins to investigate her dad, a famous marine biologist, only to discover that he has a new family, including a beloved and perfect, stepdaughter—a girl Minerva already knows and despises.As Minerva tries to build her songwriting career, jealousy takes over and threatens to derail her life completely. It is only through the efforts of her best friend, Fin, and the introduction of Hayes, a new young man in her life, that she is able to see clearly who she is and who makes up her family.