The story of a family in the making and the wondrously neurotic dog who taught them what really matters in life. Is it possible for humans to discover the key to happiness through a bigger-than-life, bad-boy dog? Just ask the Grogans.--From publisher description.

"In the face of raging fires or deadly accidents, volunteer fireman Taylor McAden feels compelled to take terrifying risks to save lives. But there is one leap of faith Taylor can't bring himself to make: he can't fall in love. For all his adult years, Taylor has sought out women who need to be rescued, women he leaves as soon as their crisis is over and the relationship starts to become truly intimate. When a raging storm hits his small Southern...

Jeremy Jacob joins Braid Beard and his pirate crew and finds out about pirate language, pirate manners, and other aspects of their life. When Braid Beard's pirate crew invites Jeremy Jacob to join their voyage, he jumps right on board. Buried treasure, sea chanteys, pirate talk--who wouldn't go along? Soon Jeremy Jacob knows all about being a pirate. He throws his food across the table and his manners to the wind. He hollers like thunder and laughs...

"National Geographic Kids Chapter books pick up where the best-selling National Geographic Readers series leaves off, offering young animal lovers who are ready for short chapters lively, true stories just right to carry in your backpack, share with your friends, and read under the covers at night. Follow along as National Geographic Kids Chapters' presents a trio of true stories about incredible acts of animal heroism. Courageous Canine features...

It's almost summer vacation and the students in room 2B are having trouble concentrating on their butterfly project, until a frightening-looking new teacher comes to supervise the Suspension Room and Harry is sent there as punishment for unruly behavior.

Third-grader Harry thinks of a way to patch up a conflict with his schoolmate Mary and include his friends in a fun detective case with rewards for everyone, including Grandpa.

The students in Miss Mickle's third-grade class enjoy a boat trip on the Connecticut River after a class discussion of ancestors reveals that Sidney and Ida both have connections to the sea.

"When his best friend Doug discovers his top-secret hideout, Harry enlists his friends' help to save it from being developed into an apartment building"

In the Catskill Mountains, farmer Rip Van Winkle meets a strange dwarf and a group of men playing ninepins. He drinks from their keg and falls into a deep sleep. When he awakens, everything is changed.