The Puppeteer’s Apprentice (Simon and Schuster/McElderry)
Sunday, January 20th, 2008
Now in its seventh hardcover printing
Mouse works in the scullery at Dunston Manor, peeling onions, stirring the pots, sweeping the floors, and doing her best not to get into trouble with the fractious cook. Alone at night in the dark corner she calls home, she wishes for something wondrous to happen and dreams of a better life. But what chance does she have, a girl born with nothing, not even a proper name?
Then Mouse sees a puppet play and knows at once what she must do. Somehow she must learn to make the puppets dance. Somehow she must become the puppeteer’s apprentice. But the puppeteer is harboring some uncomfortable secrets, and Mouse doesn’t know whether she has the courage it takes to fulfill her dreams.
“A must read in the grand storytelling tradition of Lloyd Alexander and Karen Cushman.” Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“This wonderfully written tale holds mystery, suspense, and the realism that cones with a battle fought and won.” School Library Journal (starred review)
- An ALA Amelia Bloomer List Book
- An Ira Notable Book in Language Arts
- A Book of the Month Club Book
- Winner of the 2003 Teddy Children’s Book Award
- William Allen White Award Nominee
- South Carolina Book Award Nominee
- Keystone (Pennsylvania) Young Adult Book Award Nominee
- Sasquatch (Washington State) Award Nominee
Simon & Schuster Links:
Hardcover: http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?sid=183&pid=413888
Paperback: http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?sid=183&pid=500482
This is an illustrated biography of the first woman mathematician, mostly for teachers and younger readers but if you’ve always wondered what life was like for a female scholar and teacher in ancient Egypt almost 2,000 years ago, check out this book. Pictures by Pam Paparone.

Haley Patterson is having a great year hanging out with her friends and making a name for herself as the only freshman reporter for her high school newspaper, The Raider Review. But when she reveals one too many details in a gossip column, superdiva Camilla Quinn turns Haley’s life upside down. Completely ostracized and abandoned by even her closest friends, Haley finds herself alone and miserable. A summer job at a mountain resort brings Haley a new set of friends, romance with two cute guys, and an unexpected confrontation with Camilla that forces her to choose whether to back down, or find the courage to stand her ground.