SEEDFOLKS
Read by the state of Vermont and cities around the country
Buckeye Children's Book Award
Best Books for Young Adults (ALA)
Best Books (School Library Journal and Publishers Weekly)
A Haitian boy, a pregnant Mexican teen, a British nurse, and 10 other characters tell the story of the founding and first year of a neighbornood garden in an immigrant area of Cleveland. A hymn to the sense of community. See "From Seed to Seedfolks" in the Articles section for how the book came to be written.
"The size of this slim volume belies the profound message of hope it contains."
--Christian Science Monitor
12+ / Hardcover, paperback, e-book (HarperCollins) / Audio (Blackstone) / Spanish (Lectorum)
WHIRLIGIG
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
A Publisher's Weekly Best Book
Booklist Editors' Choice
Meeting the mother of the girl he's inadvertently killed, Brent accepts her eccentric penance: to build four whirligigs of the victim and set them up in the four corners of the United States. A geared novel of connections and consequences, alternating between Brent's story and those of characters who encounter his wind toys long after he's passed through. See the Whirligig page for much more about the book.
"Complex and rewarding, this is a stellar addition to a consummate writer's body of work." --Publisher's Weekly (starred review)
High school / Hardcover, paperback, e-book (Henry Holt) / Audio (Blackstone)
BULL RUN
Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
Vermont Reads statewide choice for 2012
Best Books (SLJ)
Notable Children's Books (ALA)
Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts (NCTE)
A black man passing for white so as to fight, an orphan who's found family among horses, a cynical doctor, a slave, a sketch artist...Sixteen characters--8 northern, 8 southern--describe their experiences in the Civil War's first major engagement. Crossing back and forth across battle lines, the book is told through 60 monologues and is conducive to classroom reader's theater.
"Intimate and sweeping, a heartbreaking and vivid portrait of a war."
--Publishers Weekly
11+ / Hardcover, paperback, e-book (HarperCollins) / Audio (Blackstone, Recorded Books)
BREAKOUT
Finalist for the National Book Award
Desperate to leave L.A. and her old self behind, Del changes her name, jumps in her car--and gets mired at once in an all-day traffic jam....Eight years later, it's opening night for the one-woman show she's written, called Breakout, about an L.A. traffic jam, a hilarious portrait of the city through its drivers. Flashing between the two, we get a backstage pass into a young playwright's psyche, letting us watch her transform life into art, heartache into comedy, and anger into acceptance.
"A stunning tour de force." --Kirkus (starred review)
High school / Hardcover (Cricket Books) / Paperback (Simon and Schuster) / Audio (Recorded Books)
GRAVEN IMAGES
illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Newbery Honor Book (ALA)
Best Books (School Library Journal)
Notable Children's Books (ALA)
A wooden boy, a copper saint, a marble statue: Three graven images at the heart of three tales--a comedy of errors and two spine-tinglers. Freshly illustrated and with a new Afterword by the author.
11+ / Hardcover and paper (Candlewick) / Audio (Listening Library)
SEEK
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
A School Library Journal Best Book
A Horn Book Fanfare Book
Assigned to write his autobiography, Rob "listens back" over his life. That symphony of words comprises Seek, delivered by a chorus of 52 speakers--from relatives to baseball announcers to Rob's absent DJ father, a man he's spent his life pursuing through the labyrinth of the airwaves. A sound portrait both compelling and comic, presented entirely in dialogue, Seek is suitable for readers theater or full production. An abridged version running 45 minutes is available in an acting edition from Dramatic Publishing.
"If Seek were a radio show instead of a book, I would have pulled off the road, parked and sat there, transfixed, to the very end." --Robert Krulwich, New York Times
High school and adults / Paperback (Simon & Schuster) / Acting Edition (Dramatic Publishing) / Audio (Listening Library)
THE BORNING ROOM
Best Books for Young Adults (ALA)
Teachers' Choices (IRA)
Notable Children's Books in Social Studies (NCSS)
A 19th century Ohio girl's autobiography told through scenes centered in her home's borning room--from her birth in it, through the Civil War, her marriage, and up to her final days.
"The dimensions of one small room expand to become a universal setting for the grand drama that is life." --Horn Book (starred review)
11+ / E-book, audiobook (Blackstone)
A FATE TOTALLY WORSE THAN DEATH
Children's Choices Award (IRA)
Booklist Editors' Choice
A wicked parody of teen horror novels, pitting Cliffside High's ruthless clique, the Huns, against an otherwordly exchange student, leading them to endure the grisliest fate that a teen could imagine--aging.
12+ / E-book, audiobook (Blackstone)
MIND'S EYE
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
A 16-year-old and her 88-year-old roommate escape winter, North Dakota, and their nursing home by taking a shared mental trip--guided by a 1910 edition of Baedeker's Italy. Each of them traveling for her own reasons, teenaged Courtney gradually wrests control of the trip, taking it toward an unexpected destination. Told entirely through dialogue.
"A paean to the power of the imagination." --KLIATT
High school / Hardcover and e-book (Holt) / Paperback (Holt, Dell)
ZAP
Best Books for Young Adults (ALA)
In this madcap new play for high school and community theater, a struggling acting troupe attempts to compete with TV by offering seven plays at once and letting the audience zap back and forth among them. Behold parodies of Chekhov, Beckett, and Agatha Christie collide with Neil Simon, Tennessee Williams, and Richard III in a theatrical train wreck of massive proportions compounded by a tell-all performance artist. Large cast (12m, 8w minimum), one set. There's a teacher's guide on the Articles/Excerpts page. For rights, email Melanie Blais (melanie.blais@candlewick.com).
"I'm applying to change my name legally to Paul Fleischman. I want his imagination and seven sets of royalties." --Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked
High school and adults / Paperback and e-book(Candlewick)
REAR-VIEW MIRRORS
Best Books (School Library Journal)
West meets east and city meets country when a teenaged Californian spends a summer with her estranged father in New Hampshire--a stay recalled during a marathon bike ride.
High school / E-Book, audiobook (Blackstone)
SATURNALIA
Boston Globe-Horn Book Fiction Honor Award
Notable Children's Books (ALA)
Best Books (School Library Journal)
Two casts of characters inhabit Boston's streets--one by day, the other by night--linked by a captured Narraganset boy. Dark deeds and robust humor mix in a tale set during the Puritans' Indian wars.
12+ / E-book, audiobook (Blackstone)
COMING-AND-GOING MEN
Notable Trade Books in the Language Arts (NCTE)
Four linked tales--both eerie and comic--of itinerants who pass through a Vermont town in the year 1800.
High school /Out of print
PATH OF THE PALE HORSE
Golden Kite Fiction Honor Book (SCBWI)
Teachers' Choices (NCTE)
A young doctor's apprentice accompanies his master to Philadelphia to do battle with the yellow fever epidemic of 1793.
10+ / Out of print
THE MATCHBOX DIARY
illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
See the Home page
WESLANDIA
illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
State Book Award winner in California, Washington, Missouri, Louisiana, Arizona, Rhode Island
PEN West Literary Award
An SLJ Best Book of the Year
A Parents Magazine Best Book
An outcast from the world of his peers, Wesley develops his own private civilization--from clothing to counting system to constellations, winning over his former tormentors.
"This fantastical picture book, like its hero, is bursting at the seams with creativity....a vigorous shot in the arm to nonconformists everywhere." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Hardcover and paperback (Candlewick)
THE DUNDERHEADS
illustrated by David Roberts
Kate Greenaway Medal short list
PEN Center USA Literature Award
"Never," shrieked Miss Breakbone, "have I been asked to teach such a scraping together of fiddling, twiddling, time-squandering, mind-wandering, doodling, dozing, don't-knowing dunderheads!" She never suspects that Spider's climbing, Pencil's drawing, Hollywood's movie knowledge, and the group's other skills will carry them through a caper that will make them playground legends--at her expense.
"Cleverness in spades." --Booklist
Paperback (Candlewick)
THE DUNDERHEADS BEHIND BARS
illustrated by David Roberts
Stars of their classroom after outwitting Miss Breakbone, the Dunderheads take a crack at Hollywood fame--only to land in a mystery not in their plans. Lights, cameras, and thievery collide in a summertime caper requiring all their sundry skills, illustrated once more by the wickedly witty star of pen and ink, David Roberts.
"Subversive and exuberant..." --School Library Journal, starred review
Hardcover (Candlewick )
GLASS SLIPPER, GOLD SANDAL: A Worldwide Cinderella
illustrated by Julie Paschkis
A New York Times 2007 Notable book
A Book Sense Children's Pick
An NCTE Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts
Once upon a time, in Mexico... in Zimbabwe... in India... there lived a girl whose stepmother made her sleep on the hearthstones. In Iraq, knowing she'd urged her father to remarry, she tells herself, "I picked up the scorpion with my own hand" and vows not to complain about her lot. In Russia, crying in hunger, she's fed by a cow pouring honey from its horn. In Indonesia, she receives a golden sarong to dance in from the mouth of a crocodile. Gorgeously illustrated by Julie Paschkis, Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal braids a gathering of Cinderella tales into one--a hymn to the rich variety of our cultures and the chameleon quality of stories to change their clothes while keeping their essence.
"A gem of a book." --Kirkus Reviews
Hardcover (Henry Holt)
FIRST LIGHT, FIRST LIFE: A Worldwide Creation Story
illustrated by Julie Paschkis
In the beginning there was only darkness. In the beginning there was only water. In the beginning there was fire and ice. In the beginning there was a single drop of milk.
So begin accounts of creation in China, Fiji, Norway, and Mali, each reflecting its place of origin. And when has it ever been more important that we see the world through other eyes and discover that our familiar culture is but one square in the quilt? With stunning artwork by Julie Paschkis, the team that braided together Cinderella tales from around the globe now leads readers through the origins of light and darkness, the creation of animals, the coming of people, and beyond.
"Bright, golden folkloric artwork swirls with stars and mystery." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Humankind really is one family." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Hardcover (Henry Holt)
FEARSOME GIANT, FEARLESS CHILD:
A Worldwide Jack and the Beanstalk Story
illustrated by Julie Paschkis
A braiding of sixteen "Jack and the Beanstalk" variants, from Japan to Chile to the United States, all starring a plucky (and often tiny) child outwitting man-eating giants and other threats to long life. As in Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella and First Light, First Life: A Worldwide Creation Story, Julie Paschkis's art quivers with motifs from the countries represented.
Hardcover (Henry Holt)
THE BIRTHDAY TREE
illustrated by Barry Root
After Jack's parents plant an apple tree in honor of his birth, they notice a strange affinity between the two. When the boy runs off to sea, they're bereft--until they realize that they can behold their son's life through the tree. Paul Fleischman's first book, originally published in 1979, has now been luminously illustrated by Barry Root.
Hardcover (Candlewick)
SIDEWALK CIRCUS
illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
An ALA Notable book
Society of Illustrators Silver Medal
The same team that brought you Weslandia is back, this time with a wordless book about a circus whose performers, from squirrels to skateboarders, are noticed by no one at a crowded bus stop except for a pair of children.
"A festival for the imagination." --Booklist (starred review)
Paperback (Candlewick)
THE ANIMAL HEDGE
illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Best Children's Books 2003, Publishers Weekly
When a drought forces him to sell his livestock and move, the farmer is grief-stricken--until he notices animal shapes in the hedge surrounding his cottage. Clipping around them, he brings forth chicks and calves and piglets. When his sons come of age and wonder what trades to pursue, they too find their hearts' desires in the hedge.
"A delightful tale of following one's dreams." --Kirkus (starred review)
Paperback (Candlewick)
LOST! A Story in String
illustrated by C. B. Mordan
A grandmother's tale of surviving the winter woods alone, illustrated with a series of string figures she makes in the manner of cat's cradle. A revival of an ancient pasttime, complete with instructions.
Hardcover (Henry Holt)
TIME TRAIN
illustrated by Claire Ewart
On a trip to study dinosaurs, a class finds its train transporting them not simply to Utah--but to the Jurassic.
Paper (HarperCollins)
RONDO IN C
illustrated by Janet Wentworth
A girl's performance at a piano recital calls up a bouquet of memories among the audience. A lyrical testament to the power of music.
Out of print
SHADOW PLAY
illustrated by Eric Beddows
Former shadow puppeteer Paul Fleischman invites you into Monsieur LeGrand's tent for a shadow performance of Beauty and the Beast--and a series of surprises concerning surface and substance.
Out of print
SEEDFOLKS
My stage adaptation of Seedfolks is now ready for middle school, high school, and community theaters. It's large-cast (11f, 11m minimum), single-set, and well-supplied with nonspeaking roles. It's a spoken musical of sorts--for a taste, see the opening scene. There's lots of dialogue, action, and new material. What happens with Maricela? Do tomatoes bring Curtis and Lateesha together? The play answers some of the questions I'm most commonly asked by readers of the book.
Licensing info and a full script are available from Playscripts.
**Please note: Filming without permission and online streaming of filmed performances are prohibited.
ZAP
Performed in CA, NY, FL, TN, MI, TX, UT, Canada
Best Books for Young Adults (ALA)
A madcap new play for high school and community theater! A struggling acting troupe attempts to compete with TV by offering seven plays at once and letting the audience zap back and forth among them. Behold parodies of Chekhov, Beckett, and Agatha Christie collide with Neil Simon, Tennessee Williams, and Richard III in a theatrical train wreck of massive proportions compounded by a tell-all performance artist. Large cast (12m, 8w minimum), one set. There's a reader's guide on the Articles/Excerpts page. For rights, contact Melanie Blais (melanie.blais@candlewick.com).
"I'm applying to change my name legally to Paul Fleischman. I want his imagination and seven sets of royalties." --Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked
High school and adults / Paperback and e-book (Candlewick)
SEEK
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
A School Library Journal Best Book
A Horn Book Fanfare Book
Assigned to write his autobiography, Rob "listens back" over his life. That symphony of words comprises Seek, delivered by a chorus of 52 speakers--from relatives to baseball announcers to Rob's absent DJ father, a man he's spent his life pursuing through the labyrinth of the airwaves. A sound portrait both compelling and comic, presented entirely in dialogue, Seek is suitable for readers theater or full production. An abridged version running 45 minutes is available in an acting edition from Dramatic Publishing. Rights: Contact me for the full play (see the Q&A page) or Dramatic Publishing for the abridgment.
"If Seek were a radio show instead of a book, I would have pulled off the road, parked and sat there, transfixed, to the very end." --Robert Krulwich, New York Times
High school and adults / Paperback (Simon & Schuster) / Acting Edition (Dramatic Publishing) / Audio (Listening Library)
MIND'S EYE
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
A 16-year-old and her 88-year-old roommate escape winter, North Dakota, and their nursing home by taking a shared mental trip--guided by a 1910 edition of Baedeker's Italy. Each of them traveling for her own reasons, teenaged Courtney gradually wrests control of the trip, taking it toward an unexpected destination. One act, 90 minutes. 4 females, 1 male. Unit set. Contact me for rights (see Q&A page).
"A paean to the power of the imagination." --KLIATT
High school / Hardcover and e-book (Holt) / Paperback (Holt, Dell)
P O E T R Y
JOYFUL NOISE: Poems for Two Voices
Winner of the Newbery Medal, 1989
100 Best Books of the Century (SLJ)
Notable Trade Books in the Language Arts (NCTE)
Notable Children's Books (ALA)
From book lice to whirligig beetles, verbal duets for two speakers detailing the inner lives of insects. Illustrated by Eric Beddows.
All ages / Hardcover, paper, e-book (HarperCollins) / Audio (Blackstone, Harper Audio, Recorded Books)
I AM PHOENIX: Poems for Two Voices
The predecessor to Joyful Noise, celebrating the world of birds. Illustrated by Ken Nutt.
All ages / Paperback and e-book (HarperCollins) / Audio (Blackstone, Harper Audio, Recorded Books)
BIG TALK: Poems for Four Voices
At last--new poems for graduates of Joyful Noise. A collection of three longer poems for a quartet of family or friends: "The Quiet Evenings Here," "Seventh Grade Soap Opera," and "Ghosts' Grace." Toe-tapping, tongue-flapping fun. Illustrated by Beppe Giacobbe.
All ages / Hardcover (Candlewick)
THE HALF-A-MOON INN
illustrated by Kathy Jacobi
Golden Kite Honor Book
A mute boy sets off in search of his mother, only to find himself a captive of the Half-a-Moon Inn and its dream-reading mistress. A spooky favorite for 4th grade readalouds.
8-12 / Paperback, e-book (HarperCollins) / Audio (Recorded Books)
FINZEL THE FARSIGHTED
illustrated by Marcia Sewall
An original tale in the tradition of Chelm--the Yiddish village of fools.
Out of print
PHOEBE DANGER, DETECTIVE
illustrated by Margot Apple
Phoebe Dangerfield and her sidekick Dash take on the case of a missing medicine bottle in this light mystery.
8-12 / Out of print
ALPHAMANIACS
Builders of 26 Wonders of the Word
Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
See the Home Page
NO MAP, GREAT TRIP
A Young Writer's Road to Page One
See the Home page
EYES WIDE OPEN: Going Behind the Environmental Headlines
See the Home page
DATELINE: TROY
Best Books for Young Adults (ALA)
A Junior Library Guild Selection
VOYA Nonfiction Honor List
Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts (NCTE)
The Trojan War is still being fought. Simply open a newspaper...From "Newborn Found in Dumpster" to "Gulf Traumas Come Home to Roost," Dateline: Troy juxtaposes a crisp retelling of the Iliad with newspaper clippings from our own era. Updated in 2006, the book now includes September 11, the Iraq War, and other recent events paralleling the Bronze Age epic, showing it being acted out by a new set of leaders and lovers, deceivers and fools. With clever collages composed by Gwen Frankfeldt and Glenn Morrow, the book demonstrates what every English and social studies teacher tries to impart: That history and literature never go out of date. Click here to see a sample spread or to download a teacher's guide to the book.
"The ultimate model for making history relevant." --Kirkus (starred review)
12+ / Hardcover and paperback (Candlewick)
CANNIBAL IN THE MIRROR
Photographs by John Whalen
Totem animals, initiations, protections against evil spirits--in present-day America. Descriptions of primitive customs paired with photographs taken on Main Street, showing our updated editions of those same customs. A perfect spur to critical thinking in secondary schools.
12+ / Out of print
COPIER CREATIONS
illustrated by David Cain
Can't draw? Neither can the author, who's spent 20 years playing with copiers--the perfect artistic tool for the drawing-impaired. Learn how to make decals, silhouettes, flip books, films, and more.
10+ /Out of print
TOWNSEND'S WARBLER
Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children (NCTA)
Notable Children's Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS)
A tale of two journeys in 1834--the naturalist John Townsend's cross-country adventure, and the migration north of a flock of birds unknown to science--culminating in the journeys' intersection. Illustrated with paintings from the period, a joining of history, science, and art.
10+ / Out of print