Each of five children lucky enough to discover an entry ticket into Mr. Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory takes advantage of the situation in his own way.

Billy Dickens discovers that his mysterious father lives in Montana, so this summer Billy will fly across the country, hike a mountain, float a river, dodge a grizzly bear, shoot down a spy drone, and save his own father.

In her own words, a young girl describes her feelings about starting kindergarten and what she does when she decides not to ride the bus home.

Relates the surprising gifts bestowed on twelve-year-old Bob Barnhart and his family, who have recently moved to a small Illinois town in 1958, by their larger-than-life neighbor, Mrs. Dowdel.

In 1983 seventh-grader David Da-Wei Horowitz has a lot to worry about--his bar mitzvah is coming soon, his Jewish and Chinese grandmothers argue about everything, his teammates for the upcoming trivia contest, Scott and Hector, do not like each other, he is beginning to notice girls, and Scott has persuaded him to begin digging a fallout shelter just in case the Cold War heats up.

"These eleven stories blend gravity and humor to depict late 20th century rural North Carolina life, including African American women protagonists who encounter love and relationships, mental illness, racism, and, especially among Jehovah's Witnesses' faith"--Provided by publisher.

"Millicent Watts-Cohen is on a mission. When she promised her elderly best friend that she'd reunite her with the woman she fell in love with nearly eighty years ago, she never imagined that would mean traveling from D.C. to Key West with three tablespoons of Mrs. Nash's remains in her backpack. But Millie's determined to give her friend a symbolic happily-ever-after, before it's (really) too late--and hopefully reassure herself of love's lasting...

"David Sedaris meets Garrison Keillor in this hysterically funny and thoughtful collection of original essays by Tony Award-winning playwright Richard Greenberg, who shares anecdotes and observations gathered from a lifetime of perfecting Rules for Others to Live By. Between worrying about his artist friends and reconciling his complicated feelings about New York City, Pulitzer finalist Richard Greenberg still finds time to be something of a hermit--and...

"From the number one New York Times bestselling author comes another stunning memoir that is tender, touching...and just a little spooky. 'Here's a partial list of things I don't believe in: God. The Devil. Heaven. Hell. Bigfoot. Ancient Aliens. Past lives. Vampires. Zombies. Homeopathy. Bigfoot. Canola oil, because there's no such thing as a canola. Note that 'witches' and 'witchcraft' are absent from this list. When really they should be right there...

Jean Shepherd, the great American humorist, radio raconteur, master storyteller, and bestselling author, has left his indelible imprint on American culture. This collection of Jean Shepherd army stories was selected and transcribed from radio programs by Shepherd biographer Eugene Bergmann and is in print for the first time.--Publisher.