Brett Helquist

Meet the crankiest resident of Sunny Acres Farm! Grumpy Goat is always hungry, completely friendless, and making a terrible mess wherever he goes. When you are as grumpy as this goat, it is easy to scare all the other animals away. He knocks over the pigs' feeding trough, kicks down the garden fence, and munches on absolutely everything right in his path. It seems like nothing can stop his path of destruction and bad moods. But then, he spots one very special flower. When Grumpy Goat finally stops in his tracks to take a good look, his heart begins to change. Could it be that taking a moment to stop and smell the flowers is exactly what he needs to finally make a friend? Find out how a little bit of beauty can turn the grumpiest attitude completely around in this heartwarming farm adventure.

Meet a pirate who is just a little too jolly for his own good! Roger does not scowl, he never growls, and he certainly does not strike fear into the hearts of other sailors. Because he is such a lousy pirate, his shipmates always send him away whenever there is any real pirating to be done. Roger desperately wishes he could think of a way to prove he belongs on the ship and make the other pirates like him. Then one day, his ship is attacked by enemies. While his crew faces off against their toughest rivals, Roger is banished below decks as usual. But right in the middle of the great battle, Jolly Roger cooks up a wonderfully sweet idea to help his friends. Join this very unusual pirate as he discovers that you do not have to be fierce to be a hero, and see how his hilarious idea changes pirate ships forever!

The first gentle snowflakes are finally falling from the sky, and wintertime is officially here. For a big, sleepy grizzly, that means it is definitely bedtime! Bear is completely ready to snuggle up in his cozy cave and sleep all the way until spring. But his energetic friends have a very different plan. They want Bear to come outside and enjoy one last day of playing in the chilly white snow. As Bear tries to close his eyes, he can hear his friends calling his name. He hears them laughing, tossing snowballs, and having the best time ever right outside his door. Now poor Bear cannot fall asleep at all! What is a tired bear supposed to do when he is ready for a long nap, but his friends want to play? Bundle up and find out in this perfectly cozy winter tale about friendship and snowy surprises.

Turn off the lights, grab a flashlight, and prepare for some of the most chilling tales ever collected. If you love the thrill of a good scare, this legendary collection of folklore will keep you turning the pages long after bedtime. You will discover dark revenge, supernatural creatures, and unexplained events that have haunted readers for generations. These iconic stories gather the scariest myths and legends from around the world, bringing them right into your hands. You will encounter ghosts lingering in the shadows, mysterious figures seeking vengeance, and spooky surprises hiding where you least expect them. Every story is perfectly crafted to send a shiver down your spine and make you double-check the closet before going to sleep. Whether you are reading alone in your room or sharing these horrifying tales aloud around a campfire, you are in for an unforgettable fright. Take a deep breath and open the cover. Just remember to keep the lights on and always check behind you.

A submarine is plunging into the deepest, darkest trenches of the ocean, and your journey is about to become incredibly damp and highly dangerous. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are trapped beneath the sea, desperately racing against Count Olaf to find a lost sugar bowl that holds the key to a massive secret. As you navigate the cramped quarters of the Queequeg submarine, you will help the clever siblings decipher complex tidal charts and face terrifying mechanical sea monsters in the murky water. The situation becomes truly desperate when a deadly fungus threatens the life of a beloved sister, forcing a frantic search for a rare cure in the eerie Gorgonian Grotto. This intensely suspenseful and darkly comical installment tests the Baudelaires' loyalty, scientific knowledge, and bravery under immense pressure. If you are ready to dive into a world of underwater espionage and terrifying sea caves, take a deep breath and prepare for a miserable plunge.

Thirteen-year-old Jaxter Grimjinx and his unforgettable family of thieves have been far too busy saving the day to do any actual stealing. But the danger in the Five Provinces is only just beginning. The Palatinate Mages are finally ready to unveil their master plan for total control, and legendary monsters are preparing to roam the land once more. Just when things look their worst, Jaxter's little sister Aubrin is suddenly kidnapped by the Mages. It turns out she has a hidden power far greater than her family ever realized, and she might be the key to the impending battle for the Five Provinces. You will be on the edge of your seat as Jaxter realizes he will have to do absolutely anything to get his sister back. Even if it means pulling off the greatest heist of his entire life and sparking a full-scale rebellion. Dive into the thrilling and hilarious conclusion to the epic Vengekeep Prophecies trilogy, where prophecies are turned upside down and family loyalty means everything.

Dear Reader, if you are looking for a happy story with cheerful characters and a perfect ending, then you should probably put this book down immediately. This is the truly unfortunate tale of the three Baudelaire children: Violet, Klaus, and Sunny. They are clever and kind, but also incredibly unlucky. Their lives take a terrible turn when a devastating fire leaves them orphans. Now, they must live with their distant relative, the dreadful Count Olaf. But Count Olaf isn't interested in being a kind guardian. He's only interested in getting his hands on their enormous family fortune, and he will stop at nothing to get it! Violet, Klaus, and Sunny must use all their intelligence, inventiveness, and brave spirit to outsmart Count Olaf and his wicked schemes. Will these clever siblings be able to protect themselves and their fortune from this villain? Brace yourself for a series of unfortunate events filled with mystery and unexpected challenges. It's a very sad and often funny story that will keep you guessing.

The Hotel Denouement is no peaceful place to hide. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire arrive there in disguise, hoping to uncover secrets about V.F.D. before Count Olaf and his allies can tighten their grip on the truth. Inside this strange hotel, every floor seems to hold another danger, another suspicious guest, and another question with no easy answer. The Baudelaires must use Violet’s inventing skill, Klaus’s research, and Sunny’s sharp mind to decide whom they can trust when nearly everyone appears to be hiding something. Dark, clever, and full of Snicket’s gloomy wit, this twelfth book in A Series of Unfortunate Events is a tense middle grade mystery-adventure for readers who enjoy puzzles, villains, disguises, and stories where bravery does not always lead to comfort.

A house full of reptiles sounds alarming, but for the Baudelaire orphans it may be the closest thing to good luck they have had in a while. Their new guardian, Uncle Monty, is a cheerful herpetologist with a room packed with snakes, lizards, and other fascinating creatures. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny begin to hope that life might finally become safer. But hope is a dangerous thing in A Series of Unfortunate Events. A suspicious new assistant arrives, and the children soon realize that Count Olaf’s schemes may have followed them right into Uncle Monty’s home. Funny, dark, and suspenseful, The Reptile Room is a middle grade chapter book for readers who like clever siblings, sinister disguises, strange animals, and mysteries that keep getting worse just when they seem solved.

Welcome to an alternate version of America in the year 1875, where electricity is strictly forbidden and steam power rules the world. Twelve-year-old Archie Dent knows a terrifying secret: giant, ancient monsters called the Mangleborn are real, and they are waking up from their underground prisons. When society rediscovers electricity, the very power that gives the Mangleborn their strength, the monsters begin to rise. Worse yet, Archie's parents are brainwashed by one of these evil creatures, leaving him entirely on his own. Now, you will follow Archie as he sets out on a desperate mission to save his family and the world. To do it, he must track down and assemble a legendary team of seven young heroes. Packed with action, amazing gadgets, and unbelievable dangers, this thrilling adventure invites you to join the fight. Will Archie and his new friends learn to work together in time to stop the giant monsters, or will the Mangleborn reclaim the earth?

The biggest weather day of the year is almost here, but the star of the show has decided to go on strike. Every single year, the town asks the Groundhog the exact same boring question about his shadow and the end of winter. Feeling completely unappreciated for who he truly is, the Groundhog packs his bags and leaves for a much needed vacation. Now the town is in a panic and holding auditions for a replacement. You will laugh as different animals, from an elephant to a puppy, try their best to fill the famous weather predicting role. This hilarious and bold story shows what happens when a town realizes they took their furry friend for granted, and it might just take a grand gesture to bring him back.

On Dark Avenue, fashionable means strange, elevators are out, and the Baudelaire orphans are expected to climb an exhausting number of stairs to reach their new home. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny have been sent to live with Jerome and Esmé Squalor, wealthy guardians whose penthouse is filled with rules, trends, and very little common sense. Soon the children discover that the building may hide more than stylish furniture and unpleasant drinks. A dark staircase, a secret passageway, and the return of Count Olaf pull them into another dangerous mystery, especially when friends may be trapped and waiting for help. Sharp, gloomy, and wickedly funny, The Ersatz Elevator is a middle grade mystery-adventure about courage, observation, and trying to do the right thing in a world full of adults who refuse to listen.

Everybody loves a carnival, right? The colorful people, the unworldly spectacle, and the thrilling attractions usually make for great family fun. But for Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire, a trip to the carnival is just another episode in their unbearably unlucky lives. On the run as suspected murderers, the siblings find themselves trapped at the horribly perilous Caligari Carnival. To stay hidden from the evil Count Olaf, the clever orphans are forced to masquerade as sideshow attractions. In this stomach-turning ninth adventure, you will face a confusing map, an ambidextrous person, an unruly crowd, a wooden plank, and the mysterious Chabo the Wolf Baby. The Baudelaires must use every ounce of their inventing, researching, and biting skills to uncover a terrible lie before they are fed to the hungry lions. This hilariously dark comedy will keep you completely captivated, even as you wish you had chosen to read something far more cheerful. Proceed if you dare, but do not say you were not warned.

The epic battle to save humanity reaches its explosive peak in this thrilling continuation of the League of Seven adventures. Archie Dent has just uncovered a shocking secret about his own origins, leaving him wondering if he truly belongs with the heroes. But there is no time for doubts. A terrifying new threat has emerged. The maniacal Philomena Moffett has seized control of the powerful Dragon Lantern and unleashed a massive army of monsters across the American continent. To stand a chance against her Shadow League, Archie and his loyal friends must race against the clock to track down the final two members of their legendary team. You will travel alongside them as they face down dangerous beasts, solve ancient mysteries, and pull off daring rescues. It is a high-stakes test of friendship, courage, and teamwork. Will the League finally unite their powers to stop the monster war, or is humanity out of time? Jump into the action and find out.

A very small lump of coal is looking for a big purpose in life. While everyone else is busy celebrating the winter holidays, you will follow this unusual, walking, talking piece of carbon as he rolls through the bustling city streets searching for his true calling. He visits art galleries, busy restaurants, and pharmacies, hoping to find a place where his unique, flammable talents are truly appreciated. Even though he is rejected again and again, he never gives up his dream of doing something spectacular. This incredibly charming and wonderfully funny holiday tale shows that even the most overlooked objects can achieve something magical with enough determination. If you love clever stories about underdogs, bright seasonal cheer, and characters who forge their own unique path, you will absolutely adore this heartwarming winter journey. Prepare to laugh and cheer for the most spectacular piece of coal you have ever met.

A secret folder of forbidden correspondence has been carefully gathered just for you, but reading it might be a terrible mistake. You are opening a deeply personal collection of letters shared between Lemony Snicket and the mysterious woman named Beatrice. This unique puzzle of a book requires you to act as a brilliant investigator, piecing together telegrams, peculiar punch-out letters, and deeply hidden clues about the tragic Baudelaire orphans. As you examine the paper trail left behind by a secretive organization, you will slowly uncover the profound connections between characters you thought you understood. This is not a traditional story, but rather a brilliant and interactive mystery that relies entirely on your sharp eyes and quick mind. If you love deciphering secret codes, analyzing clues, and experiencing the dark humor of a world filled with secrets, this file of classified information is waiting for your review. Read carefully, because every single word matters.

Trouble is brewing across the Five Provinces, and the Grimjinx family is about to be pulled right into the middle of it. Mysterious and powerful magical artifacts have suddenly vanished from the highly guarded royal vaults. Even worse, master thieves from a legendary secret society known as the Shadowhands are disappearing without a trace. Young Jaxter Grimjinx suspects all these strange events are connected. After the disastrous tapestry fiasco that nearly destroyed Vengekeep, Jaxter knows he should stay far away from danger. But when he and his parents receive a direct summons from the Shadowhands, they realize it is an order they would be foolish to ignore. Thrust deep into the heart of a massive conspiracy, Jaxter must team up with some unexpected new friends to uncover long-buried secrets. Packed with brilliant twists, daring heists, and non-stop action, this thrilling sequel will leave you absolutely breathless as Jaxter races to save the secret society of thieves.

The miserable path of the Baudelaire orphans continues as they are dropped off at Prufrock Preparatory School, an institution with a strict motto that means you will die. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are forced to live in a tin shack filled with snapping crabs and must endure six-hour nightly violin recitals by the dreadful Vice Principal Nero. You will feel their deep frustration as they try to survive their challenging new classes and avoid the school's awful rules. However, a tiny ray of hope appears when the Baudelaires meet the Quagmire triplets, who understand exactly what it is like to lose everything. Together, the new friends must pool their clever minds and unique talents to solve problems. Unfortunately, their safety is shattered when a surprisingly familiar and terrible disguised gym teacher arrives on campus. You will race through these pages as the children desperately try to expose Count Olaf's latest scheme before he can steal their family fortune and ruin their lives once again.

Falsely accused of a terrible crime and plastered on the front page of the Daily Punctilio, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are on the run with nowhere to hide. You will join the three desperate orphans as they seek refuge in the gloomy halls of Heimlich Hospital, a place that is anything but healing. While dodging the authorities and the relentless pursuit of Count Olaf and his wicked theater troupe, you must help the children navigate a maze of medical files, intercom announcements, and highly suspicious doctors. The Baudelaires rely on their sharp minds to decipher anagrams and uncover vital secrets about their past before it is too late. This chilling and comical installment of the orphans' wretched journey will keep you turning pages with nervous anticipation. If you possess a brilliant mind and a taste for dark, suspenseful adventures where quick thinking is the only medicine, this hospital visit will be an unforgettable experience. Prepare yourself for a thoroughly unfortunate operation.

A violent storm has washed Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire onto the shores of a remote, mysterious island, far away from everything they have ever known. You are about to embark on the final, astonishing chapter of their incredibly miserable journey. At first glance, this isolated colony seems completely tranquil, with peaceful residents who all wear the same white clothes and follow the strange rules of their suspicious leader. But as you dig deeper into the island's secrets, you will discover that danger and treachery have followed the orphans across the ocean. Count Olaf is still lurking, and the answers to the greatest mysteries of the Baudelaire family are hidden right beneath the sand. This gripping and darkly humorous conclusion will challenge everything you thought you knew about right and wrong, safe harbors, and the secrets adults keep. If you have been brave enough to follow these brilliant siblings this far, you must stay with them to uncover how their wretched tale finally concludes.

Your journey into the treacherous Mortmain Mountains begins right now, and I am deeply sorry to report that it will not be a pleasant trip. Violet and Klaus Baudelaire are trudging through the freezing snow, desperately trying to rescue their baby sister, Sunny, from the clutches of the villainous Count Olaf. As you follow their perilous climb, you will encounter a swarm of snow gnats, a deceptive villain, and a very slippery slope that threatens to send everyone tumbling into ruin. The Baudelaire orphans must use all of their inventing, researching, and biting skills to survive this freezing ordeal and reach what might be the last safe place on earth. This mysterious adventure is filled with dark humor, secret organizations, and puzzles that will keep you guessing at every turn. If you enjoy tales of clever children outsmarting foolish adults in the face of terrible odds, this dreary winter tale is waiting for you. Just remember to pack a very warm coat and prepare for a truly unfortunate sequence of events.

When a series of bizarre coincidences begins to ripple through Chicago, two eleven-year-olds who barely know each other realize they are the only ones paying attention. Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay couldn't be more different, but when a priceless Vermeer painting is stolen on its way to a museum, their unique talents are the only hope for its recovery. Jump in You will use pentominoes and secret codes alongside Calder, while Petra follows her sharp instincts to find patterns in the chaos. Why it pulls you in This isn't just a search for a missing canvas; it is a puzzle that invites you to look at the world differently. Are there really such things as accidents, or is everything connected? Behind the mystery As an international scandal unfolds, you will help the duo navigate a web of letters, eccentric neighbors, and art history to save a masterpiece before it disappears into the shadows for good.

The Robie House is a masterpiece of glass and shadow, but something is very wrong within its walls. As the famous Frank Lloyd Wright building faces the threat of being demolished, Petra and Calder find themselves drawn into a new labyrinth of secrets. This time, they are joined by Calders old friend Tommy, creating a tense dynamic just as the mystery turns dangerous. Guided by the pages of H.G. Wells The Invisible Man and the sharp angles of 3D pentominoes, you will help the trio hunt for a hidden message left behind by the architect himself. Strange accidents and ghostly whispers suggest that the house is fighting back against its fate. In a race where art, architecture, and personal loyalties collide, you must decide what is real and what is a clever deception. Can three friends solve a code carved into the very foundation of the building, or will they become part of the houses dark history?

The entire town of V.F.D. is obsessed with following hundreds of ridiculous rules, and breaking even one of them will land you in severe trouble. You are traveling with Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire as they are placed into the care of an entire village of angry, suspicious residents. The siblings are desperate to find their missing friends and decode a series of mysterious letters, but their investigation is constantly interrupted by migrating crows and foolish town elders. When a shocking crime occurs and the orphans are falsely accused, you must help them launch a daring escape from a heavily guarded cell before an angry mob arrives. This gripping, darkly funny adventure forces the clever Baudelaires to rely completely on their own wits and bravery when every adult around them has lost their mind. If you enjoy thrilling escapes, secret codes, and incredibly frustrating villains, this village is worth a visit, though you will definitely want to leave quickly.

Calder Pillay is used to puzzles, but he never expected to become the center of one. While visiting a remote, misty village in England with his father, Calder discovers a strange Alexander Calder sculpture standing in the town square. Just as he begins to feel an eerie connection to the artwork, both he and the massive sculpture vanish without a trace. Jump in You will follow Petra and Tommy as they rush across the Atlantic to find their friend, navigating ancient mazes and suspicious locals who never wanted the sculpture there in the first place. Why it pulls you in The mystery has as many moving parts as a mobile caught in a storm. You will have to track down clues through symbols and patterns that bridge the gap between art and reality. Behind the mystery In a town where everyone is watching but no one is talking, you will help the team uncover a game where the stakes are life and death. Can they find Calder before the final piece falls into place?

A heavy cloud of smoke hangs over the town of Paltryville, and the situation for the Baudelaire orphans is about to get much worse. You are joining Violet, Klaus, and Sunny as they are forced to perform grueling labor at the Lucky Smells Lumbermill. While sorting logs and eating terrible meals, you will quickly notice that the workers are acting strangely, and the sinister foreman seems entirely too familiar. When a menacing eye-shaped building across the street begins to exert a terrifying influence, the siblings realize that Count Olaf has devised a hypnotic new scheme to steal their fortune. You must help the brilliant orphans use their inventing, reading, and problem-solving skills to break a terrible trance and prevent a tragic machinery accident. This darkly humorous and deeply suspenseful mystery shows that even in the most miserable circumstances, intelligence and sibling teamwork can overcome wicked plans. Put on your hard hat and stay incredibly alert.

Lake Lachrymose looks dramatic even before the hurricane arrives. For Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire, their new home with Aunt Josephine offers a cliffside view, a nervous guardian, and a long list of things to fear, including doorknobs, realtors, and a lake filled with hungry leeches. The children try to make sense of their aunt’s worries, but Count Olaf’s shadow is never far behind. When danger strikes, the Baudelaires must notice clues others miss, question what they are told, and rely on one another as the storm around them grows worse. With its bleak humor, suspenseful setting, and clever wordplay, The Wide Window is a darkly funny middle grade adventure for readers who like mysteries, brave siblings, dangerous weather, and villains who are never as far away as they should be.

Jump in On a sweltering August day in Paris over a century ago, a desperate guard bursts into the Louvre museum director's office with shocking news. The Mona Lisa has been stolen! Why it pulls you in You are thrown right into the middle of a frantic international manhunt. Was it a gang of thieves? An American millionaire? Or perhaps the young artist Pablo Picasso? You get to wander the backstreets of turn-of-the-century Paris, meeting infamous detectives and suspects, before traveling further back in time to explore the wondrously weird life of Leonardo da Vinci himself. What you will discover This propulsive true crime thriller uncovers the secret at the heart of the world's most famous painting. You will learn how a devastating art heist transformed a masterpiece into a global celebrity, and why this iconic portrait should never have existed in the first place.

Before he was the infamous pirate terrorizing Neverland, he was just James Matthew, an eccentric outcast with a very shadowy family tree. With his long black curls and an unusual love for pet spiders, James looks nothing like his stiff, rule-following peers at the prestigious Eton school. But he is determined to leave his mark. Dubbed King Jas by his classmates, he stops at absolutely nothing to become the most notorious troublemaker the school has ever seen. For James, sword fighting in the halls, falling in love with a beautiful Ottoman Sultana, and directly challenging the Queen of England are just part of a normal day. However, everything changes when he finally sets sail on a ship with a highly mysterious mission. His lifelong dream of discovering a magical island quickly twists into an unimaginable nightmare. Dive into this thrilling adventure to witness how a misunderstood boy transforms into the most legendary and feared villain in classic literature.