Johanna Hurwitz Books

Fourth-grader Chaya Ann Tober loves cats. Even her initials, C.A.T., are perfect for her! She feels so cat-like herself that when her actual cat Ollie, a very picky eater, refuses to eat a mysterious new kind of cat food, she tries to encourage him by tasting a tiny bit of it herself (and finds it, surprisingly, not awful.) That night Chaya has the craziest dream--she dreams she really has become a cat, one with orange fur, the exact color of her own hair. Or is it a dream? Join in the adventures as C.A.T. and her annoying older brother Daniel use some magical food to become cats, prowl their neighborhood at night, prevent a cat-astrophe, and see each other in a whole new light. A purr-fect chapter book for early grade readers (ages 7-9) who like animals and fantasy adventure, even if they are pickier eaters than C.A.T.

Five-year-old Elisa has an older brother and a new baby brother, but her elderly neighbor says the middle is the best, just like the filling in a sandwich.

The story introduces the charming and humorous Kelly twins, showcasing their unique bond and adventures. Readers will enjoy the twins' delightful personalities and the amusing situations they encounter, highlighting themes of friendship and individuality. Johanna Hurwitz crafts a narrative that captures the essence of sibling dynamics, making it relatable and entertaining for young audiences.

Lucas Cott is one of the smartest kids in Mrs. Hockaday's third grade -- but he is also the most rambunctious. Lucas doesn't mean to be the class clown, so he promises to try to behave, even though it doesn't sound like much fun. With the best intentions, Lucas still manages to cause the unexpected when he accidentally lets a yardful of autumn leaves loose in his classroom, gets his head stuck in a chair during a school assembly, and even makes a daring bet with Cricket, the class brain. But when Mrs. Hockaday assigns him the part of a clown in their class circus, Lucas knows he would be better as the ringmaster. Can he convince his teacher, or will he always be just the class clown? This is a warm and funny story about a boy who learns that there's a time and place for everything -- even humor.

Exploring the lives of seven-year-old identical twins, the story delves into their shared experiences and individual identities. As Arlene and Ilene navigate sleepovers, poetry projects, and new haircuts, they discover the unique aspects that set them apart while also celebrating their similarities. This charming narrative highlights the journey of self-discovery amidst the bond of twinhood.

Julio hides his own leadership ambitions to help another candidate win the nomination for class president.

When a childhood illness leaves her blind and deaf, Helen Keller's life seems hopeless indeed. But her indomitable will and the help of a devoted teacher empower Helen to triumph over incredible adversity. This amazing true story is finally brought to the beginner reader level.

A precocious little boy, Aldo is interested in everything around him. So it means bad news for him as well as for some crickets when four chameleons arrive to demonstrate nature's food chain.

The third Park Pals adventure is now available in paperback. When pretty Plush ends up in Central Park, PeeWee thinks he'll have a family soon. But Plush couldn't be less interested in exploring the wild outdoors with him. Then, PeeWee finds out that winter will be coming. Will these two guinea pigs overcome their differences in time to prepare for the bitter cold? This action-packed tale about building friendship and conquering fear is full of surprises!