Andy Shane and the Pumpkin Trick (Andy Shane, 2) - Tapa dura

When pranksters ruin Dolores Starbuckle's perfectly good pumpkins, Andy Shane puts his trickiest plan to the test in this humorous, uplifting tale filled with Halloween fun.

Andy Shane does not want to go to Dolores Starbuckle's birthday party. It's on the same day as Halloween! Plus, Dolores is always ordering Andy around, making Andy lists on a clipboard, or squealing over Andy's marble collection. But when Dolores tells him that someone is smashing pumpkins in front of her house, the idea of tricking the tricksters sounds too appealing to resist. Maybe there's even a way to scare off the vandals and give Dolores a really great present, all at the same time!

JENNIFER RICHARD JACOBSON is the author of numerous books for younger readers, including ANDY SHANE AND THE VERY BOSSY DOLORES STARBUCKLE, also illustrated by Abby Carter. "I loved Halloween as a child," she says. "Before trick-or-treating, millions of kids (or so it seemed) paraded around our town hall in an annual costume contest. One year, in the final moments, I was chosen to win a prize. I was Mother Goose. Who knew then that I would grow up to tell stories?"

ABBY CARTER has illustrated numerous books for young readers, including MY HIPPIE GRANDMOTHER by Reeve Lindbergh and ANDY SHANE AND THE VERY BOSSY DOLORES STARBUCKLE. She says, "I found myself laughing out loud while illustrating Dolores Starbuckle. She is such a lovable pain in the neck!"