A shy boy with asthma starts first grade—and comes into his own—in this appealing story for early chapter book readers. Six-year-old Monty doesn’t have a brother, a sister, or a pet. What he does have is asthma, which sometimes makes it hard to breathe and often makes him feel like he’d rather be somebody else. And now that he’s starting first grade, he’s very nervous about being with all those kids he won’t know. Luckily, he loves to read—even really hard books—and has a talent for finding things, from a cocooning caterpillar to classmates who want to be in his very own club. With familiar situations and gentle humor, Johanna Hurwitz follows an endearing character as he discovers that being himself can be pretty great after all.

Monty is mighty enough to take karate in a funny, true-to-life sequel with surefi re appeal for early chapter-book readers. Monty Gerald Morris may be small and shy, but he's a mighty smart kid and an A+ reader. In an endearing follow-up to Mostly Monty, the quiet first-grader continues to come into his own—playing the part of a tree in a comically miscued school play, sharing his enthusiasm for ants at an outdoor birthday party, even signing up for karate class despite his asthma. Once again, Johanna Hurwitz finds gentle humor in everyday situations and offers a charming portrayal of a likable character many young readers will relate to.

A new sibling is just one of the surprises—some good, some not so much—awaiting Monty in another story for early chapter book readers. It’s because six-year-old Monty is such a great reader that he finds out about a free pair of parakeets in need of a new owner. And though Yankee and Doodle end up in his classroom, not his own house, unexpected things are happening at home as well. First there’s the tooth that finally falls out, then the amazing news that Monty will have a new brother or sister. But one surprise—the carwash his friends Ilene and Arlene find exciting—turns out to be more of an asthma trigger for Monty than a treat. In this gently humorous adventure, Monty faces the unpredictable, everyday turns of a first-grader’s life with his usual lovable charm.

Monty tries to master a magic kit—and finds some real-life situations tricky—in this spot-on story about an endearing, utterly relatable first-grader. First grade is almost over, and Monty will soon be seven. He’s now a big brother, too, which makes him feel very grown-up. But when he tries to use the magic set his grandmother gave him, he has a little trouble. Maybe the card trick would work if he were eight years old? Mother’s Day is coming, and Monty wishes he had something better to give his mom than the picture frame he made out of ice-cream sticks at school. But how is he supposed to guess from the TV call-in ad how much flowers cost, or that you need a special card to get them? Whether involving his baby sister in his library project, losing a sneaker while marching with his karate class in the parade, or learning that an exciting afternoon isn’t always a good thing, Monty’s familiar adventures embody the gentle humor of everyday life.