What would you do to win a dare war? In a humorous and insightful novel reminiscent of her award-winning titles The Thing About Georgie and Umbrella Summer, Lisa Graff tells the story of fourth-graders Kansas Bloom and Francine Halata, who start out as archenemies, until--in a battle of wits and willpower--they discover that they have a lot more in common than either would have guessed. This dual-perspective novel will appeal to girls and boys alike--and to anyone who has ever wanted anything so badly that they'd lick a lizard to get it.

As an attorney and pet-sitter in L.A., Kendra Ballantyne, Esq., has met more than her share of difficult pets and people. But when some arrogant cloners cross her path, she meets a whole new breed whose perilous business is playing God. It's been a rough month for Kendra. Her boyfriend and sidekick, Jeff Hubbard, P.I., has gone missing—right after they decided to move in together. It sounds like a case of cold feet until they find his car, submerged and bloody, in a canal. Kendra's panicked inquiries lead her to Jeff's Aunt Lois, an ex-pole dancer and full-time eccentric, who had taken her dog Flisa, a sweet-natured Akita mix, to a company that promised to clone the pup. But poor Flisa never made it out alive. And then, one of the cloners is murdered. As Kendra picks up the scent of Jeff’s investigation, she wonders: Was Jeff kidnapped? If not, why hasn't he contacted her? Is he protecting his revenge-driven aunt? Or worse...could he be the killer? Kendra is hounded by questions, and for the first time, she's not sure she wants the answers.

A new program for gifted and talented students has the fifth grade in turmoil. Ultimately, all those involved learn an important lesson about the meaning of "gifted", and that there are many ways for a person to be special.

This voltage reading challenges teens to step up and use their gifts while making themselves available to be an instrument for Gods purposes. (Practical Life)

People are dared to do so many things throughout life. In school, dares come from friends. At home there are dares from family members. Double-Dog Dare is about hard choices people need to make every day to grow in Christ in the middle of life with family and friends. These forty dares will challenge and stretch the individual beyond what can be imagined. Each one has the potential to impact a person and those in their closest circles of life. It won't be an easy journey, but consider this a dare. No, consider it a double-dog dare!

While joking and taking dares, two boys are treed by a mean-looking dog.