Things are going just swimmingly for EllRay. He's finally getting along with most of the kids at school. He's even getting along with his family. But then everything comes screeching to a halt when his younger sister accidently overfeeds the classroom goldfish EllRay was supposed to be taking care of over Spring vacation. What is EllRay going to tell his teacher and the kids in his third-grade class? Fortunately, most of them are sympathetic. But not bossy Cynthia. She sees this as an opportunity to blame EllRay for her own mess-ups. Must EllRay now walk the plank for stuff that he didn't do?

EllRay Jakes may be the shortest kid in his class, and he may get into trouble from time to time, but he can always count on his best friends Kevin and Corey. But lately, Kevin has been skateboarding with the meanest boy in class. Could EllRay be losing one of his friends? Not giving up without a fight, EllRay asks his older neighbor to show him a few jaw-dropping skateboard moves—like ollies and kickflips. EllRay must learn as many tricks as he can before the secret boys-only third grade skate-off. But will it be enough?

The small kid with big problems returns in the seventh book of this beloved series! It’s almost Christmas and school is going great for EllRay. He’s “blending in” just the way he likes. So when his father tells him he should be proud to be part of the African-American “community,” EllRay isn’t so sure he wants to call attention to his differences. After all, he’s only one of two boys in his class with brown skin. And then, totally by accident, he insults the other boy—one of his best friends—and all at once EllRay’s back to being the center of attention. And not exactly for good reasons. With Sally Warner’s trademark sense of humor and spot-on dialogue, EllRay confronts questions about race and how it impacts both himself and everyone around him. “Kids of all stripes will identify with EllRay and his unwittingly hilarious antics.”—Booklist A Junior Library Guild selection A Scholastic Book Club selection A Texas Bluebonnet Award Winner 2012-13

Third-grader EllRay dreads the upcoming Winter Wonderland school assembly in which he must emcee and sing "Jingle Bell Rock."

EllRay Jakes finally grows up (a little) by playing basketball in this ninth book in the series. There's a new game in town—basketball! Or in Ellray's case, pre-basketball. Coach Havens has all the third graders dribbling, passing, and shooting, and he's quick to compliment EllRay's skills. No one else seems to notice them, however, and as 'the shortest kid in the class,' EllRay is still chosen last for teams at recess. What's a short guy gotta do to get noticed?? When EllRay comes up with a plan that involves the off-limits teacher's lounge, everyone does a double take! PRAISE FOR THE ELLRAY JAKES SERIES: "Warner is a dead-on observer of playground politics, and has a great ear for dialogue."—School Library Journal on EllRay Jakes Is Not a Chicken! "...ideal for reluctant readers."—Booklist on EllRay Jakes Is Not a Chicken! "Young readers can identify with EllRay, who is neither a bad seed nor a goody-two-shoes; he and his sense of humor are just right."—Kirkus on EllRay Jakes Is a Rock Star! "The EllRay Jakes stories are just right for his real-life peers."—Kirkus on EllRay Jakes Walks the Plank

“Kids of all stripes will identify with EllRay and his unwittingly hilarious antics.”—Booklist Eight-year-old EllRay is down to one-and-a-half best friends, and his little sister points out the obvious: he needs more! So EllRay decides to audition other boys for the part, the way his sister is auditioning for the lead role in her day care’s spring play. Now, EllRay has to come up with fun things to do at recess, because when he’s the Recess King, everyone will want to be his friend!

Join EllRay and his friends in two laugh-out-loud adventures in the EllRay Jakes series—two books in one! “Kids of all stripes will identify with EllRay and his unwittingly hilarious antics.” —Booklist EllRay Jakes Is Not a Chicken! EllRay Jakes is tired of being bullied by fellow classmate Jared Matthews. But when EllRay tries to defend himself, he winds up in trouble. Then his dad offers him a deal: if he stays out of trouble for one week, they'll go to Disneyland! EllRay says he can do it. But saying it and doing it are two very different things. EllRay Jakes Is a Rock Star! All the boys in EllRay's third-grade class have something they can brag about. Corey's on the swim team; Kevin is super tall; Jared's dad has an ATV. But EllRay's dad is a geologist—not much to brag about. After all, rocks are boring. Then EllRay sees the crystals in his dad's office, and they are really cool-looking. If EllRay just "borrows" them to show his classmates, he knows they'd be impressed. And his dad will never have to know. It's a perfect plan . . . until things go awry.