Signed copy of "The Good, the Bad and the Beagle."

Set in a Manhattan reminiscent of Louise Fitzhugh's, and starring a protagonist with as much verve as one of Beverly Cleary's, this is the story of feisty eleven-year-old Veronica Morgan, who believes that a furry lemon beagle from the neighborhood pet store will be the solution to the endless worries she has about life in general and friendship in particular. This is a problem, since her bumbling psychiatrist parents won't buy her the puppy she wants or stop meddling in her life at her challenging new school. But things never turn out the way you plan, particularly if you never stop expecting the worst to happen, and haven't taken a chance on being a true friend yourself.

This book is great for 5th graders.