Thanks to Mrs. Erickson, my eighth grade Social Studies teacher, I never liked history. Then, one day my grandmother told me about her mother homesteading by herself as a young woman in eastern Montana. "The only time Mom was ever afraid," my grandmother said, "was in the winter, when the wild horses stampeded."

Now why was Hattie afraid of those stampeding horses? Check out my blog for the answer, as well as more about the writing of Hattie Big Sky, due out in fall 2006 from Delacorte/Random House.

Order via bookstores or from Delacorte/Random House.

It's no wonder everyone in the village avoids Griselda. Not even the Lord Mayor is spared the wrath of her sharp tongue. Although Griselda pretends she doesn't care, she's actually quite lonely.

Yet, despite her grumpy nature, Griselda has a kind heart. She even gives shelter for the night to a poor old woman. In the morning, when the grateful visitor offers a "magic" kerchief, Griselda accepts the gift. It's lovely, even though she knows that it couldn't possibly be enchanted - or could it?

Reviews

Winner Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award, Banks Street College of Education Best Books, nominated for South Dakota Prairie Bud (Young Readers' Choice) Award.

"This lighthearted tale offers a humorous take on the theme of kindness being its own reward." -- Hornbook

Illustrated by Rosanne Litzinger. Published by Holiday House, 2000. Available at your local independent bookstore.

To celebrate National Pig Day, Quinn and her second-grade classmates are taking all kinds of piggy things to school to display in the classroom's Pig Patch. Too many pigs can drive a kid crazy, but Quinn is excited anyway - there's a new girl named Manuela in the class, and Quinn wants to be her best friend. Quinn and Manuela's friendship takes off quickly, then hits a snag because of a misunderstanding. Can the two girls solve their problems and still make second grade "pig perfect?"

A note from Kirby: Look for the secret message that illustrator, Nancy Poydar, wrote to me in the illustrations!

Reviews

Best Book for 1st and 2nd Graders -- The Seattle Times
"All turns out well in Larson's humorous and accurate look at the problems and antics of primary-age children." -- Horn Book Guide

Illustrated by Nancy Poydar. Original hardcover edition, Holiday House 1994; first paperback edition, Dell Yearling; now available from Scholastic Book Clubs. ISBN 0-439-59766-8. Phone orders: 1-800-724-6527

Cody and Quinn are good friends but Royce teases them constantly about being boyfriend and girlfriend. Cody's at the end of his rope! Quinn's big brother says there are only two ways to deal with a twerp like Royce - get mad or get even. But getting mad hasn't done Cody any good. It is time for him to get even?

A note from Kirby: The story that the principal in this book, Mrs. Moore, tells to Cody is based on a true story my children's principal, Mrs. Lesser, told me one day about something that happened to her when she was a child.

Reviews

Nominated for Missouri Show Me (Young Reader's Choice) Award.

"The tension mounts all the way to the principal's office as Larson's second grader act out this typical school story with a generous measure of humor and sensitivity." -- The Bulletin

Illustrated by Nancy Poydar. Original hardcover edition, Holiday House, 1996; paperback edition, Dell Yearling. Currently out of print.