Mary Amato is an award-winning children's book author. Her books have been translated into foreign languages, optioned for television, produced onstage, and nominated for the children's choice awards in many states. She also writes plays, poems, songs, articles, and essays and teaches workshops on writing.

Invisible Lines
illustrated by Antonio Caparo
Egmont USA, 2009
ISBN 978-1606840108

Trevor Musgrove is a funny, talented, and struggling 7th grade boy—one step away from being homeless—who finds inspiration in the unlikely study of mushrooms.

Take the Mummy and Run:
The Riot Brothers are on a Roll
illustrated by Ethan Long
Holiday House, 2009
ISBN 978-0-8234-2175-6

Orville and Wilbur Riot aren’t sure what to expect when their cousin comes to visit. But adventure-loving Amelia E. Hart is just the kind of cousin these two crazy boys have always wanted: one that comes with her own pet snake! Whether hunting for lost mummies or creating their own water park, there’s never a dull moment. Complete with Riot Brother rules, games, and songs, this latest book in the Riot Brothers series will have kids shouting: “Hip hip hooronie!”

The Chicken of the Family
illustrated by Delphine Durand
Putnam, 2008
ISBN 978-0-399-24196-3

Henrietta's sisters love to tease her. When they convince her that she's a chicken instead of a little girl, she heads off to the farm to find her real family. What she discovers there will have readers squawking with delight.

Awards and Recognition
Publishers Weekly Starred Review; Junior Library Guild Choice; Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Starred Review; Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon Choice (2008); Charlotte Zolotow Award Committee's Highly Commended title (2009); Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choice (2009); Red Clover Book Award (Vermont) Master List (2009-2010); Great Lakes Great Books Master List (Michigan) (2009-2010); Beehive (Utah) Book Award Master List (2009-2010); Selected for Dollywood's Imagination Library program

Stinky and Successful: The Riot Brothers Never Stop
illustrated by Ethan Long
Holiday House, 2007
ISBN 978-0-8234-2100-8

The Riot Brothers are back. Whether defeating a bully with Operation Armpit or winning an April Fool's joke war with their mother, Orville and Wilbur Riot love a good adventure—especially if it involves stinky socks!

Please Write in This Book
illustrated by Eric Brace
Holiday House, 2006
ISBN 978-0-8234-1932-6 HC

When Ms. Wurtz leaves a blank book in the Writer’s Corner with a note encouraging those who find it to “talk to each other” in its pages, it doesn’t take long for the notebook to start causing trouble. Lizzy wants only girls to write in it. Milton wants it to be about facts, not fiction. And Luke just wants to make everybody laugh. The students’ entries spark a classroom-wide battle. But is there a way to fix the damage once the battle gets out of control?

Awards and Recognition
Children’s Choices (IRA and CBC) for 2007; Korean editions (JDM Joongang); November pick for Read On! Wisconsin http://readon.wi.gov/

Drooling and Dangerous: The Riot Brothers Return
illustrated by Ethan Long
Holiday House, 2006
ISBN 978-0-8234-1986-9

The Riot Brothers are never bored. They won't allow it! Whether it's a school day, a snow day, or a switch day, Orville and Wilbur won't let anything get in the way of having fun. Watch out for bug sandwiches—and be careful picking up that toothbrush!

Awards and Recognition
2008-2009 KC 3 Reading Award sponsored by the Greater Kansas City Association of School Librarians; Bank Street Children’s Book Committee Best Children’s Book of 2007 in humor category for ages 5-9; Children’s Choices (IRA and CBC) for 2007; Korean editions (JDM Joongang)

The Naked Mole-Rat Letters
Holiday House, 2005
ISBN 0-8234-1927-4

When her father begins a long-distance romance with a zookeeper from Washington, D.C., twelve-year-old Frankie attempts to sabotage the relationship. Told in a series of emails and diary entries, this heart-warming story chronicles the sorrows and joys of a very original girl.

Awards and Recognition
Scholastic Book Club paperback edition; German edition (DTV); Mark Twain 2008 masterlist; William Allen White 2008 masterlist; Sequoyah 2008 masterlist; Charlotte 2008 masterlist; Land of Enchantment 2008 masterlist; Rebecca Caudill 2010 masterlist

Snarf Attack, Underfoodle, and the Secret of Life:
The Riot Brothers Tell All
illustrated by Ethan Long
Holiday House, 2004
ISBN 0-8234-1750-6

Meet the Riot Brothers—Orville and Wilbur Riot. Sometimes they are undercover detectives. Other times they challenge each other to see who can get the most underwear on his head in exactly thirty seconds. They always have a riot.

Awards and Recognition
Scholastic Book Club paperback edition; Korean editions (JDM Joongang); Sequoyah 2008 masterlist; Sasquatch 2008 masterlist

The Word Eater
illustrated by Christopher Ryniak
Holiday House, 2000
ISBN 0-8234-1468-X (hardcover), 0-8234-1940-1 (paperback)

A sixth-grade loner finds a magic worm that has the power to make things disappear. Will she use this power wisely or get revenge at her new school?

Awards and Recognition
The Grand Canyon Reader Award (2004); Scholastic Book Club paperback edition; Korean edition (JDM Joongang); Maud Hart Lovelace 2007 masterlist; Sasquatch 2003 masterlist; Sunshine 2004 masterlist; Land of Enchantment 2003 masterlist; GCBA 2004 masterlist