The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class Boxed Set: Books 1-6

By Rajani LaRocca

Illustrated by Kat Fajardo

$42.00

$54.00 CAD

Format

Trade Paperback

Format:

Trade Paperback $42.00 $54.00 CAD

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Meet the kids in Mrs. Z’s wacky and wonderful third-grade class! In the first six books of this playful chapter book series, you’ll go on adventures with an energetic cheerleader, a scared pet-sitter, a baking whiz, a fantasy enthusiast, an imaginative lizard-lover, and a talent-show star. These funny and reassuring classroom tales are perfect for fans of Andrew Clements, My Weirdtastic School, and The Questioneers.

It’s time for school at the brand new Curiosity Academy, where a certain third grade classroom stands out from the rest. It’s got a zany teacher named Mrs. Z, who wears high-tops and science earrings, and an eclectic class of students from all over Peppermint Falls. But even when school is cool, life can still be challenging. In each book, follow along with a different student as they try new things, face their fears, and learn to soar in Mrs. Z’s class.

★ Emma just wants to makes friends at her new school, but an old friend-turned-enemy might ruin her chance at a fresh start.
★ Rohan opens a pet care company to raise money for a school garden, but it’s hard to care for pets when you’ve never done it before …and might be a little afraid of them!
★ Poppy tries out a new candy recipe for her class, but she’s distracted by her grandma, who’s suddenly forgetting things she used to know by heart.
★ Memo is thrilled to be going to a sci-fi fantasy convention, but his Spanish-speaking abuela has to take him there and Memo doesn’t speak Spanish. Nothing could go wrong, right?
★ Wyatt usually keeps to himself and chats with his best friend, Lizzie, who happens to be a stuffed lizard. But as he gets older, is it still okay for him to bring Lizzie to school?
★ Ayana doesn’t know what to do when she’s center-stage at the upcoming variety show. Even worse, her loud, bad-joke-telling, all-eyes-on-me dad is a variety show volunteer! How can she figure out her performance when he keeps embarrassing her?

With six exciting tales of friendship and family packaged together, this box set is perfect for budding binge-readers, and with each book written by a different all-star children’s author, this series is perfect for getting early readers hooked on books! The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class can be read in any order you choose.

Included in this box set:

Emma McKenna, Full Out
Rohan Murthy Has a Plan
Poppy Song Bakes a Way
The Legend of Memo Castillo
Wyatt Hill’s Best Friend Is a Lizard
Ayana Ndoum Takes the Stage

But Mrs. Z’s Class isn’t done yet! Don’t miss!

Olive Little Gets Crafty (#7)
Synclaire Fields Knows the Score (#8)
Theo Chang: Boy or Cat? (#9)
Thunder Nelson and the Impossumble Dream (#10)

Genre:

Series:

The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class

Praise for the Kids in Mrs. Z's Class
"Uplifting and encouraging."
Kirkus Reviews
“Buy the book and the series. Kids need access to this diverse classroom of students who face everyday crises with their supportive friends, and this gentle read shows the goodness in the world without being overly sappy.”
SLJ
"Believable characters experiencing age-appropriate challenges: making new friends, navigating social groups, overcoming shyness, and dealing with embarrassment. . . Share with fans of Annie Barrows' Ivy and Bean books or Sara Pennypacker's Clementine series."
Booklist
"[A] wholesome read ... buoyant."
Publishers Weekly
"This new series is giving [Polk Street School] vibes. I absolutely love that each book is written by a different author and I love how diverse the classroom is. . . The great thing about [these] books is they showcase kids working together and supporting each other."
Teen Librarian Toolbox

On Sale: Oct 14, 2025
Page Count: 768 pages
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
ISBN-13: 9781523531462

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Kate Messner

About the Author

Kate Messner is passionately curious and writes books for kids who wonder, too. Her award-winning titles include picture books like Once Upon a Book, Over and Under the Snow, and The Scariest Kitten in the World; middle-grade novels like All the Answers and Breakout; the Fergus and Zeke easy reader series; the Ranger in Time chapter book adventures; and the History Smashers illustrated nonfiction series. A former middle-school Language Arts teacher, she splits her time between New York's Champlain Valley and Florida's Gulf Coast. Visit her online at katemessner.com and find her on social media at @katemessner.

Rajani LaRocca was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area, where she practices medicine and writes award-winning books for young readers, including the Newbery Honor-winning middle-grade novel in verse, Red, White, and Whole. She’s always been an omnivorous reader, and now she is an omnivorous writer of fiction and nonfiction, novels and picture books, prose and poetry. She also co-hosts the STEM Women in KidLit Podcast. Learn more about Rajani and her books at RajaniLaRocca.com and Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn at @RajaniLaRocca.

Karina Yan Glaser started writing The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street when her uncle dared her to write a book. Now she is a New York Times bestselling author. Karina’s novels have been translated into twelve languages and have been optioned for film by Amy Poehler. Her latest book, A Duet For Home, earned three starred reviews, was featured on The Today Show, was selected for numerous Best Of lists, nominated for eight state book awards, and was a Teen Readers Choice Award Finalist, among other honors. One of her proudest achievements is raising two kids who can’t go anywhere without a book. She lives in New York City with her husband, two teenagers, and an assortment of rescue animals. Find her online at http://www.karinaglaser.com.

William Alexander won the National Book Award for his debut novel, Goblin Secrets, as well as the Earphones Award for his narration of the audiobook. Other honors include the Eleanor Cameron Award, two Junior Library Guild Selections, a Mythopoetic Award finalist, an International Latino Book Award finalist, and a Cybils Award finalist. Like the protagonist of his books Nomad and Ambassador, William is the son of a Latino immigrant to the US. He teaches in the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults and lives in Vermont. Visit him online at WillAlex.net.

Eliot Schrefer is a New York Times bestselling author who has twice been a finalist for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. He also received the Stonewall Honor for best LGBTQIA+ teen book and a Printz Honor for best young adult book from the American Library Association. His science writing has appeared in Discover, Sierra, USA Today, Nautilus, and The Washington Post Magazine. He has an M.A. in animal studies from NYU, is on the faculty of Hamline University's MFA for Writing for Children and Young Adults, and lives with his husband in New York City. Visit him online at eliotschrefer.com.

Kekla Magoon is the author of many novels and nonfiction books for young readers, including The Season of Styx Malone, The Rock and the River, How It Went Down, and Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party's Promise to the People. She has received the Margaret A. Edwards Award, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, the John Steptoe New Talent Award, three Coretta Scott King Honors, the Walter Award Honor, an NAACP Image Award, and been a finalist for the National Book Award. Kekla conducts school and library visits nationwide and serves on the Writers’ Council for the National Writing Project. Kekla holds a B.A. from Northwestern University and an M.F.A. in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts, where she now serves on faculty. Visit her online at keklamagoon.com.

Kat Fajardo (they/she) is a Honduran Colombian award-winning cartoonist and illustrator from the lively and magical place of Loisaida, New York City. They are the creator of Miss Quinces, which was a National Indie Bestseller, received two starred reviews, and was selected as a summer reading pick by Entertainment Weekly, Publishers Weekly, The Horn Book, and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. It was the first Graphix title to be simultaneously published in English and Spanish (as Srta. Quinces). They are a graduate of the School of Visual Arts, and their work has been recognized by online publications such as Remezcla, El Hispanic News, School Library Journal, Huffington Post Latino Voices, and more. Kat loves to create playful and colorful work about self-acceptance and Latine culture. When they aren’t making comics, you might find them collecting small junk for scrapbooking, listening to spooky podcasts, or chasing after their sock-stealing pups, Mac and Roni. Kat lives in Austin, Texas. Visit them online at katfajardo.com.

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Rajani LaRocca

About the Author

Rajani LaRocca is a physician and an author of books for young readers, such as Midsummer’s Mayhem and Summer Is for Cousins. She received a Newbery Honor for her novel Red, White, and Whole. Rajani was born in Bangalore, India, immigrated to the United States when she was very young, and became a naturalized citizen of the United States at the age of fifteen. She now lives in eastern Massachusetts with her family. She invites you to visit her online at rajanilarocca.com.

Huy Voun Lee arrived in New York City as a Cambodian refugee at the age of six. She quickly developed a lifelong love for art and origami, both of which influence her colorful cut-paper style. Huy has written and illustrated many books for children, including Like a Dandelion, which was a Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year, a Bank Street Best Book of the Year, and a CCBC Choice. She lives in New York City with her family.

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