Maybelle the cockroach loves tasty crumbs and scrumptious sprinkles, but she is tired of braving the dangers of Mr. and Mrs. Peabody's kitchen: the flattening feet, the bright light, and especially the cat, Ramona. Enter Bernice. She's an ant with a head cold who can't find her way back to her nest, and she adopts Maybelle as her new queen. But Bernice has a habit of getting into trouble, causing the Peabodys to think their house is haunted. Can't a cockroach ever get a break? “An ideal choice for readers who are just starting chapter books.” ― School Library Journal “Delightful details will make adults giggle right along with new readers. . . . Maybelle is one cockroach who will be welcome back any day.” ― Kirkus Reviews, starred review on Maybelle in the Soup “With its short chapters and simple dialogue, this story of friendship and wishful dreaming will engage readers. . . . Recommend this to reluctant readers who might have a penchant for the buggy side of life or those who want more from their world, no matter how young they are.” ― School Library Journal on Maybelle in the Soup “Short sentences, laugh-out-loud situations, and likable characters make this second series entry a winner.” ― Kirkus Reviews on Maybelle Goes to Tea KATIE SPECK grew up in New Orleans and now lives in Kansas City with a husband, a daughter, an assortment of pets, and a bug or two. She is the author of the popular Maybelle stories: Maybelle in the Soup , Maybelle Goes to Tea , and Maybelle and the Haunted Cupcake . She lives in Kansas City, Missouri. PAUL RÁTZ DE TAGYOS went to Parsons School of Design quite some time ago. He is the author/illustrator of several books for children. He lives in New Rochelle, New York, with neither fleas nor roaches (he swears). He illustrated the Maybelle series by Katie Speck. Maybelle and the Haunted Cupcake By Katie Speck Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) Copyright © 2012 Katie Speck All right reserved. ISBN: 9780805094688 Maybelle and the Haunted Cupcake 1 Make a Wish A t last it was evening at Number 10 Grand Street. In the afternoon, Myrtle Peabody had baked Mystery Ingredient Miniature Cupcakes for the Ladies' Annual Bake Sale. She had decorated them JUST SO with pink icing and chopped nuts and chocolate sprinkles. Now she arranged them on a platter for her husband, Herbert, to admire.Watching from her cozy little home under the refrigerator, Maybelle the Cockroach waved her antennae. "Yum! I know what I want for dinner. I'm going to have a taste of those cupcakes," she said to her friend Henry the Flea."Just remember The Rules, Maybelle."Maybelle recited them by heart: " When it's light, stay out of sight; if you're spied, better hide; never meet with human feet. Don't worry. I'll wait until it's safe,Henry. But why does getting something to eat have to be so hard?""It isn't," Henry said. "It's easy. I live on Ramona, and when I get hungry, I bite her." Ramona was the Peabodys' cat. She was napping close by on the kitchen floor."That's fine for you," Maybelle said. "But I'm tired of going out for food and worrying about The Rules and being chased by Ramona. I wish I could eat at home. I wish someone would bring food to me right here.""Be careful what you wish for, Maybelle. Sometimes wishes come true," Henry said.Maybelle would soon find out what he meant.Text copyright © 2012 by Katie Speck Continues... Excerpted from Maybelle and the Haunted Cupcake by Katie Speck Copyright © 2012 by Katie Speck. Excerpted by permission. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher. Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.