Patricia Reilly Giff

  • 74

    Catalog books

  • 95

    Works

  • 1986 to 2017

    Strongest span

Who This Author Is

Patricia Reilly Giff writes with quiet warmth about children facing everyday challenges and small triumphs. Her book En Las Garras Del Dinosaurio / In the Dinosaur’s Paw (1986) shows her gift for blending curiosity and gentle suspense, giving young readers a clear, empathetic view of discovery and problem-solving.

Giff’s work centers on believable child perspectives and moments that matter: friendships, fears, and the puzzles kids solve on their own. Her storytelling favors plainspoken detail and emotional honesty, inviting readers into scenes that feel lived-in and character-driven rather than flashy or contrived.

Best Place To Start

Author At A Glance

Best known for: Warm, character-driven children’s stories • Kids facing real-life challenges with humor and heart • Short, accessible chapter books

Genres and themes: Children’s fiction • Family and friendship • School life • Growing up

Who this author is best for: Great for young readers transitioning from early readers to chapter books who enjoy gentle humor and realistic kids’ problems.

Start with any short, stand-alone chapter book to sample Giff’s tone and relatable child protagonists.

Top Books To Start With

  1. En Las Garras Del Dinosaurio/in the Dinosaur's Paw

    Toray • 1986 • commitment varies by edition

    UPB note: year signal: 1986.

  2. Genevieve's war

    Holiday House • 2017 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2017 • 222 pages.

  3. Eleven

    Yearling • 2009 • quick commitment

    It stands out because it asks for less time than many of the longer volumes on this page.

  4. New opportunities

    Pearson Longman • 2007 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2007 • 128 pages.

  5. Nory Ryan's song

    Dell Yearling • 2002 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2002 • 148 pages.

  6. Kidnap At The Catfish Cafe (Chapter, Puffin)

    Penguin Group USA • 2000 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2000 • 73 pages.

  7. Mary Moon Is Missing : Patricia Reilly Giff (Paperback, 2000)

    Penguin Group USA • 2000 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2000 • 80 pages.

  8. Good Luck, Ronald Morgan!

    Penguin Group USA • 1999 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1999 • 32 pages.

  9. Lily's Crossing

    Random House Childrens Books • 1999 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1999 • 180 pages.

  10. Rosie's Big City Ballet (Giff, Patricia Reilly. Ballet Slippers, 6.)

    Penguin Group USA • 1999 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1999 • 80 pages.

How The Picks Compare

  • En Las Garras Del Dinosaurio/in the Dinosaur's Paw gives you an earlier look at this author’s shelf, while Genevieve's war leans later in the catalog.
  • Eleven is also useful if you want a different publishing lane from En Las Garras Del Dinosaurio/in the Dinosaur's Paw.

More Books By Patricia Reilly Giff

Browse Next