SOLVED. YA Mystery, Comedy series. Siblings and a neighborhood bully named Scruggs McGrady/ Grady. Youngest sister bakes pie accidentally using medicine instead of sugar. Set in U.S. Read 2003-2006, published in 1990-2000. [s]

[Gabriel]

Hi all, I’m looking for a book (part of a 3-4 book YA series but any book of the series is fine) that I read between 2003 and 2006 and published between 1990 and 2000 I would estimate. It revolves around 4 siblings (It may have been 3 but almost positive it was 4) with the oldest brother (name may have been Jack?), a sister a few years younger, another brother younger than her, and the youngest being another sister who was perhaps 12. In this first book, the primary antagonist is a neighborhood bully named Scruggs (Scruggs/Scrug?) McGrady (Grady) who, in the 2nd or 3rd book becomes a friend of the siblings and protagonist of sorts for the remainder of the series. One distinct event I recall in this first book of the series is the youngest sibling (a sister) baking a pie (cherry I believe) which they take to their grandmother or elderly female friend of the siblings. When the children eat the pie, they realize it tastes funny and that the sister accidentally used medicine (the specific medicine was not specified) instead of sugar. In an effort to prevent the elderly lady from eating the pie, they begin eating as much as possible and the eldest brother (3-4 slices in) ends up becoming sick (meant to be a comedic event, he just gets queasy and dizzy). Some additional details are the book is in English, set in the United States, involves mystery, comedy, and redemption elements (particularly in books later in the series). It was paperback and had the occasional black & white pen/pencil illustration. It would not be likely to be found in the average bookstore as I seem to recall getting this first book in the series at a homeschool convention back in the early 2000s and getting the next books in the series at the following yearly convention. I’d optimally like to find this first book, but any book in the series could be used to find the others so I added those additional details. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[Ayshe]

Derwood, Inc maybe?

[Kris]

Gabriel, I added some details to the header/topic title. You can update it by clicking the small "edit" link after the header. This only works on the full Desktop website - not the Mobile website or app. (On the Mobile website, click the "Desktop version" link at the bottom of the page.)

[Gabriel]

OMG THAT’S IT!! Thank you soooo much!!