If Roast Beef Could Fly — Jay Leno

The Tonight Show's Jay Leno, the most popular man on television, draws on a true story from his childhood to make a generation of young readers laugh out loud. Nine-year-old Jay's family is larger than life. His mom is maniacally thrifty, his dad is extravagant, and little Jay always seems to be caught in the middle. So when Jay's dad decides that his next big project is going to be an ENORMOUS barbeque patio, the only way it's going to happen is if Jay, their neighbors, and their collie (the laziest dog in America) help him out. When the big day rolls around (three months late!), everything seems to be going well: There's more food than anyone (even Jay's family) could eat, and at the center is a HUGE roast beef that Jay would do anything to get a taste of. No one will notice if he sneaks a bite, will they? That is, until Jay's secret plan backfires! What is the secret weapon Jay uses to steal a bit of roast beef? How is he going to keep his dad from finding out? And finally, what could make a roast beef fly? Cleverly told as only America's number-one late-night talk show host could, this story, combined with S. B. Whitehead's richly colored and playful illustrations, is sure to delight young and old readers alike.