slideshow 1
Home » Children's Books

Children's Picks Archive

Our staff has been picking books for kids for years. Here is an archive of our Children's staff picks.

Flotsam (Hardcover)

By David Wiesner
$17.00
ISBN-13: 9780618194575
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Clarion Books, 9/2006
Other Editions of this Title
As a 20 year old aspiring photographer this book struck my fancy as something that speaks to the whimsy of ones imagination and the mystique that childhood is steeped in. Weisner's ability to draw us into his elaborate pictures never ceases to amaze me. Full of inspiring images that are sure to spark a wonderful dialogue between you and your child. Take the time to go through this one a few times. You'll notice something different every time.
Emily H.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret (Hardcover)

By Brian Selznick
$24.99
ISBN-13: 9780439813785
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Scholastic Press, 3/2007
Other Editions of this Title
This book evokes cinematic techniques and includes drawings that act like story boards. Hugo is a 12-year-old orphan who lives in the walls of a train station in Paris. His deceased father had been a clock maker and had been fixing a mechanical man who he believed would write a message of some sort once he was fixed. Hugo dedicated himself to fixing this machine and had to steal little mechanical toys from the train toy shop every once and a while to find spare parts. One day he's caught and fears that all of his secrets will be discovered and dreams shattered. If you're a fan of classic cinema you'll enjoy the inclusion of Georges Melies And if you don't know who that is, Mr. Selznick is kind enough to leave a reference list in the back- including some films you should see and other books to check out. Great for grades 4-9.

The One and Only Shrek! (Hardcover)

By William Steig, Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci
$29.95
ISBN-13: 9780312367138
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Macmillan Young Listeners, 3/2007
Other Editions of this Title
This is a wonderful collecion of William Steig's most popular picture books in one sort-of-handy edition. To see them all together, from Shrek to Brave Irene, makes one marvel at his story telling and artistic talent. The stories have just the right mixture of humor and warmth to satisfy a wide ranging audience from 3 to 93.
Carol

Day of Tears (Paperback)

By Julius Lester
$7.99
ISBN-13: 9781423104094
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Jump At The Sun, 4/2007
Other Editions of this Title
This is an extraordinary account of slave life told in a simple style. Heartbreaking. For ages 12 and up.
Carol

Hattie Big Sky (Hardcover)

By Kirby Larson
$15.95
ISBN-13: 9780385733137
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 9/2006
Other Editions of this Title
Hattie is an orphan cared for by family and friends until she is 16 when an uncle that she's never met leaves her a 320 acre "claim" in Montana. The only stipulation is that she must fence a large part of the property and plant 40 acres. When this is accomplished she will own the land. Set in 1917, World War I lurks in the background as farmers are required to donate to the Defense Fund and native Germans are considered enemies. For Hattie, hard work, learning how to farm, making great friends and learning about her inner strengths make moving to Montana a very enriching experience. Readers will find Hattie Big Sky a wonderful escape. For the 8 to 12 crowd.
Carol

A Bear and His Boy (Hardcover)

By Sean Bryan, Tom Murphy
$14.99
ISBN-13: 9781559708388
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: Arcade Publishing, 4/2007
Other Editions of this Title
With spare, expressive illustrations and funny rhyming text, this picture book tells the story of a stressed out, go-getter bear and the laid-back boy who has somehow installed himself on the former's back. After racing around all day buying slacks and accepting plaques, the boy teaches the bear to slow down and smell the flowers--literally. Silly fun that's perfect for story time.
Genevieve

Lilly's Big Day (Hardcover)

By Kevin Henkes, Kevin Henkes
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9780060742362
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Greenwillow Books, 4/2006
Other Editions of this Title
Lilly is back and in full flower girl mode! Lilly's teacher, Mr. Slinger is getting married and Lilly knows she is destined to be his flower girl. Love Lilly through her joy, disappointment and satisfaction! Need a shower gift? A wedding present? Lilly's Big Day is the answer.
Jane J.

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party (Hardcover)

By M.T. Anderson
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9780763624026
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Candlewick, 9/2006
Other Editions of this Title
M. T. Anderson has written widely across genres for young people and now has taken on the large topics of freedom and slavery. Beautifully crafted and written, in the first volume of Octavian Nothing, Anderson tells the story of Octavian and his mother, an African princess. Octavian is educated in a classical manner with many privileges until, ultimately and disastrously, he realizes they are slaves. Set against the backdrop of the American Revolution, Octavian learns to wage his own battle against tyranny. This is a book that should be read and pondered by adults as well as young people!
Jane J.

One More Sheep (Hardcover)

By Mij Kelly, Russell Ayto
$16.95
ISBN-13: 9781561453788
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: Peachtree Publishers, 9/2006
Other Editions of this Title
Move over Russell, here comes Sam and the rhyming sheep! And the wolf! Sam has ten sheep, or so he thinks. The problem is he falls asleep before he gets them all counted! So, who’s the eleventh sheep??? The sheep know but Sam has a problem. Enjoy the marvelous illustrations and the wonderful rhymes. Perfect for reading aloud on a cold blustery night.
Jane J

The World's Greatest Elephant (Hardcover)

By Ralph Helfer, Ted Lewin
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9780399241901
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Philomel, 4/2006
This wonderfully illustrated true story is of Modoc, the great circus elephant and her life-long friend, Bram. Both born on the same day, they became best friends, fellow performers, and heroes until being separated by circumstances they couldn't control. A wonderful bedtime story, it weaves a spell of love, loss and reunion. Children of all ages will enjoy it!
Jane J.

Edgar Allan Poe's Tales of Mystery and Madness (Hardcover)

By Edgar Allan Poe, Gris Grimly
$18.99
ISBN-13: 9780689848377
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 9/2004
Other Editions of this Title
Looking for a little something to keep your 10 year olds involved, amused, titillated, possibly horrified? We have it here! Gris Grimly (surely some mystery here) has marvelously, adoringly illustrated 4 Poe tales - The Black Cat, The Masque of Red Death, Hop-Frog, and The Fall of the House of Usher. The stories are lightly abridged using Poe's original language but the illustrations are full color and intensity! Take it to the park, the beach but not bed! To be read and absorbed only in the sunlight!!!!!!
Jane J.

A Northern Light (Paperback)

By Jennifer Donnelly
$9.99
ISBN-13: 9780152053109
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Graphia, 9/2004
Other Editions of this Title
A mesmerizing coming-of-age book set in the Adirondacks in 1906. Mattie has a dream and talent but has to overcome family tragedy, societal inertia, and distance to make it come true. I found this to be even more compelling than I Capture the Castle. Highly recommended for 13 and up!
Jane J.

Bea and Mr. Jones (Hardcover)

By Amy Schwartz
$13.95
ISBN-13: 9780152058111
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Harcourt Children's Books, 9/2006
Other Editions of this Title
Wouldn't it be fun to go to your Mom or Dad's work and actually do their job? And what if your Mom or Dad went to kindergarten instead of you! Bea, and her Dad, Mr. Jones, switch places and are both very happy doing so. This reprint of an old favorite is a delight for kids and parents. Ages 4 and up.
Carol

Incantation (Hardcover)

By Alice Hoffman

ISBN-13: 9780316010191
Availability: Out of Print
Published: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 10/2006
Other Editions of this Title
What do you know about Jews in Spain in 1500?? Alice Hoffman takes us inside the story of the Marranos, who were Jews forced to take on the identity of Christians during the Spanish Inquisition. Estrella, an adolescent girl, grows up in complete ignorance of the true heritage of her family, but learns quickly through great tragedy. Yet it is the confidence that her family has in her that gives her the strength to start a new life. Alice Hoffman's beautiful writing brings this period of history to life. Recommended for young adults.
Carol

Flat Stanley (picture book edition) (Hardcover)

By Jeff Brown, Scott Nash
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9780061129049
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: HarperCollins, 9/2006
This book was first published more than 40 years ago and it's great to see that the re-illustrated version makes the story even more accessible to kids. A bulletin board falls on Stanley and he becomes quite flat - only 1/2 inch thick! He feels perfectly fine - only very thin. This proves to be helpful in some situations, but not great for the long haul. Stanley's brother comes up with a solution and saves the day - although you wouldn't want to "try this at home". A great story for the 4 to 8 set.
Carol

Saint Iggy (Hardcover)

By K. L. Going
$17.00
ISBN-13: 9780152057954
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Harcourt Children's Books, 9/2006
Other Editions of this Title
Despite the fact that Iggy has been kicked out of school, hangs out with Mo (a sweet druggie), is searching for his Mom who has left him, and avoids going home so he doesn't have to deal with his drunk father, he really is a saint. Iggy will get into your heart and stay there. The 12-14 year-old who loves contemporary fiction will be consumed by this book.
Carol

Behind the Curtain: An Echo Falls Mystery (Hardcover)

By Peter Abrahams
$15.99
ISBN-13: 9780060737047
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: HarperCollins, 5/2006
Other Editions of this Title

Down the Rabbit Hole: An Echo Falls Mystery (Paperback)

By Peter Abrahams
$6.99
ISBN-13: 9780060737030
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: HarperCollins, 5/2006
Other Editions of this Title
Here are two mysteries that will surely entertain the younger (10 and up) crowd. Ingrid is an adventuresome eighth grader whose hero is Sherlock Holmes. His inspiration helps her when she finds herself involved in some strange goings on in her little town of Echo Falls. Ingrid's appeal lies in her normalcy even though she's solving mysteries left and right. She has conflicts with her parents and friends, concerns about boys, and a very big heart. Kids will definitely relate to her and get caught up in the story.
Carol

Wrecked (Hardcover)

By E. R. Frank
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780689873836
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books, 9/2005
Other Editions of this Title
Frank usually writes for a slightly older audience, but this one works for 14 year olds. Anna is involved in an accident that kills the driver of the other car

The Rules of Survival (Hardcover)

By Nancy Werlin
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9780803730014
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Dial, 9/2006
Other Editions of this Title
"Dysfunctional" would be a step up for Matthew's family. He is the oldest of 3 children living with their abusive and often drunk mother. He feels a profound responsibility to protect his sisters, especially Emmy, the youngest one. Yet his attempts to avoid potentially explosive situations create enormous tension. Eventually Matthew seeks help from near-by adults who come through for him later rather than sooner. Despite their struggles, the adults and kids do what is right and serve to remind us that making the right decision is not always that easy. The story moves along at a fast pace, keeping the reader on edge at all times. Kids 14 and up will especially appreciate this well crafted book.
Carol

Bread and Roses, Too (Hardcover)

By Katherine Paterson
$16.00
ISBN-13: 9780618654796
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Clarion Books, 9/2006
Other Editions of this Title
In 1912 the mill workers in Lawrence, Massachusetts strike. Rosa's mother becomes an unlikely leader in the struggle and Rosa is afraid that her mother will be in danger. Likewise, Rosa's mother fears for Rosa now that there is no income and food is scarce. Rosa is sent to Vermont with other children of the strikers and there she meets Sal and Jake and Mr. and Mrs. Gerbati who teach her that she can be brave just like her mother. The characters are very well drawn and the struggles of the time come alive. Perfect for kids 10 and up.
Carol

Tamar: A Novel of Espionage, Passion, and Betrayal (Hardcover)

By Mal Peet
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9780763634889
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Candlewick, 1/2007
Other Editions of this Title
Part intriguing historical fiction, part modern-day quest, this Carnegie Medal winner is a riveting gem. Tamar is the code name of an SOE agent working in the Netherlands in 1944. It is also the name of a river in England and a girl following clues from her deceased grandfather. All three Tamars come together to reveal the true underpinnings of a family and a friendship. Mal Peet's powerful writing keeps the reader intrigued, on edge and turning pages furiously while learning a great deal about the "Hunger Winter". Tamar is the essence of "a great read."
Carol

Black & White (Board Books)

By Tana Hoban, Tana Hoban
$7.99
ISBN-13: 9780061172113
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Greenwillow Books, 1/2007
Other Editions of this Title
Many may be familiar with Tana Hoban's classics: Black on White and White on Black which have been very popular first books for infants for years. But apparently, even they could be improved. This new format opens up to show all the pictures at once - perfect to set into the crib or bassinette. For the very, very young. A great baby present.
Carol

Dimity Dumpty: The Story of Humpty's Little Sister (Hardcover)

By Bob Graham, Bob Graham
$15.99
ISBN-13: 9780763630782
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Candlewick, 2/2007
Humpty and his family live in an egg carton (of course) and work in the circus. Humpty is always getting into trouble, so falling off the wall is not unusual. But what most people don't know is that he had a musically talented, level-headed sister, Dimity, who, in fact, did help "put Humpty together again." Bob Graham is a genius at making stories come alive for young and old with his gentle touch. The pictures will drag you into this world and keep you there, smiling the whole time. Brilliant!!! Ages 3 and up.
Carol

A Christmas Carol (Compact Disc)

By Jim Dale, Charles Dickens
$19.00
ISBN-13: 9781400086030
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Listening Library (Audio), 10/2003

A Christmas Carol (Hardcover)

By Charles Dickens, P.J. Lynch
$19.99
ISBN-13: 9780763631208
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: Candlewick, 9/2006
The combination of J.P.Lynch's glorious edition of A Christmas Carol paired with Jim Dale's inspired reading is a terrific family gift for the holidays. Parents and kids can settle in, listen to the story, follow along in the book and be treated to Lynch's sumptuous illustrations. For all ages.
Carol

How to Be a Good Dog (Hardcover)

By Gail Page, Gail Page
$15.95
ISBN-13: 9781582346830
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Bloomsbury USA Childrens, 2/2006
Other Editions of this Title
A wonderful picture book for dog lovers young and old. This delightfully illustrated story is about Bobo the dog who tries very hard to be good so he is not banished to his kennel out in the yard. However, he has not been trained and it is up to Cat to take matters in paw in order to get her friend reinstated into the house!
Leslie and Susanna

The Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book One: Lightning Thief (Paperback)

By Rick Riordan
$7.99
ISBN-13: 9780786838653
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Disney-Hyperion, 3/2006
Other Editions of this Title
Percy Jackson has been kicked out of several schools for disruptive conduct; he just can't seem to stay out of trouble. But, when mythological monsters threaten him on a 6th grade class field trip and Mount Olympus accuses him of stealing Zeus's lightening bolt, he concludes that his life will never be boring. Fast paced action, characters based on Greek mythology, an hilarious plot, The Lightning Thief is a fresh, enjoyable read for the intermediate fiction crowd. Its sequel, The Sea of Monsters, the continuing saga of Percy and his Camp Half-Blood friends, has just been released in hard cover
Leslie

The Book Thief (Hardcover)

By Markus Zusak
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9780375831003
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 3/2006
Other Editions of this Title
Too sophisticated to be narrowly defined as YA fiction The Book Thief is better conceptualized and more finely nuanced than most Holocaust novels. Midway to completion I realized that it was so richly multi-dimensional and well-written that, like an entree at the finest restaurant, should I be unable to finish it I would still be completely satisfied.
Nooy

The King of Mulberry Street (Hardcover)

By Donna Jo Napoli
$15.95
ISBN-13: 9780385746533
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: Wendy Lamb Books, 10/2005
Other Editions of this Title
Imagine this: the year is 1892, the place, Italy; you are a nine-year-old boy; your mother has just given you your first pair of shoes and instructed you "to survive," whereupon she stows you and you alone on a ship headed for the United States of America. In The King of Mulberry Street, Napoli spins the events, relationships, and memories of just such a boy's life, drawing on anecdotes from her own family origin as well as from the history of immigration into the United States. The result, her latest book fro your adults, is both heart-warming and

I'm a Duck! (Hardcover)

By Teri Sloat, Teri Sloat

ISBN-13: 9780399242748
Availability: Out of Print
Published: Putnam Juvenile, 2/2006
Other Editions of this Title
Exuberant and celebratory on every page. As luck would have it, he was born a duck! and by book's end, a dad too. I'm A Duck is simply the best!
Nooy

Fault Line (Paperback)

By Janet Tashjian
$9.99
ISBN-13: 9780805080636
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks, 4/2006
Other Editions of this Title
Enter Kip, a charming, comedic guy who gravitates to Becky, a red head with wit, smarts, and a shared passion for stand-up comedy. In the alternating voices of Kip and Becky, Tashjian gradually exposes the tragic fault line undermining their tender explorations of love. This is a story of abuse minus the black and white characterizations of victim and victimizer. Tashjian offers up a well-layered, believable and compassionate account of the unfolding of an abusive relationship. Fault Line will open young people's minds to the worrisome behaviors that often precede abuse. This is prevention made accessible through terrific writing and storytelling.
Nooy

Not the End of the World (Hardcover)

By Geraldine McCaughrean
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780060760304
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: Harper Teen, 7/2005
Other Editions of this Title
In a compliment and cacophony of voices ranging from Timna's, the teenage daughter the author imagines Noah and his wife could have had, to their three sons, their wives and the animals on the ark, McCaughrean recasts The Flood of the Bible into a fuller, messier, and more eminently human journey. She calls into question the definition of right and wrong and humanity's basic assumptions as to the nature of God and existence. Though written for audiences as young as twelve, it will satisfy any adult desiring a thought-provoking good read. Ideal for parent/child book groups.
Nooy

Black Duck (Hardcover)

By Janet Taylor Lisle

ISBN-13: 9780399239632
Availability: Out of Print
Published: Philomel, 5/2006
Other Editions of this Title
I suspected that rum-running during prohibition would be dangerous and profitable. What I did not give much thought to was the divisiveness of its practice and illegality on the lives of ordinary citizens. This book is not only a gripping mystery, it is a piece of historical fiction based on the legendary excursions of the Rhode Island rum-running boat, Black Duck, as well as a believable portrayal of the impact of prohibition and the economic crash of the 1930's on the intimate lives of parents and children inexorably drawn into the drama. Suitable for boys and girls, age 10 and up.
Nooy

A Place Called Kindergarten (Hardcover)

By Jessica Harper, G. Brian Karas
$15.99
ISBN-13: 9780399242267
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: Putnam Juvenile, 7/2006
Other Editions of this Title
If the barn animals' concern over the whereabouts of Tommy don't charm you completely, Tommy's endearing announcements to his animal friends upon his return from his first day of kindergarten will swell your child's heart and put the biggest smile on their face. This is one of the very best introductions to starting kindergarten that I have come across. Enjoy!
Nooy

Rash (Hardcover)

By Pete Hautman
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780689868016
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, 5/2006
Other Editions of this Title
Startlingly believable and requiring only the smallest leap of the imagination to get from our 2006 to 16-year-old Bo Marsten's late twenty-first century, this book is a picture of a dystopian future taken by a teenager who doesn't quite fit the regs for the antiseptic, robotic USSA that would rather be safe than free. This is a well-crafted piece of black humor for teenagers.
Nooy

Lightship (Hardcover)

By Brian Floca, Brian Floca
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9781416924364
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books, 3/2007
In sun and calm, in snow and cold, the lightship stays anchored in one secure place, keeping the ocean safe for other ships to sail. Lovely illustrations and melodic text make this a sure hit for both boys and girls.
Nooy

The Hero Schliemann: The Dreamer Who Dug Up Troy (Library Binding)

By Robert Byrd, Laura Amy Schlitz
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9780763622831
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Candlewick, 7/2006
A gem of biographical reportage. Both "The Hero Schliemann" and author Laura Amy delight in mythology and imagination. Add in illustrator Robert Bryd and you have a triumvirate who share a wonderful sense of humor.
Nooy

The Book Of Everything (Hardcover)

By Guus Kuijer
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780439749183
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: Arthur A. Levine Books, 4/2006
Other Editions of this Title
What a whimsical, tender, touching tale of friendship, frogs and fearlessness. For young, old and all those who would be braver than they are.
Nooy

Just In Case (Hardcover)

By Meg Rosoff
$16.95
ISBN-13: 9780385746786
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: Wendy Lamb Books, 8/2006
Other Editions of this Title
Two seconds stood between normal everyday life and utter, total catastrophe. If David had been two minutes slower, his one year old brother would be dead. Now every where David looks, he sees malevolence; with the certainty of his 15 year old anxious, lonely and impressionable mind, David knows that he is doomed. Meg Rosoff, author of the very fine young adult novel How I Live Now has written an equally riveting story that stretches the imagination, widens perspective and enriches the mind.
Nooy

Did You Say Pears? (Hardcover)

By Arlene Alda
$16.95
ISBN-13: 9780887767395
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Tundra Books, 1/2006
Other Editions of this Title
How marvelous! Some books are just so good at what they do that there isn't anything to be said about them. Look, read and enjoy Arlene Alda's Did You Say Pears?
Nooy

The Killer's Tears (Hardcover)

By Anne-Laure Bondoux
$15.95
ISBN-13: 9780385732932
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2/2006
Other Editions of this Title
When traveler Angel Allegria arrives at the Poloverdo farm, an outpost on the desolate southernmost tip of Chile, he murders the parents of a child named Paolo. Paolo, who was once compared to "a seed planted in bedrock, condemned never to bloom," claims this as the day on which he was born. We then follow his rugged journey into a future rife with uncertainty, rivalries, and paradoxes that evade understanding, all the while fashioning survival, love, and satisfaction. This tale and Bondoux's telling of it are as august as the vitality, beauty, and wildness of nature in The Killer's Tears. One of my favorite YA books of the year.
Nooy

Black and White (Paperback)

By Paul Volponi
$6.99
ISBN-13: 9780142406922
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Speak, 11/2006
Other Editions of this Title
"Black" and "White," Marcus and Eddie are best friends, seniors, and star players on their Long Island high school basketball team. Both are top prospects for good college programs; they have a chance of going pro after college. As the winning season winds down, they prepare for the playoffs, discuss colleges and scholarship offers, and even decide to attend the same college team, but something goes terribly wrong. Marcus is arrested for armed robbery, Eddie shortly thereafter. They make a costly mistake. Read how "Black" and "White" are treated by the urban criminal justice system. Great teen fiction and a meaty reading group selection.
Leslie

The Year the Gypsies Came (Hardcover)

By Linzi Glass
$16.95
ISBN-13: 9780805079999
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), 3/2006
The clear and probing voice of 12 year old Emily Lily narrates this 1960's searing South African family drama. Her mother and father are so caught up in their separate lives and their quarreling is so brutal, that they are unaware of Emily's need for guidance and love. Tensions mount when Mr. Iris invites the Mallory family to camp on his property. This wildlife photographer, his wife and his two wild sons, ignite a maelstrom that only the Iris' African servants can foresee. Beautiful narrative, poignant black, white and Afrikaner characters, and a riveting plot hinged to the backdrop of apartheid's dystopia. But the relationship between Emily and Buza, the old Zulu warrior, storyteller and confidant, is the heart and soul of this book. An excellent choice for high school students and adults.
Leslie

Akimbo and the Lions (Hardcover)

By Alexander McCall Smith, LeUyen Pham
$9.95
ISBN-13: 9781582346878
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Bloomsbury USA Childrens, 9/2005
Other Editions of this Title
Have you ever wanted to travel to Africa and go on safari to visit the exotic animals of the African bush? Akimbo, a young African boy, lives close to the game park where his father is the chief ranger. These stories tell of Akimbo's life in the lush African bush, the wild animals he encounters with the rangers and the dangers man and beast encounter from both man and beast. You'll get a taste of African culture and wildlife, interesting tidbits of each animal and a well written exciting story in each book. These books are written for beginning readers. Captivating, too, for reading aloud.
Leslie

Emil and Karl (Hardcover)

By Yankev Glatshteyn, Jeffrey Shandler
$17.95
ISBN-13: 9781596431195
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: Square Fish, 4/2006
Other Editions of this Title
It was written in Yiddish in 1940 to describe the worsening conditions European Jews suffered under Hitler's Nazi regime. Emil is a Jewish 9 year old ostracized by his classmates. Karl, an Aryan, sticks up for his friend and is equally maligned. When Karl's mother and father are taken away because of their socialist views, Karl goes to live with Emil and his family. Emil's father is rounded up for transport and Emil's mother, incapacitated with grief, is taken to the hospital. Emil and Karl are alone. This remarkable Holocaust story is as timeless today as it was in 1940. Highly recommended to all students, teachers and administrators learning about the Holocaust.
Leslie

Chronicles of Ancient Darkness #1: Wolf Brother (Mass Market Paperback)

By Michelle Paver, Geoff Taylor
$6.99
ISBN-13: 9780060728274
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Katherine Tegen Books, 1/2004
Other Editions of this Title
A demonic bear threatens to destroy the world. Twelve year old Torak and his guide, a young wolf cub named Wolf set out on a quest to find and destroy this fiend. The setting of this intermediate novel intrigued me. Set during the Stone Age in the forest of Northeast Europe, these hunter-gathering nomads were truly survivors. With the uniqueness of the setting and characters and the action driven plot, Wolf Brother is a news-worthy paperback read. Chronicles of Ancient Darkness Book 2, Spirit Walker, is now available in hardcover for those readers eager to continue Torak's and Wolf's adventures.
Leslie

The Great Tug of War: And Other Stories (Paperback)

By Beverley Naidoo, Piet Grobler
$7.95
ISBN-13: 9781845070557
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Frances Lincoln, 6/2006
Celebrated South African writer, Beverely Naidoo, has written a spunky collection of animal short stories for the intermediate reader. Mmutla, the little hare, takes great relish in tricking other larger and stronger African animals. No matter how King Lion tries to punish him he's slick enough to slip away until the chaos has subsided and he can safely return to his trickery. Naidoo heard these stories as a young child in South Africa. Delightful writing shouts to be read aloud even to a younger audience, This is a marvelous reminder of the oral tradition linking two cultures that story tellers carried across the ocean.
Leslie

Art Up Close: From Ancient to Modern (Hardcover)

By Claire d'Harcourt

ISBN-13: 9780811854641
Availability: Out of Print
Published: Chronicle Books, 4/2006
These two big format books are just the right size for sharing with a buddy. Find-it challenges, intriguing questions and lots of facts absorb the reader young and old. A fun way to learn about art and understand it, too!
Nancy

An Innocent Soldier (Hardcover)

By Josef Holub
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780439627719
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Arthur A. Levine Books, 9/2005
Other Editions of this Title
Adam is about to set off across Europe as a member of Napoleon's army, serving in the place of his master's son. He is a fifteen-year-old, under-aged soldier in the Grande Armée, not only the biggest army in the world but one of the least well prepared for the trials of distance, inclement weather, insufficient supplies, and encounters with unconventional warfare. Josef Holub has written a credible and riveting account not only of war in the 19th century, but also of the era's character, conditions, and class distinctions.
Nooy

Duck & Goose (Hardcover)

By Tad Hills, Tad Hills
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780375836114
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Schwartz & Wade, 1/2006
Other Editions of this Title
Not only does no one lose face in the standoff between Duck and Goose, but their stubbornness and shared concern for the well-being of the baby bird inside the mistaken "egg" bring out the best in both creatures as well as foster a lovely friendship in the end. This book is sweetness itself.
Nooy

A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life (Hardcover)

By Dana Reinhardt
$15.95
ISBN-13: 9780385746984
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: Wendy Lamb Books, 2/2006
Other Editions of this Title
Spoken in the voice of 17-year-old Simone, A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Liferecounts a year of thresholds, dramatic not for their extreme nature but for their authentic and quietly unassuming sincerity. By the book's end, you will wish Simone were your best friend, her parents your own, and her friends, the kids in your school and neighborhood.
Nooy

Sally's Snow Adventure (Hardcover)

By Stephen Huneck
$15.95
ISBN-13: 9780810970618
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Harry N. Abrams, 10/2006
Other Editions of this Title
It is snow time for our favorite black Lab, Sally, who visits a ski resort for fun on the slopes. She loses her way and is found by working dogs trained to find and rescue lost skiers. Huneck celebrates the love between dogs and people and his simple artistry appeals to both grownup and kids. Good girl, Sally!
Nancy

Masterpieces Up Close: Western Painting from the 14th to 20th Centuries (Hardcover)

By Claire d'Harcourt

ISBN-13: 9780811854030
Availability: Out of Print
Published: Chronicle Books, 4/2006

Caramba (Hardcover)

By Marie-Louise Gay
$17.95
ISBN-13: 9780888996671
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Groundwood Books, 9/2005
Caramba is a cat who can't fly in a world where flying felines are the norm. Although he gets all kinds of help and encouragement, flying is just impossible. But Caramba discovers another, very unique talent. Gay's illustrations and gently story are quite appealing and just the thing for the apprehensive among. Ages 3 to 5.
Carol

Captain Arsenio: Inventions and (Mis)adventures in Flight (Hardcover)

By Pablo Bernasconi
$16.00
ISBN-13: 9780618507498
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 5/2005
Other Editions of this Title
Although this is a picture book, it is really meant for older kids (6 and up) who have a scientific bent. What fun as Captain Arsenio tries all kinds of ways to fly--including bundling a bunch of canaries together! The illustrations are spectacular.
Carol

Kangodile: A Mix-and-Match Menagerie (Paperback)

By Janet Landay
$8.95
ISBN-13: 9780811851787
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: Chronicle Books, 7/2006
If you've always wondered what a Plurtle, Elephoose, or a Crocey looks like, then finally there's a book for you! You can have hours of zoological fun by mixing and matching any number of beastie's front and back halves, elegantly clad in their matching bright red velour sweaters! Us adult kids enjoy it as much as kid kids will smile.
Becca and Gary

Gooney Bird and the Room Mother (Hardcover)

By Lois Lowry, Middy Thomas
$15.00
ISBN-13: 9780618532308
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 4/2005
Other Editions of this Title
Gooney Bird Greene is a delightful second-grader in a wonderful, colorful class with a fantastic teacher. Although the plot revolves around a Thanksgiving play, the story is really timeless, entertaining, and endearing. Along the way everyone learns about using the dictionary and discovering some sophisticated vocabulary. Perfect for the 7- and 8-year-old crowd. And check out the first of the Gooney Bird books in paper, Gooney Bird Greene.
Carol

The Clouds Above (Hardcover)

By Jordan Crane

ISBN-13: 9781560976271
Availability: Out of Print
Published: Fantagraphics Books, 9/2005
Other Editions of this Title
Simon’s teacher promised to clobber him with the phonebook if he was late again. So, when a misguided "shortcut" leaves him hopelessly tardy, Simon and his cat, Jack, decide to hide out on the school's roof. That's where they discover the strange staircase that leads all the way to the clouds. Along the way, they'll be harassed by a flock of insulting birds, teach a rain cloud to fly, and battle a mass of ill-tempered storm clouds. And if they're lucky, they just might sneak back into class before teacher notices they're missing.
Alexander

Salamander Dream (Paperback)

By Hope Larson

ISBN-13: 9780972179492
Availability: Out of Print
Published: Adhouse Books, 9/2005
With a limited color palette and a minimum of text, Larson tells the story of Hailey, a lonely young girl with a secret friend known only as "Salamander" who appears to her at those times when she stands on the verge of great personal change. Larson's is a world of wonder and delight, right down to the tiniest atom. She weaves magic into the realms of nature and science not to make the ordinary world more magical, but to show us how magical the ordinary world already is.
Alexander

Bark, George (Hardcover)

By Jules Feiffer, Jules Feiffer
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9780062051851
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: HarperCollins, 6/1999
Other Editions of this Title
What's gotten into George? What hasn't! The veterinarian will get to the bottom of this mystery--but first he'll have to reach down deep, to the very bottom of George. Simple, silly fun from renowned cartoonist Jules Feiffer (illustrator of The Phantom Tollbooth).
Alexander

Where the Great Hawk Flies (Hardcover)

By Liza Ketchum
$16.00
ISBN-13: 9780618400850
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Clarion Books, 8/2005
This is a story taken directly from the author's family history. The story is set in 1782 and is told from the points of view of two neighbors--Daniel, the son of a Pequot mother and a Patriot father, and Hiram, the son of a family that has returned to Vermont, the scene of a terrifying Redcoat/Indian raid during which his uncle was taken. Both families endured the raid, but Hiram's family feels great prejudice for all Indians. It is through a series of fast-paced events that both boys come to some understanding of themselves and each other. History is expertly woven into this page turner that will keep you up nights until you've finished it. Ages 8-12.
Carol

Indigo's Star (Paperback)

By Hilary McKay
$6.99
ISBN-13: 9781416914037
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 1/2006
Other Editions of this Title
This is the second in a series about the British Casson family - 4 kids, 2 artist parents and a lot going on at all times. Indigo, the only boy in the family, has his own problems with bullies at school. But his new friend Tom who is visiting from America gives him new confidence. The rest of the kids have their own issues. Caddy, Saffy, Rose and Indigo are very real children in a very real loving family--despite all of their quirkiness!! Hilary McKay is unbeatable at telling a terrific story!!! A delightful read for middle graders. The first title in the series is Saffy's Angel
Carol

Gossamer (Hardcover)

By Lois Lowry
$16.00
ISBN-13: 9780618685509
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 4/2006
Other Editions of this Title
Drop everything and start reading this perfect gem from Lois Lowry. Geared for a younger audience than The Giver trilogy, this enchanting story pulls at your heart and puts a smile on your face. It is the story of Littlest One, a dream helper, who gains confidence in the work that she does and intercedes to make the lives of a young boy and an elderly woman that much better. It is almost impossible to describe the delicacy of this story - sort of like Gossamer!!! Very Highly Recommended. For kids 10 and up.
Carol

Dairy Queen (Paperback)

By Catherine Gilbert Murdock
$8.99
ISBN-13: 9780618863358
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Graphia, 6/2007
Other Editions of this Title
Anyone from ages 9 to 103 will love this refreshing book about a 15 year old dairy farmer who loves football and just happens to be a girl! She is hard working, confused, funny, and has a crush on the rival team's quarterback. One of those rare books that can be recommended for anyone. If you read 2 books this year, this should be one of them!!!!
Carol

Owen and Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship: The True Story Of A Remarkable Friendship (Hardcover)

By Craig Hatkoff, Peter Greste
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780439829731
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Scholastic Press, 3/2006
Owen and Mzee are unlikely friends. Owen was found alone after the Tsunami of December 2005 swept away his pod of hippos. Rescued and brought to Haller Park in Mombasa, Kenya, Owen immediately started staying very close to Mzee, an Aldabra tortoise and they have been together ever since. Owen and Mzee is a delightful book with lots of facts and wonderful pictures. Everyone in the family will enjoy it. The reader can even follow their continuing friendship by going to LaFarge Ecosystems
Carol

DK Children's Cookbook (Hardcover)

By Katharine Ibbs, Howard Shooter
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9780756605971
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: DK Publishing (Dorling Kindersley), 10/2004
Bright pictures of ingredients and cooking steps make this cookbook very appealing and easy to use. There are some interesting recipes--not just PB and J--which vary in difficulty from easy (bolied eggs) to hard (vegetable lasagna, for one) and from breakfast to brownies. May even provide inspiration for kids to get interested in cooking.
Carol

Indigo's Star (Paperback)

By Hilary McKay
$6.99
ISBN-13: 9781416914037
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 1/2006
Other Editions of this Title
This is the second in a series about the British Casson family - 4 kids, 2 artist parents and a lot going on at all times. Indigo, the only boy in the family, has his own problems with bullies at school. But his new friend Tom who is visiting from America gives him new confidence. The rest of the kids have their own issues. Caddy, Saffy, Rose and Indigo are very real children in a very real loving family--despite all of their quirkiness!! Hilary McKay is unbeatable at telling a terrific story!!! A delightful read for middle graders. The first title in the series is Saffy's Angel
Carol

The Whole World's Crazy (Paperback)

By Jimmy Gownley

ISBN-13: 9780971216921
Availability: Out of Print
Published: Renaissance Press, 8/2006
Other Editions of this Title
Amelia Rules has it all--vibrant, appealing art, quirky lovable characters, clever humor, fun misadventures, and above all honesty. Gownley knows that the lives of fourth graders aren’t any easier than those of adults, and Amelia faces it all--from new schools, first crushes, and the horrifying realization that she’s one of the nerds, to parental divorce and her best friend’s potentially terminal illness. But no matter how serious the subject matter, Gownley perfectly offsets his drama with humor, imagination, and fun, making Ameila Rules some of the most endearing kids’ comics being produced today.
Alexander

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (Hardcover)

By Bagram Ibatoulline, Kate Dicamillo
$18.99
ISBN-13: 9780763625894
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Candlewick, 2/2006
Other Editions of this Title
Edward Tulane is a very disappointing rabbit. Sure, he has a head made of the finest china and ears made of real rabbit fur. He has the finest silk clothes, and even a gold pocket watch that keeps time. But he can’t name even a single person whom he loves. But all that changes when he falls off a ship and sinks to the bottom of the deep, deep ocean. And that’s just the beginning.
Alexander

Amelia Bedelia, Bookworm (Paperback)

By Herman Parish, Lynn Sweat
$3.99
ISBN-13: 9780060518929
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Greenwillow Books, 7/2005
Other Editions of this Title
A new Amelia Bedelia book--what a treat! This time she's t the library, making jackets for the books, (the won she makes for the book about the North Pole is extra warm!), trying to hear a pen drop, running way in fear from a thesaurus, and having the book thrown at her by the police after she "borrows" the bookmobile. This new Amelia Bedelia tale is a delight and will amuse the adult and young reader alike.
Susannah

Children's Miscellany: Useless Information That's Essential to Know (Hardcover)

By Matthew Morgan, Samantha Barnes, Niki Catlow
$12.99
ISBN-13: 9780811850674
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Chronicle Books, 8/2005
Other Editions of this Title
This quaint and intriguing little book, so deftly and amusing illustrated by Niki Catlow, was a huge hit with the whole family at our house last Christmas. The 8-year old finally got to read it sometime in February! It includes such fascinating and essential nuggets of information about mad monarchs, phobias, how to fight back in a shark attack, a week with the Black Death and spider bite symptoms. Also included are less bloodthirsty but eclectic and entertaining factoids. Provides great after dinner conversation topics for the whole family.
Susannah

The Amazing Pop-Up Stonehenge: All the Questions You've Always Wanted to Ask...and Some of the Answers! (Hardcover)

By Julian Richards
$19.95
ISBN-13: 9781850749264
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: English Heritage, 9/2005
Even I learned a lot about Stonehenge from this book! It's both informative and well thought out, but it's the pop-ups that can't avoid being the main attraction. See the whole bird's eye view of Stonehenge, experience the Midwinter solstice by moving the sheep, and you can even help the little Ancient Britons to "heave-ho" by moving the flap. In an industry rather saturated with the pop-up phenomenon right now, this is a unique take on an under-exposed yet fascinating subject. Remember this book when you take the kids to England on vacation.
Susannah

Nurse Matilda: The Collected Tales (Hardcover)

By Christianna Brand, Edward Ardizzone
$16.95
ISBN-13: 9781582346700
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Bloomsbury USA Childrens, 3/2005
This perennial British classic is now available her in the U.S. and just in time too, as the movie is due to be released very soon. "Once upon a time there was a huge family of children; and they were terribly, terribly naughty..." and so began the highly entertaining stories of the Brown family and Nurse Matilda who is NOT Mary Poppins but nevertheless manages to have a high success rate in handling naughty children. This works wonderfully as a read-aloud book, but I'm sure there are plenty of young readers who will delight in reading this for themselves. I particularly love the pen-and-ink illustrations by award-winning artist Edward Ardizzone, who was the author's couse and with whom she spent many long summers at their grandparents' house in the country.
Susannah

While Mama Had a Quick Little Chat (Hardcover)

By Amy Reichert, Alexandra Boiger
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780689851704
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books, 6/2005
Other Editions of this Title
What a find! This should be Daniel Pinkwater's next book to read out loud on "Weekend Edition." A great premise--little Rose has to answer the door to caterers, guests, musicians, and magicians and host an impromptu party--all while Mama's having a quick little chat on the phone! Luckily, Rose manages just fine! Lovely, rollicking, rhythmical verse and fun illustrations. Great for the pre-school set who just love parties.
Susannah

What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? (Hardcover)

By Steve Jenkins, Robin Page
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780618256280
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 3/2003
Other Editions of this Title
This beautifully illustrated children's nature book educates and delights as it entertains. A lovely book to read to (or with) a pre-schooler, it's ripe for interactive guessing and discussion. The paper collage pictures of different animals renowned for their specific body parts are almost 3-dimensional and very clear to even the youngest child. A great nature book for very young readers.
Susannah

Mr. Gumpy's Outing (Paperback)

By John Burningham
$7.99
ISBN-13: 9780805013153
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), 3/1990
Other Editions of this Title
My favorite John Burningham books definitely fall into the "oldie but goodie" category. Both of these gentle adventures are great to read aloud and encourage repetition and participation from the little ones being read to. Lovely to look at as well as to listen to, these enchanting stories are evocative of an idyllic childhood where it's perpetually picnic weather and all problems are solved by a tea-party. Pre-school.
Susannah

The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch (Hardcover)

By Joseph Delaney, Patrick Arrasmith
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9780060766184
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Greenwillow Books, 9/2005
Other Editions of this Title
Beware! Ghasts--yes, ghasts--ghouls, ghosts, witches, and scar things that go bump in the night are about to invade your world. Only Spooks can defend ordinary folk from these invaders. The elderly village Spook is troubled by the previous candidates' demises, all killed by Bony Lizzie and Old Mother Malkin, both malevolent witches. Untried and hesitant, Tom Ward, the son of the seventh son, has the right to become a Spook and protect his neighbors and family. Is he willing to accept isolation and persecution to learn the skills he needs? Will he be the last apprentice? If you enjoy the dark supernatural, relish eerie, spine tingling tales, enjoy grisly heartless characters that await Tom's every missstep, read this book! What a pleasure to highly recommend this taut, action-packed debut novel by Joseph Delaney. It delivers the eerie goods with a great plot and enhancing pen and ink illustrations for each chapter heading. It's really that good. Don't miss it!
Leslie

Flying Lessons (Paperback)

By Andy Runton
$10.00
ISBN-13: 9781891830761
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Top Shelf Productions, 1/2006
Other Editions of this Title
What’s a little round owl with stubby wings to do? When Owly and his constant companion, Wormy, spy a flying squirrel in the woods, they set out to make a new friend. But squirrels are skittish creatures, especially around owls. (Most owls eat rodents--Owly follows a somewhat friendlier diet.) But when Wormy gets stranded high up in a tree, Owly must come to the rescue--with a little help. Can a timid squirrel teach a flightless owl how to take to the air? Sweet, sincere, and adorable, Runton’s award-winning series routinely finds fans among kids and adults alike.
Alexander

Spiral-Bound Top Secret Summer (Paperback)

By Aaron Renier

ISBN-13: 9781891830501
Availability: Out of Print
Published: Top Shelf Productions, 7/2004
An elephant goes to sculpture camp...a rabbit joins a secret society of underground journalists...and a dog builds a submarine. Together, can they solve the mystery of the monster in the pond before the frightened townsfolk decide to feed Ms. Scrimshaw, the sculpture teacher to it? This Eisner Award-winning story is a clever and exciting adventure for kids and grown-ups alike!
Alexander

"The Trouble with Dogs..." Said Dad (Hardcover)

By Bob Graham, Bob Graham
$12.99
ISBN-13: 9780763633165
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Candlewick, 6/2007
Other Editions of this Title
Dave (the new dog) is getting into trouble and the family decides it's time to get him some training. But even the trainer sees that carefree, exuberant behavior is heart-warming! A wonderful, delicious new book from our favorite, Bob Graham, whose pictures are always as entertaining as his words. And if you like this, you must read "Let's Get a Pup", Said Kate. For animal lovers of all ages.
Carol

Best Shorts: Favorite Stories for Sharing (Hardcover)

By . Avi, Katherine Paterson, Carolyn Shute
$16.95
ISBN-13: 9780618476039
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 9/2006
Avi introduces the middle school reader to the short story genre and highlights the essential ingredients of good short story writing. Best Shorts has stories from some of the top writers in children's literature: Natalie Babbit, Theodore Taylor, Robert D. San Sousi, and Lensey Namioka. Avi even added an autobiographical story of his own! This shining collection has creepy, suspenseful, historical, sci-fi, and funny stories - each a gem on its own. It's a great resource for teachers and a perfect read-aloud for family story time.
Leslie

Bottoms (Board Books)

By Tanja Kirschner

ISBN-13: 9780735820265
Availability: Out of Print
Published: NorthSouth, 9/2005
Lots of kids can identify animals, but how many can name them when only seeing them from behind?? A fun challenge for the youngest of our "readers."
Carol

Caddy Ever After (Hardcover)

By Hilary McKay
$15.95
ISBN-13: 9781416909309
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 6/2006
Other Editions of this Title
This is the fourth in the series of books about the delightful, slightly dysfunctional , but always entertaining Casson family. Each of the children has a hand in this story, however, the grand finale belongs to Caddy, the oldest, who plans to marry Alex instead of her old flame "Michael darling". Sometimes even the biggest mistakes pay off. You will smile your way through this book. Ages 8-12.
Carol

Lottie's New Beach Towel (Paperback)

By Petra Mathers, Petra Mathers
$6.99
ISBN-13: 9780689844416
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Aladdin, 5/2001
Other Editions of this Title
Aunt Mattie sends Lottie a beach towel just as she is going off for a picnic with Herbie. Little do they know that the beach towel will help fix the boat and also come in handy at a wedding during their adventurous day at the beach.
Carol

Sally Goes to the Beach (Hardcover)

By Stephen Huneck
$18.95
ISBN-13: 9780810941861
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Harry N. Abrams, 5/2000
Lovers of black (and yellow) labs will especially enjoy reading about Sally's vacation adventures at the beach. The large, colorful illustrations and the sparse text are perfect for very young "readers".
Carol

Sneakers, the Seaside Cat (Paperback)

By Margaret Wise Brown, Anne Mortimer
$6.99
ISBN-13: 9780064436229
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: HarperCollins, 5/2005
Other Editions of this Title
Sneakers discovers the sea just like a little one might. The smells and creatures are different and interesting. This is a lovely introduction, beautifully illustrated, with the Margaret Wise Brown touch.
Carol

Peak (Hardcover)

By Roland Smith
$17.00
ISBN-13: 9780152024178
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Harcourt Children's Books, 5/2007
Other Editions of this Title
It's no surprise that fourteen year old Peak Marcello loves to climb; his father is a world-celebrated mountaineer. But Peak lives in New York City with his step-family and never sees his father. The only mountains he can climb are skyscrapers, where he leaves his signature blue mountain tag in the most audacious places. Peak is arrested while climbing the Woolworth Building. The judge will grant probation if Peak leaves town, so Peak's dad returns and takes Peak on harrowing quest to become the youngest person to reach the top of Mount Everest. A solid coming of age story for young adults.
Leslie

The Baby-Sitters Club Graphix #1: Kristy's Great Idea: Kristy's Great Idea (Paperback)

By Ann M Martin, Ann M. Martin, Raina Telgemeier
$8.99
ISBN-13: 9780439739337
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: GRAPHIX, 4/2006
Other Editions of this Title
Let's be honest--comics adaptations of other people's books don't usually work very well, and it's hard to imagine The Babysitter's Club being the exception to the rule. And yet it is, for one simple reason--Raina Telgemeier is a fantastic cartoonist, with obvious affection for the material she's adapting. Her depictions, of kids and teenagers especially, capture a true-to-life energy, appeal, and warmth that can't be beat. Whether you're a longtime fan of Martin's classic series or even if you've never had any interest in The Babysitter's Club at all, Telgemeier makes these books a treat.
Alexander

Deadline (Hardcover)

By Chris Crutcher
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780060850890
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Greenwillow Books, 9/2007
Other Editions of this Title
"What would you do if you learned that you had one year to live?" At his routine sports physical, high school senior Ben Wolf learns that he has an aggressive form of terminal leukemia and that he has, at most, one year to live. Ben refuses medical treatment and decides not to share this upsetting news with a soul--not his parents or even his best friend, his brother, Cody. It's a gritty story with believable characters and Crutcher's innate ability to go inside the teen mind. A highly recommended read, and a provocative discussion theme for mature teen book groups.
Leslie

Global Babies (Board Books)

By Global Fund for Children, Keren Su, Frans Lemmens
$6.95
ISBN-13: 9781580891745
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Charlesbridge Publishing, 7/2007
Other Editions of this Title
Very young children like to look at babies' faces. These baby faces from around the world are really quite special. They show a range of emotions, environments, cultures, and races. The one thing they have in common is that they are all beautiful!! A lovely book for babies and adults.
Carol

The Egyptology Handbook: A Course in the Wonders of Egypt (Hardcover)

By Emily Sands, Dugald A. Steer
$12.99
ISBN-13: 9780763629328
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Candlewick, 11/2005
Egyptology now has a companion for all those kids who couldn't get enough form the first book. It's a concise history of Egypt completely with marvelous drawings and stickers. Totally kid friendly.
Carol

Eat Your Peas, Ivy Louise (Hardcover)

By Leo Landry
$12.00
ISBN-13: 9780618448869
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 5/2005
Other Editions of this Title
Ivy Louise has a great time with her peas on her high chair tray. They perform all kinds of circus acts to entertain her and then she helps them avoid the inevitable--a perfect solution for them--and her. You'll have to read it to figure it out!
Carol

Flush (Hardcover)

By Carl Hiaasen
$16.95
ISBN-13: 9780375821820
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9/2005
Other Editions of this Title
Well, he's done it again! Hiasson knows how to write for kids! This is a Florida-based story about a family working to prevent a gambling ship from dumping raw sewage into the ocean. The action never stops, and the characters (even the minor ones) are quirky, entertaining, and very real. Hard issues of family life and the environment are faced head on. This will be a sure winner for the kids' audience, much like Hoot was--and for some of us adults too. Ages 9 to 12.
Carol

Love, Stargirl (Hardcover)

By Jerry Spinelli
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780375813757
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 8/2007
Other Editions of this Title
Stargirl (from Spinelli's previous novel of the same name) chronicles her life after she leaves Arizona and Leo in the form of letters to him which she never sends. She adjusts surprisingly well to her new life and new friends while going through a range of emotions about her separation from Leo. Will her "messages" to him be heard?? The tension lasts until the very end. This is an intriguing story for 9-12 year olds.
Carol

Paint The Wind (Hardcover)

By Pam Munoz Ryan
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780439873628
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Scholastic Press, 9/2007
Other Editions of this Title
Orphaned Maya is thrust into a completely different life when her strict paternal grandmother dies and she goes to live with her mother's relatives in Wyoming horse country. She discovers her love of horses and her innate courage while connecting especially to Artemisia, a horse that her mom used to ride. This is a wonderful adventure story written in sophisticated language that girls especially will love. Fans of Pam Munoz Ryan will not be disappointed. For ages 9-12.
Carol

I See a Kookaburra!: Discovering Animal Habitats Around the World (Hardcover)

By Steve Jenkins, Robin Page
$16.00
ISBN-13: 9780618507641
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 5/2005
Other Editions of this Title
Habitats illustrated is the only way that Jenkins can do it! From the desert to the jungle (and lots in between), each unique environment hides a bunch of animals that kids can search for. They are revealed on subsequent pages, complete with information about each in the back. Great for kids of all ages.
Carol

Jethro Byrd, Fairy Child (Paperback)

By Bob Graham, Bob Graham
$6.99
ISBN-13: 9780763626976
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: Candlewick, 5/2005
Other Editions of this Title
Annabelle and Sam are the only ones in their family who can see fairies that have landed in a tiny ice cream truck in their backyard. Maybe their Mon and Dad are just not paying attention? This is a wonderful book for young children who invent their own fairies. Bob Graham just always seems to get it right.
Carol

Under the Persimmon Tree (Hardcover)

By Suzanne Fisher Staples
$17.00
ISBN-13: 9780374380250
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), 8/2005
Other Editions of this Title
Najmah is an 11 or 12 year old Afghan girl who must flee her beloved home. She manages to get to Pakistan and into a school run by an American woman who has become a Muslim. The details about life in the Afghan mountains, in refugee camps, and in Peshwar, along with insights into the Muslim religion, and life under the Taliban are presented seamlessly as part of this very believable story. Kids will learn a lot and do so painlessly. This is a timely, important book that you can't put down.
Carol

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (Paperback)

By William Steig, William Steig
$7.99
ISBN-13: 9780671662691
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Aladdin, 4/1987
Other Editions of this Title
One wouldn't think that this old favorite could be improved upon. Sylvester has been restored so that the colors are brighter and it includes Steig's wonderful Caldecott acceptance speech. If there is anyone who doesn't own this book, now is the time to get it!
Carol

Vincent's Colors (Hardcover)

By The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Vincent van Gogh
$15.99
ISBN-13: 9780811850995
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Chronicle Books, 9/2005
Van Gogh describes the colors in some of his most famous paintings. A lovely book that can gently introduce this artist to a young audience.
Carol

The Mice of Bistrot Des Sept Freres (Hardcover)

By Marie Letourneau, Danielle Reed Baty
$15.95
ISBN-13: 9780974930367
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Tanglewood Press, 6/2006
The Bistro may be named for the 7 brothers who work there, but it is the sister, Petite Michelle, who saves the day when the French Culinary Judge Alfred le Whisk comes to judge their famous cheese soup. The unusual illustrations and the smattering of French sprinkled throughout the book make it a delightful and educational reading experience. Michelle, with her quiet confidence is a great role model for young readers. AND if you go to the publisher's website, you can get the recipe for the best cheese soup ever. Just ask the French judge.
Carol

The Little Red Hen (Hardcover)

By Jerry Pinkney
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780803729353
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Dial, 5/2006
This is an old story about a hard-working hen and her lazy friends. Retold and beautifully illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, it will certainly gain new fans in the picture book crowd.
Carol

Snip Snap!: What's That? (Hardcover)

By Mara Bergman, Nick Maland
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780060777548
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Greenwillow Books, 4/2005
An alligator is coming. Are the kids scared? You bet they are! For ages 2 and up, this is a scary book that nonetheless teaches kids to deal with their fears. A great read-aloud.
Carol

Ready or Not: An All-American Girl Novel (Hardcover)

By Meg Cabot

ISBN-13: 9780060724504
Availability: Out of Print
Published: HarperCollins Publishers, 8/2005
Other Editions of this Title
This is a sequel to An All-American Girl in which Samantha saved the life of the President and then went on to fall in love with his son. Now Samantha is trying to figure out how to deal with a slightly odd-ball teenager, and questioning what exactly she is ready for! The main thing is that she is HILARIOUS no matter what she's doing. Although the content is mature, this book will be much appreciated by the slightly older YA crowd.
Carol

Lost and Found (Hardcover)

By Oliver Jeffers, Oliver Jeffers
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780399245039
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Philomel, 1/2006
Other Editions of this Title
A penguin shows up at the boy's door and he goes to a lot of trouble to get him back to the South Pole where he lives, only to discover that the penguin really just wanted to be with the boy. The bold illustrations and spare text makes it a perfect book for younger children. Parents will love it as well!
Carol

Once Upon a Time, the End (Asleep in 60 Seconds) (Hardcover)

By Geoffrey Kloske, Barry Blitt
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9780689866197
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 8/2005
What a hoot! Did you ever fall asleep reading a bedtime story to a young child? Well, this book will help avoid premature snoozing on the reader's part and encourage it for the listener. Kloske has simply summarized the usual stories with a very funny twist that will entertain all involved in the nighttime ritual. Children who are familiar with "normal" stories will really enjoy this delightful "retelling." Why did the chicken cross the road? To go to sleep. Ages 4 to 8.
Carol

Oscar's Half Birthday (Hardcover)

By Bob Graham, Bob Graham
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780763626990
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Candlewick, 5/2005
Oscar, the baby of the family is 6 months old and it's a perfect excuse for an outing. The family goes on a picnic and winds up celebrating with many strangers--although Oscar winds up falling into the dog's snacks. The details of Graham's illustrations and his insight into family life are just delightful. Bet you can't read this book without smiling.
Carol

Permanent Rose (Hardcover)

By Hilary McKay
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9781416903727
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 5/2005
Other Editions of this Title
Oh joy of joys! Hilary McKay has written another book about the wonderful Casson family. This time the focus of the book is Rose, the eight year old we remember with such affection from Indigo's Star and Saffy's Angel. Rose befriends an unlikely boy and is on the hunt for her friend Tom who has gone off to America in the last book. Meanwhile Saffy is determined to find her biological father, resulting in a huge surprise for everyone. Even if you haven't read the previous books, it's easy to cat on to the story--and you won't be sorry! Ages 8 and up.
Carol

Zen Shorts (Hardcover)

By Jon J. Muth
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9780439339117
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Scholastic Press, 3/2005
Other Editions of this Title
A giant panda named Stillwater appears in Karl, Michael, and Addy's neighborhood. He tells each of them beautiful stores that make them think about their behavior while being the most comforting, cuddliest, wisest bear you could ever hope to meet. The artwork is beautiful and breathtaking yet whimsical. A wonderful introduction to philosophy without being at all preachy. A great read-aloud for the pre-K and kindergarten set.
Susannah
  • del.icio.us
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Furl
  • Google
  • Icerocket
  • Magnoliacom
  • Newsvine
  • Propeller
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • Twitter
  • Yahoo

Theme by Danetsoft and Danang Probo Sayekti inspired by Maksimer