- Table View
- List View
The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq
by Jeanette Winter Jeanette Winter*ALA Notable Children&’s book 2006 *Celebrated author-illustrator Jeanette Winter weaves a hopeful tale of one woman&’s courageous book rescue. In the Spring of 2003, Alia Muhammad Baker was the city of Basra&’s real-life librarian. She was the keeper of cherished books and her library was a haven for community gatherings. But with war imminent in Basra, Iraq, what could this lone woman do to save her precious books? With lyrical, spare text and beautiful acrylic illustrations, Jeanette Winter shows how well she understands her young audience. This true story of one librarian&’s remarkable bravery reminds us all how, throughout the world, the love of literature and the respect for knowledge knows no boundaries.
Juliet Dove, Queen of Love: Juliet Dove, Queen Of Love; And The Monsters Ring (Magic Shop Book #5)
by Bruce CovilleShy Juliet Dove leaves Mr. Elives' magic shop with Helen of Troy's amulet--a virtual man magnet. Juliet doesn't know what she's got, but soon every boy in town is swoony for her. Yet, much as she'd like to lose all the unwanted attention, she can't: The amulet won't come off!A sidesplittingly funny, heartbreaking whirlwind of a book about the high cost of loving, from the award-winning author of My Teacher Is an Alien and The Unicorn Chronicles.
Jennifer Murdley's Toad: A Magic Shop Book (The Magic Shop Books #3)
by Bruce CovilleIn this magical fantasy adventure by the award-winning author of Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher, a talking toad takes a girl on a wild ride. Jennifer Murdley has always wanted to be pretty. That&’s why she&’s so surprised to leave Mr. Elives&’s magic shop with a particularly ugly toad. As her worst enemy says, &“A toad for a toad.&” But this toad can talk. And what it has to say sets Jennifer off on a journey that leads her into the company of the Immortal Vermin and straight to the Beauty Parlor of Doom . . . where she comes face-to-face with her deepest fears and dreams. Jennifer Murdley would give anything to be beautiful. But sometimes anything is too high a price to pay. &“Endlessly funny . . . . A roller-coaster ride of a story, full of humor and even wisdom.&” —Kirkus Reviews &“Fast-moving with slapstick humor . . . . Recommended.&” —Horn Book
Ice Drift
by Theodore TaylorThe year is 1868, and fourteen-year-old Alika and his younger brother, Sulu, are hunting for seals on an ice floe attached to their island in the Arctic. Suddenly the ice starts to shake, and they hear a loud crack--the terrible sound of the floe breaking free from land. The boys watch with horror as the dark expanse of water between the ice and the shore rapidly widens, and they start drifting south--away from their home, their family, and everything they've ever known.Throughout their six-month-long journey down the Greenland Strait, the brothers face bitter cold, starvation, and most frightening of all, vicious polar bears. But they still remain hopeful that one day they'll be rescued.This thrilling new adventure story from bestselling author Theodore Taylor is a moving testament to the bond between brothers--and to the strength of the human spirit.Includes a map, a glossary of Inuit words and phrases, and an author's note..
The Hundred Dresses: Instructional Guides For Literature
by Eleanor Estes Louis SlobodkinAt the heart of the story is Wanda Petronski, a Polish girl in a Connecticut school who is ridiculed by her classmates for wearing the same faded blue dress every day. Wanda claims she has one hundred dresses at home, but everyone knows she doesn't and bullies her mercilessly. The class feels terrible when Wanda is pulled out of the school, but by that time it's too late for apologies. Maddie, one of Wanda's classmates, ultimately decides that she is "never going to stand by and say nothing again."<P><P> Newbery Honor book
High Wizardry (The Young Wizards Series #3)
by Diane DuaneWhen a gifted little wizard begins experimenting with her new skills, her big sister and friend must save her from evil in this continuing fantasy series.Young wizards Nita and Kit face their most terrifying challenge yet: Nita’s little sister, Dairine. Not only is Dairine far too smart for a ten-year-old, she also recently has become a wizard, and worse yet, a wizard with almost limitless power. When Dairine’s computerized wizard’s manual glibly sends her off on her novice adventure—her Ordeal—Kit and Nita end up chasing her across the galaxy, trying to catch up with Dairine before she gets into trouble so deep that not even her brains can rescue her.Praise for High Wizardry“Duane is tops in the high adventure business. . . . This rollicking yarn will delight readers.” —Publishers Weekly“High Wizardry is . . . high entertainment.” —Locus“Harry Potter fans will enjoy this third book in Diane Duane’s Wizardry series.” —School Library Journal
The Hamster of the Baskervilles: A Chet Gecko Mystery (The Chet Gecko Mysteries #5)
by Bruce HaleChet Gecko doesn't believe in the supernatural. His idea of voodoo is his mom's cockroach ripple ice cream. But when a teacher reports seeing a monster by the light of a full moon, it falls to Chet and his sleek-winged partner, Natalie Attired, to answer the burning question: Is this the work of a vicious, supernatural werehamster on the loose? Or just another science fair project gone wrong?
Half Magic (Tales of Magic #1)
by Edward Eager N. M. BodeckerIt all begins with a strange coin on a sun-warmed sidewalk. Jane finds the coin, and becasue she and her sblings are having the worst, most dreadfully boring summer ever, she idly wishes something exciting would happen. And something does: Her wish is granted. Or not quite. Only half of her wish comes true. It turns out the coin grants wishes--but only by half, so that you must wish for twice as much as you want. Wishing for two times some things is a cinch, but other doubled wishes only cause twice as much trouble. What is half of twice a talking cat? Or to be half-again twice not-here? And how do you double your most heartfelt wish, the one you care about so much it has to be perfect?
A Guide for Grown-ups: Essential Wisdom from the Collected Works of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (The\little Prince Ser.)
by Antoine de Saint-ExupéryA delightful collection of inspiring quotations from the mind of Antoine de Saint- Exupéry, author of The Little Prince.&“One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.&”For more than sixty years, this insight from The Little Prince has been quoted in more than 130 languages by fans around the world. Now, for the first time, quotations from the collected works and letters of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry are presented in a charming gift edition. Six chapters—&“Happiness,&” &“Friendship,&” &“Responsibility,&” &“Fortitude,&” &“Love,&” and &“What Is Essential&”—offer inspirational and thought-provoking words about the subjects held most dear by the author. A perfect gift for graduates—or for anyone who wants gentle guidance.
Fire in Their Eyes: Wildfires and the People Who Fight Them
by Karen Magnuson BeilWhat drives some people to stand in the path of a wall of flame? Who are these brave, foolhardy, visionary firefighters? This intimate look at the elite groups that fight wildfires explores the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of these courageous few as they battle wilderness blazes from Alaska to Maine. From the grueling training of a smokejumper class in Montana, through harrowing fights with some up-close-and-personal wildfires, to a group of inspired conservationists who use fire as a tool for preservation, Karen Magnuson Beil takes readers where only a few have ventured--into the heart of one of nature's most destructive and unpredictable forces: fire.
The End of the Beginning: Being the Adventures of a Small Snail (and an Even Smaller Ant)
by Avi Tricia TusaAvon the snail has never had an adventure. And adventure, he has heard, is the key to a happy life. So with his new friend Edward the ant, Avon sets out on a journey to find the excitement his life has been missing. This modern fable is filled with funny--and profound--insights about the meaning of things . . . great and small.
Each Little Bird That Sings
by Deborah WilesTen-year-old Comfort Snowberger has attended 247 funerals. But that's not surprising, considering that her family runs the town funeral home. And even though Great-uncle Edisto keeled over with a heart attack and Great-great-aunt Florentine dropped dead--just like that--six months later, Comfort knows how to deal with loss, or so she thinks. She's more concerned with avoiding her crazy cousin Peach and trying to figure out why her best friend, Declaration, suddenly won't talk to her. Life is full of surprises. And the biggest one of all is learning what it takes to handle them. Deborah Wiles has created a unique, funny, and utterly real cast of characters in this heartfelt, and quintessentially Southern coming-of-age novel. Comfort will charm young readers with her wit, her warmth, and her struggles as she learns about life, loss, and ultimately, triumph.
Dealing with Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book One (Enchanted Forest Chronicles #1)
by Patricia C. WredePrincess Cimorene, the daughter of a very proper king, runs away to live with a very powerful dragon, Kazul. This updated edition features a new introduction by the author and fantastic new packaging.
Dawn of Fear
by Susan CooperDerek and his friends, living outside of London during World War II, regard the frequent air raids with more fascination than fear--after all, they can barely remember a time without them. The boys are thrilled when school is canceled for a few days due to a raid, giving them time to work on their secret camp. But when their camp is savagely attacked by a rival gang from the neighborhood, the harsh reality of the violence surrouding them suddenly crashes down upon Derek and his friends--and a long night of bombing changes his feelings about the war forever. Includes a reader's guide.
Calling on Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book Three (The Enchanted Forest Chronicles #3)
by Patricia C. WredeThose wicked wizards are back--and they've become very smart. (Sort of.) They intend to take over the Enchanted Forest once and for all . . . unless Cimorene finds a way to stop them. And some people think being queen is easy.
The Borrowers Avenged (The Borrowers #5)
by Joe Krush Beth Krush Mary NortonPod, Homily, and Arrietty escape from the Platters' attic and set off to an old rectory to begin life anew.
The Borrowers Aloft (Borrowers #3)
by Mary Norton Beth Krush Joe KrushPod, Homily, and Arrietty Clock's huge adventures have been thrilling children young and old for fifty years--and their appeal is as strong as ever in these handsome new paperback packages. While the original beloved interior illustrations by Beth and Joe Krush have been retained, Marla Frazee's striking cover illustrations capture these little people with a larger-than-life appeal.
The Borrowers Afield: The Borrowers And The Borrowers Afield (Borrowers Ser. #2)
by Mary Norton“The Borrowers Afield is beautifully written and engrossing, even suspenseful . . . like the best of children’s books, this is really a book for all ages.” —Tor.com Driven out of their cozy house by the rat catcher, the Borrowers find themselves homeless. Worse, they are lost and alone in a frightening new world: the outdoors. Nearly everything outside—cows, moths, field mice, cold weather—is a life-threatening danger for the tiny Borrowers. But as they bravely journey across country in search of a new home and learn how to survive in the wild, Pod, Homily, and their daughter, Arrietty, discover that the world beyond their old home has more joy, drama, and people than they’d ever imagined. An ALA Notable Book“Readers who found Mary Norton’s The Borrowers just about perfect may approach this one with the nervous premonition that it couldn’t possibly be as good. It is, though—and in some ways even better.” —The New York Times Book Review“This book, like its predecessor, is a lovely thing . . . The Borrowers are fascinating not just because they are tiny creatures in a large world, but because they are people.” —The Horn Book“Mary Norton is a genius.” —Mademoiselle
The Borrowers: The Borrowers And The Borrowers Afield (The Borrowers #1)
by Mary Norton Beth Krush Joe Krush<P>The Borrowers--the Clock family: Homily, Pod, and their fourteen-year-old daughter, Arrietty, to be precise--are tiny people who live underneath the kitchen floor of an old English country manor. <P>All their minuscule home furnishings, from postage stamp paintings to champagne cork chairs, are "borrowed" from the "human beans" who tromp around loudly above them. All is well until Pod is spotted upstairs by a human boy! Can the Clocks stay nested safely in their beloved hidden home, or will they be forced to flee? <P>The British author Mary Norton won the Carnegie Medal for The Borrowers in 1952, the year it was first published in England.
The Aurora County All-Stars
by Deborah WilesTwelve-year-old House Jackson--star pitcher and team captain of the Aurora County All-Stars--has been sidelined for a whole sorry year with a broken elbow. He's finally ready to play, but wouldn't you know that the team's only game of the year has been scheduled for the exact same time as the town's 200th-anniversary pageant. Now House must face the pageant's director, full-of-herself Frances Shotz (his nemesis and perpetrator of the elbow break), and get his team out of this mess. There's also the matter of a mysterious old recluse who has died and left House a wheezy old dog named Eudora Welty--and a puzzling book of poetry by someone named Walt Whitman. Through the long, hot month of June, House makes surprising and valuable discoveries about family, friendship, poetry . . . and baseball.
Arabel and Mortimer (Arabel And Mortimer Ser.)
by Joan Aiken Quentin BlakeIn this silly sequel to Arabel's Raven, Mortimer floats out to sea on a grand piano, tries to get even with three giraffes that have stolen his doughnuts at the zoo, and takes off with King Arthur's sword. Will Arabel ever be able to control her troublemaking pet raven?
The Alley (Odyssey/harcourt Young Classic Ser.)
by Eleanor Estes Edward ArdizzoneIn the heart of Brooklyn, New York, there is an alley that is the most beautiful place to live in the whole wide world. Or so Connie Ives believes. The alley is the perfect location to sharpen Connie's swinging skills, hold practices for the Alley Conservatory of Music, and convict a burglar by trial. From the bestselling author of Ginger Pye comes the story of a little girl whose eyes are always open to the beauty of the world that surrounds her.
Flying Cars: The True Story
by Andrew GlassHumans have always wanted to fly. As soon as there were planes and cars, many people saw a combination as the next step for personal transportation, and visionary engineers and inventors did their best to make the flying car (or the roadable plane) a reality. This book is a breezy account of hybrid vehicles and their creators, and of the intense drive that kept bringing inventors back to the drawing board despite repeated failures and the dictates of common sense. Illustrated with archival photos, this entertaining survey takes readers back as far as Icarus and forward into the present day, with a look toward the future. Includes author's note, source notes, bibliography, index.
Operation Oleander
by Valerie O. Patterson"Many young readers will identify with the day-to-day trepidation felt by Jess, Meriwether, and the other families living on the base."—VOYA, 3Q 4P M J"Full of detail about Army life, Patterson's elegant prose brings readers deep inside Jess's conflicted point of view and the many stresses she is under, as she reevaluates her role as a member of a military family."—Publishers Weekly"Patterson poignantly depicts war's effect on those at home as Jess and her friends absorb and react to the events. This solid novel joins the growing number of books illustrating the war's effect on Afghan people."—Booklist"Patterson has an amazing ability to convey the tension and fear that families and friends of deployed soldiers bear every day and the heart-stopping terror when news programs show violence against troops that may result in one of their loved ones being wounded or dead."—School Library Journal"Patterson writes with compassion for both sides of this thorny issue, and her steady focus on the emotional trauma of the stateside teens keeps the story from devlolving into a coolly cerebral exercise in anti-terrorism strategy."—Bulletin —
Okay for Now: Okay For Now (Playaway Children Ser.)
by Gary D. Schmidt<P>As a fourteen-year-old who just moved to a new town, with no friends and a louse for an older brother, Doug Swieteck has all the stats stacked against him. As Doug struggles to be more than the "skinny thug" that his teachers and the police think him to be, he finds an unlikely ally in Lil Spicer--a fiery young lady who "smelled like daisies would smell if they were growing in a big field under a clearing sky after a rain." <P>In Lil, Doug finds the strength to endure an abusive father, the suspicions of a whole town, and the return of his oldest brother, forever scarred, from Vietnam. Together, they find a safe haven in the local library, inspiration in learning about the plates of John James Audubon's birds, and a hilarious adventure on a Broadway stage. <P>In this stunning novel, Schmidt expertly weaves multiple themes of loss and recovery in a story teeming with distinctive, unusual characters and invaluable lessons about love, creativity, and survival.