2009 Children's Choices-Young Readers (Grade 3-4)

Danger! It lurks at every corner. Volcanoes. Sharks. Quicksand. Terrorists. The pilot of the plane blacks out and it's up to you to land the jet. What do you do? The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook is here to help: jam-packed with how-to, hands-on, step-by-step, illustrated instructions on everything you need to know FAST-from defusing a bomb to delivering a baby in the back of a cab. Providing frightening and funny real information in the best-selling tradition of the Paranoid's Pocket Guide and Hypochondriac's Handbook, this indispensable, indestructible pocket-sized guide is the definitive handbook for those times when life takes a sudden turn for the worse. The essential companion for a perilous age. Because you never know...

Miss Hawthorn's room is neat and tidy, not a pencil or paintbrush is out of place. And that's how she likes it. And she likes trees that are colored green and apples that are painted red. Miss Hawthorn does not like things to be different or out of the ordinary. Into Miss Hawthorn's classroom comes young Willow. She doesn't color inside the lines, she breaks crayons, and she sees pink trees and blue apples. What will Miss Hawthorn think? Magical things can happen when your imagination is allowed to run wild, and for Miss Hawthorn the notion of what is art and what is possible is forever changed.Willow is the first joint writing effort for sisters Denise Brennan-Nelson and Rosemarie Brennan. Denise's other Sleeping Bear Press books include Someday Is Not a Day of the Week and My Grandma Likes to Say. She lives in Howell, Michigan. Rosemarie Brennan juggles careers as a writing teacher and an author. She lives in Brighton, Michigan. Cyd Moore studied graphic design and fine arts at the University of Georgia. Her work includes posters, billboards, books, newspaper and magazine articles, and cassette and CD covers. She is the illustrator of I Love You, Stinky Face and I Miss You, Stinky Face. She lives in Commerce, Michigan.

Through photographs, illustrations, and both factual and fictionalized anecdotes, shows what life was like in the United States during the Depression.

From the team that brought you "How Sweet It Is (and Was): A History of Candy" comes another humourous picture book about the history of underwear. Underwear. It can be practical, it can be lucky, it can be just plain bizarre. And just one mention of the word can make you giggle or blush. But if you really want to laugh out loud, take a step back in time and check out what people in past centuries used to cover up "down there." Women in the 18th century wore underwear that made their hips look six feet wide! In the 19th century you could buy underwear that opened and closed in the back. With uproarious illustrations by John O'Brian, Ruth Freeman Swain sets out to discover the dirty truth behind underwear and what people wear (and wore!) under there.

Here is the second book in the highly acclaimed Toys Trilogy, which includes the companion books Toys Go Out and Toys Come Home.

Lumphy, Stingray, and Plastic are back! And this time the lovable trio finds that their little girl has left for winter vacation and taken a box of dominoes, a stegosaurus puzzle, and two Barbie dolls—but not them. Could she have forgotten them?

As the girl starts to grow up, the three best friends must join together to brave a blizzard, save the toy mice from the vacuum, and make sure that they'll always have the little girl's love. (And they still have time to throw an all-out dance party with the washing machine!)


From the Hardcover edition.

Less than 65 words per spread make up these narrative stories that call the play-by-play of some of the most memorable Super Bowl games in history, as the games' Most Valuable Players lead their football teams to victory.
Title: Tom Brady and the New England Patriots
Author: Sandler, Michael
Publisher: Bearport Pub Co Inc
Publication Date: 2007/07/31
Number of Pages: 24
Binding Type: LIBRARY
Library of Congress: 2007003615

Young Jim Mulholland can't believe his good luck: He has signed on as a cabin boy to the world's finest ocean liner, the Titanic, and can't wait for the history-making voyage across the sea to America. As part of his duties Jim is in charge of the ship's cat, a beautiful tortoiseshell that also appears happy to be on board. He calls the cat by the ship's construction number, 4-0-1, certain that she will bring him good luck. And he's delighted when 4-0-1 shortly gives birth to a litter of kittens. But once the ship's trial runs are completed and it's ready to launch to sea, Jim notices that 4-0-1 is nowhere to be found. He's got to find her-the Titanic can't cast off without her lucky cat. Jim is faced with a decision that will affect the rest of his life.A newspaper journalist for 30 years, Marty Crisp often writes about the animals that hold a special interest and place in her heart. She has published many award-winning books for children and adults, including White Star, her book about a dog on the Titanic. Marty lives in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. Robert Papp's award-winning artwork includes hundreds of illustrations for major publishers across the United States, and his first children's book, The Scarlet Stockings Spy, was named an IRA Teachers' Choice in 2005. His other books with Sleeping Bear Press include The Last Brother and M is for Meow: A Cat Alphabet. Robert lives in historic Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Explains why southern sea otters became an endangered species, and describes the efforts of scientists to bring them back from the brink of extinction.

Discusses the supposed hauntings of various cemeteries, including the Gettysburg National Military Park and Tutankhamun's tomb in Egypt.
Title: Spooky Cemeteries
Author: Williams, Dinah
Publisher: Bearport Pub Co Inc
Publication Date: 2008/01/01
Number of Pages: 32
Binding Type: LIBRARY
Library of Congress: 2007031505

Author-illustrator Matt Hammill has created a tongue-in-cheek adventure story where fantasy and reality merge, with hilarious results. The eponymous hero is an armchair explorer on a quest for a Lost Tablet of Illusion, stolen by an elusive beast. Sir Reginald's quest takes the reader on a journey through figments and flights of imagination on one hand, and through his mild-mannered home life on the other.

Is that the deafening buzz of the carnivorous elephant beetle --- or Sir Reginald's alarm clock? Does the tiger-stripe viper lie stretched across his path --- or is it a sock? What is the nature of this Lost Tablet and its awesome power? As Sir Reg veers comically between worlds, the imagination emerges as the most powerful charm of all.

Thorfinn s father is obsessed with power while his mother cares only for wealth.
When it is time to choose a bride, Thorfinn decides he must listen to his own heart instead. He seeks the wisdom and experience of his friends, the court jester and the old tabby cat. In which direction will they lead him? Will he chose the princess who promises him wealth, the princess who promises power, or the princess who is full of love and happiness? And, just as important, will that princess chose Thorfinn in return?

When Fran lands the part of Princess Penelope in the school play, she's thrilled--until her teacher warns her that she will be kicked out if she doesn't improve her behavior. Even worse, her parents threaten to get rid of her puppy unless he shapes up. Will Fran be able to keep her puppy and the leading role?

Describes the history, training, and jobs of pararescue men in times of war and peace.
Title: Pararescuemen in Action
Author: Sandler, Michael
Publisher: Bearport Pub Co Inc
Publication Date: 2008/01/01
Number of Pages: 32
Binding Type: LIBRARY
Library of Congress: 2007034443

Featuring gorgeous photographs that illustrate and educate, this visual encyclopedia is jam-packed with thousands and thousands of images that bring more than one million things to light. Full color.

Inspired by true events, One Hen tells the story of Kojo, a boy from Ghana who turns a small loan into a thriving farm and a livelihood for many.

After his father died, Kojo had to quit school to help his mother collect firewood to sell at the market. When his mother receives a loan from some village families, she gives a little money to her son. With this tiny loan, Kojo buys a hen.

A year later, Kojo has built up a flock of 25 hens. With his earnings Kojo is able to return to school. Soon Kojo's farm grows to become the largest in the region.

Kojo's story is inspired by the life of Kwabena Darko, who as a boy started a tiny poultry farm just like Kojo's, which later grew to be the largest in Ghana, and one of the largest in west Africa. Kwabena also started a trust that gives out small loans to people who cannot get a loan from a bank.

One Hen shows what happens when a little help makes a big difference. The final pages of One Hen explain the microloan system and include a list of relevant organizations for children to explore.

One Hen is part of CitizenKid: A collection of books that inform children about the world and inspire them to be better global citizens.

Book by Sandler, Michael

JACK AND ANNIE continue their quest for the secrets of happiness—secrets they need to save Merlin. This time, the Magic Tree House takes them to the one continent they haven't visited before: Antarctica! What can they hope to learn about happiness in such a barren place? Only the penguins know for sure . . . Jack and Annie are about to find out!


From the Hardcover edition.

In this dynamic picture-book biography, told as if by Vivaldi himself, the famous musician's energetic personality and steadfast dedication to music come alive.Despite his mother's vow for him to become a priest, young Vivaldi is only interested in music. He soon grows from a feisty boy who wants to play the violin into a stubborn young man who puts his musical training ahead of his studies for priesthood.Beautiful, ornate artwork portrays the spirit and splendor of Vivaldi's hometown, Venice. A historical note, musical score, and glossary will help readers more fully appreciate Vivaldi's life and musical genius.

This fascinating book is all about strength and power. It starts with the spider web. If a spider could make a web where each silk strand were as thick as a pencil, its web could stop a Boeing 747 in midflight. There is no other substance that even comes close to this stopping power. Ounce for ounce, spider silk is stronger than nylon and stronger than steel. Not even Kevlar, the world's strongest synthetic fiber - used in bulletproof vests - can match the strengh of a web mean to catch flies. The book goes on to compare over 20 other natural, and man-made phenomona in this world (and out of it). Read it! You'll be amazed.

Explains why Florida panthers became an endangered species, and describes the efforts of scientists to bring them back from the brink of extinction.
Title: Florida Panthers
Author: Caper, William
Publisher: Bearport Pub Co Inc
Publication Date: 2007/07/31
Number of Pages: 32
Binding Type: LIBRARY
Library of Congress: 2007014797

Book by Llimos Plomer, Anna

Richard Walker, BSc, PhD, is editorial consultant and author of DK's Encyclopedia of the Human Body. Trained originally as a zoologist, Richard now holds a PhD in physiology and biochemistry. He has taught both secondary school and university students, and now enjoys a successful career as a writer and consultant. Among his human biology books for DK are the Guide to the Human Body, 3D Eyewitness Human Body, Visual Dictionary of Human Anatomy, and Brian and Body in the Megabites series.

JERRY SIEGEL AND Joe Shuster, two misfit teens in Depression-era Cleveland, were more like Clark Kent—meek, mild, and myopic—than his secret identity, Superman. Both boys escaped into the worlds of science fiction and pulp magazine adventure tales. Jerry wrote stories, and Joe illustrated them. In 1934, they created a superhero who was everything they were not. It was four more years before they convinced a publisher to take a chance on their Man of Steel in a new format—the comic book. The author includes a provocative afterword about Jerry and Joe's long struggle with DC Comics when they realized they had made a mistake in selling all rights to Superman for a mere $130!

Marc Tyler Nobleman's text captures the excitement of Jerry and Joe's triumph, and the energetic illustrations by Ross MacDonald, the author-artist of Another Perfect Day, are a perfect complement to the time, the place, and the two young visionaries.

Car Science is an intuitive and user-friendly children's science book based on a topic dear to children's hearts: cars. In four sections, the book includes: a timeline of automotive invention; a "how it works" guide to modern cars, with exploded diagrams, cutaways, and computer graphics; key physics concepts, all relating to cars and how they run; and a look into the future of cars, including eco-friendly concept cars.

George lived alone with his grandmother and an empty place where his mother and father should be.

One Friday on his way home from school, George visited the animal shelter. There, in the very last cage, was Jeremy, a dog who looked as lost and as lonely as George.

When Jeremy goes home to live with George and his grandmother, their whole lives change, and they learn that when it comes to love, it's quality not quantity that counts . . .

NEW YORK TIMES bestselling and Newbery Honor winning author Jennifer Holm teams up with Matthew Holm to bring you a fully illustrated graphic novel series packed with humor and kid appeal—BABYMOUSE!
 
With multiple Children's Choice awards and over 1.7 million books in print, kids, parents, and teachers agree that Babymouse is perfect for fans of Junie B. Jones, Ivy and Bean, Big Nate, Dork Diaries, and the Ramona chapter books!

It was a dark and scary Halloween. . . .
This year, Babymouse is determined to have the best Halloween costume and the best Halloween party ever. Will Babymouse be the monster of her dreams? Will Felicia Furrypaws come to the party? And is that really the creature from the black lagoon living in Babymouse's locker? Find out in Monster Mash—the 9th hilarious, action-packed installment of the beloved Babymouse graphic novel series!

Here's what people are saying about Babymouse!

The Chicago Sun-Times:
"Move over, Superman, here comes Babymouse!"

Starred Review, The Horn Book:
"Nobody puts Babymouse in the corner!"

Booklist:
"Cute, smart, sassy Babymouse is fun and funny, and this book, like its predecessors, will draw reluctant readers as well as Babymouse fans."

The Bulletin:
"An almost absurdly likeable heroine."