Books

FROM SARAH:

This is not a girl book. It's an adventure story. Miri lives on a mountain where, for generations, her ancestors have lived a simple life. But not so any longer. Action-packed and riveting! Meet Shannon Hale in her Author Access replay in RAR Premium.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Miri lives on a mountain where, for generations, her ancestors have lived a simple life. Then word comes that the king's priests have divined her village the home of the future princess. In a year's time, the prince will choose his bride from among the village girls.

**Description from Amazon: Growly, Chippy, and Tully have braved the Ocean and a mysterious ruined city to find C.J., the elder bear who disappeared many years before. Now, with time running out, the friends must search for clues to find a way back up The Precipice. As their journey takes them into places unknown, Growly is ...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Growly’s adventure has taken him far from home in search of C.J., his grandfather’s long-lost friend who disappeared over The Precipice. Now, the desperate quest continues as Growly, Chippy, and Tully find themselves facing a journey across the Ocean. In a makeshift sailboat, Growly and his friends embark on their greatest adventure yet. It is a journey that will take them to far-off lands and mysterious cities—into the unknown … across the wide, wide water.

FROM SARAH:

He's an adorable bear and he's ready for a big adventure! My boys and girls both enjoyed the stories of Growly, starting here with Begin.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

For centuries the bears of Haven have lived quiet lives, high in the mountains at the edge of the great Precipice. That all changes for a young cub named Growly when he receives a mysterious message. With just his backpack and glider, Growly sets out on a desperate journey to find his grandfather's long lost friend . . . and to find a way back home.

**Description from Amazon: Avi's haunting ghost story is available for the first time as a Scholastic paperback!When 12-year-old Kenny Huldorf moves to Providence, Rhode Island, he soon discovers that his attic bedroom is haunted by the ghost of a teenage slave named Caleb. Before long, Caleb summons Kenny back in time, where...

**Description from Amazon: Avon 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 me...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It’s 1951, and twelve-year-old Pete Collison is a regular kid who loves detective stories and radio crime dramas. When an FBI agent shows up at Pete’s doorstep, accusing Pete’s father of being a Communist, Pete is caught in a real-life mystery. Could there really be Commies in his family?

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Candace Fleming deftly maneuvers between the plight of Russia’s poor masses and the extravagant lives of the Romanovs, from their opulent upbringings to the crumbling of their massive empire, and finally to their tragic murders. Using captivating photos and compelling first-person accounts throughout, The Family Romanov is history at its most absorbing.

**Description from Amazon: Described by Robert Hass as "unquestionably one of the great living European poets" and by Charles Simic as "one of the finest poets living today," Szymborska mesmerizes her readers with poetry that captivates their minds and captures their hearts. This is the book that her many fans have been anxio...

**Description from Amazon: An epic adventure and one of the most enduring fables in Western literatureEdmond Dantés has a life that any man would envy. A promising young sailor about to be made a captain, he has come home to Marseille to marry his beautiful fiancée, Mercédès. But on the eve of his wedding, Dantés is betr...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The #1 New York Times bestselling phenomenon! Poor Duncan just wants to color. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough! They quit! Beige Crayon is tired of playing second fiddle to Brown Crayon. Black wants to be used f...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Meet the animals of Maple Hill Farm and learn about their antics as they bring joy, laughter, and life to the people who live in a house that needs painting at the end of a road full of holes.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

One special day is Almanzo's birthday. He gets to stay home from school, and even better, Father gives him a yoke for his calves, Star and Bright, and a beautiful hand-sled. Almanzo spends the morning learning how to break the calves, and then he spends the afternoon flying down the hill in his brand-new sled.

FROM SARAH:

Do yourself a favor and add this whole collection of Little House picture book adaptations to your home library! The text is faithful to the original, and Renée Graef's illustrations are a perfect pairing.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

With this illustrated adaptation from the beloved Little House series, the youngest readers can share in the joy of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved classics. Winter has come to the Big Woods! Laura and Mary help Ma with chores around the house. When the frost comes, they draw pictures in their windows. Renee Graef’s illustrations are based on Garth Williams’ classic artwork.

**Description from Amazon: “This is George. He lived in Africa. He was a good little monkey, and always very curious.” With these words, H. A. and Margret Rey introduced the world to Curious George in 1941, and the world has loved him ever since. The tales of this cheerful and resilient little hero have kept generations o...

**Description from Amazon: One of the most popular picture books for children, The Story About Ping is the adventure of a young duck in search of home.

FROM SARAH:

I have a special fondness for this whole series—it was one of the first that showed me the difference between a "just ok" picture book with a "truly wonderful" picture book. Also: there's a recipe in the book worth making!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Every year Grandmother invited a guest for Thanksgiving dinner and allowed Maggie to do the same."Ask someone poor or lonely," she always said. Thanksgiving was Grandmother's favorite day of the year. The cooking was done and her famous cranberry bread was cooling on a wooden board. But she wasn't happy to find out Maggie had invited the unsavory Mr. Whiskers to dinner. Would her secret cranberry bread recipe be safe with him in the house? After a long absence, this delightful 1971 classic is back. So is the recipe!

FROM SARAH:

Jan Brett at her finest. This, along with The Mitten, are absolute must-haves for any home library.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Lisa's woolen stocking flies off the clothesline, Hedgie finds it and pokes his nose in. He tries to pull it out, but the stocking gets stuck on his prickles--and the fun begins.

**Description from Amazon: A playful peek into the homes of dinosaur babies and their parents at bedtime. 'How does a dinosaur say good night when Papa comes in to turn off the light? Does a dinosaur slam his tail and pout? Does he throw his teddy bear all about?' Most certainly not! Dinosaurs give their mums and dads big h...

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The Mary Celeste was discovered adrift on the open sea by another ship in 1872 -- with no sign of captain or crew. What happened? Did the crew mutiny? Were they attacked by pirates? Caught in a storm? No one ever found out. Inside this book are the clues that were left behind ...

**Description from Amazon: Using a town’s mayoral election as a model, this lively introduction to voting covers every step in the process, from the start of the campaign all the way to the voting booth. There’s even a recount! The cast of characters includes two dogs (and a cat), whose questions and comments mirror those...

FROM SARAH:

Oh goodness, I'm willing to bet that your kids will erupt in giggles when you read it aloud. You just have to try it for yourself to see what I mean. :)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A #1 New York Times bestseller, this innovative and wildly funny read-aloud by award-winning humorist/actor B.J. Novak will turn any reader into a comedian.You might think a book with no pictures seems boring and serious. Except . . .here’s how books work. Everything written on the page has to be said by the person reading it aloud. Even if the words say . . .

BLORK. Or BLUURF.

Even if the words are a preposterous song about eating ants for breakfast, or just a list of astonishingly goofy sounds like BLAGGITY BLAGGITY and GLIBBITY GLOBBITY.

**Description from Amazon: Yanking cat by tail: no NO. Gentle pat on back: yes YES. And it’s funny how dumping a bowl of food gets a very different reaction from mastering the use of a spoon. An expressive baby demonstrates familiar behaviors — and their predictable responses — in an amusing toddler-friendly offering th...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Don Quixote of La Mancha is a Spanish epic novel by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. It was originally published in two parts, in 1605 and 1615, but this edition brings both parts into a single book. Obsessed with chivalric tales, an aging nobleman named Alonso Quijano renames himself Don Quixote of La Mancha and sets off, delusional yet noble, to revive chivalry in a world that's forgotten it. With his trusty but weary steed Rocinante and his practical peasant squire Sancho Panza, Don Quixote charges windmills, knights barbers, and rescues damsels in distress (mostly farm girls). Hilarious chaos ensues as his delusions clash with reality, revealing both the beauty of idealism and the dangers of losing touch with the world. Through their adventures, Quixote and Sancho embark on a journey that explores sanity, madness, and the human spirit's capacity for hope, all woven into a timeless masterpiece of laughter and reflection.

**Description from Amazon: The fairies of Pixie Hollow celebrate the birth of a new fairy--Tinker Bell! Tink quickly discovers her talent for tinkering--but that's no fun. She'd rather do something else! Read all about Tinker Bell's first lesson on being a fairy in this illustrated leveled reader storybook.Passport to Reading...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A dying criminal confesses that his loot has been stored "in the tower." Both towers of the looted mansion are searched in vain. It remains for the Hardy boys to make an astonishing discovery that clears up the mystery and clears the name of a friend’s father.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

If a hungry little mouse shows up on your doorstep, you might want to give him a cookie. And if you give him a cookie, he'll ask for a glass of milk. He'll want to look in a mirror to make sure he doesn't have a milk mustache, and then he'll ask for a pair of scissors to give himself a trim...

**Description from Amazon: Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, the nationally bestselling and celebrated creator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Owen, and Kitten's First Full Moon, Chrysanthemum is a funny and honest school story about teasing, self-esteem, and acceptance to share all year round. Chrysanthemum thinks he...

**Description from Amazon: Owen had a fuzzy yellow blanket. "Fuzzy goes where I go," said Owen. But Mrs. Tweezers disagreed. She thought Owen was too old for a blanket. Owen disagreed. No matter what Mrs. Tweezers came up with, Blanket Fairies or vinegar, Owen had the answer. But when school started, Owen't mother knew just w...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This wonderful library includes four classic stories, all told and illustrated by the award-winning Paul Galdone: The Three Bears, Three Little Kittens, The Little Red Hen, and The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse. Pair this gift box with the Folktale Classics Heirloom Library!

FROM SARAH:

A perennial favorite. Both fun and fanciful, and littles and adults alike love it.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A small boy and a big friendly bear embark on a berry-picking extravaganza, looking for blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries. Their fun adventure comes to a razzamatazz finale under a starberry sky.

FROM SARAH:

Frog and Toad, need I say more? Worth owning. Obviously. :)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Celebrate the power of friendship with all four of the beloved Frog and Toad I Can Read stories by Arnold Lobel—now in one volume! This treasury includes the complete art and text from four classics: Frog and Toad Are Friends, Frog and Toad Together, Frog and Toad All Year, and Days with Frog and Toad.

**Description from Amazon: "Alborough's simplicity results in another gem." —School Library JournalBobo needs a hug. But his friends don't seem to understand. "Hug," he implores, time and again. Time and again his puzzled pals—from the smallest chameleon to the tallest giraffe—shrug and cuddle with their jungle mothers....

**Description from Amazon: A subject dear to children’s hearts is in the spotlight as Leslie Patricelli’s beloved baby character returns. Everybody does it: Kitty, Doggie, Daddy — even Mommy! And when Leslie Patricelli’s beloved bald baby does it while running, it sounds like a train. This frank and very funny look at...

**Description from Amazon: "Where are the girls?" When Grace's teacher reveals that the United States has never had a female president, Grace decides to be the first. And she immediately starts off her political career as a candidate the school's mock election! Author Kelly DiPucchio not only gives readers a fun introduct...

FROM SARAH:

This book of maps is a visual feast for readers of all ages, with lavishly drawn illustrations from the incomparable Mizielinskis. It features not only borders, cities, rivers, and peaks, but also places of historical and cultural interest, eminent personalities, iconic animals and plants, cultural events, and many more fascinating facts associated with every region of our planet.

FROM SARAH:

An absolutely stunning atlas with large pages and tons of detail that will keep your favorite geography buffs happy for hours.

FROM SARAH:

A fantasy series by N.D. Wilson starts here, with The Legend of Sam Miracle. Fast-paced, Wilson's fantasies are some of my favorites to recommend (especially to boys).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Sam Miracle’s life is made up of dreams, dreams where he’s a courageous, legendary hero instead of a foster kid with two bad arms that can barely move. Sometimes these dreams feel so real, they seem like forgotten memories. And sometimes they make him believe that his arms might come alive again.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

For Babymouse, school is a constant battle between good (Babymouse), evil (Felicia Furrpaws), and more evil (gym class!). Can things get any worse? Yup. Because it’s time for the annual dodgeball tournament. What’s a mouse to do? Don’t miss the excitement in Our Hero—the 2nd hilarious, action-packed installment of the beloved Babymouse graphic novel series!

The mills at Wicksbridge are imaginary, but their planning, construction, and operation are quite typical of mills developed in New England throughout the nineteenth century.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Through concise text and richly detailed black and white illustrations we come to know the philosophy of life and death in ancient Egypt.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

High above the rooftops of Rome, Angelo begins his work restoring the façade of a once glorious church. There, among the sticks and feathers, he discovers a wounded bird. Angelo becomes the bird’s reluctant savior.

**Description from Amazon: ‘Thirty-five imaginative and humorous poems for an adult and a child to read aloud together. . . . The entertaining verses are varied as to length, rhythm, and subject and are illustrated with harmoniously amusing drawings.’ —BL.

**Description from Amazon: In her own singularly beautiful style, Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech intricately weaves together two tales, one funny, one bittersweet, to create a heartwarming, compelling, and utterly moving story of love, loss, and the complexity of human emotion.Thirteen-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle, prou...

**Description from Amazon: More than 300 poems by such masters as Maya Angelou, A. A. Milne, Robert Frost, Dr. Seuss, and W.B. Yeats. Designed to be shared by parents and children, it is organized into appealing categories and includes 50 black-&-white illustrations.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
A fresh design and appealing new cover enliven this award-winning collection in the acclaimed Poetry for Young People series. Showcasing the extraordinary Langston Hughes, it's edited by two leading poetry experts and features gallery-quality art by Benny Andrews that adds rich dimension to the words.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
See the beauty and magic of the everyday world through the eyes of Emily Dickinson, one of America’s best-loved and most renowned poets. Flowers, birds, sunrises, sunsets, the moon, and even her own existence take on surprising meanings and colorful illustrations accompany more than thirty-five of her best-loved poems. An ideal way to introduce young readers to the marvels of prose, the Poetry for Young People series opens up the world of wonderful word images by pairing classic verses with beautiful illustrations, and by providing helpful definitions and commentary.

**Description from Amazon: Venture into the world of poetic genius, with a fascinating glimpse into the personality and struggles of a complex, mysterious priest

**Description from Amazon: What is this World? What kind of place is it?“The round kind. The spinning kind. The moist kind. The inhabited kind. The kind with flamingos (real and artificial). The kind where water in the sky turns into beautifully symmetrical crystal flakes sculpted by artists unable to stop themselves (in bo...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Each of us is in the middle of a story. In this astoundingly unique book, bestselling author N.D. Wilson reminds us that to truly live we must recognize that we are dying. Cause of death: life.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Animalium presents the animal kingdom in glorious detail with illustrations from Katie Scott, an unparalleled new talent.Welcome to the Museum is a series of books set on the "walls" of the printed page, showcasing the world’s finest collections of objects — from natural history to art.

**Description from Amazon: Loving the Little Years is a bestselling book of thoughts for mothering young children. It's written by a mom, for you moms -- for when you are motivated, for when you are discouraged, for the times when discipline seems fruitless, and for when you are just plain old tired. When you're a mom, the op...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
A thoughtful follow-up to Loving the Little Years, Rachel's first book, Fit to Burst will help us to be moms who parent with the story in mind rather than the snapshot, who know how to give much and to require much from their children in the everyday mayhem, and who understand the importance of biscuits.

Description from Amazon: There's a corpse in the bathtub, wearing nothing but a pair of pince-nez spectacles. Enter Lord Peter Wimsey, the original gentleman sleuth. Urged to investigate by his mother, the Dowager Duchess of Denver, Lord Peter quickly ascertains that the sudden disappearance of a well-known financier is i...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Touted by its 1885 publisher as “the most amazing story ever written,” King Solomon’s Mines was one of the bestselling novels of the nineteenth century. H. Rider Haggard’s thrilling saga of elephant hunter Allan Quatermain and his search for fabled treasure is more than just an adventure story, though: As Alexandra Fuller explains in her Introduction, in its vivid portrayal of the alliances and battles of white colonials and African tribesmen, King Solomon’s Mines “brings us the world of extremes, of the absurdly tall tales and of the illogical loyalty between disparate people that still informs this part of the world.”

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The dark forces that were repulsed in Out of the Silent Planet and Perelandra are massed for an assault on the planet Earth itself. Word is on the wind that the mighty wizard Merlin has come back to the land of the living after many centuries, holding the key to ultimate power for that force which can find him and bend him to its will.

** Description from Amazon: The second volume in J.R.R. Tolkien's epic adventure THE LORD OF THE RINGS One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them Frodo and his Companions of the Ring have been beset by danger during their quest to prevent the Ruling Ring from fal...

**Description from Amazon: The paperback edition of the legendary, record-breaking, best-selling fourth Harry Potter novel.Harry Potter is midway through his training as a wizard and his coming of age. Harry wants to get away from the pernicious Dursleys and go to the International Quidditch Cup. He wants to find out about ...

**Description from Amazon: The third volume in J.R.R. Tolkien's epic adventure THE LORD OF THE RINGS One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them As the Shadow of Mordor grows across the land, the Companions of the Ring have become involved in separate adventure...

FROM THE PUBLISHER

When Charlie moves to the small town of Taper, Florida, he discovers a different world. There are things in the swamp, roaming the cane at night, that cannot be explained, and they seem connected to sprawling mounds older than the swamps.

FROM SARAH:

N.D. Wilson books are not for the faint of heart... and two of my kids gobbled up everything he wrote, as fast as he wrote them! This was my daughter's favorite. Best for ages 12+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Thomas Hammond has always lived next to Leepike Ridge, but he never imagined he might end up lost beneath it! The night Tom's schoolteacher comes to dinner and asks Tom's mother to marry him, Tom slips out of the house and escapes down a nearby stream on a floating slab of packing foam. The night and stars lull Tom to sleep, and when he wakes, he has ridden his foam raft all the way to the ridge, where the stream dives underground.