Publisher: Graphix
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 08/01/2012
ISBN-13: 9780545312837
ISBN-10: 0545312833

Graphic Novel. Happy-go-lucky Bird missed his pals' migration south for the winter, but he's not worried (even if he should be). Then, when Bird realizes that he's being stalked by a vicious cat, it's nervous, jittery Squirrel who saves the day. But Squirrel loses his entire winter stash of acorns in the process of rescuing Bird, so the two unlikely friends set out on an adventure together in search of plentiful food, warm weather -- and safety from relentless, scary Cat. With all the action and visual humor of an animated cartoon, Bird & Squirrel is a silly, fun read that fans of wacky comic-book adventures like Jef Czekaj's Grampa and Julie: Shark Hunters will love.

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 09/18/2012
ISBN-13: 9781596437166
ISBN-10: 1596437162

Nonfiction. This gorgeously (and generously) illustrated science book tells the story of the birth and development of the Galápagos Islands, a group of volcanic islands off of the western coast of South America. It breaks down the islands' formation and habitation by plants and animals, explaining complex topics such as plate tectonics and natural selection in a way that is both interesting and clear. Additional information on Charles Darwin, volcanoes, and the native species of the islands is included at the back of the book. For more captivating, ecologically oriented, and illustrated nonfiction on island wildlife, check out Sophie Webb's Looking for Seabirds: Journal from an Alaskan Voyage.

Publisher: Scholastic
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 08/28/2012
ISBN-13: 9780545386968
ISBN-10: 0545386969

Multi-platform Adventure. History is broken...and it's up to best friends Dak Smyth and Sera Froste to fix it. Traveling back in time to correct "Great Breaks" where history has gone off course, the two friends ally with a group known as the Hystorians against the oppressive and mysterious SQ, the shadowy organization that rules this alternate America. The Hystorian's Guide included in this 1st fast-paced thriller in the new Infinity Ring series gives readers access to a 3-D online game that extends the story. For more maybe-not-so-believable but incredibly fun, action-packed fiction that fiddles with history, check out Johnny O'Brien's Day of the Assassins.

Publisher: Atheneum Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 08/28/2012
ISBN-13: 9781442405936
ISBN-10: 1442405937

Fiction. Although Abby Walker is sort of friends with Kristen and the other popular girls, they've started being really mean to her. In a brave moment, Abby stands up to them -- and "that's that," no more friends. But while Kristen and her group try to punish her for speaking up, Abby makes new friends and starts figuring out how to live according to her own rules, not the mean girls'. Readers who like realistic, emotional stories that focus on friendships and family, like James Howe's Addie on the Inside, will want to read about Abby and what she's going through.

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Publisher: Aladdin
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 08/07/2012
ISBN-13: 9781442457874
ISBN-10: 1442457872

Fantasy. Ten-year-old Zeus can't believe how often he has been hit by lightning -- once every year of his life -- but until he impulsively grabs an actual thunderbolt from a stone to defend himself against the horrible Titans, he never suspects that it could be part of what makes him special. Setting off on a mission to rescue the Olympians from evil, baby-eating Cronus, young Zeus starts down the path toward becoming King of the Gods. The authors take some liberties with the original Greek myths, but kids who like adventure tales full of action and humor will enjoy this fun and exciting story that kicks off a new series.

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The holiday season is here! If you'd like to make gifts to give to family and friends, there's still time...and with help from the books listed below, you can create one-of-a-kind, inexpensive yet special presents. Check out other craft books in the library, or ask a librarian, for even more ideas.

Publisher: Kids Can Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 08/01/2002
ISBN-13: 9781550749403
ISBN-10: 1550749404

Nonfiction. Check out this book and you'll be amazed by how many different things you can create just by folding, weaving, cutting, or gluing paper -- and you'll also learn how to make your own paper! With attractive, easy-to-make projects ranging from paper jewelry, ornaments, and other decorative items to lamp shades, puppets, bowls, baskets, picture-frames, and more, this entry in the Jumbo Book series offers lots of ideas for inexpensive crafts that'll make great gifts. (It's got instructions for making your own greeting cards, too, making it doubly useful this time of year.)

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Publisher: Ingram
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 11/01/2009
ISBN-13: 9781934429365
ISBN-10: 1934429368

Nonfiction. Well-known designer Todd Oldham presents a whole host of kid-friendly projects, many of which would make fun, stylish gifts -- from tin-foil beads to pillows, a pom-pom rug, a wooden skateboard, paper lanterns, toys, and much more. Many of the 52 projects were inspired by the work of great mid-20th-century artists and designers, and Oldham offers brief introductions to both the individuals and their work. With crafts that range in difficulty from very easy to challenging (some require the use of a sewing machine, for example), Kid Made Modern is sure to spark your creativity. If you like this book, check out the others in the series: All about Dye, All about Embriodery, and All about Fabric Printing.

Publisher: Kids Can Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 03/01/2005
ISBN-13: 9781553377931
ISBN-10: 1553377931

Nonfiction. Wanna get stitch-y with it? This clear and thorough beginner's guide to needlecrafts covers the basics of knitting, crocheting, embroidery, quilting, and sewing and includes more than 50 gift-worthy projects for scarves, blankets, purses, pillows, and more. The projects range from super-simple to somewhat complicated, but all of them are laid out in detailed, step-by-step instructions. For even more projects and inspiration, check out Ellen Warwick's Injeanuity, which shows how to turn old jeans into awesome new things; Sara Trail's Sew with Sara, which teaches sewing basics and also gives tips on selling the things you make; or Shannon Okey's Knitgrrl or Knitgrrl 2.

Publisher: Boyds Mills Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 02/01/1998
ISBN-13: 9781563977046
ISBN-10: 1563977044

Nonfiction. Whether you want to create holiday gifts for others, repurpose the boxes your own holiday gifts come in, or you simply want to create some neat stuff, this book will help by offering ways to make toys, games, and decorations out of items you probably have around the house, such as cardboard boxes, glue, and paint. With easy-to-follow directions and large photographs of finished projects, you'll be ready to turn a box into something altogether new in no time flat. For more ways to transform empty boxes into fun stuff (like a drum kit, a coat of arms, or a climbing wall for your action figures), check out Danny Walsh's The Cardboard Box Book, which the author wrote with help from his two sons.

Publisher: Kids Can Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 08/11/2008
ISBN-13: 9781439542958
ISBN-10: 1439542953

Nonfiction. While this is a book for beginning quilters, it includes projects that will not only help you learn and practice quilting -- some of them would make lovely gifts, too. Someone special in your life might appreciate an appliquéd t-shirt, a quilted pencil case, a crazy-quilt pillow, a quilted book bag, or a lap quilt, and that's only half of the crafts included here. Clear step-by-step instructions and helpful illustrations make it easy to learn these basic techniques, especially if you're already adept at hand-sewing. If you've never attempted any sort of sewing before, you may want to check out Amie Plumley's very basic Sewing School, which also includes simple projects that beginners can do, and work up to the more advanced crafts in Quilting.

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