Kids Books

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4 5 6

7 8 9

10 11 12

 

Ages 4 5 6

		Interrupting Chicken, by David Ezra Stein It's time for the little red chicken's bedtime story-and a reminder from Papa to try not to interrupt. But the chicken can't help herself! Whether the tale is Hansel and Grettel or Little Red Riding Hood or even Chicken Little, she jumps into the story to save its hapless characters from doing some dangerous or silly thing. Now it's the little red chicken's turn to tell a story, but will her yawning papa make it to the end without his own kind of interrupting? Energetically illustrated with glowing colors-and offering humorous story-within-a-story views-this all-too-familiar tale is sure to amuse (and hold the attention of) spirited little chicks.  A favorite joke inspires this charming tale, in which a little chicken's habit of interrupting bedtime stories is gleefully turned on its head.
		Splat the Cat, by Rob Scotton It's Splat's first day of school and he's worried. What if he doesn't make any new friends? Just in case, Splat decides to bring along his pet mouse, Seymour, and hides him in his lunchbox. The teacher, Mrs. Wimpydimple, introduces Splat to the class and he soon starts learning all his important cat lessons. But when Seymour escapes and the cats do what cats do (they chase mice!), Splat's worried again. Maybe now he'll lose all his friends, old and new! Just in time, wise Mrs. Wimpydimple takes charge and teaches everyone an important new lesson. Maybe Cat School is going to be okay after all!
		Tumford the Terrible, by Nancy Tillman Tumford isn't really a terrible cat. He just has a way of finding mischief-tracking dirt into the house, knocking over breakable things, and disrupting fancy parties. But even though he feels bad, he has a hard time saying, “I'm sorry.” Will the fact that his owners love him, no matter what, help Tummy say the magic words?
		The Quiet Book, by Deborah Underwood There are many kinds of quiet:  Quiet can be delicate . Quiet can be thundering! Quiet can be sweet,and cozy,and can most definitely help you fall asleep.  With kid-centric descriptions and irresistible artwork, this gentle picture book explores all the different quiets that can fill a child's days from morning to night.
More books for this age group...
The Red Book, by Barbara Lehman   A magical red book without any words. When you turn the pages you'll experience a new kind of adventure through the power of story. The Red Book crosses oceans and continents to deliver one girl into a new world of possibility, where a friend she's never met is waiting. And as with the best of books, at the conclusion of the story, the journey is not over.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, by Judith Viorst   He could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. He went to sleep with gum in his mouth and woke up with gum in his hair. When he got out of bed, he tripped over his skateboard and by mistake dropped his sweater in the sink while the water was running. He could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Nothing at all was right. Everything went wrong, right down to lima beans for supper and kissing on TV.  What do you do on a day like that? Well, you may think about going to Australia. You may also be glad to find that some days are like that for other people too.
Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak   In the forty years since Max first cried "Let the wild rumpus start," Maurice Sendak's classic picture book has become one of the most highly acclaimed and best-loved children's books of all time. Now, in celebration of this special anniversary, introduce a new generation to Max's imaginative journey to where the wild things are.
I Just Forgot, by Mercer Mayer   Little Critter struggles to remember what he is supposed to do each day. On rainy days he remembers his raincoat but forgets his boots. On school days he gets to school on time but forgets his lunchbox. At home he takes a bath but forgets to use soap. Poor Little Critter! He tries hard but hasn't quite mastered the art of how to get through the day. Every young reader will understand Little Critter's confusion and laugh with him from start to finish.
Pop!: The Invention of Bubble Gum, by Meghan McCarthy   Gum has been around for centuries. The ancient Greeks chewed sap from mastic trees. The American Indians chewed spruce resin. Men in top hats and women in puffy dresses chewed gum to cure things like stomachaches. Gum wasn't that exciting. But what if gum chewers could blow bubbles while chewing it?  In the late 1920s, a factory in Philadelphia was working on a top secret project. Month after month, the workers experimented with different ingredients and formulas. And month after month, all they had to show for their hard work was a big sticky mess. Would there be no bubble gum? Sometimes the best inventions come from the most unexpected places...  Full of fun historical facts, POP! is the true story of how bubble gum was invented.
Fancy Nancy and the Late, Late, LATE Night , by Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser   Ooh la la! Nancy is utterly fascinated by movie stars-and everybody knows that movie stars don't go to bed early! Fancy Nancy decides she should stay up too! Bright and lively illustrations.
My Mommy Hung the Moon, by Jamie Lee Curtis   My mommy hung the moon.  She tied it with string.  My mommy's good at EVERYTHING. The ninth children's book by the #1 New York Times bestselling team of Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell is a celebration of unconditional love between mother and child. Mommy is the best at everything: Not only does she carpool, untangle kites, steal bases, and bake cookies, she also seems to light up the sun with her love. Written straight from the heart and illustrated with tender hilarity, My Mommy Hung the Moon: A Love Story is a keepsake that defines the magical relationship a mother has with her son or daughter. So grab the little one you love, and rejoice as the ordinary moments of everyday life become extraordinary because of the magic of mother love.
Sector 7, by David Wiesner   Only the person who gave us Tuesday could have devised this fantastic tale, which begins with a school trip to the Empire State Building. There a boy makes friends with a mischievous little cloud, who whisks him away to the Cloud Dispatch Center for Sector 7 (the region that includes New York City). The clouds are bored with their everyday shapes, so the boy obligingly starts to sketch some new ones. . . . The wordless yet eloquent account of this unparalleled adventure is a funny, touching story about art, friendship, and the weather, as well as a visual tour de force.
The Lion and the Mouse, by Jerry Pinkney   An unlikely pair learn that no act of kindness is ever wasted. After a ferocious lion spares a cowering mouse that he'd planned to eat, the mouse later comes to his rescue, freeing him from a poacher's trap. With vivid depictions of the landscape of the African Serengeti and expressively-drawn characters, Pinkney makes this a truly special retelling, and his stunning pictures speak volumes.
Art & Max, by David Wiesner   Max and Arthur are friends who share an interest in painting. Arthur is an accomplished painter; Max is a beginner. Max's first attempt at using a paintbrush sends the two friends on a whirlwind trip through various artistic media, which turn out to have unexpected pitfalls. Although Max is inexperienced, he's courageous and a quick learner. His energy and enthusiasm bring the adventure to its triumphant conclusion. Beginners everywhere will take heart.
Knuffle Bunny Free, by Mo Willems   Trixie and her family are off on a fantastic trip to visit her grandparents-all the way in Holland! But does Knuffle Bunny have different travel plans?  An emotional tour de force, Knuffle Bunny Free concludes one of the most beloved picture-book series in recent memory, with pitchperfect text and art, photos from around the world, and a stunning foldout spread, culminating in a hilarious and moving surprise that no child or parent will be able to resist.  Bestselling, award-winning author Mo Willems has created an epic love story as only he can, filled with the joys and sadness of growing up -and the unconditional love that binds a father, mother, daughter, and a stuffed bunny.
Splat the Cat, by Rob Scotton   It's Splat's first day of school and he's worried. What if he doesn't make any new friends? Just in case, Splat decides to bring along his pet mouse, Seymour, and hides him in his lunchbox. The teacher, Mrs. Wimpydimple, introduces Splat to the class and he soon starts learning all his important cat lessons. But when Seymour escapes and the cats do what cats do (they chase mice!), Splat's worried again. Maybe now he'll lose all his friends, old and new! Just in time, wise Mrs. Wimpydimple takes charge and teaches everyone an important new lesson. Maybe Cat School is going to be okay after all!

 

Ages 7 8 9

The Lemonade War, by Jacqueline Davis As the final days of summer heat up, so does a sibling showdown over a high-stakes lemonade stand business. Jessie and Evan Treski compete to see who will make $100 first off of their respective lemonade stands. Full of surprisingly accessible and savvy marketing tips for running a stand (or making money at any business) and with clever mathematical visuals woven in, this sensitively characterized novel subtly explores how war can escalate beyond anyone's intent.

Friendship According to Humphrey, by Betty G. Birney After a long winter vacation, Humphrey the hamster can't wait to see his friends in Room 26 again. But on the first day back he gets a big surprise: Room 26 has a new class pet, Og the frog! Humphrey can't wait to be friends with Og, but Og doesn't seem interested. To make matters worse, the students are so interested in Og, they almost stop paying attention to Humphrey altogether. Luckily he still gets to go home with different kids on the weekends and help them out with their problems. Humphrey knows that friendship can be a tricky business, but if any hamster can become buddies with a frog, Humphrey can!

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale, by Jeanne Birdsall This summer the Penderwick sisters have a wonderful surprise: a holiday on the grounds of a beautiful estate called Arundel. Soon they are busy discovering the summertime magic of Arundel's sprawling gardens, treasure-filled attic, tame rabbits, and the cook who makes the best gingerbread in Massachusetts. But the best discovery of all is Jeffrey Tifton, son of Arundel's owner, who quickly proves to be the perfect companion for their adventures.  The icy-hearted Mrs. Tifton is not as pleased with the Penderwicks as Jeffrey is, though, and warns the new friends to stay out of trouble. Which, of course, they will-won't they? One thing's for sure: it will be a summer the Penderwicks will never forget.  Deliciously nostalgic and quaintly witty, this is a story as breezy and carefree as a summer day.

LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary, by Simon Beecroft The Visual Dictionary elucidates, illuminates, and excites even the most discerning LEGO Group, Star Wars™, and minifigure fans around the world.. Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Yoda, Luke Skywalker, and more are brought to life with dozens of little-known facts and hundreds of photos, as are accessories, vehicles, weapons, and even the Death Star! Learn about the history, manufacture, and construction of the minifigures of the Star Wars galaxy, and come away a LEGO® Jedi Master.

More books for this age group...

Dog Days (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 4), by Jeff Kinney   It's summer vacation, the weather's great, and all the kids are having fun outside. So where's Greg Heffley? Inside his house, playing video games with the shades drawn.  Greg, a self-confessed “indoor person,” is living out his ultimate summer fantasy: no responsibilities and no rules. But Greg's mom has a different vision for an ideal summer . . . one packed with outdoor activities and “family togetherness.”  Whose vision will win out? Or will a new addition to the Heffley family change everything?

The 39 Clues, Book 10: Into the Gauntlet, by Margaret Peterson Haddix   THIS BOOK WILL BE RELEASED AT THE END OF AUGUST Throughout the hunt for the 39 Clues, Amy and Dan Cahill have uncovered history's greatest mysteries and their family's deadliest secrets. But are they ready to face the truth about the Cahills and the key to their unmatched power? After a whirlwind race that's taken them across five continents, Amy and Dan face the most the difficult challenge yet- a task no Cahill dared to imagine. When faced with a choice that could change the future of the world, can two kids succeed where 500 years worth of famous ancestors failed?

The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman   He would be completely normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead.  There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy-an ancient Indigo Man beneath the hill, a gateway to a desert leading to an abandoned city of ghouls, the strange and terrible menace of the Sleer.  But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack-who has already killed Bod's family.... Beloved master storyteller Neil Gaiman returns with a luminous new novel for the audience that embraced his New York Times bestselling modern classic Coraline. Magical, terrifying, and filled with breathtaking adventures, the graveyard book is sure to enthrall readers of all ages.

For Boys Only: The Biggest, Baddest Book Ever, by Marc Aronson   Want to have some fun? Maybe learn how to land an airplane in an emergency? Or fight off an alligator? Escape from being tied up? How about taking a ride on one of America's scariest roller coasters? Learn how to make fake blood or turn a real bone into a pretzel. What if you could find out how to identify some of the world's most horrifying creatures? Or learn the secret of making a blockbuster movie? What about guessing the top 11 greatest moments in sports history? Find buried treasure? And once you've found the treasure, find out just how much it would cost you to buy one of the world's most expensive cars. You'll find all this-and much more-over 250 pages of the biggest, baddest, and best information on just about everything. Plus we've placed a special, mind-bending, solve-the-code puzzle on random pages throughout the book that will lead you to a really cool solution! Now, that's fun!

Master of Disaster , by Gary Paulsen   “Let's face facts: We may be the most boring twelve-year-olds on the planet.”  Henry Mosley decides that he and his pals Riley and Reed have got to liven things up. They need to go on some earth-shaking adventures and make a name for themselves. Henry is the mastermind; Riley's the cautious researcher who's prepared for anything. And somehow fearful Reed always ends up with the scariest, craziest assignments.  Roped into wacky attempts to break world records, reenact scenes from books, solve a hundred-year-old murder, and carry out Henry's other inspired ideas, Riley and Reed follow their fearless leader everywhere: into the wilderness (truly terrifying), inside a bull-riding ring, into a haunted house, off the neighbors' roof, and into a cataclysmic collision with explosive life-forms. Gary Paulsen brings all his trademark humor to this fast-paced novel of fun and disaster

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon , by Grace Lin   In the valley of Fruitless mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of lifes questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her familys fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer

The Adventures of Nanny Piggins , by R.A. Spratt   The woman was not a woman. She was a pig. A common, pink farm pig. The type bacon came from.  "Good evening, I am Nanny Piggins," said Nanny Piggins the pig.  When stingy Mr. Green planted a Nanny Wanted sign on his front lawn for his three children, he had no idea his ad would be answered by a pig. Yes, a pig. A fabulously sassy and impeccably dressed pig as a matter of fact! With her insatiable urge to eat chocolate (and feed chocolate to everyone she loves), her high-flying spirit, and her unending sense of fun, Nanny Piggins takes Derrick, Samantha, and Michael on a year of surprises, yummy treats, and adventures they'll never forget.  R.A. Spratt's wildly funny debut novel will have adults and kids alike laughing and rooting for the feisty porcine nanny and her three lovable human charges.

Late for School , by Steve Martin   Getting to school has never been quite this difficult--or hilarious. Celebrated writer and performer Steve Martin and dynamic artist C. F. Payne (illustrator of John Lithgow's children's books) have teamed up to tell a story of the adventure, danger, and laughs of the journey to school. Enclosed with the book is a CD of Martin on banjo and vocals, singing the book's story with a bluegrass twist.  Undoubtedly a new classic for readers of all ages, Late to School is the perfect bookto be read--and listened to--again and again.

The Old Woman Who Named Things, by Cynthia Rylant   How does an old woman who has outlived all her friends keep from being lonely? By naming the things in her life she knows she will never outlive--like her house, Franklin, and her bed, Roxanne. When a shy brown puppy appears at her front gate, the old woman won't name it, because it might not outlive her. Tender watercolors capture the charm of this heartwarming story of an old woman who doesn't know she's lonely until she meets a plucky puppy who needs a name--and someone to love.

Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun, by Maria Dismondy   How can Ralph be so mean? Lucy is one of a kind and Ralph loves to point that out. Lucy's defining moment comes when Ralph truly needs help. Because she knows what she stands for, Lucy has the courage to make a good choice. This charming story empowers children to always do the right thing and be proud of themselves, even when they are faced with someone as challenging as Ralph.

My Name is Not Isabella, by Jennifer Fosberry   Who Is Your Hero?  Isabella's include U.S. Astronaut Sally Ride, activist Rosa Parks, and sharpshooter Annie Oakley-but there's no bigger hero than Isabella's own mommy!  Join Isabella on an adventure of discovery-and find out how imagining to be these extraordinary women teaches her the importance of being her extraordinary self.

LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary, by Simon Beecroft   The Visual Dictionary elucidates, illuminates, and excites even the most discerning LEGO Group, Star Warsâ„¢, and minifigure fans around the world.. Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Yoda, Luke Skywalker, and more are brought to life with dozens of little-known facts and hundreds of photos, as are accessories, vehicles, weapons, and even the Death Star! Learn about the history, manufacture, and construction of the minifigures of the Star Wars galaxy, and come away a LEGO® Jedi Master.

 

Ages 10 11 12

Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life, by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts Rafe Khatchadorian has enough problems at home without throwing his first year of middle school into the mix. Luckily, he's got an ace plan for the best year ever, if only he can pull it off: With his best friend Leonardo the Silent awarding him points, Rafe tries to break every rule in his school's oppressive Code of Conduct. Chewing gum in class-5,000 points! Running in the hallway-10,000 points! Pulling the fire alarm-50,000 points! But when Rafe's game starts to catch up with him, he'll have to decide if winning is all that matters, or if he's finally ready to face the rules, bullies, and truths he's been avoiding. Blockbuster author James Patterson delivers a genuinely hilarious-and surprisingly poignant-story of a wildly imaginative, one-of-kind kid that you won't soon forget.

Lunch Money, by Andrew Clements MEET GREG KENTON, BILLIONAIRE IN THE MAKING.  Greg Kenton has two obsessions -- making money and his long-standing competition with his annoying neighbor, Maura Shaw. So when Greg discovers that Maura is cutting into his booming Chunky Comics business with her own original illustrated minibooks, he's ready to declare war.  The problem is, Greg has to admit that Maura's books are good, and soon the longtime enemies become unlikely business partners. But their budding partnership is threatened when the principal bans the sale of their comics in school. Suddenly, the two former rivals find themselves united against an adversary tougher than they ever were to each other. Will their enterprise -- and their friendship -- prevail?

Another Whole Nother Story , by Dr. Cuthbert Soup The plan was simple. Ethan Cheeseman, along with his three smart, polite, and relatively odor-free children, would travel back in time to end an ancient family curse and save their mother. Now that the LVR (a super-secret time machine) is in working order, it should be easy peasy. Except they didn't account for one basic rule of science: Murphy's Law, where everything that possibly could go wrong, does. So the Cheeseman family finds themselves on another madcap adventure, this time through stormy seas and haunted castles. And though their narrator, Dr. Soup, has a ton of unsolicited advice to offer young readers, he doesn't have much to say to help the Cheesemans. Just this one thing: Good luck!

The Name of this Book Is Secret , by Pseudonymous Bosch This is the story about a secret. but it also contains a secret story.  When adventurous detectives, Cass, an ever-vigilant survivalist, and Max-Ernest, a boy driven by logic, discover the Symphony of Smells, a box filled with smelly vials of colorful ingredients, they accidentally stumble upon a mystery surrounding a dead magician's diary and the hunt for immortality.  Filled with word games, anagrams, and featuring a mysterious narrator, this is a book that won't stay secret for long.

More books for this age group...

Dork Diaries - Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous-Life, by Rachel Renee Russell

Big Nate - In a Class by Himself, by Lincoln Peirce

The Red Pyramid, by Rick Riordan

Infinity, by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer, by John Grisham

SPHDZ, by Jon Scieszka

The Toymaker, by Jeremy de Quidt

Reckless, by Cornelia Funke

The Atlantis Complex (Artemis Fowl, Book 7), by Eoin Colfer

The Pumpkin Head Mystery (Boxcar Children Mysteries), by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Justin Beiber: First Step 2 Forever, by Justin Bieber

The Gift, by James Patterson and Ned Rust

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