Notable Kid's Non-Fiction

Is the Guitar For You? by Elaine Landau

The guitar is one of the coolest, most popular instruments around

rocers Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen are legendary for their 

guitar-playing skills.  The guitar is also a main instrument in country,

blues, jazz, and classical music.  But is the guitar the right instrument

for you?  Or would a different choice be better?  Hear what professional

guitarists like about their instrument, and learn what skills a good guitarist

needs.  Discover whether the guitar is your best choice for making music.

Climbing Lincoln's Steps by Suzanne Slade

The marble steps of our capital's Lincoln Memorial have

witnessed key moments in African American history.  Denied a place in 

Constitution Hall because she was black, Marian Anderson sang instead at

the Memorial in 1939.  On Lincoln's steps in 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 

gave his stirring "I Have a Dream" speech that so inspired a nation.  and

in 2009, the first African American president and his family made a

pilgrimage to this spot.

Suzanne Slade's powerful text and Colin Bootman's stunning paintings

interweave these important events with the story of black Americans' journey toward equality.

Energy Island by Allan Drummond

The island of Samso in Denmark was once a very ordinary

place, and the people who lived there were ordinary, too. In fact,

the only thing that made Samso unusual at all was that it was very, very, windy.

then the ordinary citizens of the ordinary island decided to do something

extraordinary: they drastically reduced their carbon emissions and became 

almost completely energy-independent.  And they did it all with the help of the wind!

This inspiring true story proves that, with a big idea and a lot of hard work,

anyone can make a huge step toward energy conservation.

The Taxing Case of the Cows by Iris Van Rynbach and  Pegi Deitz Shea

The Revolutionary War was over, but one of the

battles raged on.  Women hadn't won the right to vote,

even on matters that affected them directly.  In 1869,

Abby and Julia Smith of Glastonbury, Connecticut, were

unfairly taxed on their property.  They surprised the town

government by refusing to pay, since they hadn't had a voice

in the decision.  in response, the tax collector took away their

beloved Alderney cows - but not for long.

The little-known true story of the Smith sisters and their cows

is a fresh and funny chapter in the history of women's suffrage.

Check out these Kid's Biographies!

The Bravest Woman in America by Marissa Moss

Ida Lewis loved everything about the sea, so when

her father became the official keeper of Lime Rock Lighthouse

in Newport, Rhode Island, it was like a dream come true.

Throughout the years, Ida shadowed her father as he tended the

lighthouse, listening raptly to his stories about treacherous storms,

drowning sailors, and daring rescues.  under her father's watchful

eye, she learned to polish the lighthouse lens so the light would

shine bright.  She learned to watch the sea for any sign of trouble.

And, most importantly, she learned to row.

Ida felt ready for anything - and she was.

Dave the Potter by Laban Carrick Hill

To us it is just dirt, the ground we walk on...but to Dave it was

clay, the plain and basic stuff upon which he formed a life

as a slave nearly 200 years ago.

Dave was an extraordinary artist, poet, and potter who lived in 

South Carolina in the 1800s.  He combined his superb artistry with

deeply observant poetry, carved onto his pots, transcending the limitations

he faced as a slave.  In this inspiring and lyrical portrayal, National Book

Award Finalist Laban Carrick Hill and award winning artist Bryan

Colleir tell Dave's remarkable story, one rich in history, hope, and long-lasting beauty.

Nurse, Soldier, Spy by Marissa Moss

When Frank Thompson sees a poster requesting

recruits for the new Union army, he is ready and willing to enlist.

Except Frank isn't his real name.  In fact, Frank isn't a man - he

is really Sarah Emma Edmonds.

At only nineteen years old, Sarah had already been dressing

as a man for three years and living on the run in order to escape an

arranged marriage.  She had tasted freedom, and there was no going back.

Eager to fight for the North during the Civil War, Sarah joins a 

Michigan infantry regiment.  She excels as a soldier, and she even takes on the

grueling task of nursing the wounded.  Because of her heroism, she is asked

to becom a spy, cross enemy lines, and infiltrate a Confederate camp.  For her

first mission, Sarah must once again disguise herself and rely on the kindness

of slaves to help her do her job.

For the Love of Music by Elizabeth Rusch

By the time she was twelve, she was considered

one of the finest pianists in Europe, but today few people

know her name.

Maria Anna Mozart, like her famous brother, Wolfgang,

was a musical prodigy.  The talented siblings toured Europe,

playing before kings and empresses, were showered with gifts and

favors, and lived in a whirlwind of music and travel.  They were

best friends, collaborators, and confidants.  So why has Maria been forgotten?

Celebrate October holidays with these kids books!

Columbus Day: Celebrating a famous explorer by Elaine Landau

Christopher Columbus was born in 1451 in Genoa, Italy.  When he 

grew up, he realized that traders from Italy and other places

in Europe needed a safe, shorter route to Asia.  That was where

India, Japan, China, and the East Indies were.  These countries

had gold, silk, and spices.  At that time, spices were not just

for food.  They were also used as medicines, and people paid a lot

of money for them.

Christopher Columbus set sail in 1492 with three ships - the Nina,

the Pinta, and the Santa Maria - and a total of ninety men.  He never reached

Asia.  But, today he is famous for crossing the Atlantic Ocean to reach the

Americas.  We remember Christopher Columbus each year on Columbus

Day - the second Monday in October.

The Best Halloween Ever by Barbara Robinson

The Herdmans plus Halloween have always spelled disaster.

Every year theses six kids - the worst in the history of Woodrow

Wilson School, and possibly even the world - wreak havoc on the whole

town.  They steal candy, spray-paint kids, and take anything that's not

nailed down.

Now the mayor has had it.  He's decided to cancel Halloween.  There

won't be any Herdmans to contend with this year, but there

won't be any candy, either.  And what's Halloween without candy?

And without trick-or-treating? The Herdmans manage to turn the 

worst Halloween ever into the best Halloween ever in this

uproarious sequel to The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

Celebrate Halloween by Deborah Heiligman

A night for costumes. A night for candy.  Visiting

pumpkin patches, carving jack-o'-lanterns, and telling

scary stories. Dressing up in masks and costumes, going to

parties, and trick-or-treating for candy.  These are just

some of the traditions that make Halloween one of the most

anticipated holidays of the year for many children - and for lots

of grown-ups too!

In these colorful pages, author Deborah Heiligman explores this

fun holiday, which began as a festival in ancient Ireland and Britain

and is now celebrated in a number of countries around the world.

Readers will learn why ghosts and skeletons and other creepy

creatures are associated with Halloween, and also about the origins

of such Halloween customs as wearing masks and trick-or-treating.

Who Said Boo? by Nancy White Carlstrom

Trick or treat! What could be better than a

smiling jack-o-lantern to light the way on the spookiest

night of all - Halloween!

Follow a family's Halloween capers in this collection of

twelve poems by renowned children's book author

Nancy White Carlstrom.  The children don their costumes in

"Who Said Boo?" dare to visit the eerie "Haunted House" ; and

bob for apples at the "Halloween Carnival." R. W. Alley's sprightly 

drawings of the little goblins make this collection an especially sweet treat.

New Kid's Books September 28, 2011

Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke

Flung from across the universe, from star

to star, faced with Monsters//magician//and maybe new 

friends...an earth girl named Zita must find a way home.

Redwall: The graphic novel by Brian Jacques

Redwall.  The classic first book in the

Redwall epic, now available as a graphic novel.

All the heroes, all the villains, all the battles - as never before seen.

Just Grace and the Terrible Tutu by Charise Mericle Harper

Terrible and tutu both start with a T.

Here are some other T things: 1. Tarantulas

2. Tortillas 3. Twist ties 4. Tornadoes

If you really like these things, then you will be disappointed

in theis book, because this is not a book about any of those things.

But if you are maybe a little curious about

1. Someone called Gary the Great 2. How a normal best

friend can suddenly turn into a crazy pink-loving best friend

3. Unicorns, mermaids, and white rocks. 4. Cursive writing

5.Getting a little sister

then this is the book for you. Plus, this book is filled with words that use

the letter T, and at the end of reading it maybe you will

even say, "That was terrific!"

Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream by Jenny Ham

Meet Clara Lee.  Likes: her best friends, her grandpa,

her little sister (when she's not being annoying, which is almost

always), candy necklaces, and the Apple blossom Festival.

Dislikes: her little sister (when she's being annoying, which

is almost always), her mom's yucky fish soup, and bad

dreams (even though Grandpa says they mean good luck).

After a bad dream, Clara Lee has a whole day of good

luck.  But when her luck changes, she upsets

her friends and family.  Will Clara Lee have good luck

again in time to try out for the Little Miss Apple Pageant?

New Kid's Books September 21st

Charlie Joe Jackson's guide to Not Reading by Tommy Greenwald

Charlie Joe Jackson may be the most reluctant

reader ever born.  And so far, he's managed to get 

through life without ever reading an entire book from

cover to cover.  But now that he's in middle school, avoiding

reading isn't as easy as it used to be.  And when his friend

Timmy McGibney decides that he's tired of covering for

him, Charlie Joe finds himself resorting to desperate measures

to keep his perfect record intact.

The Second Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart by Kristiana Gregory

We join Abigail Stewart half a year after The

Winter of Red Snow ended, in January of 1779.  Her

father has enlisted in the Continental Army, and when a

devastating fire destroys Abby's home, she, her mother, and

siblings must make their way to Philadelphia, then on to the

Continental Army camp to be near Abby's father.  They follow the 

soldiers from one battleground to the next, dodging the British troops, and

narrowly escaping danger time and again.

The winters are brutally cold, food is scarce, and the anguish of

war is ever present.  But not all is desperate.  Abby meets many new

friends, including a young soldier named Willie Campbell. As

romance blooms, Abby wonders if the war will ever end.

Hooper Finds a Family by Jane Paley

Here comes Hooper, one plucky, spunky dog whose

warm spirit and goofy personality are irresistible.  Hooper tells

his own dramatic rescue tale after being left homeless in the wake

of Hurricane Katrina and taking a daring trip from New Orleans to New York 

to meet his new family.  He tells of the terrifying force of Katrina,

his trials in the shelter, and being the new dog on the block in a

city far from home.  As Hooper struggles to find his place, he learns

to overcome his fear of water and faces down feisty squirrels

as well as the resident bully and top dog in his new neighborhood.

In a moving tale of adventure and triumph based on a true

story, meet this tenacious puppy who makes an incredible

journey in search of home.

Lives of the Presidents by Kathleen Krull  & Kathryn Hewitt

Which President barked like a dog - and why did another

bark like a seal? Who threw lavish dinner parties with twenty-nine

courses - and who was so disliked that his parties were boycotted?  Which president 

had eight pairs of pants? And which liked to remove his pants (and everything else)

for a dip in the pool, expecting everyone around him to skinny-dip, too?

The presidents of the United states have been different not only

in politics, but also as people.  Kathleen Krull and Kathryn Hewitt look 

at our nation's fearless leaders with the eye of a gossipy

neighbor, dishing the dirt on bad habits, bad fashion, and

bad manners (and more than a few good thing in between).

Lives of the Presidents has long been a favorite in this popular and

solidly researched series of collective biographies.  Updated to 

include Barack Obama and George W. Bush, this acclaimed

volume is perfect for presidential buffs and trivia lovers of all ages.

New Kid's Books September 14th

Missing on Superstition Mountain  by Elise Broach

The three Barker brothers - Simon, Henry, and Jack - just

moved to Arizona and their parents have repeatedly warned them not to 

explore Superstition Mountain, which is near their home.  But when their cat

Josie goes missing, the boys see no other choice.

There's something unusually creepy about the mountain, and when

the boys find three human skulls, they grow determined to uncover

the mystery.  Have people really gone missing over the years and

is there someone or something lurking in the woods? Together

with their new neighbor Delilah, the Barker boys are dead-set

on cracking the case even it it means putting themselves in harm's way.

The Lemonade Crime by Jacqueline Davies

Fact: One week ago, two hundred and eight dollars disappeared

from the pocket of Evan Treski's shorts. Fact: Evan and Jessie

had worked extremely hard over the summer to earn that money

-mixing lemonade, hauling it all over town, standing in the hot

summer sun for every nickel of business. Fact: Scott Spencer

just bought something very, very expensive.  Accusation:

Scott Spencer stand accused of the crime of stealing the

lemonade money.  Class 4-0 hereby calls him to stand trial before a judge,

witnesses, and a jury of his peers.  Will the truth come out in

court? And if it does, will justice prevail?

Lucky for Good by Susan Patron

For eleven year old Lucky, the universe is full

of questions.  Is that mysterious woman at the Cafe Miles's mom?

Does Lucky's father not talk to her because he hates her? Will

the health department ruin everything? Is she really going to go to hell?

The answers are, in no particular order: nearly, no, yes, and a big

fat "who knows?"

But answers, like every little thing in the whole universe, are constantly

evolving, and sometimes the biggest questions have no answers at all.

The best Lucky can do is never give up on maybe - maybe- understanding

things a little better before she turns twelve.  It will take a punch in the

face (not her face), a near-Cafe disaster, a trip to the principle's office,

and both male and female sofas - but in the end, she'll see that there

are loopholes in life and, thankfully, in county health codes!

Nerd Camp by Elissa Brent Weissman

Pack your sleeping bag, adjust your headgear, and

get ready for summer at nerd camp!  Ten-year-old Gabe

has just been accepted to the Summer Center for Gifted

Enrichment.  That means he'll be spending six weeks at sleep away camp,

writing poetry and perfecting logic proofs.  SCGE has been a summer 

home to some legendary middle-school smarty-pants (and future

Jeopardy! contestants).  It also has a reputation for being, well, a nerd camp.

SCGE=Smart Camp for Geeks and Eggheads.

But is Gabe really a geek? He's never thought about it much - but that was

before he met Zack, his hip, LA-cool, soon-to-be stepbrother. Now

everything about Gabe suddenly seems geeky-squared.  What if

Zack thinks that Gave is not only a nerd, but just a nerd?

Lucky for Gave, a wild summer at camp is the perfect way to test his

new hypothesis on nerdiness.

New Graphic Kid's Books Sept. 7th

Squish: Super amoeba by Jennifer L. Holm

In the battle between good and evil, there's only one who

has the courage to do what's right...squish!  Saving

the world..one cell at a time!

Chi's Sweet Home by Konami Kanata

Take this kitty home.  Chi is a mischievous newborn American

short hair who, while on a leisurely stroll with her family, found

herself lost.  When we found Chi it was clear to us she was 

completely distraught as she longed for the warmth and protection of 

her mother.  Feeling sympathy for the little fur ball, we quietly whisked

her away inviting her into our small apartment home...where pets are strictly

not permitted.  While we dread parting with her, there is no way she can stay.

Little Chi is a happy and healthy litter-box trained kitten.  And while she can

be a little bit of a handful, she has been a great source of joy in our lives and

a wonderful companion to our young son.  Living with Chi has completely

changed our lives, and we are sure she will have the same impact with 

whomever gives her a good home.

The adventures of Daniel Boom aka loud boy by  J. Steinberg

Hi! Daniel Boom here.  Wait-don't cover your ears! I know I'm

loud, but we all have problems, right?  Well, I have a whole list.  Try 

moving to a new town and making friends with no volume control on your voice!

Luckily for the world, my loud boy powers come in hand when

foiling an evil plot for global domination.  What can i say?

It's not easy being loud.

Sherlock Holmes and a scandal in Bohemia 

Are you a detective?  Get on the case with Sherlock

Holmes and Dr. Watson to solve an impossible mystery.

See if you can figure out how Holmes pulls the facts together

so quickly.  Clues at the back of the book will reveal

his process of reasoning - and how he solved the crime.