Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Another Kind of Cowboy by Susan Juby

From the back of the book:
For Alex Ford, dressage is an oasis. In the stable, he can slip into his riding pants, shed the macho cowboy image, and feel like himself for a change. For Cleo O'Shea, dressage is a fresh start. She's got a new boarding school, absentee parents, and, best of all,not one to remember he past. When their paths collide, Alex doesn't want to have anything to do with the privileged, overbearing girl, not least because she doesn't seem to get how lucky she is to be riding horses all day. But when Alex can't shake Cleo, he soon realizes she might be the only one who understands him. After all, keeping a secret is as tough as getting a orse to dance. Sometimes you need a little help.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

47 by Watler Mosley

From chapters.ca:
A gripping YA fiction debut by bestselling author Walter Mosley. Walter Mosley is one of the best known writers in America. In his first book for young adults, Mosley deftly weaves historical and speculative fiction into a powerful narrative about the nature of freedom. 47 is a young slave boy living under the watchful eye of a brutal slave master. His life seems doomed until he meets a mysterious run-away slave, Tall John. Then 47 finds himself swept up in a struggle for his own liberation.

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, illustrated by John Schoenherr

From chapters.ca:
This touching story of a child and parent finding magic and adventure in a simple, snowy nighttime search for the great horned owl won the Caldecott Award in 1988.

Larky Mavis by Brock Cole

From chapters.ca:
Larky Mavis, an eccentric soul, finds three peanuts in the middle of the road. The first tastes like liver and onions. The second, like bread pudding. And the third -- well, inside the third is a baby. Larky Mavis decides to name it Heart's Delight and to take care of it.

A Difficult Day by Eugenie Fernandes

From chapters.ca:
Have you ever had a day when you wish you’d just stayed in bed? In A Difficult Day, beloved Canadian children’s author Eugene Fernandes reminds young readers the best medicine for days like these is someone who loves you. Melinda must learn this lesson on her own when she wakes up grouchy, with a lumpy pillow and crumbs in her bed. Only her mother can save this day!

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Love and Roast Chicken: A Trickster Tale from the Andes Mountains

From the back of the book:
High in the Andes Mountains, Cuy the Guinea Pig has just discovered a field of delicious sweetgrass. He is about to feast when Tio Antonio the Fox arrives and spoils his meal. As always, Fox has an appetite for a guinea pig dinner. But crafty Guinea Pig has other plans - to fool Fox! His hilarious tricks involve the end of the world, the farmer's daughter, and roast chicken! With vibrant artwork and an authentic South American voice, this humorous and charming trickster tale proves that clever thinking is key when outfoxing a fox.

Includes some Spanish vocab in the story and glossary with pronunciation at the back.

Hooway for Wodney Wat by Helen Lester, illustated by Lynn Minsinger

From the back of the book:
Poor Rodney Rat can't pronounce his r's, and the other rodents tease him mercilessly. But when Camilla Capybera joins Rodney's class and announces that she is bigger, meaner, and smarter than any of the other rodents, everyone is afraid. Read along with Wodney as he surprises himself and his classmates by single-handedly saving the whole class from the big bad bully.

Sailor Moo: Cow at Sea by Lis Wheeler, illustrated by Ponder Goembel

From the back of the book:
Moo dreams of becoming a sailor. Little does she know, when she sets off toward the sea, that the first crew she joins will be composed of cats. Or that she herself will be hailed by a shipload of pirate steers as their captain's dairy queen.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

From chapters.ca:
The recipient of the distinguished Newbery Medal, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is a classic of contemporary children’s literature and a remarkable portrait of life for African-Americans during the turbulent social and political period of the 1930s. Mildred D. Taylor’s moving and dignified portrayal of a family that stands together in the face of monumental prejudice and frightening violence comes to young-adult readers in this Puffin Classics edition. The story of the Logans, who know that despite the riders in white and the burnings that take place all around them in their home in the Deep South, they have their land — and with owning land comes pride and freedom. In the face of all the odds, the Logans stand together, especially when their child, Cassie, has to learn about ugly racial tensions first-hand.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

The Scarecrow and His Servant by Philip Pullman

From the publisher:
A tattered scarecrow stands in the middle of a muddy field, taking no notice of the violent thunderstorm around him. But when a bolt of lightning strikes him, fizzing its way through his turnip head and down his broomstick, the Scarecrow blinks with surprise–and comes to life. So begins the story of the Scarecrow, a courteous but pea-brained fellow with grand ideas. He meets a boy, Jack, who becomes his faithful servant. Leaving behind his bird-scaring duties, the Scarecrow sets out for Spring Valley, with Jack at his side. As the valiant Scarecrow plunges them into terrifying dangers–battles, brigands, broken hearts, and treasure islands–he never realizes he’s being followed by the one family who desperately wishes he’d never sprung to life. Will the Scarecrow discover the secret to his past before the crooked Buffalonis close in on him?

Friday, January 18, 2008

Trickster's Choice by Tamora Pierce

From chapters.ca:
Tamora Pierce brings readers another Tortall adventure! Alianne is the teenage daughter of the famed Alanna, the first lady knight in Tortall. Young Aly follows in the quieter footsteps of her father, however, delighting in the art of spying. When she is captured and sold as a slave to an exiled royal family in the faraway Copper Islands, it is this skill that makes a difference in a world filled with political intrigue, murderous conspiracy, and warring gods. This is the first of two books featuring Alianne.

The Water Horse by Dick King-Smith, illustrated by David Parkins

From the back of the book:
No one could have imagined the outcome of the children's expedition to the beach that morning. Kirstie is sure the strange, washed-up 'egg' will hatch, but even she is unprepared for the appearance of baby Crusoe. The tiny sea creature, who, next to food, likes nothing better than a good tickle along his back, is quite unlike anything Kirstie and Angus have ever seen before. But like all babies, Crusoe doesn't stay tiny for long and with his increasing size comes an increasing problem for the whole family. He will soon outgrow the fishpond, but where else can they take him? And how can they teach the bewildered water horse to be less trusting of humans, not all of whom will be so caring for his safety?

Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox, illustrated by Judy Horacek

From chapters.ca:
There are red sheep and blue sheep, wind sheep and wave sheep, scared sheep and brave sheep, but "where" is the green sheep? The search is on in this cozy, sheep-filled story from acclaimed author Mem Fox and popular Australian cartoonist Judy Horacek. Complete with sleepy rhymes and bright illustrations, this book is sure to delight children of all ages, from the very young to those just beginning to read.

The Wildest Brother by Cornelia Funke, illustrated by Kerstin Meyer

From chapters.ca:
Brave as a lion, strong as an elephant, Ben is a fearless young boy. When it comes to protecting his big sister, Anna, nothing can stand in his way! Gallantly he spends his day battling mouldy green ghosts, slime-belching monsters, and all sorts of ferocious beasts. But when the day is over and darkness falls, Ben suddenly doesn't feel quite so brave. Sometimes, he realizes, it's the big sister who does the protecting. Featuring Meyer's witty, whimsical artwork and Funke's deft balance of humour, emotion, and truth, this is the perfect bedtime read for rambunctious brothers and sisters.

Originally in German.

The Princess Knight by Cornelia Funke, Illustrated by Kerstin Meyer

From chapters.ca:
Violet is a young princess who wishes she could show the world that she is just as brave and strong as her brothers. But her strict father insists that she get married, and her brothers only mock her when she wants to be included in their fun. So Violet decides to use her intelligence and bravery to show everyone--once and for all--what she's made of. Disguising herself as a boy, Violet takes part in a knights' jousting tournament. When she wins the contest, she reveals her true identity--and wins the prize of freedom!

Originally in German.

Pirate Girl by Cornelia Funke, illustrated by Kerstin Meyer

From chapters.ca:
Ferocious pirate Captain Firebeard THINKS that he and the ruthless crew of the "Horrible Haddock" rule the high seas. But Firebeard and his band meet their match when they kidnap a small but feisty girl named Molly. Even after the pirates threaten Molly with sharks and make her scrub the deck, she is utterly defiant -- and will NOT tell Firebeard who her parents are. All the while, Molly is busy sending secret messages in bottles...but to whom? When her rescuers arrive, the pirates are in for a real surprise!

Originally in German.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

From the back of the book:
Everybody gets to be supermodel gorgeous. What could be wrong with that?
Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license -- for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there. But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. She'd rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world -- and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever.

Monday, January 14, 2008

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

From chapters.ca:
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.

The Pearl by John Steinbeck

From chapters.ca:
The Pearl is one of Steinbeck's most moving stories, following the life of Kino, a poor pearl-diver, who discovers a large, absolutely perfect pearl on the bottom of the sea. He hopes that it will provide him with the means of supporting his family, but he soon learns that wealth can bring out the darkest evils in the human nature.

Junie B Jones Series by Barbara Park

In the first book in this now enormously popular series, Junie ends up in the principal's office because of an unusual understanding that causes her to think that her new baby brother is a monky.

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Dracula is the classic vampire story that is known today by most people. A number of editions are available for children from picture books with the basic plot to easy readers to graphic novels.

Canadian Flyer Series by Frieda Wishinsky

From chapters.ca:
The exciting debut title in the Canadian Flyer Adventures series introduces Emily and Mat--and the magical antique sled they discover in the attic of Emily’s new home. Suddenly they find themselves in 1577 aboard Martin Frobisher’s ship The Aid, anchored in Frobisher Bay. Can pirates be far? As the adventure unfolds, resourceful Emily draws in her sketchbook while inquisitive Matt reports into his portable digital recorder.

The fast-paced text and historical tidbits are complemented by meticulously researched illustrations that situate the reader perfectly in the place, time and action.

The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White

From chapters.ca:
Like the rest of his family, Louis is a trumpeter swan. But unlike his four brothers and sisters, Louis can’t trumpet joyfully. In fact, he can’t even make a sound. And since he can’t trumpet his love, the beautiful swan Serena pays absolutely no attention to him. Louis tries everything he can think of to win Serena’s affection -- he even goes to school to learn to read and write. But nothing seems to work. Then his father steals him a real brass trumpet. Is a musical instrument the key to winning Louis his love?

Charlotte's Web by E. B. White

From chapters.ca:
This is the story of a little girl named Fern who loved a little pig named Wilbur-and of Wilbur's dear friend Charlotte A. Cavatica, a beautiful large grey spider who lived with Wilbur in the barn. With the help of Templeton, the rat who never did anything for anybody unless there was something in it for him, and by a wonderfully clever plan of her own, Charlotte saved the life of Wilbur, who by this time had grown up to be quite a pig.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Shoe Shakes by Loris Lesynski, illustrated by Michael Martchenko

From chapters.ca:
Wordplay with zip for the energetic preschooler.
What would happen if your shoes shook you? If they pulled you to the park and they zoomed you to the zoo? Find out in this unconventionally active celebration of feet in motion by a much-loved children's poet.

Eats by Marthe Jocelyn and Tom Slaughter

From chapters.ca:
With a fresh cast of animal characters — and what they eat — the creative team of Marthe Jocelyn and Tom Slaughter has produced another work in their award-winning series for very young book and art lovers. Marthe Jocelyn’s simple concept of matching creatures — familiar and unusual — with their favourite foods is brought to life by the sparkling colours and masterfully cut paper shapes of Tom Slaughter’s illustrations.

Please Louise! by Frieda Wishinsky and Marie-Louise Gay

From chapters.ca:
Louise is an irresistible force, determined to be as close to her brother as she possibly can. Jake tries everything he can think of to make her leave him alone, but she refuses to go away. When Jake, in desperation, wishes Louise were a dog, he is suddenly faced with a terrifying dilemma. Louise is gone and a little dog seems to have taken her place. Can his wish have come true?

Chester by Melanie Watt

From chapters.ca:
This story is told--and retold--by duelling author-illustrators, but who will win out? Will it be Melanie Watt or her cat with confidence to spare, Chester?

Friday, January 11, 2008

Princess Pigsty by Cornelia Funke

From chapters.ca:
One morning Princess Isabella throws her crown out the window--it's BORING being a princess, she declares. When she steadfastly refuses to fetch her crown from the fishpond, her father, the king, puts his royal foot down. "Off to the pigsty with you!" he commands--and Isabella couldn't be happier about her punishment! Because while plain old princesses spend all their time primping and smiling and stifling yawns--yuckety-yuk!-- REAL girls get to peel onions, pick blackberries, and sometimes even sleep outside with the pigs.

Originally in German.

Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

From chapters.ca:
What do you get when you put twelve lively kids together with a father -- a famous efficiency expert -- who believes families can run like factories, and a mother who is his partner in everything except discipline? You get a hilarious tale of growing up that has made generations of kids and adults alike laugh along with the Gilbreths in Cheaper by the Dozen.

Buttons by Brock Cole

From chapters.ca:
When the porcine parent’s buttons pop off after a gluttonous feast, he retreats to his bed in despair. It’s up to his less-than-cerebral wife to ask her children for solutions, which are as imaginative as a young reader could hope. The eldest offers to parade the streets in her finery hoping to attract a button-laden husband; the middle daughter wants to join the army and pull some buttons off her uniform; the youngest thinks running through the fields hoping to catch buttons falling from the sky will do the trick. As in all great fairy tales, love and young men lurk around the corner in each story.

Peepo! by Janet and Allan Ahlberg

From chapters.ca:
Seen from a baby's-eye-view of the world, this book features strategically placed peepholes which open to the next page to revel the full scene. A sleeping dad (as seen through the peephole) opens to include a messy bedroom, with mum in hairnet, clothes spilling from drawers and scattered toys. The tone is very English and comfortably domestic, and luscious details abound -- the clutter of sentimental objects, clothes drying by the fire, pets underfoot, and the tangle of generations living in a house that feels like home.

Painted Circus by Wallace Edwards

From publisher:
The weird and wonderful artistry of award-winner Wallace Edwards brings you The Painted Circus, a show-stopper of a book where the eye is tricked, bamboozled, hoodwinked and flimflammed. Ringmouse extraordinaire, ushers patrons into the Big Top to behold 22 astonishing stunts, including Norwegian Marching Ducks, The Spectral Sphere and The Flying Fishtastics, each featuring an eye-opening optical illusion. Each page encourages kids to get into the act by solving the visual puzzles in every image - and they will delight in spinning, flipping, tilting and making funny faces at the book as they do so.

Some of the illusions are difficult to see.

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants by Ann Brashares

From chapters.ca:
Carmen got the jeans at a thrift shop. They didn’t look all that great; they were worn, dirty, and speckled with bleach. On the night before she and her friends part for the summer, Carmen decides to toss them. But Tibby says they’re great. She’d love to have them. Lena and Bridget also think they’re fabulous. Lena decides they should all try them on. Whoever they fit best will get them. Nobody knows why, but the pants fit everyone perfectly. Even Carmen (who never thinks she looks good in anything), thinks she looks good in the pants. Over a few bags of cheese puffs they decide to form a sisterhood, and take the vow of The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants . . . the next morning, they say good-bye. And now the journey of the pants–and the most memorable summer of their lives–begins.

Monday, January 07, 2008

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

From chapters.ca:
Ten-year old India Opal Buloni moves to a small town in Florida with her father, a perpetually distracted preacher. Opal feels lonely -- as usual -- until she makes friends with a big, old, mangy dog who seems to be able to smile. Named Winn-Dixie after the supermarket where she found him, Opal and the dog become inseparable. Winn-Dixie helps to fill an empty spot in Opal's heart -- a spot left by her mother -- a lively woman who left her husband and three-year-old Opal because she just couldn't stop drinking. It's not easy making friends in a new town, but Winn-Dixie paves the way, and soon Opal finds herself surrounded with people who have empty spots in their hearts as well. There's Miss Franny Block, the librarian, and Otis, the man at the pet shop, lonely five-year old Sweetie Pie and Miss Gloria Dump. As for Opal's daddy, the preacher, he needs a friend as well.

The Cricket in Times Square by George Seldon

From chapters.ca:
The comic, sometimes tragic side of life in the city is brought into vivid relief as Chester Cricket and his friends struggle to bring success to their human friends' nearly bankrupt news stand.

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Inkspell by Cornelia Funke

From chapters.ca:
Although a year has passed, not a day goes by without Meggie thinking of Inkheart, the book whose characters became real. But for Dustfinger, the fire-eater brought into being from words, the need to return to the tale has become desperate. When he finds a crooked storyteller with the ability to read him back, Dustfinger leaves behind his young apprentice Farid and plunges into the medieval world of his past. Distraught, Farid goes in search of Meggie, and before long, both are caught inside the book, too. But the story is threatening to evolve in ways neither of them could ever have imagined.

Sequel to Inkheart
Originally in German.

Young Bond 1: Silver Fin by Charlie Higson

From chapters.ca:
Book 1 in the Young Bond Series.
What does it take to become the greatest secret agent the world has ever known? In this thrilling prequel to the adventures of James Bond, 007, readers meet a young boy whose inquisitive mind and determination set him on a path that will someday take him across the globe, in pursuit of the most dangerous criminals of all time.
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