Birthday Gift Books
Fiction Selections:
The following titles are novels or sophisticated picture books that span a wide range of reading abilities with content that should be of interest to the readers in these grades.
Amira & Hamza: The War To Save the Worlds written by Samira Ahmed (Little, Brown and Company, $16.99) A genie informs twelve-year-old Amira and her younger brother Hamza that they are the chosen ones who must defeat a monstrous demon of Islamic folklore to save the Earth and a parallel dimension.
The Boy From Tomorrow written by Camille DeAngelis (Amberjack Publishing, $15.99) Josie and Alec both live at 444 Sparrow Street. They sleep in the same room, but they've never laid eyes on each other. They are both twelve years old and a hundred years apart. They communicate through a hand-painted talking board - Josie in 1915 , Alec in 2015 - and they form a friendship across the century that separates them. A chain of events leaves Josie and her little sister trapped and afraid for their safety. Can Alec find out what's going to happen to them and help them change their future when it's already past? This story has cross genre appeal for those who love realistic, historical, mystery, and scary fiction.
Catalyst written by Sarah Beth Durst (Clarion Books, $16.99) Twelve-year-old Zoe's rescue kitten quickly becomes a giant, talking cat that Zoe and her friend Harrison must keep hidden, especially since there are rumors of other strange creatures in their town.
Clarice the Brave written by Lisa McMann (G.P. Putnam's Sons, $17.99) Clarice and her brother, Charles Sebastian, were taught to be careful - as all mice are. But caution is no match for the sea, which took their mother, and is certainly no match for Special Lady, the horrid cat who ate their sister. Now the siblings hide in their pantry crate, knowing every move they make could be their last. When a shocking mutiny forces them to be separated at sea, they must now be bold if they are to survive-- and keep their promise to find one another again.
The Dragon in the Library written by Louie Stowell, illustrated by Davide Ortu (Walker Books, $17.99) Reluctant reader Kit discovers her wizarding powers and the magic she can wield through books to help save the local library, and its resident dragon, from a power-hungry tycoon.
Here in the Real World written by Sara Pennypacker (Balzer + Bray, $17.99) Immersing himself in a fantasy world of knights and chivalry, introverted Ware is sent to a summer camp designed around social interactions and begins building a castle-like private space while clashing with a fellow misfit.
Jacky Ha-Ha My Life Is A Joke written by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein, illustrated by Keroscoet (Little, Brown and Company, $13.99) Jacky Hart has found a hidden talent in the performing arts, and she's a triple threat onstage! She wants nothing more than to act and sing all summer--but her parents have other plans for her.33552
Jada Sly, Artist and Spy written by Sherri Winston (Little, Brown and Company, $16.99) Jada Sly, artist and spy with a flair for all things French, is on a mission to find her missing mom, who she believes was also a spy.
Just South of Home written by Karen Strong (Simon & Shuster for Young Readers, $17.99) Twelve-year-old Sarah, her Chicago cousin Janie, brainy brother Ellis, and his best friend, Jasper, investigate a tragic event in their small Southern town's history. With a bit of luck, this foursome will heal the place they call home and the people within it they call family.
The Last Fallen Star written by Graci Kim (Disney Hyperion, $16.99) After thirteen-year-old Hattie Oh casts a dangerous spell so her adopted sister, Riley, will get a share of her inherited magic, Riley must undertake a near-impossible quest to save Hattie from death.
The Lion of Mars written by Jennifer L. Holm (Random House, $16.99) Bell has spent his whole life--all eleven years of it--on Mars. But he's still just a regular kid--he loves cats, any kind of cake, and is curious about the secrets the adults in the US colony are keeping. Like, why don't they have contact with anyone on the other Mars colonies? Why are they so isolated? When a virus breaks out and the grown-ups all fall ill, Bell and the other children are the only ones who can help. It's up to Bell--a regular kid in a very different world--to uncover the truth and save his family...and possibly unite an entire planet.
The Mortification of Fovea Munson written by Mary Winn Heider (Disney Hyperion, $16.99) Forced to help in her parents' cadaver lab for the summer, Fovea Munson, twelve, discovers three talking heads in need of a favor. Told with a madcap sense of humor and a lot of heart (not to mention other body parts), this is a story about finding oneself, finding one's friends, and embracing the moment.
Shaking Up the House written by Yamile Saied Méndez (Harper, $16.99) The outgoing First Daughters play a prank on their incoming counterparts, sparking an epic prank war. It's only a matter of time before things spiral out of control. Can the four girls call a truce before an innocent trick sparks an international incident? Or will their battle go down in American history?
The Supernatural Society written by Rex Ogle (Inkyard Press, $16.99) Will Hunter thought his life couldn't get any worse - his parents just got divorced ; his best (and only) friend now is his dog, Fitz ; and his Mom moved them from New York city to a middle-of-nowhere town called East Emerson. But Will was wrong - things are about to get way worse. Because East Emerson is filled with a whole lot of monsters that only he can see. To everyone else they look like normal people. When all the town pets (including Fritz), go missing, Will suspects there's something sinister going on. So he joins forces with outcast Ivy and super smart Linus to uncover the ancient secrets of East Emerson. Besides, nothing bad could happen when three sixth graders team up against a town full of monsters - right?
That Thing About Bollywood written by Supriya Kelkar (Simon & Shuster Books for Young Readers, $17.99) Sonali cannot bring herself to share her feelings, but when she wakes up one day and begins to involuntarily burst into Bollywood song and dance routines that showcase her emotions, she knows something has gone wrong, she suspects it has something to do with her mismanaged emotions. Can she figure it out before it's too late? Sonali realizes she has to find her voice and share her feelings.
Walking With Miss Millie written by Tamara Bundy (Nancy Paulsen Books, $16.99) After moving with her mother and deaf brother to Grandma's small Georgia town in the 1960s, Alice copes with feelings of isolation by befriending the elderly black woman who lives next door.
The Wild Huntsboys written by Martin Stewart (Viking, $17.99) In a city overrun by war, Luka doesn't have time for games. So when his little sister asks him to care for her faeries as she's sent away to escape the air raids, he dismisses her childishness. But it's already more than he can bear to see her go, so he promises to do as she asks. A promise that Luka quickly breaks. In an empty home, anger and frustration get the better of him. Instead of leaving an offering for the faeries, he flings their saucer of milk as far out the window as he can. Big mistake. The faeries are not only very real, but they're more terrifying than he could have ever imagined. And now they want revenge. With the aid of his new friends--a savvy techie, a quiet evacuee, and an unlikely ally--Luka has three days to turn his house into a fortress. But his problems are even more complicated than he thought: it's not just the faeries who are out to get the Wild Huntsboys. If Luka fails, those closest to him will pay the price--and time is running out.
Blooming Beneath the Sun poems by Christina Rossetti, illustrated by Ashley Bryan (Atheneum Books, $17.99) Using some of 19th century poet Christina Rossetti's classic nursery rhymes and poems Ashley Bryan illustrates this book using colorful paper collage.
Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer written by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Natasha Donovan (Millbrook Press, $19.99) Mary Golda Ross worked on many classified projects as a twentieth-century aerospace engineer and much of what she did remains a secret to this day. Her work was of tremendous importance to the US space program and she broke barriers as a Cherokee woman in a male-dominated field. Discover the story of how a math-loving girl from northeast Oklahoma blazed a trail for herself and others. Find out how her passion for math and the Cherokee values she was raised with shaped her life and work.
Cubs in the Tub: The True Story of the Bronx Zoo's First Woman Zookeeper written by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Julie Downing (Neal Porter Books, $18.99) A picture book biography about Helen Martini. Readers are told the story of Helen Martini's care for lion and tiger cubs, and her emergence as the Bronx Zoo's first woman zookeeper.
The Day the Universe Exploded My Head written by Allan Wolf, illustrated by Anna Raff (Candlewick Press, $18.99) The Universe poured into me. My brain was overloaded. It smoked and glowed red-hot. And then it exploded. Ever wonder what the sun has to say about being the closest star to Earth? Or what Pluto has gotten up to since being demoted to a dwarf planet? Or where rockets go when they retire? Listen closely because maybe, just, maybe your head will explode, too. With poetry equal parts factual and funny and illustrations that are positively out of this world, this book is sure to enthrall amateur stargazers and budding astrophysicists alike as they contemplate the many wonders of our universe revealed and illuminated within its pages.
A Hatful of Dragons: And More Than 13.8 Billion Other Funny Poems written and illustrated by Vikram Madan (Wordsong, $17.99) With clever rhymes, eclectic wordplay, and inventive characters, Vikram Madan has created a quirky, hilarious collection of poetry for readers of all ages.
Hello, Neighbor!: The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers written and illustrated by Matthew Cordell (Neal Porter Books, $18.99) A picture book biography about Mister Rogers. How was Mister Rogers' Neighborhood created, and who was the man that started it all? This moving and informative picture book explores the history of this acclaimed television show and its inspiring creator. Mister Rogers' Neighborhood was groundbreaking in its own quiet, generous way. It introduced art, professions, food and even highlighted difficult subjects, like losing a loved one and divorce. This information was delivered both by live performers, like Fred Rogers himself and through a lively cast of puppets who lived in the land of make believe. Backmatter includes a short biography of Fred Rogers as well as exclusively published archival photos provided by Fred Rogers Productions, and an essay from the author. This is the perfect picture book for all who appreciate the power and beauty of Fred's mission. Thoroughly illustrated with lively and captivating drawings, by Caldecott-winning author and illustrator Matthew Cordell, Hello, Neighbor! captures the spirit of the beloved television show.
Living Ghosts & Mischievous Monsters: Chilling American Indian Stories written and selected by Dan Sasuweh Jones, illustrated by Weshoyot Alvitre (Scholastic Press, $24.50) Thirty-two short stories chosen from the tradition of ghost stories from American Indian cultures across North America, featuring witches, walking dolls, hungry skeletons, skinwalkers, and other supernatural beings.
Marjory Saves the Everglades written by Sandra Neil Wallace, illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon (Simion & Schuster Books, $18.99) A picture book biography that tells the true story of Marjory Stoneman Douglas, who saved the Florida Everglades from development and ruin. Marjory Stoneman Douglas didn't intend to write about the Everglades but when she returned to Florida from World War I, she hardly recognized the place that was her home. The Florida that Marjory knew was rapidly disappearing--the rare orchids, magnificent birds, and massive trees disappearing with it. Marjory couldn't sit back and watch her home be destroyed--she had to do something. Thanks to Marjory, a part of the Everglades became a national park and the first park not created for sightseeing, but for the benefit of animals and plants. Without Marjory, the part of her home that she loved so much would have been destroyed instead of the protected wildlife reserve it has become today.
Moonstruck: Poems About Our Moon edited by Roger Stevens, illustrated by Ed Boxall (Otter-Barry Books, $18.99) When I was three / Eric Ode -- The Eagle has landed / Roger Stevens -- The lonely side of the moon / Laura Mucha -- A note from an astronaut / Shauna Darling Robertson -- What am I / Debra Bertulis -- The moon is a starfish / Valerie Bloom -- Moon Poem of the Nandi children / traditional : Kenya -- Moon / Mandy Coe -- Daytime moon / David Harmer -- The oak and the moon / Catherine Benson -- Firework night, full moon / Steven Withrow -- Moon-mad / Grace Nichols -- The delicious side of the moon / Harshita Das -- Eight ways to get to the moon / Sam Decie -- Questions to ask a moon / Sam Decie -- Questions to ask the moon / Liz Brownlee -- When Billy found a fossil in a moonrock Roger Stevens -- Dear Mr. Astronaut / Doda Smith -- The first woman on the moon / Bernard Young -- The moon speaks! / James Carter -- Winter night on a rocky coast / Cynthia Grady -- You / Jay Hulme -- To the moon / Percy Bysshe Shelley -- The cruel truth / Philip Waddell -- Three short poems / Tony Mitton -- Poor old Phoebe! / Celia Warren -- Moon marks / B.J. Lee -- Moon magic / Jan Dean -- Moonlight / Trevor Parsons -- Evidence of alien life / Roger Stevens -- Moonlight, summer moonlight / Emily Bronte -- No such thing / Shauna Darling Robertson -- Three short moon poems / Roger Stevens -- Good moon, bad moon / Julia Rawlinson -- Moonstruck / Roger Stevens -- The moon / Robert Louis Stevenson -- Hymn to the moon / Lady Mary Wortley Montagu -- In the arms of the moon / Sue Hardy-Dawson -- Moontime / Rachel Rooney -- Autumn / T.E. Hulme -- Moony names / Philip Waddell and Roger Stevens -- Sorry / Trevor Millum -- Moon moth / Celia Warren -- Moon canvas / Roger Stevens -- Hearing from the moon / Nic Toczek -- The moon and the forest / John Rice -- The harvest moon / Henry Wadsworth Longfellow -- Tell me / Jilly Pryor -- The crescent moon / Amy Lowell -- The man in the moon / Anon -- The cow in the moon / Roger Stevens -- Mooncalf / Kate O'Neil -- The moon fell down / Robert Schechter -- Transformed / Diana Murray -- Moon dragons / J.H. Rice -- The wish / Andrea Shavick -- The cat and the moon / W.B. Yeats -- A goodnight moon / David Harmer.
Nano: The Spectacular Science of the Very (Very) Small written by Dr. Jess Wade, illustrated by Melissa Castrillion (Candlewick Press, $17.99) In this STEM-ready book, an acclaimed physicist takes readers into the cutting-edge world of nanoscience where they will learn about the tiny building blocks that make up the world around us.
The People's Painter: How Ben Shahn Fought For Justice With Art written by Cynthia Levinson, illustrated by Evan Turk (Abrams Books for Young Readers, $18.99) A picture book biography that tells the story of Ben Shahn. The first thing I can remember," Ben said, "I drew." As an observant young child growing up in Lithuania, Ben Shahn yearns to draw everything he sees-and, after seeing his father banished by the Czar for demanding workers' rights, he develops a keen sense of justice, too. So when Ben and the rest of his family make their way to America, Ben brings with him both his sharp artistic eye and his desire to fight for what's right. As he grows, he speaks for justice through his art-from challenging classmates who bully him for being Jewish, to resisting his teachers' calls to paint beautiful landscapes in favor of painting stories true to life, to using his work to urge the US government to pass Depression-era laws that help people find food and security. In this moving and timely portrait, award-winning author and illustrator Cynthia Levinson and Evan Turk honor an artist, immigrant, and activist whose work still resonates today: a true painter for the people. There are informative author and illustrator notes at the back of the book.
The Power of Her Pen written by Lesa Cline-ransome, illustrated by John Parra (Simon & Schuster, $17.99) A picture book biography about Ethel L. Payne. She always had an ear for stories. Seeking truth, justice, and equality, Ethel followed stories from her school newspaper in Chicago to Japan during World War II. It even led her to the White House briefing room, where she broke barriers as one of the first black journalists. Ethel wasn't afraid to ask the tough questions of presidents, elected officials, or any one else in charge, earning her the title "First Lady of the Black Press." Fearless and determined, Ethel L. Payne shined a light on the darkest moments in history, and her ear for stories sought answers to the questions that mattered most in the fight for civil rights.
River written and illustrated by Elisha Cooper (Orchard Books, $18.99) It's a story of discovery: how we learn to see the beauty in the world around us and the strength inside us. A riveting journey of finding ourselves - then finding our way home. Told in a picture book format a woman in a canoe takes the reader on a journey down the Hudson River, from its source, a lake in the Adirondack Mountains, to the point where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean at New York City. Includes a note on the history of the Hudson River.
The Sinking of the Vasa written by Russell Freedman, illustrated by William Low (Henry Holt and Company, $18.99) Describes the building of the mighty Swedish warship the Vasa, how it sank not even a mile out of the harbor (in 1628), the subsequent investigation, and how it was brought to the surface and restored more than three hundred years later.
Up Verses Down: Poems, Paintings, and Serious Nonsense written and illustrated by Calef Brown (Henry Holt and Company, $19.99) A collection of poetry that is full of zany characters, including Sleepy LaFeete, who chooses to snooze in the busiest spots, and Mister Adam Hatter and the Lovely Lady Wigg, who had a fig banquet and danced a fancy jig.
What Miss Mitchell Saw written by Hayley Barrett, illustrated by Diana Sudyka (Beach Lane Books, $17.99) Every evening, from the time she was a child, Maria Mitchell stood on her rooftop with her telescope and swept the sky. And then one night she saw something unusual--a comet no one had ever seen before! Miss Mitchell's extraordinary discovery made her famous the world over and paved the way for her to become America's first professional female astronomer.
