| The dragon with a chocolate heart by Stephanie BurgisAventurine is disgusted by what she's become: a human! Ugh! One cup of enchanted hot chocolate has transformed her from a fierce young dragon into a fangless human girl. The only upside to this change is that as a human, Aventurine can escape her over-protective family and follow her newfound passion…for chocolate, of course. Readers who love feisty heroines will root for Aventurine as she becomes an apprentice chocolatier, collects a group of diverse friends, and puzzles out her place in the human world. For another confectionary fantasy, try The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop by Kate Saunders. |
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The amazing book of LEGO Star Wars
by David Fentiman
An introductory guide for young LEGO Star Wars fans features engaging designs of favorite characters and sets, exploring key themes through carefully leveled text written to maintain the interest of developing readers.
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Effie Starr Zook has one more question
by Martha Freeman
Reluctantly staying at her aunt and uncle's farm while her parents are travelling, plucky city girl Effie stumbles across a mystery involving an old family feud and finds herself contending with a neighbour's avoidance, crackpot politics and an eccentric inventor ancestor.
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The door in the alley
by Adrienne Kress
Stumbling into a mysterious society, an ordinary young boy encounters adventure, missing persons, hired thugs, a hidden box, a lost map, famous explorers and a girl who needs his help. By the author of Timothy and the Dragon's Gate.
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| The great treehouse war by Lisa GraffWinne's parents' divorce agreement is a little bit weird. In order to divide their daughter's time equally, they build a fancy treehouse between their yards, so that Winnie can spend three days a week with each parent and one day in the treehouse. It's a stressful set-up, and when the push-and-pull between her parents becomes too much, Winnie climbs into the treehouse and refuses to come down until they see reason. She's soon joined by nine of her friends with demands of their own, leading to an outrageous kids versus adults standoff that you won't soon forget. |
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Out of the box
by Jemma Westing
Provides step-by-step instructions for creating objects out of such cardboard materials as boxes and tubes, including a zebra mask, a theatre, a penguin family, and a pirate ship.
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| Clayton Byrd goes underground by Rita Williams-GarciaHarmonica player Clayton Byrd is heartbroken by the sudden death of his grandfather, Cool Papa Byrd. A talented musician, Cool Papa had been teaching Clayton all about the blues, something Clayton's mom just can't seem to understand. Longing to connect with the music his grandfather loved, Clayton runs away to find Cool Papa's band, the Bluesmen...only to discover a different kind of music in the underground world of the New York subway system. No matter what kind of music you like, you can relate to authentic characters and emotions in this moving story by the award-winning author of One Crazy Summer. |
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| Beyond the bright sea by Lauren WolkTwelve years ago, baby Crow was rescued from the water near Cuttyhunk Island, and she's lived on the island ever since. Though most of the islanders shun her, Crow has a loving home with her adoptive father Osh and their friend Miss Maggie. When a fire appears on the nearby abandoned island of Penikese, Crow's curiosity about her birth family is ignited, and she sets out in search of answers. Set in 1920s Massachusetts, this poetic and bittersweet tale of family history, hidden pirate treasure, and other long-buried secrets might make you want to go on a searfaring adventure of your own. |
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Reading for young eco-warriors |
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The wild robot
by Peter Brown
Initialising for the first time on a remote island where she is all alone, Roz the robot learns survival strategies from the island's hostile animals and finally gains acceptance when she cares for an orphaned gosling. By the Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator of Creepy Carrots!
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The end of the wild
by Nicole Lea Helget
Helping her impoverished family hunt and forage for food in the forest near her home, 11-year-old Fern worries that a fracking company's plans will damage the local environment but cannot get her family and neighbours, who are more focused on the prospect of jobs, to understand the threat. By the author of Wonder at the Edge of the World.
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Maker projects for kids who love greening up spaces
by Megan Kopp
Creative readers with a green thumb and an eye for design will be inspired to create their own gardening and landscaping projects in unique spaces. From vertical gardens to urban parklets, this title will motivate readers to "green up" spaces in their communities in a way that promotes environmental awareness, collaboration, and group planning. Profiles of innovators and their green creations encourage readers to embrace their own ideas and create their Maker visions.
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| The case of the vanishing honeybees: A scientific mystery by Sandra MarkleHoneybees around the world are disappearing -- but why? That question is at the heart of this unusual scientific mystery. Packed with colour photos on every page, this book gives you the scoop on honeybees and why they're important to the environment before looking at the scientists studying Colony Collapse Disorder, an unexplained phenomenon that causes large numbers of worker bees to abandon their hives. Young entomologists and detectives alike will be fascinated by this complex, real-life puzzle -- and those who want learn more should be sure to pick up Loree Griffin Burns’ The Hive Detectives. |
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| A boy and a jaguar by Alan Rabinowitz; illustrated by Catia ChienTalking to people is difficult for young Alan Rabinowitz. Every time he tries, he stutters and shakes and just can't get the words out. Talking to animals, however, just feels right. As Alan grows up, his bond with animals (especially jaguars) and his ability to understand them only grows stronger -- but will he be able to speak out in front of powerful people to defend the animals he loves? Honest and uplifting, this illustrated biography of a famous zoologist will encourage readers of all ages to go after their goals, no matter how difficult they may be. |
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| Fuzzy mud by Louis SacharTamaya and her neighbour Marshall are walking home through the woods when they're confronted by Chad, a bully looking to start a fight. Tamaya gives Chad a faceful of mud instead, but afterwards, she develops a rash where she touched the mud…and something even worse happens to Chad. What was in that mud? Hints -- in the form of top-secret government information -- are scattered throughout Tamaya and Marshall's story, creating a growing sense of danger that will keep you turning pages right up until the end. Thought-provoking and just possible enough to be scary, Fuzzy Mud is a must-read for eco-fiction fans. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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