Be a Wilderness Detective by
Why is that tree lumpy? How do insects stay alive in the winter? What are tides, anyway?In Be a Wilderness Detective, biologist and artist Peggy Kochanoff answers these and many more questions. With simple language and beautifully accurate paintings, Kochanoff walks young readers through many nature puzzles, including identifying different types of animal poop and understanding how maple trees can be tapped without being harmed.Clear, precise, and engaging, Be a Wilderness Detective is the perfect book for budding naturalists--and it will also convince couch potatoes to get outside. Science and nature have never been more fun!
Every Day Is Malala Day by
This is a letter of sisterhood to Malala Yousafzai, written from the perspective of girls around the world who share her belief that every girl has the right to go to school, and who represent the many barriers a girl can face when trying to get an education. After being shot by the Taliban for the simple act of going to school in her native Pakistan, Malala has become an international girls' rights crusader and the youngest person ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Girls the world over recognize her as a leader, a champion, and a friend. Illustrated with beautiful photographs from non-profit Plan International.
The Fly by
The first in a series of humorous books about disgusting creatures, The Fly is a look at the common housefly. It covers such topics as the hair on the fly's body (requires a lot of shaving), its ability to walk on the ceiling (it's pretty cool, but it's hard to play soccer up there), and its really disgusting food tastes (garbage juice soup followed by dirty diaper with rotten tomato sauce, for example). Although silly and off-the-wall, The Fly contains factual information that will both amuse and teach at the same time.
From There to Here by
A little girl and her family have just moved across the country by train. Their new neighborhood in the city of Toronto is very different from their home in the Saskatchewan bush, and at first everything about "there" seems better than "here." The little girl's dad has just finished building a dam across the Saskatchewan River, and his new project is to build a highway through Toronto. In Saskatchewan, he would come home for lunch every day, but now he doesn't come until supper. The family used to love to look at the stars, and the northern lights dancing in the night sky. But in the city, all they can see is the glare from the streetlights. All the kids used to run and play together, but now older brother Doug has his own friends. Then one day there is a knock on the door. It is Anne, who lives kitty-corner and is also eight, going on nine, and suddenly living in Toronto takes on a whole new light. Laurel Croza and Matt James have beautifully captured the voice and intense feelings of a young child who, in the midst of upheaval, finds hope in her new surroundings.
The Great Bike Rescue by
The summer is off to a lousy start when Levi's bike is stolen from outside the corner store. He feels even worse because he didn't lock it. But when his best friend Riley's locked bike is stolen the very next day, the boys are determined to get both of them back. When they discover there has been a string of bicycle thefts in the area, the friends hatch several plans to find the culprit. There are so many potential suspects--Steve Morrow and his gang, the tattooed guy who sits at the bus stop, the owners of the secondhand-bike store. There's also Emily Grimshaw, Levi's childhood nemesis, who keeps popping up and showing a peculiar interest in the thefts. Does she really want to help or is she involved somehow? And will Levi and Riley ever see their beloved bikes again?
How to Save a Species by
How to Save a Speciesbrings readers as close as they may ever get to some of the most endangered animals and plants on earth. Highlighting the efforts of scientists, communities and campaign groups, it includes astonishing success stories of species that have been saved from the edge of extinction, as well as urgent cases needing instantaction. With a logbook-style layout and full-color photographs throughout, the book profiles 17 of the world's 100 most endangered species, as identified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) - a list reflecting research from thousands of experts from around the world, including co-author Dr. Jonathan Baillie. (The full list is provided at the back of the book.) Readers will delve into the world of animals and plants both rare and interesting, such as the humpback whale, spoon-billed sandpiper, wild yam, and pygmy three-toed sloth. They will come away with a newfound understanding of the cooperative work and action plans needed from both scientists and citizens to protect animals from extinction.
Let's Get Cracking! by
Kung Pow Chicken is the superhero everyone has been waiting for! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow! In this exciting full-color series, Gordon Blue transforms into Kung Pow Chicken, an avian superhero who fights crime in the city of Fowladelphia. The first book in the series kicks off when Gordon's birdy senses lead him to a festival. Suddenly, POOF! Feathers fill the air and shivering naked chickens are everywhere. Why have all these chickens lost their feathers? Forced to wear wooly sweaters, the city itches for a hero. Kung Pow Chicken hops into his Beakmobile to save the day!
My Name Is Blessing by
Baraka is a young Kenyan boy with a physical disability, and he and his eight cousins live with their grandmother. She gives them boundless love, but there is never enough money or food, and life is hard. Baraka is too young, and needs too much, and she is too old. A difficult choice must be made and they set off on a journey to see if there is a place at the orphanage for Baraka. This beautiful picture book begins by looking at Baraka's disability as a misfortune, but ends by looking beyond the it, to his great heart and spirit and the blessings he brings.
Prove It, Josh by
Eleven-year-old Josh's summer is getting off to a rough start. Instead of being out on the water in his sailing dinghy, he's stuck at the library with the latest in a long string of tutors. Josh is dyslexic--and since he moved out west to live with Dad, a whole new crop of kids has been teasing him about his reading problems. When a mean classmate bets Josh that he can't beat her in an upcoming boat race, Josh isn't too worried. With his brother Matt as his racing crew, he knows he can win. But when Matt bails on him, Josh's anxiety goes into overdrive. If he loses the race, he'll have to read aloud on Literacy Day--his worst nightmare! Just when things seem hopeless, help comes from some unexpected new friends. Will it be enough for Josh to prove what he's made of?
Seconds by
When it comes to cross-country running, Jake does everything right. He eats all the right foods, trains like crazy and reads articles about running in his spare time. There's nothing easy about running, but the hardest part for Jake is that, at the end of the day, Spencer Solomon always wins first place. Determined to take the lead for once, Jake continues to push himself even more. His rigorous training schedule leaves no time for friends, family, pizza or joking around. When Jake is invited to join the Diamond Running Club, he thinks he's found an opportunity to train harder. Instead, with the help of his coach, Jake begins to rediscover what he used to love about running in the first place.
Let's Get Cracking! by
Kung Pow Chicken is the superhero everyone has been waiting for! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow! In this exciting full-color series, Gordon Blue transforms into Kung Pow Chicken, an avian superhero who fights crime in the city of Fowladelphia. The first book in the series kicks off when Gordon's birdy senses lead him to a festival. Suddenly, POOF! Feathers fill the air and shivering naked chickens are everywhere. Why have all these chickens lost their feathers? Forced to wear wooly sweaters, the city itches for a hero. Kung Pow Chicken hops into his Beakmobile to save the day!