New Children's Books

Big Bad Bunny - Franny Billingsley
When Baby Boo-Boo, a mouse dressed in a bunny suit, becomes lost in the forest, his mother follows the sound of his cries to locate him.

Everybody Bonjours! - Leslie Kimmelman
Describes in rhymed text the many ways to use the greeting "Bonjour" when visiting Paris. Includes brief descriptions of Parisian landmarks at the end of the story.

Hello, Day! - Anita Lobel
Various animals greet the sunrise in their own unique voices, except for the owl who welcomes the night.

Madam President - Lane Smith
A little girl imagines what her day would be like if she were President of the United States.

Farmer George Plants a Nation - Peggy Thomas
Besides being a general and the first president of the United States, George Washington was also a farmer. His efforts to create a self-sufficient farm at Mount Vernon, Virginia, mirrored his struggle to form a new nation. Excerpts from Washington's writings are featured throughout the book, which also includes a timeline, resource section, as well as essays on Washington at Mount Vernon and his thoughts on slavery.

Wave - Suzy Lee
A wordless picture book that shows a little girl's first experiences at the beach, as she goes from being afraid of the roaring waves to playing on the shore while gulls soar overhead.

On the Farm - David Elliott
Describes all the animals of the farmyard, including a goat, a cow, a rooster, bees, and bunnies, presented in verse and accompanied by woodcut and watercolor illustrations.

Planting the Trees of Kenya - Claire A. Nivola
Wangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize and founder of the Green Belt Movement, grew up in the highlands of Kenya, where fig trees cloaked the hills, fish filled the streams, and the people tended their bountiful gardens. But over many years, as more and more land was cleared, Kenya was transformed. When Wangari returned home from college in America, she found the village gardens dry, the people malnourished, and the trees gone. How could she alone bring back the trees and restore the gardens and the people?

Pale Male: Citizen Hawk of New York City - Janet Schulman
A red-tailed hawk and his mate build their nest near the top of a Fifth Avenue apartment building and bird watchers gather hoping to see the chicks in the nest.

Monarch and Milkweed - Helen Frost and Leonid Gore
Every spring the monarch butterfly migrates thousands of miles in search of the ideal milkweed plant. When she finds it, she lays her eggs on the plant, so when each egg hatches, the baby caterpillar can feed on the milkweed leaves. The milkweed plant then provides the perfect protection as the caterpillar turns into one of nature's wonders, a chrysalis, before transforming into an even greater wonder: a monarch butterfly. And once the newborn butterfly soars away, the milkweed seeds fly away on the wind and start this cycle over again.

My Heart Glow - Emily Arnold McCully
Describes the history of the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut, and the invention of American Sign Language, and includes biographical information on the school's founder, Thomas Gallaudet, and Alice Cogswell, the young girl who inspired the creation.

Alice's World Record - Tim Kennemore
On the way to their grandparents' house, Alice beats her older brother Oliver at the alphabet game for the first time ever, making him so miserable that he reacts in a way that changes him and his status as favorite grandchild.

New Award Book

Surfer of the Century - Ellie Crowe
A brief biography of Hawaiian Duke Kahanamoku, five-time Olympic swimming champion from the early 1900s who is also considered worldwide as the 'father of modern surfing'. Asian/Pacific American Award

New YA Books

The Birchbark House - Louise Erdrich
Omakayas, a seven-year-old Native American girl of the Ojibwa tribe, lives through the joys of summer and the perils of winter on an island in Lake Superior in 1847. For as long as Omakayas can remember, she and her family have lived on the land her people call the Island of the Golden-Breasted Woodpecker. Although the chimookoman, white people, encroach more and more on their land, life continues much as it always has. Every summer the family builds a new birchbark house; every fall they go to ricing camp to harvest and feast; they move to the cedar log house before the first snows arrive, and celebrate the end of the long, cold winters at maple-sugaring camp. In between, Omakayas fights with her annoying little brother, Pinch, plays with the adorable baby, Neewo, and tries to be grown-up like her beautiful older sister, Angeline. But the satisfying rhythms of their lives are shattered when a visitor comes to their lodge one winter night, bringing with him an invisible enemy that will change things forever.

Afrika - Colleen Craig
For thirteen-year-old Kim, travel to South Africa with her journalist mother will mark the end of her childhood and the beginning of a remarkable journey. Expecting nothing more than three months in her mother's homeland, Kim comes to terms with the country's diverse and often shocking history. The Truth and Reconciliation Hearings in post-apartheid South Africa open her eyes to the tragedy and brutality of its segregationist policies. Kim's first meeting with her relatives, her contact with schoolmates and cousins, bring her face-to-face with the realization that she is not as removed from this powerful story as she thought. As her mother struggles with her past, Kim becomes more and more determined to unlock the secret that has always kept her from knowing her father. Helped by the young son of a long-time family servant, whose own father was a casualty of Apartheid history, Kim eventually unlocks her mystery and brings her mother and herself to their own truth and reconciliation. Layered and complex, this is a novel that raises questions and challenges beliefs.

When Mother Was Eleven-Foot-Four: A Christmas Memory - Jerry Camery-Hoggatt
Story about two boy's commitment to restore the Christmas spirit to their larger than life mother.

The Picture History of Great Buildings - Gillian Clements
An illustrated history of over 9,000 years of great buildings around the world from the tombs of ancient Egypt to the modern skyscrapers of today.

My Chincoteague Pony - Susan Jeffers
Every summer on Chincoteague Island, there is an auction of ponies who have swum across the channel from Assateague, where ponies run free. If Julie works hard and saves her money all year, perhaps she can win the pony of her dreams, her very own Chincoteague pony.

Happy School Year! - Susan Milord
Children gather for a first day of school celebration that calms their worries about the day. Includes note about the history of such celebrations, and a related website.

Tenth Avenue Cowboy - Linda Oatman High
In 1910, when his family moves to New York City from their ranch out West, Ben misses the cowboys and the prairies that they left behind, but after he learns that there are cowboys in the city who race along the railroad tracks and warn people of approaching trains, he begins to feel more at home.

George Washington Carver - Tonya Bolden
Illustrated with historical artifacts and photographs, a fresh look at a pioneering American innovator traces Carver's life, discoveries, and legacy as the first African-American to attend Iowa State College and as an inspirational conservationist.

Jumpy Jack and Googily - Meg Rosoff and Sophie Mackall
umpy Jack the snail is terrified that there are monsters around every corner despite the reassurances of his best friend, Googily.

Heart in the Pocket - Laurence Bourguignon
A baby kangaroo is reluctant to leave the comfort of his mother's pocket, where he is safe and warm and can always hear her heartbeat, until he finds out that her heart is not actually in her pocket.

Animals Robert Scott Saw: An Adventure in Antarctica - Sandra Markle
Presents the animals Robert Scott saw during his two years of study and exploration of Antarctica in the early 1900s, including penguins, whales, birds, and small, previously undiscovered sea creatures, derived from writings and sketches he left behind.

Sergio Makes a Splash! - Edel Rodriguez
Even though he loves water, Sergio the penguin is afraid to swim in the deep water until he learns how.

The Pigeon Has Feelings, Too! - Mo Willems
Do pigeons have feelings? Is a hot dog yummy? Throughout a hilarious board book, Pigeon runs through his signature gamut of emotions while attempting to thwart his old nemesis, the bus driver. By the creator of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Board book.

I Will Surprise My Friend! - Mo Willems
Best friends Elephant and Piggie decide that they will try to surprise each other, with unexpected results.

I Love My New Toy! - Mo Willems
When Elephant accidentally breaks Piggie's new toy, they both experience intense feelings before coming to realize how important their friendship is.

New Spelling Books

From Purposeful Design Publications (Association of Christian Schools International)
Student book, teacher edition, and teacher resources for grades 1, 2, and 3

New Children's Books

Knights & Castles - Philip Dixon
Insiders brings knights & castles to life, with the most up-to-date information and state-of-the-art 3-D illustrations that practically leap off every page, stimulating minds and imaginations in a whole new way.

Dino-Why?: The Dinosaur Question & Answer Book - Sylvia Funston
Provides answers to children's questions about dinosaurs, such as which species would make the best pet, what would have happened if they weren't extinct, and if they hunted in packs.

Ghaddar the Ghoul and Other Palestinian Stories - Sonia Nimr
Contains retellings of nine Palestinian folktales of ghouls, animals, and magic.

Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig - Kate DiCamillo
After Mercy Watson follows the delightful scent and delicious taste of the pansies her thoughtful neighbors plant to beautify their yard, animal control officer Francine Poulet is called out to handle the case, which brings unexpected results.

The House in the Night - Susan Marie Swanson
Illustrations and easy-to-read text explore the light that makes a house in the night a home filled with light.

I'm the Best Artist in the Ocean - Kevin Sherry
A giant squid brags about being the best artist in the entire ocean.




A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams - Jen Bryant
This picture book biography of William Carlos Williams traces childhood events that lead him to become a doctor and a poet.

Nanuk Flies Home - Christa Holtei
Captured by humans after trying to steal their food, a small, hungry polar bear cub realizes his dream--to fly. End notes provide facts about polar bears and describe how, during the month of October, several hundred polar bears gather in the small Canadian town of Churchill, near the Hudson Bay, to wait for the sea to freeze over.

Frankenstein Takes the Cake - Adam Rex
Frankenstein wants to marry his undead bride in peace, but his best man, Dracula, is freaking out about the garlic bread, and the Headless Horseman wishes everyone would stop drooling over his pumpkin head.

How to Behave and Why - Munro Leaf
Presents the four things people must be in order to live together pleasantly: honest, fair, strong, and wise.

The Vowel Family: A Tale of Lost Letters - Sally M. Walker
The members of the Vowel family have a hard time talking until their children, Alan, Ellen, Iris, Otto, and Ursula, are born, and when one of them gets lost one day, it takes their Aunt Cyndy to fix the problem.

New Graphic Format Books

Thoreau at Walden - John Porcellino
This graphic novel, narrated in Thoreau's own words, weaves together elements from "Walden," "Civil disobedience," "Walking," and Thoreau's journals to tell the story of his two years in the woods and of the night he spent in jail for refusing to pay a poll tax.

Chiggers - Hope Larson
When Abby returns to the same summer camp she always goes to, she is dismayed to find that her old friends have changed, and the only person who wants to be her friend is the strange new girl, Shasta.

Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea - retold by Carl Bowen
Scientist Pierre Aronnax and his trusty servant set sail to hunt a monster. With help from Ned Land, the world's greatest harpooner, the men soon discover that the creature is really a high-tech submarine. To keep this secret from being revealed, the sub's leader, Captain Nemo, takes the men hostage.

Christian Education Resources

Zowie! 200+ Ministries Kids Can Do - Jill Goldner
Kids can minister to anyone -- Kids can minister to specific people -- Kids can minister in any season -- Kids can minister anytime -- Kids can minister anywhere

Christmas Extras: Faith-Filled Ideas for Celebrating Christmas
Creative activities for the Christmas season.

New Pop-Up Books

Fairies and Magical Creatures - Matthew Reinhart and Robert Sabuda
An illustrated pop-up book of more than thirty entries that explain the origins and magical world of fairies, and includes other magical creatures, such as elves, gnomes, pegasus, and mermaids.

When Pigs Fly...!: A Piggy Pop-Up Book! - Celine Malepart
A pop-up book featuring colorful illustrations of everyday sayings.

New YA Books

The Diamond of Drury Lane - Julia Golding
Orphan Catherine "Cat" Royal, living at the Drury Lane Theater in 1790s London, tries to find the "diamond" supposedly hidden in the theater, which unmasks a treasonous political cartoonist, and involves her in the street gangs of Covent Garden and the world of nobility.

The Girl Who Could Fly - Victoria Forester
When homeschooled farm girl Piper McCloud reveals her ability to fly, she is quickly taken to a secret government facility to be trained with other exceptional children, but she soon realizes that something is very wrong and begins working with brilliant and wealthy Conrad to escape.

Nick of Time - Ted Bell
Nick McIver is no ordinary boy, fighting pirates, beating Nazis at their own game, and traveling through time.

House of Many Ways - Diana Wynne Jones
When Charmain is asked to housesit for Great Uncle William, the Royal Wizard of Norland, she is ecstatic to get away from her parents, but finds that his house is much more than it seems.

L Is for Lollygag: Quireky Words for a Clever Tongue
Contains alphabetically arranged entries that provide definitions of quirky words, each with a pronunciation guide.

Shift - Jennifer Bradbury
When best friends Chris and Win go on a cross country bicycle trek the summer after graduating and only one returns, the FBI wants to know what happened.

Clementine's Letter - Sara Pennypacker
Clementine's beloved teacher, Mr. D'Matz might be leaving for the rest of the year to go on a research trip to Egypt. The only solution, she decides, is to hatch a plan to get Mr. D'Matz back even if it means ruining his once-in-a-lifetime chance.

Gone - Michael Grant
In a small town on the coast of California, everyone over the age of fourteen suddenly disappears, setting up a battle between the remaining town residents and the students from a local private school, as well as those who have "The Power" and are able to perform supernatural feats and those who do not.

The Mystery of the Third Lucretia - Susan Runholt
While traveling in London, Paris, and Amsterdam, fourteen-year-old best friends Kari and Lucas solve an international art forgery mystery.

Hiroshima Dreams - Kelly Easton
Lin O'Neil, a talented but shy girl growing up in Providence, Rhode Island, develops a close relationship with her Japanese grandmother, who shares Lin's gift of precognition. Asian/Pacific American Award Book

The Magician: Book Two of The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel - Michael Scott
Fifteen-year-old twins Sophie and Josh Newman continue their magical training in Paris with Nicholas Flamel, Scatty, and the Comte de Sant Germaine, pursued by Doctor Dee and the immortal Niccolo Machiavelli.

Juliet's Moon - Ann Rinaldi
In Missouri in 1863, twelve-year-old Juliet Bradshaw learns to rely on herself and her brother, a captain with Quantrill's Raiders, as she sees her family home burned, is imprisoned by Yankees, and then kidnapped by a blood-crazed Confederate soldier.

New Professional Resources

Picture-Perfect Science Lessons: Using Children's Books to Guide Inquiry, 3-6 - Karen Ansberry
Provides fifteen lesson plans that incorporate picture books into the science curriculum.

Pre-K - Grade 2: Mathematics Assessment Sampler - NCTM
This sampler presents assessment tasks that are appropriate for use with students from age 4 through age 8. The book provides teachers of primary grades mathematics with examples of assessment tasks that reflect the various ways assessments can be used prior to, during, and following mathematics instruction. Teachers can then consider the potential of these tasks to uncover the mathematical understandings of their students for the purpose of planning further instruction. Each task can be altered by changing the context, breaking the task into subparts, limiting the scope or complexity of the task, or extending the task to provide more challenge or enhance the depth of understanding being assessed.

New Music Curriculum

Exploring Choral Music (Grades 6-12) - Glencoe
Set of 24 books covering all aspects of choral singing, from beginning to advanced students.

New Science and Math Activity Books

More Picture-Perfect Science Lessons: Using Children's Books to Guide Inquiry, K-4 - Karen Ansberry and Emily Morgan
Presents fifteen lessons that use fiction and nonfiction picture books to teach about physical, life, earth, and space science, following the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study's 5E instructional model and featuring exploration questions.

Cartoon Corner: Humor-Based mathematics Activities
Ways to use cartoons in the classroom -- Algebraic thinking -- Fractions, decimals, and percent -- Geometry and measurement -- Holidays -- Numbers and numeration -- Ratio and proportion -- Data analysis and probability.