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Oh, Brother!

Nikki Grimes' newest book
Oh, Brother!
Illustrated by Mike Benny
Amistad, December 26, 2007
ISBN 978-0688172947

It's bad enough that Xavier's new stepbrother, Chris, has moved into Xavier's room, but now it looks like he's also trying to steal Mami by being the perfect kid.

Chris's "Mr. Perfect" act may fool grown-ups, but Xavier can see straight through it.

He promises himself that he'll never become real brothers with such a fake.

No brothers allowed!

Ever!

. . . right?

In twenty powerful poems, two strangers learn to become brothers. Nikki Grimes captures the struggles—and eventual sweetness—of bringing together a family.

Sofia and the Heartmender

Maria Olofsdotter's newest book
also illustrated by Maria Olofsdotter
Sofia and the Heartmender
Holy Cow Press, December, 2007
ISBN 978-0977945832

When Sofia sees shadow-monsters on her wall at night, her parents dismiss her fears as silly. When she tries to draw her monsters at school, her teacher tells her to stop wasting paper and draw flowers instead. Sad and lonely, her heart broken in two, Sofia leaves school and enters a mysterious world where a Heartmender waits to make her heart whole again.

Sofia's journey leads her to face her fears until they fade away. Strengthened by her visit to the compassionate Heartmender, she returns to the real world, confident that the shadow-monsters are no longer a threat, ready to speak up for herself to her parents and teachers, and hopeful that the adults in her life will respect her feelings-because she respects herself.

In the literary tradition of A Wrinkle in Time and The Chronicles of Narnia, Sofia and the Heartmender blends fantasy and fiction to show that anything is possible, even healing a broken heart. Beautifully written and exquisitely illustrated, this story of a young girl's search for self-esteem will inspire and delight readers of all ages.

Hot Issues Cool Choices

Sandra McLeod Humphrey's newest book
Hot Issues, Cool Choices:
Facing Bullies, Peer Pressure,
Popularity, and Put-downs

Prometheus Books, November 20, 2007
ISBN 978-1591025696

Did you know that there are kids out there who don't even want to get out of bed in the morning because they know what going to school means for them?

Being teased and taunted, being excluded and rejected, being afraid that you're going to be assaulted and possibly hurt—sometimes it can even mean that you just can't hang in there any longer, so you give up and take your own life.

If you are one of the cool kids at school, this book is for you.

But if you're not one of the cool kids, this book is especially for you.

Terri DeGezelle's newest book
Susan B. Anthony and the Women's Movement
Heinemann, November 15, 2007
ISBN 978-1432905965

Who was Susan B. Anthony? How did women work to get the same rights as men? When did women get the right to vote? his book will help you discover what life was like during the women's movement.

Rosa Parks and the Civil Rights Movement

Terri DeGezelle's newest book
Rosa Parks and the Civil Rights Movement
Heinemann, November 15, 2007
ISBN 978-1432905989

Who was Rosa Parks? Why did black Americans stop riding buses? When did the law change to give black Americans equal rights? This book will help you discover what life was like during the civil rights movement.

Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Great Depression

Terri DeGezelle's newest book
Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Great Depression
Heinemann, November 15, 2007
ISBN 978-1432905972

Who was Franklin D. Roosevelt? What was the Dust Bowl? When did World War Two end? This book will help you discover what life was like during the Great Depression and World War Two.

Romeo and Lou Blast Off

Derek Anderson's newest book
Romeo and Lou Blast Off
Simon and Schuster, November 6, 2007
ISBN 978-1416937845

Romeo the penguin and Lou the polar bear are looking for something new and fun to do.

One snowy, blowy day they build a pretend rocket ship entirely out of snow. But when their "imaginary" rocket ship crosses paths with a shooting star, they are carried off to a strange new world. And the real question is: How will they ever get home? Come along and let your imagination blast off on an unforgettable winter night's journey.

Great Joy

Kate DiCamillo's newest book
Great Joy
Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Candlewick, October 9, 2007
ISBN 978-0763629205

In her first picture book, America’s beloved storyteller Kate DiCamillo reunites with Bagram Ibatoulline to offer readers an unforgettable holiday gift.

It is just before Christmas when an organ grinder and monkey appear on the street corner outside Frances’s apartment. Frances can see them from her window and, sometimes, when it’s quiet, she can hear their music. In fact, Frances can’t stop thinking about them, especially after she sees the man and his monkey sleeping outside on the cold street at midnight. When the day of the Christmas pageant arrives, and it’s Frances’s turn to speak, everyone waits silently. But all Frances can think about is the organ grinder’s sad eyes — until, just in time, she finds the perfect words to share. Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo pairs once again with acclaimed artist Bagram Ibatoulline as she presents a timeless story of compassion and joy.

The Lost Twins

Deb Peterson's newest book
The Lost Twins (Zodiac, Book 1)
Windstorm Creative, October 1, 2007
ISBN 978-1590925980

What would it mean if you discovered an identical twin in another world?

What could you do if you had the power to transport yourself using only your mind?

Are your friends really your friends?

Is the most popular boy just a jock and a flirt, or much, much more?

Can a girl genius find a shred of bravery to save the entire universe?

Things aren't always what they seem.

Seconds before two men in black coats try to snatch CK and Butch off the stage at the science fair, the girl genius and the most popular boy at Loon Lake Middle School simply vanish. In a quirky world far across the Milky Way, they find out who they truly are and battle an evil countess for control of all communication in the universe. But the only thing CK really wants to save from the countess is the family she has never known: the rebellious and oddly identical twin brother she is shocked to meet.

Hurl through space with CK and Butch to mystical Zodiac, where things are not always what they seem, where power comes from within, and where you must love even the most unlovable in order to triumph.

Circle the Truth

Pat Schmatz's newest book
Circle the Truth
Carolrhoda, October 2007
ISBN 978-0822572688

Strange things are happening in Rith's house at night. First a spiral staircase replaces the regular stairs. The new stairs lead to a living room that isn't his, a cat that isn't his either, and a strange old man whose words are cryptic riddles. Or are they? Rith's never been into religion. But he realizes those words have a spiritual source—and an uncanny ring of truth. Is he just dreaming? Is the old man God? As Rith tries to circle closer to the truth, the line between reality and unreality blurs.

D is for Dinosaur

Lita Judge and Todd Chapman's
newest ages 4-8 book
Illustrated by Lita Judge
D is for Dinosaur: A Prehistoric Alphabet
Sleeping Bear Press, October 2007
ISBN 978-1585362424

Did dinosaurs really die out or is it possible they are still with us today? And what's bigger and scarier than the T-rex? From A to Z, D is for Dinosaur: A Prehistoric Alphabet provides the answers and current theories behind these questions, along with other fascinating aspects of prehistoric life.

Wolf Song

Mary Bevis' newest book
Illustrated by Consie Powell
Wolf Song
Raven Productions, October 10, 2007
ISBN 978-0979420214

A touching tale of a young girl who learns to appreciate the beauty and wonder of wolves, Wolf Song is a perfect book for any child learning to love nature and the great outdoors. All pages feature colorful, scratchboard illustrations that accurately depict wolfpack behavior. Get this book for a special child in your life.

Christmas at Stony Creek

Stephanie Greene's newest book
Christmas at Stony Creek
Illustrated by Chris Sheban
Greenwillow Books, October 1, 2007
ISBN 978-0061214868

The pond at Stony Creek is perfect for ice skating, and a blanket of snow is on the ground. It's almost Christmas. Pipsqueak wishes she could spend the days at the pond, then curl up in front of a glowing fire with her family.

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