2010 Children's Choices-Young Readers (Grade 3-4)

In this striking picture book biography, an old-timer tells us what made Sandy Koufax so amazing. We are told that people are still "scratchin' their heads over Sandy," who remains a modest hero and a mystery to this day. Gallery WINNER: voted the favorite Gallery Book for the year in the Children's Triple Crown Book Award program, advancing uplifting, wholesome, mainstream literature.

Move to another planet? Sounds interesting! In our imaginary spaceship, let's check out the planets in our solar system. Mercury is closest, but it has no air, and it's either sizzling hot or bitterly cold. The atmosphere on Venus is poisonous; plus, human beings would cook there. Mars might work, but you'd always have to be in a protective shelter. And if you got to the outer planets, you couldn't even land as they are mostly made of gas! Our home planet is looking good. Why is Earth so comfortable for plants, animals, and people? As Robert E. Wells explains, it's because of our just-right position form the sun, marvelous atmosphere, and abundant water. Our planet is very special and perfect for us, and that's why we must do all we can to keep Earth healthy.

After frantically trying to stop his out of control robot from turning everything it touches into metal, Kyle finally listens to his little sister's advice.

Schmuel the tailor rushes through his life, not really doing what he wants to until a magic clock gives him the time he needs.

Although favored by their king, his charitable wife, and their peace-loving son, ungrateful villagers turn away and bring disaster upon themselves, then, when they have nothing left, repent and ask the queen to intervene on their behalf. Includes an explanation of the religious bases of the story and an explanation of the symbolism therein.

After Stone Rabbit is transported back to prehistoric times, his bottle of barbecue sauce becomes the key ingredient in a power-hungry Neanderthal's plan to dominate the world.

Meet Sticky Burr, his unshakable friends, and his prickly foes in a beguiling graphic storybook guaranteed to grab young readers. Welcome to Burrwood Forest, where a village of seed pods are busy having adventures! There are friends like Sticky Burr and Mossy Burr, who stick together, and bad seeds like Scurvy Burr, who irritates them every chance he gets. Watch out for wild dogs and maze trees, loyal insects, and escapes on the fly in a gently quirky graphic storybook that readers are sure to get stuck on.

The story of this fascinating breed began over 2,000 years ago in China. There, little pugs were kept by monks and emperors for one reason: to be pets. That was their work—to sit in the laps of royalty—just as the work of other dogs was to protect sheep or help humans hunt. Today, pugs are still doing the work they were bred for: being the center of attention while sitting in the lap of luxury. Readers will meet pugs such as Joseph, whose favorite treats are ice cream and watermelon. When he’s not enjoying a delicious snack, Joseph travels with his owner to hospitals to cheer up sick patients. A narrative treat for dog lovers, Pug: What a Mug! covers the breed’s history and its relationship to the animal’s current size, physical and mental characteristics, and suitability as a pet.

Harry Houdini astounded audiences around the globe with his death-defying acts and illusions. With his wife, Bess, often by his side, he freed himself from ropes, handcuffs, straitjackets, and prison cells. Once he even made a ten-thousand-pound elephant vanish into thin air! Yet Harry's life was not always so glamorous. When he was a boy, he shined shoes and did odd jobs to help make ends meet. But a career in magic was always in the cards for Harry. Readers will be mesmerized by this captivating biography of one of the most celebrated escape artists and magicians in history. For almost thirty years, David Adler’s Picture Book Biography series has profiled famous people who changed the world. Colorful, kid-friendly illustrations combine with Adler’s “expert mixtures of facts and personality” (Booklist) to introduce young readers to history through compelling biographies of presidents, heroes, inventors, explorers, and adventurers. These books are ideal for first and second graders interested in history or who need reliable sources for school book reports.

Henrietta loves to read. When she clucks buk, buk, buk at the library, the librarian knows exactly what to recommend. Then Henrietta decides to write a book. With the help of her three aunties, she hatches a plot. But when Henrietta publishes her story, the critics say she's laid an egg! Is this the end of Henrietta's career as an author?

Purports to be the journal of Zoticus de Lesseps, written on an ill-fated 1863 voyage accompanying Captain Nemo to explore the mysteries of the deep sea.

As a refugee from Sudan to the United States, Sangoel is frustrated that no one can pronounce his name correctly until he finds a clever way to solve the problem.

After opening in the midst of the exciting swim for an 8th gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, this title soon turns to Michael's beginnings, which seemed less than promising. Around age 9, he was diagnosed as having ADHD, and a teacher told his mom that he would "never be able to focus on anything." But Michael and his mom saw things differently, especially after Michael began trying to swim. While he was afraid for his face to be underwater at first, he soon conquered that fear and began to swim straight ahead into what would become a record-setting career. Today, Michael is hailed as 'the greatest Olympic athlete of all time'! This inspiring read will introduce kids to the person behind the legend…a person perhaps not so different from the kids themselves. Michael Phelps: Anything Is Possible! is part of Bearport's Defining Moments: Super Athletes series.

From the author of National Book Award finalist Hey, Kiddo. Serving justice . . . and lunch! Hector, Terrence, and Dee have always wondered about their school lunch lady. What does she do when she isn’t dishing out the daily special? Where does she live? Does she have a lot of cats at home? Little do they know, Lunch Lady doesn’t just serve sloppy joes—she serves justice! Whatever danger lies ahead, it’s no match for LUNCH LADY!

Could an animal really hold an important office? It's happened: Incitatus the horse was made a consul in the Roman Empire. He had a marble stable, eighteen servants, and ate oats mixed with flakes of gold. Then there was Saur, a dog declared king during the days of the Vikings, who signed decrees with his paw. And one can't forget Pigasus, nominated as presidential candidate by a group of Vietnam War protestors, or Clay Henry the goat and his descendants, who became mayors of a small Texas town. The government truly has gone to the dogs--and to the cats, mules, and elephants too--as shown in this fascinating and engaging history.

When Gonzalo the rooster wins the lottery, he leaves his job at the farm in search of the good life.

It is man's greatest fear—being eaten alive. And diving down here in the depths, the streamlined shark holds every advantage. How close do you want to get?

Acclaimed underwater photographer David Doubilet takes you deep into their dangerous realm. Yet he points out that it is we who are the killers! Our fear and ignorance puts this diverse family of fish in great danger. Let David teach you about sharks' complex nature, and about how you can help to save the shark.

Deep in the jungle—you're suddenly face to face with the great gorilla. It's clear that even here, you are sharing a moment with one of man's closest relatives. He's staring at you with those eyes that look so...human. Experiences like this have made National Geographic photographer Nick Nichols a fierce advocate for conservation of shrinking wildlife habitats.

The Dunderheads--a gang of misfits with unique and unusual talents--come to the aid of one of their own when Spider is falsely arrested for stealing jewelry.

The story of Joe and Bob Switzer who experimented with ultraviolet lights and fluorescent paints and invented a new kind of color called Day-Glo.

Nine-year-old Liz accompanies the stranger who is her father, just returned from the war, when he goes hunting for crows in Pennsylvania farmland.

Walking many miles to school in the dusty road, young Coretta knew, too well, the unfairness of life in the segregated south. A yearning for equality began to grow. Together with Martin Luther King, Jr., she gave birth to a vision and a journey—with dreams of freedom for all. This extraordinary union of poetic text by Ntozake Shange and monumental artwork by Kadir Nelson captures the movement for civil rights in the United States and honors its most elegant inspiration, Coretta Scott.

Chihuahuas are the world’s tiniest dogs, but that doesn’t stop them from being some of the bravest and boldest canines around! Right off the bat, you’ll meet Zoey, a five-pound Chihuahua who saved her one-year-old companion from a rattlesnake bite—by getting bitten herself! Where did this courage come from? Perhaps it came from the Chihuahua’s ancestors, who lived with the Toltecs and Aztecs of Mexico as far back as 1,000 years ago. Today, the little dog is found in the homes of everyday citizens, in movies such as Legally Blonde, and even in Taco Bell commercials. Chihuahua: Señor Tiny is a narrative treat for dog lovers that includes amazing, real-life stories about these little pups while also recounting the breed’s history and its relationship to the animal’s physical characteristics, personality, and suitability as a pet.

Learn about the wide variety of bug dishes that are cooked--and eaten--by people from different cultures all around the globe.

The reader is warned to be careful around this book, which has already eaten several people and is always hungry.

Rhyming text expresses a prayer for a girl to be protected from such dangers as nightmares at age three or false friends at fifteen, and to be granted clearness of sight and other favors.

Book by Sandler, Michael

You don't think much about your backpack. It's just kind of dirty and crammed with stuff. But wait--did you knw the backpack has a history? That it could be a superhero's secret weapon? Or an exploding science experiment? Or even a living creature of immense proportions? Kevin O'Malley has created four comic-book-style stories to entertain and amaze backpack wearers everywhere.

An imaginative mouse who likes to read heroic fantasy novels finds herself on the school math team as it prepares to compete for the coveted Golden Slide Rule.