2009 Children's Choices-Young Readers (Grade 3-4)

Wedding dress torn? Ring lost? Cake collapsed? Groom gone missing? Despite all the planning, the happy couple might not actually be prepared for The Big Day and all that can go awry. Luckily, the authors of the phenomenally best-selling Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook series are back with all new, step-by-step instructions to help the bride and groom—and everyone else—survive the nuptials, from trimming the guest list all the way through to repurposing unwanted presents. This matrimonial magna carta teaches how to charm nightmare in-laws, survive the bachelor party, combat floral allergies, stop a disastrous toast, and respond to honeymoon surprises. A helpful appendix provides creative solutions to other wedding emergencies: how to make a ring—or a bouquet—out of paper, conceal wedding day blemishes, and painlessly generate thank-you notes. No one should say "I do" without this essential survival guide: it's the absolutely perfect shower gift, and an indispensible self-help guide to getting hitched without a hitch.

In a magical land, a poor farmer is entrusted with the care of an infant who is destined to become a good and wise queen and bring about the downfall of the evil sorceress who is the present queen.

Through photographs, illustrations, and both factual and fictionalized anecdotes, shows what life was like in the United States during the Depression.

From the team that brought you "How Sweet It Is (and Was): A History of Candy" comes another humourous picture book about the history of underwear.Underwear. It can be practical, it can be lucky, it can be just plain bizarre. And just one mention of the word can make you giggle or blush. But if you really want to laugh out loud, take a step back in time and check out what people in past centuries used to cover up "down there." Women in the 18th century wore underwear that made their hips look six feet wide! In the 19th century you could buy underwear that opened and closed in the back. With uproarious illustrations by John O'Brian, Ruth Freeman Swain sets out to discover the dirty truth behind underwear and what people wear (and wore!) under there.

from Newbery award winning author Kirby Larson comes a remarkable true story of the devotion, friendship, and survival of two pets left behind in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. In the tradition of Owen and Mzee, this beautiful picture book is a testament to the spirit that defined post-Katrina rescue missions. During Hurricane Katrina, evacuating New Orleans residents were forced to leave their pets behind. Bobbi the dog was initially chained to keep her safe, but after her owners failed to return, she had to break free. For months, Bobbi wandered the city's ravaged streets-dragging her chain behind her-followed by her feline companion, Bob Cat. After months of hunger and struggle, the Two Bobbies were finally rescued by a construction worker helping to rebuild the city. When he brought them to a shelter, volunteers made an amazing discovery about the devoted friends-Bob Cat was actually blind! He had survived the aftermath of the storm by following the sound Bobbi's chain made as she dragged it along the ground. At the shelter, the two bob-tailed friends refused to be parted, even for a moment. Could rescue workers find the Bobbies' owners? Or could they find a new home that would take them together?

Six stories relate further adventures of three best friends, who happen to be toys, as they encounter a fearsome (possible) shark, enjoy a dance party, and deal with rejection by The Girl, who is growing up.

Though he got a late start playing football, Tom Brady has developed into a Super Bowl champion and one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL. In this exciting new book, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots: Super Bowl XXXVIII, readers will journey back to Tom's childhood and see how he went from being a backup quarterback to a Super Bowl MVP. Kids will feel like they are at the games as they follow Tom and the Patriots through their championship season. Large, full-color photographs and engaging narrative text will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they cheer on Tom and the Patriots. Tom Brady and the New England Patriots: Super Bowl XXXVIII is part of Bearport's Super Bowl Superstars series.

A boy who has signed on as cabin boy aboard the Titanic helps ready the ship for its maiden voyage, but when it is time to set sail and he cannot find the ship's cat on board, he leaves to search for her.

Was it too late to save the southern sea otter? Thousands of these furry sea creatures once lived off the coast of California. Yet by the 1970s, years of hunting, water pollution, and boating accidents had pushed the sea otter to the brink of extinction. Would people find a way to help this endangered animal survive? In Southern Sea Otters: Fur-tastrophe Avoided, children relive the inspiring and heroic efforts of people who stepped in to save this remarkable creature when all seemed lost. Through this true tale of wildlife survival, children discover the bold and creative ideas that Americans and their government have used to protect and care for the country's endangered wildlife. Full-color photographs and a habitat map enrich this heartfelt story of conservationism and courage. Southern Sea Otters: Fur-tastrophe Avoided is part of Bearport's America's Animal Comebacks series.

Do the dead tell tales? Readers will find out in this scary trip through 11 of the world’s spookiest graveyards. Among the stops: Chestnut Hill Cemetery in Rhode Island. That’s where a little girl named Mercy Brown is buried. In the late 1800s, her family was hit by tuberculosis. First, her mother and sister died. Then Mercy herself became sick and died. In desperation to save his tubercular son, her father—who had become convinced that Mercy was a vampire rising from the grave each night to suck the life blood from her sibling—dug up her body, cut out her heart and burned it, and served the ashes to her brother. Such compelling historical nonfiction will keep readers eagerly turning the pages in this macabre exploration of the world of the dead. Spooky Cemeteries is part of Bearport’s Scary Places series.

Author-illustrator Matt Hammill has created a tongue-in-cheek adventure story where fantasy and reality merge, with hilarious results. The eponymous hero is an armchair explorer on a quest for a Lost Tablet of Illusion, stolen by an elusive beast. Sir Reginald's quest takes the reader on a journey through figments and flights of imagination on one hand, and through his mild-mannered home life on the other.

Is that the deafening buzz of the carnivorous elephant beetle --- or Sir Reginald's alarm clock? Does the tiger-stripe viper lie stretched across his path --- or is it a sock? What is the nature of this Lost Tablet and its awesome power? As Sir Reg veers comically between worlds, the imagination emerges as the most powerful charm of all.

Will Thorfinn choose the princess who promises wealth, the princess who promises power, or the princess who is full of love?

Boisterous third-grader Fran has trouble controlling herself, but learning how to train her gigantic Newfoundland puppy helps her gain enough self-control to win the part of princess in the class play. Includes instructions on puppy training.

Describes the history, training, and jobs of pararescue men in times of war and peace.
Title: Pararescuemen in Action
Author: Sandler, Michael
Publisher: Bearport Pub Co Inc
Publication Date: 2008/01/01
Number of Pages: 32
Binding Type: LIBRARY
Library of Congress: 2007034443

Featuring gorgeous photographs that illustrate and educate, this visual encyclopedia is jam-packed with thousands and thousands of images that bring more than one million things to light. Full color.

Inspired by true events, One Hen tells the story of Kojo, a boy from Ghana who turns a small loan into a thriving farm and a livelihood for many. After his father died, Kojo had to quit school to help his mother collect firewood to sell at the market. When his mother receives a loan from some village families, she gives a little money to her son. With this tiny loan, Kojo buys a hen. A year later, Kojo has built up a flock of 25 hens. With his earnings Kojo is able to return to school. Soon Kojo's farm grows to become the largest in the region.

Would the Boston Red Sox finally win a World Series? It had been 86 years since the team’s last championship, and some fans even thought the team was cursed! In 2004, however, something was different—they had the talented Manny Ramirez. Could Manny’s powerful swing lead the Red Sox to a long-awaited victory? Engaging narrative text and action photos will enthrall readers as they cheer on Manny and the Red Sox. Manny Ramirez and the Boston Red Sox is part of Bearport’s World Series Superstars series.

JACK AND ANNIE continue their quest for the secrets of happiness--secrets they need to save Merlin. This time, the Magic Tree House takes them to the one continent they haven't visited before: Antarctica! What can they hope to learn about happiness in such a barren place? Only the penguins know for sure . . . Jack and Annie are about to find out!From the Hardcover edition.

In this dynamic picture-book biography, told as if by Vivaldi himself, the famous musician's energetic personality and steadfast dedication to music come alive.Despite his mother's vow for him to become a priest, young Vivaldi is only interested in music. He soon grows from a feisty boy who wants to play the violin into a stubborn young man who puts his musical training ahead of his studies for priesthood.Beautiful, ornate artwork portrays the spirit and splendor of Vivaldi's hometown, Venice. A historical note, musical score, and glossary will help readers more fully appreciate Vivaldi's life and musical genius.

This fascinating book is all about strength and power. It starts with the spider web. If a spider could make a web where each silk strand were as thick as a pencil, its web could stop a Boeing 747 in midflight. There is no other substance that even comes close to this stopping power. Ounce for ounce, spider silk is stronger than nylon and stronger than steel. Not even Kevlar, the world's strongest synthetic fiber - used in bulletproof vests - can match the strengh of a web mean to catch flies. The book goes on to compare over 20 other natural, and man-made phenomona in this world (and out of it). Read it! You'll be amazed.

Was it too late to save the Florida panther? For hundreds of years these large cats roamed the entire southeastern United States. Yet by the 1950s, years of hunting and habitat loss had pushed these beautiful creatures to the brink of extinction. Would people find a way to help the panther survive? In Florida Panthers: Struggle for Survival, children relive the inspiring and heroic efforts of people who stepped in to save this remarkable creature when all seemed lost. Through this true tale of wildlife survival, children discover the bold and creative ideas that Americans and their government have used to protect and care for the country's endangered wildlife. Full-color photographs and a habitat map enrich this heartfelt story of conservationism and courage. Florida Panthers: Struggle for Survival is part of Bearport's America's Animal Comebacks series.

Book by Llimos Plomer, Anna

Text and illustrations present information on the parts of the body and how they work.

Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, two high school misfits in Depression-era Cleveland, were more like Clark Kent--meek, mild, and myopic--than his secret identity, Superman. Both boys escaped into the worlds of science fiction and pulp magazine adventure tales. Jerry wrote his own original stories and Joe illustrated them. In 1934, the summer they graduated from high school, they created a superhero who was everything they were not. It was four more years before they convinced a publisher to take a chance on their Man of Steel in a new format--the comic book. The author includes a provocative afterword about the long struggle Jerry and Joe had with DC Comics when the boys realized they had made a mistake in selling all rights to Superman for a mere $130.

Car Science is an intuitive and user-friendly children's science book based on a topic dear to children's hearts: cars. In four sections, the book includes: a timeline of automotive invention; a "how it works" guide to modern cars, with exploded diagrams, cutaways, and computer graphics; key physics concepts, all relating to cars and how they run; and a look into the future of cars, including eco-friendly concept cars.

George lived alone with his grandmother and an empty place where his mother and father should be.

One Friday on his way home from school, George visited the animal shelter. There, in the very last cage, was Jeremy, a dog who looked as lost and as lonely as George.

When Jeremy goes home to live with George and his grandmother, their whole lives change, and they learn that when it comes to love, it's quality not quantity that counts . . .

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.