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De como tia Lola aprendio a ensenar (The Tia Lola Stories)
Synopsis: Tia Lola is going back to school in this Spanish translation of How Tia Lola Learned to Teach!

Tía Lola recibe la invitación para enseñar español en la escuela primaria de sus sobrinos, pero Miguel no está de acuerdo. Le ha costado mucho adaptarse a su nueva escuela en Vermont y, a pesar de las indudables buenas intenciones de tía Lola, él piensa que su presencia no hará sino emporar las cosas. Por otro lado, su hermana Juanita se muere de ganas de que sus compañeros conozcan a la tía, con sus coloridos vestidos. En cuestión de pocos días, la tía estara organizando una búsqueda del tesoro en español y una fiesta de carnaval en la escuela. ¿Querrá Miguel unirse a la diversión? ¿Podrá Juanita tener los pies y la mente en la tierra para guiar a sus compañeros hacia triunfo en la búsquda del tesoro?
Publication Date: 09/13/11
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Spanish
The Night Fairy
Angela Barrett, Laura Amy Schlitz
Synopsis: From 2008 Newbery Medalist Laura Amy Schlitz comes an exhilarating new adventure — and a thoroughly original fairy who is a true force of nature. (Ages 7-11)

What would happen to a fairy if she lost her wings and could no longer fly? Flory, a young night fairy no taller than an acorn and still becoming accustomed to her wings — wings as beautiful as those of a luna moth — is about to find out. What she discovers is that the world is very big and very dangerous. But Flory is fierce and willing to do whatever it takes to survive. If that means telling others what to do — like Skuggle, a squirrel ruled by his stomach — so be it. Not every creature, however, is as willing to bend to Flory’s demands. Newbery Medal winner Laura Amy Schlitz and world-renowned illustrator and miniaturist Angela Barrett venture into the realm of the illustrated classic — a classic entirely and exquisitely of their making, and a magnificent adventure.
Publication Date: 09/13/11
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Zigzag Kids: Star Time
Alasdair Bright, Patricia Reilly Giff
Synopsis: In the fourth book in the Zigzag Kids series, it's showtime at the Zelda A. Zigzag Afternoon Center. Gina loves to sing and she's determined to be the star of the play. She's already told everybody she knows to come see her. But her friend Destiny wants to be the star, too!
Publication Date: 08/09/11
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
R My Name Is Rachel
Patricia Reilly Giff
Synopsis: Rachel, Cassie, and Joey live in the city with their Pop, until Pop's search for work lands the family on a run down farm. Dreamy Rachel loves to read, and doesn't know much about the country. Times are hard there, too—the school and library are closed.  When Pop gets work near Canada, he has to leave the children on the farm alone. For two months! But Rachel's the oldest, and she'll make sure they're all right. Somehow.
Publication Date: 08/09/11
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Historical Fiction
The L.A Dodger
Mark Meyers, David A. Kelly
Synopsis: Now batting third—book #3 in a brand-new early chapter book mystery series where each book is set in a different American ballpark!

It's spring break and Kate and Mike are off to Los Angeles to visit Kate's dad, a scout for the Dodgers. But all is not sunny in L.A.—strange things have been happening to Kate's dad. Pages have gone missing from his clipboard. He's gotten threatening phone calls. And he thinks he's being followed! Is someone after Mr. Hopkins's top secret scouting reports?

The L.A. Dodger includes a fun fact page about Los Angeles's Dodger Stadium.

Cross Ron Roy's A to Z mystery series with Matt Christopher's sports books and you get the Ballpark Mysteries: fun, puzzling whodunnits aimed at the younger brothers and sisters of John Feinstein's fans.
Publication Date: 07/26/11
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Milo: Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze
Alan Silberberg, Alan Silberberg
Synopsis: Loveable thirteen-year-old geek Milo Cruikshank finds reasons for frustration at every turn, from the annoying habits of his neighbors to his futile efforts to get Summer Goodman to realize his existence. The truth is, ever since Milo’s mother died, nothing has gone right. Now instead of the kitchen being full of music, his whole house has been filled with Fog. Nothing’s the same. Not his Dad. Not his sister. And definitely not him. Milo achieves a rare and easy balance of poignancy and awkward, natural humor, making it deeply accessible—this is the kind of book that can change lives.
Publication Date: 07/26/11
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Arash the Archer: A Story from Ancient Persia
Synopsis:   Arash lives in the city of Ray in ancient Persia. At the age of twelve he is a capable archer. His dream is to shoot an arrow far enough to mark the border between the rival empires of Persia and Tooran. He believes that Simorgh the Queen of Birds has given him a message in the form of a riddle that will help him achieve his dream. But he is unaware that Ahriman the Devil and his Deevs are plotting against him.
  This book is inspired by the ancient story of Arash the Swift Arrow who with a single shot sent an arrow all the way to the Oxus River and marked the border between Persia and her rival empire of Tooran.
  The story introduces several other characters of Persian mythology including King Hooshang, Simorgh, Zahak, Ahriman and his Deevs, as well as the Zoroastrian philosophy of the constant battle between Good and Evil, to an audience of 8 to 12 year olds.
  Children with or without Persian heritage, might be more attracted to the mystery and intrigue in which the heroes are children their own age.
  3rd edition includes additions to the plot.
Publication Date: 06/30/11
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fantasy
The Problem with the Puddles
Tricia Tusa, Kate Feiffer
Synopsis: Eight-and-a-half years ago, when their beautiful baby girl was born, Mr. and Mrs. Puddle couldn’t agree on what to name her. So Mrs. Puddle calls her daughter Emily and Mr. Puddle calls her Ferdinanda. And everyone else? They call her Baby.

Having parents who agree to disagree does mean twice as many presents on your birthday, but it can complicate your life! When Baby’s parents can’t agree on what kind of dog to get, they get two—both named Sally. And one summer day, when rushing back to the city from their country house, the Puddles leave the Sallys behind. Will the Puddles agree to go back? What will become of the Sallys?
Publication Date: 06/07/11
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
A Traveller in Time
Phyllis Bray, Alison Uttley
Synopsis:

Penelope Taberner Cameron is a solitary and a sickly child, a reader and a dreamer. Her mother, indeed, is of the opinion that the girl has grown all too attached to the products of her imagination and decides to send her away from London for a restorative dose of fresh country air. But staying at Thackers, in remote Derbyshire, Penelope is soon caught up in a new mystery, as she finds herself transported at unforeseeable intervals back and forth from modern to Elizabethan times. There she becomes part of a remarkable family that is, Penelope realizes, in terrible danger as they plot to free Mary, Queen of Scot, from the prison in which Queen Elizabeth has confined her.
 Penelope knows the tragic end that awaits the Scottish queen but she can neither change the course of events nor persuade her new family of the hopelessness of their cause, which love, loyalty, and justice all compel them to embrace. Caught between present and past, Penelope is ever more torn by questions of freedom and fate. To travel in time, Penelope discovers, is to to be very much alone. And yet the slow recurrent rhythms of the natural world, beautifully captured by Alison Uttley, also speak of a greater ongoing life that transcends the passage of years. 

Publication Date: 05/31/11
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Historical Fiction
Lucy Dakota: Rocky Mountain Beginnings-Book 1
Synopsis: Lucy Dakota isn't different from other teens - she is just like them. Lucy has many strengths, she just doesn't realize them. She is smart and kind, organized and tenacious, trusting and a bit naive. At school, she tries desperately to fit in somewhere, anywhere. That leads her to make poor decisions, particularly around boys and friends. She joins various sports teams, she goes out with boys that have no respect for her and she is friends with a girl who bullies her. Then one day our heroine, Lucy Dakota, is invited to explore in the Colorado wilderness. She faces danger around every corner, and discovers her adventurous side. She starts believing in herself and her abilities and learns there is a lot she can do. Join Lucy as she comes to grips with who she is as a young woman and starts loving life and being alive.
Publication Date: 05/25/11
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Surfing Summers
James Connor
Synopsis:
Publication Date: 05/12/11
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: For Reluctant Readers
The Gecko and Sticky: The Greatest Power
Stephen Gilpin, Wendelin Van Draanen
Synopsis: The Gecko & Sticky are a fabulous crime-fighting duo! This quartet of funny adventures will appeal to fans of superheroes both young and old, and would make terrific all-family read-alouds.

"Don't move a muscle!" shouts a strangely clad crook in the act of robbing a bank. But of course somebody does. That somebody is Dave Sanchez, and the crook is none other than the dastardly Damien Black, fresh out of prison and back to his villainous ways. But Dave and his gecko sidekick, Sticky, are on the case, and this time they have a trick up their sleeve--literally! It's an Aztec wristband that give its wearer powers like invisibility and flight. Asombroso, right? But power alone does not a superhero make, and they'll have to learn how to use it if they want to defeat their nemesis not once--but twice.

Don't miss all the Gecko & Sticky adventures:
1. The Villain's Lair
2. The Greatest Power,
3. Sinister Substitute
4. The Power Potion


From the Hardcover edition.
Publication Date: 05/10/11
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Series
Unfamiliar Magic
R. C. Alexander
Synopsis: Desi is a witch. And she knows she could be a great witch—if only her mom would teach her any spells. Unfortunately, Desi’s mom is more concerned with keeping them safe and their abilities hidden.

When her mom leaves town under mysterious circumstances, it should be Desi’s perfect opportunity to explore magic on her own. But Desi has been left in the care of the most unusual babysitter of all time: her pet cat—also her mom’s familiar—now transformed into a teenage girl named Cat. And Cat has only three goals: Learn how to eat sushi with her new hairless monkey paws, get the awkward boy next door to pay for her sushi, and keep Desi out of trouble. And that means no magic.

Yeah, right!

This hilarious and high-spirited fantasy is perfect for cat lovers, embattled siblings, and anyone who yearns to find the magic in everyday life.


From the Hardcover edition.
Publication Date: 05/10/11
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
The Land of Dragor: The Gift of Charms (Book One)
Synopsis: THIS IS THE LIMITED EDITION, 'COLLECTABLE', SMALL PRINT RUN RELEASE  Julia Suzuki's Award Winning 'Land of Dragor' series will entrance readers of any age. The Gift of Charms, the first volume of Julia Suzuki's series is an epic fantasy story set to enchant and entertain...                                                                                                                                                            In a secret land, far away from the habitation of man, dwell the world's remaining dragons -- hoping the dragsaur beasts have vanished forever.  In their mystical valley, they live their daily lives, but all is not well and their talents are fading. Things change, however, when, from a strange egg, Yoshiko is born - a dragon with a unique destiny. Great adventure lies ahead as many challenges must be overcome, leading to a dangerous mission to the human world in attempt to return to the clans their missing magic!Will the Land of Dragor have a new hero? Can Yoshiko make it in time?
Publication Date: 04/01/11
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fantasy
Operation Redwood
S. Terrell French
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Clandestine e-mail exchanges, secret trips, fake press releases, and a tree-house standoff are among the clever stunts and pranks the kid heroes pull in this exciting ecological adventure. 

“Sibley Carter is a moron and a world-class jerk,” reads Julian Carter-Li in an angry e-mail message meant for his greedy, high-powered uncle. The fateful message sets him on the course to stop an environmental crime! His uncle's company plans to cut down some of the oldest California redwood trees, and it's up to Julian and a ragtag group of friends to figure out a way to stop them. This thrilling, thoughtful debut novel shows the power of determined individuals, no matter what their age, to stand up to wrongdoing.

John and Patricia Beatty Award
(California Library Association)
National Green Earth Book Award


National Outdoor Book Award honorable mention


Carol D. Reiser Book Award


 


“Fast paced and full of fun . . . Reminds readers that everyone, no matter how large or small, can take action on issues that are important to them.” —School Library Journal

“One of the finest children's novels of the year . . . A true emotional journey full of adventure, friendship, complex morality, trust, lies, and discovery.” —A Fuse #8 Production



 

Publication Date: 04/01/11
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Educational
Calendar Mysteries: June Jam
John Steven Gurney, Ron Roy
Synopsis:

It's a mystery every month from popular A to Z Mysteries author Ron Roy! With the younger siblings of the A to Z Mysteries kids!

June is for Jam...

In the sixth book of the Calendar Mysteries - an early chapter book mystery series - Bradley, Brian, Nate, and Lucy want to make homemade strawberry jam for Father's Day. Unfortunately, it's not as simple as it first seems. Some sneaky creature is taking bites of their strawberries. Polly the pony, Pal the dog, and Josh the older brother are all suspects. If the kids can't protect the strawberry patch from the mystery chomper, they might be in a real jam!

Parents, teachers, and Librarians agree that these highly collectible chapter books are perfect for emerging readers and any kid who loves mysteries!

Publication Date: 03/22/11
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Adventure

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