Scholastic Canada | Dewey Diva Picks

Dewey Diva Picks - Summer 2012

Dinosaur Thunder

When lightning flares and clouds growl like lions waking, Brannon looks for a place to hide. Each adult tries to calm Brannon by comparing the thunder to something that's not scary. It's not until the thunder is compared to dinosaurs that Brannon loses his fear. He knows all about dinosaurs. He loves them and always wanted to have one for his own. Now, he comforts himself—and his big brother—as he clomps and stomps and rages and rumbles with all the ferocity of Dinosaur Thunder!

Monster Mash

By David Catrow | ISBN 978-0-545-21479-7
Ages 3-8 | HC | Picture Books | July

The "Monster Mash" was a graveyard smash—and now it's a picture book by David Catrow! The "Monster Mash" gets Wolf Man, zombies, and other monsters to dance and party in this catchy, classic song. The song, written in 1962 by Bobby "Boris" Pickett and Lenny Capizzi, has gone on to sell over four million copies. Fifty years later, David Catrow takes it to new heights as a picture book, with his fun and wacky illustrations that are sure to get kids singing and "mashing" along.

Ocean Sunlight

In this timely book, award-winner Molly Bang uses her signature poetic language and dazzling illustrations to introduce the oceanic world. From tiny aquatic plants to the biggest whale or fish, Bang presents a moving, living picture of the miraculous balance sustaining each life cycle and food chain deep within our wondrous oceans. Packed with clear, simple science, this informative, joyous book will help children understand and celebrate the astonishing role our oceans play in human life.

Pluto Visits Earth!

Pluto is not pleased when he learns that astronomers have downgraded him from planet to dwarf planet. He embarks on a fun and out-of-this-world adventure across the solar system to visit Earth and reclaim his planetary status. Along the way, Pluto bumps into his moons and other planets. But it's a boy on Earth who makes him realize that—big or small, planet or not—he's still special!

Some Dads

By Nick Bland | ISBN 978-1-4431-1387-8
Ages 4-7 | HC | Picture Books | May

Some dads are very careful and some dads misbehave. Some dads are sporty and some dads just brighten your day. No matter who your dad is, he is the best dad in his own special way. Just in time for Father's Day, this delightful picture book from talented author and illustrator Nick Bland, celebrates dads and all of their unique dadness! Children will love the humourous illustrations, as they try to identify their own dads in these pages.

Zoe Gets Ready

By Bethanie Deeney Murguia | ISBN 978-0-545-34215-5
Ages 4-7 | HC | Picture Books | May

Each day is full of possibilities, and Zoe wants to be ready for everything. But that makes getting dressed really, really hard! If it's a twirling day, she'll need to wear the purple skirt. But if it's a cartwheeling day, she'll want the polka-dot tights! As the clothes pile up and Mama tells her it's time to go, there's only one way Zoe can be sure she's prepared for all the adventures ahead.

The 39 Clues®: The Cahill Files: Operation Trinity

By Scholastic Inc. | ISBN 978-0-545-43143-9
Ages 9-12 | HC | Middle Grade Interactive Fiction | May

This extraordinary stand-alone novel cracks open the Cahill vault to tell the story of the most coveted piece of artwork in the world, a masterpiece that has been the target of seven separate theft attempts—Jan van Eyck's altarpiece at Ghent. Operation Trinity chronicles the first Vesper attack on the altarpiece in the 1600s, and then jumps to WWII and young Grace Cahill's desperate bid to save the masterwork from the Nazis. The final piece of the novel tells the story of Ian and Natalie Kabra's first solo operation and features an 11th-hour appearance by Grace Cahill on her final mission.

The Encyclopedia of Me

By Karen Rivers | ISBN 978-0-545-31028-4
Ages 9-12 | HC | Middle Grade Fiction | August

Tink Aaron-Martin has been grounded again after an adventure with her best friend. To make the time pass, she decides to write an encyclopedia of her life from "Aa" (a kind of lava — okay, she cribbed that from the real encyclopedia) to "Zoo" (she's never been to one, but her brothers belong there). As the alphabet unfolds, so does the story of Tink's summer, her own sense that maybe she belongs not under "H" for "Hideous," or "I" for "Invisible," but "O" for "Okay."

The Fire Ascending

By Chris d'Lacey | ISBN 978-0-545-40216-3
Ages 9-12 | HC | Middle Grade Fantasy Fiction | May

David, Zanna, Lucy, Alexa, and the Pennykettle dragons return, along with some new friends and enemies, to embark on their most dangerous, most thrilling, and most magical adventure yet. Bridging the magic of the first five books with the world and characters introduced in Fire World, this fiery and action-packed final installment of The Last Dragon Chronicles will have readers racing to the exciting conclusion.

Whatever After #1: Fairest of All

By Sarah Mlynowski | ISBN 978-0-545-40330-6
Ages 9-12 | HC | Middle Grade Fiction | May

Abby and her younger brother Jonah visit the magic mirror in their basement at night, and the mirror transports them inside a different fairy tale. In the first magical adventure, Abby and Jonah find themselves tangled in Snow White's story. Once there, they accidentally change key events in the tale! In order for Snow White to get her happy ending, it's up to Abby and Jonah to make things right.

Wings of Fire #1: The Dragonet Prophecy

By Tui T. Sutherland | ISBN 978-0-545-34918-5
Ages 9-12 | HC | Middle Grade Fantasy Fiction | July

The seven dragon tribes have been at war for generations, locked in an endless battle over an ancient, lost treasure. A secret movement called the Talons of Peace is determined to bring an end to the fighting, with the help of a prophecy—a foretelling that calls for great sacrifice. Five dragonets are collected to fulfill the prophecy, raised in a hidden cave and enlisted, against their will, to end the terrible war. But not every dragonet wants a destiny. And when the select five escape their underground captors to look for their original homes, what has been unleashed on the dragon world may be far more than the revolutionary planners intended...

Cardboard

By Doug TenNapel | ISBN 978-0-545-41873-7
Ages 10-14 | PB | Graphic Novels | August

After Cam's down-and-out father gives him a cardboard box for his birthday, they fashion it into a man and it comes magically to life. But things spin wildly out of control when the neighbourhood bully, Marcus, steals a scrap of the cardboard to create creatures that promptly disobey his orders and multiply into an unruly army. Before long, Cam and Marcus must put their differences behind them and work together to prevent a legion of cardboard monsters from taking over the whole town!

Abandon #2: Underworld

By Meg Cabot | ISBN 978-0-545-28411-0
Ages 12 & up | HC | Young Adult Fiction | May

Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn't dead. Not this time. But she is being held against her will in the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey. Her captor, John Hayden, claims it's for her own safety. Because not all the departed are dear. But while Pierce might be safe from the Furies in the Underworld, far worse dangers could be lurking for her there... and they might have more to do with its ruler than with his enemies.

Devine Intervention

By Martha Brockenbrough | ISBN 978-0-545-38213-7
Ages 14 & up | HC | Young Adult Fiction | June

Heidi is seventeen. Unremarkable, she thinks, in every way but one: She has a guardian angel, Jerome, who whispers in her ear all day long, amusing her, confusing her, but hardly ever saying anything that might help her discover who she's meant to be. Jerome is also seventeen (for the seventeenth year in a row). There is only one thing he needs to do to graduate from heaven's soul rehabilitation program for wayward teenagers: Follow the Ten Commandments for the Dead, and in doing so, keep Heidi safe. Instead, he accidentally lets her drown. . .

Grim

By Anna Waggener | ISBN 978-0-545-38438-0
Ages 14 & up | HC | Young Adult Fiction | June

When Erika wakes up after a horrific car crash, she finds herself somewhere between earth and heaven, between life and death. She doesn't want to accept help from Jeremiah, who she's not sure she can trust, even as she follows him into a grim city of souls. She's not sure who wants to help her and who wants to hurt her. And she's desperate to get back to her children.

The Letter Q: Queer Writers' Notes to Their Younger Selves

Edited by Sarah Moon | ISBN 978-0-545-38480-3
Ages 12 & up | HC | Young Adult Non-fiction | May

This book was conceived as part of the response to a spate of suicides among LGBT youth that revealed how vulnerable and isolated these teens often still are. The popularity of the "It Gets Better" YouTube campaign shows how badly needed are messages that tell LGBT teenagers that they will be OK if they just hang on. The Letter Q takes this one step further by moving beyond the simple platitude of "it gets better" to tell a deeper and more personal story for each of its contributors. Each letter is like a tightly focused biography, where the writer reveals an aspect of his or her self that speaks to the heart of what's important to LGBT teens.

Numbers #3: Infinity

By Rachel Ward | ISBN 978-0-545-35092-1
Ages 12 & up | HC | Young Adult Fiction | May

Two years since The Chaos. 2029. In the aftermath of the global earthquake, Adam and Sarah are struggling to get by. Adam always envisioned that he and Sarah would be together "'til death do us part." But will a child come between them? The child she loves. The child he saved. Mia was supposed to die that New Year's Day. The numbers don't lie. But somehow she swapped her date for another—for Val's, Adam's beloved great-grandmother, who perished in the fire that destroyed Sarah's family home. And Adam just can't get past that. Mia's only a baby, oblivious to her special power. But ruthless people are hunting her down, desperate to steal her secret. Because everyone wants to live forever.

Canadian Celebrations

By Susan Hughes | ISBN 978-1-4431-0733-4
Ages 7-9 | PB | Non-fiction | May

It's clear that Canada has a lot to celebrate. From First Nations powwows and potlatches, through the traditional festivities of the early settlers, up to the way we now mark birthdays and public holidays, Canadian Celebrations will explore the many ways we celebrate. Five brightly illustrated chapters cover National Aboriginal Day, Thanksgiving, Celebrate Canada (including Canada Day, Saint Jean-Baptiste Day, and Canadian Muticulturalism Day), the Calgary Stampede, and the Quebec Carnival.

Scholastic Discover More™: Night Sky

By Giles Sparrow | ISBN 978-0-545-38374-5
Ages 12 & up | FB | Non-fiction | May

Using specially devised star charts, this book helps readers identify particular constellations, recognize the difference between a star and a planet, and understand why the entire sky appears to spin. They will discover how stars are born and die, what nebulae are, and how comets and asteroids are formed. This book is packed with the latest stunning images of our universe and is a must-have for all young aspiring astronomers. Hang on to your seats for this informative, stellar tour of our amazing Universe!

Scholastic Discover More™: Technology

By Clive Gifford | ISBN 978-0-545-38373-8
Ages 12 & up | FB | Non-fiction | May

This book investigates the science behind technology, taking readers on a journey of discovery that they will never forget. It uncovers the smart tech of mobile phones, wi-fi, and GPS, as well as the inner workings of game consoles. It examines the world of movement—how cars, airplanes, and other vehicles run. It delves into nanotechnology, spy gadgets, cyborgs, building in space, and the eco house. Explore the pages of this book to discover how the coolest technology of today really works!

Je ne veux pas etre un petit pois

Hugo sait avec certitude ce que Bella et lui porteront au bal costumé féerique hippos-oiseaux. Ils seront la princesse et le petit pois. Bien sûr, c'est lui qui sera la princesse et la pauvre Bella devra se contenter du pois. Mais Bella est indignée et refuse. Elle a une meilleure idée : ils seront une sirène sur un rocher. Elle sera la sirène (bien entendu) et Hugo sera le rocher. Ce dernier n'est pas content. Bella non plus. Sauront-ils trouver un terrain d'entente? Le message de ce livre porte donc sur l'amitié et sur les compromis qui sont parfois nécessaires. (With wonderfully absurd illustrations from new talent Simon Rickerty and a great read-aloud text, this is a made-for-sharing picture book.)

Etrangere chez moi

By Christy Jordan-Fenton & Margaret Pokiak-Fenton | ISBN 978-1-4431-1875-0
Ages 9-12 | PB | July

Margaret a dix ans et elle se réjouit à l'idée de rentrer à la maison après avoir passé deux ans dans un pensionnat. Mais quand elle retrouve enfin sa famille, sa mère ne la reconnaît pas et crie : « Pas ma fille! » Cet accueil n'est pas celui que Margaret espérait. Elle a oublié la langue de son peuple et a du mal à avaler la nourriture de sa mère. Margaret n'a même pas le droit de jouer avec son amie Agnès parce que les gens trouvent qu'elle ressemble trop aux étrangers détestés. Elle est devenue une étrangère parmi les siens. Dans ce deuxième livre extraordinaire, Margaret dépeint le portrait de son apprentissage difficile pour retrouver sa place et réconcilier son ancienne personnalité avec la nouvelle. (In this extaordinary sequel to Fatty Legs (Les bas du pensionnat) Margaret must begin a painful journey of learning how to fit again, how to reconcile her old self with the new.)