20 Games to create with Scratch

By Max Wainwright

Sterling Childrens books

Age: 6-11

ISBN: 9781682970843

​Genre: Coding, How to, Gaming

​Become a super-coder and create your very own computer games using Scratch—a free software developed by MIT.
Calling all creative young gamers! With its easy-to-follow, illustrated step-by-step instructions, this book will teach you key concepts—like drawing shapes—so you can code your own games. By the end, any kid will be able to make 20 popular games, from Snake to Brick Bouncer.​

One Day We'll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter

By Scaachi Koul

Picador

​Age: All Ages

Genre: AutoBiography, Get Real

ISBN 13: 978-0385685351

Scaachi deploys her razor-sharp humour to share her fears, outrages, and mortifying experiences as an outsider growing up in Canada. She shaves her knuckles in grade school, a trip gone horribly awry, to dealing with internet trolls, to feeling out of place at an Indian wedding (as an Indian woman), to parsing the trajectory of fears and anxieties that pressed upon her immigrant parents and bled down a generation. Alongside these personal stories are pointed observations about life as a woman of colour, where every aspect of her appearance is open for critique, derision or outright scorn. Where strict gender rules bind in both Western and Indian cultures, forcing her to confront questions about gender dynamics, racial tensions, ethnic stereotypes and her father’s creeping mortality—all as she tries to find her feet in the world.

This Changes Everything

How the Gospel Transforms

the Teen Years

By Jacquelle Crowe

Crossway, $14.99 ​

Age:10 and up

​ISBN-13: 978-1-4335-5514-5

BISAC: Christian Nonfiction, Self-Help, Inspiration, Healthy Living, Godly Living, Biblical Living, Teen Writing for Teens, Gospel, Living Gospel, College and Beyond, Graduation, Gift Books, New-Adult and Adult Interest, Religion, Christian Life, Spiritual Growth

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Written by a teen for teens, with a wisdom beyond her years, author Jacquelle Crowe describes a life lived for Christ, and what a Christian life resembles from a biblical perspective. Her insights are short, succinct, witty, and full of wisdom, and I find myself returning to its pages to parts that particularly struck me, like Crowe's invitation to ask ourselves questions about our identity. What is the thing that defines me? And her conversational writing style and ability to capture well-known scenarios makes this a book for anyone, boy, girl, teen, adult, those interested in examining what a life lived for Christ truly looks like in a world focused on entitlement and materialism.

Winter 2018 Featured Books

The Thousandth Floor
​Book 1

By Kathereine McGee
HarperCollins PA

ISBN-13: 978-0062418609

​Random Illustrated Facts

By Mike Lowery

Workman Publishing

​Genre: Art, Fact's, Interesting 

​ISBN: 978-0761189954

​Did you know that Napoleon was once attacked by rabbits? Or that the Mars Rover sang itself “Happy Birthday”? How about the odd ingredient Civil War soldiers used to make coffee? rom Jupiter’s diamond showers to why pirates wore eye patches to the delightful link between dancing goats and the discovery of coffee, this collection of obscure and fascinating facts is brought to you by Mike Lowery, an illustrator and connoisseur of the offbeat. Featuring four gatefolds and hundreds of infographic webs that connect the trivia in dozens of surprising ways, it’s a little book that delivers endless delight.  

Fairy Mom and Me

By Sophie Kinsella

Illustrated by Marta Kissi

​Delacorte Books

Age: 7-10

Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Fantasy, Coming of age story, Magic, Wishes

Ella Brook can't wait to grow up, because one day she will become a fairy and have her own sparkly wings and a teacher on Fairy Tube, just like her mom! Until then, Ella has to learn by watching her mom in action. ​But sometimes spells go wrong, and Ella's mom can never seem to remember the right magic codes on her Computawand. A lot of the time, it's up to Ella to come to the rescue. Does she have what it takes to be a fairy one day? Or will there be more glitches than glitter?

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Norse Myth: Tales of Odin, Thor, and Loki

By Kevin Crossley-Holland

Illustrated by Jeffrey Alan Love

CandleWick Studio

Age: 9-16

Genre: Myths, Short Stories, Norse, Retellings, Gods, Illustration, Folklore

 A collaboration by two talented creators provides the perfect means to delve into Norse mythology and pore over the enthralling exploits of all-powerful Odin; mighty Thor and his hammer, Mjolnir; and Loki, the infamous trickster. From the creation of the nine worlds to the final battle of Ragnarok, Carnegie Medal winner Kevin Crossley-Holland details the Viking gods as never before, while Jeffrey Alan Love's lavish illustrations bring the mythic figures to life on the page. Readers will be caught up in the seesawing struggle for power between gods, dwarfs, and giants, punctuated by surprising love matches, thrilling journeys, and dazzling magic. With its well-researched, lyrical prose and its dramatic and powerful artwork, this wonderful gift edition makes the perfect book for both the staunchest fans of mythology and newcomers with no knowledge of Viking folklore.

The Dazzling Heights
​By Kathereine McGee
HarperCollins, 2017

BISAC: YA, Futuristic, Suspense, SciFi, Romance, Intrigue, Adventure, Elitism, Secrets, Friendship, Betrayal, Future Manhattan
​​ISBN 13​: 9780374470272   

                      
The Thousandth Floor book two now available, The Dazzling Heights, Hardcover – August 29, 2017, HarperCollins: Book one (Thousandth Floor) left me suspended from the highest heights and wanting to know what happened next. Filled with intrigue, an elitist society (Manhattan), taking place in a fantastically-imagined, futuristic, sci-fi world, with well-developed characters  whose fates will keep you reading long after dark (even if you don't like them all). 

Press Out + Color: Christmas Ornaments

By Kate Mclelland

Nosy Crow

​Age:7-10

Genre: How to, Make yourself, Arts and crafts, Christmas, Ornaments

​​Each of the twenty press-out Christmas decorations in this book can be easily slotted together to create cheerful hanging ornaments to adorn the Christmas tree or to add a festive touch to any space. Perfect for all ages, these gorgeous ornaments look elegant in white and gold, but even more glorious when colored.

Magical Forest

​By Anna Brett

Barron's Educational Series, Inc., 2017, $10.99

​Ages: 8-14

​Genre: 3D colorscapes, coloring book, magical forest, nature, adult interest

​ISBN:  9780764168833

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​When You Lose Someone You Love

​By Juanna Fink 

​Fox Chapel Publishing 

​Age: All Ages

​Genre: Lose, Religion, Faith

​ISBN: 978-1434764805

The loss of a loved one is difficult, but God is there to comfort. This book deals with the topic of loss with compassion and grace, guiding people as they work through grief. This is divided into sections to help people deal with the different emotions they are going through during grief, including uncertainty, deep sorrow, loneliness, growth, hope, etc. This includes touching anecdotes, encouraging Bible verses, and comforting and heart-felt quotes.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban Illustrated version

By J.K. Rowling

Illustrated By Jim Kay

Scholastic

Age:10+

Genre: Wizard and Witches, Magic, Coming of Age story, Juvenile Fiction, Illustration

A must have for collectors and a must read for all.

​For twelve long years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing thirteen people with a single curse, he was said to be the heir apparent to the Dark Lord, Voldemort.Now he has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed: Harry Potter's defeat of You-Know-Who was Black's downfall as well. And the Azkaban guards heard Black muttering in his sleep, "He's at Hogwarts . . . he's at Hogwarts."Harry Potter isn't safe, not even within the walls of his magical school, surrounded by his friends. Because on top of it all, there may well be a traitor in their midst.

Kid Authors: True Tales of Childhood from Famous Authors

By David Stabler

Illustrations by Doogie Horner

Qurik

Age: 10+

Genre: Short Stories, True Stories, Young Authors, Famous Authors, Writing

​​Every great author started out as a kid. Before the best sellers, fan clubs, and beloved stories we know today, the world's most celebrated writers had regular-kid problems just like you. Sam Clemens (aka Mark Twain) loved to skip school and make mischief, with his best friend Tom, of course! A young J. R. R. Tolkien was bitten by a huge tarantula—or as he called it, “a spider as big as a dragon.” Toddler Zora Neale Hurston took her first steps when a wild hog entered her house and started chasing her! Kid Artists tells their stories and more—the diverse and inclusive cast that includes Roald Dahl, Beverly Cleary, J. K. Rowling, Sherman Alexie, Jules Verne, Lewis Carroll, Stan Lee—through kid-friendly texts and full-color cartoon illustrations on nearly every page.

Love! Love! Love!

Flashback Four #2: The Titanic Mission

By Dan Gutman

HarperCollins 

Age: 8-12

Genre: Adventure, Time Travel, Juvenile Fiction, History

ISBN 13: 978-0062236357

​In New York Times bestselling author Dan Gutman’s thrilling Flashback Four series, four very different kids are picked by a mysterious billionaire to travel through time and photograph some of history's most important events. Blends fascinating real history with an action-packed adventure!

Page created with help from by Producer R.E.Carter and Intern-turned-editorial assistant Brayden Probst. You're both wonderful!

Loving vs. Virginia

By Patricia Hruby Powell

Illustration by Shadra Stickland

Chronicle Books

Ages: 8-12

ISBN 13: 978-1-4521-2590-9

Genre: Romance, History, Love, Forbidden, Race​

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Ballerina Theater

By Anna Brett

Barron's Educational Series, Inc., 2017, $10.99

​Ages: 8+

​Genre: 3D colorscapes, coloring book, ballerina, ballet, adult interest

​ISBN:  9780764168826

I saw these books and I had to have them! Love unique spins on the coloring trend, and these 3D color-scapes are too cool! For adults, teacher gifts, or older teens, I recommend Magical Forest. Ballerina Theater works for slightly younger audiences with crossover appeal to YA ballet enthusiasts. Be warned: not for the very young, coloring details may cause frustration.  ​​​

A Year of Tiny Pleasures

By Irene Smit & Astrid van der Hulst 

WorkMan Publishing

​Age: 10+

Genre: Calendar

​​The calendar that celebrates the little things in life that make us happy, from Flow, the international groundbreaking magazine that celebrates mindfulness and creativity. Each page of A Year of Tiny PleasuresPage-A-Day Calendar is a tribute to the moments and details that can turn a day around. Artist Deborah van der Schaaf’s delightful illustrations, in vibrant full color, celebrate beauty and whimsy in the everyday—and serve as charming reminders of what’s important, every day.

Flowers For Sarajevo​

By John Mccutcheon

Illustrated by Kristy Caldwell

Peach Tree Publishing

Age: 7-10

Genre: Juvenile Fiction, War, Rebirth, Flowers

ISBN 13: 9781561459438

The moving story of a young boy who discovers the power of beauty and kindness during a time of war. Drasko helps his father sell flowers in Sarajevo, but when war threatens and his father is called to the battlefront, Drasko must take over the flower stall. One morning the boy's familiar routine is shattered when a mortar shell hits the bakery, killing twenty-two people. The next day, a cellist from the Sarajevo Opera Orchestra goes to the crater and plays the most beautiful music that Drasko can imagine. Inspired, he looks for ways to ease the sorrow of those around him

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Thick as Thieves

By Megan Whalen Turner

GreenWillow

​Age:13+

Genre:Fantasy, Queens, Juvenile Fiction, Trilogy, Knights and Castles, Thieves

​​Thick as Thieves is the eagerly anticipated new stand-alone novel set in the world of the Queen’s Thief. New York Times-bestselling author Megan Whalen Turner’s entrancing and award-winning Queen’s Thief novels bring to life the world of the epics and feature one of the most charismatic and incorrigible characters of fiction, Eugenides the thief. Megan Whalen Turner’s Queen’s Thief novels are rich with political machinations and intrigue, battles lost and won, dangerous journeys, divine intervention, power, passion, revenge, and deception. Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Marie Lu, Patrick Rothfuss, and George R. R. Martin.

Philanthroparties:

A Party-Planning Guide

For Kids Who Want to Give Back

By Lulu Cerone

Beyond Words, $17.99

Age:10-18 (I say all ages)​

Curious Jane: Science & Engineering For Inquisitive Girls

​By Curious Jane

​Sterling Children's Books

​Age: 6-11

​Genre: Engineering, Science, Girls Life

​ISBN: 9781454922353

If you’re a girl who loves to get hands-on and tinker, here’s your chance to create to your heart’s content. Full of imaginative stuff to do and make, Curious Jane offers plenty of spectacular projects and DIY fun. From fantastic crafts to inspirational ideas for budding designers and inventors, this smart, colorful, and idea-packed book has the perfect project for every cool, creative young girl!

Josephine

By Patricia Hruby Powell

Illustrated by Christian Robinson

Chronicle Books

Age: 7-12

​Genre: Biography

​ISBN 13: 978-1452103143

In exuberant verse and stirring pictures, Patricia Hruby Powell and Christian Robinson create an extraordinary portrait for young people of the passionate performer and civil rights advocate Josephine Baker, the woman who worked her way from the slums of St. Louis to the grandest stages in the world. Meticulously researched by both author and artist, Josephine's powerful story of struggle and triumph is an inspiration and a spectacle, just like the legend herself.