Jesus Calling

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (Contains Affiliate Link)

Devotions written as if Jesus is speaking directly to a child's heart.

Based on her original Jesus Calling, this version has been adapted in a language and fashion that kids and tweens can relate to their everyday lives.
After many years of writing in her prayer journal, missionary Sarah Young decided to listen to God with pen in hand, writing down what she believed He was saying to her through Scripture. Others were blessed as she shared her writings, until people all over the world were using her devotionals.  They are written from Jesus' point of view, thus the title Jesus Calling.  It is Sarah's fervent prayer that our Savior may bless readers, and now young readers, with His presence and His peace in ever deeper measure. (From Amazon.com product listing.)

The Cutest Nature Book Ever

The Cutest Nature Book Ever by Carrie Anton (Contains Affiliate Link)

My Nature Notebook is a girl's guide to having fun with nature. The book is designed to get girls outside and appreciate the great outdoors through:
-craft challenges that give girls a reason to explore their outdoor surroundings and then make fun things with the items they've collected.
-prompts that inspire girls to journal and write creative stories about nature.
-instructions on how to preserve things found in nature, such as how to press leaves and press flowers.
-games played outdoors using items found outside. (From Amazon.com product listing.)

Big Nate Strikes Again

Big Nate Strikes Again by Lincoln Peirce (Contains Affiliate Link)

Big Nate will surpass all others! But it won't be easy. He's stuck with Gine, his all-time enemy, who just might ruin everything! Will Nate win or lose? Pass or fail? Or end up in dentention....again!! For fans of the hilaious Diary of a Wimpy Kid series: Meet Big Nate, self-described genius and definitely NOT the teacher's pet. (From Amazon.com product listing)

There's A Tarantula In My Homework

There's A Tarantula In My Homework by Susan Clymer (Contains Affiliate Link)

After Micah's class adopts a tarantula as the new class pet, a mysterious chain of vanishing treats keeps everyone guessing, until the hungry culprit is finally discovered. (From Amazon.com product listing.)

The Door in the Dragon's Throat

The Door in the Dragon's Throat by Frank E. Peretti (Contains Affiliate Link)

A mystery as old as the desert sands…
When teenagers Jay and Lila Cooper and their archaeologist father travel to Nepur, an uninviting land of deserts and danger, they must search to uncover the truth behind an ancient legend. Locals claim that inside a dark cavern called the Dragon's Throat is a forbidden Door that brings certain death to anyone who tries to open it.
Armed with the knowledge that God is more powerful than any legend or curse, Jay and Lila plunge down into the Dragon's Throat, determined to find out what awaits them on the other side of the Door. This daring tale will have you on the edge of your seat. (From Amazon.com product listing.)

Among the Enemy

Among the Enemy by Margaret Peterson Haddix (Contains Affiliate Link)

The Population Police are gaining more and more power and illegal third-borns are in increasing danger. In the most exciting Shadow Children book yet, Margaret Peterson Haddix examines how the courage of individuals can make an impact on growing evil. (From Amazon.com product listing)

The Human Machine

The Human Machine by Richard Walker (Contains Affiliate Link)

We share our planet with an incredible range of life-millions of species of animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms. Although we are the most intelligent of all life-forms, we are, like other creatures, biological machines that walk, feed, drink, and behave. And, in our case, talk, create, think, and remember. The Human Machine is a splendid and unique guide to the human body and the way it works, a user's manual covering all aspects of the body's activities, including troubleshooting and repairs. On each and every page of this book you can discover everything you need to know and understand about the body's huge range of operations. Like any manual, The Human Machine is highly organized. Check out any aspect of the body machine's workings and you will be presented with clear explanations of what the body does and exactly how it does it. Every page is filled with helpful color illustrations, engaging text, and sidebar boxes that offer a wealth of information: True or False questions to test your knowledge, Top Tips highlighting key information, Rival Products comparing humans to other organisms, as well as Design Features, Additional Data, Web Links, and more. For all those who want to "look under the hood," The Human Machine offers an innovative and accessible way to explore an incredibly complex and sophisticated piece of engineering-the human body. Young readers will have fun finding out about the body's operating and maintenance systems, and all the key components that make this miraculous machine work so well. (From Amazon.com product listing)

Small Farm Business

Small Farm Business by Sarah Beth Aubrey (Contains Affiliate Link)

Running your own small farm is demanding enough, but making it profitable presents a host of further challenges. In this business-savvy guide to farming on a small scale, Sarah Aubrey covers everything from financial plans and advertising budgets to web design and food service wholesalers. Learn how to isolate your target audience and craft artisanal products that will delight and amaze customers. With a solid business strategy in place, you can confidently turn your passion into a productive and profitable venture. (From Amazon.com product listing.)

State of Wonder

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett (Contains Affiliate Link)

“Expect miracles when you read Ann Patchett’s fiction.”—New York Times Book Review
Award-winning, New York Times bestselling author Ann Patchett returns with a provocative and assured novel of morality and miracles, science and sacrifice set in the Amazon rainforest. Infusing the narrative with the same ingenuity and emotional urgency that pervaded her acclaimed previous novels Bel Canto, Taft, Run, The Magician’s Assistant, and The Patron Saint of Liars, Patchett delivers an enthrallingly innovative tale of aspiration, exploration, and attachment in State of Wonder—a gripping adventure story and a profound look at the difficult choices we make in the name of discovery and love (From Amazon.com product listing.)

Blended Medicine

Blended Medicine by Michael Castleman (Contains Affiliate Link)

This work profiles 21 mainstream and alternative therapies, including naturopathy, yoga, and biofeedback. Each method is explained and reasons for its use and level of success, are given. An A to Z reference of 106 health conditions, with the most effective complimentary remedies, is included. (From Amazon.com product listing.)

You Can Conquer Pain

You Can Conquer Pain by Leon Chaitow (Contains Affiliate Link)

Conquer pain without resorting to harmful medicines! That's the promise of this guide written by an internationally recognized expert on holistic health. It offers a wide range of natural approaches, including meditation, hypnotherapy, light and color therapy, herbalism, and more. A special directory lists advice on common problems such as headache, neck and shoulder pain, and backache, while self-help exercises and illuminating diagrams take readers on a step-by-step journey to a pain-free life. (From Amazon.com product listing.)

Healing ADHD

Healing ADHD by Daniel G. Amen, M.D. (Contains Affiliate Link)

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a national health crisis that continues to grow—yet it remains one of the most misunderstood and incorrectly treated illnesses today. Now, using breakthrough diagnostic techniques, Dr. Daniel Amen has discovered that there are six distinct types of ADD, each requiring a different treatment.

With recommendations for prescription drugs, nutraceutical therapy, cognitive reprogramming, parenting and educational strategies, biofeedback, self-hypnosis and more, Dr. Amen’s revolutionary approach provides a treatment program that can lead sufferers of ADD to a normal, peaceful, and fully functional life.

Sufferers from ADD often say, The harder I try, the worse it gets."  Dr. Amen tells them, for the first time, how to get well. (From Amazon.com product listing.)

Crochet Tips & Tricks

Crochet Tips & Tricks by Lily Chin (Contains Affiliate Link)

Every crocheter, from the newest beginner to the most versatile expert, needs an accessible technique guide. And who better to compile one than Lily Chin—the author of four hugely popular knitting and crocheting manuals, a veteran teacher, and one of the fastest crocheters in the world?

Lily Chin's Crochet Tips & Tricks compiles more than 75 of her best techniques—some collected from her regularly sold-out classes, many more never seen before—into one comprehensive, pocket-size guide. This book is filled with simple solutions to every crocheter's pet peeves, as well as nonstandard approaches to some of the biggest crocheting bugaboos. At the end of it, you'll be left with one satisfying question: "Why didn't I think of that?!" (From Amazon.com product listing)

Cross Bones

Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs (Contains Affiliate Link)

A gripping and explosive new thriller from internationally acclaimed forensic anthropologist and New York Times bestselling author Kathy Reichs, featuring Temperance Brennan and Detective Andrew Ryan on the trail of a modern murder and an ancient biblical mystery...
When an Orthodox Jewish man is found shot to death in Montreal, Temperance Brennan is called in to examine the body and to figure out the puzzling damage to the corpse. Unexpectedly, a stranger slips her a photograph of a skeleton and assures her it is the key to the victim's death. Before she knows it, Tempe is involved in an international mystery as old as Jesus, and one that could lead to the rewriting of two thousand years of religious history.
As Tempe investigates, she learns that the stranger's picture shows bones uncovered during an archaeological dig. She discovers the Montreal shooting victim ran an import business that just might have been a front for the trading of black market antiquities. Along with Detective Andrew Ryan and biblical archaeologist Jake Drum, Tempe travels to Israel to probe the origins of the skeleton and the ancient crypt in which it was found. Together they make a startling discovery that raises radical questions about Christ's death and places them squarely in the middle of a swirling controversy. Could one of the tombs really be Christ's last resting place? Are the bones in the ancient ossuary the last remnants of James, the brother of Jesus, as the inscription claims? Or has someone concocted an elaborate hoax?
Using her skills as a forensic scientist, Tempe plunges into the most controversial case of her career. The stakes have never been higher -- the more she learns, the greater the danger. And though Ryan is sexier and more engaging than ever, he may not be able to protect Tempe in this place where there seem to be so many foes.
Cross Bones, with its lightning pace, intricately plotted story, riveting and state-of-the-art forensic detail, is Kathy Reichs's most compelling and dramatic novel yet. (From Amazon.com product listing.)

Dr. Jekyll land Mr. Hyde and Other Stories of the Supernatural

Dr. Jekyll land Mr. Hyde and Other Stories of the Supernatural by Robert Louis Stevenson (Contains Affiliate Link)

The classic, chilling tale of a legendary double life, with an introduction from best-selling author Garth Nix.

Respectable citizen by day . . . killer by night? This is Robert Louis Stevenson's harrowing tale of good and evil -- caught in the same person. (From Amazon.com product listing.)

Lassie Come Home

Lassie Come Home by Eric Knight (Contains Affiliate Link)

Lassie is Joe's prize collie and constant companion. But when Joe's father loses his job, Lassie must be sold. Three times she escapes from her new owner, and three times she returns home to Joe, until finally she is taken to the remotest part of Scotland―too far a journey for any dog to make alone . . . But Lassie is not just any dog.

Encyclopedia of the Victorian Era

Encyclopedia of the Victorian Era by James Eli Adams

Designed with a broad audience in mind, this interdisciplinary encyclopedia edited by Adams (associate professor of English, Cornell) and two experienced reference book editors is "intended to provide sweeping coverage of the social, political, and intellectual landscape of the British-dominated world during the years of the reign of Queen Victoria, 1837-1901." Though the emphasis is British, coverage extends to places around the globe where Victorian culture made a mark. Thus, the discussion in Agriculture is not confined to Britain but also considers India and America.
More than 620 alphabetically arranged entries vary in length from 500 to 4,000 words and cover topics such as Child labor, Crimean War, Domestic workers, East India Company, Electricity, Gardens and garden design, Gothic revival, Music halls, Race and racism, Railways, and Sanitation. The preface explains that, since biographical information is generally so easy to find, subject-based essays were favored over biographies in the selection of topics, but some individuals are included because they were "inarguably important" or because they "represented a tendency." Approximately one-third of the entries are biographical, covering Alexander Graham Bell, Julia Margaret Cameron, Lewis Carroll, Charles Darwin, Karl Marx, and others. Among the Americans who are included are Horatio Alger, Susan B. Anthony, John James Audubon, and P. T. Barnum.
The 350 black-and-white illustrations are generally well chosen. Further reading lists attached to entries include primary as well as secondary material and some Web pages, many from the Victorian Web [http://www.victorianweb.org]. Appendixes provide an undated map of the British Isles (a map of Victorian London would have been a nice addition), selected primary documents, and selected Web resources. See also references facilitate access, as does a "Synoptic Table of Contents" that classifies entry headings under broad topics such as "Biographies" and "Sexuality and Gender." The index is quite detailed. For example, under diseases and epidemics, in addition to the main entry, there are 37 other page references, from Boer War to worldwide smallpox outbreak (1871-73), along with see also references to cholera and venereal disease.
Though a few contributors employ academic jargon, writing is very accessible on the whole. Adding to the set's readability is the strong emphasis on matters of daily life. Entries such as Cabs and omnibuses, Governesses, Hair, Lighting, and London Season provide value for fans of Victorian fiction, as well as for students and researchers. The encyclopedia is recommended for academic and large public libraries. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
(From Amazon.com product listing.)

Insects and Other Invertebrates

Insects and Other Invertebrates by Amy-Jane Beer

These volumes compose the third cluster of the five-set World of Animals collection, so far joining Mammals (2003) and birds [RBB Mr 1 04]. Insects continues set numbering where birds left off and is numbered volumes 21-30. Libraries that shelve by Dewey decimal number will find that this new set is shelved prior to both previously released clusters, even though the volume numbers indicate a continuing set.
Geared to middle- through high-school students, the set groups species that share similar characteristics or have similar lifestyles, such as simple and wormlike animals, crustaceans, arachnids, mollusks, and echinoderms. Six of the ten volumes are devoted to insects. Because the set contains a huge diversity of animal types, a "Find the Animal" guide is included in each volume. Much like Birds and mammals, each 128-page volume presents information in two types of articles. The first introduces and provides a general overview of major groups (mollusks, insects, flies, jelly animals). The second type, which constitutes the majority of the text, concentrates on describing important groups in detail (jellyfish, sea anemones, corals).
Well-written entries range in length from two to six pages and include numerous full-color photographs and illustrations. These detailed, vivid, and captioned pictures enhance the highly appealing and browsable layout. Many entries have highlighted boxes that offer interesting side notes, for example, the deadly effectiveness of the Australian Box Jellyfish toxin. Cross-referencing in the bottom margin includes related animal or topic, with volume and page number. Each volume concludes with a volume-specific glossary, lists of further reading and Web sites, and a set index.
An additional noteworthy feature is the "data panel" found at the beginning of each entry. Data found here include common name, phylum, number of species, size, key features, habits, diet, breeding, habitat, and distribution. School and public libraries alike will find that this set contains sufficient information to serve the needs of a variety of student users and will appeal to the casual browser as well. Shauna Yusko
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Mapping the World

Mapping the World Produced y Andromeda Oxford Limited (Contains Affiliate Link)

This set of brief volumes is intended to describe the history of cartography, discuss its importance in the development of various cultures, and explain how it is done. Each of the individual volumes examines a particular aspect of mapping: "Ways of Mapping the World," "Observation and Measurement," "Maps for Travelers," "Navigation," "Mapping New Lands," "Mapping for Governments," "City Maps," and "Mapping for Today and Tomorrow." Within each volume, around 12 or 13 separate topics are presented in sections of two to six pages. In addition to the numerous maps that appear throughout the set, every page is enhanced with nicely captioned illustrations, most in color. At the bottom of each left-hand page there are cross-references to other sections in the set that expand on some aspect of the subject under discussion. Many of the topics are classroom oriented and encourage students to carry out activities for further study. Words appearing in a volume's glossary are indicated in italics. Each volume concludes with further reading and Web sites as well as a comprehensive index.
Although this set fills a need, is nicely arranged, and has an appealing layout, it is somewhat weak on content. This would be an additional purchase for upper-elementary and middle-school libraries wanting to supplement their map curriculum. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
(From Amazon.com product listing.)

Marine Sciences

Marine Sciences Edited by James W. Nybakken and William W. Broenkow (Contains Affiliate Link)

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up-More than 800 alphabetical entries vary in length from 250 to 2500 words and discuss topics ranging from "Abyssal Gigantism" to "Zooxanthellae." The informative articles cover the subdisciplines of oceanography (biological, chemical, geological, and physical) in addition to economics, marine life, and ecology of the oceans. Technologies used to explore this environment and biographies of important individuals are also included. Each accessible, signed entry concludes with a list of related articles and suggestions for further reading that will be useful for students. Volume one offers a complete contents list and the final volume concludes with a descriptive directory of research centers and educational institutions, a bibliography subdivided into disciplines, a synoptic outline, and a comprehensive index. More than 200 average-quality, black-and-white diagrams and photographs appear throughout the set. There is no pronunciation guide. This broad yet thorough resource will be useful in large public libraries and high schools with a marine science curriculum.
Maren Ostergard, Bellevue Regional Library, WA
(From Amazon.com product listing)

Diseases

Diseases by Bryan Bunch and Jenny Tesar (Contains Affiliate Link)

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up—Students will find a goldmine of basic reference information in these attractive, up-to-date volumes. Following an introduction with clear general-health guidelines and instructions on how to use the encyclopedia, diseases are presented alphabetically. Articles boast consistent internal organization and excellent visuals and explanations. The set emphasizes the diseases of young people, "from acne to warts" and a wide range in between. Layouts feature a visually inviting outside column devoted to titles, photos, and insets; a listing of the disease type (infectious, genetic, etc.); see-also references, and relevant Internet sites. The entries are divided by subheadings: cause, incidence, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, stages and progress, and prevention. Warnings and emergency information are printed in brick-red text that contrasts effectively with the black type and blue headings. The material is accurate and easy to understand, and scientific terms are explained clearly. Each volume has a set index. The only noticeable drawback in this thorough and accessible resource is the unavoidable dating of medical information—this is the third edition in 10 years. A great selection.—Mary R. Hofmann, Rivera Middle School, Merced, CA

From Booklist

This is the third edition of a set previously published in 1997 and 2002. Nothing has changed in terms of layout and design, which is a good thing, since we praised the old editions for being well organized and easy to use. Some entries now list Web sites for additional information. Also new is an expanded system of cross-references. Among the new entries are Cholesterol and triglycerides, SARS, and Travel and disease. The set is designed to correlate with National Health Education Standards. Providing up-to-date health information is crucial, and libraries will want to replace older editions. Mary Ellen Quinn
(From Amazon.com product listing)

Under the Microscope Science Tools

Under the Microscope Science Tools by John O.E. Clark (Contains Affiliate Link)

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-A survey of the scientific instruments and methods used to observe and measure the world around us. Volumes are divided by subject: Length and Distance, Measuring Time, Force and Pressure, Electrical Measurement, Using Visible Light, Using Invisible Light, Using Sound, Scientific Analysis, and Scientific Classification. Each book begins with a brief introductory paragraph and general overview on the units of measure. The short chapters range in length from two to six pages. For example, Length and Distance includes information on rulers and tapes, measuring long distances, angles and heights, area, volume, and making maps. Brief biographical sketches of one or two scientists are included in each title along with a volume-specific glossary, a set index, and the same list of resources for further reading and research. Numerous color photographs, well-drawn illustrations, and charts and tables enhance the usefulness of this resource.
Shauna Yusko, King County Library System, Bellevue, WA

From Booklist

Gr. 6-8. The nine volumes of the Science Tools set cover a broad range of topics and are arranged conceptually and applied to different branches of science. Each book begins with the same double-page spread on units of measurement, which includes names and symbols within the International System of measures as well as a conversion table relating customary units to metric units. From there, the interpretation of the term Science Tools is broad. A presentation might involve the ways in which scientists use visible or invisible light, the understanding and application of water pressure, or even tools of organizing knowledge, from the periodic table of chemical elements to the classification of plants, animals, blood types, and galaxies. This British series does not talk down to young people, and long sentences are not uncommon. Though the texts may include terms, such as monocotyledons, that are unfamiliar to many students at this level, the explanations within the text and definitions in the glossaries at the end of each volume make the meanings clear. Other additions to each volume include lists of books suggested for further reading and recommended Web sites. The many color illustrations include photographs and exceptionally clear diagrams that heighten the books' visual appeal and usefulness to students. An interesting and potentially helpful addition to reference or circulating collections. Carolyn Phelan
(From Amazon.com product listing)