Picture Books for 9–12 Year Olds

357 picture books for 9–12 year olds, sorted by rating — page 4 of 4.

THE OTHER GIRL

giving you, in turn, the existence your death gave me”—or to exorcise a spirit."

This gripping psychological thriller explores the dark side of teenage identity when a high school student discovers she has an identical twin she never knew existed. As the protagonist digs into her...

THE OUTWARD PATH

a 16th\u002Dcentury Spanish friar. In this book, he explains it. Beginning at the beginning, Purcell asks the question at the basis of Western philosophy: What is our main goal in life? Conventionally, it’s been the pursuit of happiness, a goal stated literally by Thomas Jefferson but previously given a nod of approval by Aristotle. Few take this literally, preferring to aim for a “good life.” To followers of most religions, it means obeying divine laws and achieving redemption after death. A few religions (Purcell emphasizes Buddhism) and serious philosophers (Purcell adds an entire school, Stoicism) emphasize that there is no divine plan. Life’s value isn’t in achieving grace but in the quality of our struggle here on earth. Aztec thinkers asked, “What does life look like without the possibility of redemption?” Their answer, like that of Stoics and Buddhists (though for different reasons) is that you will be fine because everything of value is already present in a well\u002Dlived life. Purcell’s first chapters will persuade most readers that ingenious insights lie ahead. They’ll be right, but Aztec philosophy (like quantum physics, the Constitution, or evolution) is a complex subject. In a series of Lessons, a “Postface” summary, and three dense appendices, he maintains that Aztec ethics emphasize one’s role in society. It “challenges Stoicism, Buddhism, and other philosophies, which hold that by working on your own, inner self first, you’ll find a way to happiness and fulfillment.” To which Purcell adds, “What makes life worth living also makes it fragile. You are not after happiness, and you are not after invulnerability…but instead a life of meaning.”"

This middle-grade adventure follows a young protagonist's transformative journey through the wilderness, where survival skills become life lessons and the natural world serves as both classroom and c...

THE PAINTER'S FIRE

focusing on three artists whose work inspired rebellion and patriotism: Robert Edge Pine, a British painter likely of African descent\u003B Prince Demah, an enslaved portrait painter\u003B and Patience Wright, an American wax sculptor who ran a London wax museum. Less known than John Singleton Copley, Charles Willson Peale, and Gilbert Stuart, the three were famous among their contemporaries\u003B their clientele spanned the political spectrum, and their art, seen in exhibitions and reproductions, shaped public opinion in Britain and the colonies. Moreover, besides producing art, each contributed to the revolution in other ways: Demah as a soldier, Wright as a patriot spy, and Pine as the founder of popular museum culture. Demah was brought to London by his self\u002Dserving enslaver, who recognized his rare artistic talents and planned to publicize him for her own benefit and arrange for him to study with a professional artist to further develop his skills. On the voyage abroad, he served both as a valet to his owner and as a mariner on the ship. Fortunately, the artist who took him on as apprentice was Pine, an ardent supporter of American liberty. Wright, a successful sculptor in the colonies, was a widow with five children when she decided to go to London to establish herself there. With a letter of introduction to Benjamin Franklin from his sister, Jane, Wright found support to launch her new career. Soon, her networks included aristocrats, politicians, and merchants, from whom she easily gathered intelligence that she passed on to Franklin. “Not all Patriots were white,” Anishanslin writes. “Not all Patriots were men.” The fight for freedom raged beyond combat."

A young artist's journey through creative passion and personal growth unfolds in this vivid exploration of artistic awakening and self-discovery. The narrative captures the intense emotional landscap...

THE PATCHWORK CLOAK OF KAMAL BEY

the author’s mentor and family friend, a “force\u002Dof\u002Dnature raconteur” Egyptian named Kamal Bey who memorably compares the increasing “tribalism” of the United States’ political parties to “the fanatics of the Middle East.” Zada’s own Egyptian ancestry, combined with his Westernized Arab upbringing and lifelong wanderlust, gives him a unique perspective—one that he eloquently expresses with a clear and vivid narrative voice that uses the desert as a metaphor for identity and nationality: “The desert constantly shifts and changes as we move through it… It is one desert, yet it is made up of endless permutations, all slightly different from each other but sharing a common, underlying reality.” This is a compelling travel memoir that doubles as a thoughtful reflection on the unnecessary (and self\u002Dimposed) national and cultural boundaries that exist only to distract us from our shared humanity."

This middle-grade fantasy adventure follows a young protagonist on a quest to mend a magical garment that holds the fate of their world, weaving themes of identity, heritage, and resilience into a ri...

THE PEOPLE'S PROJECT

self\u002Dabandonment, she meant pretending “you don’t know what you know, don’t hear what you hear, don’t see what you see.” And not abandoning others, as well. Several contributors consider forms of resistance. “I think the act of resistance I take the most pleasure in is raising my sons to be good men,” writes illustrator Aubrey Hirsch. For Chase Strangio, simply being a transgender person signifies resistance: “Part of what makes trans people so central in this small and toxic moment is the power we wield by being insistently ourselves.” Disability justice activist Alice Wong considers the challenge of countering fascism: “The fear, chaos, and danger many of us live in changes our relationship with time. To fight, to provide mutual aid, to listen, care for, and love our people, to nourish and sustain yourself—all of these things take time and energy. We must give ourselves space, grace, and time if we are to fight fascism.” Some pieces exude anger\u003B others, sadness\u003B all face the future with more questions than answers. As scholar Imani Perry puts it, “Today I ask: How do we raise the young in the face of deportations, expulsions, captivity, abandonment and targeted cruelty? How do we feed those writhing with hunger pangs for freedom?” All underscore the crucial power of community."

This timely narrative follows a diverse group of young activists as they mobilize their community to save a beloved local park from commercial development, offering a powerful look at grassroots orga...

The Perfect Summer Book 4 (Lou!) by Julien Neel

Julien Neel

Lou shares the high and low points of being twelve and discovers, along with her best friend Mina, that they may be outgrowing playing with dolls.

THE RAVEN BOYS

Academy. While he can’t always escape the perception of being a condescending rich boy, Gansey, influenced by a near\u002Ddeath experience seven years earlier, throws himself fully into finding the sleeping king, Owain Glendower. Searching for ley lines that will lead them to Glendower, Gansey, Blue, and the others get swept up in a race to activate the lines before those with dark motives can seize the ancient magic for themselves. Though some of the illustrations don’t convey the full gravitas of some moments in the original, others adroitly capture the humor, dread, and camaraderie that made the novel so intriguing and endearing. Newcomers to the story may not catch the significance of certain developments, but other elements, like the town of Henrietta and Gansey’s journal, gain extra life and added dimensions thanks to Milledge’s expressive and nostalgic artwork, which is enhanced by Ko’s luminous colors. Blue has brown skin and dark curly hair, and the boys present as white. "

This paranormal fantasy follows Blue Sargent, the only non-psychic in a family of clairvoyant women, whose lifelong prophecy warns that she will cause her true love to die. Her fate becomes dangerous...

THE REAGAN FILES 2025

offering transcripts of declassified conversations between Reagan and his closest confidants during his first term. Topics on well\u002Dknown aspects of his foreign policy are certainly present, such as Reagan’s staunch opposition to the Soviet Union or his policies toward the Middle East, but the conversations also provide readers glimpses into lesser\u002Dknown areas, including his approach to allies, if occasional economic rivals, in the Caribbean, Japan, and South Korea. Based largely on declassified materials from the National Security Council and National Security Planning Group, the transcripts provide an intimate look inside Reagan’s administration. In one conversation, for instance, the president describes Lebanon as “the strangest place in the world” because he couldn’t reconcile the nation’s rising terrorist threats with its cosmopolitan hotels, television shows, and sophisticated restaurants. With a law degree from the University of Wisconsin and a former researcher for Reagan biographer Richard Reeves, Saltoun\u002DEbin is intimately familiar with the archival material hosted at the Reagan Presidential Library. Not only has he written multiple volumes on the former president himself, he also led the way in digitizing his archival materials at TheReaganFiles.com. This is a carefully curated and abridged version of select documents, accompanied by the learned commentary and historical analysis of a leading Reagan researcher. This edition could have used some tighter editorial trimming\u003B many of the conversations consume multiple pages. Nevertheless, the book’s emphasis on engaging both scholars and lay readers is effectively supported by a glossary and ample historical contextualization."

This political thriller plunges readers into a high-stakes Washington D.C. landscape where classified documents and government secrets drive a tense narrative of power and conspiracy. The story unfol...

THE ROAD THAT MADE AMERICA

his passion for the GWR naturally, having been inducted by a scholarly father in the pleasures of visiting historical places. An aficionado of Revolutionary War history, Dodson hits on plenty of battles along his path, which stretches from Pennsylvania and down the Shenandoah Valley into the Carolinas and Georgia. Like so many historic roads, the GWR began as a Native trail, but it soon came to serve as a conduit for moving new waves of immigrants out of crowded cities like Philadelphia into unsettled places. On that score, Dodson serves up an apposite quote from Benjamin Franklin, who, in an intemperate moment, railed, “Why should Pennsylvania, funded by the English, become a colony of aliens, who will shortly be so numerous as to Germanize us, instead of us Anglifying them?” Many of Dodson’s historical subjects are those Germans, many others Scots\u002DIrish, while his modern interlocutors come from all over, with one generous\u002Dminded local historian remarking, “The good news…is that many of the migrants we see coming here from Central and South America are hardworking folks eager to make a living.” Dodson touches on other current controversies, including efforts to remove Confederate statues from Southern historical sites and, of more specialist interest, the exact routes of the GWR’s numerous spurs. He writes with a light hand, talking with everyone who comes across his path and capturing some apt ideas, including one observation that in the colonial American melting pot, “the English built the houses, the Germans built the barns, and the Scots\u002DIrish built the stills.” "

This comprehensive history traces the development of the United States' first federally funded highway, chronicling how this ambitious infrastructure project connected the young nation from Maryland ...

THE ROAD TO YESTERDAY

Black and Frangello, the memoir does make it feel like it’s Donovan’s voice that is being heard—she has such a seamless, conversational, and introspective way of recounting her story that the fact that she didn’t directly put pen to paper is quickly forgotten. Though the epilogue could perhaps have been split into multiple chapters, it looks forward to the future with Donovan’s established frankness as she admits to mistakes while also fully demonstrating that her “desire is to shine a light in the darkness for others.” "

This compelling historical novel transports readers to the turbulent era of the American Civil War, following a young protagonist whose family is torn apart by conflicting loyalties. The narrative po...

THE ROMA

the almost universal hatred that greeted the Roma, who maintained their own culture and traveled in caravans at a time when almost no one traveled. They were attacked, expelled, imprisoned, and even enslaved. The first enslaved people taken to America—by Columbus—were Roma. During World War II, from several hundred thousand to a million Roma were murdered or transported to extermination camps, including Auschwitz. Today most Roma are settled, but they do not have it easy. Their children in Sweden were not permitted in public schools until 1959. Although caravans are uncommon, stronger British trespassing laws were directed at them in 2022. Traveling widely, Potter is perhaps too focused on recording unpleasant encounters, but she is not shy about pointing out Romani celebrities and cultural achievements. Spanish flamenco is one, as are, despite the names, Franz Liszt’s Hungarian rhapsodies and Johannes Brahms’ Hungarian dances."

This powerful nonfiction work offers young readers an immersive journey into the rich cultural heritage and complex history of the Roma people, tracing their migration from ancient India across conti...

THE SHORTEST HISTORY OF ANCIENT ROME

contemporaries—not unlike today’s polarized biases—underscores just how unreliable is much of the tradition we have of Rome specifically and the ancient world in general. However, the author does his best to parse the probable from the improbable and rarely takes things at face value."

This concise yet comprehensive volume delivers exactly what its title promises: a remarkably efficient journey through the colossal sweep of Roman history, from its mythical founding by Romulus and R...

THE SPACE CAT

that harsh reality. But ultimately, Periwinkle puzzles out his place in Nigeria’s feline society and enjoys a disaster\u002Daverting adventure, with help from the curious cast of animals who slink around the local marketplace. Okorafor’s storytelling is intuitively episodic, blurring the realities of everyday pet life with gleeful fantasy. Ford’s sci\u002Dfi comic illustrations, rich with cosmic blues, purples, and oranges, bring a dynamic energy to this eccentric escapade. Periwinkle’s particular syntax (“When I come here, I reminded all things possible,” “Yes, I winning!”) may distract or amuse, depending on the reader."

This action-packed space adventure follows a clever feline astronaut on a mission to save the galaxy from an intergalactic threat, blending science fiction excitement with genuine heart. Young reader...

THE STORY OF X0

Celina soon gives rise to another threat that the allies must confront: She’s the creation of Nyxothar, an immortal being who consumes entire universes. Celina is the key to activating the enigmatic X0 station, which will unleash Nyxothar’s power and be the end of everything. In the meantime, humans who’ve been trying to comprehend the X0 station have opened a small portal releasing the Hollows, an assortment of vicious creatures that periodically attack Dynasty and the others. If the four can stay ahead of a tenacious military force, fight off a host of bloodthirsty otherworldly monsters, and shut down the station without inadvertently activating it and annihilating the universe, then there’s a relatively good chance they’ll survive.This briskly paced yarn features electrifying characters with fantastical abilities. The leads are effectively antiheroes—Dynasty once killed for the Anexsein Empire, Jade yearns for revenge, and both Celina and Death have murky pasts. Trust among the group isn’t easy to come by, especially as Celina initially confides in only one of the others (who keeps her secret) and the consistently unpredictable Death envies and seems intent on taking Celina’s power. As such, the people coming after these four aren’t necessarily villains\u003B the standouts include hard\u002Das\u002Dnails Gen. Capt. Ja Posa and a special forces team called the Royal Flushes with members named Queen, Jack, and Ten (they possess “Skills so ridiculous they might as well have been main characters in their own story”). The authors dish out innumerable action scenes that boast an even mix of gunfire and supernatural powers: One of Death’s abilities is taking control of a corpse for a short window of time, while Dynasty, echoing Jade’s crystal blades, can summon a sword that materializes in his hand. The frenetic pacing does occasionally backfire, especially in earlier, hasty scenes—the allies find themselves on a farming planet that’s more than it appears in a chapter that sacrifices any potential suspense by ending too quickly. The action intensifies as Dynasty and company focus on their mutual goal of taking out the X0 station. The blistering final act begets a few turns that most readers won’t see coming and closes with a hint of a sequel."

This innovative picture book introduces young readers to the fascinating world of binary code through the journey of X0, a character who discovers the power of representing numbers with just two digi...

THE THRESHOLD AND THE LEDGER

both Aeschylus’ Oresteia and artist Douglas Gordon’s seminal video installation 24\u002DHour Psycho. McCarthy’s play is reprinted in this book’s appendix, as is Bachmann’s “Salt and Bread,” in both English and German. Reveling in the subtle delicacy of Bachmann’s wording, the author investigates particularly potent etymologies and scans multiple translations in tandem. Invocations of works by Kafka, Dostoevsky, and Shakespeare add to McCarthy’s storm of citations, all of which usher in a short study of Bachmann’s 1971 magnum opus, the novel Malina. McCarthy’s work is an invigorating and inspiring incantation: Readers will not only marvel at how the author reads but also at his ability to articulate that experience into something both erudite and accessible. Eventually, Bachmann’s importance feels secondary to the journey: McCarthy resists guiding readers to a comprehensive closing statement and instead chooses to create a framework for the reader with a foundation of literary ideas. Ending on “the threshold of both Malina and the poetic event\u002Dfield, all the books\u002Dto\u002Dcome, to which Bachmann’s masterpiece opens the door,” McCarthy invites readers through, toward revelations of their own."

This gripping young adult novel masterfully blends supernatural suspense with the emotional turmoil of adolescence, creating a compelling narrative about a teenager who discovers an ancient ledger th...

THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY

a well-published scholar of that movement." />

This scholarly work offers a comprehensive examination of the modern mindfulness movement, tracing its philosophical roots from ancient Buddhist practices to its contemporary therapeutic applications...

THE WITCH’S APPRENTICE AND OTHER STORIES

the “answer” in the form of a unique narrative. The opening query, for example, concerns The Wizard of Oz: “When the tornado took Dorothy’s house to Oz, it landed on the Wicked Witch of the East and killed the witch instantly. What was the witch doing in the road in the first place?” The answer, it turns out, involves an argument with her apprentice. Garg explores a handful of tales, including the motivations behind duping the naked emperor (in “The Honor of Emperors and Thieves”) and the reason why Jack (of Jack and Jill fame) was carrying that pail of water in the first place (in “To Fetch a Pail of Water”). Each story varies in length\u003B the haunting “Denying Hamelin” is only three pages, and the longest, “The Beauty Before She Sleeps,” is 33. While none of the stories can be called happy, some are particularly grim in nature—parents left bereft at the disappearance of their children, death, betrayal, etc. Each story gets its own question and answer except for “Sleeping Beauty”and “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” whose questions and answers combine in what feels like a fever dream involving shapeshifting witches and magic portals. While some stories veer toward the predictable (the real identity of Sleeping Beauty’s new lady in waiting, for example, will likely prove glaringly obvious to readers), these tales aren’t necessarily about changing the narrative of the established story from which they come. Instead, Garg adds depth and background to these familiar characters, making them delightfully all her own."

Born at the end of the 1930s depression, New Zealander John Broomfield began a lifetime of travels as an infant that took him to every corner of his rugged homeland and ultimately around the world. Readers of his first memoir, Carried on Great Winds, admire his capacity to combine radical political

THE WOMAN WITH FIFTY FACES

R. Crumb, or as if Art Spiegelman’s Maus were told by Mr. Natural. There is a trippy terror to the book: Mouths distort, noses grow, eyes bulge out. Its bizarre genius is to take a woman known for her face on Modernist canvases and transform her into a visage fit for 21st\u002Dcentury comics. Lani was an artist of impersonations, a true charlatan worthy of this book’s outré imagination."

This psychological thriller follows a woman whose fractured identity manifests as fifty distinct personalities, each with their own memories and motivations. When a series of unexplained events begin...

THE WOMEN'S ORCHESTRA OF AUSCHWITZ

the Shoah Foundation. Crucially, she tells the story not only of the players, but also of their audience of fellow prisoners. “How could we play light music here, against the background of the flames and black smoke that billowed day and night from the crematoria chimneys?” reflects one survivor. The author leaves open the question of whether the music helped prisoners or intensified their suffering. She makes clear, however, that the orchestra did not play during the “selection” of poor souls sent to the gas chambers. The players’ musical skills saved at least their own lives, exempt from the work squads, though they themselves were exhausted and starving, and Jewish orchestra members were always vulnerable to “selection” for gassing. Their resident block was mere meters from a crematorium, and human ashes settled inside some of their instruments. They experienced the “scandal of music at Auschwitz on a daily basis,” as the Nazis’ abuse of music was itself “a form of torture.” Their playing was an “effort to claw back something of what it meant to be human.”"

This powerful historical account chronicles the true story of female musicians forced to play for their survival in the Auschwitz concentration camp, offering young readers a profound look at resilie...

THICK WITCH TRAVELS

a seeming unscrupulous magic-wielder in Ives’ YA fantasy sequel to Fat Witch Summer (2023)." />

A seemingly unscrupulous magic-wielder navigates treacherous alliances and complex moral landscapes in this YA fantasy sequel, where magical travel between realms forces difficult choices about power...

THIEF OF NIGHT

a Blight, and he doesn’t want the Cabals to face the blowback if the truth becomes public. Mr. Punch could do terrible things to Charlie if she fails, but if she succeeds, he’ll help Charlie and Red be free of the Cabals for good. The sophomore novel in a series is always tough, but this sequel proves that the second book can be even better than the first. Black turns the screws on the magical world she set up in Book 1, creating complicated political motives between Charlie and the Cabal leaders and making the question of what it means for a shadow, like Red, to have their own consciousness more interesting. Veteran con artist Charlie makes some truly brilliant moves, especially toward the end, where the last few chapters have one terrific surprise after the other."

A teenage thief with a rare gift for manipulating shadows finds her skills pushed to the limit when she's forced to pull off an impossible heist from the city's most fortified fortress. This fast-pac...

THIS IS FOR EVERYONE

“monopolistic players,” isn’t “in such great shape.” The British computer scientist explains complex technology in accessible language, leaving room for ample self\u002Dpuffery. Berners\u002DLee was working at CERN, the celebrated Swiss physics lab, in the 1980s when he sought “to encourage new and unexpected relationships between pieces of information.” A version of the internet already existed, and “by layering hypertext links onto” it, “we could connect” people everywhere, he realized. He was celebrated for persuading CERN to publish his source code instead of patenting it, part of his decades\u002Dlong effort to make information “accessible and open.” The book’s first third is excellent. Along with his web breakthroughs, Berners\u002DLee lovingly describes how his mathematician\u002Dparents nurtured his creativity. He built a “homebrew” computer in high school and an intercom for his family’s house. The web made Berners\u002DLee famous—Time magazine dubbed him one of the 20th century’s most influential people—and his book doesn’t skimp on the fruits of his renown. He writes of being name\u002Dchecked by Bono during a U2 show and lunching with Queen Elizabeth II: “Her Majesty seemed to enjoy my presence.” He won awards, enough that “I was used to giving acceptance speeches.” Quoted at length, Berners\u002DLee’s wife calls him “open\u002Dminded, fair, resourceful and very kind,” an “obviously brilliant” person who has “complete respect for humans and nature.” Canonization awaits, evidently. Today, Berners\u002DLee works on initiatives to make the internet more humane, to protect users’ privacy, and to urge governments to be more transparent. Artificial intelligence will be “transformative,” and it’s up to citizens to help “define the terms that will govern” the future of technology."

This vibrant picture book delivers a powerful message of inclusion and belonging through simple, direct language and bold, expressive illustrations. The narrative celebrates diversity in all its form...

THIS PLACE KILLS ME

Kita is trying to adjust to life at Wilberton, an all\u002Dgirls boarding school. Her roommate, Claire, barely acknowledges her, and Abby spends most days trying to ignore the unkind whispers of her classmates. The members of the Wilberton Theater Society stage a successful run of Romeo and Juliet—then the body of Elizabeth Woodward, who played Juliet, is found after a raucous cast party. Rumors run rampant, and Abby’s tragic past seems to be coming back to haunt her as the other girls begin to speculate about her involvement in Elizabeth’s death. Abby gradually builds a tenuous friendship with Claire. Together, can they find out not only the truth but its connection to a dark, shocking secret buried in Wilberton’s history? With its stunning two\u002Dtoned gray and pink illustrations that cue a 1980s setting through images such as a Walkman, phone booth, and clunky desktop computer, this collaboration between Tamaki and Goux isn’t just a clever and heartbreaking mystery but a deeper examination of bullying, homophobia, and belonging. The central puzzle is certain to leave readers breathlessly enthralled, turning pages as quickly as possible to get to the shocking truth behind Elizabeth’s demise. Abby presents Japanese American, and most other characters read white. "

A troubled teen is sent to a remote boarding school where students keep disappearing under mysterious circumstances, forcing her to uncover the institution's dark secrets before she becomes the next ...

THREADS OF EMPIRE

nomads. From earliest times, Armstrong asserts, carpet weavers have been women, honing their skills in carding, spinning, dyeing, knotting, setting warps and wefts, and designing or reproducing patterns. Considerable skill, as well, Armstrong has found, is involved in rug restoration and repair. For centuries, rugs have been associated with the rich and powerful: Potentates, chieftains, robber barons, and collectors considered the acquisition of prized rugs as a reflection of their own status. Attribution of a rug’s creation and provenance also connects to power. The startling beauty of a particular rug in the collection of the Victoria \u0026amp\u003B Albert Museum led to the assumption that it was made by a team of men. That conclusion, Armstrong asserts, “suited a nineteenth\u002Dcentury Western view which held that if an object was art then it was created by men, and that what women practised was a lesser form of creativity described in the West as craft.” Armstrong reveals the exploitation of rug makers that continues to the present. Twenty\u002Dfirst\u002Dcentury rugs sold in department stores are often crafted by “weary refugees in makeshift encampments” who create products for international trade to design and color specifications and are marketed through export houses. Nevertheless, as Armstrong’s richly detailed history shows, even modern rugs can shimmer with glamor and mystique."

This sweeping historical epic plunges readers into the heart of a crumbling empire, weaving together the fates of a defiant street thief, a reluctant heir, and a scholar guarding dangerous secrets as...

THREE REVOLUTIONS

Genre

This timely examination of transportation's past, present, and future charts the course of three pivotal shifts: the rise of automobiles, the ongoing electrification of vehicles, and the emerging aut...

TO LOSE A WAR

the Taliban. Basing his accounts on numerous sojourns in the country over that two\u002Ddecade stretch of the American war, Anderson is particularly good with the small, revealing details of daily life, such as the interaction of the citizens of Kabul with the Taliban: “For the most part, they seemed to ignore each other, as if they came from different worlds but were forced to coexist.” Early in the war, he notes, the one man who knew where bin Laden might be hiding was assassinated. That would be a common theme, as tribal leaders across the nation were targeted by rivals\u003B even so, Anderson observes, the government of Hamid Karzai, “built on uneasy alliances, accommodated a range of aggressive warlords and corrupt officials.” Much of Afghanistan is “preindustrial,” governed by the rhythms and mores of rural life in small towns and villages where, the author writes memorably, “lambs are tethered next to men with long knives who slaughter them and hang the carcasses from hooks, hacking them into a steadily diminishing mess of blood and meat and bone and fat by day’s end.” One of the many flaws in American strategy there, it seems, was to assume that the country was more modern and ready for democracy than it was. Indeed, he remarks at the end of the book, “there is now no place on earth that is more oppressive for women than Afghanistan.”"

This powerful historical novel plunges readers into the immediate aftermath of World War II through the eyes of German teenagers grappling with their nation's defeat and the staggering moral collapse...

TOGETHER IN MANZANAR

neighbors, were never returned. In 1988, President Reagan signed a bill apologizing for the internment. Each survivor received $20,000. Caucasians, including Elaine, were excluded."

This powerful historical novel transports readers to the Manzanar internment camp during World War II, following a Japanese American family's struggle to maintain their dignity and unity under the ha...

TOMORROW IS YESTERDAY

Jordan.” While looking ahead, the authors offer a riveting insiders’ account of high\u002Dstakes statesmanship. Then–Secretary of State John Kerry brought unequaled “passion and enthusiasm” to the negotiations, but his work was for naught, in part because his boss—President Obama—didn’t leverage the billions of dollars in U.S. military aid that goes to Israel to forge lasting peace. Past Palestinian leaders were often chided for “never miss[ing] an opportunity to miss an opportunity,” but the authors, looking closely at peace talks since the 1990s, demonstrate that this is a major oversimplification."

This thought-provoking novel explores the complex emotional landscape of a teenager grappling with time, memory, and the weight of personal history through an inventive narrative structure that moves...

TRIPPING OVER YOU

Genre

This raw and authentic YA novel explores the tender, tumultuous journey of two teens navigating first love and mental health struggles. The story follows a high school romance that blossoms between t...

TRUMPETS OF DEATH

Genre

This gripping thriller plunges readers into a high-stakes world of espionage and ancient conspiracies, where a young protagonist stumbles upon a secret that could alter global power structures. The n...

TWITCHLAND

Pyrink perfectly complement the story’s thematic impact (their utilization of contrasting color, in particular, is noteworthy). Scenes in the local doughnut shop, for example, are depicted in vibrant yellows, pinks, and oranges while sequences at the nuclear reactor site and in shadowy back alleys feature unnatural greens and purples. Lastly, the (timely) subject of the country’s drug overdose epidemic was woven into the storyline with an interesting supernatural twist, and Richland itself was based on the real city of Richland with its dark history."

THE BEHIND: PAINED MASK is a remarkable collection of poems that has been thoughtfully crafted over an impressive span of eighteen years. Life, in its myriad forms, doesn't always unfold in an uplifting manner when we are deeply affected by the repercussions of our own actions. However, it is precis

Ultimate Origami Challenge Kit for Kids 8-12 Fun Projects

Brian Soonho Yoon

Discover the magic of origami and learn key techniques to create animals, 3D shapes, or gifts for loved ones from paper! Packed with 30 unique projects, including an inflatable bunny, flapping crane, throwing star, and pyramid, Ultimate Origami Challenge Kit for Kids 8–12 takes budding paper-folding

ULTRAWILD

chickens that recycle food scraps to create nutrient\u002Drich poo collected by robotic dung beetles, and flying bicycles lifted by “biogas booster pants.” “Everything in this book,” Mushin writes, “is THEORETICALLY POSSIBLE” and if implemented would not only save vanishing species, but would “CRUSH CLIMATE CHANGE like a Matchbox car in a vise.” Readers may find some of his proposals hard to absorb, since he insists on cramming every oversize page with Rube Goldberg–style diagrams or cutaway views of zany factories and devices, and the work is rife with dense bursts of hand\u002Dlettered narrative. Still, the urgency of his message that we are teetering on the brink of catastrophe comes through loud and clear—as does his fundamental optimism that we can still pull off a save. Urging readers to work on “ludicrously brilliant new ideas” of their own, he closes with a flurry of “Invention Starter” prompts. The small line\u002Ddrawn cartoon figures in his illustrations have skin the color of the page."

An innovative guide to reconnecting with the natural world through radical thinking and hands-on projects, this book challenges young readers to see their urban environments as ecosystems teeming wit...

UNCOMFORTABLE EITHER WAY

steps that readers may take to change their current course. A Life Inventory exercise particularly stands out for its usefulness, as it guides readers to assess where they are now, where they want to be, and what’s standing in the way of their goals. Eaton makes his advice relatable\u003B for instance, a story about “Eighty Percent Brett,” a version of the author who held back, helps to ground the work. By reflecting on his own decisions, the author drives home the book’s central theme of choosing reality over safety, in a way that feels personal, rather than sermonlike. Some ideas will be familiar to seasoned readers of motivational literature, but Eaton’s energy, earnestness, and easygoing style gives them renewed weight. His writing is brisk and unpretentious, and the book’s digestible format and consistent pacing make for an engaging read. "

This powerful novel explores the raw emotional landscape of teenage identity through a protagonist caught between two worlds, unable to find solid ground in either. The narrative delves into the inte...

UNICO

Mother. Meanwhile, the evil goddess Venus covets Unico’s horn for her own purposes and summons Iver, a reptilian interstellar hunter from the “deathly garden,” where she’s stored beings who might be useful to her. She sets Iver free to seek Unico across space and time and “make him and those around him suffer.” The storyline is highly energetic, and the bright, dynamic frames and varied layouts will sustain readers’ interest. The characters and intriguing settings are nicely detailed, and the rich colors and effective use of light and dark contribute to the atmosphere. "

This graphic novel adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's classic manga brings the magical world of Unico to a new generation of readers, following the adventures of a tiny unicorn blessed with the power to br...

VERN

Genre

This middle-grade novel offers a fresh take on the classic coming-of-age story, following a young protagonist navigating the complex social dynamics of middle school while discovering unexpected cour...

V​IA WONDERMENT

virtue of its friendly, approachable style. The author maintains an encouraging, playful tone, which motivates readers to try new things rather than follow strict rules. The book places more emphasis on intuitive connections than scientific evidence—readers who require empirical proof or structured methods for change might be disappointed by the guide’s abstract nature. Those who welcome spiritual and psychological elements along with self\u002Dhelp principles will find that Gottlieb’s heartfelt guidance leads them to rediscover their creative power and innate abilities."

This vibrant collection of poetry invites young readers on a lyrical journey through the wonders of the natural world, exploring themes of curiosity, discovery, and the magic found in everyday moment...

VICTORY '45

the spring of 1945 huddled in his Berlin bunker directing imaginary armies and planning his suicide. A few aides stuck by, but most were planning to save themselves. The most successful was SS General Karl Wolff, in Italy, who managed to impress OSS chief Allen Dulles\u003B fend off rival (and perhaps nastier) competitors, Heinrich Himmler and Ernst Kaltenbrunner\u003B persuade leading Wermacht generals to surrender with absolutely no conditions\u003B and protect himself against prosecution for his crimes. Wolff took enormous risks (visiting a deeply suspicious Hitler during his final weeks) but succeeded eventually in testifying for the prosecution at Nuremburg. British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery handled the surrender of German forces in north Germany on his own with a nod to his superior, Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower, who preoccupied himself with the iconic May 7, 1945, official German government surrender. The authors precede that with accounts reminding readers of Nazi awfulness: a teenage Jewish boy’s years in concentration camps, a young American soldier’s experience encountering his first camp, and the chaos that engulfed Germany during and after the war. On the Pacific front, Japanese leaders, aware by 1943 that they were losing, worked to convince America that every Japanese man, woman, and child would fight to the death before surrendering. They assumed that the U.S., faced with this threat and lacking Japanese fortitude, would negotiate a compromise peace. By cruel irony, American leaders were indeed convinced of Japan’s resolve, but they did not negotiate\u003B they proceeded by unleashing an almost genocidal firebombing and two atomic bombs that, aided by the massive Soviet invasion, produced the desired surrender."

This gripping historical novel plunges readers into the final, chaotic months of World War II through the eyes of a determined teenage girl. As Allied forces push toward victory, she navigates a land...

Villancico Yaucano (Childrens Books) (Spanish Edition) by Amaury Veray

Amaury Veray

Versión ilustrada del villancico navideño de Puerto Rico.

WAGNIFICENT

a wolf at his side) is larger and fiercer than Thunder’s. The minuscule Byron encroaches on Thunder’s territory: He urinates indoors, sleeps in Thunder’s bed, and demands that Thunder give him her bone. Furious, Thunder barks and growls until the smaller dog scurries out through a hole in the fence. Though Thunder’s initially elated to have her home to herself, Sage is devastated to discover Byron gone, and the two set out to find the runaway. With a clearer understanding of their household roles (and a happy ending for everyone), the pets and people alike grow in awareness of the finer points of inter\u002Dcanine interactions. The conflict in this volume adds intrigue and momentum to the previously established episodic chapter structure. Murguia’s upbeat cartoon illustrations are occasionally interrupted by “Thunder’s Rules” interludes, which highlight what behaviors are more acceptable for dogs to exhibit with one another vs. with humans. Sage is light\u002Dskinned and purple\u002Dhaired\u003B other humans vary in skin tone."

This vibrant counting book transforms early math concepts into an engaging canine adventure, where young readers learn number recognition through playful pups and their antics. Each page introduces a...

WATER MIRROR ECHO

Genre

This immersive fantasy novel plunges readers into a world where water serves as a portal to other realms, blending elements of magical realism with a gripping coming-of-age quest. The protagonist dis...

WE THE PEOPLE

Lepore’s lights, the Founders intended for the document to be changed in order to meet the needs of the day, trusting in the Enlightenment premise that “the human mind is driven by reason.” Article V, Lepore continues, is “a sleeping giant”: In it the Founders specified that change could come in one of two ways, the first being a congressional proposal, the second a convention of the states, with a “double supermajority” of votes for approval, two\u002Dthirds of Congress and three\u002Dquarters of the states. Although there have been flurries of amendments—including the first 10, yielding the Bill of Rights—it has been nearly 40 years since the last constitutional convention was held, even as, Lepore calculates, members of Congress proposed 2,100 amendments between 1980 and 2000. Part of the problem is congressional gridlock, a feature of government since the days of President Reagan\u003B another is what Lepore considers the false doctrine of originalism—which, she writes provocatively, “arose from the failure of conservatives to change the Constitution by democratic means.” Lepore presses her argument with numerous case studies, including the difficult passage of an amendment to allow direct election of senators (formerly appointed by governors), the argument over an income tax (and one that progressively taxed the rich more than the poor), the failed adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment, and a longtime favorite that has yet to come about: the abolition of the aristocratically inspired Electoral College."

This timely exploration of American civics and government offers young readers an accessible introduction to the foundations of democracy, from the Constitution's creation to modern civic engagement....

WELCOME TO THE FOREST

a hearty feast."

This vibrant nature guide invites young readers to explore the complex ecosystem of the forest, from the towering canopy down to the rich soil, introducing the diverse plants and animals that call it...

WES ANDERSON: ALL THE FILMS

the theater of Sam Shepard. Like all books of this type, this one has stills and behind\u002Dthe\u002Dscenes photos, along with synopses, critical reactions, and technical details, such as the various lenses Anderson has used, from the “rare short focal length: 27 mm” he used for the 1996 feature\u002Dlength Bottle Rocket to the “wide\u002Dformat anamorphic lenses and a strong color palette” he has employed on every film since Rushmore (1998). Narbonne tries too hard to intellectualize Anderson’s cinema, as when he writes, “Symmetry is the ideal backdrop for the characters’ psychorigidity” or notes Anderson’s use of “visual pleonasm.” Fans probably won’t mind, however, and will enjoy stories such as that in the Rushmore scene where the protagonist releases bees into a hotel room, “Anderson insisted that real insects be released into the room and that no one wear face protection.”"

This comprehensive guide offers a deep dive into the distinctive cinematic universe of Wes Anderson, meticulously reviewing every feature film from *Bottle Rocket* to his most recent works. Readers a...

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE NAKED MOLE RAT?

Genre

This clever picture book tackles the mysterious disappearance of a beloved classroom pet, weaving scientific facts about naked mole rats with an engaging mystery that will captivate elementary school...

WHAT IS FREE SPEECH?

Genre

This timely examination of free speech rights provides young readers with a clear framework for understanding one of America's most fundamental constitutional protections. The book breaks down comple...

WHEN EVERYONE KNOWS THAT EVERYONE KNOWS . . .

way of shared media and then move together to punish transgressors. The swiftest way to be misunderstood, he notes, is to use irony or indirect speech, much as they help disguise our intentions. Pinker writes fluently, though there’s plenty of arcana from neuroscience, linguistics, and other fields floating around here. While it’s not necessary to have read Noam Chomsky, Antonio Damasio, Daniel Kahneman, and other cognitive scientists to follow Pinker’s arguments, it helps."

This sophisticated exploration of social dynamics and shared knowledge dives deep into the psychological phenomenon of common knowledge, where not only does everyone know something, but everyone know...

WHILE ISRAEL SLEPT

dismissing the idea that the Hamas\u002Dled incursion of Oct. 7, 2023, was akin to 9/11. Instead, they liken it to the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor as a sequence of misread indicators that something bad was about to happen. So lax was the monitoring of the Gaza border, they note, that Hamas “didn’t use even a single tunnel,” even as Israeli Defense Forces intelligence assumed that Hamas wouldn’t dare cross the border openly. Another missed sign was the removal of protective fabric from rocket\u002Dlaunch pits within Gaza, a prelude to a rocket attack, although Hamas said that it was a drill. “Israel possessed all the intelligence to piece together Hamas’s plans, but the IDF never connected it into a comprehensive picture to understand what was happening right before their eyes,” the authors charge. One proximate cause of the failure, they hold, was the IDF’s complacency about the “iron wall” that divided Gaza and Israel, “believed to be impenetrable,” but the larger issue was that different agencies weren’t talking to each other and sharing intelligence that might have been stitched into a coherent whole. An interesting point, if untestable, is that the division in Israeli society wrought by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s effort to reduce the power of the nation’s judiciary revealed a weakness that lent itself to attack. Controversially, the authors insist that the IDF’s response to the attack took great pains to spare civilian lives and “refrain from preemptive action that could lead to a wider war.” They close with a set of policy recommendations, including taking care not to alienate the U.S., as happened during the Biden presidency, and enlisting Mossad, which operates internationally, to aid with internal intelligence."

This gripping historical account chronicles the tense days leading up to the Yom Kippur War, when Israel faced an unprecedented surprise attack from neighboring nations. The narrative masterfully bui...

Who is Santa Claus A Heartwarming Christmas Story for Kids Ages 4

Peter J

A Heartwarming Holiday Tradition of Kindness and Giving! Join the movement of magical, anonymous giving with Secret Santas And The Twelve Days of Christmas Giving - a Christmas classic that has inspired millions of intentional acts of kindness, spreading joy to those deserving or in need. This encha

WHO NUKED SILICON VALLEY?

Katie, will prove vital to unpacking what’s behind a violent movement to push a constitutional amendment for AI personhood—although there’s clear pushback, as well: “Don’t cede to those who can’t bleed. Vote ‘NO’ to Personhood!” reads some acid\u002Detched graffiti. Donoghue unfolds the narrative via the perspectives of these characters (along with a smattering of others), weaving a complex yet deeply intimate vision of a quickly emerging future in which capitalism and artificial intelligence conspire to rob both humans and bots of any remaining control over their own lives. The SF conceits merge with worldbuilding that’s revealed slowly but inexorably, resulting in what emerges as a memorable entry in the growing genre of AI thrillers. The clearly drawn characters, complex sociopolitical discourse, and, especially, Donoghue’s deep empathetic imagination for both humans and AIs makes the work feel like far more than the sum of its parts. Other novels have played in this high\u002Dtech sandbox, to be sure, but few have done so in a way that makes a reader think and care for both people and artificial entities in such strong and equal measure."

This explosive techno-thriller plunges readers into a high-stakes mystery where the world's tech capital is suddenly thrown into chaos by a catastrophic, unexplained event. The narrative follows a gr...

WILD FOR AUSTEN

the insights offered here, but as was the case in her biography of Austen’s contemporaries and fellow authors Jane and Maria Porter (Sister Novelists), Looser aims her work at the general public with a breezy, conversational tone, even as she flourishes her credentials as an Austen expert. Part 1 retells the plots of each novel, including unfinished ones and unpublished juvenilia, spotlighting Austen’s use of “wild,” “wildly,” and “wildest” and carefully explaining different connotations. Elizabeth Bennet’s muddy appearance after a brisk walk is described by the censorious Mrs. Hurst as “almost wild” (i.e., savage), while its more common use is as a synonym for “eager”\u003B the young people in Persuasion are all “wild to see Lyme.” “Wildly” and “wildest” turn up most often in Sense and Sensibility to underscore Marianne’s dramatic nature. The focus on word use gets tedious, but in Part 2 Looser applies the notion of wildness more broadly to describe the adventures of Austen’s relatives—an aunt was tried for a capital felony, a cousin was married to a French count executed during the Reign of Terror—to make the point that, however quiet the writer’s life was, she had plenty of secondhand knowledge of the wider, wilder world. Part 3, “Shambolic Afterlives,” gets weird with chapters on Austen’s ghost, Austen erotica, and Austen films that were never made, but Janeites of an undemanding nature will enjoy it all."

This clever YA romance cleverly reimagines the world of Jane Austen for a modern audience, transplanting the wit and social machinations of Regency England to a chaotic wilderness survival reality sh...

WILDCATS

their teacher Ms. Benitez, who informs them that they’re part of a group known as the Hunters of Chaos, the girls become embroiled in an apocalypse\u002Daverting conflict with villains who also have ties to Temple Academy. A straightforward adventure with solid pacing and strong, stylish characters exuding girl power with every step, this is an accessible and fun graphic novel for less\u002Dseasoned comics consumers. After all, it’s pretty tough to resist a crew of friendly\u002Dfaced big cats splashing around in ponds, exploring a centuries\u002Dold temple, and lunging at bad guys with pointy\u002Dclawed paws. Mina’s flirtations with a boy she likes, her clashes with members of a snooty clique, and her insecurities about belonging (though her parents are alumni, they struggled to scrape up the money for her tuition) add further dimension. "

This action-packed sports novel follows a high school basketball team's journey from underdogs to championship contenders, capturing the intensity of teenage athletics with authentic play-by-play act...

WILL EISNER

Irish toughs for being Jewish, Will Eisner found refuge in books. “There are ways to escape,” read the words above cartoonist Mazur’s sepia\u002Dtone illustration of a New York Public Library bookmobile. “Places where the new kid is always welcome.” A youthful dreamer, Eisner soaked up classic adventure stories set in far\u002Doff lands. “And then there’s the kind of literature they don’t have at the library,” writes comics historian Weiner. “You want this old pulp book? I’m done with it,” says a neighbor in the Bronx, handing the boy a copy of Black Mask magazine, a man on the cover menacingly pointing a gun. Young Will was dazzled by the action. In little time, he fell in love with drawing, taking after his father, Sam, a set painter who worked at, among other venues, the Yiddish Art Theatre in Manhattan. Thus began a fascination with cartooning that ultimately made Eisner a legend in the field—the comic industry’s annual Eisner Awards are named in his honor. Not that Eisner didn’t struggle to achieve success. Early on, his mother, Fannie, wasn’t thrilled that there would be two struggling artists under one roof. “Can you buy groceries with art?” she asks. Eventually, the answer, for Eisner, was yes. He got a job at the New York American newspaper, published his first professional work in 1936, opened a studio with Jerry Iger, and achieved great popularity with his masked detective hero the Spirit, whose dark style was inspired by German cinema. Comics aficionados also remember Eisner for Joe Dope, a character he created for the Army during World War II. The “bumbling private,” Weiner writes, taught soldiers proper procedure “by doing everything wrong.” There was little, it seems, that Eisner did wrong in his storied life, and fans of his—old and new—are all the richer for his captivating work."

This graphic biography offers young readers a vibrant introduction to the pioneering creator who transformed comic books into a respected art form. Through dynamic illustrations and accessible storyt...

WISH I WAS A BALLER

sports journalist Shah, a ninth grader pursues his passion in the face of familial expectations pushing him toward a medical career, while also navigating the perils of high school social life." />

This energetic picture book captures the universal childhood dream of athletic stardom through rhythmic, basketball-inspired verse that will have young readers bouncing along. The narrative follows a...

WITHOUT FEAR

William Lloyd Garrison in 1831, advocating equality for all. Aretha B. McKinley, at the time the only Black female lobbyist on Capitol Hill, organized an “avalanche” of letters in 1960 to prove to skeptical lawmakers that Blacks supported civil rights legislation. And Mary Church Terrell, the daughter of formerly enslaved parents, traveled to Zurich in 1919 for the International Congress of Women. Many of these women merit a book of their own."

This gripping thriller plunges readers into a high-stakes world of espionage and survival, following a resourceful protagonist who must outwit a shadowy organization. The narrative moves at a relentl...

WOUND MAN

multiple associations with contemporary writings, characters, and their associated visual culture.” After the creation and popularization of the printing press, Wound Man found further life in the print sphere and was often simply used as an aesthetic illustration “for mass appeal as a pan\u002DEuropean visual phenomenon.” Hartnell’s revelatory research and plethora of macabre illustrations make the book an unexpected treasure: It shines as both a morbid medical history and a curious record of the early years of information graphics."

This chilling medical history book explores the fascinating and gruesome world of medieval and Renaissance surgery through the lens of its most iconic teaching tool. Young adult readers with a taste ...

YVES SAINT LAURENT AND PHOTOGRAPHY

art historians, curatorial specialists, and museum staff testify to Saint Laurent’s intimate relationship with photography. “My greatest asset,” he once remarked, “has been the eye I have for the time I live in and for the art of my time.” As Christoph Wiesner, director of the Arles Photography Festival, observes, for Saint Laurent, “working with photographers was a means of exploring his own limits, of giving his clothes another life beyond the purely material one.” Saint Laurent had been assistant to Christian Dior at the time of Dior’s sudden death in 1957\u003B immediately, he was thrust into the public eye, with critics and fashion doyennes alike anticipating his creations. From his first show, in 1961, his evolution as a designer was documented by photographers who included some of the most famous names in the field: Irving Penn, Helmut Newton, Richard Avedon, William Klein, Lord Snowdon, Horst P. Horst, Inge Morath, Cecil Beaton, and Annie Liebovitz, all represented here. His models, too, were renowned: Audrey Hepburn, Twiggy Lawson, Jean Shrimpton, Paloma Picasso, Catherine Deneuve, among many others. He was much photographed himself, with portraits revealing a well\u002Dcurated “cool masculinity” as well as changes in dress, hair style, and affect—most notably in 1971, for the launch of his men’s fragrance, when he posed nude, his long hair tousled, wearing nothing but his signature black glasses."

This visually stunning exploration of Yves Saint Laurent's relationship with photography offers young fashion enthusiasts an intimate look at how the legendary designer collaborated with photographer...