Books for Readers 8-12

Three kids spark Christmas hope for a family that needs it most.

Toby Greely’s family faces a bleak Christmas because of his father’s serious illness. Kelsi, Ampara, and Toby devise a plan called Operation Merry Greely Christmas to brighten the holiday, and it is a wonderful plan—until things begin to go wrong.

Join Huey the river rat on a Louisiana adventure of bridges, levees, and landmarks

Huey and his family of river rats live along the batture of the Mississippi River near New Orleans. He dreams of riding the bridge train atop the Huey P. Long bridge and exploring the world beyond his family’s home on the levee. Follow along on an adventure that weaves through some of Louisiana’s most fascinating characters and famous landmarks. 

Sometimes the coolest places are right outside your front door. Learning about Kansas City’s interesting and unique culture has never been so super fun!

Did you know Amelia Earhart once lived in the City of Fountains? Or that you’re likely to spot a ghost at The Hotel Savoy? From Arrowhead Stadium to Kaw Point Park, Super Cities!: Kansas City covers it all and is sure to engage any reader with fun facts about the history, culture, and people who make this place great. Attend a show at the Starlight Theatre, stroll through Swope Park, and swim in the Missouri River, all right here. Take a peek inside to learn more about the impressive, unusual, super history of Kansas City!

Sometimes the coolest places are right outside your front door. Learning about Memphis’s interesting and unique culture has never been so super fun!

Did you know Memphis got its name from an ancient Egyptian city? Or that the famous jazz musician Louis Armstrong performed on Beale Street? Have you ever heard of the ghost at Hebe Fountain? From the Mississippi River to the Crystal Shrine Grotto, Super Cities!: Memphis covers it all and is sure to engage any reader with fun facts about the history, culture, and people who make this place great. Attend a show at the Orpheum Theatre, camp along the Wolf River, and rock out with Elvis, all right here. Take a peek inside to learn more about the impressive, unusual, super history of the Bluff City!

Sometimes the coolest places are right outside your front door. Learning about the Twin Cities’ interesting and unique culture has never been so super fun!

Did you know St. Paul’s annual Winter Carnival is the country’s oldest winter festival? Or that people have traveled Minnesota’s lakes and rivers for nearly 10,000 years? Have you ever been to the haunted Dairy Queen in downtown Minneapolis? From the Foshay Tower to the legendary First Avenue music club, Super Cities!: The Twin Cities covers it all and is sure to engage any reader with fun facts about the history, culture, and people who make this place great. Attend the Minnesota Opera, explore the Como Park Zoo, and rock out with Minneapolis-native Prince, all right here. Take a peek inside to learn more about the impressive, unusual, super history of the Twin Cities!

Sometimes the coolest places are right outside your front door. Learning about Yellowstone’s interesting and unique culture has never been so super fun!

Did you know Yellowstone was the world’s first national park? Or that the Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the United States? From Old Faithful to the Wild West Pizzeria, Super Parks!: Yellowstone covers it all and is sure to engage any reader with fun facts about the history, culture, and people who make this place great. Drive along the Grand Loop, hike to Fossil Forest, and swim in the Firehole River, all right here. Take a peek inside to learn more about the impressive, unusual, super history of Yellowstone National Park!

Sometimes the coolest places are right outside your front door. Learning about Albuquerque’s interesting and unique culture has never been so super fun!

Did you know Albuquerque’s annual International Balloon Fiesta is the largest gathering of hot-air balloons in the world? Or that people have been living in northern New Mexico for nearly 12,000 years? Have you ever been to a concert at the haunted KiMo Theater? From the Rio Grande to Sandia Peak, Super Cities!: Albuquerque covers it all and is sure to engage any reader with fun facts about the history, culture, and people who make this place great. Hike La Luz Trail, explore the Wildlife West Nature Park, and take a ride down Route 66, all right here. Take a peek inside to learn more about the impressive, unusual, super history of the Duke City!

Bursting with laugh-out-loud jokes and fun facts, LOL Jokes: Pittsburgh combines the best of humor and history for young readers!

Inspired by all the wonderful sights, sounds, and . . . smells of the Steel City, this local joke book delivers kid-friendly punchlines that will have readers laughing ’til they cry! Alongside hilarious jokes and puns are fascinating facts, goofy tidbits of local history, and engaging graphics that will keep readers chuckling and sharing with friends. LOL Jokes: Pittsburgh is sure to deliver hours of knee-slapping entertainment.

What did the Pittsburgh Steeler say to the football?

“Catch ya later!”

Fun factoid: In 1892, the first professional football game was played in Pittsburgh between the Allegheny Athletic Association and the Pittsburgh Athletic Club. (Allegheny won!)

Bursting with laugh-out-loud jokes and fun facts, LOL Jokes: Los Angeles combines the best of humor and history for young readers!

Inspired by all the wonderful sights, sounds, and . . . smells of the City of Angels, this local joke book delivers kid-friendly punchlines that will have readers laughing ’til they cry! Alongside hilarious jokes and puns are fascinating facts, goofy tidbits of local history, and engaging graphics that will keep readers chuckling and sharing with friends. LOL Jokes: Los Angeles is sure to deliver hours of knee-slapping entertainment.

What L.A plant fits in your hand?

A palm tree!

Fun Factoid: The iconic Los Angeles palm tree is actually a native of India or Southeast Africa.

Bursting with laugh-out-loud jokes and fun facts, LOL Jokes: Denver combines the best of humor and history for young readers!

Inspired by all the wonderful sights, sounds, and . . . smells of the Mile-High City, this local joke book delivers kid-friendly punchlines that will have readers laughing ’til they cry! Alongside hilarious jokes and puns are fascinating facts, goofy tidbits of local history, and engaging graphics that will keep readers chuckling and sharing with friends. LOL Jokes: Denver is sure to deliver hours of knee-slapping entertainment.

Denny: What has a head and a tail but no body?

Penny: A nickel!

Fun Factoid: The Denver Mint produces 8 billion coins a year, all of which have a D for Denver on them!

Bursting with laugh-out-loud jokes and fun facts, LOL Jokes: Cleveland combines the best of humor and history for young readers!

Inspired by all the wonderful sights, sounds, and . . . smells of the CLE, this local joke book delivers kid-friendly punchlines that will have readers laughing ’til they cry! Alongside hilarious jokes and puns are fascinating facts, goofy tidbits of local history, and engaging graphics that will keep readers chuckling and sharing with friends. LOL Jokes: Cleveland is sure to deliver hours of knee-slapping entertainment.

Why didn’t the potato chip trust the sandwich?

Because the sandwich was full of baloney!

Fun Factoid: The first potato chip factory in the world was built in Cleveland by farmer William Tappendon, in 1895!

Bursting with laugh-out-loud jokes and fun facts, LOL Jokes: New York City combines the best of humor and history for young readers!

Inspired by all the wonderful sights, sounds, and . . . smells of the Big Apple, this local joke book delivers kid-friendly punchlines that will have readers laughing ’til they cry! Alongside hilarious jokes and puns are fascinating facts, goofy tidbits of local history, and engaging graphics that will keep readers chuckling and sharing with friends. LOL Jokes: New York City is sure to deliver hours of knee-slapping entertainment.

What’s the best borough to go to the bathroom?

Flushing!

Fun Factoid: TP or not TP?! Toilet paper was invented by Joseph Gayetty in New York City!

Sometimes the coolest places are right outside your front door. Learning about Seattle’s interesting and unique culture has never been so super fun!

Did you know about the Seattle Underground right beneath the Emerald City’s busy streets? Or that Seattle was a stop along the way during the gold rush? Have you ever seen the infamous—and gross!—gum wall? From the iconic Space Needle, to the Pike Place Market, Super Cities!: Seattle covers it all, and is sure to engage any reader with fun facts about the history, culture, and people who make this city great. Dive into Puget Sound, grab a ticket to the World’s Fair, and rock out with Jimi Hendrix, all right here. Take a peek inside to learn more about the impressive, unusual, super history of Seattle!

Sometimes the coolest places are right outside your front door. Learning about Houston’s interesting and unique culture has never been so super fun!

Did you know that NASA’s Manned Space Center has a home in Houston? Or that camels and ostriches race at the Sam Houston Race Park? Have you ever been to the annual Livestock Show and Rodeo? From the Astrodome, to the Texas Medical Center, Super Cities!: Houston covers it all, and is sure to engage any reader with fun facts about the history, culture, and people who make the Space City great. Dive into Galveston Bay, shop till you drop at the Galleria, and attend a Beyonce concert, all right here. Take a peek inside to learn more about the impressive, unusual, super history of Houston!

Bursting with laugh-out-loud jokes and fun facts, LOL Jokes: Texas combines the best of humor and history for young readers!

Inspired by all the wonderful sights, sounds, and . . . smells of the Lone Star State, this local joke book delivers kid-friendly punchlines that will have readers laughing ’til they cry! Alongside hilarious jokes and puns are fascinating facts, goofy tidbits of local history, and engaging graphics that will keep readers chuckling and sharing with friends. LOL Jokes: Texas is sure to deliver hours of knee-slapping entertainment.

What do you call a Texas cow without any legs?
Ground beef!

Fun Factoid: Texas big! The State Fair of Texas boast’s North America’s highest Ferris wheel. It’s called The Texas Star!

Sometimes the coolest places are right outside your front door. Learning about San Francisco’s interesting and unique culture has never been so super fun!

Did you know that San Francisco was one of the most popular places to secure a fortune during the Gold Rush? Or that you can still visit Alcatraz, the country’s most secure Federal prison, to this day? From the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, to the Mexican-American War, Super Cities!: San Francisco covers it all, and is sure to engage any reader with fun facts about the history, culture, and people who make this city great. Stroll along Pier 39, explore Chinatown, and try delicious chocolate at Ghirardelli Square, all right here. Take a peek inside to learn more about the impressive, unusual, super history of San Francisco!

Bursting with laugh-out-loud jokes and fun facts, LOL Jokes: San Francisco combines the best of humor and history for young readers!

Inspired by all the wonderful sights, sounds, and . . . smells of the Golden Gate City, this local joke book delivers kid-friendly punchlines that will have readers laughing ’til they cry! Alongside hilarious jokes and puns are fascinating facts, goofy tidbits of local history, and engaging graphics that will keep readers chuckling and sharing with friends. LOL Jokes: San Francisco is sure to deliver hours of knee-slapping entertainment.

Judge: Why did the painting from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art get sent to Alcatraz?
Jury: It was FRAMED!

COMEDY GOLD! The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco has been declared “One of the Modern Wonders of the World!” Nearly two miles long, it is one of the most photographed bridges in the world. The span-tastic Golden Gate was built to withstand 90-mile-per-hour winds and magnitude 8.0 earthquakes! 

Bursting with laugh-out-loud jokes and fun facts, LOL Jokes: Portland combines the best of humor and history for young readers!

Inspired by all the wonderful sights, sounds, and . . . smells of the City of Roses, this local joke book delivers kid-friendly punchlines that will have readers laughing ’til they cry! Alongside hilarious jokes and puns are fascinating facts, goofy tidbits of local history, and engaging graphics that will keep readers chuckling and sharing with friends. LOL Jokes: Portland is sure to deliver hours of knee-slapping entertainment.

What building in Portland has the most STORIES?
Powell’s Books!

Fun Factoid: In 1842, the founders of Portland disagreed on what the city should be called. One proposed “Boston, Oregon,” the other came up with “Portland, Oregon.” Amazing, but true: the name was decided by the toss of a coin! And I guess you know which one won!

Sometimes the coolest places are right outside your front door. Learning about Portland’s interesting and unique culture has never been so super fun!

Did you know about the eerie tunnels right beneath Old Town Portland’s busy streets? Or that Hacky Sack originated in Portland? Have you heard of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens? From the annual Rose Festival, to the Oregon Trail, Super Cities!: Portland covers it all, and is sure to engage any reader with fun facts about the history, culture, and people who make this city great. Kayak along the Willamette River, grab a sweet treat from Voodoo Doughnut, and attend a Portland Timbers game, all right here. Take a peek inside to learn more about the impressive, unusual, super history of Portland!

Sometimes the coolest places are right outside your front door. Learning about Chicago’s interesting and unique culture has never been so super fun!

Did you know that Chicago’s Home Insurance Building was the world’s first skyscraper? Or that lacrosse was originally created by the Algonquian people? Have you ever heard that Walt Disney was born in Chicago? From the Great Chicago Fire, to delicious deep-dish pizza, Super Cities!: Chicago covers it all, and is sure to engage any reader with fun facts about the history, culture, and people who make this city great. Dive into Lake Michigan, explore Little Italy, and join in the fun at Lollapalooza, all right here. Take a peek inside to learn more about the impressive, unusual, super history of Chicago!

Sometimes the coolest places are right outside your front door.

Learning about Louisville's interesting and unique culture has never been so super fun!

Sometimes the coolest places are right outside your front door.

Learning about Baltimore's interesting and unique culture has never been so super fun!

Sometimes the coolest places are right outside your front door.

Learning about Yosemite's interesting and unique culture has never been so super fun!

Sometimes the coolest places are right outside your front door.

Learning about Indianapolis's interesting and unique culture has never been so super fun!

Sometimes the coolest places are right outside your front door.

Learning about Detroit's interesting and unique culture has never been so super fun!

Sometimes the coolest places are right outside your front door. Learning about Atlanta’s interesting and unique culture has never been so super fun!

Did you know that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta? Or that Inman Park, dating back to 1890, is Atlanta’s oldest neighborhood? Did you know that Stone Mountain is actually a monadnock? From the Olympic games to the World of Coca-Cola, Super Cities!: Atlanta covers it all and is sure to engage any reader with fun facts about the history, culture, and people who make this city great. Explore Little Five Points, and join in the fun at Centennial Olympic Park, all right here. Take a peek inside to learn more about the impressive, unusual, super history of Atlanta!

Sometimes the coolest places are right outside your front door. Learning about Nashville's interesting and unique culture has never been so super fun!

Did you know Nashville is nicknamed Music City? Or that the famous musician Bob Dylan recorded an album here? Have you ever wanted to visit the Parthenon without traveling to Greece? From the Belle Mead Mansion to the Tomato Art Fest, Super Cities!: Nashville covers it all and is sure to engage any reader with fun facts about the history, culture, and people who make this place great. Attend a show at the Grand Ole Opry and catch a Nashville Predators game, all right here. Take a peek inside to learn more about the impressive, unusual, super history of the Music City!

Sometimes the coolest places are right outside your front door. Learning about the Grand Canyon’s interesting and unique culture has never been so super fun!

Did you know that the Grand Canyon is home to more than 400 animal species? Or that the oldest rocks in the Canyon, called gneiss, were formed 1.8 billion years ago? What about the fact that President Theodore Roosevelt made the entire Grand Canyon a Game Reserve, protecting it for generations to come? From the North Rim to the South, Super Parks! Grand Canyon covers it all, and is sure to engage any reader with fun facts about the history, culture, and people who make this city great. See Havasu Falls, learn about Arizona’s indigenous peoples, and make your way across the SkyWalk, all right here. Take a peek inside to learn more about the impressive, unusual, super history of the Grand Canyon!

Sometimes the coolest places are right outside your front door. Learning about New Orleans's interesting and unique culture has never been so super fun!

Did you know Mardi Gras is one of the most famous city-wide parties in the world? Or that the famous jazz musician Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans? Have you ever wanted to visit St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest Catholic cathedral in the United States? From the Audubon Zoo to the New Orleans Jazz Museum, Super Cities!: New Orleans covers it all and is sure to engage any reader with fun facts about the history, culture, and people who make this place great. Check out the Besthoff Sculpture Garden and attend a New Orleans Predators game, all right here. Take a peek inside to learn more about the impressive, unusual, super history of New Orleans!

Sometimes the coolest places are right outside your front door. Learning about Charleston’s interesting and unique culture has never been so super fun!

Did you know that the Patriots won the first big battle of the American Revolution at Fort Sullivan in Charles Towne? Or that the H.L. Hunley was the first submarine ever to sink a warship? What about the fact that the College of Charleston is older than the United States of America itself? From the American Civil War, to delicious shrimp and grits, Super Cities!: Charleston covers it all, and is sure to engage any reader with fun facts about the history, culture, and people who make this city great. Dive into Charleston Harbor, explore the old City Market, and join in the fun at Spoleto Music Festival, all right here. Take a peek inside to learn more about the impressive, unusual, super history of Charleston!