Books for Readers 8-12

Joey, left at home alone one night, sees and hears strange things, but he has the superior wit to convince any and all possible monsters that his brother, Dan, is the better choice for dinner.

“No, mon ami! You can’t catch me!”

When an old Creole woman bakes dessert on King’s Day, she has no idea what shenanigans will ensue. In this New Orleans adaptation of The Gingerbread Man, a mischievous king cake baby escapes his cake! He outruns a praline lady and a waiter at Café du Monde, but can he outsmart the clever baker? Chock full of Louisiana phrases and comic-book-style illustrations, this new take on an old tale brings the Crescent City to life from Jackson Square to the Creole Queen riverboat. This lively story is a great way to introduce children to the sights, sounds, and especially tastes of New Orleans. It even comes with a recipe for homemade king cake—just make sure to keep track of the baby!

This entertaining seek-and-find alphabet book invites you to explore twenty-six must-see places at Biltmore Estate, offering beautiful photographs, clever rhymes and hidden animals on every page.

Children will discover everything from colorful gardens and underground tunnels to towering rooftops and lively farm animals. Included are fun facts about Biltmore's history in an illustrated glossary and a kid-friendly map for planning your journey. Whether you use this book as a guide for an upcoming visit to Biltmore or as a souvenir to commemorate your stay, a magical adventure awaits you and your family!

A wacky spin on an Old West favorite. This tall tale about a famous American cowboy takes readers on a romp into the Wild West. When Pecos Bill cannot seem to find the best hat to fit his head, he searches for creative ways to keep his noggin covered. His often humorous ideas lead to the invention of the cowboy hat. A glossary includes cowboy terms.

Full of whip-crackin' cow-huntin' fun. Iris Wall was anything but an average girl. Average girls in 1948 were learning how to embroider and crochet. However, Iris was having the time of her life riding in rodeos, taming horses, and hunting cows with her daddy. The ultimate outdoor heroine, she was part of the Old Florida heritage that is synonymous with endurance, pride, and strength. A glossary of terms about cracker cowhunters is included in this biography.

The patriotic sacrifice of Texas remembered. This tribute to the famous 13 day siege gives the stories of real-life heroes including David Crockett, Sam Houston, and William King (who, at 15 years old, was the youngest defender to die during the conflict.) These accounts, lacking in sensationalism, reveal the true characters in one of the most important events in Texas history. This reference includes a timeline of events.

�Aye Chihuahua! The sky is falling. Join the colorful desert bird, Chachalaca Chiquita, and her feathered friends in this Southwestern spin on the Chicken Little tale. The story incorporates Spanish vocabulary for un peque�o fun as the amigos set off to tell the jefe that the sky is falling. The story takes a turn when they meet sly Tacito Ocelote.

All is calm in the warlord�s palace, and the artist�s apprentice Chuan sits with his friend Jing Jing, watching the sunset, when an invading army approaches. Jing Jing comes up with an ingenious solution using Chuan�s knowledge of calculating area as well as his handmade paper and ink to frighten the troops into leaving.

Celebrate the exciting life of a World War II naval hero! When Pearl Harbor was bombed, Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt sent Adm. Chester Nimitz to respond. Nimitz was put in charge of all US ships in the Pacific and was commander of the Pacific Fleet at the decisive Battle of Midway. This inspiring biography for young readers traces his remarkable life from his nineteenth-century childhood through his valiant service during World War II.

The warlord�s presence is requested at the emperor�s banquet in two weeks, but he is sixteen days away by horseback. Using their math skills, ingenuity, and the wind, Chuan and Jing Jing reach the warlord�s camp and encourage him to use their sailing cart to travel to the feast. The Warlord�s Messengers is the sixth book in the acclaimed Warlord�s Series, and includes directions for making your own windsock as well as suggestions for velocity-related math activities.

Inspirational anecdotes from exceptional Americans. Ten leadership lessons are taught here through the dramatic true stories of American men and women in World War II. From Dwight D. Eisenhower and Chester Nimitz to everyday Americans who rose to leadership during the world's greatest war, these stories reflect the core values of this remarkable generation. With these inspiring accounts, today's managers and leaders will learn essential leadership tactics, such as having a vision, being a self-starter, taking care of your people, and leading by example.

Not so fast Rudolph-Willy guides Santa's sleigh in Texas! When Santa visits Texas, he encounters dense fog and needs a local's help to deliver gifts. Willy, a longhorn longing to fly with Santa, jumps at the opportunity to help. With the help of glowing blue paint, his horns light the way. Follow Willy and Santa on their journey to every house in the Lone Star State as they fly over Texas landmarks to deliver presents and a Texas-sized portion of cheer.

You're not gonna taste this little beignet! In this confectionary folktale adaptation, a lonely baker gets his wish when he sprinkles magic sugar on a beignet and it comes to life. The little beignet boy runs away but is in danger of being eaten by the hungry people of New Orleans. He leads a wild chase through the French Quarter, visiting famous sights along the way. This delightful book, with wacky illustrations and a sassy refrain, will run straight into readers' hearts.

Plant a prize-winning seed and help it grow! Join Gavin as he attempts to win first place at the local fair by growing the largest gourd in the world! Children will learn how to plant, fertilize, and pollinate a seed just as Gavin does. With the help of his friends and neighbors, Gavin becomes an expert on pumpkins. Through advice and hands-on experience, he learns how to care for his garden. Full of helpful facts and easy tips, this is an educational and amusing story that emphasizes the skill involved in gardening. A perfect companion for the classroom, this book teaches children about the science of cultivation, the commitment required to care for a living plant, and how to make homemade pumpkin pie.

WINNER OF THE SCBWI CRYSTAL KITE AWARD

AN IN THE MARGINS LIST NOMINEE

This incisive coming-of-age story is set against the backdrop of Hurricane Katrina and its severe devastation to US soil. A compelling tale of growth and independence, this debut novel brings a fresh, evocative voice to the stage: Hollis Williams, whose resilience, strength of character, and personal growth are powerfully portrayed by the author's authentic narrative. This book will last for generations, giving voice to every young reader struggling to find his or her place in the world.

Hollis Williams is a middle-school student in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans. His father absent and his mother dead, Hollis and his siblings live with his grandmother. He dreams of reconnecting with his father, but Hurricane Katrina strikes and devastates his home and his plans. The young boy's family is trapped on the roof of their house, hoping and waiting to be rescued. When help finally arrives, Hollis and his family are separated and sent hundreds of miles apart. Taken to a shelter in a West Virginia church, Hollis must reunite his family against all odds.

Georg� Porg� ate crab cakes,
saw one move, cried, Heaven's sakes!
When he found out the crab still lived,
His plate, he dropped-his face, he hid.

Merriment and madness reign as king and queen of Carnival in this playful romp around the Crescent City. Mother Goose takes on Metairie, Mid City, the Mississippi, and more in these delightful twists on classic poems. Rhyme down on the bayou with the Mischievous Nutria and three shrimp in a tub. Cheerful illustrations fill this sweet and silly collection, perfect for Who Dats of all ages.

This volume of six traditional Irish legends includes stories about a king with donkey�s ears, a moral lesson about riches and possessions based on a brown bull, a tale explaining how the coast of Antrim was formed by a giant, and other tales about treachery, bravery, and honor. Spirited illustrations bring each tale to life, and a pronunciation guide is included to assist with reading the unusual Irish names such as Ailill and Daire Mac Fiachra. Told for hundreds of years, these stories are a rich part of Irish history and lend themselves to great storytelling.

When Alfons the alligator steals somebody's hat, then it's time for a game of Alligator-Keep-Away.

On Monday, there are red beans to eat, and on Tuesday, po'boys and on it goes throughout the week, each day bringing a unique and tasty Louisiana dish to the table. Based on a song by New Orleans singer/songwriter Johnette Downing, Today Is Monday in Louisiana offers the best of Cajun, Creole, African, and French foods.

With a team of Longhorns, Santa arrives at a sod shanty and drops down the chimney to fill the young�uns� boots with toys.

Lloyd Vogt, an award-winning New Orleans architect, offers young people a fascinating glimpse into the history of New Orleans architecture. Dividing his discussion into two parts--house types and house styles--he provides a basic yet comprehensive first course in New Orleans building design in a language designed for easy understanding. Also provided are labeled drawings for style identification, and a complete glossary.