The Nora Notebooks, Book 1: The Trouble with Ants

The Nora Notebooks, Book 1: The Trouble with Ants
Author: Claudia Mills
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Total Pages: 178
Release: 2015-09-22
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0385391641

Science-obsessed fourth grader Nora has ants all figured out—now she just has to try to understand her fellow humans! The trouble with ants is . . . . . . people think they’re boring. . . . they are not cuddly. . . . who would ever want them for a pet? Nora Alpers is using her new notebook to record the behavior of ants. Why? Because they are fascinating! Unfortunately, no one agrees with her. Her mom is not happy about them being in the house, and when Nora brings her ant farm to school for show and tell, her classmates are not very impressed. They are more interested in cat videos, basketball practice, or trying to set a Guinness World Record (although Nora wouldn’t mind that). Mostly they are distracted by the assignment their teacher Coach Joe has given them—to write a persuasive speech and change people’s minds about something. Will Nora convince her friends that ants are as interesting as she thinks they are? Or will everyone still think of ants as nothing but trouble? With real science facts, a classroom backdrop, an emphasis on friendship, and appealing black-and-white interior illustrations from artist Katie Kath, The Nora Notebooks is perfect for newly independent readers—especially budding scientists like Nora!—and adults who want to encourage awareness of STEM subjects in young readers.

The Night Animals

The Night Animals
Author: Sarah Ann Juckes
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 187
Release: 2023-01-05
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1398510947

Uncover the ghost animals within in this moving and uplifting story about finding help where you need it, from the highly acclaimed author and illustrator of The Hunt for the Nightingale. Nora's mum has good days and bad days, but the bad days are getting worse. It's been just the two of them for always, and they don't need anyone else. When the rainbow-shimmering ghost animals Nora used to see when she was small start to reappear, she's convinced that they hold all the answers. Along with new friend Kwame, Nora follows a glittering ghostly fox, hare, raven and otter on the adventure of a lifetime, helping her to find the strength she needs to help her family. In a heartbreaking and hopeful narrative, Sarah Ann Juckes' stunning novel, illustrated by the award-winning Sharon King-Chai sees a brave young girl face down her ghosts. For fans of The Last Bear and Julia and the Shark. Praise for Hunt for the Nightingale ‘Full of hope, beauty & ultimately a healing song to nature' Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear ​ 'An incredibly moving story of feeling lost and finding your way again' Lisa Thompson, author of Rollercoaster Boy 'Will break your heart and mend it back together again' Piers Torday, author of The Last Wild 'This poignant exploration of grief and denial seen through the eyes of a child is underpinned by lessons about kindness, acceptance and nature’ Daily Mail

Really Cute People

Really Cute People
Author: Markus Harwood-Jones
Publisher: Harlequin
Total Pages: 279
Release: 2024-03-12
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0369735218

A little domestic bliss never hurt anyone…right? Charlie Dee is headed for burnout. They’ve been burned before, both by their bio family and the now-defunct queer collective they once called home. So when they’re asked to take a work trip outside the city, they jump at the chance. Sure, it’s additional work with no additional pay, but it’s also an excuse to get out of town—and out of their own head. That dream is shattered when Charlie opens the door to their supposedly private rental. There’s a bird on the loose, circling the living room as it’s chased by a cat, who is chased by a small child. The girl’s parents, Hayden and Buffy, only manage to add to the chaos. They promise to leave first thing in the morning, but when a massive snowstorm rolls in, this overnight trip becomes a weeklong affair. Reluctantly charmed by this unfiltered—if forced—look at a loving, healthy family, Charlie begins to develop feelings for both Hayden and Buffy. And they both seem to be flirting back. But when a potential promotion lures Charlie back to the city, all three will have to decide where they go from here—and what it means to truly feel at home.

Advice about School

Advice about School
Author: Diana G. Gallagher
Publisher: Capstone Classroom
Total Pages: 42
Release: 2010-01-01
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1434222527

Claudia gives advice on how to be successful in middle school, and offers solutions to challenges with classmates, teachers, homework, and school activities.

Our Dumb Animals

Our Dumb Animals
Author: George Thorndike Angell
Publisher:
Total Pages: 398
Release: 1928
Genre: Animal welfare
ISBN:

Rainbow's End

Rainbow's End
Author: Martha Grimes
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 442
Release: 2013-06-11
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1476732965

When three women die of “natural causes” in London and the West Country, there appears to be no connection—or reason to suspect foul play. But Scotland Yard Superintendent Richard Jury has other ideas, and before long he’s following his keen police instincts all the way to Santa Fe, New Mexico. There, in the company of a brooding thirteen-year-old girl and her pet coyote, he mingles with an odd assortment of characters and tangles with a twisted plot that stretches from England to the American Southwest. And while his good friend Melrose Plant pursues inquires in London, Jury delves deeper into the more baffling elements of the case, discovering firsthand what the guide books don’t tell you; that the Land of Enchantment is also a landscape ripe with tragedy, treachery, and murder.

Aloha Rainbow

Aloha Rainbow
Author: Elizabeth Whitmer
Publisher: Aloha Rainbow
Total Pages: 390
Release: 2006-11
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1425982255

Drawn to a land of lava, ice, and sea - three previous hockey teammates leave dreary Detroit and buy historic La`Ohana Inn in sunny Kona. As temperate and as fierce as Hawaii's nature, this accountant, teacher, and physician become indispensable to neighbors and friends who are intent on sharing Aloha. At sunset Catherine Kievers drives the beautiful and desolate sea plain to Pu'uhonau O Honaunau searching for Livia Hinman, whose aunt died that morning in Indiana. Long before dawn, Cate recognized this day as a day of sorrow. Both women have witnessed a rainbow on opposite shores of The Big Island. Now facing moonlit totems and looming Pacific, Cate prepares to phone Margaret Brown and informs her of a futile search. Thanksgiving and Christmas come a bit bleak, until neighbor Tom Smith stops by and asks if La`Ohana Inn will sponsor weekly Keiki Pony Rides. He and partner Tim Boki run nearby Queens' Stables, and they add plenty of spice and angst to the women's lives. Elderly Chakra Kuhanamana falls on the highway near the inn's mailbox, and Margaret earns the nickname 'The Good Doctor' after treating the kupuna and her brother Aye Noelani. This interesting couple sponsors an old-fashioned hukilau, and they are invited to move back to the Caretaker's Cottage. Pele and Poliahu take notice. Veterinarian Richard Header becomes The Good Doctor's doctor and the island's most elusive pedophile. Hilo's mysterious Ma Loa Hakkalani appears and lends plenty of intrigue and plenty of trouble. Hockey buddies and an old friend visit and find it hard to leave. Then something truly amazing happens, and the story culminates with a double rainbow. Steeled by experience three individuals are ready to become kahuna.

The Japanification of Children's Popular Culture

The Japanification of Children's Popular Culture
Author: Mark I. West
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
Total Pages: 307
Release: 2008-10-23
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0810862492

Godzilla stomped his way into American movie theaters in 1956, and ever since then Japanese trends and cultural products have had a major impact on children's popular culture in America. This can be seen in the Hello Kitty paraphernalia phenomenon, the popularity of anime television programs like Pokemon and Dragon Ball Z, computer games, and Hayao Miyazaki's award-winning films, such as Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke. The Japanification of Children's Popular Culture brings together contributors from different backgrounds, each exploring a particular aspect of this phenomenon from different angles, from scholarly examinations to recounting personal experiences. The book explains the interconnections among the various aspects of Japanese influence and discusses American responses to anime and other forms of Japanese popular culture.

Carry On

Carry On
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Total Pages: 529
Release: 2015-10-06
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
ISBN: 146685054X

#1 New York Times bestselling author! Booklist Editors’ Choice 2015 - Youth! Named a "Best Book of 2015" by Time Magazine, School Library Journal, Barnes & Noble, NPR, PopSugar, The Millions, and The News & Observer! Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One who's ever been chosen. That's what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he's probably right. Half the time, Simon can't even make his wand work, and the other half, he starts something on fire. His mentor's avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there's a magic-eating monster running around, wearing Simon's face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here -- it's their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon's infuriating nemesis didn't even bother to show up. Carry On is a ghost story, a love story and a mystery. It has just as much kissing and talking as you'd expect from a Rainbow Rowell story - but far, far more monsters.

An Encyclopedia of Animals

An Encyclopedia of Animals
Author: Betsy Howie
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Total Pages: 130
Release: 2011-01-01
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 0545237556

Shares descriptive introductions to endangered animals that live in the world's "hot spots," combining fun facts, puzzles and life-like digital illustrations while inviting fans to become "Xeko Masters" by learning how to help protect threatened creatures. Original. Video game tie-in.