LIZARDS FOR KIDS: Cool Comic Style Book Full of: Interesting Facts - Videos - Quirky Poems and Quizs

All those become tools for you to use to formulate a lesson about life in the poem. As far as the essay on the AP Literature test goes, as long as you can support your idea with strong evidence from the text, it's not expected that you come up with the same theme that your reader sees. Main idea is what the poem is mostly about. It's not a summary because it doesn't contain many specific details.

The main idea is the idea that all those little details go to support. To find the main idea, rev up your RPMs. Theme is the lesson about life or statement about human nature that the poem expresses. To determine theme, start by figuring out the main idea. Then keep looking around the poem for details such as the structure, sounds, word choice, and any poetic devices. Consider the effect of these devices as you ask yourself about what lesson the poem might be teaching about life. While you're doing that, take the pressure off yourself. You don't need to find the single true theme for the poem; you only have to find a theme - one that you can support.

To unlock this lesson you must be a Study. Did you know… We have over college courses that prepare you to earn credit by exam that is accepted by over 1, colleges and universities. You can test out of the first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Anyone can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level.

To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page. Not sure what college you want to attend yet? The videos on Study. Students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction. Explore over 4, video courses. Find a degree that fits your goals. In this lesson, you'll learn techniques for finding both in poetry by studying a sample poem.

Afterward, you can test your understanding with a short quiz. Try it risk-free for 30 days. An error occurred trying to load this video. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. Register to view this lesson Are you a student or a teacher? I am a student I am a teacher.

What teachers are saying about Study. End Rhyme in Poetry: Are you still watching? Your next lesson will play in 10 seconds. Add to Add to Add to. Want to watch this again later? How to Analyze Emotion in Poetry. Understanding Figurative Language in Poetry. How to Find the Theme or Central Idea. How to Compare and Contrast Elements of a Passage. Point of View of Characters vs. Theme Lesson for Kids: Analyzing Theme Development in a Text: Citing Textual Evidence to Support Analysis.

Jason Lineberger Jason has 20 years of education experience including 14 years of teaching college literature. Many poems have both a main idea and a theme. Theme Imagine you've just stepped out of the movies. What is the Main Idea? What Is the Theme? Try it risk-free No obligation, cancel anytime. Want to learn more? Select a subject to preview related courses: Lesson Summary Main idea is what the poem is mostly about. R - Read the poem. P - Paraphrase put the poem in your own words M - Main idea. What is the central idea that's supported by all those paraphrased statements? Learning Outcomes Complete the lesson in order to subsequently: Compare the main idea and theme of a poem Follow the steps of RPM when analyzing the main idea Discuss tips for finding the theme s in poetry.

Unlock Your Education See for yourself why 30 million people use Study. Become a Member Already a member? Earning College Credit Did you know… We have over college courses that prepare you to earn credit by exam that is accepted by over 1, colleges and universities. To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page Transferring credit to the school of your choice Not sure what college you want to attend yet? Browse Articles By Category Browse an area of study or degree level. You are viewing lesson Lesson 9 in chapter 4 of the course:.

Exam Prep 19 chapters lessons 14 flashcard sets. AP English - Essay Basics About the AP English Literature Tutoring Solution Technical Writing: Homeschool Curriculum 12th Grade English: Popular Courses Introduction to Organizational Behavior: Professional Development Julius Caesar: Certificate Program Technical Writing: Popular Lessons Reading Comprehension: Create an account to start this course today.

Like this lesson Share. Browse Browse by subject. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Take quizzes and exams. Earn certificates of completion. You will also be able to: Create a Goal Create custom courses Get your questions answered. Upgrade to Premium to add all these features to your account! In his quest to become real, Jacques joins support group called Imaginaries Anonymous, and investigates The Office of Reassignment, which claims to reassign imaginary friends when their real friends outgrow them. He runs away to Grand Rapids, searching for the man he believes might be his father, jazz musician Herman E.

Along the way Bud has all sorts of exciting adventures, narrated in his own authentic and often hilarious voice. Calloway is less than thrilled to meet Bud, but the other members of his band make Bud feel at home. He leaves for Flint hoping to find another job, leaving his wife, son Jimmy, and daughter Deza 12 behind. Deza and her mother find a new home and cling to the hope that they will find her father. Deza makes an appearance as a minor character in Bud, Not Buddy. First known as Beetle, since she was found living in a dung heap, the girl struggles to learn the skills of her new profession.

Comic Relief: Definition & Examples

As she grows in knowledge and self-confidence, the girl finally respects herself enough to choose a real name: Running away from the inn, Will sets out on the open road, trying to outsmart the thieves, tricksters, and con artists, and repeatedly being taken advantage of. Will finally ends up with Master Tidball and his caravan of oddities, befriending Grace, a girl billed as a monster because of the silky hair growing on her face.

Elizabethan England comes to vivid life in this lively and amusing tale. Classic tales like Cinderella , Snow White , Sleeping Beauty , and Hansel and Gretel , have a more modern feel while brief introductions describe the themes, symbolism, and contemporary relevance of the stories. This beautiful book will appeal to readers of all ages.

Luckily Amber is up to the task of negotiating between her parents and finding just the right wedding location that both Mom and Max will love. She hears them when she wakes up in the morning, she watches them feed on her way to school, and she observes them through her window. Her enthusiastic commentary presents both accurate factual information and her pleasure in their personalities. Beautiful watercolor illustrations capture the sleek beauty of these wild neighbors. Lester finds the cafeteria far too loud, is overwhelmed by the number of kids, and is targeted by a bully.

But he works to make a friend, enters the science fair, and even joins a kickball game.

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Opening a letter addressed to his mother, Lester learns that he has been diagnosed with "autism spectrum disorder" and works to understand what that means. The Cheshire Cheese Cat: When given the job of mouser, Skilley strikes a bargain with Pip, the lead mouse: Skilley will protect the mice if they supply him with the tasty Cheshire cheese produced by the inn.

The unlikely pair work together to restore Maldwyn, a wounded raven, to his rightful place serving Queen Victoria in The Tower. This delightful book is beautifully illustrated. Plants, animals, and other organisms are organized by the alphabet in this beautifully illustrated book full of interesting factual information.

The Cats of Tanglewood Forest by Charles de Lint, Charles Vess Ages 8—12 Lillian Kindred, an orphan living with her beloved aunt, spends her days exploring Tanglewood Forest, befriending the feral cats and imagining how wonderful it would be if the forest were full of fairies. One day Lillian is bitten by a snake, and the magical cats turn her into a kitten to save her life. Now Lillian must journey through the forest to negotiate with Old Mother Possum to restore the balance.

Fictional characters supplement the recollections of actual survivors, presented in the pages of a fictional magazine. Period photographs add to the dramatic effect. How Mirka Got Her Sword by Barry Deutsch Ages 8—12 Mirka 11 wants to be a dragon-slayer, but the entire population of her small Orthodox Jewish community opposes her, especially her brother, seven sisters, and stepmother. Gollie is small, rumpled, strong-willed, and down-to-earth. Like many best friends, the two squabble about just about anything in this early readers series debut.

Three connected stories present conflicts about appearance wild socks , personal boundaries a trek to the Andes , and pets jealousy. When a squirrel is swallowed whole by a Ulysses Super-Suction Multi-Terrain X vacuum cleaner, Flora rescues him and names him after the machine. This clever novel is a wonderful combination of realistic sadness and comedy.

All he needs is a horse. When Leroy meets Maybelline, it is love at first sight, and Leroy is finally ready to ride into the sunset like the heros of his favorite Western movies. This Tales from Dekawoo Drive series opener features characters from other DiCamillo books, like the toast-loving pig Mercy.

She decides that if she can win the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition and get her picture in the paper, her father will see it and come home. To win, Raymie has to learn to twirl a baton and to do good deeds. Her competition is Louisiana Elefante, a wispy orphan who claims to be the daughter of the famous Flying Elefantes, and Beverly Tapinski, a fierce girl who vows to sabotage the contest. Tragedies have influenced all three girls, and as the contest grows closer they gradually begin to trust and rely on each other. Despereaux falls in love with the beautiful human Princess Pea and is banished to the dungeon.

Chiaroscuro is a rat who hates the dark dungeon and longs to live in the light above. Miggery Sow is a peasant servant who dreams of wearing a princess crown herself. These four characters interact in unexpected ways in this delightful and suspenseful fairy tale. The multi-ethnic children declare that they would take care of the important things first, like making sure that everyone has enough food and a safe place to live, stressing that friendship, kindness, and generosity would be valued more than wealth if they ran the world. They re-named themselves after the winning lottery ticket that made their dream of having a family come true, and have seven home-schooled children of various ages, races, and talents.

They live unconventionally and happily in their room Toronto mansion until the estranged father of one of the parents arrives for an indefinite stay. The personality of the stubborn and conservative grandfather quickly dubbed Grumps is especially hard on Sumac 9 , who has been assigned as his personal guide. This funny story of adjusting to new situations is a winner. While waiting in a long line, a stranger gives them a free ticket and Salim boards the ride. When his pod arrives back in half an hour, Salim is missing. Ted and Kat overcome their usual sibling friction to work together to solve the mystery.

Finally she walks away from their taunts into an overgrown lot where she is bitten by a fox and meets Anders and his father, who is suffering from the effects of serving in the Iraq war. On the way home from school she meets Tansey, a mysterious young woman who seems familiar though she is dressed in old-fashioned clothes. Tansey has come to help her daughter say good-bye and guide her safely out of this world. The comforting ghost helps Emer, Mary, and her mother Scarlett overcome their fear of death.

Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. But one night Stella and her little brother are out late at night and witness a meeting of the Klan, a signal of trouble to come to the black community of Bumblebee. Stella envies the fine school buildings for the white children and dreams of becoming a writer. Her father is equally determined to vote. Fable Comics edited by Chris Duffy Ages 6—12 Twenty-eight fables are retold by 26 talented graphic artists in comic format. Many of the fables are classics from Aesop, but some are more obscure. Though based on the originals, each enjoys artistic freedom as long as there is a moral at the end.

Classic Tales Told by Extraordinary Cartoonists edited by Chris Duffy Ages 6—12 Seventeen classic fairy tales are adapted and illustrated in comics format by seventeen different cartoonists. But eating all the chocolate in the refrigerator gets Dessert into trouble at home. Her teacher encourages Dessert to find her own way to make amends. The humorous black and white illustrations add to the fun of this book. Beautiful melding of poetry, narration, and art bring the love of music to life. At first Carol avoids the prickly grandfather she never met, but his questions about why she chose to abandon her real name Carolina for the Anglicized Carol makes her reflect on her heritage.

Notes from a Colorful Life by Lois Ehlert Ages 5—10 Lois Ehlert always knew she was an artist and was encouraged by her parents to make things with leftover scraps of fabric and buttons. Art school gave her the skills to create picture books. This fascinating autobiography helps readers to create projects of their own with directions for making a bird feeder and a cat mask, and makes it clear that creating collage pictures is an art form anyone can enjoy.

The Girl Who Wanted to Dance by Amy Ehrlich Ages 6—10 Clara, who longs to dance, lives with her sad father and loving grandmother who tells her that her absent mother also loved music and dance. This haunting fairy tale compassionately addresses the irresistible artistic urge and the pain of those left behind. Chirp is content in their cozy "nest" on the beach until her mother is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, fading into a depressed shadow of her former vivacious self.

Chirp finds comfort watching her beloved birds, and makes friends with Joey, a mysterious boy who lives across the street. The two create their own private world and dream of escape to a world free of sick mothers and abusive fathers. His terrified parents buy him everything he wants, but each year Santa leaves him only a pair of socks.

This darkly funny book is the perfect gift for all children whose favorite holiday is Halloween. Forest World by Margarita Engle Ages 10—up Edver 11 has lived with his cryptozoologist mother in Miami for most of his life. Sent to visit his father, who patrols the forest for poachers, in the Cuban village of La Selva, Edver is surprised to discover that he has a sister his mother left behind when she fled to America ten years earlier.

The two sibling have conflicted feelings about the mother that separated them and left Luza behind, but find a connection in their love for the natural world that both their parents protect. The two come up with a plan to lure their mother back to Cuba, accidentally creating a dangerous situation they must work together to resolve. She hates recess with all the noise and confusion, and meets with her counselor, Mrs.

Without him, Caitlin struggles more than ever. She bottle-fed the kitten and carried him in a pouch wile on photography expeditions. Gradually she begins to reintroduce the kitten she names Moto to his natural world, fostering his survival instincts with the goal of returning him to the wild. Beautiful photographs illustrate this poignant story of wildlife rescue.

One day while coming home from karate lessons, Mango finds a frightened Malayan tapir named Bambang stranded in the middle of the road. Mango takes Bambang home and feeds him banana pancakes. The two become fast friends and have wonderful adventures together. This endearing early chapter book features humorous illustrations that support the text. She only has time for reading and facts and friends just get in the way. But Livingston Flott Fly , who lives next door, an exuberant singer-songwriter, breaks through her defenses. This engaging early chapter book featuring a friendship between opposites includes whimsical cartoon illustrations.

The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer Ages 9—up Jack 11 is a scrawny medieval Saxon boy who has never been much good at anything until the Bard of his village makes him an apprentice. Jack is slowly learning to call on magical powers when the Bard realizes that Viking berserkers are about to attack the village. They raise a fog to hide the village, but Jack and his sister Lucy 5 are kidnapped by by Ivan One-Brow and his crew.

This skillful amalgam of history, myth, and humor will appeal to fantasy lovers of all ages. When her behavior grows too bad to ignore, the family takes her to a monastery for an exorcism. Assisted by Pega, a slave girl, and Thorgil, the ex-berserker, Jack journeys through the lands of hobgoblins, kelpies, yarthkins, and elves in this thoroughly satisfying sequel to The Sea of Trolls.

Louis, Missouri, at the turn of the 20th century. A widow with four children to support, Fannie successfully united her fellow garment workers and fought for better wages and working conditions. She expanded her fight to workers in other industries and was killed by coal company guards on a picket line in Brackenridge, Pennsylvania in This accessible biography of a little-known union activist is a great introduction to the history of US labor rights.

The Vengekeep Prophecies by Brian Farrey, Brett Helquist Ages 8—12 For generations the Grimjinx clan has produced the most talented thieves in Vengekeep, and Jaxter 12 is determined to uphold the family tradition. Unfortunately his first attempt results in a house fire and lands his family in jail. His family has already put their biggest con ever in motion, replacing the tapestry that predicts the events of the coming year in Vengekeep with one that portrays the Grimjinx clan as heroes.

The family discovers that the tapestry is enchanted, the disasters depicted are really happening, and the Grimjinxs must destroy the tapestry before it destroys Vengekeep. His best friend Libby is the only other person in their hometown of Jankburg, Pennsylvania, who even appreciates a good show tune. An open casting call for E. Five, Six, Seven, Nate! Nate finds Broadway thrilling, but is terrified by the rehearsals. The child stars are unfriendly, and the understudies are worse.

And worst of all Nate discovers that he is not the understudy for E. This funny coming-of-age story is the sequel to Better Nate than Ever. Puddles disagree on everything. And for some reason the family attracts clouds. Told from both the human and canine perspectives, this lively and funny novel is full of quirky characters that enchant and amuse. She married a man who loved sailing as much as she did, and in served as navigator of their clipper ship The Flying Cloud on its 15, maiden voyage from New York City, around the tip of Cape Horn, and into San Francisco to deliver passengers and cargo to the Gold Rush.

This accessible biography presents a little-known female sailor at a time when only men were expected to take the helm. The Big Splash by Jack D. Ferraiolo Ages 10—14 Seventh grader Matt Stevens walks the mean hallways of Franklin Middle School in this clever and funny middle school noir. Tough guy Vinny Biggio and his gang of trigger girls and boys armed with squirt guns rule the campus until Matt decides to figure out who took down Nikki Fingers in this exciting mystery. Sidekicks by Jack D.

Though the superheroes they support are arch-enemies, the two sidekicks realize that they have much in common. When Scott realizes that Phantom Justice may not be the good guy he pretends to be, Scott is forced to make a choice about which side to support. Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris Ages 9—12 Chris runs away from home when he is six and is raised in the forest by trolls. After spotting Marigold in her castle through his telescope, he sends a p-mail pigeon mail and they become friends. When he learns her life may be in danger, he heads off to save her.

This fast-paced fantasy, romance, comedy, and coming-of-age novel is a lot of fun. Twice Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris Ages 9—12 This hilarious warping of fairy-tail conventions continues the story of Marigold, her new husband, her father the king, and her evil step-mother who is not as dead as they hoped. Miss Etta and Dr. Claribel Cone were two unmarried sisters from Baltimore who fell in love with modern art in Paris. The two sisters, encouraged Leo Stein, supported beginning artists like Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso, bought their paintings, and brought them back to America.

Without professional advice or counsel, trusting their eyes and instincts, the two sisters concentrate on the avant-garde. This touching story is lavishly illustrated with reproductions of the Cone Collection and the colorful Matisse-inspired paintings by the author. The fourth of nine children in a Catholic family in a small town in Wisconsin, Mary Clare works hard to help her mother maintain some sort of order in their chaotic household, while writing letters to a Mother Superior, describing her daily life and hopes for the future.

This painfully honest novel is both funny and hopeful. Autumn is a talented wrestler but has a learning disability and struggles with reading. Adonis was born without legs but is a talented student. Autumn wants to get to know Adonis better, but he wants nothing to do with her. She insults them until they have no choice but to fight back, despite the fact that she owns her own electric chair and subscribes to Guard Dog Lovers Monthly. The class full of underdogs unites under the leadership of Einstein, the class genius, who brings out the hidden talents of each student.

Unfortunately Miss Breakbone, their terrifying teacher, also lands an extra spot. When Spider is arrested for stealing a necklace, it takes the combined efforts of the whole Dunderhead gang to identify the real thief and clear his name. This delightful darkly comic mystery is the sequel to The Dunderheads. First Light, First Life: A Worldwide Creation Story by Paul Fleischman, Julie Paschkis Ages 6—9 Elements from creation stories from around the world are woven together into one whole, highlighting their similar story lines. Each page represents a different country or culture, celebrating both our commonalties and our differences.

Poems for Two Voices by Paul Fleischman Newbery Medal Ages 8—up These poems about insects are designed to be read aloud by two voices, bring the words to life. Inside a cigar box she discovers a collection of old matchboxes, each holding a memory that the old man explains as she holds the treasures in her hand.

An olive pit from his native Italy brings the memory of sucking on the pit when the family had no food, a fish bone tells the story of hard work in a cannery, and a piece of movable type represents his mastery of the written word. Chaplin, the Funniest Man in the World by Sid Fleischman Ages 9—12 Photographs and newspaper clippings enliven this sympathetic biography of the great silent film star whose career ended with the introduction of sound to movies.

When Brat decides to see life outside the castle, he forces Jemmy to come with him, and Jemmy is accused of kidnapping the prince. The boys are captured by Hold-Your-Nose Billy, a notorious outlaw, and Jemmy must use all his cleverness to keep them both alive in this funny and adventurous book. Giant Squid by Candace Fleming, Eric Rohmann Ages 6—10 Little is known about the giant squid, which lives in the deepest darkest reaches of the ocean.

Some giant squid are as large as a school bus, but they are rarely seen by people. The little we know about these huge cephalopods is what scientists have discovered from pieces of dead squids washed up on the shore or found by fishermen in the sea. This fascinating book reveals what we know about giant squids piece by piece, beginning with a description of their foot-long tentacles, until the entire squid is revealed.

On the Day I Died: Stories from the Grave by Candace Fleming Ages 11—14 Mike Kowalski 16 discovers an abandoned Chicago cemetery where nine teenaged ghosts tell him how they died from the s to the present. The tenth story describes the death of the narrator. A mother and her two children board the train in Omaha, leaving their old home behind to join Papa who has gone ahead to Sacramento, California to prepare their new home.

Details about the construction of the railroad and the crew it takes to run the train provide background to the small family enjoying the cross-country journey. Prehistoric Poems and Paintings by Douglas Florian Ages 6—up These humorous and witty poems and illustrations will appeal to dinosaur and word lovers alike. The facts are accurate, and the combination of poem and collage make them unforgettable.

Baseball Poems by Douglas Florian Ages 6—9 Upbeat poems cover the defensive positions on the field as well as batting and running. Exuberant illustrations exaggerate the physical motions of the baseball players as they stretch, swing, bend, and run, complementing the humor and the competitive spirit of the poems. When Green Becomes Tomatoes: Each poem begins with a date and reads like a diary entry, combining observations about each season with personal connections. Dragonborn by Toby Forward Ages 8—12 Sam 12 is a half-trained wizard when his beloved master Flaxfield dies unexpectedly.

With his dragon Starback, Sam sets out to find a way to continue his education. This adventure story told with a touch of humor is the first in a new series. The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle by Janet Fox Ages 10—up Katherine 12 and her two younger siblings are sent away from London along with a group of classmates to keep them safe during the bombings of the s Blitz. Rookskill Castle, owned by a distant relative, is an ancient place in the Scottish highlands. But the castle appears to be haunted, and by something far more dangerous than ghosts.

Kat believes that Lady Eleanor is hiding a Nazi spy, but when her classmates begin disappearing one by one she fears that the danger may be even older and more terrifying. Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee Ages 8—12 Ophelia Jane Worthington-Whittard 11 is visiting a strange city where it never stops snowing with her father and sister after her mother dies. The boy tells Ophelia that he was locked away by the evil Snow Queen, and recruits Ophelia to help him save the world from the Snow Queen.

This re-imagining of the tale of the Snow Queen is magical. Now ten, the refugee camp run by abusive guards is the only life Subhi has ever known. One day a girl named Jimmie appears at the bars of the camp, holding a notebook written by her dead mother. Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass: The Story Behind an American Friendship by Russell Freedman Ages 9—12 This fascinating photo biography tells the story of the friendship between two remarkable men.

Both Lincoln and Douglass were born poor, and rose to positions of influence through their intelligence and hard work. A brief history of the war that provided the background for their friendship is efficiently presented. Because of the strict exclusion laws aimed first at the Chinese, Angel Island was more a detention center than a welcome to the United States.

Interpreting a Poem's Main Idea & Theme - Video & Lesson Transcript | www.newyorkethnicfood.com

This poignant history is interspersed with the despairing poems written on the barrack walls along with archival photographs and personal vignettes. Frustrated with reprisals for attempting to register to vote, the black community of Selma began to protest. In January , Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In February, an an Alabama state trooper shot an unarmed demonstrator, inspiring a march from Selma to the state capital.

On March 7th, law officers attacked the peaceful demonstrators. Broadcast around the world, this attack spurred the protesters to complete the march at any cost, finally completing the 54 mile walk on March 25th, arriving in Montgomery, Alabama, to the cheers of a crowd of 25, supporters. Lafayette and the American Revolution by Russell Freedman Ages 10—up In this accessible biography, we first meet the Marquis de Lafayette as a strong-willed year-old defying the King of France to run off and join the American Revolution.

Though young Lafayette had never set foot on a battlefield before, he soon earned the respect of the Americans because of his bravery and drive to succeed. A Photobiography by Russell Freedman Newbery Medal Ages 8—12 This comprehensive and accessible biography of Abraham Lincoln is enhanced by period photographs and drawings.

We Will Not Be Silent: But the enforced conformity of the Hitler Youth repelled Hans, and he joined a banned group that read forbidden books. Sophie read a book by a Jewish German poet and got into trouble for questioning the pervasive anti-Semitism.

Interpreting a Poem's Main Idea & Theme

While attending school in Munich, the two and a few friends formed the White Rose, a campaign of active resistance to Hitler and the Nazis, distributing leaflets urging Germans to defy the Nazi government. Hans and Sophie were eventually tried and executed by guillotine, but the message of the importance of defiant resistance in the face of overwhelming evil shines through. Luminous digital illustrations accompany this tale of grief, friendship, and the healing power of time. As she moves past walls covered with graffiti along the trash on the sidewalk, Sophie is trailed by a city predator, a frightening man in a dark coat.

Alternative endings raise questions about violence and safety. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman Ages 10—up When a murderer kills the rest of his family, the toddler escapes to the graveyard next door where the ghosts take him in and raise him as their own. The boy, called Bod short for Nobody grows up fairly normal despite his ghoulish guardians and the fact that the killer is still stalking him.

This gothic fantasy is downright terrifying at times. The Graveyard Book Graphic Novel: Volume 1 by Neil Gaiman, P. Russell created the look and layout for the graveyard world, and six artists Kevin Nowlan, P.

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Scott each contribute a chapter. Volume 2 , the second volume containing Chapter Six to the end, will be released later this fall. The pitch black of the India ink drawings of terrifying landscapes mirror the dark version of the tale, with a scary witch and a mother who decides abandoning her children is the only way the parents can survive. Though not a true graphic novel, this illustrated story alternates illustrations and text.

Unnatural Creatures edited by Neil Gaiman, Maria Dahvana Headley Ages 13—up The 16 stories that comprise this anthology all feature fantastic creatures that exist only in the imaginations of the authors and readers. Ranging from the whimsical to the terrifying, the collection includes classics from the late s through the present. Stealing Our Way Home by Cecilia Galante Ages 8—12 When their mother dies of cancer in the spring, Pippa 10 and Jack 12 have to also deal with the fact that their father falls apart, unable to work or take care of the house, though he does continue to love his children.

Pippa stops speaking, and Jack begins to get into fights. School is starting again and Pippa has no idea how she is going to manage a class presentation on Spartan warriors and Jack becomes interested in the mysterious girl next door. This emphatic novel is narrated by Pippa and Jack in alternating chapters.

Two years later, along with Oliver, the boy who lives next door, and Adelaide, a French girl with a wooden leg, Archer is prepared to set off on a rescue mission. Stunning illustrations add dimension to this tale of friendship and adventure. But then his mother loans him out to a neighbor, and Jack finds himself typing obituaries of the strange and wonderful people who founded his small town.

This funny and mysterious semi-autobiographic mix of fact and fiction is fast-paced and immensely entertaining. Spizz, the murder suspect from Dead End in Norvelt , is still at large when a new victim dies. Miss Volker learns that her twin sister is dead, and the two head to Florida to bring the murderer to justice. While traveling, Jackie enjoys reading the Classic Illustrated comics his mother forbids, and Miss Volker draws hilarious parellels between their lives and the classic stories.

This darkly funny and emotionally powerful novel is the finale to the groundbreaking five-book series that began with Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key. Three events force her to face the loss of something she loves: Each character in this moving novel has a powerful voice in helping Yumi cope with change. Operation Bunny by Sally Gardner, David Roberts Ages 7—10 Emily Vole 9 inherits an abandoned shop and discovers a magical world she never knew existed. Harpella, a fairy-hating witch, is determined to turn the town into rabbits. Emily joins Buster, a grumpy fairy detective, to save the day.

There Will Be Bears by Ryan Gebhart Ages 10—up Tyson 13 is angry with his best friend who no longer has time for him now that he is on the football team and has a girlfriend. Ranier with his dog Beau. Alternate chapters are narrated by Mark, who struggles through the climb with the help of Beau, and by Jessie, who vacillates between keeping her promise and giving in. Jess has trouble accepting that she is always expected to be a good big sister, while Emma runs rampant over her life and privacy.

Vivid and frank poems present the pains and joys of having a little sister. But nothing exciting ever happens in her little town, and the only thing Annie knows about her father is that Gram said he was killed in a fight with a bad men who was sent to jail. Jeanne is a peasant girl who can see the future, William is of African heritage and has amazing strength, and Jacob is a Jewish boy with the power to heal the sick. The travelers wonder if the three children are saints, frauds, or in league with the devil as they tell of their individual encounters with the trio.

A flatulent dragon adds to the mystery and fun. A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz Ages 10—up In this irreverent and retelling of eight Grimm inspired fairy tales, Hansel and Gretel take their fate into their own capable hands, and walk out of their own story and into the other tales. Avoiding the modern trend of softening the original tales, these instead revel in bloodthirsty scariness, sure to delight readers ready for some wickedly funny terror. In a Glass Grimmly by Adam Gidwitz Ages 10—up Classic fairy tales are re-imagined in this collection, which is not for the faint hearted!

Along the way they encounter dark versions of Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty as well as other less well known fairy tales. Storyteller by Patricia Reilly Giff Ages 8—14 While staying with her aunt, Elizabeth finds a portrait of Eliza, known as Zee, an ancestor who looks just like her. George by Alex Gino Ages 8—12 George 10 is a boy in the eyes of everyone, but inside she knows she is really a girl. Before her mother and older brother come home each day, George comes her hair into bangs and calls herself Melissa, burying her secret after those few treasured moments.

His ten-year-old granddaughter Zelda continues the story, describing the heat wave and devastating bush fires. Each spread covers a different time period with illustrations, captions, and short blocks of text highlighting mass extinctions, wars, natural disasters, and cultural trends.

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The visual timeline is powerful and has plenty of details to spark interest. Sheridan, the owner of the theater. After Cat sees Mr. Sheridan hiding a valuable diamond, she and her friends decide to help safeguard the treasure. Set in s London, England, this thrilling mystery will keep readers glued to the pages. When the lonely girl discovers a beautiful doll, Maria, hidden under the floorboards, she hides the doll from her godmother who prohibits play, beautiful things, and talk of love.

This mysterious and creepy novel is enthralling. A Book About What Might Happen by Bruce Goldstone Ages 7—10 Beginning with the basic concepts of possibility, certainty, and impossibility, this accessible book explores probability. Photographs and digital illustrations place the situations firmly in the real world.

Clear scenarios and simple explanations make the often confusing topic of probability easy to grasp. At that first performance some audience members got up and left; the remainder were stunned into silence before breaking out into thunderous applause. The vivid illustrations highlight the theme of the power of art to fight against intolerance and hate. Herman and Rosie by Gus Gordon Ages 7—10 Herman is a crocodile who likes to play the oboe, and Rosie likes to sing jazz. Though the two live in adjacent buildings in New York City, they have never met. Then Herman loses his job as a salesman, and the club Rosie sings in closes from poor attendance.

Rosie is drawn to the music Herman plays to cheer himself up, and the two lonely artistic souls find happiness together. Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff Ages 8—12 Albie 10 is a half-Korean only child with learning difficulties, especially with math and spelling. The one bright spot is his new baby-sitter Calista, a college art student, who shares her love for art with him and appreciates him for who he is.

Refugee by Alan Gratz Ages 9—12 Intertwined narratives tell the story of three children seeking asylum with their families. Josef 12 lives in Nazi Germany. When his father returns from a concentration camp nearly destroyed, Josef must help his family board a ship for Cuba in to escape Germany. Isabel 11 lives in Cuba with her family. In they board a raft, hoping to find safety in America. Mamoud 12 leaves Syria with his family after a bomb destroys their apartment building, hoping to find a new life in Greece.

Full of tragedy and resilience, these stories illuminate the desperate need of refugees around the world to find a place of security and safety. The Nuts and Bolts of Your Insides by Dan Green, Edmond Davis Ages 7—up Using the metaphor of a factory, this entertaining look at the human body begins with the CEO in the brain issuing orders and then presents the different systems and organs working together.

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Jet-ski riders transport oxygenated blood from the heart, railcars take food through the digestive tract, and lab workers mix gastric juices in the stomach with a giant whisk. Making Appalachian Spring by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan, Brian Floca Ages 6—10 This inspired book manages to capture the excitement of dance, music, and stage design while celebrating the collaboration between dancer Martha Graham, composer Aaron Cop,and, and set designer Isamu Noguchi. It has 13 stories, a bowling alley, a shark tank, and an underground laboratory.

Distracted by flying cats, giant bananas, mermaids, and giant gorillas, Andy and Terry have fallen way behind on finishing their next book for their publisher Mr. This lavishly illustrated celebration of the absurd is the first in a series. The tree house now includes a bumper car rink, an anti-gravity chamber, an ice cream parlor with 78 flavors, and a maze so complicated no one has yet come out of it. The two are hard at work on their next book, which will tell the story of how the two friends met, but a pirate from the past derails their writing schedule.

This non-stop illustrated adventure is the sequel to The Story Treehouse. A former foster child, he is happy with his elderly adoptive mother and former therapist, and thrilled to be living in Coney Island. Ben loves to read science fiction and gets to know Mrs. Lorentz, the local librarian. Through Flip, Ben meets Haley, a fellow book-lover who wears strange combinations of bright colors.

The Glass Sentence by S. Grove Ages 10—up In the Great Disruption of time itself broke apart and reassembled stranding countries and continents in different time periods, some thousands of years apart. A century later, Sophia 13 lives with her Uncle Shadrack in New Occident Boston, where Shadrack specializes in the science and magic of maps.

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One day Sophia returns home to find their secret map room emptied of all their treasured maps, and Uncle Shadrack kidnapped by religious zealots searching for a legendary map that records the memories of the whole world from the distant past to the present. With the help of her friend Theo and bunch of pirates, Sophia sails to Nochtland, a kingdom in the former Mexico, searching for traces of her uncle.

This exciting adventure story is the first in the Mapmakers series. Somewhere There Is Still a Sun: Increasingly repressive rules, including no soccer, soon result in the forced relocation of the Gruenbaum family into the Jewish Ghetto. Then Misha, his mother, and his sister were deported to the Terezin concentration camp, where Misha roomed with 40 other boys, who became like brothers to him. The boys played soccer matches and tried not to succumb to terror as the names were read of each new family on the list for transportation to Auschwitz.

First person narration adds immediacy to this memoir of defiance, love, and courage in the face of increasingly appalling events. The Only Child by Guojing Ages 5—9 This mesmerizing wordless graphic novel begins when an overall clad child wakes up to find herself alone on a bus. The two fly beyond the clouds and meet a wonderful creature that seems to be half baby seal and half polar bear cub. The loyal stag returns the child home.

Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix Ages 8—12 Jonah has always known he was adopted, and at age 13 he and his friends begin receiving mysterious messages. The kids track down other adoptees and learn the FBI is involved. The first in a new series: Defying orders, Rapunzel scales the walls to see the rest of the world and is shocked to find a wasteland of mines and factories.

Banished to a forest tree house, Rapunzel uses her long braids to escape and fight against the villains. Real Friends by Shannon Hale, LeUyen Pham Ages 8—12 In this touching graphic memoir, Shannon Hale tells the story of her childhood from entering school through fifth grade as she struggles to make and keep a friend. Fly Trap by Frances Hardinge Ages 10—up Mosca Mye, her con man friend Eponymous Clent, and her fierce goose Saracen have barely escaped from the revolution, which they helped start, in the city of Mandelion. Toll is a wealthy town, but transforms into a dangerous place after dark, known as Toll-by-Night.

This humorous and inventive fantasy novel is the sequel to Fly by Night. Her younger sister Hathin acts as her translator and guardian. This complex tale is an entrancing story. Well Witched by Frances Hardinge Ages 8—12 Stranded in a forbidden place, three friends steal coins from a wishing well for bus fare. To their horror, they find themselves possessed by powers they cannot control: Chelle voices the thoughts of others, Josh conducts electrical currents, Ryan grows warts with eyes.

His uncle was killed overseas while serving in the army, and Wayne and his mother survive a plane crash coming home from the funeral at Arlington National Cemetery. Unable to speak, Wayne is forced to reconsider his identity and his relationships to other people. Wayne appeared in Courage for Beginners. Mysteriously mis-numbered pages can be deciphered with a code-cracking poem and a rhyming fact-checker in the footnotes tries to control poetic license.

An on-going rivalry between the author and the illustrator adds to the fun. In partnership with Fabian, the son of the groundskeeper, and Red, a girl wanted by the police for kidnapping a changeling, Tanya becomes involved in the decades old mystery of the disappearance of children from the nearby town. This appealing modern-day fairy tale will keep readers enthralled. They discover a bombed out town with an intact zoo filled with creatures in need of hope.

Like the children, the animals have stories to tell and a burning desire to reclaim their lives. This somber fable explores themes of responsibility and freedom. After years of waiting, the artists paints the horse in little more than 20 heartbeats. The Castle Behind Thorns by Merrie Haskell Ages 8—12 Sand 13 is an apprentice blacksmith who wakes up trapped in a castle with no idea how he got there.

Sundered Castle, now surrounded by a thicket of impenetrable thorns, was believed destroyed by an earthquake 20 years earlier. Sand begins to repair pieces of the castle, and the ruined building begins to come back to life. Then Perrotte, the long lost heir to the throne, appears, and the two work together to restore the castle and hopefully free themselves. Slider by Pete Hautman Ages 10—14 David Miller, an almost high school freshman, can eat an entire inch pepperoni pizza in under five minutes.

What I Came to Tell You by Tommy Hays Ages 10—up After his mother dies in an accident, Grover 12 finds himself responsible for his younger sister Sudie, who cries all the time, since his grieving father buries himself in work as the director of the Thomas Wolfe house. Grover spends most of his time in the canebrake, weaving beautiful tapestries from leaves and bamboo, growing more and more isolated. Then a new family moves into the neighborhood with a girl his age who is also missing a parent, helping Grover and his father learn to share their grief and begin to heal.

When Cinderella is captured by a witch, Frederic calls on the other princes for help and the four very different heroes must overcome their egos and work together to foil an evil plot against their kingdoms. This fast-paced adventure is very funny. The guidebook format provides illustrations, habits, behaviors, and descriptions of physical characteristics. Quizzes, fun tidbits, and poems add to the appeal. The Legend and the Fury by Brian Heinz, Randall Enos Ages 6—up Mocha Dick, a white whale named for the island near Chile where he was first sighted in , was hunted, wounded, and barely survived.

Harpoons blinded him in one eye, and caused him to attack whale boats in revenge, sinking harpoon boats and killing the whalers. When Mocha Dick was finally killed, heads of 19 harpoons were found in his body. She lives in a rundown house at the edge of a pristine forest, where her impoverished family hunts and forages for food. Her stepfather suffers from PTSD, and Fern is responsible for her younger brothers, who run wild in the woods. Her grandfather likes the business it brings to his manufacturing company and her stepfather hopes he can finally get a steady job, but Fern worries her beloved forest will be demolished.

Alice spends more time than usual on the beach, hoping this will be the summer she finally finds the rare junonia shell. Shooting at the Stars by John Hendrix Ages 8—12 A young British soldier on the front lines in World War I describes the brutal conditions of fighting and living in the trenches of a cold, wet winter on the French-Belgian border before an unforgettable Christmas Eve when English, French, and German soldiers put down their weapons and came together to celebrate the holiday.

They sang carols, exchanged gifts, and lit candles on miniature Christmas trees before retreating to their separate trenches to wait for the battle to resume. Told in alternating chapters from both viewpoints, this novel explores secrets, loss, and acceptance of what cannot be changed. Lewis and his team inject goat embryos with spider genes, resulting in goats who produce spider silk proteins in their milk.

Vivid photographs and a lively narration make the subject of DNA and gene theory accessible and interesting. But his Russian immigrant parents have just invented the stuffed teddy bear, and Joseph is too busy working to have fun. Meanwhile the street children living under the Brooklyn Bridge are haunted by a ghost they call the Radiant Boy. The city dwellers just call themselves the Nameless City and try not to get caught up in the unending wars, considering each wave of invaders outsiders not to be trusted.

Kaidu is a Dao, the current occupying nation. Rat, an orphan living on the streets, is a native of the Nameless City and is determined not to trust Kaidu. The two learn of an assassination plot and work together to save the city in this first in a graphic novel trilogy. The Black Book of Secrets by F. Higgins Ages 10—14 Young Ludlow Fitch, fleeing a terrible past, arrives in a peaceful village. The vaguely Dickensian late s atmosphere is the perfect backdrop for this historical fantasy. The Bone Magician by F. Higgins Ages 10—14 Young Pin Carpue is left to survive on his own in the crime-ridden city of Urbs Umida when his father, a suspected murderer, disappears.

Pin gets a job as a corpse watcher, standing guard in the morgue for three days to ensure that the deceased really are dead and not just sleeping. There he meets the Bone Magician who claims to be able to reanimate the dead to answer last questions from the living. This dark and funny fantasy is a companion volume to The Black Book of Secrets. The Eyeball Collector by F. Higgins Ages 10—14 Young Hector finds himself alone, homeless, and penniless when his father dies after being blackmailed and disgraced.

Hector sets out to find revenge against the man he thinks is responsible for the blackmail—Gulliver Truepin, a one-eyed con artist who steals jewels to make a different jeweled eyeball for each day of the week. The two end up at Withypitts Hall, home of the cruel Lady Mandible and all plots come together on the night of an extravagant feast. But when her father loses his job at the end of her 5th grade year, Sonia enters a racially divided public school.

For the first time her mixed heritage is an issue, and she begins to think about who she really is. Jim is in the hospital and knows he might die. Nurse Bami, an African woman with tribal scars on her cheeks, tells Jim he mist search for his finder, the animal in his head that will bring him back from wherever the doctors send him. The Last Best Days of Summer by Valerie Hobbs Ages 10—14 Lucy 12 is highly influenced by her friend Megan, who gives her tips about how to be popular in junior high, including not being friendly with Eddie, a boy with Down syndrome.

This thoughtful coming-of-age story is simply and effectively told. Poems to Learn by Heart by Mary Ann Hoberman, Michael Emberley All ages This collection of poems by a broad spectrum of authors are short enough to invite memorization. Mixed-media cartoons illustrate the themes and images of the poems. He had a tumor the size of a tennis ball in the middle of his face and short twisted legs.

The doctors removed the tumor and made him a new nose from one of his toes, but everyone agreed he was ugly. Children mocked him and adults stared. But Robert refused to let his looks define him, and with the help of his supportive parents he had as normal a childhood as possible, playing pranks, getting into trouble, and having adventures with his family. Grace longs to settle down, but her artistic and flighty mother is always ready to move on after only a few months.

When Grace is 12 her mother dies in a drowning accident, and Grace is sent to live with her grandmother, a stranger she has never met. Krosoczka, Dan Santat, Raina Telgemeier Ages 7—10 Favorite graphic artists present eight comics celebrating the joys of recess. Comic fans will revisit favorite characters and meet new ones in this anthology. Her best friend from fourth grade has become passionate about volleyball and likes hanging out with her new teammates.

Grandpa still dresses and thinks like a grumpy old man, but he and Ellie bond over discussions of scientific discoveries and ethics. Holm, Adam Gustavson Ages 8—10 May Amelia 12 lives on a farm in Washington state in with her parents, Finnish immigrants, and seven brothers. A salting of Finnish phrases and accurate historical details spice up this historical fiction, a sequel to Our Only May Amelia.

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Eventually Turtle warms to her eccentric relatives and begins to see the natural beauty hidden under the trash. The Water Seeker by Kimberly Willis Holt Ages 10—14 Jake Kincaid is a skilled dowser, a finder of water, but leaves that calling behind to become a trapper in He returns a year later to find that his wife has died, leaving him a baby named Amos.

Jake leaves Amos to be raised by his relatives in Nebraska, returning each summer to visit. In , Jake brings his new Shoshone wife with him and they take Amos with them to Missouri. When Amos is 13, the family joins a wagon train headed west on the Oregon Trail. The hardships of the journey are beautifully portrayed in this historical coming-of-age novel.

A Zombie Novel in Haiku?! Holt, Gahan Wilson Ages 9—14 Loeb, a zombie, has a problem—the object of his affection is a lifer human girl named Siobhan. Narrated entirely in haiku, this clever novel highlights the self-doubt and uncertainity all pre-teens suffer through whether they are human or zombie. Delightfully gruesome illustrations are the perfect match for the funny and unconventional haiku, sure to appeal to teachers of poetry and reluctant readers alike. Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose Ages 10—up In March , nine months before Rosa Parks refused to surrender her seat to a white passenger, year old Claudette Colvin was dragged from a bus and arrested for the same reason.

This book introduces readers to the courageous teenager who was overshadowed by Rosa Parks as the center of the bus boycott. Each February he joins a flock that flies from Tierra del Fuego to the breeding grounds in the Canadian Arctic miles away. In late summer he makes the return journey.

B95 can fly for days without eating or sleeping, but stops for food and rest are necessary, and changes to the migration path threaten the red knot with extinction. This detailed look at the red knot and the scientists who study the species is fascinating. Ink and wash paintings document both beautiful moments and unpleasant events.

Amazing Faces poems selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins, illustrated by Chris Soentpiet Ages 6—up This collection of poems includes character sketches and descriptions of multi-cultural people from all over the United States. The Muddled Misadventures of a Pickpocket by Deborah Hopkinson Ages 8—12 Rocco Zaccara 11 is sold by his poverty-stricken parents to a padrone in New York City who compells his group of children to earn money by performing as street musicians.

Rocco joins a band of pickpockets to save enough money to buy his way back home to Italy. First person narration brings this late 19th-century picaresque tale to life. A Mystery of London, the Blue Death, and a Boy Called Eel by Deborah Hopkinson Ages 10—up Eel is an orphan and a mudlark, combing through the filthy banks of the Thames for anything he can sell to earn enough to survive. Polluted air is blamed for the cholera epidemic, but Eel and his mentor Dr. Snow believe the disease is being spread through a local water pump. This exciting tale mixes mystery, science, medicine, and history.

Voices From the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson Ages 8—12 This intimate view of the Titanic disaster is told through the stories of a handful of survivors including an American teenager, a science teacher from England, a stewardess born in Argentina, and a nine-year-old British boy. The sinking of the ship, the rush for the lifeboats, and the terrifying wait for the arrival of the rescue ship Carpathia are presented with fast-paced drama. Bunny, a fedora-wearing pair of neophyte detectives, to track them down.