Do You Know Where Your Water Has Been?

A behind the scenes look at the modern water sanitation system- you will never take your drinking water for granted again.  This informative volume is a part of a series from the publisher investigating the modern sewage system and what happens to stuff once we dispose of it. This book explains the uses of water in the sanitation system as a whole and the importance of having clean water. Water treatment plants are explained with the assistance of diagrams and photographs, so readers will come away with a clear idea of the process our drinking water takes from each flush to turning on the faucet.


Barnhill, Kelly Regan. (2009). Do You Know Where Your Water Has Been? The Disgusting Story Behind What You’re Drinking.  Mankato, Mn. : Capstone Press. 32 pages. ISBN: 978-1-4296-1995-0.

Ages: 9-12
Rating: Outstanding

Cleopatra Rules!: the amazing life of the original teen queen

A modern take on the life of Cleopatra written in language that tweens can identify with- Shecter uses modern metaphors to illustrate ideas about ancient Egyptians spiritual and political beliefs.  Short chapters, graphic banners, and a plethora of illustrations, photographs, and maps make the text readable and easy to digest. 

Shecter, Vicki. (2010). Cleopatra Rules!: the amazing life of the original teen queen. Honesdale, Pa. : Boyds Mills Press. 128 pages. ISBN: 978-1-590-78718-2.

Ages: 9-12
Rating: High Additional

Harry Houdini

There are plenty of biographies of the famous Houdini, but none that have as many illustrations, photos, or poster reproductions like this volume. The text is captivating enough to keep younger tweens interested and teach older tweens a few things they may not know about the mysterious character.

Cobb, Vicki. (2005). Harry Houdini: A Photographic Life. New York, NY : DK Pub. 128 pages. ISBN: 978-0-756-61246-7.

Ages 9-12
Rating: High Additional

The Great and Only Barnum

A candid and thorough look at one of the great entertainers of the 19th century. Known for perpetuating hoaxes and promoting curiosities (freak shows,) Mr. Barnum founded the circus that would become Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Fleming brings some of the lesser known facts about the man to the forefront with the help of primary sources- he was committed to public service and despite common conceptions, was a deeply religious man.

Fleming, Candace. (2009). Great and Only Barnum: the Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P. T. Barnum New York: Schwartz & Wade Books. 160 pages. ISBN: 978-0-375-94597-7.

Ages: 8-12
Rating: Outstanding

Encylopedia of the Human Body

This awesome encyclopedia is organized into 5 categories: "Working Parts," "Moving Framework," "Control and Sensation," "Supply and Maintenance," and "New Generations and contains over 900 color illustrations, diagrams, photographs and models worthy of any library or personal collection. If you have a tween interested in the inner workings of the human body, no topic is too small be covered in this text- from cell anatomy to organ function. The volume even contains helpful reference sections at the end that include "The Body Through Time" and the essential index.

Walker, Richard. (2002). Encylopedia of the Human Body. New York : DK. 304 pages. ISBN: 978-0-789-48672-1.

Ages: 8+
Rating: Outstanding

Can I See Your I.D.?

Unusual biographical accounts of 10 people who have assumed false identities- some to escape persecution or danger, some to escape paying for the crimes they committed, and some to simply live lives they couldn't live as they were. The stories include that of 16-year-old boy who impersonated a transit worker to fulfill his dream of piloting a New York City subway train in 1993 and that of an impoverished young woman who enchanted nineteenth-century British society while impersonating an Asian princess. The narratives are written in second person, so young readers can thoroughly get into the minds of real impersonators.


Barton, Chris. (2011) Can I See Your I.D.?: true stories of false identities. New York : Dial Books for Young Readers. 121 pages. ISBN: 978-0-803-73310-7.

Ages: 11+
Rating: Outstanding

What it is

Award winning writer/illustrator Lynda Barry has moved into new territory- that of the part memoir, part how-to guide to creating art. With thought provoking questions about life and the world to get teens inspired to write, and hundreds of collages of illustrations, photographs, paintings, and watercolors this will be a sure hit with teens and tweens that are interested in delving into self expression through words and art.


Barry, Lynda. (2008). What it is. Montréal : Drawn & Quarterly. 209 pages. ISBN: 978-1-897-29935-7.

Ages 12+
Rating: High Additional

Singing; A Practical Guide to Pursuing the Art

If you've ever thought that singing was as simple as opening your mouth and belting out, "Happy Birthday" at a child's birthday party, you're wrong. As the judges of American Idol have repeatedly emphasized, not everyone can sing. This how-to guide to singing is geared to young teens (tweens) ages 11+ and is separated into short chapters with easy to understand directions. The chapters range from the basics of singing, including diagrams of the the anatomy that makes singing and talking possible, what it takes to make it, and where to start. Each chapter is filled with practical advice, like exercises for warming up the vocal chords to interviews with professional singers. The range of professional singers interviewed is wide- from a rock musician to a singing puppeteer and a Broadway musical performer. This is a must have for any collection.

Fishkin, Rebecca Love. (2010). Singing; A Practical Guide to Pursuing the Art. Mankato, MN Compass Point Books. 48 pages. ISBN: 978-0756543624
Ages 11-14
Rating: High Additional

The New Way Things Work

Inquiring minds want to know how things work- from a seemingly simple mechanism like a zipper to a computer processor, this detailed volume will keep a curious soul busy for ages. 80 pages of illustrations along with tongue and cheek explanations fill this 400 page volume by the Caldecott medal and Honor Awards winning author and illustrator David Macaulay.







Macaulay, David. (1998). The New Way Things Work. Boston : Houghton Mifflin Co. 400 pages. ISBN: 978-0-395-93847-8.

Ages 10+
Rating: Outstanding

No Girls Allowed

In graphic novel form, the stories of seven women from history are told. All of these women took on the appearances of men to reach their goals. The stories range from those of well known historical figures such as Mu Lan to the lesser known Viking pirate, Alfhild.




Hughes, Susan. (2008). No girls allowed: tales of daring women dressed as men for love, freedom and adventure. Toronto : Kids Can Press. 80 pages. ISBN: 978-1-554-53177-6.

Ages: 9-12
Rating: High Additional
2008 Cybil Award

National Geographic Kids

National Geographic kids is a multipurpose website designed for kids that provides high quality information, educational videos, news articles, interviews, and games focusing on geography, biology, and the environment.

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com
Ages 8+
Rating: Outstanding

Show of Hands

As a topic for young writers, "The Golden Rule" is one sure to bring up a lot of good questions especially from youth that attend a poorly funded public high school. The topics addressed by these students, who participated in workshops at 826 Valencia in San Francisco, range from global issues, street violence, or how to relate to and behave with friends and family. The essays are well written, inspiring, and easy to read.







Mission High School. (2009). Show of Hands: young authors reflect on the golden rule. San Francisco : 826 Valencia. 338 pages. ISBN: 978-1-934-75010-0.

Ages 12+
Rating: Outstanding

Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess

The Goddess of Wisdom and War comes to life as a graphic novel heroine in the second installment of the Olympians series. The novel includes the interwoven stories of how she killed her best friend Pallas, fought the Gigantes, aided Perseus, and cursed Arachne.




O'Connor, George. (2010). Olympians #02: Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess. New York: First Second. 76 pages. ISBN 978-1-596-43649-7.

Ages 9-14
Rating: High Additional