Jackson, Donna M., 1959-. Extreme scientists : exploring nature's mysteries from perilous places. Boston : Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2009. Extreme scientists battle some of the Earth's most intense conditions, from hurricanes to caves to the crowns of towering redwoods, in order to save lives, preserve species, and help us to better understand the way our planet works.
Guiberson, Brenda Z. Life in the boreal forest. 1st ed. New York : Henry Holt and Co., 2009. The boreal forest is buried in ice and snow during winter. But in summer lakes teem with fish, and bogs swarm with insects. Follow a snowshoe hare, beavers, a lynx, and other animals as they survive a year in this endangered landscape.
Davies, Nicola, 1958-. Just the right size : why big animals are big and little animals are little. 1st U.S. ed. Somerville, Mass. : Candlewick Press, 2009. This book uses cartoon-style art and geometry to explain the relationship between an animal's size and its abilities.
Swanson, Diane, 1944-. You are weird : your body's peculiar parts and funny functions. Toronto, Ont. ; : Kids Can Press, c2009. Tackles the weird questions about the human body that everyone's curious about including goose bumps, vampire fangs, eccentric eyeballs, wiggling ears, recyclable muscles, extra toes, and other mysteries.
Low, Alice. The fastest game on two feet : and other poems about how sports began. 1st ed. New York : Holiday House, c2009. Sports have origins in all kinds of activities, such as playing with sticks and stones, running from threats, and taking part in religious ceremonies. Using conjecture and historical facts, this book of poetry and prose relates how nineteen sports got their start and grew into the games we know today.
Weitzman, David, 1936-. Pharaoh's boat. Boston : Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2009. This book describes the building of Egyptian pharaoh Cheops's funeral boat.
Wing, Natasha. An eye for color : the story of Josef Albers. 1st ed. New York : Henry Holt and Co., 2009. The painter Joseph Albers saw art in simple things. Late in his career, he began painting squares of solid, unmixed color, one within another.
McDonough, Yona Zeldis. Louisa : the life of Louisa May Alcott. 1st ed. New York : Henry Holt and Co., 2009. Louisa came from a family that was poor but freethinking, and she started teaching when she was only seventeen years old. But writing was her passion. This biography captures the life of a compassionate woman who left an indelible mark on literature for all ages.
Sheldon, David (David Quentin). Into the deep : the life of naturalist and explorer William Beebe. Watertown, MA : Charlesbridge, c2009. When William Beebe was born in 1877, scientists had only begun to explore the natural world, a world that fascinated Beebe even as a child. He studied migratory birds, rain forest canopies, and ocean depths. Beebe was a pioneer of ecology, observing wildlife in their natural habitats.
Alter, Anna, 1974-. Abigail spells. 1st ed. New York : Alfred A. Knopf, c2009. George helps his best friend Abigail practice for the city spelling bee, then cheers her up when she makes a mistake.
Silverman, Erica. Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa : horse in the house. 1st ed. New York : Harcourt Children's Books, 2009. When Cocoa decides to explore the house, Cowgirl Kate has a hard time convincing him he must return to the barn.
Williams, Karen Lynn. My name is Sangoel. Grand Rapids, Mich. : Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2009. As a refugee from Sudan to the United States, Sangoel is frustrated that no one can pronounce his name correctly until he finds a clever way to solve the problem.
Bryant, Jennifer. Kaleidoscope eyes. 1st ed. New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2009. In 1968, with the Vietnam War raging, thirteen-year-old Lyza inherits a project from her deceased grandfather, who had been using his knowledge of maps and the geography of Lyza's New Jersey hometown to locate the lost treasure of Captain Kidd.
Davies, Jacqueline, 1962-. Tricking the Tallyman. 1st ed. New York : Alfred A. Knopf, c2009. In 1790, the suspicious residents of a small Vermont town try to trick the man who has been sent to count their population for the first United States Census.
Easton, Kelly. The outlandish adventures of Liberty Aimes. 1st ed. New York : Wendy Lamb Books, c2009. Ten-year-old Libby Aimes escapes her prison-like home by using a strange concoction of her father's, then tries to make her way to the boarding school of her dreams, aided by various people and animals.
Haddix, Margaret Peterson. Sent. 1st ed. New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, c2009. Jonah, Katherine, Chip, and Alex suddenly find themselves in 1483 at the Tower of London, where they discover that Chip and Alex are Prince Edward V and Richard of Shrewsbury, imprisoned by their uncle, King Richard III, but trying to repair history without knowing what is supposed to happen proves challenging. Author's note includes historical facts about the princes and king.
Potter, Ellen, 1963-. Slob. New York, NY : Philomel Books, c2009. Picked on, overweight genius Owen tries to invent a television that can see the past to find out what happened the day his parents were killed.
Schur, Maxine. Gullible Gus. New York : Clarion Books, c2009. Tired of the teasing he gets for being the most gullible man in Texas, Cowboy Gus goes to Fibrock to find the biggest liar there in hopes of hearing a tall tale that is impossible for anyone--even him--to believe.
Zalben, Jane Breskin. Brenda Berman, wedding expert. New York : Clarion Books, c2009. The big news -- Florrie says "Sorry" -- An almost perfect day -- Honeymoon in Hawaii -- Brenda Berman, wedding expert -- Mama's famous wedding cake -- Coconut-vanilla-raisin frosting -- Brenda's passion punch. When Brenda's favorite uncle decides to marry, Brenda sees visions of a gold lamé flower-girl's outfit, until Uncle Harry and his bride-to-be show up with her niece. Includes cake, frosting, and punch recipes.
Hicks, Betty. Track attack. 1st ed. New York : Roaring Brook Press, 2009. Jazz is a born runner who loves being on the school's track team. Her biggest fan is her dad--and that is a problem. He gets over-involved in her training, talks too much to the coach, yells at the track ref, and cheers way too loudly during the meets. How can Jazz tell him to stay away from the track without hurting his feelings?.
Maddox, Jake. Skater's secret. Mankato, Minn. : Stone Arch Books, c2009. Maggie and Shannon are figure skaters and sisters. But Maggie is really tired of Shannon always being in the spotlight. For once, Maggie is determined to come out from behind her sister's shadow. Can Maggie learn to shine, even when Shannon always seems to get in her way?.