A Time Best Children's Book of 2021! Packed with vibrant and dizzying artwork, this hilarious story cleverly riffs on classic seek-and-find books and will have young ones laughing out loud as the narrator struggles to get the characters to play along. Have you seen Gordon? Oh. There he is. Gordon isn't very good at hiding, is he? The narrator wants to play hide and seek with Gordon and the reader, but Gordon just wants to stand out. This madcap, fourth wall-breaking picture book is packed with humor and full, zany spreads with details kids will return to again and again.
Welcome to The Adventure Zone! If your heart sings for Critical Role and Dimension 20, you'll want to dive right into this gorgeous graphic novel adaptation of the trailblazing D&D podcast, which illustrates exploits of three lovable dummies on their journey from small-time bodyguards to world-class artifact hunters! Join Taako the elf wizard, Merle the dwarf cleric, and Magnus the human warrior for an adventure they are poorly equipped to handle AT BEST, guided ("guided") by their snarky DM, in a graphic novel that will tickle your funny bone, tug your heartstrings, and probably pants you if you give it half a chance. With endearingly off-kilter storytelling from master goofballs Clint McElroy and the McElroy brothers, and vivid, adorable art by Carey Pietsch, The Adventure Zone: Here There be Gerblins is the comics equivalent of role-playing in your friend's basement at 2am, eating Cheetos and laughing your ass off as she rolls critical failures and dies to a slime Praise for The Adventure Zone series: "Topping the New York Times bestseller list and building out its stories in fascinating new ways . . . it's become a cultural phenomenon." --Entertainment Weekly "Full of charm and snark and wit. Join the party!" --Felicia Day, author of Embrace Your Inner Weird "The Adventure Zone is fun, hilarious, and also smart. Hey, guys, can I have a cameo next time?" --Adam Savage, MythBusters "My excitement about this existing cannot be dwarfed by anything. You see what I did there." --Jean Grae, hip-hop artist, actor, and comedian "Gorgeous art--the characters come to life! I am so happy that this graphic novel is a thing that exists in the world." --Hank Green, author of Crash Course and The Lizzie Bennet Diaries Books in The Adventure Zone series: The Adventure Zone: Here There Be Gerblins (Book 1) The Adventure Zone: Murder on the Rockport Limited (Book 2) The Adventure Zone: Petals to the Metal (Book 3) The Adventure Zone: The Crystal Kingdom (Book 4) The Adventure Zone: The Eleventh Hour (Book 5) The Adventure Zone: The Suffering Game (Book 6)
Board Games to Create and Play by
Create the next Snakes and Ladders, Monopoly, Ticket to Ride or Settlers of Catan with this creative board game book! With over 55 boards to customize, Board Games to Create and Play is a doodle book where every page is an unfinished tabletop game. Just learn the basic concepts, colour and play! Board games are back in vogue - with board games cafés popping up all across the UK, they're no longer something to play on a rainy day, but a fun and social activity for every day of the year! In this interactive gaming book, Board Games to Create and Play teaches you how, in just half an hour, you and your friends can come up with a new game and start playing immediately. Just decide on a theme for the game, pick a rule set from the book, agree on some variations, doodle onto one of many board game designs and gather your die and counters! Completely dippable and possible to play in any order, this book is packed with tips, tricks and mechanics on how to design the perfect game. At the front of the book, there is an introduction to how everything works and what you'll need to play the games. What follows next in a beautiful package of 20 board game designs, each repeated three times for replayability. There are then three tutorials and a cheat sheet to get players started, a cornucopia of suggested games to push you in the right direction, and then 25 different rule sets, each introducing a new concept, to encourage players to think outside the box. Whatever the experience level of players, the game that you create from this book will always be playable, entertaining and surprising. Each board you create is easy to pull out and can be played again and again. So whether you play video games, mobile games or want to have a go at designing the next classic tabletop, this book is perfect anyone who wants to flex their creative muscles!
The Ultimate Book of Scavenger Hunts by
It's hard to resist a scavenger hunt. Give kids a list of things to find, and they naturally want to turn it into a game and start checking things off. Add in an outdoor and nature twist, and the game is elevated to a whole new level--and what an amazing opportunity to engage kids and families with nature in a whole new way. The Ultimate Book of Scavenger Hunts will help turn every outdoor outing into a scavenger hunt, with plenty of things for your family to look for, discover, and learn about. Geared towards families with kids ages 4-10, the hunts are geared to just about any location--from city to farm to beach to mountains. The book includes a leveled difficulty rating system so you can find both easy and difficult items within each hunt (1 being easy, 2 medium, 3 hard). Each hunt comes complete with factoids and information about the items on the list, and each item is accompanied by a colorful spot illustration so that the hunter can easily identify what they are looking for.
Outdoor Woodworking Games by
The reader of this exciting new title will have as much fun making the projects as they will playing the games! All of the 20 projects are designed to be made with the beginner woodworker in mind and using only basic woodworking tools and equipment. comprehensive, step-by-step instructions are based on standard sizes of wood so that pieces simply need to be cut to length with some basic shaping. all accessories required will be readily available making each project as straightforward as possible to create. step-by-step photos each project includes drawings where necessary. each project will also include instructions on how to play the game along with the all-important rules!
60 Classic Indoor Games by
Fun indoor games for the whole family to enjoy. Switch off your screens, gather the family, open up 60 Classic Indoor Games and remember how simple it is to play and laugh together. Inside this wonderful little book are new, classic and beloved (but often-forgotten) family games that are perfect to keep the children from their screens or tearing the house down on rainy days. It's great for entertaining visiting grandparents and brilliant at getting everyone's imagination going! Create your own family traditions with classic games like Charades, Sardines and Are You There, Moriarty? as well as new favourites like Kangaroo Racing, Sprouts and Fish Flap. Includes everything you need to know to play over 60 classic games ordered alphabetically for quick and easy reference. Suitable for all ages, it's a lovely gift to pass on for future generations to enjoy.
Screen-Free Fun by
Fight back against boredom and keep your kids busy and entertained--without staring at a screen--with this handy collection of family activities ranging from DIY projects to outdoor adventures to easy daytrips. While technology often offers a quick and easy parenting solution to keep children entertained, too much screen time can negatively affect developmental and social skills, and even lead back to the original problem--boredom. Screen-Free Fun offers over 400 ideas to disconnect from tech devices and reconnect with our families in a healthier way. You and your child can pick from DIY activities to games to weekend outings. Since many of the activities work well for kids at various ages, your family will be able to grow along with the different projects and make plans for both younger and older siblings alike. You can try indoor projects like homemade slime, outdoor activities like building a fort, or learn more about your favorite destinations with activities like a scavenger hunt in your neighborhood or an i-spy game at the zoo. There is also space for your family to add your own favorite activities so you never forget a great idea or memory! From summer vacation to holiday breaks and every rainy day in between, with this book you and your family will always have something fun to do together--without ever having to resort to a tablet, phone, or computer.
DIY Backyard Games by
Invite friends and family over and head outside for a backyard game night! Perfect for barbecues, stay-cations, family reunions, block parties, and more, DIY Backyard Games offers 12 step-by-step easy woodworking and DIY projects to make your own lawn games! Approachable for anyone to accomplish, no matter your experience or skill level, make everything from DIY cornhole, giant Jenga and Dominoes to Yahtzee, Memory, Twister, and more! Use affordable materials and follow simple, step-by-step instructions with coordinating photography to create handmade, board-inspired games that will provide guests with hours of outdoor fun! Author Colleen Pastoor is the popular DIY blogger behind Lemon Thistle, where she offers creative tutorials for a fun home life in a modern style.
Super Fun Family Card Games by
Fun is in the cards with 75 family-friendly card games for ages 4 and up Make your next family game night unforgettable with just a single deck of cards. Super Fun Family Card Games is bursting with all kinds of easy-to-learn, enjoyable, and challenging games that are perfect for family game nights. Shuffle up your evening with hundreds of hours worth of engaging, screen-free fun that every member of the family can get in on! This giant collection of card games features everything from all-time classics to schoolyard favorites to beloved solo-play options. There are even handy tips for making sure your game nights are a big success! Inside Super Fun Family Card Games you'll find- 75 Delightful card games-From Crazy Eights and Spider Solitaire to Speed and Rummy, this comprehensive collection makes it easy to find something new to play. All ages, any number of players-Get action-packed games that are perfect for the whole family, including young children, teens, and adults. Easy-to-understand instructions-Learn each game in no time with the help of simple and complete instructions that include helpful pictures. Take family fun to the next level with Super Fun Family Card Games!
Lines by
This beautifully illustrated board book shows readers how lines make up a whole: a whole square, house, town, city, and universe! Line, Lines Square, Squares Town Line, Lines Circle, Circles Go round Think beyond shapes. Beyond colors. Beyond letters and numbers. With poetic text and beautiful illustrations, this board book shows us how individual pieces make up a whole. And not just a whole house or a whole town, or a whole city, but a whole universe. This book celebrates both the simplicity and complexity of the world around us!
Let's Clap, Jump, Sing and Shout; Dance, Spin and Turn It Out! by
"Part songbook, part research text, this work is perfect for families to share together or for young scholars who seek to discover an important piece of cultural history."-- School Library Journal, starred review From Newbery Honor winner Patricia C. McKissack and two-time Caldecott Honor winner Brian Pinkney comes an extraordinary must-have collection of classic playtime favorites. This very special book is sure to become a treasured keepsake for African American families and will inspire joy in all who read it. Parents and grandparents will delight in sharing this exuberant book with the children in their lives. Here is a songbook, a storybook, a poetry collection, and much more, all rolled into one. Find a partner for hand claps such as "Eenie, Meenie, Sassafreeny," or form a circle for games like "Little Sally Walker." Gather as a family to sing well-loved songs like "Amazing Grace" and "Oh, Freedom," or to read aloud the poetry of such African American luminaries as Langston Hughes, James Weldon Johnson, and Paul Laurence Dunbar. And snuggle down to enjoy classic stories retold by the author, including Aesop's fables and tales featuring Br'er Rabbit and Anansi the Spider. "A rich compilation to stand beside Rollins's Christmas Gif' and Hamilton's The People Could Fly." --The Horn Book "An ebullient collection.... There is an undeniable warmth and sense of belonging to these tales." --Kirkus Reviews, Starred
Clap on the 2 And 4 by
A brightly illustrated board book that teaches toddlers how to count and clap on beat. Magic happens when we all clap together. Clap on the 2 and 4 encourages parents and children to create that magic together. Across all styles of music, some people clap on one beat while others clap on another, but we should all be clapping on the second and fourth. If we can come together on something so small, maybe we can come together on some bigger things as well. Children will learn the basics of clapping and be encouraged to try clapping on different beats. But, when it's time to hit the dance floor, it's important to always clap on the 2 and the 4.
Peek-A-You! (a Bright Brown Baby Board Book) by
Playing peekaboo is more fun than ever with this rhythmic, whimsical board book from New York Times bestselling and award-winning duo Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney! Peek-a-you, peek-a-you, can you see? Here's the pretty brown face of me? Cuddle up with your little one and play a happy game of peekaboo! You won't be able to resist this adorable board book with adorable rhymes and endless brown baby energy and fun. With bouncing, rhythmic text from New York Times bestselling author Andrea Davis Pinkney and warm, winsome illustrations from Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Award-winning illustrator Brian Pinkney, this joyful celebration of roly-poly, perfectly huggable, oh-so-lovable little ones is just-right for the whole family all throughout the year! Take a peek to see what you can find! And what's the prize? The wonderous gaze of your bright brown bundle of joy! This board book is part of the Bright Brown Baby publishing program, a celebration of Black and brown joy, babies, and families. And if you're looking for a gift-able picture book? Be sure to also check out the beautiful picture book treasury Bright Brown Baby to read "Peek-a-You" alongside four more poems. Just-right for new and expectant parents, baby showers, birthdays, graduations, and more!
Window Fishing by
A heartwarming story about finding joy in art and intergenerational friendship illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Rudy Gutierrez. Rudeday dreams of creating art that brings people joy but instead, he paints to pay the bills. His days and nights are long, until one day he hears a Tap! Tap! Tap! at his window. What could it be? Rudeday sees a piece of string with a paper clip tied to the end of it, coming from the apartment upstairs. Rudeday has a brilliant idea. Rudeday carefully paints a fish and attaches it to the paper clip, starting a window-fishing exchange with a little boy upstairs. The pair swap paper fishes back and forth every day. Rudeday is finally painting for fun but he wonders if he will ever meet his window-fishing friend. A heartwarming story that celebrates art, friendship, and community that is sure to pull at your heartstrings.
Press Here by
The longest-running picture book on the New York Times bestseller list, now in a bestselling board book! "Tullet's brilliant creation proves that books need not lose out to electronic wizardry; his colorful dots perform every bit as engagingly as any on the screen of an iPad.... The joy is in the tacit agreement between artist and reader that what's happening is magic. Shh! Don't tell."--Publishers Weekly Hervé Tullet's delightful sensory books have sold millions of copies around the world. Here is his beloved Press Here book in a board book edition just right for toddlers, preschoolers, and early readers. Press the yellow dot on the cover of this interactive children's book, follow the instructions within, and embark upon a magical journey! Each page of this surprising touch book instructs the reader to push the button, shake it up, tilt the book, and who knows what will happen next! TOUCH THINK LEARN BOOKS: Surprising and fun, Hervé Tullet's adventures are great for the whole family. Children and adults alike will giggle with delight as the dots multiply, change direction, and grow in size! PERFECT FOR TEACHERS' PICK BOOK LIST: Engaging and instructive read-aloud fun, Press Here holds appeal for all ages. This unique interactive picture book about the power of imagination is especially remarkable because the adventure occurs on the flat surface of the simple, printed page. POPULAR CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Hervé Tullet is a renowned artist and children's book author with more than 80 internationally acclaimed titles, including Mix It Up!, Let's Play!, Draw Here, and Say Zoop! Perfect for: The millions of children and adults who love Hervé Tullet and his wonderful books Fun and interactive read-aloud book for families or small groups Toddlers, preschoolers, and early readers ready to learn about color and shapes in a fun and imaginative way Children's art programs Fans of The Dot; Dear Zoo; Brown Bear, Brown Bear, and other books about color and creativity
I Got the Rhythm by
On a simple trip to the park, the joy of music overtakes a mother and daughter. The little girl hears a rhythm coming from the world around her- from butterflies, to street performers, to ice cream sellers everything is musical! She sniffs, snaps, and shakes her way into the heart of the beat, finally busting out in an impromptu dance, which all the kids join in on! Award-winning illustrator Frank Morrison and Connie Schofield-Morrison, capture the beat of the street, to create a rollicking read that will get any kid in the mood to boogie.
Loteria: First Words / Primeras Palabras by
A Lil' LIbros Bilingual Picture Book Introduce your little one to one of the oldest games of chance, Loteria, as you teach them their first English and Spanish words! Learn el gallo (the rooster), la luna (the moon), el corazón (the heart), and more.
Nickelodeon Canticos: the Itsy Bitsy Spider: la Araña Chiquitita by
Laugh and sing classic nursery rhymes in this bilingual board book! Sing along with Lili the spider and Ricky, Nicky, and Kiki the chicks in Nickelodeon Canticos: The Itsy Bitsy Spider, or La Araña Chiquitita. With English and Spanish lyrics on every page, little ones will get to experience the magic of a bilingual classic brought to life in adorable illustrations. Canticos son muy divertidos--Canticos are so much fun!
No Es una Caja by
A child's imagination is always in far off places, and even the simplest of things can become their favorite toy. A small rabbit repeatedly asserts that the simple box he is playing with is not a box! Simple yet fun illustrations, will surely engage children, as well as hone their imagination.
Tras-Tras by
La cereza es una colección de libros para cantar, contar, mirar y jugar con los más pequeños. Cada uno es especial, todos dulces y juguetones como las cerezas, pensados para los que aún no han aprendido a leer. Un divertido juego de cosquillas es el tema de este nuevo título que, al terminar el cuento, se puede escuchar con música. The books in this collection provide opportunities to sing, look, and play, and tell stories for children who haven't yet learned to read. This fun tickling game can be set to music once the story's done.
My First Coding Book by
Teach young children the basic programming skills and concepts necessary to code, including sequencing and loops, without a computer. It's never too early to learn computer coding! With innovative, interactive paper engineering, My First Coding Book is a playful, hands-on introduction to offline coding and programming that will give children ages 5 to 7 a head start. Filled with puzzles, mazes, and games to teach the basic concepts of sequences, algorithms, and debugging, this book will help children develop critical thinking, logic, and other skills to cement lifelong computer literacy. With its unique approach and colorful and creative imagery, My First Coding Book makes learning and fun one and the same and will have children playing their way to programming proficiency. Supporting STEM and STEAM education initiatives, computer coding teaches kids how to think creatively, work collaboratively, and reason systematically, and is quickly becoming a necessary and sought-after skill. DK's computer coding for kids books are full of fun exercises with step-by-step guidance, making them the perfect introductory tools for building vital skills in computer programming.
Baby Code! Art by
How do you explain coding in art to a baby? By showing how it's all around them, and how they can take part in it, of course! By using items in a baby's world, like a camera or a block made from a 3D printer, this charming board book full of bright, colorful illustrations is the perfect introduction to coding in art for babies and their caregivers--and is sure to leave them wanting to learn more!
¡Al Bebé le Encanta Codificar! / Baby Loves Coding! by
Now available in Spanish bilingual editions, this best-selling series offers big, brainy science for the littlest listeners. Accurate enough to satisfy an expert, yet simple enough for baby, this clever board book showcases the use of logic, sequence, and patterns to solve problems. Can Baby think like a coder to fix her train? Beautiful, visually stimulating illustrations complement age-appropriate language to encourage baby's sense of wonder. Parents and caregivers may learn a thing or two, as well! Author's Note- The goal of the Baby Loves Science books is to introduce STEM topics in a developmentally appropriate way. As a precursor to learning programming languages and syntax, Baby Loves Coding presents the concepts of sequencing, problem solving, cause and effect, and thinking step-by-step. Practicing these skills early creates a solid foundation for reading, writing, math and eventually, programming.
How to Code a Rollercoaster by
Pearl and Pascal take their coding adventures to the amusement park in this follow-up picture book from our Girls Who Code program! Pearl and her trusty rust-proof robot, Pascal, are enjoying a day out at the amusement park. Spinning teacups, ice cream, and of course- rollercoasters! Through the use of code, Pearl and Pascal can keep track of their ride tokens and calculate when the line is short enough to get a spot on the biggest ride of them all--the Python Coaster. Variables, if-then-else sequences, and a hunt for a secret hidden code make this a humorous, code-tastic day at the amusement park!
Gabi's Fabulous Functions by
Computer coding in the kitchen? Yes! Best friends Gabi and Adi are baking a special birthday treat-and making a recipe is a lot like creating a function in a computer code. These scientifically minded junior programmers are always on the lookout for ways to work coding concepts into their day with Code Play!
Ara the Star Engineer by
Read the book, download hands-on activities, follow further learning resources. Experience the story in immersive ways never done before. Visit www.arastarengineer.com! This is a STEM book and more! An inspiring, inclusive, whimsical way to learn about computers and technology from real-life trailblazers. Ara is a young girl who loves BIG numbers. She wants to count all the stars in the sky... but how? This is an upbeat adventure of Ara and her sidekick droid, DeeDee ("Beep!"). They use smarts and grit to solve a BIG problem and discover an amazing algorithm! A quest that takes them through a whirlwind of intriguing locations at Innovation Plex -- Data Centre, Ideas Lab, Coding Pods, and X-Space. Along the way, they encounter real-life women tech trailblazers of diverse backgrounds, including a Tenacious Troubleshooter, an Intrepid Innovator, a Code Commander, and a Prolific Problem Solver. They tinker-and-tailor, build-and-fail, launch-and-iterate, and in the end discover an amazing algorithm of success -- coding, courage, creativity, and collaboration ("Beeeeep!"). "'If she can see it, she can be it.' With this story, girls can see leaders and be inspired to become one. A book for all ages and genders!" GEENA DAVIS, FOUNDER AND CHAIR, GEENA DAVIS INSTITUTE ON GENDER IN MEDIA
Rox's Secret Code by
When a tutu and leather jacket-clad young inventor is asked to clean her room, she creates a new robot to get the job done. Chorebot first straightens out Rox's hula-hoops and racecars but when he runs downtown to sort the whole city Rox, with the help of her neighbor Amar, must recode Chorebot in time to save the day.
Todo el Mundo Puede Codificar by
What do doctors, firefighters, writers, chefs, farmers, plumbers, and kids have in common? They can all code to solve real-world problems. "Remember, coding is not made just for the few. Everyone can code. Even kids just like you!" With rhyming text and colorful illustrations, this fun book encourages children of all ages to explore the wonderful world of coding. With code that helps a plumber identify a clogged sink, alerts a firefighter to a new fire, tells a chef when her food is ready and identifies pests on a farmer's crop, children will learn practical ways they can make the world a better place through coding.
¡Al Bebé le Encanta Codificar! / Baby Loves Coding! by
Now available in Spanish bilingual editions, this best-selling series offers big, brainy science for the littlest listeners. Accurate enough to satisfy an expert, yet simple enough for baby, this clever board book showcases the use of logic, sequence, and patterns to solve problems. Can Baby think like a coder to fix her train? Beautiful, visually stimulating illustrations complement age-appropriate language to encourage baby's sense of wonder. Parents and caregivers may learn a thing or two, as well! Author's Note- The goal of the Baby Loves Science books is to introduce STEM topics in a developmentally appropriate way. As a precursor to learning programming languages and syntax, Baby Loves Coding presents the concepts of sequencing, problem solving, cause and effect, and thinking step-by-step. Practicing these skills early creates a solid foundation for reading, writing, math and eventually, programming.
Get a Hit, Mo! by
A companion to the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award-winning Don't Throw It to Mo! Baseball season has arrived and Mo is all set to play with his team, the Lions. But Mo always bats last, and he always plays right field--and no balls ever come to right field. Will Mo ever get his chance to help the Lions win? This Level 2 reader about a little African-American boy with a big passion for sports is a funny, motivational companion to the winner of the 2016 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award.
Don't Throw It to Mo! by
Mo may not be the biggest, the strongest, or the fastest football player, but he won't let that stop him from playing! The Geisel Award Winning reader from David Adler is now in Step into Reading! Mo is the youngest kid on the Robins football team. The kids on the rival team tease him for being a "butterfingers" who's too tiny to catch the ball. But Mo's coach has a plan up his sleeve to turn Mo's little size into a big win for the Robins. Step 2 readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. They are perfect for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help.
Pass the Ball, Mo! by
The third installment in this adorable Level 2 Geisel Award-winning series from a classroom favorite! Mo's latest obsession is basketball. He's determined to learn how to pass, but as the shortest member of the team, he can't seem to launch the ball high enough. Can Mo learn to pass in time to help his team win the big game? This Level 2 reader about a little African-American boy with a big passion for sports is a funny, motivational companion to the winner of the 2016 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award. Praise for Pass the Ball, Mo!: "...welcome addition to the easy reader shelves." --The Horn Book
Jack at Bat by
From New York Times bestselling author Mac Barnett and Geisel Award-winning illustrator Greg Pizzoli, an uproarious early reader series about a mischievous rabbit, a cranky old lady, and a lovable dog. The Lady and Rex have a baseball game against the Big City Brats. Jack is not allowed to swing the bat, so he is told to be the Bat Boy. That is, until the Lady Town Ladies and the Big City Brats are tied. It's up to Jack to hit a home run, but on the way to home plate he spots some snacks . . . Welcome to the laugh-out-loud and irreverent world of Jack, a new early reader series by the New York Times bestselling and award-winning team of Mac Barnett and Greg Pizzoli.
Hamster Holmes, a Big-Time Puzzle by
Hamster Holmes and his firefly sidekick, Dr. Watt, race to solve puzzles in this Level 2 Ready-to-Read story perfect for beginning readers! When Hamster Holmes and Dr. Watt spend the day at a fair, they don't expect to go to work. The detectives are invited to join their friends in a race to find a hidden hourglass. Can they solve the word puzzles in time? Time will tell! Includes a backmatter section with bonus content for detectives-in-training!
A Big Guy Took My Ball!-An Elephant and Piggie Book by
Mo Willems, award-winning, New York Times best-selling creator of The Pigeon, Knuffle Bunny, and Unlimited Squirrels, presents best friends Elephant Gerald and Piggie. Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to. Gerald and Piggie are best friends. In A Big Guy Took My Ball! Piggie is devastated when a big guy takes her ball! Gerald is big, too . . . but is he big enough to help his best friend? Read all of Elephant Gerald and Piggie's adventures! · Today I Will Fly! · My Friend is Sad · I Am Invited to a Party! · There is a Bird on Your Head! · I Love My New Toy! · I Will Surprise My Friend! · Are You Ready to Play Outside? · Watch Me Throw the Ball! · Elephants Cannot Dance! · Pigs Make Me Sneeze! · I Am Going! · Can I Play Too? · We Are in a Book! · I Broke My Trunk! · Should I Share My Ice Cream? · Let's Go for a Drive! · Happy Pig Day! · Listen to My Trumpet! · A Big Guy Took My Ball! · I'm a Frog! · My New Friend is So Fun! · Waiting is Not Easy! · I Will Take a Nap! · I Really Like Slop! · The Thank You Book
Can I Play Too?-An Elephant and Piggie Book by
Mo Willems, award-winning, New York Times best-selling creator of The Pigeon, Knuffle Bunny, and Unlimited Squirrels, presents best friends Elephant Gerald and Piggie. Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to. Gerald and Piggie are best friends. In Can I Play Too? Gerald and Piggie meet a new snake friend who wants to join in a game of catch. But how can a snake play catch? Read all of Elephant Gerald and Piggie's adventures! · Today I Will Fly! · My Friend is Sad · I Am Invited to a Party! · There is a Bird on Your Head! · I Love My New Toy! · I Will Surprise My Friend! · Are You Ready to Play Outside? · Watch Me Throw the Ball! · Elephants Cannot Dance! · Pigs Make Me Sneeze! · I Am Going! · Can I Play Too? · We Are in a Book! · I Broke My Trunk! · Should I Share My Ice Cream? · Let's Go for a Drive! · Happy Pig Day! · Listen to My Trumpet! · A Big Guy Took My Ball! · I'm a Frog! · My New Friend is So Fun! · Waiting is Not Easy! · I Will Take a Nap! · I Really Like Slop! · The Thank You Book
Open Very Carefully by
What would you do if you were settling down for a quiet bedtime story and you realized that a crocodile had fallen into your storybook and was -- not to put too fine a point on it -- wreaking havoc? Would you slam that book shut and cram it back onto the bookshelf? Or would you be brave enough to peek?
Tickle Monster by I Got the Rhythm by
On a simple trip to the park, the joy of music overtakes a mother and daughter. The little girl hears a rhythm coming from the world around her- from butterflies, to street performers, to ice cream sellers everything is musical! She sniffs, snaps, and shakes her way into the heart of the beat, finally busting out in an impromptu dance, which all the kids join in on! Award-winning illustrator Frank Morrison and Connie Schofield-Morrison, capture the beat of the street, to create a rollicking read that will get any kid in the mood to boogie.
Crunch the Shy Dinosaur by
From Cirocco Dunlap (This Book Will Not Be Fun) and Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner Greg Pizzoli (The Watermelon Seed) comes a charming, giggly read-aloud that illustrates the particular art of making a friend! Crunch is a lovely and quiet brontosaurus who has hidden himself in some shubbery and is rather shy. He would like to play, but it will require some gentle coaxing from you! If you are patient and encouraging, you will find yourself with a new friend! This book is a warm, funny example of how to engage with someone new, who is perhaps a bit different from you. Lessons in friend-making (such as minding personal space and demonstrating interest in another's hobbies) are delivered so subtly that children will absorb them unconsciously as they delight in Crunch's silly hat and dance moves! Cirocco Dunlap (This Book Will Not Be Fun) and Greg Pizzoli (The Watermelon Seed) enchant and surprise us with their first collaboration. A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2018!
Mix It Up! by
The New York Times bestselling book, a brilliant companion to the mega-selling classic Press Here, is now gently compressed into a toddler-friendly board book. With the graphic intensity of Eric Carle, the interactive fun of Poke-a-Dot books, and the humor of The Day the Crayons Quit but with a vision all his own, Hervé Tullet invites readers to MIX IT UP in a dazzling adventure of color and tones, filled with magic and wonder. Follow the artist's simple instructions, and suddenly colors appear . . . mix . . . splatter . . . and vanish in a vivid world powered only by the reader's imagination. The result is not only enchantment and giggles, but a real and deeper understanding of colors brought by a true master of his craft. Just as in his mega-selling classic Press Here, Tullet sets readers on an extraordinary journey of color, motion, and interactivity. Mix It Up! is the perfect gift book for parents and kids to cherish and read again and again, as well as an invaluable teaching tool for preschool and kindergarten classrooms. AWARD-WINNING PICTURE BOOK: A Junior Library Guild Selection, a Buzzfeed Best Book of the Year, a PBS Parents Best Picture Book, an ACL Distinguished Book, and selected as a Best Book of the Year by Chicago Public Library. AN INNOVATIVE, INTERACTIVE WAY TO TEACH KIDS ABOUT COLOR: Each delightful page turn mixes colors and teaches kids basic color theory. Kids will giggle as they mash, smoosh, and mix up colors as they participate in the story. AN EDUCATIONAL GIFT: The gorgeous graphic visuals make this interactive learning book an irresistible choice for gift-giving with the educational aspect as an appealing bonus. STIMULATES CREATIVITY & IMAGINATION: Celebrate the magic of three simple colors transforming into an entire rainbow of possibilities. A tour-de-force of imagination that mixes the whimsical minimalism of Duck! Rabbit! with the graphic intensity readers have come to love in Tullet's unique books for toddlers. Perfect for: The millions of children and adults who love Hervé Tullet and his wonderful books, including Press Here, Let's Play!, and Say Zoop! Fun and interactive read-aloud book for families or small groups Toddlers, preschoolers, and early readers ready to learn about combining colors in a fun and imaginative way Children's art programs Fans of The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds; Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Eric Carle; A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni; and other books about color and creativity
Shake the Tree! by
There's a whole lot of shaking going on -- and a funny final twist -- as a series of hungry animals seek shelter in an obliging tree. Mouse spots a nut high up in a tree. "Mmm," she says. "I'm going to gobble that up!" So she shakes the tree a little to the right, and she shakes the tree a little to the left. But it isn't the nut that falls from the tree, it's Fox, who thinks that Mouse looks pretty tasty! Soon a warthog and then a bear come along with similar ideas. Little readers will enjoy the just-made-it escapes (and be happy to get in on the shaking action), only to laugh out loud when their expectations are foiled at the end.
Nerdy Birdy Tweets by
Nerdy Birdy and his best friend, Vulture, are very different. Nerdy Birdy loves video games, but Vulture finds them BORING. Vulture loves snacking on dead things, but Nerdy Birdy finds that GROSS. Luckily, you don't have to agree on everything to still be friends. One day, Nerdy Birdy joins Tweetster, and the friend requests start flying in. Vulture watches as Nerdy Birdy gets swept up in his new friendships, but when she finally gets angry, Nerdy Birdy knows just what to do to make things right. A Neal Porter Book
On the Internet by
On the Internet: Our First Talk About Online Safety introduces children to the basics of online safety in a story-based, conversational style. Using real-world examples set within the context of a child who is using the Internet for the first time and watching an older sibling interact with social media, Dr. Roberts takes readers through several common scenarios around parental supervision, online bullying and anonymity. She also includes examples of people who use the Internet to make the world a better place. On the Internet addresses common safety concerns in a child-centered way and offers easy-to-understand rationales as to why it's important to maintain boundaries online just as in real life.
Troll Stinks by
Billy Goat and his best friend Cyril are messing about with the farmer's mobile phone, taking selfies and playing games . . . until they find the number for a troll. Their Grandpa Gruff says trolls are bad, so Billy and Cyril decide to get their own back by sending mean messages. After all, trolls really do stink! Don't they?
#Goldilocks by
Everyone loves Goldilocks' hilarious online videos, but in her quest to get more likes, more laughs and more hits, she tries something a little more daring: stealing porridge #pipinghot, breaking chairs #fun, and using someone else's bed #sleep. What will Daddy Bear do when he sees that online? A hilarious cautionary tale for a new generation of internet-users from the prize-winning partnership of Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross.
Fiona on the Swings by
In the third miniature picture book in the Hippo Park Pals series, perfect for little hands-Fiona needs help getting onto her swing, and brother Herbert helps out, like big brothers do. The fourth book in the adorable Hippo Park Pals series, real picture books--perfect for little hands! In the third Hippo Park Pals miniature book, Fiona is first to the swing set, but her swing is too high to reach! "Help me, please, Herbert," she asks her brother. With his help, Fiona gets comfy in her swing, gets a big push-and up she goes! "Kick and tuck," Herbert encourages! And she's off! Herbert joins, too, and the siblings soar up to the sky (and over a beautiful rainbow) in their imaginations! Rilla Alexander's hippo siblings, Fiona and Herbert, are adorable and kind! Her bold. bright colors and the social emotional messages in these precious books meet kids exactly where they are.
Peekaboo Rex! by
Join a T. rex who loves playing peekaboo in this surprising board book from bestselling and beloved Sandra Boynton! Follow a lovable T. rex throughout its day as it plays peekaboo with a tiny dinosaur friend. A story only Sandra Boynton could dream up, featuring two adorable dinos and every toddler's favorite hide-and-seek activity, the ending showcases the ultimate game of peekaboo! Do you like games? Come look inside. PEEKABOO REX will try to hide...
Mine, Mine, Mine, Yours! by
The best playdates include sharing! Clever opposites narrate a busy toddler playdate full of playing, taking turns, sharing and more, in this charming companion to Up, Up, Up, Down! From the moment his friends arrive, this energetic boy and his dad are ready for a day full of adventure and opposites. They giggle through a game of hide, hide, hide--find! Taking turns on the slide means stop, stop, stop--go! And of course there's sharing with mine, mine, mine--yours and then more generous yours, yours, yours--mine! Dad is close by supervising all the fun, until it's time to say bye, bye, bye--come again! Kimberly Gee's expressive illustrations emphasize the playful fun between a boy, his friends, and his father in this clever concept book about playdate dynamics that are sure to entertain little (and big!) members of the family.
The Banana-Leaf Ball by
Separated from his family when they were forced to flee their home, a young East African boy named Deo lives alone in the Lukole refugee camp in Tanzania. With scarce resources at the camp, bullies have formed gangs to steal what they can, and a leader named Remy has begun targeting Deo. Then one day a coach gathers all the children to play soccer. Though Deo loves soccer and has even made his own ball out of banana leaves, he's unsure at first about joining in when he sees Remy on the field. But as Deo and the other boys get drawn into the game, everything begins to change. Their shared joy in playing provides the children --- including Remy --- with a sense of belonging. "Ball by ball, practice by practice, children who were once afraid of each other laugh together," the book explains, and "no one feels so alone anymore." Based on a true story, Katie Smith Milway's inspiring tale shows how a desperate situation can be improved by finding common ground through play. It provides a perfect starting point for discussing the social justice issues surrounding the growing number of refugees worldwide. Award-winning Shane W. Evans's artwork powerfully and poignantly personalizes for children the experience of refugees. Furthermore, the book examines the value of using sports to build pro-social behavior, particularly as it relates to bullying. By depicting characters who change and evolve over the course of the story, kids of all backgrounds and experiences will find something positive to relate to. The back matter contains information about the "real" Deo, instructions for games that build trust and inclusion through play, and suggestions for how to support play-based nonprofit organizations.
Ways to Play by
Riley has plenty of ways to play; like lining up dolls and stuffies by size and shape. Tearing up newspapers and making piles into mountains, using sharp crayons to draw big swirly patterns. But bossy cousin Emma thinks those ways are wrong, wrong, and wrong. And she makes no bones about letting Riley know exactly what her opinion is. Fortunately, Charlie the dog is on hand to help with a breakthrough demonstration that there are MANY ways to play; and all of them are right. Based on experiences that Lyn Miller Lachman had growing up as an Autistic child and illustrated with the humor, tenderness and understanding that perhaps only an artist like Gabriel Alborozo, himself an Autistic creator, could bring, here is an empowering validation of the value of individual expression. And a whole lot of fun.
Bringing the Outside In by
A rollicking book that reminds young readers to go outside and play! "We're bringing the outside in, oh, bringing the outside in. . . ." Nothing takes the place of splashing in a puddle or jumping into a pile of autumn leaves. Along with the mud and sand that gets tracked indoors come memories that live forever! Mary McKenna Siddals has written a joyous anthem that encourages children to play in the dirt. It will surely resonate with today's overscheduled as well as sedentary kids, and their parents.
Where's the Elephant? by
A simple game of hide-and-seek takes on a new dimension as a growing city encroaches on the jungle the animals call home. Where's the elephant? Where's the parrot? Where's the snake? And wait a minute -- where are all the trees? Where will the elephant, parrot, and snake go now? A vibrant landscape in flux with three hidden animals on each spread offers parents and children an opportunity to talk about urban development and animal habitats.
Sports Are Fantastic Fun! by
Cycling, ice hockey, athletics, tennis . . .There are so many sports and they're all fabulous! Soccer is great, except when your team keeps shooting and missing. Horse-riding is wonderful--so long as the horse does what the rider wants. Running, cycling, and swimming require agility and endurance. Other sports like ballet are not about speed but strength and style. Sports lovers small and big will find the one they love best--and some surprises--in this witty picture book, presented with charming characters and laconic commentary.
Hide and Seek by
A group of friends wanders out into the meadow to play a game of hide-and-seek on a beautiful summer's afternoon. Children will delight in spotting the hidden creatures on each page as the little girl tries to find them. But it's not always clear who is hunting whom, or who is actually playing. A charming, richly illustrated book, with a gentle hint of suspense and a satisfying twist at the end.
I Can Be Anything by
A laugh-out-loud guessing game bedtime book! It's time for bed, but Natsumi has a brilliant idea, even better than going to sleep: She'll pretend to be something and Mom will guess what she is! Ready? Is she a caterpillar? An arrow sign? An upside-down bug? Take your best guess, then laugh along with Natsumi and her mom as they play a pre-bedtime game of charades full of silliness and surprises! * A delightfully silly read-aloud book for young children that helps soften bedtime routines * Part picture book, part guessing game! The interactive nature will keep kids turning the page! * Perfect book for toddlers Fans of Guess Again, Interrupting Chicken, and Max and the Won't Go to Bed Show will love the clever kid-friendly humor of I Can Be Anything. * Family read-aloud books for ages 3-5 * Guessing game books for toddlers
Where Is Mommy? by
A girl follows clues that lead to Mommy! This Level D book is perfect for new readers. Where is Mommy? Here are her slippers. Here are her glasses. A girl, her mother, and their cat are snuggled up on a couch and reading a book. The girl falls asleep, and when she wakes up, Mommy is gone. Where could she be? The girl searches the house, picks up clues (including a recipe for kale and a sunhat and gardening gloves that come and go). And she figures out where Mommy is--in the garden! Suitable for late kindergarten readers, Level D books use a wider vocabulary and more complex plots with multiple scenes. They feature longer sentences and greater variety in sentence structure than levels A, B, and C. Move on to level E once Level D is mastered. The award-winning I Like to Read® series focuses on guided reading levels A through G, based upon Fountas and Pinnell standards. Acclaimed author-illustrators--including winners of Caldecott, Theodor Seuss Geisel, and Coretta Scott King honors--create original, high quality illustrations that support comprehension of simple text and are fun for kids to read with parents, teachers, or on their own! A Bank Street Best Book of the Year
I Lost My Sock! by
"I lost my sock!" says Fox. "Have you seen it?" So begins Ox's ridiculous attempts to help Fox find his missing sock. He presents each new option just before the page turn so the reader has a moment to decide for him or herself whether Ox has, in fact, found Fox's sock. At its heart, I Lost My Sock! is the story of a funny misunderstanding between friends. But it's also about pattern, color, and shape recognition; comparing and contrasting; and object identification. Mastery of these skills enriches a child's vocabulary, prepares him to understand letters and numbers, and helps him gain a better sense of the world around him. Elio's bold, geometric character designs further reinforce the early math concepts hinted at in this book.
Secret Agent Splat! by
Who messed with my ducks? Splat the Cat notices that something isn't quite right in his house. First his father's duck decoys start to go missing. Then they are mysteriously returned but, strangely enough, without their beaks! Who could possibly be causing all of this trouble? To solve the mystery, Splat musters up his courage and rises to the challenge as Secret Agent Splat. This wacky cat-and-mouse story from bestselling author and illustrator Rob Scotton will have readers laughing from beginning to end.
Alphabet Mystery by
Bestselling writer Audrey Wood and artist son Bruce present a second alphabet book with a twist: a fun mystery that will let young readers learn their lower case letters without having to study!Engaging alphabet books are perennial bestsellers with unlimited demand. As in their previous collaboration, the Woods bring lower-case letters to life in a fun adventure. Little x has left, upset he's hardly used, and the other letters set out to find him. They find x playing the castle xylophone for the mysterious Master, capital M, who threatens to turn them into alphabet soup! Some quick thinking by Little x saves the day, and soon they are all on their way home--just in time to make Mom's birthday surprise: a cake with Little x all over. He's the only one who stands for kisses!
Which One Doesn't Belong? by
Talking math with your child is simple and even entertaining with this better approach to shapes! Written by a celebrated math educator, this innovative inquiry encourages critical thinking and sparks memorable mathematical conversations. Children and their parents answer the same question about each set of four shapes- "Which one doesn't belong?" There's no one right answer--the important thing is to have a reason why. Kids might describe the shapes as squished, smooshed, dented, or even goofy. But when they justify their thinking, they're talking math! Winner of the Mathical Book Prize for books that inspire children to see math all around them. "This is one shape book that will both challenge readers' thinking and encourage them to think outside the box."--Kirkus Reviews, STARRED review
Find Colours by
A colours book with no colours - instead, die-cuts to peek through and find them yourself This introduction to colours integrates the reader's surroundings into carefully considered die-cut silhouettes, providing children the space to visually experiment. Readers will gaze around the room through a cockerel-shaped hole in search of something red, through a sun-shaped hole for something yellow, through squiggly worms for something pink. Designed for the youngest readers, this sturdy board book features 12 die-cuts made to flip and carry on a colour-seeking mission. Inspired by the Whitney Museum's approach to looking at art, these books provide a new way to look at the world.
One Is Not a Pair by
Can you find the one thing that doesn't match? Britta Teckentrup, creator of the best-selling The Odd One Out and Where's the Pair?, returns with another gorgeously illustrated spotting book. In One Is Not a Pair, each patterned page contains a set of pairs . . . but one thing does not match any of the others. Can you find it?
Bird Watch by
From the author of the acclaimed Tap the Magic Tree! Search for hidden birds and count them, too, in this seek-and-find picture book with a satisfying surprise. Delicate artwork, a focus on counting, and an engaging treasure hunt will entice fans of Janell Cannon's Stellaluna and Steve Light's Have You Seen My Dragon? There are treasures hiding in the trees! Can you find them? From the author of the acclaimed and bestselling Tap the Magic Tree, this stunning picture book merges basic math concepts with elements of a treasure hunt. With different species of birds and other forest animals hiding in the trees and bushes, there is something new to discover on every page. Patience is rewarded as readers learn to count backward from ten, meet new birds, and learn about the diverse ecosystem of the forest. Beautiful watercolor-and-collage art, a playful counting text, and a search-and-find theme will inspire children and parents to return to Bird Watch again and again. And for curious young birders, a page of information about bird-watching and the different birds that appear in the book is included.
Sunday Shopping by
Sunday nights are special for Evie and Grandma. That's when they go on their weekly shopping spree. Grandma flips open the newspaper to see what's advertised, and the imaginary tour of neighbourhood stores begins. Toting a wallet filled with colourful pretend bills, Evie and Grandma takes turns "buying" whatever catches their fancy. A big chunk of ham, a "sofa with a secret," and a dress with spangles are just a few of the treasures they "purchase." Most special of all is the jewelry box Evie chooses for the gold heart necklace Mama gave her before leaving to serve in the army -- and the bouquet of flowers Evie leaves as a surprise for Grandma. Overflowing with whimsy and a sweet grandmothergranddaughter relationship, Sunday Shopping is a joyous celebration of imagination and family love. Next Sunday, readers of all ages are sure to grab the newspaper and some play money and embark on their own shopping adventures.
Mary Had a Little Lab by
Angie Karcher's Best in Rhyme Award 2019 A funny, modern take on a classic nursery rhyme featuring a crafty, science-minded girl. Mary is an enterprising young inventor. One day she realizes she has no friends, so she decides a pet will do the trick. But the pet Mary wants isn't one she can easily buy...so she makes one--and it's a sheep, of course! Soon Mary, her sheep, and her new invention gain her popularity and friends. But when she starts making sheep for her new friends, chaos abounds.
Rosie Revere, Engineer by
The beloved New York Times bestselling picture book about pursuing one's passion with persistence and learning to celebrate each failure on the road to achieving one's dreams.And now you can follow Rosie's further adventures-with her friends Iggy Peck and Ada Twist-in the instant New York Times bestseller Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters, the first in a BRAND-NEW chapter book series, The Questioneers!Rosie Revere dreamed of becoming a great engineer. Where some people see rubbish, Rosie sees inspiration. Alone in her room at night, shy Rosie constructs great inventions from odds and ends. Hot dog dispensers, helium pants, python-repelling cheese hats: Rosie's gizmos would astound-if she ever let anyone see them.Afraid of failure, she hides them away under her bed. Until a fateful visit from her great-great-aunt Rose (AKA Rosie the Riveter!), who shows her that the first flop isn't something to fear-it's something to celebrate. And you can only truly fail, if you quit.
My Teacher Is a Robot by
From the author of the New York Times bestselling Jedi Academy books comes an imaginative picture book about a kid whose creative outlook has everyone at school seeing the world through new eyes. Perfect for fans of The Adventures of Beekle and The Most Magnificent Thing. Fred does not want to go to school because it's boring. Especially since he thinks his teacher is a robot. If only Fred could imagine a way for his day to be more exciting... An inventively funny picture book that celebrates the boundlessness of a child's imagination and celebrates the teachers, families, and friends who get wrapped up in their fantastic worlds.
The World of Emily Windsnap: Emily's Big Discovery by
Introducing an exciting new line of readers that brings half-mermaid Emily Windsnap--star of the New York Times best-selling series--to a younger audience. Even though she lives in a houseboat, Emily Windsnap doesn't know how to swim. Her mother has always cautioned her to stay out of the water. But it's hard to make friends at the beach when everyone else is having fun in the waves! So when swimming lessons start at school, Emily is excited to finally have the chance to learn. Standing beside the pool, she feels the water calling her, but when she jumps in, she gets a strange, kind of scary sensation . . . like her legs are stuck together. Eager to figure out what's happening, Emily later dives into the sea. She gets that weird feeling again, but this time she looks down to see that her legs are gone--replaced by a shiny, beautiful tail! Welcome to Emily's Big Discovery, the first in a sparkling, charmingly illustrated series of readers. With a mermaid tail and an entire ocean awaiting her, Emily is eager to meet new friends and swim off on big adventures in this inviting new series for the younger set, based on the best-selling middle-grade series by Liz Kessler.
Sparkleton #1: the Magic Day by
A shaggy purple unicorn does everything he can--except his homework--to get wish-granting powers in the first book of this glitterrific, highly illustrated early chapter book series. Sparkleton begs his big sister to give him wish-granting magic for one whole day so he can prove what a glitteriffic wish-granting unicorn he can be. But all the wishes he grants come out opposite! Can Sparkleton's friends Willow and Gabe help him undo the magic before sunset? Or will every day be opposite day? HarperChapters build confident readers one chapter at a time! With short, fast-paced books, art on every page, and milestone markers at the end of every chapter, they're the perfect next step for fans of I Can Read!
Welcome to the Island by
Meet the ever-curious Isla Verde, a young girl with a secret--she can speak with animals--in the first book of an all-new chapter book series! Welcome to the adventurous island of Sol! For eight-year-old Isla Verde, Sol is the perfect place to live. The sun shines bright, the markets brim with delicious food and music, there are animal friends around every corner, and her best gecko buddy, Fitz, is up for almost every adventure! Yes, Isla's best friend is a gecko. In fact, that's part of her big secret...she can speak to animals--and they speak right back! No one else knows about her special talent, not even Mama, Abuelo, or Abuela! But when new girl Tora moves in next door, Isla starts finding it harder to keep her secret under wraps. With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Isla of Adventure chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.
The Pearl Hunter by
Set in a world inspired by pre-Shogun era Japan, this is a stunning debut fantasy in the vein of Grace Lin about how a young pearl diver goes to the ends of the earth to rescue her twin sister, who has been stolen by a ghost whale. Kai and Kishi share the same futon, the same face, and the same talent for pearl diving. But Kishi is the obedient daughter, while Kai tries to push the rules, and sometimes they fight. Still, when Kishi is stolen and killed by the legendary Ghost Whale, nothing will stop Kai from searching for her, deep in the ocean, hoping for a way to bring her back to life. But such a rescue is beyond the power of an ordinary mortal. Kai strikes a deal with the gods: she'll steal a magic pearl in exchange for her sister's soul. As she journeys across treacherous land scape, Kai must navigate encounters with scheming bandits, a power-hungry war lord, and a legion of conniving fox spirits. And when a new friendship becomes something almost as powerful as her love for her sister, Kai must make impossible choices and risk everything just to get home again. Woven through with Japanese culture and legends, this many-layered story will grip readers of all ages.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by
This stunning fantasy inspired by Chinese folklore is a companion novel to Starry River of the Sky and the New York Times bestselling and National Book Award finalist When the Sea Turned to Silver In the valley of Fruitless mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life's questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family's fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer. Grace Lin, author of the beloved Year of the Dog and Year of the Rat returns with a wondrous story of adventure, faith, and friendship. A fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a timeless story reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz and Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon. Her beautiful illustrations, printed in full-color, accompany the text throughout. Once again, she has created a charming, engaging book for young readers.
The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy by
From the acclaimed author of The Real Boy and The Lost Girl comes a wondrous and provocative fantasy about a kingdom beset by monsters, a mysterious school, and a girl caught in between them. If no one notices Marya Lupu, is likely because of her brother, Luka. And that's because of what everyone knows: that Luka is destined to become a sorcerer. The Lupus might be from a small village far from the capital city of Illyria, but that doesn't matter. Every young boy born in in the kingdom holds the potential for the rare ability to wield magic, to protect the country from the terrifying force known only as the Dread. For all the hopes the family has for Luka, no one has any for Marya, who can never seem to do anything right. But even so, no one is prepared for the day that the sorcerers finally arrive to test Luka for magical ability, and Marya makes a terrible mistake. Nor the day after, when the Lupus receive a letter from a place called Dragomir Academy--a mysterious school for wayward young girls. Girls like Marya. Soon she is a hundred miles from home, in a strange and unfamiliar place, surrounded by girls she's never met. Dragomir Academy promises Marya and her classmates a chance to make something of themselves in service to one of the country's powerful sorcerers. But as they learn how to fit into a world with no place for them, they begin to discover things about the magic the men of their country wield, as well as the Dread itself--things that threaten the precarious balance upon which Illyria is built.
The Jigsaw Jungle by
A mysterious treasure hunt helps to heal a broken family in critically acclaimed author Kristin Levine's first contemporary tale-perfect for fans of Wendy Mass and Jennifer L. Holm Claudia Dalton's father has disappeared. What began as a late night at work has spiraled into a missing persons case-one that's left twelve-year-old Claudia questioning everything she's ever known about her father and their family. But when she finally gets word from her dad, it turns out he isn't missing at all. He's just gone to "think things over" and visit an old friend, whatever that means. Feeling confused and helpless, Claudia starts to assemble a scrapbook, gathering emails, receipts, phone transcripts and more, all in a desperate attempt to figure out what's happening with her dad. Claudia's investigation deepens at her grandfather's house, where she receives an envelope containing a puzzle piece and a cryptic message. It's this curious first clue that sets Claudia on an unexpected treasure hunt that she hopes will bring her dad home and heal whatever's gone wrong with her family. Told through the pages of Claudia's scrapbook, The Jigsaw Jungle is a moving story of a family lost and then found, with a dash of mystery and loads of heart, from award-winning author and middle-grade master Kristin Levine.
Seven Clues to Home by
An endearing story of love and grief as one girl follows the clues in a scavenger hunt left behind by her best friend, perfect for fans of Bridge to Terabithia and Nine, Ten. WHEN YOU'VE LOST WHAT MATTERS MOST, HOW DO YOU FIND YOUR WAY BACK HOME? Joy Fonseca is dreading her 13th birthday, dreading being reminded again about her best friend Lukas's senseless death on this day, one year ago -- and dreading the fact he may have heard what she accidentally blurted to him the night before. Or maybe she's more worried he didn't hear. Either way, she's decided: she's going to finally open the first clue to their annual birthday scavenger hunt Lukas left for her the morning he died, hoping the rest of the clues are still out there. If they are, they might lead Joy to whatever last words Lukas wrote, and toward understanding how to grab onto the future that is meant to be hers. "I truly loved it! Baskin and Polisner seamlessly unfold one touching relationship after another in this gorgeous story about everlasting friendship. This tender tale is indelibly etched on my heart." --Leslie Connor, author of the National Book Award finalist The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle "Polisner and Baskin's brief tale of two quite distant friends magically manages to bridge an uncrossable gap. Seven Clues to Home is both a charming mystery and a real meditation on the complexities of the young heart in love." --Tony Abbott, Edgar Award-winning author of Firegirl and The Great Jeff "I read this whole book with a lump in my throat. A perfect gem." --Wendy Mass, New York Times bestselling coauthor of Bob
The Multiplying Mysteries of Mount Ten by
For fans of Book Scavenger, a smart and funny math camp middle-grade mystery with built-in logic puzzles that readers can solve Twelve-year-old painter Esther can't wait to attend Camp Vermeer, the most prestigious art camp around. But when her stepdad accidentally drives up the wrong mountain, she lands at Camp Archimedes -- a math camp! Determined to prove herself to the other campers, she tackles a brain-teaser that's supposed to be impossible, and solves it in a single day. But not everyone is happy about it... someone wants her out of camp at any cost, and starts leaving cryptic, threatening notes all over the grounds. Esther doesn't know who to trust. Will she solve this riddle before it's too late? Featuring tricky logic puzzles readers can solve along with the characters and starring a unique, smart, and crafty young heroine, this story has just the right mix of mystery, humor, wit, and heart.
How Do Computers Follow Instructions? by
Have you ever wondered how computers follow instructions so well? Or how they do math so quickly? In the How Do series, readers are invited to guess and then explore the science behind the right answers. Basic principles of coding, including variables, binary code, loops, programming languages, and more, are explored in this newest engaging addition to the How Do series. About the How Do series: These visually appealing STEM titles for inquisitive readers and young science enthusiasts, are fully illustrated nonfiction picture books that are a great introduction to various STEM topics. Each title includes facts and figures, simple diagrams and hilarious illustrations and is written in a question-and-answer format to encourage readers to ask questions and guess the answers before exploring the science behind the correct answers.
Hello Ruby: Journey Inside the Computer by
What exactly is a computer? How does it work? What is it made of? Learn all this and more with Ruby! In Ruby's world anything is possible if you put your mind to it--even fixing her father's broken computer! Join Ruby and her new friend, Mouse, on an imaginative journey through the insides of a computer in search of the missing Cursor. From bits and logic gates to computer hardware, in Journey Inside the Computer, Ruby (and her readers!) will learn the basic elements of the machines that power our world. Then future kid coders can put their knowledge and imaginations to work with fun activities. Praise for Linda Liukas and the Hello Ruby series: "[Linda Liukas] wants kids to understand and embrace basic computer logic, so that they later formulate code in the same effortless and creative way they build structures with LEGO." --The Wall Street Journal "Hello Ruby by Linda Liukas is half picture book and half activity book rolled into one adorable package. What I love about it is that it introduces programming without requiring a computer at all." --GeekMom.com
Coding Games in Scratch by
Everyone can be a computer whiz with the ultimate beginner's guide to coding. This visual reference book is the perfect introduction to computer programming, with all you need to create single and multiplayer computer games, platformers, mazes, brainteasers, races, and much more. The complexities of coding become clear and simple by following the numbered steps to build eight fantastic games using the Scratch programming language. Essential coding and computer science concepts are explained along the way as you build, test, and customize your new games. This essential guide supports STEM education goals by helping you plan and design projects, test and improve prototypes, communicate ideas and think creatively - all while creating games to enjoy playing with friends and family. As long as you have a desktop or laptop computer and an internet connection to download Scratch, you're ready to go! What are you waiting for? Let the games begin...
Inspector Flytrap (Inspector Flytrap #1) by
From husband-and-wife team Tom Angleberger, creator of the New York Times bestselling Origami Yoda series, and Cece Bell, author/illustrator of the Newbery Honor graphic novel El Deafo, comes the start to a funny and clever illustrated chapter-book series about a mystery-solving Venus flytrap. With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, this early-chapter-book series is a must for beginning readers. Inspector Flytrap in the Da Vinci Cold introduces kids to the humorous and wacky world of Inspector Flytrap's Detective Agency, home to the world-renowned solver of BIG DEAL mysteries. The plant detective works tirelessly with his assistant Nina the Goat on his community's unsolved cases. There's no case too big, but there are definitely cases too small for this endearingly self-important plant detective. Celebrating the disabled yet enabled, the character of Inspector Flytrap is wheeled everywhere (on a skateboard, of course) by his goat sidekick as this mystery-solving duo works on cases such as "The Big Deal Mystery of the Stinky Cookies" and "The Big Deal Mystery of the Missing Rose." On his first caper, Inspector Flytrap heads to the Art Museum's Secret Lab to discover what important message lies in a mysterious glob on a recently discovered Da Vinci flower painting. The ingenious solution: Da Vinci was allergic to flowers, and the glob is, er, evidence of that ancient sneeze. Combining wacky humor and a silly cast of characters with adventure, friendship, and mystery, the powerhouse team of Tom Angleberger and Cece Bell have created a uniquely engaging series that is perfect for newly independent readers and fans of Ricky Ricotta, Captain Underpants, and the Galaxy Zack series. Also included in these books are some graphic novel-style pages that will attract reluctant readers.
The Great Cake Mystery: Precious Ramotswe's Very First Case by
THE NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY - Young Readers Fans around the world adore the bestselling No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the basis of the HBO TV show, and its proprietor Precious Ramotswe, Botswana's premier lady detective. In this charming series, Mma Ramotswe navigates her cases and her personal life with wisdom, and good humor--not to mention help from her loyal assistant, Grace Makutsi, and the occasional cup of tea. Have you ever said to yourself, Wouldn't it be nice to be a detective? This is the story of an African girl who says just that. Her name is Precious. When a piece of cake goes missing from her classroom, a traditionally built young boy is tagged as the culprit. Precious, however, is not convinced. She sets out to find the real thief. Along the way she learns that your first guess isn't always right. She also learns how to be a detective.
The Case of the Stolen Sixpence by
In the tradition of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries comes The Mysteries of Maisie Hitchins!Twelve-year-old Maisie is a noticing sort of person. Thats why she is convinced she would make an excellent detective if she ever got the chance! But instead of detecting, she spends her days polishing the banisters at her grandmother's boarding house or fetching fish for the lodgers' dinner. In The Case of the Stolen Sixpence, Maisie's big chance to prove herself finally arrives when crime strikes her Victorian London neighborhood. While the grown-ups turn a blind eye to the whodunit and justice goes un-served, Maisie and her canine sidekick, Eddie, search the streets for clues to crack the case.This first book in a series features black and white illustrations and a rollicking mystery complete with tricks, disguises, danger, and a little dog too!
Game of Nim and Graph Theory by
Math Lab for Kids proves that math is more than just numbers--the hands-on activities in this book make learning math fun! With Game of Nim and Graph Theory, kids learn winning strategies for Nim, a game first played in China more than 1,000 years ago, and explore the famous Bridges of Königsberg problem that spawned an entire field of mathematics. No expensive supplies are required! Everything needed to complete the activities are included or can be found around the house. Math Lab for Kids: Game of Nim and Graph Theory will give kids a great experience and a solid foundation in a subject that's more important than ever.
Maker Comics: Design a Game! by
Inside Maker Comics: Design a Game!, the next volume of First Second's DIY comic series, you'll find step-by-step instructions for six tabletop game design projects! Siblings Shen, Shondra, and Shontoya arrive at Ludum Omega Summer Camp with a passion for games, and Professor Zephyr is excited to teach this year's students all about the art and science of game design! What makes a game fun? What kinds of games are out there? How can designers turn an okay game into a great one? With Maker Comics: Design a Game! as your guide, you'll play and modify classic games and learn how to build and test a prototype of a new game that's all your own!
Floors by
There's mystery and adventure on every floor. There's no other place quite like the Whippet Hotel. Each and every floor has its own wacky design--and its own wacky secrets. The guests are either mad or mysterious. And ducks are everywhere. Leo Fillmore should know everything there is to know about the Whippet Hotel--he is the janitor's son, after all. But a whole lot more mystery gets thrown his way when four cryptic boxes are left for him...boxes that lead him to hidden floors, strange puzzles, and an unexpected friend or two. Join Leo as he takes the ride of his life, without ever having to step outside. As the hotel starts to falling apart and the mystery thickens, there's only one thing Leo can know for sure: The future of the Whippet Hotel depends on him.
Finding Mighty by
Along the train lines north of New York City, twelve-year-old neighbors Myla and Peter search for the link between Myla's necklace and the disappearance of Peter's brother, Randall. Thrown into a world of parkour, graffiti, and diamond-smuggling, Myla and Peter encounter a band of thugs who are after the same thing as Randall. Can Myla and Peter find Randall before it's too late, and their shared family secrets threaten to destroy them all? Drawing on urban art forms and local history, Finding Mighty is a mystery that explores the nature of art and the unbreakable bonds of family.
The Harlem Charade by
Fans of Chasing Vermeer will love this clever mystery about art, artifice, and the power of community.WATCHER. SHADOW. FUGITIVE.Harlem is home to all kinds of kids. Jin sees life passing her by from the window of her family's bodega. Alex wants to help the needy one shelter at a time, but can't tell anyone who she really is. Elvin's living on Harlem's cold, lonely streets, surviving on his own after his grandfather was mysteriously attacked.When these three strangers join forces to find out what happened to Elvin's grandfather, their digging leads them to an enigmatic artist whose missing masterpieces are worth a fortune-one that might save the neighborhood from development by an ambitious politician who wants to turn it into Harlem World, a ludicrous historic theme park. But if they don't find the paintings soon, nothing in their beloved neighborhood will ever be the same... In this remarkable tale of daring and danger, debut novelist Natasha Tarpley explores the way a community defines itself, the power of art to show truth, and what it really means to be home.
Top Secret by
"The author's upbeat, positive tone is refreshing and his enthusiasm about his topic is contagious." -- School Library Journal (starred review) Pssst! Do you know the difference between a code and a cipher? Can you tell a St. Cyr slide from a Cardano grille? Did you know that the discovery of a substitution cipher caused Mary Queen of Scots to lose her head? Don't look now, but packed into this practical field guide is everything a young person needs to know about the art of concealment -- making and breaking codes, mastering cipher systems, and experimenting with secret writing. Offering plenty of hands-on practice sessions, tips for creating a code-making kit, sidebars on secret codes in history, and an amusing pair of spies to illustrate techniques, Paul B. Janeczko's tantalizing Top Secret won't stay a secret for long. Back matter includes suggestions for further reading, an author's note, an answer key, and an index.
Table Titans Club by
Growing pains, game-play adventure, and 20-sided dice abound in this new graphic novel series about a middle school Dungeons & Dragons club from an Eisner and Harvey Award-winning cartoonist. Valeria Winters has an easier time finding trouble than making friends. A fantasy-obsessed nerd with the legendary confidence--and temper--of a Valkyrie, Val promises her mom that things will be different at her new school. "No more fighting!" As if by fate, she meets the Table Titans right away--Alan, Andrew, and Darius, who run the school's tabletop gaming club. Finally, Val has found her own adventuring party! And even better . . . a place where she belongs. So when the future of the club is threatened, Val makes it her personal quest to save the Table Titans. She'll have to face the fire-breathing wrestling coach and popular girl Kate, who seems out for revenge. Revenge for what? Val has no clue. As the quest grows more and more complicated, Val wishes she was like her peaceful druid Lulani from the Table Titans' campaign, whose calm voice always prevails. If she loses her cool in real life, Val might lose more than the Table Titans club. She'll have to roll a natural 20 in charisma to keep her new friends together. Set in the same universe as the Eisner Award-winning webcomic PvP, Scott Kurtz's artwork blends zany, fantastical visuals with slice-of-life humor. For fans of fantasy and coming of age stories alike, Table Titans finds humor, heart, and adventure in a tale of friendship and finding your people. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection Named to Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List Nominated for the Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award! On ALA's Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List Named to the YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens List.
Buzzing (a Graphic Novel) by
ALA 2025 Rainbow Book List Pick * 2024 Eisner-Nominated for Best Publication for Kids * A 2024 ALA Notable Children's Book * New York Public Library Best Book of 2023 ★ "Heartwarming [and] authentic" --Shelf Awareness, starred review A moving middle grade graphic novel about friendship, belonging, and learning to love yourself despite the voices in your head. Isaac Itkin can't get away from his thoughts. As a lonely twelve-year-old kid with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), everything from studying to looking in the mirror becomes a battle between him and a swarm of unhelpful thoughts. The strict therapy his mother insists on doesn't seem to be working, but when a group of friends invites him to join their after-school role-playing game, the thoughts feel a little less loud, and the world feels a little brighter. But Isaac's therapist says that exposure to games can have negative effects on kids with OCD, and when his grades slip, his helicopter mother won't let him play anymore. Now Isaac needs to find a way to prove to himself, to his mother, and to the world that the way to quiet the noise in his head may have been inside him all along.
The Die of Destiny by
It's a strange and intriguing place--Hob & Bogie's Curiosity Shoppe. It's a gaming store, but instead of carrying the latest in cool gaming gear and gadgets, the store is filled with board games, including role-playing games featuring hundreds of miniature warriors, wizards, and monsters, models of dragons, and lots of various-sided dice. The store windows were too tempting for twelve-year-old Lucas and his foster brother Miles to pass by. Immediately, they're greeted by one of the store owners named Hob, an elderly gentleman with a long, gray beard. Miles thinks he could pass for a wizard. Lucas doesn't want to stay long, not when he's running away from his foster home, where he doesn't feel like he fits in. Hob invites the boys and another girl, Jasmine Bautista, Lucas's classmate, to play a curious RPG game called Champion's Quest. The game does sound interesting. In it, players assume different character roles and are given dangerous challenges as they earn treasures, acquire weapons, and gain experience points to defeat harder, more menacing monsters to ultimately win. When Vanessa from the foster home tracks them down, she insists the boys go home. As they walk out the front door, they immediately discover they're no longer in West Virginia, but transported right into the Champion's Quest game--a wild fantasy world of dangerous trolls, brutish minotaurs, and powerful magic. The four kids--Lucas, a fiercely independent boy who suffers from panic attacks; Jasmine, a feisty girl who struggles to make friends; Miles, a book-smart boy with a wide-eyed innocence; and Vanessa, a perpetually grumpy sixteen-year-old girl--are suddenly immersed in this world as their new RPG characters. They must work together as a team, overcome their real-world weaknesses, and believe in themselves and each other as champions if they are to outwit, outplay, and survive their foes in this ultimate quest to defeat a treacherous, three-headed monster. Champion's Quest: Die of Destiny is a middle-grade fantasy with themes of friendship, cooperation, perseverance, overcoming anxiety, and the emotional need to feel accepted.
Homerooms and Hall Passes by
"You can't help falling in love with this hilarious upside-down take on Dungeons & Dragons. I read; I cheered; I laughed out loud."--Gordon Korman In the mystical realm of Bríandalör, every day the brave and the bold delve into hidden temples or forgotten dungeons, battling vile monsters and evil wizards to loot their treasure hoards for sweet, sweet magic items. But in their free time, our heroes--Thromdurr the mighty barbarian, Devis the shifty thief, Vela the noble paladin, Sorrowshade the Gloom Elf assassin, and Albiorix the (good!) wizard--need to relax and unwind. That's why they meet up once a week to play Homerooms & Hall Passes: a role-playing game where they assume the characters of average American eighth graders. But when the five young adventurers are magically transported into their H&H game by an ancient curse, they must band together to survive their toughest challenge yet: middle school. Who knew that battling ogres would be easier than passing algebra or navigating the cafeteria social scene? They must use what they've learned from playing Homerooms & Hall Passes to figure out how to save their game world (which might actually be real...). Dungeons & Dragons meets Jumanji in this new, laugh-out-loud adventure series from the author of the beloved Hamstersaurus Rex series.
Dino Trouble by
Two best friends in a town taken over by video games have to outsmart digital dinosaurs in the first book in the Arcade World graphic novel chapter book series. Life in Normal used to be, well, pretty normal. Kids went to school. Kids did their homework and chores after school. And then kids met up at the local arcade, called Arcade World. Arcade World was the weirdest, coolest place. It had a collection of video games that no one had ever heard of, like Dino Trouble or Hot Dog Time. And no one held more high scores than Travis Better and Journey West. But one day, the video games in Arcade World came alive. Now, there's a whole new normal in town--as Normal becomes a dangerous Arcade World. Join Travis and Journey as they race dinosaurs to school, survive bottomless pit falls, and battle aliens to level up and solve mysteries like what's going on, who really owns Arcade World, and whether this video game takeover is a glitch or part of a larger, evil plan.
Shark and Bot by
Can a shark and a robot really be friends? In this hilarious graphic-novel chapter book, what makes you different makes for an EPIC friendship. Shark loves water. Bot short-circuits if he goes near water! Shark recites poetry. Bot recites facts. Can these two really be friends? They're both a little awkward. . . . They both love comics. . . . And just wait til you see their dance moves when they confront a playground bully. Readers won't just laugh along, they'll identify with the real-life issues of making friends, accepting differences, and dealing with bullies in the best way possible. Perfect for reluctant readers and fans of Narwhal and Jelly and The Bad Guys.
Tournament Trouble (Cross Ups, Book 1) by
An exciting new middle reader series from a debut author.All twelve-year-old Jaden wants to do is be the best at Cross Ups, the video game he and his friends can't stop playing. He knows he could be--if only he didn't have to hide his gaming from his mom, who's convinced it will make him violent. After an epic match leads to an invitation to play in a top tournament, Jaden and his friends Devesh and Hugh hatch a plan to get him there. But Jaden's strict parents and annoying siblings, not to mention a couple of bullies and his confusing feelings for his next-door neighbor Cali, keep getting in the way!Tournament Trouble marks the first book in a planned series by Sylv Chiang, a captivating new voice in middle reader fiction. With sharp dialogue and relatable characters, it chronicles the ups and downs of middle school with a relevant, contemporary twist. Accompanied by Connie Choi's lively illustrations, Tournament Trouble invites readers into Jaden's world, and will leave them eagerly awaiting his next adventure. Look for Book 2, coming in Fall 2018!
The Friendship Code #1 by
A New York Times bestseller! Perfect for fans of The Babysitters Club and anyone interested in computer science, this series ispublished in partnership with the organization Girls Who Code. Loops, variables, input/output-Lucy can't wait to get started with the new coding club at school. Finally, an after school activity that she's really interested in. But Lucy's excitement turns to disappointment when she's put into a work group with girls she barely knows. All she wanted to do was make an app that she believes will help someone very special to her. Suddenly, Lucy begins to get cryptic coding messages and needs some help translating them. She soon discovers that coding - and friendship - takes time, dedication, and some laughs!
She's Building a Robot by
An Inspirational Book for Girls Who Love STEM "This book is an inspiration to the next-gen of women innovators all over the world."-- Charlotte Yarkoni, CVP Cloud & AI, Microsoft AZ is a young girl who finds herself in a robot building competition. Can she use girl power to overcome crashes, explosions, and hackers to beat school bully and three-time champ, Dalk? Smart and strong is the new pretty. In this funny, action-packed book about robots for kids, talented AZ fights gender and learns tough lessons on leadership. With the help of her quirky friends, Li and 10, the team builds a feisty robot named Ada. Together, they work hard, solve puzzles, grow in confidence, and learn the importance of friendship and collaboration. All science girls welcome! Written to raise awareness about the challenges faced by women in science and engineering, She's Building a Robot celebrates voices from diverse socioeconomic and ethnic background. Perfect for bedtime stories or girls who code, She's Building a Robot gives young women the opportunity to relate to smart characters, promotes girl empowerment, and shows that there's room in STEM for girls. If you're looking for young girl gifts, robot books for kids, or stories for children--or enjoyed books like The Fourteenth Goldfish, Women in Science, and Hidden Figures Young Reader' Edition--then She's Building a Robot is your next read!
Trapped in a Video Game by
Kids who love video games will love this first installment of the 5-book series about 12-year old Jesse Rigsby and the wild adventures he encounters while trapped inside different video games. Jesse Rigsby hates video games--and for good reason. You see, a video game character is trying to kill him. After getting sucked in the new game Full Blast with his friend Eric, Jesse starts to see the appeal of vaporizing man-size praying mantis while cruising around by jet pack. But pretty soon, a mysterious figure begins following Eric and Jesse, and they discover they can't leave the game. If they don't figure out what's going on fast, they'll be trapped for good! With black-and-white illustrations throughout and a cliff hanger at the end of every chapter, this is a great series for kids who think they don't like to read!
Sunny Rolls the Dice: a Graphic Novel (Sunny #3) (Library Edition) by
From the award-winning duo of Jennifer and Matthew Holm comes the sequel to the bestselling Sunny Side Up -- full of heart, laughs, and adventure!Too cool for school . . . or the least groovy girl in the grade?Sunny's just made it to middle school . . . and it's making her life very confusing. All her best friend Deb wants to talk about is fashion, boys, makeup, boys, and being cool. Sunny's not against any of these things, but she also doesn't understand why suddenly everything revolves around them. She's much more comfortable when she's in her basement, playing Dungeons & Dragons with a bunch of new friends. Because when you're swordfighting and spider-slaying, it's hard to worry about whether you look cool or not. Especially when it's your turn to roll the 20-sided die. Trying hard to be cool can make you feel really uncool . . . and it's much more fun to just have fun. Sunny's going to find her groove and her own kind of groovy, with plenty of laughs along the way.
The Inheritance Games by
OVER 5 MILLION COPIES SOLD OF THE #1 BESTSELLING SERIES! Don't miss this New York Times bestselling "impossible to put down" (Buzzfeed) novel with deadly stakes, thrilling twists, and juicy secrets--perfect for fans of One of Us is Lying and Knives Out. Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship, and get out. But her fortunes change in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves Avery virtually his entire fortune. The catch? Avery has no idea why--or even who Tobias Hawthorne is. To receive her inheritance, Avery must move into sprawling, secret passage-filled Hawthorne House, where every room bears the old man's touch--and his love of puzzles, riddles, and codes. Unfortunately for Avery, Hawthorne House is also occupied by the family that Tobias Hawthorne just dispossessed. This includes the four Hawthorne grandsons: dangerous, magnetic, brilliant boys who grew up with every expectation that one day, they would inherit billions. Heir apparent Grayson Hawthorne is convinced that Avery must be a conwoman, and he's determined to take her down. His brother, Jameson, views her as their grandfather's last hurrah: a twisted riddle, a puzzle to be solved. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege with danger around every turn, Avery will have to play the game herself just to survive. **Don't miss a moment of The Inheritance Games Saga, including the Grandest Game, the thrilling new series set in the world of the Inheritance Games. Reading them all? The ideal reading order is: The Inheritance Games, The Hawthorne Legacy, The Final Gambit, The Brothers Hawthorne, The Grandest Game, Games Untold, and Glorious Rivals. Looking for more unputdownable reads from Jennifer Lynn Barnes? Check out The Naturals series (The Naturals, Killer Instinct, All In, Bad Blood, and the enovella, Twelve), The Debutantes duet (Little White Lies, Deadly Little Scandals), and The Lovely and the Lost.
The Marvelous by
From the author of Let's Talk About Love and If It Makes You Happy, this exuberant YA Novel follows six teens locked together in a mansion, contending for a life-changing cash prize in a competition run by a reclusive heiress. Everyone thinks they know Jewel Van Hanen. Heiress turned actress turned social media darling who created the massively popular video-sharing app, Golden Rule. After mysteriously disappearing for a year, Jewel makes her dramatic return with an announcement: she has chosen a few lucky Golden Rule users to spend an unforgettable weekend at her private estate. But once they arrive, Jewel ingeniously flips the script: the guests are now players in an elaborate estate-wide game. And she's tailored every challenge and obstacle to test whether they have what it takes to win--at any cost. Told from the perspective of three dazzling players--Nicole: the new queen of Golden Rule; Luna: Jewel's biggest fan; and Stella: a brilliant outsider--this novel will charm its way into your heart and keep you guessing how it all ends because money isn't the only thing at stake. Praise for Let's Talk About Love: "This book is so charming and funny and bighearted. ... I recommend this one for fans of Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl and Sandhya Menon's When Dimple Met Rishi." --Becky Albertalli, author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda "Claire Kann makes an admirable debut with this milestone for ace visibility." --Entertainment Weekly
The Rosewood Hunt by
Irresistible intrigue, captivating suspense, a swoony friends-to-rivals-to-lovers romance, and heartbreaking betrayal drive this thrilling debut novel that is perfect for fans of The Inheritance Games and Knives Out. Lily Rosewood has lived with her grandmother since her dad's death a year ago. She and Gram have always been close--Gram's role as chair of their family's luxury coat business has inspired Lily's love of fashion, and Lily hopes to follow in Gram's footsteps one day. Then Gram dies suddenly, and Lily's world is upended. Gram's quarter of a billion dollar fortune is missing, and Lily has been banned from the manor she and Gram shared. But Gram has always loved games, and even in death, she still has a few tricks up her couture sleeve. When Lily and three other seemingly random teens get letters from Gram sending them on a treasure hunt around Rosetown, they hope the fortune will be the reward. But they're not the only ones hunting for Gram's treasure, and soon the hunt becomes more dangerous than they ever could have imagined. ***** "Readers be warned: once you pick up Mackenzie Reed's debut, you won't want to put it down. The Rosewood Hunt is a fun, twisty, fast-paced mystery with just the right amount of angsty drama, perfect for fans of The Inheritance Games and Goonies."--Liz Lawson, New York Times bestselling author of The Agathas, The Night in Question, and The Lucky Ones "A captivating mystery full of secrets, family betrayals, and intrigue wrapped inside a fabulous treasure hunt that will leave readers spellbound. Reed seamlessly weaves classic mystery elements with a truly touching story of family and greed."--Kathleen Glasgow, New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces "Such a fun adventure! Mackenzie Reed has crafted a fast-paced, exciting mix of treasure hunt, romance, and family secrets that fans of The Inheritance Games will surely gobble up."--Diana Urban, author of Lying in the Deep "The Rosewood Hunt is a heart pounding thrill ride. With a breakneck pace, jaw-dropping betrayals, and dizzying twists, this high stakes treasure of a hunt kept me guessing to the final page."--Dana Mele, author of People Like Us and Summer's Edge "A high-stakes exploration of grief, greed, and what it means to choose your own family, The Rosewood Hunt is a perfectly twisty mystery filled with complex characters and reveals that will leave your heart racing. A must-read for any National Treasure or The Goonies fan!"--Victoria Wlosok, author of How to Find a Missing Girl
Izzy + Tristan by
A classic romantic tale with a modern twist, this dazzling Indies Introduce pick follows two New York teenagers as they secretly fall in love for the first time. Izzy, a practical-minded teen who intends to become a doctor, isn't happy about her recent move from the Lower East Side across the river to Brooklyn. She feels distanced from her family, especially her increasingly incomprehensible twin brother, as well as her new neighborhood. And then she meets Tristan. Tristan is a chess prodigy who lives with his aunt and looks up to his cousin, Marcus, who has watched out for him over the years. When he and Izzy meet one fateful night, together they tumble into a story as old and unstoppable as love itself. In debut author Shannon Dunlap's capable hands, the romance that has enthralled for 800 years is spun new. Told from several points of view, Izzy + Tristan is a love story for the ages and a love story for this very moment. This fast-paced novel is at once a gripping tale of first love and a sprawling epic about the bonds that tie us together and pull us apart and the different cultures and tensions that fill the contemporary American landscape.
Last Gate of the Emperor by
From Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel David Makonnen comes an Afrofuturist adventure about a mythical Ethiopian empire. Sci-fi and fantasy combine in this epic journey to the stars. Yared Heywat lives an isolated life in Addis Prime -- a hardscrabble city with rundown tech, lots of rules, and not much to do. His worrywart Uncle Moti and bionic lioness Besa are his only family... and his only friends. Often in trouble for his thrill-seeking antics and smart mouth, those same qualities make Yared a star player of the underground augmented reality game, The Hunt for Kaleb's Obelisk. But when a change in the game rules prompts Yared to log in with his real name, it triggers an attack that rocks the city. In the chaos, Uncle Moti disappears. Suddenly, all the stories Yared's uncle told him as a young boy are coming to life, of kingdoms in the sky and city-razing monsters. And somehow Yared is at the center of them. Together with Besa and the Ibis -- a game rival turned reluctant ally -- Yared must search for his uncle... and answers to his place in a forgotten, galaxy-spanning war.
Chaotic Good by
Cosplay, comic shops, and college applications collide in this new novel from the author of You're Welcome, Universe, perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Noelle Stevenson! Cameron's cosplay creations are finally starting to earn her attention--attention she hopes to use to get into the CalArts costume design department for college. But after she wins a major competition, she inadvertently sets off a firestorm of angry comments from male fans online. When Cameron's family moves the summer before her senior year, she hopes to complete her costume portfolio in peace and quiet away from the abuse. Unfortunately, the only comic shop in town--her main destination for character reference--is staffed by a dudebro owner who challenges every woman who comes into the shop. At her twin brother's suggestion, Cameron borrows a set of his clothes to waltz into the shop as Boy Cameron, where she's shocked at how easily she's accepted into the nerd inner sanctum. Soon, Cameron finds herself drafted into a D&D campaign. But as her "secret identity" gets more and more entrenched, Cameron's portfolio falls by the wayside--and her crush on one of the guys in the group threatens to make a complicated situation even more precarious.
Don't Read the Comments by
"Wonderfully geeky and deeply compassionate." --Marieke Nijkamp, #1 New York Times bestselling author In this charming novel by Eric Smith, two teen gamers find their virtual worlds--and blossoming romance--invaded by the real-world issues of trolling and doxing in the gaming community. We all need a place to escape the real world. For Divya and Aaron, it's the world of online gaming. While Divya trades her rising-star status for sponsorships to help her struggling single mom pay rent, Aaron plays as a way to fuel his own dreams of becoming a game developer--and as a way to disappear when his mom starts talking about medical school. After a chance online meeting, the pair decides to team up. But they soon find themselves the targets of a group of internet trolls, who begin launching a real-world doxxing campaign, threatening Aaron's dream and Divya's actual life. They think they can drive her out of the game, but Divya's whole world is on the line... And she isn't going down without a fight. Looking for more from Eric Smith? Don't miss You Can Go Your Own Way!
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Vol. 2 by
Link must defeat evil at every turn in his perilous quest to help Princess Zelda! Once upon a time, wizards tried to conquer the Sacred Realm of Hyrule. The Spirits of Light sealed the wizards' power within the Shadow Crystal and banished them to the Twilight Realm beyond the Mirror of Twilight. Now, an evil menace is trying to find Midna, Princess of the Twilight Realm, and the fragments of the Shadow Crystal to gain the power to rule over both the Twilight Realm and the World of Light. Link awakens in the Twilight Realm, in the form of a wolf! Here he meets Midna, and she escorts Link to Hyrule Castle where none other than Princess Zelda bestows a question upon him--if the world is to be saved from the encroaching darkness, Link must recover the shards of the Shadow Crystal. The task will be long and difficult, and Link will need to use new powers he doesn't know he has!
Scott Pilgrim Vol. 1 by
Just when you thought you knew all there was to know about Scott Pilgrimcomes Scott Pilgrim Color Hardcover Volume 1: Precious LittleLife! The first in a series of brand-new hardcover editions, thisremastered, 6"x9" hardcover presents Scott's first "evilex" battle as you've never seen it before -- in full-color!Plus, previously unpublished extras and bonus materials make this mighty tomeone that's required reading for Scottaholics everywhere!
Game On! by
Veteran video game designer Dustin Hansen takes YA readers on a fun and fascinating trip through the brief but intensely innovative history of video games. Find out about the fast and furious growth and evolution of video games (including how they are quickly taking over the world!) by looking at some of the most popular, innovative, and influential games ever, from Pong, the very first arcade game ever, to modern hits like Uncharted. Learn about the creators and inspiration (Mario was named after Nintendo's landlord after he barged into a staff meeting demanding rent), discover historical trivia and Easter eggs (The developers of Halo 2 drank over 24,000 gallons of soda while making the game), and explore the innovations that make each game special (The ghosts in Pac-Man are the first example of AI in a video game). Finally, here's a young adult nonfiction book about video games. Whether you consider yourself a hard-core gamer or are just curious to see what everyone is talking about, Game On! is the book for you! Praise for Game On!: "This zippy primer on video game development takes readers from the arcades of the 1970s to Minecraft and the future of gaming. . . . The well-told origin tales are a fantastic mash-up of pop and gaming culture. . . " --School Library Journal "This lengthy love letter comes from a self-professed video game addict. Thirty-nine breezy, irreverent chapters celebrate individual games . . . Unabashedly enthusiastic, author Hansen also provides tips on how to evaluate games for personal enjoyment. . . . true gamers will be delighted." --Booklist "This zippy, funny, enthusiastic volume offers snapshot looks at the key moments in video game history." --The Bulletin
Super Mario by
The first princess Mario saved was Nintendo itself. In 1981, Nintendo of America was a one-year-old business already on the brink of failure. Its president, Mino Arakawa, was stuck with two thousand unsold arcade cabinets for a dud of a game (Radar Scope). So he hatched a plan.Back in Japan, a boyish, shaggy-haired staff artist named Shigeru Miyamoto designed a new game for the unsold cabinets featurèing an angry gorilla and a small jumping man. Donkey Kong brought in £180 million in its first year alone and launched the career of a short, chubby plumber named Mario.Since then, Mario has starred in over two hundred games, genèerating profits in the billions. He is more recognizable than Mickey Mouse, yet he's little more than a mustache in bib overalls. How did a mere smear of pixels gain such huge popularity?Super Mario tells the story behind the Nintendo games millions of us grew up with, explaining how a Japanese trading card company rose to dominate the fiercely competitive video-game industry.
Queen of the Tiles by
They Wish They Were Us meets The Queen's Gambit in this "stunning...unforgettable" (Publishers Weekly) thriller set in the world of competitive Scrabble, where a teen girl is forced to investigate the mysterious death of her best friend when her Instagram comes back to life with cryptic posts and messages. CATALYST 13 points noun: a substance that speeds up a reaction without itself changing When Najwa Bakri walks into her first Scrabble competition since her best friend's death, it's with the intention to heal and move on with her life. Perhaps it wasn't the best idea to choose the very same competition where said best friend, Trina Low, died. It seems that even though Najwa is trying to change, she's not ready to give up Trina just yet. But the same can't be said for all the other competitors. With Trina, the Scrabble Queen herself, gone, the throne is empty, and her friends are eager to be the next reigning champion. All's fair in love and Scrabble, but all bets are off when Trina's formerly inactive Instagram starts posting again, with cryptic messages suggesting that maybe Trina's death wasn't as straightforward as everyone thought. And maybe someone at the competition had something to do with it. As secrets are revealed and the true colors of her friends are shown, it's up to Najwa to find out who's behind these mysterious posts--not just to save Trina's memory, but to save herself.
Threads That Bind by
"Dripping with atmosphere and edged with danger, Threads That Bind weaves together a gorgeous dark tapestry of mystery, fated romance, and modern myth. You won't be able to put this one down." --Alexandra Bracken, New York Times bestselling author of Lore In a world where the children of the gods inherit their powers, a descendant of the Greek Fates must solve a series of impossible murders to save her sisters, her soulmate, and her city, for fans of Song of Achilles. Descendants of the Fates are always born in threes: one to weave, one to draw, and one to cut the threads that connect people to the things they love and to life itself. The Ora sisters are no exception. Io, the youngest, uses her Fate-born abilities as a private investigator in the half-sunken city of Alante. But her latest job leads her to a horrific discovery: somebody is abducting women, maiming their life-threads, and setting the resulting wraiths loose in the city to kill. To find the culprit, she must work alongside Edei Rhuna, the right hand of the infamous Mob Queen--and the boy with whom she shares a rare fate-thread linking them as soul mates before they've even met. The investigation turns personal when Io's estranged oldest sister shows up on the arm of her best suspect. Amid unveiled secrets from her past and her growing feelings for Edei, Io must follow clues through the city's darkest corners and unearth a conspiracy that involves some of the city's most powerful players before destruction comes to her own doorstep.
My Video Game Ate My Homework by
Meet Dewey Jenkins, a 13-year old school kid who's about to fail science class. Follow Dewey on an amazing adventure that leads him and his friends to a virtual world where they will have to overcome all sorts of digital creatures and solve a number of puzzles in order to get home. MY VIDEO GAME ATE MY HOMEWORK is a funny, fast-paced adventure that shows the importance of cooperation and teamwork and the importance of using your own unique abilities to solve problems. It's illustrated in Hansen's light-hearted, cartoony style, and filled with lots of sight gags and nods to videogaming conventions. DUSTIN HANSEN spent years directing and creating video games before becoming a writer and illustrator. His published works include the MICROSAURS illustrated chapter book series and his fan-favorite GAME ON! VIDEO GAME HISTORY FROM PONG AND PAC-MAN TO MARIO, MINECRAFT, AND MORE.
The Gauntlet by
A trio of friends from New York City find themselves trapped inside a mechanical board game that they must dismantle in order to save themselves and generations of other children in this action-packed debut that's a steampunk Jumanji with a Middle Eastern flair. Nothing can prepare you for The Gauntlet... It didn't look dangerous, exactly. When twelve-year-old Farah first laid eyes on the old-fashioned board game, she thought it looked...elegant. It is made of wood, etched with exquisite images--a palace with domes and turrets, lattice-work windows that cast eerie shadows, a large spider--and at the very center of its cover, in broad letters, is written: The Gauntlet of Blood and Sand. The Gauntlet is more than a game, though. It is the most ancient, the most dangerous kind of magic. It holds worlds inside worlds. And it takes players as prisoners.
Walking in Two Worlds by
In the real world, Bugz is a shy and self-conscious Indigenous teen who faces the stresses of teenage angst and reserve life. But in the virtual world, her alter ego is not just confident but dominant in a multiplayer video game universe. Feng is a teen boy who has been sent from China to live with his aunt, after his online activity suggests he may be developing extremist sympathies. Through virtual adventures, they find that they have much in common: both must decide what to do in the face of temptations and pitfalls, and both must grapple with the impact of family and community trauma.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Vol. 1 by
Join your favorite characters from Animal Crossing(tm): New Horizons for all-new adventures in this official manga! Read the gag-filled adventures of four goofy residents living among the Animal Crossing(tm): New Horizons characters. Includes a bonus Animal Guide with game tips!
Otherworld by
"Full of high stakes, thrillers, and fantastic twists and turns, fans of Ready Player One are sure to love this addictive read." --BuzzFeed "A potent commentary on how much we're willing to give up to the lure of technology." --EW "A fantastic journey from start to finish." --Hypable New York Times bestselling authors Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller imagine a world in which you can leave your body behind and give in to your greatest desires in the first book in a fast-paced trilogy perfect for fans of the hit HBO show Westworld and anyone interested in the terrifying possibilities of the future of technology. That's how Otherworld traps you. It introduces you to sensations you'd never be able to feel in real life. You discover what's been missing--because it's taboo or illegal or because you lack the guts to do it for real. And when you find out what's missing, it's almost impossible to let it go again. There are no screens. There are no controls. You don't just see and hear it--you taste, smell, and touch it too. In this new reality, there are no laws to break or rules to obey. You can live your best life. Indulge every desire. This is Otherworld--a virtual reality game so addictive you'll never want it to end. And Simon has just discovered that for some, it might not. The frightening future that Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller have imagined is not far away. Otherworld asks the question we'll all soon be asking: if technology can deliver everything we want, how much are we willing to pay? "An engaging VR cautionary tale." --The A.V. Club "[A] fast-paced adventure." --Publishers Weekly "Authors Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller keep the action nonstop." --Shelf Awareness
Home Field Advantage by
"Home Field Advantage has it all. A swoony romance, characters you will be cheering for from start to finish, and a plot that sucks you in from the very first page. An instant favorite, perfectly capturing the power in being true to yourself and fighting for what is right." - Rachael Lippincott, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Five Feet Apart and She Gets the Girl Amber McCloud's dream is to become cheer captain at the end of the year, but it's an extra-tall order to be joyful and spirited when the quarterback of your team has been killed in a car accident. For both the team and the squad, watching Robbie get replaced by newcomer Jack Walsh is brutal. And when it turns out Jack is actually short for Jaclyn, all hell breaks loose. The players refuse to be led by a girl, the cheerleaders are mad about the changes to their traditions, and the fact that Robbie's been not only replaced but outshined by a QB who wears a sports bra has more than a few Atherton Alligators in a rage. Amber tries for some semblance of unity, but it quickly becomes clear that she's only got a future on the squad and with her friends if she helps them take Jack down. Just one problem: Amber and Jack are falling for each other, and if Amber can't stand up for Jack and figure out how to get everyone to fall in line, her dream may come at the cost of her heart. Dahlia Adler's Home Field Advantage is a sparkling romance about fighting for what - or who - you truly want.
Gravity by
A. S. King meets Chris Crutcher in boxing journalist Sarah Deming's YA novel about a young female boxer who learns to fight for what she wants. Gravity "Doomsday" Delgado is good at breaking things. Maybe she learned it from her broken home. But since she started boxing with a legendary coach at a gym in Brooklyn, Gravity is finding her talent for breaking things has an upside. Lately, she's been breaking records, breaking her competitors, and breaking down the walls inside her. Boxing is taking her places, and if she just stays focused, she knows she'll have a shot at the Olympics. Life outside the ring is heating up, too. Suddenly she's flirting (and more) with a cute boxer at her gym--much to her coach's disapproval. Meanwhile, things at home with Gravity's mom are reaching a tipping point, and Gravity has to look out for her little brother, Ty. With Olympic dreams, Gravity will have to decide what is worth fighting for.
Cheer Up by
A sweet, queer teen romance perfect for fans of Fence and Check, Please! Annie is a smart, antisocial lesbian starting her senior year of high school who's under pressure to join the cheerleader squad to make friends and round out her college applications. Her former friend BeeBee is a people-pleaser--a trans girl who must keep her parents happy with her grades and social life to keep their support of her transition. Through the rigors of squad training and amped up social pressures (not to mention micro aggressions and other queer youth problems), the two girls rekindle a friendship they thought they'd lost and discover there may be other, sweeter feelings springing up between them.
A Map to the Sun by
A Map to the Sun is a gripping YA graphic novel about five principle players in a struggling girls' basketball team. One summer day, Ren meets Luna at a beachside basketball court and a friendship is born. But when Luna moves to back to Oahu, Ren's messages to her friend go unanswered. Years go by. Then Luna returns, hoping to rekindle their friendship. Ren is hesitant. She's dealing with a lot, including family troubles, dropping grades, and the newly formed women's basketball team at their high school. With Ren's new friends and Luna all on the basketball team, the lines between their lives on and off the court begin to blur. During their first season, this diverse and endearing group of teens are challenged in ways that make them reevaluate just who and how they trust. Sloane Leong's evocative storytelling about the lives of these young women is an ode to the dynamic nature of friendship. *Lettering by Aditya Bidikar
The Knockout by
A rising star in Muay Thai figures out what (and who) is worth fighting for in this YA debut full of heart. If seventeen-year-old Kareena Thakkar is going to alienate herself from the entire Indian community, she might as well do it gloriously. She's landed the chance of a lifetime, an invitation to the US Muay Thai Open, which could lead to a spot on the first-ever Olympic team. If only her sport weren't seen as something too rough for girls, something she's afraid to share with anyone outside of her family. Despite pleasing her parents, excelling at school, and making plans to get her family out of debt, Kareena's never felt quite Indian enough, and her training is only making it worse. Which is inconvenient, since she's starting to fall for Amit Patel, who just might be the world's most perfect Indian. Admitting her feelings for Amit will cost Kareena more than just her pride--she'll have to face his parents' disapproval, battle her own insecurities, and remain focused for the big fight. Kareena's bid for the Olympics could very well make history--if she has the courage to go for it.
Game On by
A charming and inclusive YA anthology all about games--from athletic sports to board games to virtual reality--from editor Laura Silverman and an all-star cast of contributors. From the slightly fantastical to the utterly real, light and sweet romance to tales tinged with horror and thrills, Game On is an anthology that spans genre and style. But beneath each story is a loving ode to competition and games perfect for anyone who has ever played a sport or a board game, picked up a video game controller, or rolled a twenty-sided die. A manhunt game is interrupted by a town disappearing beneath the players' eyes. A puzzle-filled scavenger hunt emboldens one college freshman to be brave with the boy she's crushing on. A series of summer nights full of card games leads a boy to fall for a boy who he knows is taken. And a spin the bottle game could end a life-long friendship. Fifteen stories, and fifteen unforgettable experiences that may inspire readers to start up that Settlers of Catan game again.
Halo: Meridian Divide by
Discover the original novel set in the Halo universe, based on the New York Times bestselling video game series! It's been three months since the colony world of Meridian was invaded by the alien theocratic alliance known as the Covenant. Under the close watch of the military, teenagers Evie, Dorian, Saskia, and Victor have been put into an accelerated training program with ONI, the Office of Naval Intelligence. And to the quartet's surprise, ONI has a mission for them: return to their hometown on Meridian and monitor the Covenant's efforts to retrieve an ancient Forerunner artifact of untold power. But what seems like a simple job quickly spirals out of their control. With the artifact at risk of falling into Covenant hands, the stakes are raised, and ONI tasks the teens and their team of militia fighters with extracting the artifact for study. After a series of missteps with command, the group must take matters into their own hand, journeying far behind enemy lines and into the heart of the war zones on a ravaged Meridian.
Spin Out by
Ben Cheng used to live the good life--he had wealthy parents, lots of friends, and respect as an online gamer. But when his parents separate, Ben's life changes entirely. He moves to a small apartment with his mom, his dad is out of the picture, and his new schoolmates start teasing him for his family's fall from grace. All Ben has left is his virtual life, where he still reigns supreme as an online racing driver. But when Ben takes his mom's car out for a joyride and gets caught, and uses his mom's credit card without permission, his life starts to spin out. Distributed in the U.S by Lerner Publishing Group
Sky's End by
An instant New York Times bestseller with three starred reviews--now under development as a feature film franchise! Plummet into a kill-or-be-killed competition where a scrappy underdog hell-bent on revenge must battle colossal monstrosities and claw his way to the top in this fast-paced, breakout sensation from YA fantasy author Marc J Gregson. Exiled to live as a Low under the merciless rule of the Meritocracy, sixteen-year-old Conrad refuses to become heir to his murderous uncle. But when behemoth sky serpents attack the floating island of Holmstead and devour Conrad's ailing mother, Conrad cuts a deal to save the only family he has left. To rescue his sister from his uncle's clutches, Conrad must enter the Selection of the Twelve Trades. Freshly recruited into Hunter, the deadliest of all the Trades, Conrad endures rigorous training, manipulative peers, and the Gauntlet--a brutal final challenge that pits Conrad's skyship crew against the very terrors that orphaned him. As Conrad competes in the lowest of stations, he overhears whispers of rebellion in the dark. Conrad had never known anything existed below the toxic black clouds of the Skylands . . . until now. Grab your copy of Book One of the Above the Black trilogy and immerse yourself in a richly detailed dystopia, where failing to rise will most certainly mean your fall. Chock-full with epic, edge-of-your-seat battles, nail-biting twists, and bonds of brotherhood, this action-packed series starter is reminiscent of Attack on Titan and will appeal to fans of Red Rising. A captivatingly wild ride to keep you up late at night as you race toward the finish! A YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Book; A Kids' Indie Next List Selection; A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year; A BookPage Best Book of the Year; A Reactor Most Anticipated Young Adult SFF/H; A Goodreads Most Anticipated Young Adult Book A Kentucky Bluegrass Award Nominee
Their Vicious Games by
"A brutally honest and haunting cautionary tale...exposing the lie that is meritocracy and the unrelenting toll that being a final girl takes. A bloody tale spun masterfully...a dark delight." --Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, New York Times bestselling author of Ace of Spades A Black teen desperate to regain her Ivy League acceptance enters an elite competition only to discover the stakes aren't just high, they're deadly, in this "spine-chilling thriller" (Publishers Weekly). You must work twice as hard to get half as much. Adina Walker has known this the entire time she's been on scholarship at the prestigious Edgewater Academy--a school for the rich (and mostly white) upper class of New England. It's why she works so hard to be perfect and above reproach, no matter what she must force beneath the surface. Even one slip can cost you everything. And it does. One fight, one moment of lost control, leaves Adina blacklisted from her top choice Ivy League college and any other. Her only chance to regain the future she's sacrificed everything for is the Finish, a high-stakes contest sponsored by Edgewater's founding family in which twelve young, ambitious women with exceptional promise are selected to compete in three mysterious events: the Ride, the Raid, and the Royale. The winner will be granted entry into the fold of the Remington family, whose wealth and power can open any door. But when she arrives at the Finish, Adina quickly gets the feeling that something isn't quite right with both the Remingtons and her fellow competitors, and soon it becomes clear that this larger-than-life prize can only come at an even greater cost. Because the Finish's stakes aren't just make or break...they're life and death. Adina knows the deck is stacked against her--it always has been--so maybe the only way to survive their vicious games is for her to change the rules.
Promise Boys by
Promise Boys is a blockbuster, dark academia mystery about three teens of color who must investigate their principal's murder to clear their own names. This page-turning thriller is perfect for fans of Karen McManus, Jason Reynolds, Angie Thomas, and Holly Jackson. "Thrilling, captivating, and blade-sharp." --Karen M. McManus, #1 New York Times bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying The prestigious Urban Promise Prep school might look pristine on the outside, but deadly secrets lurk within. When the principal ends up murdered on school premises and the cops come sniffing around, a trio of students--J.B., Ramón, and Trey--emerge as the prime suspects. They had the means, they had the motive . . . and they may have had the murder weapon. But with all three maintaining their innocence, they must band together to track down the real killer before they are arrested. Or is the true culprit hiding among them? Find out who killed Principal Moore in Nick Brooks's murder mystery, Promise Boys--The Hate U Give meets One of Us Is Lying. "A brilliant pulls-no-punches mystery." --Adam Silvera, #1 New York Times bestselling author of They Both Die at the End A Boston Globe-Horn Book Award 2023 Honoree. A New York Public Library and Kirkus Best Book of the Year!
Truly Devious by
New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson weaves a delicate tale of murder and mystery in the first book of a striking new series, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and E. Lockhart. Ellingham Academy is a famous private school in Vermont for the brightest thinkers, inventors, and artists. It was founded by Albert Ellingham, an early twentieth century tycoon, who wanted to make a wonderful place full of riddles, twisting pathways, and gardens. "A place," he said, "where learning is a game." Shortly after the school opened, his wife and daughter were kidnapped. The only real clue was a mocking riddle listing methods of murder, signed with the frightening pseudonym "Truly, Devious." It became one of the great unsolved crimes of American history. True-crime aficionado Stevie Bell is set to begin her first year at Ellingham Academy, and she has an ambitious plan: She will solve this cold case. That is, she will solve the case when she gets a grip on her demanding new school life and her housemates: the inventor, the novelist, the actor, the artist, and the jokester. But something strange is happening. Truly Devious makes a surprise return, and death revisits Ellingham Academy. The past has crawled out of its grave. Someone has gotten away with murder. The two interwoven mysteries of this first book in the Truly Devious series dovetail brilliantly, and Stevie Bell will continue her relentless quest for the murderers in books two and three. Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2018 * Junior Library Guild Selection * 2019 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Nomination * 2019 ALA's Best Fiction for Young Adults Nomination * Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books 2018 * Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction 2018 * 2018 Nerdy Book Club Young Adult Winner * Seventeen Best YA Book of 2018 * Lincoln Award Nominee * 2020-2021 South Carolina Book Awards Nominee * 2020 Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award Winner
Monster Camp by
Ghost Squad meets Hotel Transylvania in this sweetly spooky fish-out-of-water middle grade "mirthful monster mashup" (Kirkus Reviews) about a human girl who must put on the performance of her life when she realizes what she thought was a LARPing summer camp is full of real monsters! With her stick-on fangs and widow's peak drawn in waterproof eyeliner, Sylvie is an expert at pretending to be a vampire. More kids at school would know that if they bothered to join her monster LARPing (live action role playing) club. Not even her dad understands her passion for the undead and denies her request to attend a monster LARPing summer camp. But Sylvie is not so easily deterred. She decides to tell her dad she's attending another camp located near Monster Camp then sneak over to her real destination after he drops her off. Sylvie feels bad lying to him, but there's no way she's going to miss the chance to finally meet other kids that share her interests. And when she lays eyes on Monster Camp, she knows it was all worth it--the immersive campgrounds look like they came off a Hollywood lot! But when an obnoxious kid dressed like a werewolf gets punished by being magically turned into a Pomeranian, Sylvie realizes she made a critical miscalculation. These aren't LARPers, they're real monsters, and Sylvie's preferred costume means she's placed with blood-sucking, human-biting campers who would breathe fire if they knew the truth about her. She has no choice but to try to stick it out by doing exactly what she does best: pretending to be a monster.
The Last Session by
ROLL FOR INITIATIVE Jay, Lana, Drew, Walter, and Shen began playing Dice & Deathtraps in high school. Now dealing with college and all the twists and turns of their lives, their weekly game has been a wonderful constant. But, as college graduation looms and it feels like their lives are all moving down very different paths, Lana's thrilled to finally finally complete the party's unfinished original campaign. But when Jay's partner Cassandra joins the game, Lana refuses to let her inexperience ruin the best part of her week! But in the end, that may be Lana and the party's undoing... Writer Jasmine Walls (SEEN: Edmonia Lewis) and artist DOZERDRAWS (Lumberjanes) weave a heartfelt story of friends learning to cope with all the changes that come from growing up. Collects issues #1- 5.
The No-Girlfriend Rule by
An instant USA TODAY bestseller Four starred reviews! Julie Murphy meets Heartstopper with a D&D twist in this "magical, heartwarming" (Rachael Lippincott, #1 New York Times bestselling author of She Gets the Girl) queer romance about a teen girl whose foray into fantasy tabletop roleplaying brings her new confidence, true friends, and a shot at real, swoon-worthy love. Hollis Beckwith isn't trying to get a girl--she's just trying to get by. For a fat, broke girl with anxiety, the start of senior year brings enough to worry about. And besides, she already has a boyfriend: Chris. Their relationship isn't particularly exciting, but it's comfortable and familiar, and Hollis wants it to survive beyond senior year. To prove she's a girlfriend worth keeping, Hollis decides to learn Chris's favorite tabletop roleplaying game, Secrets & Sorcery--but his unfortunate "No Girlfriends at the Table" rule means she'll need to find her own group if she wants in. Enter: Gloria Castañeda and her all-girls game of S&S! Crowded at the table in Gloria's cozy Ohio apartment, the six girls battle twisted magic in-game and become fast friends outside it. With her character as armor, Hollis starts to believe that maybe she can be more than just fat, anxious, and a little lost. But then an in-game crush develops between Hollis's character and the bard played by charismatic Aini Amin-Shaw, whose wide, cocky grin makes Hollis's stomach flutter. As their gentle flirting sparks into something deeper, Hollis is no longer sure what she wants...or if she's content to just play pretend.
Who We Are in Real Life by
Fans of Rainbow Rowell and Casey McQuiston will fall for this story of tabletop gaming, romance and epic campaigns -- both in game and IRL. IRL, Darcy has just moved to the small prairie town of Unity Creek with her two moms. It feels like she left everything good behind in the city. She misses her tabletop gaming friends and her boyfriend -- and is horrified by the homophobia her family faces in their new home. Then she meets kind, quiet Art, who invites her to join his Dungeons & Dragons game. Art is mostly happy fading into the background at school and only really coming alive during his friends' weekly D&D game -- until meeting Darcy pulls his life off-course in wonderful and alarming ways. Suddenly he has something worth fighting for. But what if that something puts him in conflict with his father, an influential and conservative figure in their town? Can Art stand up against his father's efforts to prevent Darcy and her friends from starting a queer-straight alliance at school? Meanwhile, in game, Darcy's and Art's D&D characters join forces to fight corruption as they grow closer in the homebrew world of Durgeon's Keep -- as fantasy and reality collide. Key Text Features chapters dialogue
Kingdom Hearts: the Complete Novel Collector's Edition by
Reexperience the novelizations of every installment of the Dark Seeker Saga, from the very first Kingdom Hearts all the way to Kingdom Hearts III, in one beautiful collection! In addition to all the text and illustrations from the novels, this collector's edition also includes 13 art prints and a metal keychain replica of Sora's Kingdom Key!
Tales from the Sea of Thieves by
Narrated by three unique pirate captains the book will take a look at the world through their eyes. From laughable pirate suspicions to the towns and islands these hardened seafarers call home, they'll introduce and explore the fantastical Sea of Thieves, home to krakens, mermaids and buried treasure. Including sea shanties, illustrations and sketches by the pirates and their crew, and much more, the book will immerse you in the world of Sea of Thieves. As an artifact fished straight from within the game universe, it features all the wear and tear expected from a grog-swilling pirate's life. Sea of Thieves is an open world pirate adventure, where you can join a crew of friends online to sail the high seas, fight other ships and see where the tide takes you.
Dragon Age: the Stolen Throne by
The thrilling prequel to Dragon Age: Origins, the hit role-playing video game from award-winning developer BioWare! Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne After his mother, the beloved Rebel Queen, is betrayed and murdered by her own faithless lords, young Maric becomes the leader of a rebel army attempting to free his nation from the control of a foreign tyrant. His countrymen live in fear; his commanders consider him untested; and his only allies are Loghain, a brash young outlaw who saved his life, and Rowan, the beautiful warrior maiden promised to him since birth. Surrounded by spies and traitors, Maric must find a way to not only survive but achieve his ultimate destiny: Ferelden's freedom and the return of his line to the stolen throne.
Pokémon Adventures Collector's Edition, Vol. 1 by
All your favorite Pokémon game characters jump out of the screen into the pages of this action-packed manga! A stylish new omnibus edition of the best-selling Pokémon Adventures manga, collecting all the original volumes of the series you know and love. When Pokémon Trainer Red encounters a challenger he can't fight alone, he must join up with Blue, his former nemesis, and Green, a thief. This unlikely trio and their Pokémon will need to learn to work as a team if they're going to defeat their mutual enemy! Collects the original Pokémon Adventures volumes 1, 2 & 3!
BioShock - Rapture by
It's the end of World War II. FDR's New Deal has redefined American politics. Taxes are at an all-time high. The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki has brought a fear of total annihilation. The rise of secret government agencies and sanctions on business has many watching their backs. America's sense of freedom is diminishing . . . and many are desperate to take that freedom back. Among them is a great dreamer, an immigrant who pulled himself from the depths of poverty to become one of the wealthiest and admired men in the world. That man is Andrew Ryan, and he believed that great men and women deserve better. And so he set out to create the impossible, a utopia free from government, censorship, and moral restrictions on science--where what you give is what you get. He created Rapture---the shining city below the sea. But as we all know, this utopia suffered a great tragedy. This is the story of how it all came to be . . .and how it all ended.
The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by
THE INSTANT TOP FIVE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER! 'Utterly beautiful. I adored it' JOANNA CANNON 'Hugely uplifting and wonderful' AJ PEARCE 'Bursting with hope' JENNIE GODFREY Sometimes finding your place in the world is the greatest puzzle of all... Clayton Stumper is an enigma. He might be twenty-five years old, but he dresses like your grandad and drinks sherry like your aunt. Abandoned at birth on the steps of the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, he was raised by the sharpest minds in the British Isles and finds himself amongst the last survivors of a fading institution. When the esteemed crossword compiler, Pippa Allsbrook, passes away, she bestows her final puzzle to him: a promise to reveal the mystery of his parentage and prepare him for his future. Yet as Clay begins to unpick the clues, he uncovers something even the Fellowship have never been able to solve - and it's a secret that will change everything... *** Readers are loving The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers! 'Absolutely wonderful. A beautiful story of love and friendship' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Quirky and joyful. A delight to read with lovely characters' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A charming tale. Original and uplifting and an absolute ode to not just friendship but fellowship' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Such a joyful book. A unique storyline, the characters are wonderful and it's really uplifting' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Truly, the most joyous of books!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Geek's Guide to Dating by
You keep your action figures in their original packaging. Your closets are full of officially licensed Star Wars merchandise. You're hooked on Elder Scrolls and Metal Gear but now you've discovered an even biggernbsp;obsession: the new girl who just moved in down the hall. What's a geek to do? Take some tips fromnbsp;The Geek's Guide to Dating. This hilarious primer is jam-packed with cheat codes, walkthroughs, and power-ups for navigating the perils and pitfalls of your love life with ease. Geeks of all ages will find answers to the ultimate questions of life, the universe, and everything romantic, from First Contactnbsp;to The Fellowship of the Ringnbsp;and beyond.nbsp;Full of whimsical 8-bit illustrations, The Geek's Guide to Dating will teach fanboys everywhere to love long and prosper.
Role Playing by
From Cathy Yardley, author of Love, Comment, Subscribe, comes an emotional rom-com about two middle-aged gamers who grow their online connection into an IRL love story. Maggie is an unapologetically grumpy forty-eight-year-old hermit. But when her college-aged son makes her a deal--he'll be more social if she does the same--she can't refuse. She joins a new online gaming guild led by a friendly healer named Otter. So that nobody gets the wrong idea, she calls herself Bogwitch. Otter is Aiden, a fifty-year-old optimist using the guild as an emotional outlet from his family drama caring for his aging mother while his brother plays house with Aiden's ex-fiancée. Bogwitch and Otter become fast virtual friends, but there's a catch. Bogwitch thinks Otter is a college student. Otter assumes Bogwitch is an octogenarian. When they finally meet face to face--after a rocky, shocking start--the unlikely pair of sunshine and stormy personalities grow tentatively closer. But Maggie's previous relationships have left her bitter, and Aiden's got a complicated past of his own. Everything's easier online. Can they make it work in real life?
Cocktails and Consoles by
Press start and get ready to craft delicious cocktails. With 75 unique and easy-to-prepare recipes inspired by some of the most popular video games in history, Cocktails and Consoles makes it easy to level up your cocktail and mocktail skills! Whether you are settling in for a solo night of video games or hosting a co-op party, these delightful cocktail and mocktail recipes are simple to make, easy to enjoy, and won't require you to search your inventory for obscure ingredients or spirits. Cocktails and Consoles is the ultimate gamer cocktail book for gamers of all skills-whether they are level 1 or a boss-level mixologist. With vibrant illustrations, a tutorial section with information on equipment, your components (spirits), and additional buffs (syrups and cordials) plus Bar Byte tips to help you get started on your adventure, this book is the perfect 1up to your mixology routine. Created especially for video game fans, this cocktail book features controller-friendly recipes that all offer playful homage to favorite games and characters including The Oregon Trail Buck (The Oregon Trail), Pom of Power (Hades), The Miles Edgeworth MarTeani (Ace Attorney), The Cake Is a Lie (Portal), Stardrop Swizzle (Stardew Valley), Miriel, Pastor of Vows (Elden Ring), Ether (Final Fantasy XIV), Liquid Snake (Metal Gear Solid). Lady Dimitrescu Fizz (Resident Evil Village), Sardegna Simulator Spritz (Gran Turismo), Falcon Punch (Super Smash Bros.), and more. Cocktails and Consoles has the perfect drink for every player and every video game!
My Pokémon Baking Book by
Bake delicious, colorful treats and create lasting memories in the kitchen with your team with these amazing recipes inspired by the world of Pokémon! Explore confections and desserts representing every region of the incredible Pokémon universe. Featuring favorite treats that celebrate beloved characters from the world of Pokémon, My Pokémon Baking Book is the perfect addition to any Pokémon Trainer's kitchen. Great for fans of all ages! 50+ RECIPES: From quick treats to share with friends to dazzling dessert displays perfect for celebrating a Pokémon League victory, My Pokémon Baking Book includes recipes for every occasion. REGIONAL SPECIALTIES: Explore favorite and unique flavors from every currently known region, including the newly discovered region, Paldea! FAVORITE CHARACTERS: Create cookies, cakes, breads, cupcakes, and more with bakery-fresh recipes inspired by Pikachu and friends! DISHES FOR EVERY SKILL LEVEL: With step-by-step instructions and beautiful photographs, My Pokémon Baking Book will teach you how to make iconic foods that bring the vibrant culinary sweets inspired by the world of Pokémon to life. Whether you're baking with other Trainers or your family, these easy-to-follow recipes will make you a baking master in no time! COMPLETE YOUR COLLECTION: Looking for more creative fun? My Pokémon Cookbook is available to take you on another Pokémon culinary adventure, while Pokémon Wisdom: A Journal for Embracing Your Inner Trainer provides creative journaling!
The Game Night Cookbook by
The Game Night Cookbook delivers smart methods for prepping and serving snacks, appetizers, small plates, sandwiches, desserts, and drinks that will please a crowd. Beyond just delicious recipes for Cacio e Pepe Popcorn, Gochujang Chicken Wings, Luscious Lemon Wafers, or a big batch of Peach & Strawberry Sangria, readers will find suggested menus perfect for lively get-togethers such as Competitive Party Game Nights, At-Home Theater Evenings, An Afternoon of Cards, and a Swanky Cocktail Party. Each menu will feature a day-by-day game plan for prepping food and setting up the bar, helping hosts entertain with ease, and making sure that he or she won't miss out on too much of the fun. With the popularity of board games on the rise and the film industry often releasing major movies direct to view from the comfort of home, this book celebrates inviting, intimate gatherings and emphasizes the importance of living and eating well in this era of non-ostentatious, casual entertaining.
Street Fighter: the Official Street Food Cookbook by
Street Fighter(tm): The Official Street Food Cookbook brings together your favorite challengers in this global collection of recipes. Inspired by the diverse nationalities of the iconic characters in Capcom's Street Fighter(tm) video game franchise, Street Fighter: The Official Street Food Cookbook offers easy-to-make recipes that are perfect for your next party or one-on-one showdown. Sakura Kasugano: High school student, martial artist, and world traveler. Join her as she embarks on a trip around the globe, training, fighting, and trying out delicious new street food snacks. In this book, she shares the stories of her encounters with other fighters and their favorite recipes from their hometowns. This cookbook features delectable treats found in food stalls on the streets of Japan, Spanish tapas from a flamenco tavern, snacks on a pier in the Amazon River basin, and much more. With easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions, this cookbook features recipes and characters from every iteration of Capcom's hit Street Fighter series. Packed with vibrant photography as well as information about each fighter and the dish they inspired, this book will level up your skills in the kitchen, making it the ultimate culinary companion for everyone from skilled cooks to new challengers.
Librarian's Guide to Games and Gamers by
Helps librarians who are not themselves seasoned gamers to better understand the plethora of gaming products available and how they might appeal to library users. As games grow ever-more ubiquitous in our culture and communities, they have become popular staples in public library collections and are increasing in prominence in academic ones. Many librarians, especially those who are not themselves gamers or are only acquainted with a handful of games, are ill-prepared to successfully advise patrons who use games. This book provides the tools to help adult and youth services librarians to better understand the gaming landscape and better serve gamers in discovery of new games--whether they are new to gaming or seasoned players--through advisory services. This book maps all types of games--board, roleplaying, digital, and virtual reality--providing all the information needed to understand and appropriately recommend games to library users. Organized by game type, hundreds of descriptions offer not only bibliographic information (title, publication date, series, and format/platform), but genre classifications, target age ranges for players, notes on gameplay and user behavior type, and short descriptions of the game's basic premise and appeals.
52 Ready-To-Use Gaming Programs for Libraries by
Gaming programs offer many benefits: they encourage interaction among patrons, strengthen community bonds with the library, and when done right they can be incredibly popular. Kroski, a bestselling author as well as an avid gamer herself, has gathered more than 50 creative programming ideas from public, school, and academic libraries nationwide. Most will hit your core gaming audience of teens, but you'll also find plenty of options for adults, tweens, and younger children--the mix of tabletop, video, and live-action gaming programs includes something for everyone. Complete with step-by-step instructions for how to prepare and host programs, a materials and equipment list, estimated budget, and recommendations for age ranges, inside this book you'll find fun ideas such as< Instagram or zombie-tag scavenger games; a video game rec league; teaching cybersecurity with Minecraft; STEM with virtual reality and other programs for VR equipment; fostering science literacy with themed board games; a life-sized Game of Life; STEAM with an amazing race; hosting a Gaming Con at your library; video game study breaks for calming students' nerves during Finals Week; leading enthusiasts in writing an original roleplay or designing a board game; and building your collection of games through donations and grants. The engaging programs in this book will have people flocking to your library--it's all in the game.
Let the Games Begin! by
The value of games in teaching and learning has been well-documented in research in education. Here are sixty field-tested games that teach information literacy skills using fun, interactive activities at a variety of skill and knowledge levels. You'll find card games and Jeopardy games, games that involve individual and group work, clickers, white boards, chalk boards, running around the library, and moving around the classroom. Editor Theresa McDevitt has picked 60 of the absolute best ones, all field-tested, from colleges and universities across the country. Examples include: Let's Play Information Jeopardy Library Mystery Scavenger Hunt Name that LCSH! Biggest Researcher Competition YouTube Detectives Twitter and Tagging Your Research Paper Quality Counts Pick a Periodical Details for each game are provided, including: objectives; information literacy standards addressed; audience (size, educational level); time required; materials and equipment - including prize suggestions; area setup; preparation; game instructions and processes. With this step-by-step creative guide, instructors will be able to confidently create information literacy instruction sessions that will break the mold, engaging students in learning that is both highly educational and highly enjoyable.
Mogworld by
In a world full to bursting with would-be heroes, Jim couldn't be less interested in saving the day. His fireballs fizzle. He's awfully grumpy. Plus, he's been dead for about sixty years. When a renegade necromancer wrenches him from eternal slumber and into a world gone terribly, bizarrely wrong, all Jim wants is to find a way to die properly, once and for all. On his side, he's got a few shambling corpses, an inept thief, and a powerful death wish. But he's up against tough odds: angry mobs of adventurers, a body falling apart at the seams - and a team of programmers racing a deadline to hammer out the last few bugs in their AI.
The Hike by
A man named Ben decided to take a hike. He didn't plan on being out that long. He had a business meeting later that night and a family to return home to the next day. He didn't expect to get lost. He didn't expect to stumble upon a scene of unimaginable horror, forcing him to run down a deep and twisting path that would lead him into a world of man-eating giants, bizarre demons, and colossal insects.
Orconomics by
High Comedy Meets High Fantasy in an Award-Winning, Best Selling Satire Winner for Humor and Finalist for Fantasy in the 10th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards "Fight, kill, loot, get credit. Repeat until you're dead." The adventuring industry drives the economy of Arth, where professional heroes are hired to risk their lives to slay fantastic creatures. After said slaying, the loot gets hauled back and divided among investors, banks, plunder funds, adventurers, and the Heroes' Guild. This works out well for everyone but the Shadowkin--Orcs, Goblins, Kobolds and the like--who must apply to become Noncombatant Paper Carriers (or NPCs) to avoid being killed and looted by heroes. When Gorm Ingerson, a disgraced and drunken Dwarven ex-hero with a checkered past, stands up for an undocumented Goblin, he is forced to accept a suicidal quest to save himself and his new friend from certain death. With one shot at redemption, Gorm must get his party of eccentric misfits to stop fighting each other long enough to recover a stolen treasure and stay one step ahead of the powerful organizations showing an unusual interest in their progress. Through a series of unfortunate choices and with the guiding hand of an insane goddess, Gorm inadvertently sets off a chain of events that will change his life--and the world--forever.
Solving the Price Is Right by
The Price is Right is television's longest-running game show. Since its inception in 1956, contestants have won cars, tropical vacations, diamond jewelry, even a live horse, and the hosts' excited catchphrase "come on down!" has become part of our everyday vernacular. Part of the program's enduring appeal is the apparent ease of the game, guessing the cash value of certain prizes. But, if that's the case, then why do so many contestants come away from the show empty-handed? Solving The Price is Right is an in-depth exploration of the underlying probability theory of the popular television program that explores how biases and behavioral pitfalls limit our ability to successfully apply logic and math both on and off the show. With rigorous data and analysis compiled from Seasons 47 and 48 (356 total episodes), investor and math practitioner Justin L. Bergner draws strategic and mathematical insights from all facets of the show, from Contestant's Row bidding to the Showcase Showdown, and all 77 Pricing Games, using a combination of game theory, probability theory, statistics, and pattern recognition. In each section, Bergner summarizes contestant performance, highlights the biases leading to sub-par outcomes, and shows how outcomes can be improved by executing the right strategies while avoiding cognitive biases. Throughout, Bergner applies the lessons learned to the fields of business, finance, and our real lives, shedding light on themes of reverse psychology, strategic patience, and the importance of establishing what is sufficient for success in our pursuits. The result is a truly unique and meticulously researched book that uses Solving The Price is Right as a lens to examine our own choices - and how to make better ones.
Answers in the Form of Questions by
What is the smartest, most celebrated game show of all time? In this insider's guide, discover the rich history of Jeopardy! -- the beloved game show that has shaped our culture and entertained audiences for years. Jeopardy! is a lot of things: record-setting game show, beloved family tradition, and proving ground for many of North America's best and brightest. Nearly four decades into its current edition, Jeopardy! now finds itself facing unprecedented change. This is the chronicle of how the show became a cross-generational touchstone and where it's going next. ANSWERS IN THE FORM OF QUESTIONS dives deep behind the scenes, with longtime host Alex Trebek talking about his life and legacy and the show's producers and writers explaining how they put together the nightly game. Readers will travel to bar trivia showdowns with the show's biggest winners and training sessions with trivia whizzes prepping for their shot onstage. And they'll discover new tales of the show's most notable moments-like the time the Clue Crew almost slid off a glacier-and learn how celebrity cameos and Saturday Night Live spoofs built a television mainstay. ANSWERS IN THE FORM OF QUESTIONS looks to the past -- and the future -- to explain what Jeopardy! really is: a tradition unlike any other.
The Riddles of the Sphinx by
"A surprising and ambitious investigation of language and the varied ways women resist the paradoxes of patriarchy both on and off the page."--New York Times Combining the soul-baring confessional of Brain on Fire and the addictive storytelling of The Queen's Gambit, a renowned puzzle creator's compulsively readable memoir and history of the crossword puzzle as an unexpected site of women's work and feminist protest. The indisputable "queen of crosswords," Anna Shechtman published her first New York Times puzzle at age nineteen, and later, helped to spearhead the The New Yorker's popular crossword section. Working with a medium often criticized as exclusionary, elitist, and out-of-touch, Anna is one of very few women in the field of puzzle making, where she strives to make the everyday diversion more diverse. In this fascinating work--part memoir, part cultural analysis--she excavates the hidden history of the crossword and the overlooked women who have been central to its creation and evolution, from the "Crossword Craze" of the 1920s to the role of digital technology today. As she tells the story of her own experience in the CrossWorld, she analyzes the roles assigned to women in American culture, the boxes they've been allowed to fill, and the ways that they've used puzzles to negotiate the constraints and play of desire under patriarchy. The result is an unforgettable and engrossing work of art, a loving and revealing homage to one of our most treasured, entertaining, and ultimately political pastimes.
Heroes' Feast Flavors of the Multiverse by
Explore the cuisines of the Dungeons & Dragons multiverse with more than 75 delectable new recipes from the New York Times bestselling authors of Heroes' Feast. "Celebrate with delicious game-inspired recipes to feed your fantasy, fill your hearts, and swell your bellies."-Todd Stashwick, actor, Star Trek- Picard Never adventure on an empty stomach! From the D&D experts behind the bestselling Heroes' Feast comes Heroes' Feast Flavors of the Multiverse, a mouthwatering cookbook stuffed with eclectic fare for solo adventurers and party quests alike. This culinary tour presents original recipes inspired by regions and settings from across the Forgotten Realms and beyond. All seventy-six dishes, developed by a professional chef from one of the country's top test kitchens, are delicious, easy to prepare, and composed of ingredients readily found in our world. The immersive recipes in Heroes' Feast Flavors of the Multiverse are perfect for sharing and entertaining. Dishes are organized by location with options for every occasion-especially game nights!-including . otherworldly appetizers such as Talyth and Goldenstars . savory main courses such as Steak of the Deep and Eldeen Banquet . alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages such as Elverquist and Kaeth . and desserts such as Green Ice Rime and Vada's Vanilla Bean Buns Adventure has never tasted so good!
The Necronomnomnom by
A Lovecraft-inspired cookbook with recipes towhet your appetite and threaten your sanity Reading about the slime- covered, non- Euclidean ruins of the sunken city of R'lyeh or the squamous, tentacled deity who slumbers there would make anyone hungry. Starting with the puns and working from there, authors Mike Slater and Thomas Roache have summoned forth 50 funny, bizarre, and horrible dishes such as: * The Deep Fried Deep One * Nog Sothoth * Cthus-Koos * The Great Old Buns * The Gin and Miskatonic Like H. P. Lovecraft's Necronomicon, the legendary and forbidden book of the dead that is "alien to all sane and balanced readers," this cookbook contains many dark (but still delicious) secrets within its pages. The book comes infested with sanity- melting and mouth- watering illustrations, as well as annotations full of crazed discoveries and desperate warnings about the recipes that brave readers will undertake.
The Witcher Official Cookbook by
Eighty mouthwatering and restorative recipes inspired by the bestselling video game series The Witcher, from hearty tavern fare and fortifying drinks to lavish banquets for feasts with friends--featuring a foreword by Andrzej Sapkowski, author and creator of The Witcher. Take a culinary journey through the fantastical world of The Witcher with thoughtfully imagined, flavorful recipes inspired by The Witcher's expansive settings, characters, and lore. In this beautifully photographed cookbook, Anita Sarna and Karolina Krupecka, the creators of fan-favorite food blogs Nerds' Kitchen and Witcher Kitchen, share their meticulously-researched, immersive recipes that give fans a taste of the distinct flavors a witcher might sample as he travels the countryside in search of monsters to slay and coin to earn. These dishes celebrate local and seasonal ingredients while adding unique twists that form a culinary map of the Continent and beyond. Warm up over a bowl of fragrant stew or juicy baked fruit from the namesake trees of White Orchard; end a hard journey to Velen with a hearty, rustic meal at the local tavern; enjoy an aromatic snack as you stroll the markets of Oxenfurt; sample dishes from near and far in the diverse port city of Novigrad; dine on freshly-caught fish and mulled drinks on the islands of Skellige; feast on rich dishes in the sun-drenched climates of Toussaint and Beauclair; or forage on the perilous road to Kaer Morhen to learn the edible secrets of the witcher's keep. Transport your kitchen to another world with the tempting scents and flavors in The Witcher Official Cookbook. CD PROJEKT®, The Witcher® are registered trademarks of CD PROJEKT Capital Group. The Witcher game © CD PROJEKT S.A. Developed by CD PROJEKT S.A. All rights reserved. The Witcher game is set in the universe created by Andrzej Sapkowski in his series of books. All other copyrights and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
The Game Master's Book of Traps, Puzzles and Dungeons by
The Game Master's Book of Traps, Puzzles and Dungeons provides GMs with endless options for populating their adventures with challenging riddles, puzzles, spiked pits, Rube Goldberg-style deathtraps and much more - everything they need to push player character to their limit and bring new levels of excitement (and anxiety) to their game play. Whether part of a pre-planned adventure or a random encounter, these brain teasers, puzzles and traps will make every dungeon crawl, fortress break-in, or temple sacking that much more fun. GMs will find more than 60 challenging puzzles, 60 unique traps and 50 modular dungeon chambers, each with its own set of possible encoounters, meaning GMs can generate a fully-functional (or completely dilapidated) dungeon in a few rolls of a dice. With intricate technical illustrations, beautifully rendered top-down location maps and three one-shot adventures, written by RPG inflencers including Jasmine Bhullar and the creators of the Three Black Halflings podcast, The Game Master's Book of Traps, Puzzles and Dungeons is the ideal tool for any GM hoping to put the fun back in fun-geon*. *not a word.
The Game Master's Handbook of Proactive Roleplaying by
Introducing the first book in The Game Master's new "Handbook" series! Is your roleplaying in a rut? Flip the table and try something new! Proactive roleplaying will re-energize your players - and your game. Most adventures in traditional TTRPGs start out the same way: Something bad happens and your players have to muster their courage to stand against it. Whether it's rescuing the little dog that was kidnapped by the local troll, stopping an assassination attempt at the archduke's wedding or recruiting an army to disrupt the construction of a world-ending ritual site, the party will always find a way to save the day. After all, what kind of heroes would they be if they let the dog, duke or entire population die? Saving the day is fun, but it starts to get repetitive after a while. If you're using a "bad guys try to do stuff, good guys try to stop them" engine to drive all your sessions, you're taking all the agency out of your players' hands. Bad stuff happens, good people have to try to stop it, roll, rinse, repeat. There's a better way to play (and prep) your sessions. The Game Master's Handbook of Proactive Roleplaying shows you how to convert your TTRPG gameplay from predictable action/reaction cliches to player-driven narratives that put all the choices (and most of the prep work) in the hands of your players. The goals are theirs. The decisions are theirs. Everything that happens in the world you're building together occurs not because you planned it, but because the PCs are following their own paths, rather than Game Master breadcrumbs, to the scene of the next adventure. The proactive approach ensures every battle has tension, every faction has a function and every session is high-stakes (and an absolute blast), putting the players and their characters in the driver's seat so you can sit back and simply put giant goal- (and soul-) crushing roadblocks in their way. You'll also find: * Foreword by Ginny Di with an afterword by Jeff Ashworth * Writer's block-breaking charts * Case studies from decades of sessions * Templates for goal-driven NPCs and factions * A modular adventure setting and much more! The Game Master's Handbook of Proactive Roleplaying is compatible with your favorite 5th edition Fantasy Tabletop RPGs!
Control Freak by
The designer of Unreal and Gears of War offers an eye-opening personal account of the video game industry as it grew from niche hobby to hundred-billion-dollar enterprise. Video games are dominating the planet. In 2020, they brought in $180 billion dollars globally--nearly $34 billion in the United States alone. So who are the brilliant designers who create these stunning virtual worlds? Cliff Bleszinski--or CliffyB as he is known to gamers--is one of the few who've reached mythical, rock star status. In Control Freak, he gives an unvarnished, all-access tour of the business. Toiling away in his bedroom, Bleszinski created and shipped his first game before graduating high school, and at just seventeen joined a fledgling company called Epic Games. He describes the grueling hours, obscene amounts of Mountain Dew and obsessive focus necessary to achieve his singular creative visions. He details Epic's rise to industry leader, thanks largely to his work on bestselling franchises Unreal and Gears of War (and, later, his input on a little game called Fortnite), as well as his own awkward ascent from shy, acne-riddled introvert to sports car-driving celebrity rubbing shoulders with Bill Gates. As he writes, "No one is weirder than a nerd with money." While the book is laced with such self-deprecating humor, Bleszinski also bluntly addresses the challenges that have long-faced the gaming community, including sexism and a lack of representation among both designers and the characters they create. Control Freak is a hilarious, thoughtful, and inspiring memoir. Even if you don't play games, you'll walk away from this book recognizing them as a true art form and appreciating the genius of their creators.
Critical Hits by
A wide-ranging anthology of essays exploring one of the most vital art forms on the planet today From the earliest computers to the smartphones in our pockets, video games have been on our screens and part of our lives for over fifty years. Critical Hits celebrates this sophisticated medium and considers its lasting impact on our culture and ourselves. This collection of stylish, passionate, and searching essays opens with an introduction by Carmen Maria Machado, who edited the anthology alongside J. Robert Lennon. In these pages, writer-gamers find solace from illness and grief, test ideas about language, bodies, power, race, and technology, and see their experiences and identities reflected in--or complicated by--the interactive virtual worlds they inhabit. Elissa Washuta immerses herself in The Last of Us during the first summer of the pandemic. Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah describes his last goodbye to his father with the help of Disco Elysium. Jamil Jan Kochai remembers being an Afghan American teenager killing Afghan insurgents in Call of Duty. Also included are a comic by MariNaomi about her time as a video game producer; a deep dive into "portal fantasy" movies about video games by Charlie Jane Anders; and new work by Alexander Chee, Hanif Abdurraqib, Larissa Pham, and many more.
Doom Guy by
The inspiring, long-awaited autobiography of video-game designer and DOOM cocreator John Romero. "DOOM Guy: Life in First Person is...arguably the best non-fiction gaming book of all time, giving a unique insight into one of the industry's most transformative eras through the eyes of one of its groundbreaking pioneers."--Forbes John Romero, gaming's original rock star, is the cocreator of DOOM, Quake, and Wolfenstein 3-D, some of the biggest video games of all time. Considered the godfather of the first-person shooter, a genre that continues to dominate the market today, he holds a unique place in gaming history. In DOOM Guy: Life in First Person, Romero chronicles, for the first time, his difficult childhood and storied career, beginning with his early days submitting Apple II game code to computer magazines and sneaking computers out the back door of his day job to write code at night. Industry-redefining breakthroughs in design and tech during Romero's time at id Software made DOOM and Quake cultural phenomena, and this thrilling story recounts every step of the process, from collaborative, heavy metal-fueled days spent crafting the industry's most revolutionary and cutting-edge games to a high-profile falling-out with id cofounder John Carmack. After years in the gaming spotlight, Romero is now telling his story--the whole story--shedding new light on the development of his games and his business partnerships, from the highest highs to the lowest lows, sharing insights about design, code, the industry, and his career right up to today. Sharing gratitude for a lifetime in games, Romero reveals the twists and turns that led him, ultimately, to be called DOOM Guy.
The Dream Architects by
The inside story of the booming video game industry from the late 1990s to the present, as told by the Managing Director of Ubisoft's Massive Entertainment (The Division, Far Cry 3, Assassin's Creed: Revelations). At Massive Entertainment, a Ubisoft studio, a key division of one of the largest, most influential companies in gaming, Managing Director Polfeldt has had a hand in some of the biggest video game franchises of today, from Assassin's Creed to Far Cry to Tom Clancy's The Division, the fastest-selling new series this generation which revitalized the Clancy brand in gaming. In The Dream Architects, Polfeldt charts his course through a charmed, idiosyncratic career which began at the dawn of the Sony PlayStation and Microsoft Xbox era -- from successfully pitching an Avatar game to James Cameron that will digitally create all of Pandora to enduring a week-long survivalist camp in the Scandinavian forest to better understand the post-apocalyptic future of The Division. Along the way, Polfeldt ruminates on how the video game industry has grown and changed, how and when games became art, and the medium's expanding artistic and storytelling potential. He shares what it's like to manage a creative process that has ballooned from a low-six-figure expense with a team of a half dozen people to a transatlantic production of five hundred employees on a single project with a production budget of over a hundred million dollars. A rare firsthand account of the golden age of game development told in vivid detail, The Dream Architects is a seminal work about the biggest entertainment medium of today.
Of Dice and Men by
Updated with new chapters and an introduction for the 50th Anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons, the fascinating and authoritative history of Dungeons & Dragons that "tracks D&D's turbulent rise, fall, and survival, from its heyday in the 1980s...to the 21st century" (The Wall Street Journal), by award-winning journalist David M. Ewalt. Even if you've never played Dungeons & Dragons, you probably know someone who has: the game has had a profound influence on our culture, and 2014 marks the intriguing role-playing phenomenon's 40th anniversary. Released decades before the Internet and social media, Dungeons & Dragons inspired one of the original nerd subcultures and is still revered by more than 30 million fans. Now, the authoritative history and magic of the game are revealed by an award-winning journalist and lifelong D&D player. In Of Dice and Men, David Ewalt describes the development of Dungeons & Dragons from the game's origins on the battlefields of ancient Europe through the hysteria that linked it to satanic rituals and teen suicides to its apotheosis as father of the modern video-game industry. As he chronicles the surprising history of the game's origins (a history largely unknown even to hardcore players) and examines D&D's lasting impact, Ewalt weaves laser-sharp subculture analysis with his own present-day gaming experiences, "writing about the world of fantasy role-playing junkies with intelligence, dexterity, and even wisdom" (Ken Jennings). An enticing blend of history, journalism, narrative, and memoir, Of Dice and Men sheds light on America's most popular form of collaborative entertainment.
Two Across by
Highly awkward teenager Stanley Owens meets his match in beautiful, brainy Vera Baxter when they tie for first place in the annual National Spelling Bee-and the two form a bond that will change both of their lives. Though their mothers have big plans for them-Stanley will become a senator, Vera a mathematics professor-neither wants to follow these pre-determined paths. So Stanley hatches a scheme to marry Vera in a sham wedding for the cash gifts, hoping they will enable him to pursue his one true love: crossword puzzle construction. In enlisting Vera to marry him, though, he neglects one variable: she's secretly in love with him, which makes their counterfeit ceremony an exercise in misery for her. Realizing the truth only after she's moved away and cut him out of her life, Stanley tries to atone for his mistakes and win her back. But he's unable to find her, until one day he comes across a puzzle whose clues make him think it could only have been created by Vera. Intrigued, he plays along, communicating back to her via his own gridded clues. But will they connect again before it's all too late?
Board to Death by
The first in an ulta-charming new "quozy" mystery series starring Ben Rosencrantz, a queer 30-something English professor (and closet scifi fan) who's returned to his hometown of Salt Lake City to run his family's board game shop in the trendy Sugar House neighborhood - a community hotspot for players of all ages...and for killer collectors! Back in his hometown of Sugar House running his family's board game shop and cafe, Ben Rosencrantz just can't seem to get his life to pass go, much less collect $200. Once he was a happily married English professor in Seattle. Now he's a divorced caregiver, looking after his ill father and a Chihuahua named Beans while still figuring out the rules of retail management. At least the town has become more LGBTQ+ friendly than when Ben was a teenager-and that flower shop owner, Ezra McCaslin, enjoys flirting with him. But despite his usual clientele of gamers, Ben is barely earning enough to keep the store running and stay on top of his father's medical bills. Then a local toy and game collector named Clive offers him a winning strategy-to purchase a turn-of-the-twentieth-century edition of The Landlord's Game, the realty and taxation game that inspired Monopoly, at a tenth of the rare edition's true value. Suspicious of Clive's shady, low-priced deal, Ben turns the offer down. Then Clive turns up dead at the front door of Ben's and a backpack full of $100 bills appears on his doorstep. Now Ben is the #1 suspect in Clive's death, and unless he and Ezra can prove his innocence and find the real killer, he'll go to jail for murder-and no amount of double dice rolls will set him free . . .
Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts by
A handsome stranger. A dead billionaire. A citywide treasure hunt. Tuesday Mooney's life is about to change in ways she--and no reader--could never expect in this "rollicking" (Star Tribune), award-winning novel. ¶ A Kirkus Reviews Best Book · An Indie Next Pick · A Library Reads Selection · A New York Post Best Book of the Week · A Publishers Weekly Pick of the Week · A Buzzfeed Best Paperback · and more! ¶ Tuesday Mooney is a loner. She keeps to herself, begrudgingly socializes, and spends much of her time watching old Twin Peaks and X-Files DVDs. But when Vincent Pryce, Boston's most eccentric billionaire, dies--leaving behind an epic treasure hunt through the city, with clues inspired by his hero, Edgar Allan Poe--Tuesday's adventure finally begins. Puzzle-loving Tuesday searches for clue after clue, joined by a ragtag crew: a wisecracking friend, an adoring teen neighbor, and a handsome, cagey young heir. The hunt tests their mettle, and with other teams from around the city also vying for the promised prize--a share of Pryce's immense wealth--they must move quickly. Pryce's clues can't be cracked with sharp wit alone; the searchers must summon the courage to face painful ghosts from their pasts (some more vivid than others) and discover their most guarded desires and dreams. A deliciously funny ode to imagination, overflowing with love letters to art, from The Westing Game to Madonna to the Knights of the Round Table, Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts is the perfect read for thrill seekers, wanderers, word lovers, and anyone looking for an escape to the extraordinary.
Firebreak by
One young woman faces down an all-powerful corporation in this all-too-near future science fiction debut that reads like a refreshing take on Ready Player One, with a heavy dose of Black Mirror. Ready Player One meets Cyberpunk 2077 in this eerily familiar future. "Twenty minutes to power curfew, and my kill counter's stalled at eight hundred eighty-seven while I've been standing here like an idiot. My health bar is flashing ominously, but I'm down to four heal patches, and I have to be smart." New Liberty City, 2134. Two corporations have replaced the US, splitting the country's remaining forty-five states (five have been submerged under the ocean) between them: Stellaxis Innovations and Greenleaf. There are nine supercities within the continental US, and New Liberty City is the only amalgamated city split between the two megacorps, and thus at a perpetual state of civil war as the feeds broadcast the atrocities committed by each side. Here, Mallory streams Stellaxis's wargame SecOps on BestLife, spending more time jacked in than in the world just to eke out a hardscrabble living from tips. When a chance encounter with one of the game's rare super-soldiers leads to a side job for Mal--looking to link an actual missing girl to one of the SecOps characters. Mal's sudden burst in online fame rivals her deepening fear of what she is uncovering about BestLife's developer, and puts her in the kind of danger she's only experienced through her avatar. Author Kornher-Stace's adult science fiction debut--Firebreak-- is loaded with ambitious challenges and a city to save.
We Are Watching Eliza Bright by
Named a Best Book of 2021 by NPR * Harper's Bazaar * CrimeReads * Electric Literature * Autostraddle * The Globe and Mail In this thrilling story of survival and anger, a woman has her whole life turned upside down after speaking out against workplace hostility-and inadvertently becomes the leader of a cultural movement. Eliza Bright is living the dream as an elite video game coder at Fancy Dog Games, the first woman to ascend that high in the ranks--and some people want to make sure she's the last. To her friends, Eliza Bright is a brilliant, self-taught coder bravely calling out the misogyny that pervades her workplace and industry. To the men who see her very presence as a threat, Eliza Bright is a woman who needs to be destroyed to protect the game they love. When Eliza's report of workplace harassment is quickly dismissed, she's forced to take her frustrations to a journalist who blasts her story across the internet. She's fired and doxxed, and becomes a rallying figure for women everywhere. But she's also enraged the beast comprised of online male gamers--their unreliable chorus narrates our story. Soon, Eliza is in the cross-hairs of the gaming community, threatened and stalked as they monitor her every move online and across New York City. As the violent power of the angry male collective descends upon everyone in Eliza's life, it becomes increasingly difficult to know who to trust, even when she's eventually taken in and protected by an under-the-radar Collective known as the Sixsterhood. The violence moves from cyberspace to the real world, thanks to a vicious male super-fan known only as The Inspectre, determined to exact his revenge on behalf of men everywhere. We watch alongside the Sixsterhood and subreddit keyboard warriors as this dramatic cat-and-mouse game plays out to its violent and inevitable conclusion in this thrilling story of resilience and survival.
The World of Pondside by
In a game of life or death, the seniors at Pondside Manor risk it all. With help from Pondside Manor's quirky, twentysomething kitchen worker Foster Kresowik, resident Robert Kallman creates The World of Pondside, a video game that delights the nursing home's residents by allowing them to virtually relive blissful moments from days long past--or even create new ones. One-legged Duane Lotspeich is overjoyed when he can dance the tango again. Octogenarian Laverne Slatchek cheers on her favorite baseball team from the stands at Candlestick Park with her beloved husband--who died years ago. Even the overwhelmed Pondside administrator escapes her job by logging into a much more luxurious virtual world. Robert's game enlivens the halls of Pondside Manor, but chaos ensues when he is found dead, submerged in the pond, still strapped into his wheelchair. If any resident witnessed his death, they're not telling--either covering up or, quite possibly, forgetting. And it's far from clear to anyone--including the police--if the death of this brilliant man, who suffered from ALS, was suicide or murder. When Robert's video game goes dark, its players grow desperate. The task of getting it back online falls to young Foster, who enlists help from a raucous group of residents and staff. Their pursuit--virtual and real--has unintended consequences, uncovering both criminal activities and the secret plans of Foster's friend Robert. From Pondside Manor, this unlikely bunch of gamers embarks upon an astonishing journey--blissful, treacherous, and unforgettable. Packed with sharp wit and compassion, The World of Pondside is a rousing, perceptive, and utterly unique novel.
Designing Digital Games by
The easy way for kids to get started with video game design Is your youngster a designer at heart? Read on! Designing Digital Games helps children apply their design skills to video game design using Scratch'and this book! Introducing simple programming concepts over the course of three easy-to-follow projects, it shows your child how to use the free Scratch platform to create a video game from the ground up. An extension of the trusted For Dummies brand, this juvenile book has a focus on accomplishment and provides all the steps to help young readers learn basic programming concepts to complete cool projects. From using sprites to create a game with a digital pet snake to creating maze games and cloning sprites to create a fun, attack-style game, this approachable guide offers simple, friendly instruction while building kids' confidence in designing digital games. Features a design that is heavy on eye-popping graphics your child will love Content is focused on the steps to completing each of the projects Offers a small, full-color, non-intimidating package that instills confidence in readers Includes basic projects that set the young learner on the road to further exploration of video game design If there's a kid aged 7-11 in your life who has an interest in using Scratch to design digital games, this book provides the building blocks they need to take their hobby to the next level.
Gaming by
"Do video gaming and STEAM have anything in common? To help answer that, lets define the elements of a video game. In the book The Art of Video Game Design, author Jesse Schell defines a game as a "problem-solving activity done with a playful attitude." No matter what video game you play, that game will have four core elements: Aesthetics, Story, Technology, and Mechanics. Aesthetics dictate how a game looks and feels and what you will see and hear when you play the game. Mechanics outline the rules by which a game is played. The story is about how the events of a game unfold. Since video games are interactive, the player has a big role in deciding what that story will become. Finally, the technology is the foundation of the other three; the level of technology dictates the limitations on how a game will look, how it will be played, and how its story will unfold. STEAM, which is short for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, is being stressed in middle school and high school education to encourage students to obtain skills that will lead to great careers. Game design and gaming consoles and equipment have everything to do with STEAM"--
You Can Code by
Start coding now! With this step-by-step guide even total beginners can learn the programming languages Scratch and Python to create games, animations, utilities, and more. Want to make cool apps and games, but don't know where to begin? This book takes the complexity out of coding. It starts with the basics, taking you through the building blocks of code with Scratch, the simple and colorful visual language that's perfect for newcomers. Once you can make your own games and projects in Scratch, move on to Python, a slightly more advanced language that offers more flexibility and control. Easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions guide you through creating a dancing cat, virtual puppet, word puzzle, drum machine, and space shooter game. Each project teaches essential skills, so you'll learn as you create.
Video Games by
Video games evolved over decades from simple consoles to cutting-edge entertainment in homes and arcades. In the twenty-first century, they've also become some of the world's most popular apps. Find out more about the technological innovations, major players, and controversies that have made video-game history. And from the role of game cartridges to the power of the internet, learn how new inventions keep taking gaming to the next level.
The Most Relaxing Video Games by
A collection of games to play when you want to wind down. Video games are so much more than just full throttle blasts of gunfights, violence and white-knuckle competition. They can also be beautiful, cosy and even emotionally uplifting journeys too. The ideal escapism after a day you'd sooner forget or the perfect sedative following a particularly stress-filled afternoon.The Most Relaxing Video Games will walk you through a selection of gaming experiences sure to help you unwind. From the familiar warmth of sitting down with a good classic board game (51 of them to be exact) through to the solving of hundreds of puzzles on a mysterious island using nothing but lines, there's a world of delightfully comforting video games just waiting to sooth your gaming soul.Covering over 50 video games and spanning nearly thirty years, this comprehensive guide includes detailed explanations of every peaceful entry along with full-colour screenshots, standout moments, fascinating facts and of course what it is that makes them such a relaxing alternative. Whether you're a fan of racers, management sims, puzzles or platformers, there's something here for everyone.So trade in your firearms for farming gear and punching fists for puzzles. Sit back, get comfy and discover the relaxing side that video games have to offer.
Curious Video Game Machines by
The stories behind some of the most obscure and fascinating technology in the history of gaming. The story of video games is often told as the successive rise of computers and consoles from famous names like Atari, Commodore, Nintendo, Sega, Sony and Microsoft. But beyond this familiar tale, there's a whole world of weird and wonderful gaming machines that seldom get talked about.Curious Video Game Machines reveals the fascinating stories behind a bevy of rare and unusual consoles, computers and coin-ops - like Kimtanktics, a 1970s wargame computer made out of calculator parts, or the suite of Korea-exclusive consoles made by car manufacturer Daewoo. Then there's the Casio Loopy, a 1990s console that doubled up as a sticker printer, the RDI Halcyon, a 1985 LaserDisc-based machine that could recognise your voice, and the Interton VC 4000, a German console made by a hearing-aid company, as well as a range of bizarre arcade machines, from early attempts at virtual reality to pedal-powered flying contraptions.There are tales of missed opportunities, like the astonishingly powerful Enterprise 64 computer, which got caught in development hell and arrived too late to make an impact on the British microcomputer market. And there are tales of little-known triumphs, like the Galaksija DIY computer kit that introduced a whole generation of Yugoslavians to computing before the country became engulfed by war.Featuring exclusive interviews with creators, developers and collectors, Curious Video Game Machines finally shines a light on the forgotten corners of video-game history.
Control Freak by
The designer of Unreal and Gears of War offers an eye-opening personal account of the video game industry as it grew from niche hobby to hundred-billion-dollar enterprise. Video games are dominating the planet. In 2020, they brought in $180 billion dollars globally--nearly $34 billion in the United States alone. So who are the brilliant designers who create these stunning virtual worlds? Cliff Bleszinski--or CliffyB as he is known to gamers--is one of the few who've reached mythical, rock star status. In Control Freak, he gives an unvarnished, all-access tour of the business. Toiling away in his bedroom, Bleszinski created and shipped his first game before graduating high school, and at just seventeen joined a fledgling company called Epic Games. He describes the grueling hours, obscene amounts of Mountain Dew and obsessive focus necessary to achieve his singular creative visions. He details Epic's rise to industry leader, thanks largely to his work on bestselling franchises Unreal and Gears of War (and, later, his input on a little game called Fortnite), as well as his own awkward ascent from shy, acne-riddled introvert to sports car-driving celebrity rubbing shoulders with Bill Gates. As he writes, "No one is weirder than a nerd with money." While the book is laced with such self-deprecating humor, Bleszinski also bluntly addresses the challenges that have long-faced the gaming community, including sexism and a lack of representation among both designers and the characters they create. Control Freak is a hilarious, thoughtful, and inspiring memoir. Even if you don't play games, you'll walk away from this book recognizing them as a true art form and appreciating the genius of their creators.
A History of Video Games in 64 Objects by
Inspired by the groundbreaking A History of the World in 100 Objects, this book draws on the unique collections of The Strong museum in Rochester, New York, to chronicle the evolution of video games, from Pong to first-person shooters, told through the stories of dozens of objects essential to the field's creation and development. Drawing on the World Video Game Hall of Fame's unmatched collection of video game artifacts, this fascinating history offers an expansive look at the development of one of the most popular and influential activities of the modern world: video gaming. Sixty-four unique objects tell the story of the video game from inception to today. Pithy, in-depth essays and photographs examine each object's significance to video game play--what it has contributed to the history of gaming--as well as the greater culture. A History of Video Games in 64 Objects explains how the video game has transformed over time. Inside, you'll find a wide range of intriguing topics, including: The first edition of Dungeons & Dragons--the ancestor of computer role-playing games The Oregon Trail and the development of educational gaming The Atari 2600 and the beginning of the console revolution A World of Warcraft server blade and massively multiplayer online games Minecraft--the backlash against the studio system The rise of women in gaming represented by pioneering American video game designers Carol Shaw and Roberta Williams' game development materials The prototype Skylanders Portal of Power that spawned the Toys-to-Life video game phenomenon and shook up the marketplace And so much more! A visual panorama of unforgettable anecdotes and factoids, A History of Video Games in 64 Objects is a treasure trove for gamers and pop culture fans. Let the gaming begin!
Video Game of the Year by
Pong. The Legend of Zelda. Final Fantasy VII. Rock Band. Fortnite. Animal Crossing: New Horizons. For each of the 40 years of video game history, there is a defining game, a game that captured the zeitgeist and left a legacy for all games that followed. Through a series of entertaining, informative, and opinionated critical essays, author and video game critic Jordan Minor investigates, in chronological order, the innovative, genre-bending, and earth-shattering games from 1977 through 2020. Minor explores development stories, critical reception, and legacy, and also looks at how gaming intersects with and eventually influences society at large while reveling in how uniquely and delightfully bizarre even the most famous games tend to be.
Music Playlist.
"The Name of the Game" by ABBA (1977).
"Pinball Wizard" by The Who (1969).
"Video Games" by Lana Del Ray (2012).
"Poker Face" by Lady Gaga( 2008).
"Quit playing Games" [with my heart) by Backstreet Boys (1996).
"Pac-Man Fever" by Buckner &Garcia (1982).
"Super Mario Theme Music" aka "Ground Theme" by Koji Kondo (1985).
"Nintendo Game" by Alessia Cara (2018).
"Play the Game" by Queen (1980).
"Little Games" by Yardbirds (1967).
"Games People Play" by the Alan Parsons Project (1980).
"All Work and No Play" by Van Morrison (2002).
"Level Up" by Ciara (2018).