STORYBOOK COVE

Pick of the Week:
Young mateys will find plenty of holiday joy in this humorous, colorful, and thoroughly piratical version of the beloved Clement C. Moore classic. On this ship of mischievous brigands--who have visions of treasure chests, not sugarplums, dancing in their heads--you wouldn't expect a visit from nice St. Nick. Instead, here comes Sir Peggedy, with his peg leg and hook arm, cracking his whip and driving eight giant seahorses: Salty, Scurvy, Sinbad, Mollie, Cutthroat, Cross-Eyes, Roger, and Jolly. Philip Yates' rollicking rhymes and Sebastia Serra's sprightly, fun-filled pictures--featuring whimsically multicolored seahorses, stockings hung on the ship's bowsprit with tar, child-friendly pirates, and a complete treasure map--turn this Christmas perennial into a jubilant celebration.

Pick of the Week:
Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with Peeta Mellark. But it had been a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion.

Pick of the Week:
In a single moment, "everything" changes. Seventeen year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck... A sophisticated, layered, and heartachingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make - and the ultimate choice Mia commands.

Pick of the Week:
From the moment Penny, Polly, and Molly hatch from their eggs, the whole farm knows they are truly tough chicks. They wrestle worms, rope roosters, and are often found under the hood of the tractor. All the other animals and even the farmer himself tell Mama Hen to make her chicks good. "They are good " Mama Hen replies. But could her chicks be too loud, too independent, and too tough? Lively language and bold illustrations capture all the fun and humor of this delightfully different farmyard romp that's also a resounding endorsement for letting girls be girls (even if they're loud and tough and like to play with tractors.)

The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a Wizarding classic, first came to Muggle readers' attention in the book known as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Now, thanks to Hermione Granger's new translation from the ancient runes, we present this stunning edition with an introduction, notes, and pen-and-ink illustrations by J. K. Rowling, and extensive commentary by Albus Dumbledore revealing his vast knowledge of Wizarding lore, and his personal qualities: his sense of humor, courage, pride in his abilities, and hard-won wisdom.

This purchase also represents another very important form of giving: From every sale of this book, Scholastic will give its net proceeds to the CHILDREN'S HIGH LEVEL GROUP, a charity cofounded in 2005 by J.K. Rowling and Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne, MEP. CHLG campaigns to protect and promote children's rights and make life better for vulnerable young people across Europe, where over a million children and teenagers are growing up in unacceptable conditions in large residential institutions. In most cases they are without adequate human or emotional contact and stimulation, while many only just survive without life's basics such as adequate shelter and food. Emma Nicholson says: "We are so thrilled to be publishing such an exclusive and special book. This unique project will raise vital funds for the work of CHLG, to help us change the lives of hundreds of thousands of marginalised and institutionalised children who are living in appalling conditions, and make sure that no future generation suffers in this way."

Pick of the Week:
In stunning prose, Philbrick evokes the drama of the voyage of the "Mayflower" and the eerie emptiness of coastal Massachusetts that greeted the Pilgrims. Specially adapted for middle-grade readers, this nonfiction book includes new maps and photographs, a time line, and a list of characters for added comprehension and accessibility.

Pick of the Week:
The battles and drama are nonstop in this latest installment of Flanagan's epic fantasy, Ranger's Apprentice. Still far from their homeland after escaping slavery in the icebound land of Skandia, Will and Evanlyn's plans to return to Araluen are spoiled when Evanlyn is taken captive by a Temujai warrior. Though still weakened by the warmweed's toxic effects, Will employs his Ranger training to locate his friend, but an enemy scouting party has him fatally outnumbered. Will is certain death is close at hand, until Halt and Horace make a daring, last-minute rescue. The reunion is cut short, however, when Halt makes a horrifying discovery: Skandia's borders have been breached by the entire Temujai army. And Araluen is next in their sights. If tje two kingdoms are to be saved, an unlikely union must be made. Will it hold long enough to vanquish a ruthless new enemy? Or will past tensions spell doom for all?

Pick of the Week:
Raves are pouring in for Nancy Werlin's new novel, Impossible, including starred reviews from School Library Journal, Booklist, and Kirkus Reviews. And it's #4 on the Top Ten Fall 2008 Children's Indie Next List of recommendations from independent booksellers.
Inspired by the ballad "Scarborough Fair," this riveting novel combines suspense, fantasy, and romance for an intensely page-turning and masterfully original tale. Lucy is 17 when she discovers that the women of her family have been cursed through the generations, forced to attempt 3 seemingly impossible tasks or to fall into madness upon their child's birth. But Lucy is the first girl who won't be alone as she tackles the list. She has her fiercely protective foster parents and her childhood friend Zach beside her. Do they have love and strength enough?

Parents and their young have special ways of bonding, especially in the animal kingdom. A baby kangaroo nestles in its mother's pouch, while a mama alligator carries her babies gently in her mouth. Polar bears cuddle, and penguin parents take turns warming their chicks in the arctic winter. Just like people, animals kiss, rub noses, and snuggle. Through endearing photographs and a lyrical text, Kimiko Kajikawa explores the parent-child bonds of animals large and small. Reference facts about each animal and accompanying photograph included at the back of the book.

Pick of the Week:
Turtle is in a big hurry. And thats hard for turtles to do. But he is off to see something red and he can not be late. But is it red like Rabbit's roses? Or Goat's socks? Or Fox's roof? All the neighbors want to know, so off they go in a long parade to follow Turtle. But when he finally stops, theres nothing red in sight. Until all at once they see red, red, red. Yet another trip into the inviting world of Valeri Gorbachev awaits young readers in this charming story. As the anticipation builds, so does the fun. And readers will be tickled red by the warm, rosy ending.

Pick of the Week:
When Sam loses his new winter hat, his whole life goes wobbly! Where is the hat that Grandma made him? Parents and kids will adore this quiet story of childhood fun. Full color.

Pick of the Week: Signed copies available in store (come in or order and opt to pick up in store). This magnificent treasury tells the story of America through 100 true tales. Some are tales of triumph--the midnight ride of Paul Revere, the Wright brothers taking to the air, Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon. Some are tales of tragedy--the fate of the Donner party, the great fire in Chicago, the eruption of Mt. Saint Helens. There are stories of inventors and athletes, and abolitionists and artists, stories about struggling for freedom--again and again, in so many ways. With full-color illustrations on nearly every page and short, exciting stories, this book is perfect for browsing by the entire family. Notes at the end of each story direct readers to related stories, and a guide to thematic story arcs offers readers (and teachers) an easy way to follow their particular interests throughout the book. A treasure trove of a book that belongs in every home.

Pick of the Week: A gorgeous pop-up book by favorite author/illustrator Maurice Sendak. Everybody's favorite monsters are just going about their business when a plucky little boy wanders into their cuckoo house. And what does he want? He wants Mommy! Full color.

Pick of the Week:
Now it's the dark's turn to be afraid.
The Spook and his apprentice, Thomas Ward, deal with the dark. Together they rid the county of witches, ghosts, and boggarts. But now there's some unfinished business to attend to in Priestown. Deep in the catacombs of the cathedral lurks a creature the Spook has never been able to defeat; a force so evil that the whole county is in danger of being corrupted by its powers. The Bane!
As Thomas and the Spook prepare for the battle of their lives, it becomes clear that the Bane isn't their only enemy. The Quisitor has arrived, searching for those who meddle with the dark so he can imprison them -- or worse.
Can Thomas defeat the Bane on his own? Is his friend Alice guilty of witchcraft? And will the Spook be able to escape the Quisitor's clutches?

The author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Travel Team returns with a very entertaining story. Even though we are Red Sox fans at Storybook Cove (and the possibility of playing in Yankee Stadium means nothing to us), we are first fans of a well written, engrossing story about baseball, family, and dreams with a good dose of drama and humor. Mike Lupica's novel about Cuban born 12 year old Michael Arroyo is such a story.

Pick of the Week:
No one on the plantation had ever heard the Old African's voice, yet he had spoken to all of them in their minds. For the Old African had the power to see the color of a person's soul and read his thoughts as if they were words on a page. Now it was time to act-time to lead his fellow slaves to the Water-That-Stretched-Forever, and from there back to Africa. Back to their home.
Based on legend and infused with magical realism, this haunting tale is beautiful in both its language and its images. Julius Lester and Jerry Pinkney have found a new, extraordinary way to express the horrors of slavery and the hope and strength that managed to overcome its grip.

Pick of the Week:
Welcome to Echo Falls, home of a thousand secrets, where Ingrid Levin-Hill, super sleuth, never knows what will happen next.

Ingrid is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or at least her shoes are. Getting them back means getting involved in a murder investigation rivaling those solved by her idol, Sherlock Holmes, and Ingrid has enough on her plate with club soccer, school, and the plum role of Alice in the Echo Falls production of Alice in Wonderland. But much as in Alice's adventures down the rabbit hole, things in Ingrid's small town keep getting curiouser and curiouser. Her favorite director has a serious accident onstage (but is it an accident?), and the police chief is on Ingrid's tail, grilling her about everything from bike-helmet law to the color of her cleats. Echo Falls has turned into a nightmare, and Ingrid is determined to wake up. Edgar Award

Pick of the Week:
2005 E.B. White Read-Aloud Winner
In this rollicking rhymed story, librarian Molly McGrew introduces birds and beasts at the zoo to something called reading after she drives her bookmobile into the zoo. Full color3

Pick of the Week:
An award-winning illustrator teams up with a first-time author for this touching tale of one little duckling's first day in the world. Full color.

Pick of the Week:
Meet Nancy, who believes that more is ALWAYS better when it comes to being fancy. From the top of her tiara down to her sparkly studded shoes, Nancy is determined to teach her family a thing or two about being fancy.

How Nancy transforms her parents and little sister for one enchanted evening makes for a story that is funny and warm -- with or without the frills.

Pick of the Weeek:
Vicar Obadiah Demurral no longer wants to worship God--he wants to be God! Obadiah Demurral may be a vicar, but knowing what master he truly serves would come as a shock to the villagers of Thorpe. Craving power and filled with insatiable greed, he has welcomed a darkness into his life that enables him to do terrible things, in the hope of harnessing control over the universe. He will stop at nothing, and as a shadowmancer--a sorcerer who speaks to the dead--he even commands restless souls to do his bidding. Who will stand against him? Young Raphah has come from another continent to reclaim the precious artifact--danger-ously volatile in the wrong hands--that Demurral has stolen. Even younger and less experienced in the ways of battle are Thomas and Kate, accidentally drawn into this war between good and evil, this struggle against Demurral that brings them face-to-face with the powers of darkness in an epic battle. G. P. Taylor takes readers on a breathtaking voyage, full of suspense and danger, where fallen angels and demonic forces come in the night and where the ultimate sacrifice might even be life itself.

Weekly Pick:
"'On a summer's eve, a long time ago, I made one wish, on the brightest starin a twinkling night sky I wished for a cottage by the sea...'" At the seaside, where our narrator lives, there sits a cottage "in a fragrant field of Queen Anne's lace." There is a porch to sunbathe on, a beach full of treasures waiting to be discovered, sandcastles are conquered by the incoming tide, and a young girl's wish comes true.Beautifully detailed, realistic, double-page illustrations make the ordinary extraordinary in this gentle picture book that is a memorable way to explore the seaside with even the youngest of readers.