Catscape

Mike Nicholson

Softbound

$9.99

Fergus had looked at fireworks at a neighbor's bonfire party, and remembered liking the instructions: "light blue touch-paper and stand well back." It was the same with Murdo, his friend. To activate him, you just had to put a small idea in his head and then get out of the way.

Fergus can’t believe it when his brand-new digital watch starts going backward. Then he crashes (literally) into gadget-loving Murdo, and a second mystery comes to light—all around the neighborhood, cats are missing.

This book is the winner of the Kelpies Prize 2005. Sharply and wittily observed, it’s a story of unlikely friendships, unexpected allies and cat surveillance.

Ages 9 and over.

New School Blues

Theresa Breslin

Softbound

$10.00

It’s first term at the Big School for Mary McPherson, and right from the start it looks as if her new friend, Jamie, is going to lead her astray … literally!

Using a forgotten footpath on the way home, they are chased by a ferocious bull and narrowly escape being flattened. Meanwhile Mary has to put up with the humiliation of wearing braces and thick-framed glasses, and they both have to get used to new school subjects such as sex education, self-defense, and basic soldering. But all this is as nothing compared to the dreaded dinner queues and the obnoxious prefects who police them.

You really don’t need all this when trying to establish a right of way. But help comes in the unexpected form of parents and teachers ... who may just be human after all.

Ages 9-12

Boy
Tales of Childhood

Roald Dahl

Softbound

$6.99

Boy is one of the best-ever autobiographies - no matter how old you may think you are! This is one of those books that you or your children or your children's friends or all of you together will laugh your way through - and the best part is that it's all true.

If you've ever wondered where Roald Dahl got the ideas for his rather far-out stories, the answer is right here - from his own life. Dahl's tales of his own childhood are completely fascinating and unendingly funny. did you know that he nearly lost his nose in a car accident? Or that he was once a chocolate candy tester for Cadbury's? Or was involved in the Great Mouse Plot of 1924? Well, you'll find out all about it in Boy. Just don't laugh so hard you wake the baby!

The Phantom Tollbooth

Norton Juster

Paperbound

$6.99

A classic children's tale of a journey to lands beyond! For Milo, everything's a bore. When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through only because he's got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things seem different. Milo visits the island of Conclusions (you get there by jumping), learns about time from a ticking watchdog named Tock, and even embarks on a quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason! Somewhere along the way, Milo realizes something astonishing. Life is far from dull. In fact, it's exciting beyond his wildest dreams! Your 9-year-old and older child will love this book - if you can put it down long enough for them to read it!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Roald Dahl

Paperbound

$6.99

This is a longtime family favorite at our house. Willy Wonka's chocolate factory is finally opening and all the children want to see it. Only five children will be lucky enough to win an tour of the treasured site. Four of the winners are: Augustus Gloop, a fat boy whose hobby is eating; Veruca Salt, a spoiled-rotten brat whose parents heed her every command; Violet Beauregarde, a dimwitted gum-chewer and nonstop talker; and Mike Teavee, a toy-pistol-toting gangster in training who is obsessed with TV. The fifth? Charlie Bucket, our hero. Charlie is honest, kind, brave and true, and about to embark on the wildest time of his life! Non-stop giggles for ages 9 to 12!