Books with author Brooks

"Mom, why are farts so STINKY?!" The human body is a very, very complicated organism with behaviors and responses to stimuli that can only be described as downright WEIRD! But underneath each of actions and attributes is a scientific explanation that helps us understand and gain a deeper appreciation about ourselves and how we interact with the world around us. So if you're an amateur biologist, a future doctor, or are simply a very curious fellow, come along for a ride through the human body - boogers, blood, bones, and all - and get answers to everything you ever wondered about! AND, as a bonus, you'll also learn some really weird facts to impress your friends with! Here are just a few of the things you'll finally have the answers to: -Why doesn’t it hurt when I cut my toenails? -Why do we get gray hair? -Where do boogers come from? -Why do mosquito bites itch? Come, explore, and learn about the GREATEST MACHINE ON EARTH, our body!

"Dad, why do dogs SMELL BUTTS?!" The animal planet is filled with many unusual and sometimes downright kooky behaviors! But underneath each of these actions and animalistic attributes is a scientific explanation that helps us understand and gain a deeper appreciation about the majestic animals we share our planet with. So if you're interested in zoology, or are simply a very curious fellow, come along for a ride through the animal kingdom and get answers to everything you ever wondered about animals (and as a BONUS, you'll also learn some really weird facts to impress your friends with)! Here are just a few of the things you'll finally have the answers to: -Why do Zebras have stripes? -Why do Hippos spray their poop everywhere? -Why do Elephants have such ginormous ears? -Why, oh why, do Ostriches stick their heads in the sand? So come explore, and learn about our great big planet and all the many beasties that live in it!

As a young, up and coming electrical engineer living in England, Ray Brooks had everything he could want—a high paying job, late nights, and fast cars. All he was missing in his life was the meaning.A series of events brought him to Japan, where he met a man who played the shakuhachi, an ancient Japanese flute. That fortuitous interaction motivated Brooks to embark on a journey to learn this very difficult instrument.Through playing the shakuhachi, he began to understand the Zen discipline that is a crucial aspect of Japanese culture. This understanding greatly changed his outlook on life, putting him in touch with his authentic self.Blowing Zen’s humor and its irresistible story of cultures converging lets the underlying message come through without preachiness: life is about finding your true calling, not just what brings you superficial joy. Brooks’ spontaneous approach to the collaboration of art, mind, body, and spirit is inspiring and instructive. This uplifting memoir has been entrancing readers since its release in 2000, and it is now being re-released with a new chapter and lots of photographs.This is the expanded and revised edition with photos.

Recipient of a 1993 Newbery Honor, this novel is an achingly beautiful, powerfully rendered journey through childhood that is not to be missed, now available in a new edition with a striking new cover.“From an outstandingly perceptive writer, a moving portrait of a boy, observed at four revealing turning points.” -- Pointer Review/Kirkus Reviews“Combines fast, exciting action with an astonishing ending that proves the power of the individual imagination.” -- Starred Review/ALA Booklist"Asa—possessed of rare sweetness, humor, and inner strength—survives intact cruel tests of his integrity, intellect, and sense of decency. From an outstandingly perceptive writer, a moving portrait of a boy, observed at four revealing turning points." —K. "Told with controlled imagery, insightful illumination of motive and the needs of his characters, Brooks has proven himself once again a master of language." —BL. 1993 Newbery Honor BookNotable Children's Books of 1993 (ALA)1993 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA)1993 Fanfare Honor List (The Horn Book)1993 Teachers' Choices (IRA)1993 Books for the Teen Age (NY Public Library)

Worlds collide in romantic, unexpected, and heartbreaking ways in this “picture-perfect” (VOYA, starred review) debut novel about a young man with a truly unique power.Sometimes high school senior Jonathan Aubrey wishes he could just disappear. And as luck—or fate—would have it, he can. Ever since coming out of a coma as a kid, he has been able to create alternate worlds. Worlds where he is heroic, desirable, or simply a better version of himself. That’s the world he’s been escaping to most often, a world where he has everything he doesn’t have in real life: friends, a place of honor on the track team, passing grades, and most importantly, Kylie Simms as his girlfriend. But when Jonathan confuses his worlds and tries to kiss the real Kylie Simms, everything unravels. The real Kylie suddenly notices Jonathan…and begins obsessing over him. The fantasy version of Kylie struggles to love Jonathan as she was created to do, and the consequences are disastrous. As his worlds collide, Jonathan must confront the truth of his power and figure out where he actually belongs—before he loses both Kylies forever.

"Dad, why do dogs SMELL BUTTS?!"The animal planet is filled with many unusual and sometimes downright kooky behaviors! But underneath each of these actions and animalistic attributes is a scientific explanation that helps us understand and gain a deeper appreciation about the majestic animals we share our planet with.So if you're interested in zoology, or are simply a very curious fellow, come along for a ride through the animal kingdom and get answers to everything you ever wondered about animals (and as a BONUS, you'll also learn some really weird facts to impress your friends with)!Here are just a few of the things you'll finally have the answers to:Why do Zebras have stripes?Why do Hippos spray their poop everywhere?Why do Elephants have such ginormous ears?Why, oh why, do Ostriches stick their heads in the sand?So come explore, and learn about our great big planet and all the many beasties that live in it!

Recipient of a 1993 Newbery Honor, this novel is an achingly beautiful, powerfully rendered journey through childhood that is not to be missed, now available in a new edition with a striking new cover.“From an outstandingly perceptive writer, a moving portrait of a boy, observed at four revealing turning points.” -- Pointer Review/Kirkus Reviews“Combines fast, exciting action with an astonishing ending that proves the power of the individual imagination.” -- Starred Review/ALA Booklist"Asa—possessed of rare sweetness, humor, and inner strength—survives intact cruel tests of his integrity, intellect, and sense of decency. From an outstandingly perceptive writer, a moving portrait of a boy, observed at four revealing turning points." —K. "Told with controlled imagery, insightful illumination of motive and the needs of his characters, Brooks has proven himself once again a master of language." —BL. 1993 Newbery Honor BookNotable Children's Books of 1993 (ALA)1993 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA)1993 Fanfare Honor List (The Horn Book)1993 Teachers' Choices (IRA)1993 Books for the Teen Age (NY Public Library)