Books published by publisher Boyds Mills Press, 2005

After an abrupt move across the country to San Francisco, sixteen-year-old Livvy is shocked to find that her mother has lied to her. Instead of looking for work at a bakery, her mom is taking care of Adelle, Livvy’s grandmother, who Livvy thought was long dead. Suffering from Alzheimer’s, Adelle shouts out startling details, mistakes her own name, and seems to relive moments that may have taken place in a concentration camp. When Livvy and her new friend Franklin D. find journal entries from the Holocaust in Adelle’s home, Livvy begins to suspect that her grandmother may have a shocking link to a notable figure -- Anne Frank.

Beneath the streets of London, Paris, New York, and other cities lie massive, underground worlds of tunnels and trains, transporting millions of people. Undergound railways, or subways, are an engineering marvel. But why were they built? And how? Imagine city streets packed with horse-drawn stages, carriages, wagons, and trolleys --and people. Follow Larry Dane Brimner's high-speed tour of the early subways, from London, where Marc Isambard Brunel solved the problem of tunneling by watching a shipworm at work, to New York City, where Alfred Ely Beach built a secret subway under Broadway. Neil Waldman's realistic illustrations compliment this amazing story and bring to life the early days when subways were first imagined and constructed. Grab your token! Hop on! The train is ready to leave the station.

Melissa wants to accomplish something speical, but what could it be? "Spectacular!" "Gorgeous!" "Fabulous!" Those are some of the words people use to describe Melissa Parkington's hair, which is long, thick, and so shiny that it seems to sparkle. But Melissa would like to be known for more than her hair. Melissa wants to do something spectacular. But everything she tries doesn't seem to work out. Then one day she discovers that she can do something special—with her hair. Pat Brisson's engaging and thought-provoking story features lively illustrations by Suzanne Bloom.

Who better than Anubis, the jackal-headed god of mummification, to serve as a guide through the dreaded Land of the Dead? In this fresh and imaginative approach to nonfiction, the first title in the Secrets of the Ancient Gods series, Anubis steers the reader through the Egyptian dark lands. Along the way, they meet fearsome gods and gruesome monsters. And they witness the battle of the gods against Apophis, the giant demon-snake trying to devour the world. With ghoulish humor and lots of attitude (he is a god, after all), Anubis introduces readers to ancient Egyptian beliefs and rituals—including the secrets of mummification—with panache and, if he does say so himself, drop-dead humor. Includes glossary, bibliography, and index.

In this unique, fast-paced twist on the time-travel genre and the first book in a trilogy, sixteen-year-old Alex is a Spinner--one of a rare few who can rewind time to review past events. Alex's society uses Spinners to help solve crimes, but their powers come with a price: no Spinner ever lives past the age of twenty. This title is perfect for fans of author Jennifer Lynn Barnes (The Naturals; Killer Instinct) and Vivian Vande Velde (23 Minutes).Sixteen-year-old Alex is a Spinner--she has the ability to rewind time to review past events. Hated and feared because of their ability to find the truth, the small population of Spinners is restricted to Centers--compounds created to house and protect them. Alex's society uses the Spinners' skills to solve major crimes, but messing with time comes with consequences: no Spinner lives past the age of twenty. At sixteen, Alex is in her prime--until time sickness strikes early. When she is offered an experimental treatment, Alex sees a future for herself for the first time. But the promising medication offers more than just a cure--it also brings with it dire consequences.

A child's world is full of movement. Whether at play or out of sheer joy, you are constantly on the go. This lively book shows kids doing what they enjoy--jumping and dancing, and cartwheeling and bouncing through their days. Stephen Swinburne celebrates kids and their boundless energy in a bright, playful photo essay that shows you some of the amazing ways a child's body can move and invites young ones to discover fresh ways to dance and twirl through the world.

Catty Jane hates the rain, A LOT. But her spirited friends love almost everything about it. Piggy frolics through the rain in her designer boots, twirling a matching umbrella. Froggy speaks poetically of the droplets' effect on the river's surface. And Goose splashes through the storm with verve and gusto. Can Catty Jane's friends help her overcome her aversion? In this satisfying story about friendship, Catty Jane learns a thing or two about having fun.

We all know there are four seasons in a year. But HOW do we know? Join intrepid young scientist-adventurer Joulia Copernicus on a journey around the world as she explains with humor and wit how we know what causes the seasons.Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall -- we all have a favorite season. But what makes the seasons happen in the first place? Ellie Peterson's clear, concise language and bold, kid-friendly illustrations bring science to life through narrator Joulia Copernicus, a strong and adventurous kid scientist. Kids will laugh while learning at the same time about the science behind the changing of the seasons throughout the year.

Perfect for any young reader interested in music, families who love music, and a must-have staple for music classrooms, this funny picture book is an amusing introduction to the instruments in an orchestra, featuring clever rhymes and whimsical illustrations. Meet a shy fellow! He’s hard to notice, but he’s right at the side of the room listening to a duet for cello and viola. But look again -- our shy fellow suddenly has an urge to swallow a HUGE cello, which is precisely what he does. And he doesn't stop there! He also swallows a harp, a saxophone, and a fiddle while trying to satisfy his voracious appetite for musical instruments. But when he swallows a teensy, tiny, little bitty bell, you won’t believe what happens! In this take-off on a classic children’s song, kids will laugh out loud and learn all about musical instruments with this story that’s a melodious mix of fun and frivolity.

A tiny bird. A giant discovery. It's rare to find a modern-day mystery concerning the location of a bird's nest, but until the 1970s, no one knew where the marbled murrelet laid its eggs. The little bird seemed to live entirely at sea. In this exquisitely illustrated book that won the Science Books & Films Prize for Excellence in Science Books, Joan Dunning presents the amazing story of the marbled murrelet based on dramatic facts uncovered in the last few decades. Focusing on one pair of murrelets and their newborn chick, the author reveals the hidden nest in the canopy of the old-growth forests and the secret life of these birds before their fledgling sets off for the sea.

In this heartwarming picture book for young readers that highlights the special, unbreakable bond between a daughter and father, a young Latina girl named Graciela struggles to overcome her disappointment when she does not receive the birthday present her father promised to send her by thinking about what he might need from her instead.Graciela lives in a Central American country south of Mexico. Because of a drought, her father, “Papi”, must leave their home to travel to the United States and work on a farm in California. Graciela is sad that Papi can’t be with her at their home to celebrate her seventh birthday. But, Papi has promised to send Graciela a special birthday present tied in red string in the mail. On the front of the package will be her name: Graciela Maria Reyes Rivera. Each day, Graciela checks the mail, and each day, she does not find a present. Graciela is angry and disappointed. Then she has a thought: maybe Papi could use a gift himself. Author Karen Stanton’s moving story – selected as an IRA Notable Book for a Global Society – features warm illustrations by Rene Moreno. This picture book celebrates the special relationship and bond between a father and daughter, despite a separation, and highlights a child's selfless act of love. School Library Journal says: "Touching. . . . A few Spanish words and phrases add authenticity to the engaging text. . . . A strong addition to the growing body of picture books with Hispanic themes and characters."