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Books published by publisher First Second

  • The Return of Zita the Spacegirl

    Ben Hatke

    Paperback (First Second, May 13, 2014)
    Ben Hatke brings back our intrepid space heroine for another delightful sci-fi/fantasy adventure in this New York Times-Bestselling graphic novel trilogy for middle grade readers.Zita the Spacegirl has saved planets, battled monsters, and wrestled with interplanetary fame. But she faces her biggest challenge yet in the third and final installment of the Zita adventures. Wrongfully imprisoned on a penitentiary planet, Zita has to plot the galaxy's greatest jailbreak before the evil prison warden can execute his plan of interstellar domination!
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  • Peter & Ernesto: A Tale of Two Sloths

    Graham Annable

    Hardcover (First Second, April 10, 2018)
    Handpicked by Amazon kids’ books editor, Seira Wilson, for Prime Book Box – a children’s subscription that inspires a love of reading.Peter and Ernesto are sloths. Peter and Ernesto are friends. But Peter and Ernesto are nothing alike. Peter loves their tree and never wants to leave, while Ernesto loves the sky and wants to see it from every place on Earth. When Ernesto leaves to have a grand adventure, Peter stays behind and frets. The two friends grow even closer in separation, as Peter the homebody expands his horizons and Ernesto the wanderer learns the value of home. With ridiculously cute art and simple, funny text, their reunion is even more adorable than you are imagining.Laika Studios superstar artist, writer, and director Graham Annable brings all his significant powers to bear on this timeless friendship story for the youngest graphic novel readers.
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  • Science Comics: Rockets: Defying Gravity

    Anne Drozd, Jerzy Drozd

    Paperback (First Second, June 12, 2018)
    Blast off! Discover the history of rockets and their impact on the future with Anne and Jerzy Drozd in this volume of Science Comics, the action-packed nonfiction graphic novel series for middle-grade readers! Every volume of Science Comics offers a complete introduction to a particular topic―dinosaurs, coral reefs, the solar system, volcanoes, bats, flying machines, and many more. These gorgeously illustrated graphic novels offer wildly entertaining views of their subjects. Whether you're a fourth grader doing a natural science unit at school or a thirty-year-old with a secret passion for airplanes, these books are for you!This volume: In Rockets we explore the 2,000 years that rockets have been in existence. We dive into Newton's Laws of Motion―learning all about gravity, force, acceleration, and the history of rockets made in the past and rockets to be made in the future!
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  • Cucumber Quest: The Flower Kingdom

    Gigi D.G.

    Paperback (First Second, Oct. 9, 2018)
    What's in a name?In order to defeat the Nightmare Knight, legend dictates that the Dream Sword must be autographed by seven princesses. But things get a bit complicated when our heroes discover that the Flower Kingdom has no royalty! Luckily, the "king" of fashion, Mr. R is on the hunt for the new face of his style empire, and whoever catches his eye will be named... (wait for it...) "Princess R"!Who will claim the coveted title? And why does it feel like we're forgetting something important...?Adapted from the popular webcomic series, Cucumber Quest: The Flower Kingdom is the fourth graphic novel in a clever, adorable, and hilarious four-volume heroic adventure series from Gigi D.G. that is sure to make you hungry for sweets and action.
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  • Little Robot

    Ben Hatke

    Hardcover (First Second, Sept. 1, 2015)
    When a little girl finds an adorable robot in the woods, she presses a button and accidentally activates him for the first time. Now, she finally has a friend. But the big, bad robots are coming to collect the little guy for nefarious purposes, and it's all up to a five-year-old armed only with a wrench and a fierce loyalty to her mechanical friend to save the day!In the Eisner-winning graphic novel, Little Robot, New York Times Bestselling author Ben Hatke brings his signature sweetness to a simple, moving story about friendship and overcoming fears that will appeal to readers of all ages.
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  • InvestiGators: Off the Hook

    John Patrick Green

    Hardcover (First Second, Feb. 23, 2021)
    InvestiGators Mango and Brash don their fanciest vests for InvestiGators: Off the Hook, the next mystery in the hilarious adventure series from John Patrick GreenSewer-loving secret agents Mango and Brash fight for the GATOR good in this zany adventure that will have readers HOOKED!The InvestiGators are the best crime-fighting duo in the world. But not even their hi-tech training programs can prepare them for the return of their greatest nemesis, Crackerdile, in a shocking new form! Even worse, he’s creating a team of super villains! Faced with the choice between saving themselves or catching the crooks, can Mango and Brash make sure the gator good prevails?
  • Olympians: Ares: Bringer of War

    George O'Connor

    Paperback (First Second, Jan. 27, 2015)
    A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERThe myth continues in the tenth year of the fabled Trojan War where two infamous gods of war go to battle. The spotlight is thrown on Ares, god of war, and primarily focuses on his battle with the clever and powerful Athena. As the battle culminates and the gods try to one-up each other to win, the human death toll mounts. Who will win this epic clash of power? And how many will have to die first?This title has Common Core connections.
  • Science Comics: Polar Bears: Survival on the Ice

    Jason Viola, Zack Giallongo

    Paperback (First Second, Dec. 31, 2018)
    Head out to the Arctic and learn about polar bears in this volume of Science Comics, Survival on the Ice, an action-packed nonfiction graphic novel series for middle-grade readers! Do you have what it takes to live in one of the harshest places in the world? What if you had just a couple years to gain the knowledge you'll need to survive on your own? Join two curious polar bear cubs as they play, hunt, and navigate life in the Arctic. With each season, they learn polar bear biology and behavior, as well as strategies and skills that will help them thrive in a landscape that is rapidly changing beyond their control. Living with super insulated bodies in a world that's melting? For polar bears, keeping cool is the name of the game!Get ready to explore the depths of the ocean, the farthest reaches of space, and everything in between! These gorgeously illustrated graphic novels offer wildly entertaining views of their subjects. Whether you're a fourth grader doing a natural science unit at school or a thirty-year-old with a secret passion for airplanes, Science Comics is for you!
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  • Science Comics: Cars: Engines That Move You

    Dan Zettwoch

    Paperback (First Second, May 28, 2019)
    In Dan Zettwoch's Science Comics: Cars, you'll learn where cars came from and how they work. When you pop the hood, what are you looking at? How does gasoline―or electric batteries, or even steam―make a car move? Rev up your motor and take look at the combustible history of the automobile and its explosive effects on our modern lives.Every volume of Science Comics offers a complete introduction to a particular topic―dinosaurs, the solar system, robots, and more. Whether you're a fourth grader doing a natural science unit at school or a thirty year old with a secret passion for airplanes, these books are for you!
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  • Peter & Ernesto: The Lost Sloths

    Graham Annable

    Hardcover (First Second, April 9, 2019)
    From Box Trolls director Graham Annable comes Peter & Ernesto: The Lost Sloths, the immensely charming sequel to his brilliant debut graphic novel about the endearing friendship between two sloths.Peter and Ernesto loved their tree. Then a hurricane came and blew it away! Now, Peter, Ernesto, and the rest of their sloth friends must venture into the jungle to find a new―great―tree. But the jungle is full of dangers, including angry ants, slithering snakes, and a ravenous jaguar!Can cautious Peter and confident Ernesto work together to keep their tribe safe? They’ll have to, if they want to find the perfect tree to call home!
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  • Julia's House Moves On

    Ben Hatke

    Hardcover (First Second, Sept. 29, 2020)
    Julia and her house full of fantastic friends are back for another sweet adventure from #1 New York Times bestselling author Ben Hatke in Julia's House Moves On.Julia's house is restless.Julia and her family of lost creatures are ready to move on. But where will they go? And how will they get there? Don’t worry―Julia has a plan for that! Julia always has a plan. But when Julia's plans all fail...What's left for her?
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  • Science Comics: Flying Machines: How the Wright Brothers Soared

    Alison Wilgus, Molly Brooks

    Paperback (First Second, May 23, 2017)
    A National Science Teachers Association Best STEM Books of 2017Take to the skies with Flying Machines!Follow the famous aviators from their bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio, to the fields of North Carolina where they were to make their famous flights. In an era of dirigibles and hot air balloons, the Wright Brothers were among the first innovators of heavier than air flight. But in the hotly competitive international race toward flight, Orville and Wilbur were up against a lot more than bad weather. Mechanical failures, lack of information, and even other aviators complicated the Wright Brothers’ journey. Though they weren’t as wealthy as their European counterparts, their impressive achievements demanded attention on the international stage. Thanks to their carefully recorded experiments and a healthy dash of bravery, the Wright Brothers’ flying machines took off.
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