Books published by publisher Holiday House, 2006

Explore the fascinating field of magnetism with this interactive picture book for young learners.Magnetism is all around us--even the earth is a giant magnet. A world without magnets would be a world without cell phones, computers, and more! Trusted children's nonfiction author David A. Adler covers the basics of magnetism, including compasses, for aspiring scientists. Hands-on experiments are smartly woven into the narrative. Want to test out the strength of a magnet? All you need is a bowl of water and some paper clips! Anna Raff's lively art illustrates scientific concepts clearly, with the added fun of two siblings and their dog exploring and learning together. Back matter includes a glossary that defines such terms as attraction, pole, electromagnetism, force, and more. Suggested activities on how to make your own magnet are also included. Finalist for the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books

A dangerous forbidden romance rocks a Texan oil town in 1937, when segregation was a matter of life and death.A Printz Honor Book"This is East Texas, and there's lines. Lines you cross, lines you don't cross. That clear?" New London, TX. 1937. Naomi Vargas is Mexican American. Wash Fuller is Black. These teens know the town's divisive racism better than anyone. But sometimes the attraction between two people is so powerful it breaks through even the most entrenched color lines. And the consequences can be explosive.Naomi and Wash dare to defy the rules, and the New London school explosion serves as a ticking time bomb in the background. Can their love survive both prejudice and tragedy? Race, romance, and family converge in this riveting novel that transplants Romeo and Juliet to a bitterly segregated Texas town. Includes a fascinating author's note detailing the process of research and writing about voices that have largely been excluded from historical accounts.A Printz Honor BookA Booklist 50 Best YA Books of All Time SelectionA Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the YearA School Library Journal Best BookWinner of the Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award

Bubba Brayna’s legendary latkes lure an unexpected visitor into her home in this playful Hanukkah tale from a master storyteller. Bubba Brayna makes the best latkes in the village, and on the first night of Hanukkah, the scent of her cooking wakes a hungry, adorable bear from his hibernation. He lumbers into town to investigate, and Bubba Brayna—who does not see or hear very well—mistakes him for her rabbi. She welcomes the bear inside to play the dreidel game, light the menorah, and enjoy a scrumptious meal. However, after her well-fed guest leaves, there's a knock at the door—it's the rabbi, and all of Brayna's other friends, arriving for dinner. But there are no latkes left—and together, they finally figure out who really ate them. Lively illustrations by Mike Wohnoutka, portraying the sprightly Bubba Brayna and her very hungry guest, accompany this instant family favorite, a humorous reworking of Eric A. Kimmel’s earlier classic tale, The Chanukkah Guest. A traditional recipe for latkes is included in the back matter, along with interesting, digestible facts about the history and traditions of Hanukkah. A 2013 National Jewish Book Award Winner, this book is perfect for a holiday story time with children— either in the classroom or at home, as an introduction for young readers to the traditions and customs of Hanukkah, and as a classic to return to year after year.

Big Cat likes to nap—but his family has other ideas in this Guided Reading Level A story, simple enough for young readers to understand on their own, now available in a smaller 6x9 size! A pair of rowdy siblings wake their furry friend up to play, and proceed to carry him around the house—no matter how the cat feels about it. They love Big Cat, and it's clear Big Cat loves them, too. . . . even if he doesn't love flying or playing dress-up. His cartoonishly exagerrated expressions are sure to charm. With five words or less per page, this story is simple enough to be the first book a child reads on their own—and funny enough to become a favorite. Geisel Medalist Ethan Long's illustrations of the big-bellied feline and his enthusiastic human pals bring Big Cat's adventures to life. Big Cat can be fun—and reading can be fun, too! The award-winning I Like to Read® series focuses on guided reading levels A through G, based upon Fountas and Pinnell standards. Acclaimed author-illustrators--including winners of Caldecott, Theodor Seuss Geisel, and Coretta Scott King honors—create original, high quality illustrations that support comprehension of simple text and are fun for kids to read with parents, teachers, or on their own! Level A books, suitable for early kindergarten, are ideal first books for kids to read on their own. One short sentence repeats on every page with one word change per spread. Simple plots are heavily supported by the detailed illustrations. When Level A is mastered, follow up with Level B.

Poor Maha! Her jealous stepmother makes her do all the housework while her selfish stepsister lazes about. Since Maha's father is away fishing most of the time, there is no one to help or comfort her. All that begins to change when Maha finds a magical red fish. In return for sparing his life, the fish promises to help Maha whenever she calls him. On the night Maha is forbidden to attend a grand henna to celebrate the coming wedding of a wealthy merchant's daughter, the fish is true to his word. His magic sets in motion a chain of events that reward Maha with great happiness, and a dainty golden sandal is the key to it all. Rebecca Hickox's eloquent retelling and Will Hillenbrand's lush pictures offer a beguiling version of a story well-loved by many cultures the world over.

A giant meteor blasts an enormous crater into Earth's surface, causing the end of what scientists call the Age of Dinosaurs. Gail Gibbons presents the most recent and up-to-date theories about the history of dinosaurs and dinosaur discoveries. She discusses the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods and the non-bird dinosaurs that lived during each time. Each dinosaur is explored in just the right amount of detail for young paleontologists, as this book brings these magnificent creatures to life again. Gail Gibbons's books have won many honors, including the Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Nonfiction Award and the NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book awards.

Get a bug's-eye-view on the life cycle of the praying mantis, in this hilarious, scientifically accurate Nature Diary following an insect through her whole summer. Finalist for the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books "May 17: I was born today! It's a beautiful, sunny spring day!" This is the diary of P. Mantis, one of 150 brothers and sisters born on a garden bush. P. Mantis is an amazing bug: she can make herself look like a stick to hide from predators, she can swivel her head all the way around, and when she's grown up she'll even be able to fly! In dated journal entries P. Mantis describes the entirety of her life, sharing the fun and beauty of her world as well its little ups and downs ("I ate one of my brothers. Okay, maybe two"). Colorful, bold art helps illustrate the different stages of the mantis life cycle, and the engaging, narrative text is paired with more detailed information about praying mantises on the heavily-illustrated endpapers. Washington Children's Choice Book Award 2019 Nominee A New York Public Library Staff Pick for Children Don't miss the other hilarious entries in The Nature Diary Series! Each one explores the life cycle of an animal in dated journal entries, showing young readers how they grow and change through the seasons-- and offering a few laughs, too! Brightly illustrated and vetted by experts, Paul Meisel's books are a perfect introduction to your backyard neighbors. My Happy Year by E. BluebirdA Junior Library Guild Selection My Stinky Summer by S. Bug A Junior Library Guild Selection

From tiny tadpoles to massive master jumpers, explore the lives of frogs in this detailed introduction! How far can frogs jump? Why do their eggs look slimy? Answer these questions and many more in this illustrated introduction to amphibians, and learn about the unique role frogs play in the environment. With her signature bright, well-labeled diagrams and simple text, Gail Gibbons introduces the habitat and life cycles of frogs, and gives a brief overview of common frog behaviors. Important vocabulary is introduced, defined, and reinforced with kid-friendly language and clear illustrations—plus a page of intriguing frog trivia. Jump on in and explore the world with Gail Gibbons!

Tom is desperate to fit in at school, but he's hungry and howling, not to mention half dead. Blame it on the vampire - and the werewolf - and the zombie - in this monstrously funny new series from SpongeBob SquarePants head writer Steven Banks."Fast! Funny! Fresh!" - Chris Grabenstein, #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Mr. Lemoncello's Library series"What are you waiting for? Open this book right now!" - Tom Angleberger, New York Times best-selling author of the Origami Yoda seriesThanks to a series of unfortunate bites, eleven-year-old Tom is a triple threat: he's a Vam-Wolf-Zom. And just in time for the first day of middle school. So much for his Invisible Tom Plan. He never thought to make a What If I Turn Into A Vampire Werewolf Zombie Plan. Maybe it's time for a Run Away and Live Somewhere Else Plan?With the help of his irrepressible best friend, Zeke, Tom tries to accept his future. Zeke thinks being a Vam-Wolf-Zom sounds EXCELLENT! (Zeke thinks everything sounds EXCELLENT!) At least he'll be able to stand up to the sixth-grade bully. The question is will the rest of Hamilton Middle School accept the Vam-Wolf-Zom, too? Tom's toothsome saga is illustrated with clever, cartoon-style art on every spread. Created by an Emmy-nominated writer for SpongeBob, The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, and CatDog, this new series is perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and The Last Kids on Earth. EXCELLENT!