This issue's special- 30% off!

Teacher Feature (for parents, too!)

February 10, 2005

It’s been a busy February around Watermark; with so many new children’s and young adult books coming in every day, it was hard to decide what to review for this issue!  Don’t forget that we also have Valentine’s Day and Presidents' Day books galore, in addition to materials for Black History Month. 

“Books and ideas are the most effective weapons against intolerance and ignorance” (Lyndon Johnson).   

One of our favorite new releases is Alia’s Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq by Mark Alan Stamaty (Alfred A. Knopf, ISBN 0375832173, $12.95).  Based on the same true events featured in Jeannette Winter’s “Librarian of Basra” (see January 20th’s Teacher Feature), this is a fantastically illustrated graphic novel perfect for mid-to-teen readers.

New in paperback this month is one of my favorite books on the American Revolution for middle readers – “Patriots in Petticoats” by Shirley Raye Redmond (Random House, ISBN 0375823581, $5.99).  It’s a wonderful opportunity to supplement your lessons on the founding fathers of America with women’s effective leadership and roles in this early war, as well. 

Parents and teachers both should consider “What It Takes to Pull Me Through: Why Teenagers Get in Trouble and How Four of Them Got Out” (Houghton Mifflin, ISBN 0618145451, $25.00).  Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Marcus, it examines the current state of teen pressures, and what one school in western Massachusetts is doing to try to change the course of children’s lives.  Riveting, fascinating, and dramatic.

Our store item receiving a 30% discount this week is the American History Playing Card Deck: Fifty-Two Portraits in American History (The History Channel, ISBN 1572814403, $12.00).  Each card pictures a portrait and biography of prominent Americans, divided into four suits: The Colonials, The Civil War, The Federalists, and the Frontier.    

For kids ages 0-7 years, check out the new “A Boy and His Bunny” by Sean Bryan (Time Warner, ISBN 1559707259, $14.99).  A very funny tale of a kid with his pet rabbit, younger readers will delight in the whimsical things you can possibly do with a bunny on your head.

For middle readers, consider “The New Big Book of U.S. Presidents” by Marc Frey and Todd Davis (Courage Books, ISBN 0762120294, $9.98).  An updated version of the best-selling original, you’ll find facts, trivia, and other information on every president up through the 2004 elections.  Also included are historical timelines with social history biographies and vignettes.

For older readers, Gary Paulsen is a perennial favorite, and for good reason – he’s one of the best young adult writers around.  New in the store this week is his latest, “Time Hackers” (Random House, ISBN 0385746598, $13.95), the funny story of two boys who go through a series of wild, time-travel, techno adventures.  It gets complicated, but kids with a penchant for science fiction will adore the plot.

Our website of the week –

I am so impressed by www.teens-connect.com – the website of the Columbus Public Library in Ohio.  It’s a wonderful tool for kids and adults alike, with book reviews (for and by teens, great reads, book discussions, and more.  Check it out!

Please be sure to send me any other thoughts, suggestions, or any requests for this portion of our newsletter to me at shaunna.balman@watermarkbooks.com, or reply to Beth from News and Notes.

I hope to see you in the store this week - don’t forget that regularly priced books are discounted 20% for teacher’s use in the classroom!

Shaunna

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