World's Scariest Prisons

World’s Scariest Prisons by Emma Carlson Berne

Since the beginning of time, society has had rules. Those who break those rules, often go to prison. But in American and around the world, prisons have been places where the spirit and body of those incarcerated are often broken. In a quick tour of the most infamous prisons in the world, this short work of nonfiction is easy and interesting to read.

World of Gods and Goddesses

World of Gods and Goddesses by Jacqueline Morley

Every society has a mythology, a history of stories originally told to explain the world around us. This book explores the Gods and Goddess that have ruled over the mythology of the world, from Native Americans, to ancient Egyptians, to the temples in the jungles of South America. Illustrated beautifully, the information in this book covers all the cultures of the world, and makes the reader want to explore the myths themselves.

Malala Yousafzai and the Girls of Pakistan

Malala Yousafzai and the Girls of Pakistan by David Aretha

As a girl growing up in a part of the world infiltrated by the Taliban, Malala Yousafzai has been a strong voice for the education of girls in the Middle East. Her words so infuriated the Taliban, that on October 9, 2012, Malala was shot in the head by a Taliban assassin while on her way home from school. Malala’s story is told in a slender volume that allows readers a view of how one teenage girl came to make a huge difference in the world.

River of Words

River of Words by Pamela Michael

This beautiful book holds within its covers poems and illustrations written by children ages 5-17. Winners of a contest put on by the River of Words organization, these works praise the water that we require to survive. Some sad, some uplifting, and accompanied by beautiful works of art, The River of Words will force you to consider the importance of preserving the world’s water supply.

A Little Book of Slime

A Little Book of Slime by Clint Twist

What is slime? This “little book” tries to answer that question. Killer slime, living mold, fish, frogs and many more slimy and disgusting things are explored through short bursts of information and illustrations. Each slimy thing is given a rating on the Slime-O-Meter. Discover why phlegm is so dangerous, and what to do if you encounter a red tide while at the beach. Packed with a plethora of facts, A Little Book of Slime is sure to revolt and fascinate at the same time.

Star Wars Jedi Academy

Star Wars Jedi Academy by Jeffrey Brown

Roan is sure he will be chosen to attend the Pilot Academy Middle School so he can train to be a pilot like his father and older brother. But, when he is turned down for Pilot Academy and recruited for the Jedi Academy, Roan isn’t sure he wants to go. But Master Yoda sees in Roan a gift for the Force, even if Roan can’t seem to master even simple uses of the Force. Told in cartoons and journal entries, follow Roan through his first year at Jedi Academy.

Legends (series)

The Wrath of the Gods by Anthony Horowitz

In this short collection, Anthony Horowitz explores some of the best known myths from Greek, Norse, and Native American cultures. Learn about “Pandora’s Box,” “The Judgment of Paris,” and “Narcissus” from Greek  mythology. Read about “The Stolen Hammer of Thor” from Norse mythology, and “The Ten Fingers of Sedna” from the Inuit culture. Horowitz uses masterful storytelling and accompanying illustrations to bring these myths to life.

Also in the Legends series:

Shark Girl

Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham

When 15-year-old Jane Arrowood left for the beach on a bright June morning, she never expected that the day would bring a shark attack that would claim her right arm and leave her clinging to life. When Jane wakes up in the hospital bed, the shark attack has made national headlines and changed Jane’s life forever. One an emerging artist, she now struggles with daily tasks and overcoming the emotional upheaval that losing a limb has caused her. Jane’s story, told through poems, transcripts, and letters, documents her journey as she struggles to recover her life.

Anubis Speaks

Anubis Speaks by Vicky Alvear Shecter

Narrated by Anubis, Egyptian god of the dead, Anubis Speaks tells the story of Ra’s journey through the land of the dead during the twelve hours of darkness. Anubis explains how the Egyptians handled death, from the process of mummification to the journey to the afterlife. All in all, Anubis Speaks is an informative, gruesome, and sometimes humorous account of Egyptian myths and customs.