2017 Lone Star Lit Holiday Gift Guide • BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS
CHILDREN’S ILLUSTRATED BOOKS
Sharon Putegnat; edited by Judy Coyne and illustrated by Don Breeden
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Paperback, 978-1545318300; 40 pages, $9.95
September 19, 2017
Nani’s Wish…A True Pig Tale is a story of a young girl in fifth grade who knew exactly what she wanted for Christmas and made her desires known to those all around her.
She was certain her wish for a Dalmatian puppy would be granted since her family was an animal-loving family and always had multiple pets in and around the house. Surprisingly, what she received (after Christmas), instead, was beyond anything she or her family could have imagined. Read and enjoy this tale of love, acceptance, hope and faith and lasting relationships.
NEW FOR CHILDREN / JEWISH INTEREST
Lori S. Kline, with illustrations by Susan Simon
Sociosights Press
Hardcover, 978-0991632749 (also available as ebook), 40 pages; $17.99
Grade Level: 1–2
Almost a Minyan was just awarded the 2017 Literary Classics Seal of Approval. In their citation, Literary Classics called the book “a cultural gem that will connect with readers of all ages.”
How can our sacred institutions preserve tradition while retaining the flexibility to accommodate modern life? And how do you fold that theme into a lively kids’ book?
Almost a Minyan brings children into the world of a loving daughter and granddaughter whose family stays connected to each other and to the past through sacred ritual. The book is a multigenerational love story for Jewish traditions. In a story that will appeal equally to people familiar with its Yiddish phrases and Jewish traditions and those interested in increasing their cultural understanding, Almost a Minyan subtly handles some of the practices and controversies of modern Judaism. Can women and girls be part of the sacred minyan for public worship? This spirited story, brought to life with touching and reverent illustrations, is a sure bet for young readers.
CHILDREN’S FICTION
Martha Deeringer
Elephant Dreams
Melange Books
Paperback, 978-1-6804-6532-7, (also available as an e-book), 224 pgs., $13.95
September 2, 2017
Desperate to escape her squalid life on the streets of New York City, sixteen year-old Fiona Finn seeks help at the magnificent Church of the Ascension where Charles Loring Brace, a social reformer horrified by the plight of New York City's street children, arranges for her to go west aboard an Orphan Train. Fiona's homeless, alcoholic father has other plans, however. He wants Fiona to "work" the streets to support his drinking and pursues her across the midwest until she is forced to abandon the train in Houston to avoid a sheriff bent on returning her to her father. Alone in the dark on the Texas prairie, Fiona's terrifying experience with a circus elephant, Bolivar, sets the stage for a future she could never have imagined.
CHILDREN’S FICTION/WESTERN
Wayne R. Major and Ralphine Major, with illustrations by Teresa Wilkerson
Piddle Diddle, the Widdle Penguin, and the Texas Longhorns
(Adventures of Piddle Diddle, the Widdle Penguin series)
Little Creek Books
Paperback, 978-1945619434 (also available as ebook), $11.00
Grade Level: K–4
Come and join Piddle Diddle, the Widdle Penguin, and her family as they vacation at a dude ranch and help cowboys on a cattle drive of Texas Longhorns! The adventures of Piddle Widdle Penguin takes the young reader into the many journeys of an adventurous delightful Penguin. On this adventure, Piddle Widdle Penguin travels to a Texas ranch for a Longhorns cattle roundup! Educational and fun reading!
CHILDREN’S FICTION/WESTERN
Hangin' Day (Trouble In Texas) (Volume 1)
NKB Books
Paperback, 978-0-9988-1011-9, (also available as an e-book), 124 pgs., $7.99
May 22, 2017
In 1887, Silver Belle and Jeremiah watch their teacher stand trial for stealing a horse. Because of the number of witnesses who saw Miss Libby ride through the Texas town of Justice, the Anti-Horse Thief Committee finds her guilty. Miss Libby's fate now depends on two kids to solve the mix-up and stop the madness. The situation is tangled even more because the feisty Belle has secrets; secrets she’s never told her best friend, Jeremiah. Even her father, a U.S. Marshal, can never know the truth about the night the horse called Sweet Fury went missing. If the real owner, Harland 'Four-Gun' Reynolds, finds out what really happened, a beautiful black horse would surely get the beating of his life and it could very well be Belle who is marched up to the gallows.
CHILDREN’S FICTION/FANTASY
Dan Peeler & Charlie Rose
Dragons of Romania
Debe Ink
Paperback, 978-1-9461-8283-8, $12.95
May 1, 2017
Book 1 in a 6 Book Series. Beyond the vast Transylvanian forests of Romania, hidden deep within undiscovered caves of the rugged Carpathian Mountains, are the homes of many of the oldest species of dragons on earth. One the oldest of all is wise Lumea, the greatest teacher of young dragons. His newest student, Tanarul, is a mere 200 years old and the two of them are embarking on a world tour to meet and study both the Greater Dragons of history and the tiny Lesser Dragons, all of whom have personal stories to tell about their legendary encounters with humans throughout the centuries.
But their journey quickly takes a turn toward high adventure as they discover the unstable state of their natural world, caused mainly by humankind's destruction and disregard for the ecology. The League of Dragons must find allies among the humans to save both their races.
John M. Hardy Publishing
Paperback, 978-1-9461-8200-5, $12.95
August 5, 2017
In Dragons of Romania: Book 1, the ancient Teacher of Dragons, Lumea Veche, and his eager young student, Tanarul, embark from their native Romania on a routine field trip to the greater world of Dragons. Along the way, however, they become aware that the humans who originally told the old tales have been destroying much more than their relatives' history. The planet's delicate ecology is in a shambles because of human neglect and interference. To save the planet, a Dragon/Human Alliance must be formed.
In this present volume, Dragons of Romania: Book 2, Leviathan Rises, the Dragon/Human Alliance organizes worldwide teams, including a whole new list of legendary Dragon champions. New problems arise. Even the greatest of Dragons are microbes compared to Leviathan. How is communication with such a creature possible? Is it too late to save the planet?
CHILDREN’S NONFICTION/CULTURE
Amber Manning; illustrations by Kory Fluckiger
Mighty Big and Super Great: Texas Is The "Lone Star State"!
Bluebonnet Kids
Hardcover, 978-0-9987-7044-4, (also available as an e-book), 32 pgs., $15.93
September 7, 2017
Get ready to take an entertaining and educational stroll through Texas history while learning some fun Texas facts along the way!
A two-part book. The first part is a rhyming and witty story that touches on some of the history of Texas while also introducing the importance, meaning and symbols that are relevant in our state. The second part includes 28 fun Texas facts mixed with more knowledge of fundamental elements such as the Texas pledge and our state song.
Incredibly illustrated, the pictures depict exactly what the author had probably envisioned when writing the book.
Useful in English and History classes, it also adds some extra excitement for children who bore easily when learning the basics. The style of presentation creates an easy way to remember important facts. An upbeat, rhythmic Texas history lesson!
CHILDR
EN’S FICTION/CHRISTIAN
Beverly Lewis
The Cul-de-sac Kids Books 1-6 (Boxed Set)
Bethany House Publishers
Paperback, 978-1-5566-1804-8, (also available as an e-book), 480 pgs., $23.99
October 1, 1995
This is an exciting and lighthearted chapter book series for young readers that centers on the often humorous escapades of a group of endearing neighborhood friends.
The Cul-de-sac Kids Books 7-12 (Boxed Set)
Bethany House Publishers
Paperback, 978-0-7642-8155-6, (also available as an e-book), 480 pgs., $23.99
April 1, 1997
This exciting and lighthearted chapter book series for young readers centers on the often humorous escapades of a group of endearing neighborhood friends.
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