Best Books for Children

Midyear Round-Up

Rick Riordan conjures the gods of ancient Egypt in the Kane Chronicles, a new series that promises to deliver the same adrenaline-laced thrills that fueled his mega-bestselling Percy Jackson books. The Red Pyramid introduces not one but two appealing protagonists -- Carter and Sadie Kane, teen siblings descended from a long line of powerful Egyptian magicians who must use their newfound powers to save the world from a pantheon of vengeful gods. Riordan employs his trademark mix of mythology, magic, and mystery to perfection in this auspicious start to a new fantasy/adventure saga.

One of the season's most charming surprises comes masquerading as a reference book. Philippe Lechermeier's wry fictional encyclopedia recounts the biographies of 20 beguiling princesses -- lesser known than their fairy tale counterparts but certainly no less interesting! From the forgetful Princess Oblivia to the (intermittently) prescient Princess Claire Voyant, these endearingly eccentric ladies are a royal hoot. Particularly delectable are the scholarly sidebars providing tidbits of regal-themed arcana. And Rebecca Dautremer's exquisitely detailed illustrations practically guarantee repeat readings.

A slender volume that packs a wallop of a patriotic punch, Jack Levin's glorious tribute to our country's most famous speech was born of his love for American history and his admiration for Lincoln in particular. This deluxe reissue of a book originally published in 1965 includes a preface, written by Jack's son Mark R. Levin, recounting some details from Jack's life. Also included is Jack's original introduction, revealing his vast store of Lincoln lore and a short history of the speech and its various versions. But the book's most striking aspect is its wealth of striking visual materials. Period illustrations, maps, and stirring battlefield photographs from the Civil War set this apart from any other reprint of the Gettysburg Address

May the Force be with you! The force of Scanimation, that is. We've seen the magic of Rufus Butler Seder's incredible optical technology in three previous books (Waddle!, Gallop!, and Swing!), but nowhere has this amazing process been put to better use than in this latest Scanimation release. As readers slowly turn the pages, iconic scenes from George Lucas's Star Wars films spring to life in thrilling detail: Light sabers clash in the battle between Luke and Darth Vader, the Millennium Falcon makes its split-second escape from the exploding Death Star, and more. An astonishing visual experience unlike any other, this book is a real treat for fantasy fans, techno-geeks, and children of all ages!

The Batboy may be best appreciated by baseball-loving youngsters, but author Mike Lupica's gift for great storytelling lifts the tale above most sports novels. When 14-year-old Brian Dudley gets a summer job as batboy for the Detroit Tigers, he sees it as more than just the fulfillment of every boy's dream. It's a way to meet his hero, a power hitter returning to the game after a devastating steroid scandal. But, most importantly, it's a way for Brian to connect with his absentee father, a major league pitcher who chose his career over his family. The lessons Brian learns over this single summer have as much to do with life as with baseball.