Thura Al-Windawi
This is the story of the 2003 war against Iraq, told from the point of view of an Iraqi teen. What was life like under Saddam Hussein’s regime? How did the war affect the people? What is it like when bombs are falling on your city?
Recommended for ages 10+
Reviewed by Annie
Knitting is cool again. There are some great knitting ideas here in this book. Vogue has always been a name associated with fashion and the On the go series contains a great selection of styley fashionable creations.
Get those knitting needles clicking, maybe get another person to help you get started if you haven’t quite got the knack yet. Create some one off items. Remember that no handmade item is ever, exactly the same as someone else’s. No need to follow the patterns exactly, follow your own style. You can do it!
Reviewed by Doreen
Jeanette Baker
Includes advice to get through family dramas like annoying siblings, also tips to become a perfect family member and how to handle certain family members.
Sione, 13
Fleur Beale
 Red Dog's into adventure - scary, life-threatening - but exhilarating! So he takes on a job constructing a tunnel through a Colombian mountain. Not only is he handling dynamite all the time, but the situation rapidly becomes explosive!
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Rick Beyer
Weird facts about little-known historical moments - little things that changed the course of history. Intriguing and inspiring.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Li Cunxin
This is the autobiography of a boy, brought up in a poor village in China, who is chosen to attend Madame Mao’s Beijing Dance Academy. Knowing nothing of life outside his village, nor dance, he feels homesick and lost. From the small action of his teacher – touching the shoulder of the school’s delegate – his life changes. Given the opportunity to study in America, his world view dramatically alters, leading to his defection to America.
Recommended for 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Gina DeAngelis
One of the fastest growing problems today. Are you safe online? Learn about the various crimes perpetrated via computer including: hacking; cracking; cyber stalking; cyber terrorism. And read how law enforcement are countering the threat.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Edited Joan F. Kaywell
Young adult authors respond to letters from real teens, who have read and reacted to their books.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Stephen Dedman
So, you've watched Jurassic Park, maybe Indiana Jones. In this book you can read about the real people characters from these movies were based on. Tales of adventure, persistence and danger abound!
Recommended for ages 10+
Reviewed by Annie
Edited by David Levithan & Billy Merrell
Young authors write about their lives and how their sexuality impacts on them. There are heart-breaking stories, stories about reconciling religious beliefs with your sexuality, the pains – and joy – of coming out.
Recommended for ages 13+
Reviewed by Annie
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Rebecca Greene
Ever felt school isn't offering you the challenge you crave? Unsure what you want out of life? What job to do? Well, take a look through this book for some ideas on how to get the most out of your time. Ideas include: mentoring; job-shadowing; internships; volunteering; not to mention how to make the most out of an overseas experience.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Simon Harrison
Simple, practical steps you can take to be less of a target while out-and-about.
Please note: advice in this book should not replace actual lessons. Check out the yellow pages for self-defence classes in your area.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Lorraine Jean Hopping
Diane France is a forensic anthropologist – like Kathy Reichs, author and inspiration for the TV series Bones. This book looks into Diane’s life and her work and includes really good information about what a forensic anthropologist does.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Spencer Johnson, M.D.
Who moved my cheese? is a guide for helping people from all walks of life deal with changes in their lives – both private and professional. The whole idea is based around a story of four beings living in a maze who eat cheese – and how they cope when the cheese moves. It sounds like a corny idea, but this amazing book could help you learn more about yourself so you can succeed more in life.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Erika
Erika V. Shearin Karres
A guide to surviving school and all the bitchy girls you’ll encounter – the snob, the bully, the traitor…. There are quizzes to help you figure out where you stand, quotes from women who have made it, and little things to pick-you-up.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Simon Kent
Find a job to avoid the 9-to-5 humdrum world! Great fun - even if you just use it to dream.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Stephen Law
What does it all mean? Why am I here? Am I really me? What is real?
These, and other questions, are explored in this entertaining guide to some of life's most difficult questions.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Vicki Leon
You've read history - now learn about herstory - the untold stories of women who didn't let a little bit (or a lot) of sexism get in their way of having a good time, looking after the family, or earning a living.
Recommended for 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Karen Levine
This is a true story - the story of Hana, a young Jewish girl; and Fumiko Ishioka, who was determined to find out Hana's story.
This is an unbelievable story of love, coincidences, and connections across time and cultures. For more information, visit the CBC radio site, listen to the original radio programme (using Real Player), and see more photos. Or visit Hana's suitcase - a site put together by the Brady family.
Recommended for ages 10+
Reviewed by Annie
John Lynch
The BBC has created another amazing series with Walking with cavemen and this book brings the TV series to life. If you are studying human evolution then this amazing book and series lets you see into the worlds that the early hominids lived in. From Lucy right through to the first Homo sapiens, this book takes you on a journey from ancient Africa through to the modern world. If you find the book helpful you may want to borrow the series on video from the library.
Recommended for ages 14 +
Reviewed by Erika
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Jay McGraw
Trying to figure out what you want from life and how to get there? Then this is the book for you. Jay's made his father's book Life strategies work for teens. Following his Ten Laws of Life your journey to adulthood should be easier and more fulfilling.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Adeline Yen Mah
This is the biography of a woman called Adeline. It talks about her painful childhood as the 5th daughter of a Chinese family. She is thought to be bad luck because her mother died giving birth to her. A great true story about how she survived the abuse of her family, especially her stepmother, and how she overcame the problems of her complicated life.
Lisa, 13
Adeline Yen Mah
It's the autobiography of Adeline. It is true and unforgotten. From when her grandparents married to discovering the secret of why she was not mentioned on her stepmother's will, which links to the events that happened while she was a 'Cinderella'.
Isabella, 12
Dave Marinaccio
The answer to (almost) every question can be found in Star Trek.
- Each person or species, no matter how alien, has the right to live their lives as they wish
- Everyone has a role in life. Do your own job and the ship will function more smoothly
- If you can keep your head in a crisis you've got a fighting chance
- The unknown is not to be feared. It is to be examined, understood and accepted
And last, but not least:
- Never, ever, ever wear a red shirt - not under any circumstances. Don't do it.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
John Marsden
Ever felt lost in a conversation, like everyone else knows what's going on and you haven't a clue? This book will help you make sense of the building blocks of our society, like Greek and Roman myths, highlights of the 20th century, and other stuff like that.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Franz Metcalf
You don't need to be a Buddhist - or even be thinking about being one - to benefit from this book. Here is some practical advice to walking a better path in your life.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Shannon Okey
Projects include: friendship scarf, Music play cozy, text-messaging mittens and a downtown messenger bag.
Shannon Okey
Projects include: workout water-bottle holder, beauty-to-go bag, glo-girl kerchief and a striped cardigan.
Gary Paulsen
Gary Paulsen's had an adventurous life and this book just skims the surface of his life on boats. Gary was ignorant about sailing but that didn't stop him from buying a boat and beginning to sail, and to almost die.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Gary Paulsen
If you've always wondered where Gary Paulsen got his ideas about Brian's life in the wilderness, or if Brian's survival skills were realistic - then this book will answer your questions. Gary's spent most of his hunting and surviving in the world and his experiences are what he based Brian's on. If it didn't happen to Gary, then he tested it out.
Recommended for 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Gary Paulsen
Welcome to the weird and twisted world of Gary's childhood - and the weird and twisted things his friends did to keep themselves amused. The weirdest thing is - it's all true. Warning: don't read when you're supposed to be quiet.
Recommended for ages 10+
Reviewed by Annie
Jane Pavanel
An A to Z guide to sex - honest, frank and factual.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Peter Sanderson
The X-Men need no introduction. This amazing book is packed with the history of the X-Men from their beginning in 1960s up until the two X-Men movies featuring stars like Halle Berry. Packed with character bios and full colour illustrations this book is a must read for any X-Men fan (and even those who think they may want to be). Complete with an introduction by X-Men creator Stan Lee, this Dorling Kindersley book will answer pretty much any question you have ever had about the X-Men and their universe.
Recommended for ages 12 +
Reviewed by Erika
Alice Sebold
This is a true story about Alice Sebold and how she was raped. She was considered lucky as she had not been murdered afterwards. This book leaves a tear in your eyes and you can vividly see every image.
Krystina, 14
Ivan Southall
Could you run 400 yards (about 350 metres) in 17 seconds? That's the maximum time these guys had to get away from an active mine. This is the true story of two Australians - volunteers in the RMS (Rendering Mines Safe) department of the British Admiralty at the beginning of World War Two.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
YOUR ABSOULUTE GUIDE TO SURVIVING SCHOOL, WITH ALL THE HICCUPS.
This book will make you so prepared for school, you’ll be an expert. With useful hints and detailed explanations, you’ll be fine.
Jacquelyn, 14
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The first part of this book introduces us to the history of Cambodia. The time of Pol Pot, when Cambodian suffered for many years. The Khmer Rouge forced millions of people to the countryside, where they were made to work on collective farms as labourers. Many died during that time, friends, family. However some did escape this destruction into other parts of the world. The second part of this book tells us the stories of Cambodian refugees in the United States.
Sokleang, 16
Linda Thornburg
If you watch CSI, or SVU, or other shows like them, and you'd love to be one of the characters - then this book will help you on your way.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Mark Todd
If you don’t know what a zine is, this book is a great introduction. Zines are basically photocopied magazines that anyone can make, about anything they want! They started in the 50s with sci fi zines, but really took off in the punk scene. You’ll find excerpts from other zines, what you can except from the zine scene, ideas to get you writing/drawing/cut and pasting, pretty much all the information you need! I’ll warn you though, zine-making is totally addictive.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Elisabeth
Ned Vizzini
Based on newspaper columns written during his high school years, Ned invites everyone one in to his world. Even though he lives in New York, some experiences are the same worldwide.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Kim Werker
Projects include: hipster head scarf, bracelet baglet, punk gloves and pleated miniskirt.
Mark Wolverton
What if Superman was real? How could his powers be explained? The author uses everything from solar radiation to photosynthesis to explore Superman’s abilities.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Jennifer Worick and Joe Borgenicht
Just like it says - how to be a heroine, while still maintaining your femininity (mostly)!
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Keith and Kent Zimmerman; with Jamie Hyneman, Adam Savage, and Peter Rees
Can people live for days, buried alive? Could three prisoners survive their make-shift raft escape from Alcatraz? How many ping-pong balls does it take to refloat a boat? How long does it take to find a needle in a haystack?
These, and more, urban myths are explored in this book, taken from the TV series, Mythbusters.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
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The science of Superman
