Readings.com.au: US Children's Choice Book Awards 2009 Finalists

Zen Ties

Summer has arrived -- and so has Koo, Stillwater's haiku-speaking young nephew. And when Stillwater encourages Koo, and his friends Addy, Michael, and Karl to help a grouchy old neighbor in need, their efforts are rewarded in unexpected ways.

Zen Ties is a disarming story of compassion and friendship that reaffirms the importance of our ties to one another.

Fancy Nancy Bonjour Butterfly

Nancy thinks butterflies are simply exquisite. And that is why she can't wait for her friend Bree's Butterfly Birthday. It's going to be the fanciest birthday party ever! But when Nancy finds out she can't go because her grandparents' fiftieth anniversary party is the same day, she is furious. (Mad is way too plain for how she feels.) Will Nancy be able to overcome her disappointment?

In this magical new story from bestselling duo Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser, everybody's favorite fancy girl gets a surprise lesson in fancy from her grandparents. Looks like fancy runs in the family after all!

Maximum Ride #4: The Final Warning

The fourth book in the best selling Maximum Ride series, now in paperback. Description of book Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy and Angel are six extraordinary kids created by the crazed Uber Director in a twisted laboratory experiment that left them with the ability to fly. They are back for another wild adventure as they try to save the world . . . and themselves.

The Uber-Director sees the group of friends as his opportunity to become a billionaire: he seizes his chance to cash in by planning a worldwide auction with the children being offered to the highest bidder. But first his mutant army must track them down and capture them - which won't be easy.

Meanwhile, in hiding from their predators, all six of them wake one evening to find they are being given an important mission - to save the world from global warming. Led by heroine Max, their task takes them in a fast-paced, high-speed chase across the world to the South Pole but, as ever, danger is never far away . . .

Brisingr: Inheritance Book Three

Forces collide in Book III of the phenomenally successful Inheritance Cycle. Eragon represents the greatest hope for a better Alagaësia. Can this once simple farm boy rise to become a leader who can unite the rebel forces and defeat the King?

Following the colossal battle against the Empire's warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still there is more at hand for the Rider and his dragon, as Eragon finds himself bound by a tangle of promises he may not be able to keep, including Eragon's oath to his cousin Roran to help rescue Roran's beloved, Katrina, from King Galbatorix's clutches.But Eragon owes his loyalty to others, too.The Varden are in desperate need of his talents and strength, as are the elves and dwarves.When unrest claims the rebels and danger strikes from every corner, Eragon must make choices -- choices that take him across the Empire and beyond, choices that may lead to unimagined sacrifice.

Conflict, action, adventure and one devastating death await readers as Eragon battles on behalf of the Varden while Galbatorix ruthlessly attempts to crush and twist him to his own purposes. Rich with a thoughtful examination of Eragon’s maturing psyche, BRISINGR explores how Eragon must come to terms with his role as a leader and the moral obligations that weigh heavily upon his young shoulders as a Dragon Rider.

www.brisingr.com.au

Rodrick Rules: Diary Of A Wimpy Kid #2

Whatever you do, don't ask Greg Heffley how he spent his summer holidays, because he definitely doesn't want to talk about it.

As Greg enters the new school year, he's eager to put the past three months behind him... and one event in particular. Unfortunately for Greg, his older brother Rodrick knows all about the incident. And secrets have a way of getting out... especially when a diary is involved.

Swords: An Artist's Devotion

Be smitten by the sword! An extraordinary young artist brings the history of this noble weapon — and its skillful masters — into stunningly sharp relief.

Brave men and women have taken up the sword since ages of old, and a fascination with this formidable weapon grips dedicated followers to this day. Here is a celebration of swords and swordsmen that spans time and place — from ancient warriors such as Beowulf to medieval knights; from stealthy ninja and samurai to legendary maidens of war. Illustrated with breathtaking intricacy, SWORDS reflects the passion of a true devotee, offering lavish background details on design and use as well as exquisite spreads showcasing specimens in all their shining glory.

Breaking Dawn

The fourth book in the New York Times bestselling vampire romance series that has developed a cult following among teens. Twilight tempted the imagination... New Moon made readers thirsty for more... Eclipse turned the saga into a worldwide phenomenon... And now - the book that everyone has been waiting for... Breaking Dawn. In the much anticipated fourth book in Stephenie Meyer's love story, questions will be answered and the fate of Bella and Edward will be revealed.

The Hunger Games

Winner of the 2009 Silver Inky Award for international teenage fiction.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. But Katniss has been close to death before - and survival, for her, is second nature. "The Hunger Games" is a searing novel set in a future with unsettling parallels to our present.

The Pigeon Wants A Puppy!

More anarchic antics from Mo Willems’ single-minded pigeon!

The Pigeon is back! But what is the object of his desire? All will be revealed on the Pigeon’s birthday, April 1st. Whatever it is, DO NOT expect any peace until he gets what he wants! Everything you love about Pigeon is back. Will pigeon get what his heart desires?

Amulet: Book One

After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather but the strange house proves to be dangerous. Before long, a sinister creature lures the kids' mum through a door in the basement. Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into an underground world inhabited by demons, robots and talking animals. Eventually, they enlist the help of a small mechanical rabbit named Miskit. Together with Miskit, they face the most terrifying monster of all, and Em finally has the chance to save someone she loves.

Airhead

From the queen of teen fiction... The first book in a spectacular, romantic, hilarious new trilogy with a spine-tingling twist!

Paper Towns

Quentin Jacobsen − Q to his friends− is eighteen and has always loved the edgy Margo Roth Spiegelman. As children‚ they′d discovered a dead body together. Now at high school‚ Q′s nerdy while Margo is uber−cool.

One night‚ Q is basking in the predictable boringness of his life when Margo‚ dressed as a ninja‚ persuades him to partake in several hours of mayhem. Then she vanishes. While her family shrugs off this latest disappearance‚ Q follows Margo′s string of elaborate clues − including a poem about death.

Q′s friends‚ Radar‚ Ben and Lacey‚ help with the search‚  and a post turns up on a website: Margo will be in a  certain location for the next 24 hours only. The race is on!

After an epic drive through the night‚ they catch up  with Margo‚ and Q learns first−hand that the way you  think about a person isn′t the way they actually are.