National Network for Equitable Library Service

The presidents of the United States have been different not only in politics, but also as people. Kathleen Krull looks at our nation's fearless leaders with the eye of a gossipy neighbor, dishing the dirt on bad habits, bad fashion, and bad manners.

the heartwarming story of Dewey Readmore Books, the beloved library cat of Spencer, Iowa, as told by his owner and companion of nineteen years, Vicki Myron, the librarian who found him on a frigid January morning when he was abandoned as a kitten in the book drop slot. It is also the story of a remarkable small town, which burned down at the beginning of the Depression, only to rebuild itself, and which was almost shuttered during the farm crisis of the 1980s, before regrouping and rededicating itself to small-town American values.

The pirates of legend sailed the seven seas, exercised a salty vocabulary, and pursued lives full of swordplay and adventure. But what was life like for the real pirates of history? What odd animals did William Dampier have on board? Why did Grace O'Malley cut off her hair? And which pirate liked to wear pajamas on deck?

On November 20, 1820, the whale ship Essex was rammed and sunk by an angry whale. Within minutes, the twenty-one man crew, including the fourteen-year-old cabin boy Thomas Nickerson, found themselves stranded in three leaky boats in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, with barely any supplies and little hope. Three months later, two of the boats were rescued 4,500 miles away, off the coast of South America. Of the twenty-one castaways, only eight survived, including young Thomas.

Kathleen Krull turns the spotlight on the women who have wielded power, revealing their feats--and flaws--for all the world to see. Here you'll find twenty of the most influential women in history: queens, warriors, prime ministers, first ladies, revolutionary leaders. Some are revered. Others are notorious. But they were all real people with private interests and personalities.

Who is watching you… and why? Written for middle-grade and older readers, Eyes and Spies looks at the way information and data about us is collected and used by individuals, governments, companies, and organizations. Each chapter covers one aspect of the subject, from data collection to computer surveillance to personal privacy. Arguments for both increased security and increased privacy are offered, which encourages readers to think critically about issues and decide for themselves. The book asks three simple questions: Who’s watching, and why?

“This is a great book. It became a popular table game in the summer holidays with two teams competing with all your questions. It makes an excellent change from celebrity trivia.” — Peter Gabriel, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, on What Does the Moon Smell Like?

Over the past decade, the magic of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series has spread across the globe, touching the imagination of hundreds of millions of people of all ages. From the 1997 U.K. publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone through the summer 2007 theatrical release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the saga has been an amazing one in print, on screen, and in real life.

All the juicy details on the breakout hit TV show that has people talking, tweeting, and tuning in week after week

Rosewood Confidential is the first companion book to the dark deeds, ugly secrets, and flashy fashion of Pretty Little Liars. With six Teen Choice Awards (including Choice Summer TV Show two years in a row) and nominations from People’s Choice and GLAAD Media Awards, the show is a fan favourite, ratings success, and trending Twitter topic every time a new episode airs.

Celebrating the persistence of Turtle Power