Intermediate (ages 9-14)

Material appropriate for intermediate age groups

The Flight of Dragons

How long does a dragon’s egg take to hatch? Find out as this hilariously macabre series continues. In this deadly funny fourth Tale from the Five Kingdoms, it’s Gracie Gillypot’s birthday, and Prince Marcus plans to show her a flight of dragons as a special gift. But when greedy, chocolate-hungry twins awaken the banished Old Malignant One, evil magic and Total Oblivion threaten the Five Kingdoms. Gracie must find a powerful, long-forgotten dragon’s egg before the Old Malignant One does in order to save the day. With the help of a wayward troll, two chatty bats, and the ancient crones, can Gracie foil his rotten plans? And can she overcome a spoiled princess, a malicious crow, and loads of chocolate cake to do so?

Moon Pie

Someone has to keep their head, as Mum used to say, and 11-year-old Martha is used to being that someone in her family. Her little brother, Tug, is too small. Her dad has been acting too strange. And Mum’s not here anymore. So when Dad falls off the roof, it’s Martha who ices his knee and takes him to the doctor. And when Dad doesn’t come home, it’s Martha who cooks Tug’s favorite pie and reads him his bedtime story. And when Dad passes out, it’s Martha who cleans him up and keeps his secret. But eventually Dad’s problems become too big for even Martha to solve, and she realizes it’s not all up to her—there are people and places she can turn to.

Six Days

For Cass and Wilbur, life as scavengers is all they’ve ever known — rummaging the ruins of London in search of a precious, powerful relic no one, not even their new Russian masters, has ever seen.But when Erin and Peyto, two strangers from a faraway place, show up and claim they hold the key to locating the mysterious missing artifact, the treasure hunt takes on a lethal urgency. If the kids don’t find the crucial object in SIX DAYS, their world will come crashing to an end.

Children of the Lamp: The Grave Robbers of Genghis Khan

While volcanoes spew golden lava around the world, djinn twins John and Philippa, with their parents, Uncle Nimrod, and Groanin, face evil more powerful than ever before when they try to stop the wicked djinn trying to rob the grave of Genghis Khan.

Crocodile! Crocodile! Stories Told Around the World

Engaging characters are brought to life in cheery cut-paper illustrations. This international collection of folk tales bring together six of Barbara Baumgartner’s most successful performances on one volume. For the first time ever, this well-loved storyteller has written down her stories for school-age children to enjoy at home. Engaging characters-from the clever monkey who outwits a hungry crocodile, to a magical dragon that brings secret gifts to a kind young boy-are brought to life in Judith Moffatt’s cheery cut-paper illustrations. Readers will also enjoy Bringing the Stories to Life with Stick Puppets, a special section at the end of the book. Following simple instructions for making their own puppets, children will learn how to act out the tales in the book. Through her animated stories, Barbara Baumgartner teaches young listeners the simple truths of folk tales and the wisdom that each imparts.

Ghosts in the Fog

Few know the story of the Japanese invasion of Alaska during World War II–until now. This narrative nonfiction book for young adults tells the riveting story of how the Japanese invaded and occupied the Aleutian Islands in Alaska during World War II. This fascinating little-known piece of American history is told from the point of view of the American civilians who were captured and taken prisoner, along with the American and Japanese soldiers who fought in one of the bloodiest battles of hand-to-hand combat during the war. Complete with more than 80 photographs throughout and first person accounts of this extraordinary event.

Nowhere Girl

Luchi Ann only knows a few things about herself: she was born in a prison in Thailand. Her American mother was an inmate there. And now that her mother has died, Luchi must leave the only place she’s ever known and set out into the world. Neither at home as a Thai, because of her fair skin and blond hair, nor as a foreigner, because of her knowledge of Thai life and traditions, Luchi feels as though she belongs nowhere. But as she embarks on an amazing adventure-a journey spanning continents and customs, harrowing danger and exhilarating experiences-she will find the family, and the home, she’s always dreamed of. Weaving intricate elements of traditional Thailand into a modern-day fairy tale unique unto itself, Nowhere Girl is a beautifully rendered story of courage, resilience, and finding the one place where you truly belong.