Random House Children’s Books’ Holiday Gift-Giving Guide! Lasting, memorable gifts for every age
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: November 26, 2009
The Children’s Book Review proudly shares this list of GREAT books all published by Random House.
PICTURE BOOK
For your little prince or princess . . .
PRINCESS HYACINTH (The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated)
by Florence Parry Heide; illustrated by Lane Smith
A bestselling Caldecott Honor artist and a legendary author team up to brings kids Princess Hyacinth, who has one very big problem: she floats!
Schwartz & Wade Books / 978-0-375-84501-7 / September 22, 2009 /$17.99 / $22.00 / Ages 4–8 / 48 pages
Add this book to your collection: PRINCESS HYACINTH (The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated)
MIDDLE GRADE
Share this critically acclaimed classic-in-the-making . . .
by Rebecca Stead
“Absorbing.”—People Magazine
“Smart and mesmerizing.”—The New York Times Book Review
Notes from a mysterious stranger lead Miranda to believe she may be the only one able to prevent a horrible death.
Wendy Lamb Books / 978-0-385-73742-5 / July 14, 2009 / $15.99 / $17.99 / Ages 9–14 / 208 pages
Add this book to your collection: WHEN YOU REACH ME
For comic book fans and reluctant boy readers . . .
by Matthew Cody
Daniel’s new friends are superheroes who secretly do good in their town. But when their powers might be taken away, can normal-kid Daniel save the day?
Alfred A. Knopf / 978-0-375-85595-5 / October 27, 2009 / $15.99 / $19.99 / 10 up / 288 pages
Add this book to your collection: POWERLESS
For Harry Potter fans . . .
THE BLUE SHOE: A Tale of Thievery, Villainy, Sorcery, and Shoes
by Roderick Townley; illustrated by Mary GrandPré
Harry Potter illustrator Mary GrandPré lends her touch to this modern-day fairy tale printed in blue ink.
Alfred A. Knopf / 978-0-375-85600-6 October 13, 2009 / $16.99 / $21.00 / Ages 8–12 / 272 pages
Add this book to your collection: THE BLUE SHOE: A Tale of Thievery, Villainy, Sorcery, and Shoes
For the child who loves to know it all . . .
A REALLY SHORT HISTORY OF NEARLY EVERYTHING
by Bill Bryson
Bryson’s worldwide bestseller is now in a new format for young people. Tackling everything from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization, Bryson’s inimitable storytelling skill makes scientific discovery entertaining and accessible.
Delacorte Press / 978-0-385-73810-1 / October 27, 2009 / $19.99 / Ages 9–12 / 176 pages
Add this book to your collection: A REALLY SHORT HISTORY OF NEARLY EVERYTHING
For the adventure-loving reader too young for Dan Brown . . .
by P. D. Baccalario; translated by Leah D. Janeczko
Start your lover of adventure on this first installment in a four-part international mystery series that will take four cities and four extraordinary kids to solve.
Random House / 978-0-375-85895-6 / September 8, 2009 / $16.99 / $21.00 / Ages 10–13 / 304 pages
Add this book to your collection: CENTURY #1: Ring of Fire
For creating New Year’s resolutions . . .
by Eileen and Jerry Spinelli
In dated entries meant to be read each day, the esteemed husband-and-wife team open with a brief literary quote, write a paragraph of lively advice, and end with a “Today I will . . .” promise.
Alfred A. Knopf / 978-0-375-84057-9 / October 13, 2009 / $15.99 / $19.99 / Ages 10 up / 384 pages
Add this book to your collection: TODAY I WILL
For the horse lover . . .
by Jane Smiley
Pulitzer Prize–winning author Jane Smiley makes her debut for young readers in this stirring novel set on a California horse ranch in the 1960s.
Alfred A. Knopf / 978-0-375-86227-4 / September 8, 2009 /$16.99 / $21.99 / Ages 10 up / 240 pages
Add this book to your collection: THE GEORGES AND THE JEWELS
YOUNG ADULT
For Paolini fans . . .
by Christopher Paolini
This oversized, full-color guide of Eragon’s home provides fifteen spreads chock full of spectacular artwork, engaging novelty elements, and fascinating insights that Paolini fans will love.
Alfred A. Knopf / 978-0-375-85823-9 / November 3, 2009 / $24.99 / $29.99 / Ages 9 up / 32 pages
Add this book to your collection: ERAGON’S GUIDE TO ALAGAËSIA
by Christopher Paolini
This
deluxe edition includes deleted scenes, an exclusive foldout poster,
never-before-seen art by the author, and a guide to dwarf runes.
Alfred A. Knopf / 978-0-375-85481-1 / October 13, 2009 / $29.99 / $37.00 / Ages 12 up / 800 pages
Add this book to your collection: BRISINGR Deluxe Edition
For your teen who likes dystopian fiction . . .
by James Dashner
Thomas wakes up in the Glade., a place where a group of kids is stranded with no idea of how or why they are there. The Gladers must learn to join together to find a way out.
Delacorte Press / 978-0-385-73794-4 / October 6, 2009 / $16.99 / $21.00 / 12 up / 384 pages
Add this book to your collection: MAZE RUNNER
For the Twighlight lover . . .
by Lauren Kate
This first novel in a darkly romantic four-book series about fallen angels and forbidden love poses the question: what if the person you were meant to be with could never be yours?
Delacorte Press / 978-0-385-73893-4 / December 8, 2009 / $17.99 / $22.99 / Ages 12 up / 464 pages
Add this book to your collection: FALLEN
For your young comedian . . .
by Libba Bray
When Cam finds out he’s sick, he sets off on a wacky American road trip adventure with the help of a death-obsessed, video-gaming dwarf and a yard gnome.
Delacorte Press / 978-0-385-73397-7 / September 22, 2009 / $17.99 / $23.00 / Ages 14 up / 496 pages
Add this book to your collection: GOING BOVINE
HOLIDAY THEMED
ZIGAZAK!: A Magical Hanukkah Night
by Eric A. Kimmel; illustrated by Jon Goodell
When two tricky devils arrive in the town of Brisk to cause mischief on the first night of Hanukkah, the town rabbi must triumph over them in a contest of wits.
Doubleday / 978-0-385-32652-0 / November 11, 2009 / $19.99 / $22.99 / Ages 4–8 / 32 pages
Add this book to your collection: ZIGAZAK!: A Magical Hanukkah Night
JUNIE B., FIRST GRADER: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (P.S. So Does May.)
by Barbara Park; illustrated by Denise Brunkus
When everyone in Room One picks names for Secret Santa, Junie B. gets stuck with Tattletale May! Maybe, just maybe, a Secret Santa gift is the perfect opportunity to give May exactly what she deserves.
Random House / 978-0-375-82809-6 / September 22, 2009 / $4.99 / $5.99 / Ages 6–9 / 128 pages
Add this book to your collection: JUNIE B., FIRST GRADER: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (P.S. So Does May.)
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! Party Edition
by Dr. Seuss
A new foil cover entices readers to rediscover the Grinch, whose heart is two sizes too small. The Grinch hates Who-ville’s holiday celebrations and plans to steal all the presents to prevent Christmas from coming.
Random House / 978-0-394-80079-0 / August 11, 2009 / $15.00 / $18.99 / Ages 6–9 / 64 pages
Add this book to your collection: HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! Party Edition
THE ALL-I’LL-EVER-WANT CHRISTMAS DOLL
by Patricia McKissack; illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Christmas teaches Nella that nothing can replace the company of her sister, when the gift of a beautiful Baby Betty doll pulls them apart.
Schwartz & Wade / 978-0-375-83759-3 / September 11, 2007 / $16.99 / $21.99 Can. / Ages 4–8 / 40 pgs
Add this book to your collection: THE ALL-I’LL-EVER-WANT CHRISTMAS DOLL
A CHRISTMAS MEMORY 50th Anniversary Edition
by Truman Capote; illustrated by Beth Peck
First published in 1956, this much-sought-after autobiographical recollection of Truman Capote’s rural Alabama boyhood recalls memories of beloved holiday rituals.
Alfred A. Knopf / 978-0-375-83789-0 / October 10, 2006 / $17.95 / $23.95 Can. / Ages 12 up / 48 pages
Add this book to your collection: A CHRISTMAS MEMORY 50th Anniversary Edition
by Stephanie Spinner; illustrated by Peter Malone
The Nutcracker is brought to life in this beautifully illustrated retelling of the ballet, with a 78-minute CD of Tchaikovsky’s music performed by the Utah Symphony Orchestra.
Alfred A. Knopf / 978-0-375-84464-5 / October 14, 2008 / $16.99 / $19.99 Can. / Ages 4–8 / 40 pages
Add this book to your collection: THE NUTCRACKER
Random House Books for Young Readers, Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, Doubleday Books for Young Readers, Golden Books, David Fickling Books, Schwartz & Wade Books, Robin Corey Books, and Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers are imprints of the Random House Children’s Books division of Random House, Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG.
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The1stdaughter
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Great list! I just received When You Reach Me as a birthday gift and I’m so excited to read it. And tomorrow I will have my review of The Maze Runner up, which was an amazing book by the way. Thanks again for the list!
November 28, 2009The Children's Book Review Bianca Schulze
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Happy Birthday!
November 29, 2009