Akiko and the Alpha Centauri 5000


Book Description

Akiko and her crew–Spuckler Boach, Mr. Beeba, Poog, and Gax–are competing in an intergalactic race from one side of the universe to the other. Along the way they have to make it through the narrow passages of the Labyrinth of Lulla-ma-Waygo, the notorious Almost Black Hole of Luzbert-7, and the deadly Jaws of McVluddapuck. All Akiko wants to do is make it back to Earth in one piece! But when Spuckler discovers that his old rival Bluggamin Streed is also in the race, winning becomes the most important thing. And Akiko quickly finds herself caught up in the competition. Who will go home with the celebrated Centauri Cup?




Akiko on the Planet Smoo


Book Description

When fourth grader Akiko finds a spacecraft hovering outside her window one night, she begins the adventure of a lifetime. She is whisked off to the planet Smoo to lead a team searching for the King of Smoo’s kidnapped son. Akiko the head of a rescue mission? She’s afraid to be on the school’s safety patrol! So begins the adventures of Akiko, wherein she meets her team — Spuckler Boach, Gax, Poog, and Mr. Beeba — and sets off on a journey across Smoo to find a prince and become a leader.




Akiko in the Castle of Alia Rellapor


Book Description

Akiko and her crew — Spuckler Boach, Mr. Beeba, Poog, and Gax — have faced dangers unimaginable to the average fourth-grade earthling. Now their mission is finally coming to an end. At last they’ve reached the castle of Alia Rellapor — but that doesn’t mean that things have gotten any easier. The castle is heavily guarded by robots and getting inside won’t be easy. If they do get in, they have to locate Prince Froptoppit, free him from captivity, and escape from the castle without alerting the guards or their leader, the half man — half machine Throck. Can a girl who’s too scared to be school safety leader pull it off? If anyone can, Akiko can!




Akiko: The Training Master


Book Description

When Akiko’s Smoovian friends, Poog, Mr. Beeba, Gax, and Spuckler Boach, swing by to pick her up in an astroshuttle, she’s feeling bored with her “normal” life and more than ready to go—anywhere. What she doesn’t know is that King Froptoppit has enrolled them all in the Intergalactic Space Patrollers Training Camp on Zarga Baffa. Every planet in the universe relies on patrollers for protection, but no one from Smoo has ever graduated. Akiko and her crew are the planet’s last hope. After a freak accident at nearby Virpling Canyon, Akiko’s crew faces the ultimate final exam. Will Akiko go home, leaving the rescuing to others? Or will she stay and risk everything?




Uh-oh, Cleo


Book Description

Saturdays are usually nothing but fun in the Small household. Cleo and her twin brother, Jack, always play games, torture their older sister, and then bike to the best Candy store in town. But this Saturday is different. Jack decided to Spider-Man up the toy shelf and made the whole thing tip over. And one of the things that flew off hit Cleo in the head, making her bleed and everything. As her mom sings: "Your story's kinda gory, but it has a moral, which is: Beware a day that starts out normal. It might end in stitches!" Cleo's unique voice and lively narration will pull chapter book readers into her amusing stories of life in a big family that has many uh-oh moments.




Baeoh and the Bully


Book Description

Following the incredible momentum of the first book in the series, Ara’s Rocky Road to White Belt, book two brings the team back for another exciting and inspirational adventure. With Buddy Day right around the corner, the Team Taekwondo dojo is buzzing with excitement. There’s one student, however, who’s not so excited. Bringing a buddy to class would normally be easy for the confident and cool Baeoh. But with new bullies in his life who won’t leave him alone, Baeoh doesn’t feel much like a buddy. Worse yet, he may be turning into a bully himself. In order to overcome his bullies, Baeoh must gather support from his friends and learn about the important taekwondo principle of respect. The Team Taekwondo series combines the appeal of graphic novels and martial arts to deliver action-filled, character-building stories. Each book also includes one free lesson at any participating licensed ATA Martial Arts location.




Miki Falls: Winter


Book Description

Can love survive? It's winter, and a bitter chill of desperation has settled over Miki and Hiro. Far from home, the young couple treks through the frozen north, with Akuzu's powerful agents hot on their trail. Miki knows they are determined to tear her and Hiro apart. But she has different plans. With the help of an unlikely ally, Miki and Hiro endure a daring journey, battling freezing conditions and frightening forces just to be together. Miki is certain they can make it, hoping that love really does conquer all.




The Last Dog on Earth


Book Description

WHAT IF MAN’S BEST FRIEND TURNED INTO MAN’S WORST ENEMY? It’s Stephen King meets Shiloh in this thrilling action-adventure survival story perfect for fans of Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet, #1 New York Times bestselling author D.J. MacHale’s the Sylo Chronicles, and anyone who appreciates the loyal bond between a boy and his dog. Logan Moore hates everyone. Everyone except Jack. A mangy mutt that nobody wants. Except Logan. But Jack is in terrible danger. A mysterious disease is sweeping across the country, turning dogs into vicious, raging predators. Jack isn’t infected, but that won’t keep her safe. People are shooting dogs on sight, and asking questions later. Logan’s own parents want to hand Jack over to the authorities. Now Logan and Jack are on the run. There’s nowhere they can turn and no one they can trust. Except each other.




A Boy Named FDR


Book Description

Franklin D. Roosevelt was born into one of the wealthiest families in America, yet this ultimate rich kid grew up to do more for ordinary Americans than any other president. This appealing picture book biography shows how, from childhood on, FDR was compassionate, cheerful, determined, and enormously likable. Though he had private tutors as a young boy and later attended an elite boys' school, he played pranks and had down-to-earth fun just like any boy today. Kathleen Krull's animated picture book biography focuses on FDR's childhood years through his entry as a young man into politics and his battle with polio. A summary of his achievements as president and a chronology of his life are included. The well-researched text and the evocative illustrations by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher provide an inspiring introduction to one of our greatest presidents.




Mastering Manga 3


Book Description

Master the skills to create your very own manga! Expert manga artist Mark Crilley guides you to another level with this powered-up drawing book. Complete your Crilley collection with this third installation, which elevates the instruction to focus on drawing methods to help you create distinctive and detailed professional-level manga art. Through 40 in-depth step-by-step demonstrations not covered in other Mastering Manga books, Mark reveals his secrets for adding color, how to draw manga-style animals, ways to use photo reference, his preferred art supplies and how to fix character inconsistencies. The book is broken down into three sections: • Characters and Styles. Learn how to draw characters in every manga style--elegant Shojo, angular Dark Fantasy, action-packed Shonen and cute cartoon. Includes non-human characters like animal familiars (realistic or chibi) and aliens. Break-out lessons focus on anatomy, hairstyles and all genres of clothing, from classic anime uniforms to fantasy costuming. • Poses and Action. Make your characters bold, memorable and full of vitality. Get the most out of your poses by learning how to create natural, standing and dynamic running poses, plus sword fights, romantic Shojo interactions and stances for animals, manga monsters, chibi cuties and mech a robots. Advanced lessons include how to convey a sense of motion, tips on body language and how to effectively using foreshortening. • Finishing Touches. Elevate your art with Mark's professional instruction on completing your comic. These final lessons include page layouts, logo design, how to place a character in a setting, correctly using dialogue and speech bubbles, advanced costume design (fantasy armor, wings, and more) and how to create attention-grabbing cover art. "Manga is all about fresh concepts and fascinating characters. You've got ideas. You've invented new characters. There's a whole world waiting to see what you've come up with!" --Mark Crilley