My Very UnFairy Tale Life by Anna Staniszewski

From Goodreads: You know all those stories that claim fairies cry sparkle tears and elves travel by rainbow? They're lies. All lies. I've spent my life as an official adventurer. I travel across enchanted kingdoms saving magical creatures and fighting horrible beasts that most of you think are only myths and legends. I've never had a social life. My friends have all forgotten me. And let's not even talk about trying to do my homework. So -- I'm done!! I'm tired and I want to go back to being a normal girl. But then along comes "Prince Charming" asking for help, and, well, what's a tired girl like me supposed to do?

My Two Cents: This book is a great pick for girls who are looking for a little adventure. Jenny is smart and strong, but also totally relatable and an authentic tween. From the opening sequence (involving crazed unicorns!) to the final chapter, this book kept me smiling and turning the pages.

Grade Level: 3-6

Additional Resources:

• Visit Anna Staniszewski's website
• Jenny has a special bracelet with purple gemstones. Check out this online gemstone guide and see what you think it was made of. Which are your favorites?
• Jenny loves to play mini golf. Practice a round here, then go outside and make your own course!
• The animals in this book have a hard time communicating. Learn lots of cool facts about how real animals communicate from Animal Planet.
• One of the dangerous things Jenny faces in this book is a poisonous flower. Could there be poisonous flowers near you right now? Find out here.

More to Read:

• The other (equally awesome) books in this series--My Epic Fairy Tale Fail and My Sort Of Fairy Tale Ending
• Another very funny book about a "regular" kid who ends up having larger-than-life adventures: Geeks, Girls, and Secret Identities by Mike Jung
• Another book about kids with a responsibility to magical creatures (and loved ones who share those ties): Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
• Another book about a tough, adventurous girl who has questions about her parents: Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

Goblin Secrets by William Alexander

 From Goodreads: In the town of Zombay, there is a witch named Graba who has clockwork chicken legs and moves her house around—much like the fairy tale figure of Baba Yaga. Graba takes in stray children, and Rownie is the youngest boy in her household. Rownie’s only real relative is his older brother Rowan, who is an actor. But acting is outlawed in Zombay, and Rowan has disappeared.

Desperate to find him, Rownie joins up with a troupe of goblins who skirt the law to put on plays. But their plays are not only for entertainment, and the masks they use are for more than make-believe. The goblins also want to find Rowan—because Rowan might be the only person who can save the town from being flooded by a mighty river.

This accessible, atmospheric fantasy takes a gentle look at love, loss, and family while delivering a fast-paced adventure that is sure to satisfy.

My Two Cents: This National Book Award winner is magical, inventive, and very creepy. Rownie himself is immensely likeable and endearing, and even the creepiest characters are fleshed-out and fascinating. This book would spark interesting discussions and ideas about good guys and bad guys and impossibly amazing inventions. A great pick for kids in the mood for something strange and a little dark.

Grade Level: 5-7

Additional Resources:

• Visit William Alexander's website.
• Watch this video of the author reading a section from this book. (He even wears a fox mask for a minute!)
• Read this fun summary of ten goblin legends from around the world. Which one reminds you most of this book?
• One of the creatures Rownie encounters is a fish that swims in dust. Watch this video about mudskippers, a real fish that hangs out on dry land.
• Some of the characters in this story get around on gearwork legs. Watch this great introduction to gears from the Children's Museum of Houston.
• There are lots of birds doing strange things in this book. Watch the birds around you by going on a bird behavior scavenger hunt.

More to Read:

• Another magical, fantastical tale of a transient group of misfits: Howl's Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones
• Another story with amazing gearwork and a lost, lonely boy: The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
• A less creepy tale of "magic, mystery, and a very strange adventure": Horton's Miraculous Mechanisms by Lissa Evans
• Another boy who is surrounded by magical creatures and up against almost-impossible obstacles: Rump by Liesl Shurtliff

Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms (Backyard Book Club)

by Lissa Evans

From Goodreads:

As if being small for his age and also having "S. Horten" as his name isn't bad enough, now 10-year-old Stuart is forced to move far away from all his friends. But on his very first day in his new home, Stuart's swept up in an extraordinary adventure: the quest to find his great-uncle Tony--a famous magician who literally disappeared off the face of the earth--and Tony's marvelous, long-lost workshop.  Along the way, Stuart reluctantly accepts help from the annoying triplets next door… and encounters trouble from another magician who's also desperate to get hold of Tony's treasures.

My Two Cents: This is a lovely little British book that has so many elements that appeal to kids--humor, puzzles, mysteries, magic, and even a very fun set of triplets. It's exciting and adventurous without being scary or threatening. My kids loved Stuart and his family and it certainly introduced them to fun new words and concepts. There's a bit of set-up in the first third (as there needs to be), but once the mystery got going, they were always begging for one more chapter.

Grade Level: 2-5

Additional Resources:

• Be like Stuart's dad and create your own crossword puzzle.
• Learn a little more about what life was like for people like Great Uncle Tony during the Battle of Britain.
• Stuart thinks "GRAVEST FLATE" must be an anagram. What words can you make by rearranging the letters in your name? (Try it on your own first, then plug the letters in here for a big list!)
• Go on a bird behavior scavenger hunt like the birdwatchers in the book.

More to Read:

• Another boy who is excellent at getting to the bottom things: The Puzzling World of Winston Breen by Eric Berlin
• Another book about a boy in Britain who has to solve a very big mystery: Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce
• Another (more sentimental) book about unlocking family secrets: Eight Keys by Suzanne LaFleur
• Another book of miraculous mechanisms and a boy unlocking the secrets of his past: The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznik

Check back in the coming weeks to see what we did for our Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms meeting of the Backyard Book Club!

Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce

From Goodreads: A few things to know about Dylan:

He is the only boy in his entire town—so forget about playing soccer.

His best friends are two pet chickens.

His family owns the world's only gas station/coffee house—their pies are to die for, but profits are in the hole.

Criminal instincts run in his family—his sister is a mastermind-in-training, and the tax men are after his father for questioning.

And one more small thing about nine-year-old Dylan—the crime of the century has just fallen into his lap.

With the same easy mix of wit, warmth, and wonder that made his debut novel, "Millions," an award-winning international bestseller, Frank Cottrell Boyce tells the story of a boy who reminds an entire town of the power of art.

My Two Cents: Like all of Boyce's books, Framed is heartfelt and hilarious. There's a great deal of art in this distinctly British book, but it will absolutely appeal to boys because of all the humor, hijinks, and adventure. Such a clever, distinctive, memorable book.

Grade Level: 3-7

Additional Resources:

• Take a look at the paintings in the National Gallery, especially the ones mentioned in the book (and listed on the National Gallery's special Framed page.)
• Read more about the characters in Dylan's beloved Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and their famous artists they're named after: Raphael, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Leonardo
• Check out this slideshow of famous art heists throughout history (including some that are mentioned in this book.)
• Learn a little about Malawi, where Dylan's sort-of-pen-pal George lives.
• Check out this activity where kids can make their own tempera paint from real eggs.
• See a quarry and read about Snowdonia National Park or look at photos of Wales to really get a feel for where Framed took place.
• Watch an episode of Will Cwac Cwac (but this one's in English).

More to Read:

• Frank Cottrell Boyce's other books, especially Millions and Cosmic
• Another story with great voice, mystery, and missing parents: Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage
• Another family story featuring a main character who gets into trouble and doesn't always tell the truth: Notes from a Liar and Her Dog by Gennifer Choldenko
• Another book about a boy who means well but causes a lot of trouble: Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett

From Goodreads: A puzzling art theft is solved by two sixth-grade sleuths in a first-rate first novel by Blue Balliett, illustrated by Series of Unfortunate Events artist Brett Helquist. Cut from similar cloth to The Da Vinci Code while harkening back to E. L. Konigsburg and Agatha Christie, Balliett's book follows young Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay as they piece together separate, seemingly disconnected events to locate The Lady Writing, a Vermeer painting that gets stolen en route to Chicago's Art Institute. Going on the theory that there are no coincidences, the two wonder about the link between their teacher's statements, Petra's dreams, a book Petra finds in the library, and other clues that set the reader guessing as to their significance as well. But after they learn of the culprit's aim to correct untruths about Vermeer's life and art -- which spurs them into full-throttle detective work -- the pieces all come together in a brilliant ending sure to make readers cheer, "Ah ha!" Infused with intrigue and Helquist's clever illustrations that include coded messages, Balliett's novel is a dynamic can't-miss that will get those brain cells firing as it satiates your appetite for intelligent, modern-day mystery.

My Two Cents: I am a big fan of middle grade with "bonus features" like art, math, or science woven into the story. Chasing Vermeer is a fun, fast-paced mystery that will keep kids fascinated and teach them plenty about Vermeer (and pentominos!) in the process. Helquist's illustrations add a great deal to the book, and not just because they're infused with secret pentomino messages. A great choice for boys and girls alike.

Grade Level: 4-8

Additional Resources:

• Watch an unofficial (but well-made) book trailer for Chasing Vermeer
• Visit Blue Balliett's website
• Visit Scholastic's Chasing Vermeer page, especially the Games and Activities
• Find out more activities and math problems you can do with pentominos
• Learn more about Vermeer's life and paintings
• Visit A Different Place's Chasing Vermeer page,which includes great resources, activities, and ideas

More to Read:

• Another puzzle-solving mystery: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
• Another story of a boy, a girl, and a big museum-style adventure: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
• Another head-scratcher involving an artifact and a famous figure from long ago: Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach
• Another book with history, mystery, and adventure all mixed together: The 39 Clues: Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan (series)
• Another puzzling mystery/mystery with puzzles: The Red Blazer Girls (series) by Michael Beil

Flush by Carl Hiaasen

From Goodreads: You know it's going to be a rough summer when you spend Father's Day visiting your dad in the local lockup.

Noah's dad is sure that the owner of the Coral Queen casino boat is flushing raw sewage into the harbor–which has made taking a dip at the local beach like swimming in a toilet. He can't prove it though, and so he decides that sinking the boat will make an effective statement. Right. The boat is pumped out and back in business within days and Noah's dad is stuck in the clink.

Now Noah is determined to succeed where his dad failed. He will prove that the Coral Queen is dumping illegally . . . somehow. His allies may not add up to much–his sister Abbey, an unreformed childhood biter; Lice Peeking, a greedy sot with poor hygiene; Shelly, a bartender and a woman scorned; and a mysterious pirate–but Noah's got a plan to flush this crook out into the open. A plan that should sink the crooked little casino, once and for all.

My Two Cents: Carl Hiaasen is the master of middle grade books with an eco-angle, and Flush is my favorite of his so far. The characters here are all flawed, but everyone in Noah's family means well and is really trying to do what they think is right. There's adventure, mystery, and humor here, but a lot of values and morals are presented too in a way that will help kids decide for themselves what they believe in and what they think is right. A great book to get kids reading, thinking, and discussing eco issues.

Grade Level: 3-5

Additional Resources:

• Noah's little sister Abbey is named for "some weird old bird who's buried out west in the middle of a desert. Read more about Edward Abbey and see why you think Noah's dad wanted to name his kid after Abbey. (Also, why do you think he wanted a son named Noah?)
• Watch this Minute Physics video about why we have high tide and low tide.
• Check out these online resources for kids and teachers from the U.S. Coast Guard
• There are so many marine animals mentioned in this book--barracuda, needlefish, snappers, pilchard, dolphins, turtles, muttonfish...Learn more about marine wildlife and how you can help preserve it at the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
• Find places from the book like the Florida Keys and Caloosa Cove on a map.

More to Read:

• Hiaasen's other eco-adventures: Hoot, Scat, Chomp
• Another kid who lives near the ocean and has to reconcile her dad's questionable actions with his love for her: The Year the Swallows Came Early by Kathryn Fitzmaurice
• Another Southern story with a complicated family and plenty of water: Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

Icefall by Matthew Kirby

From Goodreads: Trapped in a hidden fortress tucked between towering mountains and a frozen sea, Solveig, along with her brother the crown prince, their older sister, and an army of restless warriors, anxiously awaits news of her father's victory at battle. But as winter stretches on, and the unending ice refuses to break, terrible acts of treachery soon make it clear that a traitor lurks in their midst. A malevolent air begins to seep through the fortress walls, and a smothering claustrophobia slowly turns these prisoners of winter against one another.

Those charged with protecting the king's children are all suspect, and the siblings must choose their allies wisely. But who can be trusted so far from their father's watchful eye? Can Solveig and her siblings survive the long winter months and expose the traitor before he succeeds in destroying a kingdom?

My Two Cents: Icefall won plenty of awards, all of them well-deserved. (2012 Edgar Award Winner for Best Juvenile Mystery, 2011 Agatha Award Nominee, New York Public Library 100 Books for Reading and Sharing, 2012 ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults). The setting, the characters, and the plot are all extraordinary, and it really does defy characterization. It's a little bit fantasy, there are (lighter) elements of romance, and definite doses of mystery and suspense. But the part that really won me over was the coming-of-age story, which is really unique and touching. I think young readers who are ready for a little bit of a challenge will really be drawn into this one. I know I was!

Grade Level: 4-6

Additional Resources:

• Matthew Kirby's website
• Learn more about real berserkers here
• Fun Norway facts, maps, sightseeing guide, and more at Time for Kids
• Learn about some of the Norse mythology found in Icefall here 
• Tell a story as a group (like Alaric and Solveig). One person starts, then someone else takes over. If you need help, use one of these Story Starters for Kids.

More to Read:  

• Another story of a princess far from home but not far from danger: Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
• Another story of young people trapped by the snow with a big mystery to solve: Capture the Flag by Kate Messner
• Another story of royal siblings saving the day in the absence of their parents: Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George

Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan

From Goodreads: In the bleak winter of 1940, Nazi troops parachuted into Peter Lindstrom's tiny Norwegian village and held it captive. Nobody thought the Nazis could be defeated--until Uncle Victor told Peter how the children could fool the enemy. It was a dangerous plan. They had to slip past Nazi guards with nine million dollars in gold hidden on their sleds. It meant risking their country's treasure--and their lives. This classic story of how a group of children outwitted the Nazis and sent the treasure to America has captivated generations of readers.

My Two Cents: This is a little bit of a sentimental pick for me. My grandmother, who taught first grade for over twenty years, gave me a copy of this lovely little book long ago. Snow Treasure has been in print since its first publication in 1942. Although the story is fiction, McSwigan based it on newspaper reports in 1940 and states in the author's note "that she [had] tried to be as accurate as possible in describing how the children carried the gold on sleds." Whether real or fiction, this book is suspenseful and adventurous. This book reads as a "classic" from another era due to the tone and tempo, but I think that's a valuable thing for kids to experience. As a reader and as a parent, I was really impressed by the bravery, patriotism, and selflessness of Peter and his friends.

Grade Level: 3-5

Additional Resources:

• Scholastic's Snow Treasure discussion guide
• Norway facts and photos from National Geographic
• Learn about the physics of sledding with this fun activity.
• Make a difference like Peter and his friends did! There's a great list of ways here that can give you ideas and get you started.

More to Read:

• Another World War II story, this time from Denmark: Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
• Another story of kids who bravely stand up to powerful grownups: Flush by Carl Hiaasen
• Another winter classic about an intrepid boy on a sled: Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

From Goodreads: Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. They had been best friends since they were six, spending hot Minneapolis summers and cold Minneapolis winters together, dreaming of Hogwarts and Oz, superheroes and baseball. Now that they were eleven, it was weird for a boy and a girl to be best friends. But they couldn't help it - Hazel and Jack fit, in that way you only read about in books. And they didn't fit anywhere else.

And then, one day, it was over. Jack just stopped talking to Hazel. And while her mom tried to tell her that this sometimes happens to boys and girls at this age, Hazel had read enough stories to know that it's never that simple. And it turns out, she was right. Jack's heart had been frozen, and he was taken into the woods by a woman dressed in white to live in a palace made of ice. Now, it's up to Hazel to venture into the woods after him. Hazel finds, however, that these woods are nothing like what she's read about, and the Jack that Hazel went in to save isn't the same Jack that will emerge. Or even the same Hazel.

Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen," Breadcrumbs is a story of the struggle to hold on, and the things we leave behind.

My Two Cents: Breadcrumbs is a lovely book. It's full of allusions to classic children's literature--Hans Christian Andersen, of course, but also Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, The Phantom Tollbooth, The Chronicles of Narnia, His Dark Materials, Coraline, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, A Wrinkle in Time, and probably many more that I missed. (There's even a Star Wars reference.) It's rare to find a middle grade book with such a selfless main character, but Hazel's earnest and endearing love for her friend is the core of this story. Hazel's quest to find Jack and ultimately, to find herself, is really touching and well-crafted.

Grade Level: 3-7

Additional Resources: 

• Anne Ursu's website
• Learn a little more about Jack's favorite baseball player, Joe Mauer
• Read a brief biography of Hans Christian Andersen 
• Read the story of The Snow Queen. How is it similar to Breadcrumbs? How is it different?
• Learn more about Snowflake Bentley and see his amazing snowflake photographs

More to Read: 

• Another book about a girl who has to rescue her best friend from an evil lady--and learn something about herself in the process: The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls by Claire Legrand
• Another book about a girl and a boy with a changing and sometimes challenging friendship: Shug by Jenny Han
• The Complete Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales, including The Snow Queen, The Red Shoes, and The Little Match Girl
• The whole library of books alluded to in Breadcrumbs (and listed above.)

Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow by Nathan Bransford

From Goodreads: Jacob Wonderbar is used to detentions, but when a spaceship crashes near his house, he finds himself in a whole new level of trouble. After swapping a corn dog for the ship, he and his two best friends, Sarah Daisy and Dexter, take off on a madcap adventure. They accidentally cause an epic explosion, get kidnapped by a space pirate, and are marooned on planets like Numonia and Paisley, where the air smells like burp breath and revenge-hungry substitute teachers rule. And that's only the beginning . . . It turns out that there's an entire colony of space humans, and Jacob's long-lost father just might be one of them.

My Two Cents: This book is all kinds of fun. It's laugh-out-loud funny, full of adventure, and really well written. There are tons of mini-adventures within the overall arc that will keep kids flipping the pages. I kept expecting Bransford's characters to settle into stereotypes...and they never did. I'm guessing even reluctant readers will devour this one.

Grade Level: 3-6

Additional Resources:

• The official Jacob Wonderbar book trailer!
• Jacob talks about the Brandenburg Concertos in chapter 4. Did you know that NASA put a "Golden Record" of some of Earth's best music on its Voyager space probe, and one of the Brandenburg Concertos was on that golden record? You can listen to the Brandenburg here, and while you're at it, make your own list of Earth's best music.
• Sarah says her hero is Betty Friedan. Read a little about Betty here and see why you think Sarah chose her. Who do you think Jacob's hero is? Who is Dexter's hero?
• Jacob notices that the moon looks orange sometimes from Earth. He thinks it's from pollution, and he's right. But there's another reason you can read about here.
• Jacob's class is supposed to recite the elements of the periodic table. It would be more fun to memorize them if you used this periodic table (although even college chemistry teachers don't usually make you memorize it!)
• The scientists on Planet Archimedes think it's funny that they can spell a word by typing numbers into their calculator and turning it upside down. What words can you spell on your calculator? Here's a hint to get you started:

0 = O, 1 = I, 3 = E, 4 = h, 5 = S, 6 = g, 7 = L and 8 = B

More to Read:

• Another story about a kid's wild adventures and the cool science machines he uses along the way: Popular Clone by M.E. Castle
• Another unbelievable adventure featuring two boys, one girl, and a LOT of humor: Fake Mustache by Tom Angleberger
• Another boy who's not always on his best behavior at school...and the trouble it gets him into: The Rat Brain Fiasco by Julie Berry
• Another funny story of a kid who encounters a whole other civilization: Elliot and the Goblin War by Jennifer Nielsen

Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce

From Goodreads: Liam is too big for his boots. And his football strip. And his school blazer. But being super-sized height-wise has its advantages: he's the only eleven-year-old to ever ride the G-force defying Cosmic rollercoaster - or be offered the chance to drive a Porsche. Long-legged Liam makes a giant leap for boy-kind by competing with a group of adults for the chance to go into space. Is Liam the best boy for the job? Sometimes being big isn't all about being a grown-up.

My Two Cents: Frank Cottrell Boyce is one of my very favorite middle grade authors, and this is the first book of his I read. In addition to being a middle grade author, he's a screenwriter who even wrote the London 2012 Opening Ceremonies. (Remember all of the references to children's literature?) 

As for the book...I love Cosmic. It is funny and smart and touching in ways expected and unexpected. There is plenty of humor and adventure for younger readers. And it's wonderful to see a main character in middle grade with two really strong parents, and to see how Liam's love for his father actually grows throughout the book as he goes off on his own adventures. As for a rating, Cosmic deserves a whole galaxy of stars.

Grade Level: 3-6

Additional Resources:

• Try to think of a vacation destination that Liam's mom wouldn't think was too dangerous, or try to think of the most dangerous vacations possible!
• Design your own Biggest Thrill Ride in the History of the World! Or take virtual rides on rollercoasters via YouTube and decide which would be the biggest thrill.
• Learn about Gustav Holst and listen to The Planets like Liam and his class. You can draw your own pictures of planets while you listen.
• Find all of Liam's Waterloos on a map--in England, Belgium, Siberia, and Sierra Leone. Where else can you find a Waterloo?

More to Read:

• Another golden-ticket type adventure that kids will eat up: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

But really, you should just read all of Boyce's books and fall in love with their characters, including:

• Two brothers who happen upon a bag of money and need to spend a lot of pounds before Britain switches to Euros in Millions 
• A nine-year-old from a family with "criminal instincts" who prevents (or causes?) a major art heist in Framed
• The hilarious and adventurous Tooting family and their flying camper van in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again (follow-up to Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 1964)

Middleworld by J&P Voelkel

The world is going to end on 12/21/12! Actually, no, it isn't. But the Mayans said it would! Actually, no, they didn't. But still, now is the perfect time for you to read Middleworld (Book 1 of the Jaguar Stones) by husband and wife team J&P Voelkel!

 From Goodreads: An epic adventure that brings together ancient history and modern adolescent angst - as it pits a pampered, pizza-eating, 21st century Boston teenager against the Death Lords of the Maya Underworld. In Book One: "Middleworld," 14-year-old Max Murphy is trying to survive in the perilous rainforest. But poisonous snakes and man-eating jaguars are the least of his problems. It seems the jungle is alive with the spirits of the Ancient Maya. Even worse, his parents have been taken prisoner in the Maya underworld and it's up to him to rescue them. Oh, and - no pressure - but the world will end in five days' time unless Max can win his battle against the villainous Lords of Death. Into this thrilling, and sometimes spine-chilling, adventure story is woven a huge amount of detail about the Maya and life in the rainforest. The authors, have drawn on the latest research to present possibly the most accurate picture of the Maya world in children's literature.

My Two Cents: There is so much action and adventure here it's hard to know where to begin! The setup of this book was great--we grow and learn with Max in a way that doesn't feel forced at all. And the plot is so fast-paced and engaging that kids gobble up the (subtle and well-placed) educational parts as well. In keeping with Mayan culture, there issue of human sacrifice definitely comes up, but of course no humans are sacrificed in our storyline. Note to educators: I've heard that these authors do amazing school visits...

Grade Level: 5-8

Additional Resources:
The Jaguar Stones website, with really outstanding teacher resources that include writing Maya glyphs, Maya math, and a FREE LESSON PLAN CD
A great Mayan Kids site that explores the people, places, and beliefs of Mayan civilization
Howler monkey photos, facts, and videos
The Rainforest Alliance has great games, virtual storybooks, and plant and animal info for kids as well as lesson plans for teachers designed for every grade level.

More to Read:
The beginning of another worldwide adventure series for the same age group: The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan
A series for slightly younger readers about another fun and adventurous boy with the fate of a whole civilization on his shoulders: Elliot and the Goblin War by Jennifer Nielsen
A slightly more sci-fi take on the theme of a boy who solves his family issues, saves a society, and learns a lot about himself in the process: What Came from the Stars by Gary D. Schmidt

The ancient Mayans were a very scientifically advanced culture. Check back Thursday for a science activity that illustrates one of the tools they developed!