A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

The Appalachian Trail trail stretches from Georgia to Maine and covers some of the most breathtaking terrain in America–majestic mountains, silent forests, sparking lakes. If you’re going to take a hike, it’s probably the place to go. And Bill Bryson is surely the most entertaining guide you’ll find. He introduces us to the history and ecology of the trail and to some of the other hardy (or just foolhardy) folks he meets along the way–and a couple of bears.


Movie Trailer

Behind the scenes

Author Website


394 pages

A Young Scientist's Guide to Faulty Freaks of Nature by James Doyle

Are you intrigued by the effects of smog or methane clouds, the “Harry Potter” dinosaur, the Australian blue bird that screeches chainsaw noises, ocean “snot,” or the pink tentacles in the Korean dish where they swallow wriggling tentacles? Then strap on your hat for adventure and learn how planet Earth has been modified by the crazy chemistry of birdbrained biology and foolhardy physics of humans.

The Young Scientist’s Guide to Faulty Freaks of Nature is your guide to some of the strangest science ever seen, and in it you’ll discover that some of the things scientists told you were “wrong” were actually right! Fictional hobbits? They are real! You’ll even meet an all-new creature called a “spider-goat.” So if you have a thirst for the weird, the wonderful, and the downright wacky, then this is the science book for you.

Includes 20 experiments for the sink, bathtub, and backyard!

142 pages

Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom

Albom’s first nonfiction book since Tuesdays with Morrie, Have A Little Faith begins with an unusual request: an 82-year-old rabbi from Albom’s old hometown asks him to deliver his eulogy.  

Feeling unworthy, Albom insists on understanding the man better, which throws him back into a world of faith he’d left years ago. Meanwhile, closer to his current home, Albom becomes involved with a Detroit pastor – a reformed drug dealer and convict – who preaches to the poor and homeless in a decaying church with a hole in its roof. 

Moving between their worlds, Christian and Jewish, African-American and white, impoverished and well-to-do, Mitch observes how these very different men employ faith similarly in fighting for survival: the older, suburban rabbi, embracing it as death approaches; the younger, inner-city pastor relying on it to keep himself and his church afloat.

As America struggles with hard times and people turn more to their beliefs, Mitch and the two men of God explore issues that perplex modern man: how to endure when difficult things happen; what heaven is; intermarriage; forgiveness; doubting God; and the importance of faith in trying times. Although the texts, prayers and histories are different, Albom begins to realize a striking unity between the two worlds - and indeed, between beliefs everywhere.

In the end, as the rabbi nears death and a harsh winter threatens the pastor’s wobbly church, Albom sadly fulfills the last request and writes the eulogy. And he finally understands what both men had been teaching all along: the profound comfort of believing in something bigger than yourself.

Mitch discusses and reads from early pages of Have a Little Faith.

260 pages

Si-Cology 101 by Si Roberstson with Mark Schlabach

As you read this book, there are a few things you have to understand: 95 percent of my stories are truthful. Every member of the Robertson family has the God- given gift of storytelling. Hey, when you’ve sat in a duck blind for more than half of your life, you have to figure out some way to pass the time! It’s better than looking at Willie and Jase for six hours! Many of the stories I like to tell happened when I was a young boy or when I was in Vietnam. At my age, a few of the details are cloudy, but I’ll recollect the coming stories as best I can. Hey, just remember it isn’t a lie if you think it’s true! It’s up to you, the reader, to figure out what’s truth and what’s fiction. Best of luck with that, Jack! May the force be with you. 

Hey, another thing you have to know: my stories are kind of like my vocabulary. You might have noticed I like to say “hey” quite a bit. “Hey” can mean anything. It can mean “yes,” it can mean “maybe,” and it can mean “no.” Hey, it could mean “next week.” The bottom line is, you have to understand “hey” to understand me. 

And if you know anything about Silas Merritt Robertson, you know I’m a hard rascal to figure out. 

Listen to an excerpt

The Boy on the Wooden Box - A Memoir of Leon Leyson with Marilyn J. Harran and Elisabeth B. Leyson

Leon Leyson was one of the youngest members of Schindler's list. Believing no one would be interested in his story, he rarely spoke about his experiences until the film Schindler's List received worldwide attention. 

Even in the darkest of times—especially in the darkest of times—there is room for strength and bravery. A remarkable memoir from Leon Leyson, one of the youngest children to survive the Holocaust on Oskar Schindler’s list.

Leon Leyson (born Leib Lezjon) was only ten years old when the Nazis invaded Poland and his family was forced to relocate to the Krakow ghetto. With incredible luck, perseverance, and grit, Leyson was able to survive the sadism of the Nazis, including that of the demonic Amon Goeth, commandant of Plaszow, the concentration camp outside Krakow. Ultimately, it was the generosity and cunning of one man, a man named Oskar Schindler, who saved Leon Leyson’s life, and the lives of his mother, his father, and two of his four siblings, by adding their names to his list of workers in his factory—a list that became world renowned: Schindler’s List.

In recognition of his many accomplishments as an educator and a witness to the Holocaust, Mr. Leyson was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters form Chapman University. He taught high school in Huntington Park, California, for 39 years.  
Mr. Leyson passed away in January 2013, leaving behind his wife, Lis; their two children; and their six grandchildren.



231 pages

Titanic: Voices From the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson

Critically acclaimed nonfiction author Deborah Hopkinson pieces together the story of the TITANIC and that fateful April night, drawing on the voices of survivors and archival photographs.

Scheduled to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the tragic sinking of the TITANIC, a topic that continues to haunt and thrill readers to this day, this book by critically acclaimed author Deborah Hopkinson weaves together the voices and stories of real TITANIC survivors and witnesses to the disaster -- from the stewardess Violet Jessop to Captain Arthur Rostron of the CARPATHIA, who came to the rescue of the sinking ship. Packed with heartstopping action, devastating drama, fascinating historical details, loads of archival photographs on almost every page, and quotes from primary sources, this gripping story, which follows the TITANIC and its passengers from the ship's celebrated launch at Belfast to her cataclysmic icy end, is sure to thrill and move readers.

289 pages
Lexile 1040

Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent

Is there life after death?
If there is, what does it look like?

This is what Colton thinks.

Heaven Is for Real is the true story of a four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who experienced heaven during emergency surgery. He talked about looking down to see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn’t know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear.


In heaven, Colton met his miscarried sister whom no one ever had told him about and his great-grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born. He shared impossible-to-know details about each. Colton went on to describe the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how “reaaally big” God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit “shoots down power” from heaven to help us.

Told by the Colton’s father often in Colton’s own words, the disarmingly simple message is that heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and to be ready … there is a coming last battle.

Heaven is for Real Website

Know it all: The little book of essential knowledge

The perfect book to learn a little about a lot of things. Read a chapter or two, or the whole book; you decide how smart you want to be. Then check your knowledge with a quiz or two at the back of the book.

Honeybee: Poems and short prose by Naomi Shihab Nye

82 poems and paragraphs about the essentials of life and times:
our loved ones
our dense air
our wars
our memories
our planet

The House of a Million Pets by Ann Hodgman

When you are a grown up, no one can really stop you from doing what you want. If you want a million pets- you can have them. Read all about what life is like when you have owls, racoons, hedgehogs, prairie dogs, sugar gliders, voles and mice; not to mention dogs and a whole host of other creatures.

If You Didn't Bring Jerky, What did I just eat? by Bill Heavey

Misadventures in fishing, hunting and the wilds of Suburbia.

A great quick read for anyone who likes to hunt and fish or knows people who do. Read a story or two, or the whole book- you're sure to relate to one or two.

Soul Surfer : a true story of faith, family, and fighting to get back on the board

What do you do when all you want to do is surf, but you lost your arm in a shark attack? Let Bethany Hamilton tell you her story. Truly inspiring!

Are you an Evil Genius?

How about someone who just wants to learn about how things work?

This series of books are just what you need!!

-50 Model Rocket Projects for the Evil Genius

-101 Spy Gadgets for the Evil Genius

-Mechatronics for the Evil Genius

-Electronic Gadgets for the Evil Genius

-Electronic Circuits for the Evil Genius

-More Electronic Circuits for the Evil Genius

-Telephone Projects for the Evil Genius