Thank you for the time machine!

What a great blast from the past! I used to love the Bagthorpe books. Haven't thought about them in years.

Lol! that's great!

Reviving this thread... I just read this article and found a couple new book recommendations.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entert...ad-2250138.html

A new favorite for the little ones. DS 5 and I both enjoyed it - a discussion of the alphabet rules, but also a teensy bit about political action, your place in society and how everyone has something positive about them. We liked it so much, I went looking for the authors' other stuff.
A Call for a New Alphabet

Any suggestions for my DD10? She's into Greek mythology and has read the Percy Jackson series more times than I can count. She also liked the Myth-o-Mania series, although the books are so short that she flew through them. DD can read at pretty much any level, but prefers books in the 6th-8th grade interest range. I have Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths on my library waiting list, but I'm looking for more ideas.

Thanks! I've added those to my library list (except for the Red Pyramid - I didn't think it was written as well as his other books, so I'm waiting to see if book #2 is any better before I get it for DD).

We have recently discovered a fun out-of-print Time Life series of children's books, the "Library of Curious and Unusual Facts". There are eighteen volumes on eclectic topics, from "Shadows of Death" to "Above and Beyond" (the latter is full of stories about people surmounting obstacles, such as a double-amputee mountain climber). They can be found in new or like-new condition for about $4 US each.

My ds10 is LOVING "YOU: The Owner's Manual" by Dr Mehmet Oz and Micheal Someone. Its got great pictures and explains everything with analogies/diagrams and stories. But it doesn't dumb anything down. Tonight he read the section on "Hells Cells: Cancer". We are so out of fiction to read we have moved to nonfiction. He's also a science lover.

DD10 really liked the Fire Thief. Thanks for the recommendation.

I can't remember if I've shared this before, but I find this to be a very valuable resource, particularly for nonfiction and poetry.

http://missrumphiuseffect.blogspot.com/

She is currently on a tear for April (National Poetry Month), posting recommending poetry books for children in various categories: insects, family, cities, dinosaurs, more. Also a wealth of old posts and links to other great blogs.