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Holiday Gift Guide 2022: Holiday Books for the Family

These holiday classics are perfect for the whole family. Our recommendation: read your favorite by the fireplace with some hot cocoa!

 

Posted by Quirk Books Staff

The United States of Cryptids

Meet the monsters in our midst, from bigfoot to Mothman and beyond!

Welcome to the United States of Cryptids, where mysterious monsters lurk in the dark forests, deep lakes, and sticky swamps of all fifty states. From the infamous Jersey Devil to the obscure Snallygaster, travel writer and chronicler of the strange J. W. Ocker uncovers the bizarre stories of these creatures and investigates the ways in which communities embrace and celebrate their local cryptids. Readers will learn about:

• Batsquatch of Washington, a winged bigfoot that is said to have emerged from the eruption of Mount Saint Helens
• Nain Rouge of Michigan, a fierce red goblin that has been spotted before every major city disaster in Detroit
 Flatwoods Monster of West Virginia, a robotic extraterrestrial that crash-landed in rural Appalachia
• Lizard Man of South Carolina, a reptilian mutant that attacked a teenager in the summer of 1988
• Glocester Ghoul of Rhode Island, a fire-breathing dragon that guards a hoard of pirate treasure
• And many more!

Whether you believe in bigfoot or not, this fully illustrated compendium is a fun, frightening, fascinating tour through American folklore and history, exploring the stories we tell about monsters and what those stories say about us.

Posted by Christina Schillaci

How to Win the War on Truth

Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath meets Thing Explainer by Randall Munroe in this illustrated guide to navigating today’s post-truth landscape, filled with examples of modern-day propaganda campaigns.

We’re bombarded with information like never before. Some of it’s true, some of it’s spin, and some of it’s flat-out fake news. And that’s by design. Propaganda helps governments and corporations sell us products, lifestyles, and ideas. Sometimes the agenda is harmless, but other times it’s destructive, and it’s not always easy to spot the difference.

Whether you want to be informed on the issues or debunk misinformation wherever you encounter it, How to Win the War on Truth is here to help. You’ll learn:

  • The history of propaganda, from Edward Bernays to Fox News
  • Why simple messages are so powerful
  • Who profits from propaganda
  • How propaganda is manufactured and delivered directly to you
  • How to find the truth for yourself

Filled with cleverly illustrated real-world examples of propaganda in all its forms, How to Win the War on Truth will help you see the world with clear eyes for the first time. Because when it comes to preserving democracy and fighting for our rights, it’s essential that we do.

Posted by Christina Schillaci

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

The iconic 1986 John Hughes film about living life to the fullest is now a joyful picture book for readers of all ages!

Life moves pretty fast–and Ferris Bueller is determined not to let it pass him by! On a beautiful spring day, Ferris fakes being sick and plays hooky from school. He convinces his friends, reluctant Cameron and carefree Sloane, to come along for the ride. The three friends hop in the car and race to the most exciting place they know: downtown Chicago.

They climb to the very top of the tallest skyscraper, eat lunch at a fancy French restaurant, cheer on a baseball game, and marvel over the paintings in the museum. But stickler teacher Mr. Rooney, determined to catch Ferris skipping school, is on their trail. Will the kids get away with it and have the best day off ever? And will anxious Cameron ever learn to live in the moment?

This joyful and nostalgic story about friendship, adventure, and seizing the day will appeal to children and fans of the movie alike.

TM & Copyright 2021 Paramount Pictures.  All Rights Reserved

Posted by Christina Schillaci

The Wild World Handbook: Habitats

Packed with real-life tales of adventure, breathtaking illustrations, and practical tools, this handbook is an inspiring guide for the next generation of climate activists, conservationists, and nature lovers.

The wonder of the natural world surrounds us—from the Amazon rainforest to the snowy peaks of Mount Everest to the green spaces in big cities. And as the threat of climate change grows, it’s more important than ever to show appreciation for our planet by taking action.

The first book in a middle grade series for young environmental activists and nature lovers, The Wild World Handbook offers a roadmap for change and an invitation to explore the outdoors, alongside surprising facts and hands-on STEAM activities. Featuring nine habitats from around the globe, each section includes diverse biographies of outdoor adventurers, scientists, and artists who used their passion and skills to become bold allies for Earth’s natural diversity and resiliency.

Inside you will find:

• Nine Amazing Habitats
• Eighteen Inspiring Biographies
• Nine  Kid-Friendly DIY Activities
• Nine Fun Field Trips
• And much more!

It’s up to us to protect this beautiful, awe-inspiring planet we call home!

Posted by impart

Lycanthropy and Other Chronic Illnesses

Teen Wolf meets Emergency Contact in this sharply observed, hilarious, and heartwarming debut young adult novel about friendship and the hairy side of chronic illness.

Priya worked hard to pursue her premed dreams at Stanford, but a diagnosis of chronic Lyme disease during her sophomore year sends her back to her loving but overbearing family in New Jersey—and leaves her wondering if she’ll ever be able to return to the way things were.

Thankfully she has her online pen pal, Brigid, and the rest of the members of “oof ouch my bones,” a virtual support group that meets on Discord to crack jokes and vent about their own chronic illnesses.

When Brigid suddenly goes offline, Priya does something out of character: she steals the family car and drives to Pennsylvania to check on Brigid. Priya isn’t sure what to expect, but it isn’t the horrifying creature that’s shut in the basement.

With Brigid nowhere to be found, Priya begins to puzzle together an impossible but obvious truth: the creature might be a werewolf—and the werewolf might be Brigid. As Brigid’s unique condition worsens, their friendship will be deepened and challenged in unexpected ways, forcing them to reckon with their own ideas of what it means to be normal.

 

Posted by impart