Build Stuff!

Caney, Steven. Steven Caney's Ultimate Building Book. Running Press Kids, 2006. ISBN 978-0762404094. Ages 9-14. http://www.amazon.com/Steven-Caneys-Ultimate-Building-Book/dp/0762404094/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1286571985&sr=1-1

Find everything you ever wanted to know about how to build things in this book. Learn about the history and different types of buildings and structures. Then gather the tools and materials you will need to create your own buildings with rods and connectors, bricks and blocks, and panels and planes. From toothpick bridges to sugar-cube castles to one-tarp tents, learn how to build just about anything with this inventive how-to guide.

Make Magic!

King, Mac. Mac King's Campfire Magic: 50 Amazing, Easy-to-Learn Tricks and Mind-Blowing Stunts Using Cards, String, Pencils, and Other Stuff from Your Knapsack.  Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, 2010.  ISBN 978-1579128296.  http://www.amazon.com/Kings-Campfire-Magic-Easy-Learn/dp/1579128297/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1286571695&sr=1-1

Mac King is a serious magician who loves to make people laugh.  This book, with illustrations that are at first glance silly and cartoonish, can help you learn serious magic and make people laugh too.  The explanations are clear, supplies are easily obtained, and the spirit of fun that infuses the book will keep you coming back for more!

Become an Artist, or Just Draw Like One!

Sautter, Aaron.  The Boys' Guide to Drawing Aliens, Warriors, Robots, and Other Cool Stuff.  Capstone Press, 2008.  ISBN 978-1429629171.  http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Drawing-Aliens-Warriors-Robots/dp/1429629177/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1286567708&sr=1-1

Aaron Sautter specializes in drawing things boys like, and this book is a collection of some of the best.  Aliens, monsters, cars, trucks and more are all broken down into simple, easy-to-follow steps.  Once you’ve mastered the basics, add your own special touches to create a universe of cool creatures that no one else could have imagined!

Rock On!

Brown, Jimmy. Beginning Rock Guitar for Kids: A Fun, Easy Approach to Playing Today’s Rock Guitar Styles (CD Included). Hal Leonard Corporation, 2006. ISBN 978-1423411314. Ages 9-14. http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Rock-Guitar-Kids-Approach/dp/1423411315/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1286219317&sr=1-1

Learn how to play guitar in a real rock band with this simple beginner's guide. While most beginning guitar books have kids strumming out the chords to "Yankee Doodle" or "Home On The Range," this book will have tweens rocking out to modern rock songs while learning the basics of playing an electric guitar. A great introduction to the world of rock music for anyone wanting to play the guitar.

Surf the Sidewalk!

Werner, Doug, & Badillo, Steve. Skateboarder’s Start-Up: A Beginner’s Guide to Skateboarding (2^nd ed.). Tracks Publishing, 2009. ISBN 978-1884654343. Ages 9-14. http://www.amazon.com/Skateboarders-Start-Up-Beginners-Skateboarding-Sports/dp/1884654347/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1286219217&sr=8-1

This beginner's guide to skateboarding introduces skateboarding as a personal expression and a challenge. Tweens can learn about the anatomy of the skateboard and get a feel for the basics. The book also introduces 14 essential tricks that every beginner must learn. With over 350 photos, this easy-to-read guide will have tweens surfing the sidewalk in no time!

Take a Sheet of Paper into the Third Dimension!

Nguyen, Duy.  Uber Origami:  Every Origami Project Ever!  Sterling Innovation, 2010.  ISBN 978-1402771842.  http://www.amazon.com/Uber-Origami-Every-Project-Ever/dp/1402771843/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1286565872&sr=1-1

Did you know that "uber" means "extreme" in German?  This book is truly the ultimate extreme book on origami.  Duy Nguyen is a master, and his newest book takes you from the basics to projects that include airplanes, submarines and dinosaurs.  Who knew there were origami submarines?  And you don’t need fancy paper, you can use a dollar bill or junk mail.  Even old homework.  What an awesome way to recycle!

Make 'em Laugh!

Klutz editors.  The Encyclopedia of Immaturity.  Klutz, 2007.  ISBN 978-1591744276.  http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Immaturity-Klutz-1-editors/dp/159174427X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1286565494&sr=1-1

In the mood to annoy parents and teachers, or just be a little silly?  This is the book for you.  It contains literally hundreds of quick how-tos, and none of them (or at least very few of them) will help you get better grades.  Learn how to clonk your head on a wall with great sound effects and no injury, win unfair bets with your friends, and make fake vomit.  So immature!  So much fun!

Do It All!

Stephens, Sarah Hines, & Mann, Bethany. Show Off: How to Do Absolutely Everything One Step at a Time. Candlewick, 2009. ISBN 978-0763645991. Ages 10-14. http://www.amazon.com/Show-Off-Absolutely-Everything-Time/dp/0763645990/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1286565307&sr=1-1

AMAZE others by faking a fall or twirling a drumstick! INVESTIGATE the use of morse code or invisible ink! CREATE a catapult or silhouette portraits! EXPLORE the outdoors by predicting a rainstorm or building a dam! COOK up some homemade fortune cookies or a Jell-O city! MOVE by freezing your own ice rink or rigging a zipline! Learn how to do all 224 of these awesome tricks and activities with Show Off's simple step-by-step instructions.

Make Something Great to Eat!

Carle, Meghan, Carle, Jill, and Carle, Judi.  Teens Cook:  How to Cook What You Want to Eat.  Ten Spped Press, 2004.  ISBN 978-1580085847.  http://www.amazon.com/Teens-Cook-How-What-Want/dp/1580085849/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1286564861&sr=1-1

Do you like to eat?  Why not take charge of the kitchen!  This book written by teenage sisters is filled with great teen- and tween- friendly recipes.  The pictures make you hungry and the comments sprinkled throughout the book offer practical friendly advice to first-time cooks.  Quick snacks, delicious desserts, and dinners that will impress your family but are totally do-able are all here.  All Mom has to do is shop for ingredients, and you’ll be on your way to cooking what you want to eat when you want it!  And if you cook dinner, doesn’t someone else have to do the dishes?

Experiment with Science!

The Exploratorium. Exploratopia: More than 400 kid-friendly experiments and explorations for curious minds. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2006. ISBN 978-0316612814. Ages 9-12. http://www.amazon.com/Exploratopia-kid-friendly-experiments-explorations-curious/dp/0316612812/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1286219870&sr=1-1

Experiment with science by exploring yourself, the places around you and other interesting stuff! Conduct experiments to find out why we need our noses to taste things, why some sand is magnetic, and why it's so hard to tell a counterfeit bill from a real one. Experiments are prefaced and followed up with interesting history and facts to reinforce the knowledge learned in each exploration.