BOOKS

The Dangerous Book for Boys by Conn and Hal Iggulden

(HarperCollins, $40)
It’s an encyclopedia of everything you wished you knew as a child — entomology, secret ciphers and how to build water bombs. And it includes some things you wish they knew now — astronomy, poetry and first aid. MC — Ages 8 to adult

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall
(Yearling, $8)
A rollicking, frolicking gem of a novel whereby four motherless girls spend a summer in a rambling cottage, transforming the life of one mansion-bound, fatherless boy. Smart, clean fun in the tradition of E. Nesbit. MC — Ages 9 to 13

Choose Your Own Adventure: The Brilliant Dr. Wogan by R.A. Montgomery
(Chooseco, $8)
The bestselling series is back, and for good reason: The brilliance of the gender-neutral scond-person narration can’t be beat. The ambience has been updated, but your mission here remains the same: find scientist Diana Wogan and advance nuclear diarmament. Reluctant readers, race to page one. MC — Ages 8 to adult

Melrose and Croc: Beside the Sea by Emily Chichester Clark
(HarperCollins, $12)
The elegantly vintage style of this old-fashioned fable proves you can never go wrong with talking animals. The sweetest beach tale since Miffy at the Seaside. MC — Ages 3 to 6

GAME

Nancy Drew: The White Wolf of Icicle Creek

(Her Interactive, $49)
When a series of accidents disturb a Canadian lodge, the prototypal girl detective is called in to crack the case. The latest in the best-selling first-person, single-player adventure series. LM — Rated E for Everyone; for PC.

CD

Cookies by 1990s
(Rough Trade, $18)
A take-it-to-the-streets, dance-in-the-kitchen album of Scottish lads pumping out peppy pop. The skinny-tie-hipster garage-style glam sounds of Franz Ferdinand. MC — Ages 16 and up