Hooray for Books! is an independent children's bookstore in Old Town Alexandria.  

As an independent  bookstore, we pride ourselves on knowing children's books and providing great customer service.  If you can't find a book you want - ask us!  We can order it for you.

If you aren't sure what to get, our staff can recommend books for children of all ages.  

Got an idea or a special event you want to build around books? Call or email us - we'll do our best to help!

We'll be offering special events and author visits so check in here often, and sign up for our email list.

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Hooray News!

MAY BRINGS AMAZING AUTHORS!

Friday, May 4, 5:30-6:30 p.m. -- Cupcake Club authors Sheryl & Carrie Berk

Meet Kylie Carson, a fourth grader with a big problem. How will she make friends at her new school? Should she tell her classmates she loves monster movies? Forget it. Play the part of a turnip in the school play? Disaster! Then Kylie comes up with a delicious idea: What if she starts a cupcake club?  Soon Kylie's club is spinning out tasty treats with the help of her fellow bakers and new friends. But when Meredith tries to sabotage the girls' big cupcake party, will it be the end of the Cupcake Club?

Sheryl Berk, New York Times bestselling author of Soul Surfer, and her nine-year-old  daughter, Carrie, a cupcake connoisseur who has reviewed confections from the world in her Carrie's Cupcakes Critiques newsletter, have cooked up a delightful new series sure to be a treat.  They'll be joining us at Hooray For Books to eat cupcakes and talk about their book. Please let us know if you'd like to be there by e-mailing us.  Ages 6 and up.

Saturday, May 5, 4:00-5:00 p.m. -- Amy Reichert presents her latest book!

Fans of While Mama Had a Quick Little Chat will be thrilled to know that Amy Reichert has a new book -- Take Your Mama to Work Today!  And Hooray For Books is thrilled to announce that Amy Reichert will be here for story time and craft on May 5.  Children ages 3 and up will hear the sweet and funny stories, then make their own business card, just like Violet!  Please call us at 703-548-4092 or e-mail us to reserve your spot.

Thursday, May 10, 6:30-7:30 p.m. -- Sharon Draper

We're thrilled to host Sharon Draper as she celebrates the paperback release of Out of My Mind, the story of Melody, a fifth grader with the most severe form of cerebral palsy -- unable to walk, talk, feed or dress herself. Because she has no way to communicate, most people assume that she is also mentally limited, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, Melody is highly intelligent, loves words, and understands exactly how people perceive her. Join us as we discuss this important book.  Ages 9 and up.

Saturday, May 12, 1:00-3:00 p.m. -- Elaine Thompsen & Mark Holmes

Join us for a drawing workshop with Elaine Thompsen, author of "You Can Draw Me: Chesapeake Bay Sea Life and More."  Learn how to draw crabs, herons, fish, seagulls, turtles and more!  Learn how to draw a seascape.  Ages 5 and up.

Mark Holmes is a multimedia artist and conservationist who has written, photographed, picture-edited, designed and illustrated features for scores of books, magazines and Web sites. He has also written and recorded a number of music projects for children and adults, and has performed them at the Smithsonian's Sant Ocean Hall, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and other venues. Currently, he is launching the Institute for Ocean Literacy, a non-profit organization committed to teaching ocean literacy through the arts.  He will be performing his own songs, such as Blue Crab Blues and Sea Monsters, for our entertainment.  All ages.

Saturday, May 12, 3:30-5:00 p.m. -- Meet three fabulous young adult authors --

Jay Clark, Jaclyn Dolamore and Jon Skovron

We are pleased to welcome three local young adult authors to Hooray For Books.

Jay Baker is the brainchild of debut author Jay Clark.  In The Edumacation of Jay Baker, this high school freshman's parents are separated because his mom had an affair, he's in love with his cheerleader best friend, and his football playing nemesis calls him "Gay Baker."  But Jay can give as good as he gets in the insult department, which makes for some funny and tense moments along the way. A funny and fast-paced coming of age story for ages 14 and up.

Jaclyn Dolamore is the author of Magic Under Glass and Magic Under Stone, the continuing story of Nimira and Erris. For these star-crossed lovers, there can be no happily ever after until Erris is freed from the clockwork form in which his soul is trapped. The two lovers go in search of the sorcerer Ordorio Valdana, hoping he will know how to grant Erris real life again. When they learn that Valdana has mysteriously vanished, Nimira decides to take matters into her own hands, and begins to secretly study the sorcerer's spell books. Yet even as she begins to understand the power and limitations of sorcery, it becomes clear that freeing Erris will bring danger—if not out-and-out war—as factions within the faerie world are prepared to stop at nothing to prevent him from regaining the throne. Ages 12 and up.

Jon Skovron is the author of Misfit. Jael Thompson has never really fit in. She's changed schools too many times to count. The only family she's ever known is her father, a bitter ex-priest who never lets her date and insists she attend the strictest Catholic school in Seattle. And her mother--well, she was a five thousand year old demon. That doesn't exactly help. On her sixteenth birthday, her father gives her a present that brings about some unexpected changes. Some of the changes, like strange and wonderful powers and the cute skater boy with a knack for science, are awesome. But others, like the homicidal demon seeking revenge on her family? Not so much.  Steeped in mythology, this is an epic tale of a heroine who balances old world with new, science with magic, and the terrifying depths of the underworld with the ordinary halls of high school. Ages 14 and up.

Friday, May 18, 7:00-8:30 p.m. -- Printz authors John Corey Whaley and Maggie Stiefvater

Each year, the Michael L. Printz Award honors the best book written for teens, based entirely on its literary merit. In addition, the Printz Committee names up to four honor books, which also represent the best writing in young adult  literature.  We are honored to host the 2012 Printz Award winner and the winner of one of the 2012 honor books at Hooray For Books!  John Corey Whaley, author of Where Things Come Back, and Maggie Stiefvater, author of The Scorpio Races, will be with us for an evening of conversation about books.

John Corey Whaley grew up in Springhill, Louisiana, where he learned to be sarcastic and to tell stories. He has a B.A. in English from Louisiana Tech University, as well as an M.A in Secondary English Education. He started writing stories about aliens and underwater civilizations when he was around ten, but now writes realistic YA fiction, including Where Things Come Back. He is a very picky eater and has never been punched in the face. His favorite word is defenestration, which is the inspiration for his second book.

Maggie Stiefvater is an artist, a musician and the New York Times bestselling author of The Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy. About her latest novel, The Scorpio Races,The  New York Times Book Review raved, “[Stiefvater] not only steps out of the young adult fantasy box with The Scorpio Races but crushes it with pounding hooves….If The Scorpio Races sounds like nothing you’ve ever read, that’s because it is.”

Please let us know if you'll be joining us by e-mailing us.

We have autographed books!

Hooray for Gifts!

Want a gift that lasts all year?  We'll select and send a book to those special someones in your life every month, wherever in the world they may be.  Whether you live near us, and want to give books to those far away, or live away from us, and want to give books to someone here, we can help.  Call or e-mail us for details -- this has proven to be a great way to keep in touch with loved ones!

Don't Miss A Hooray for Books! Event!

Keep up with our events by becoming a fan on our Facebook page (search for Hooray For Books Children's Bookstore or click here) or by following us on Twitter (@HFBooks).

Lists and Recommendations!
Want the latest recommendations for children's books? We're adding new reviews to our blog every week, along with insider book news. So check back regularly – and be sure to post your own reviews!

If we happen to be sold out when you come to the store, or if there is a book that we don't have, don't worry: we can order any book in print (for children AND for adults) and we can usually have a copy to you in 2-3 days.

Running low on time? We take phone orders, and can have gifts wrapped and ready to go. Out-of-town relatives looking for suggestions? We offer gift registry services and can work with you to create a reader's wish list. We have gift certificates, too. Call us at 703-548-4092.