Kid Picks with Philip Potempa for Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011

Here's our weekly showcase of the latest and greatest new selections in media for youth.

From books and games to educational toys and DVDs, there's never a dull moment for active and eager young minds.

This week, two young teen novels share adventurous tales of everything from witches and time travel to a story of a space academy for eager young cadets. For young readers, the VeggieTales gang are back with a lesson about being competitive.

Books

Clarion Books, $16.99, Ages 12 and up

"Always a Witch" by Carolyn MacCullough

This 275-page hardcover follow-up to "Once a Witch" continues with Tamsin Greene haunted by her grandmother's prophecy and her moment forcing her to deal with a crucial decision for her family. Her enemy Alistair Knight is back and has returned to the Victorian era in New York. Now stranded in the 19th century, Tamsin must disguise herself as a lady's maid in the Knight Family mansion to face her future. It's available in stores or at hmhbooks.com.

FLUX Publishing, $9.95, Ages 12 and up

"Skyship Academy: The Pearl Wars" by Nick James

This 28-year-old new author has a new story of two teen boys who find themselves on opposite sides of a looming civil war in space. Told within the pages of the 377-page paperback is a story of Jesse Fisher, the biggest "slacker" of the Skyship Academy. When he meets Cassius Stevenson, his much more ambitious counterpart, the duo discovers both new powers and possibilities for a better world around them. It's available in stores or at fluxnow.com.

Zonderkidz, $3.99, Ages 2 to 7

"Junior Battles to Be His Best" by Karen Poth

It's a lesson in self-confidence when Junior finds out all his friends are competing in a "battle of the bands" contest. This paperback explores why he opts to sits out the chance to play his tuba in front of a huge audience. He doesn't think he's very good. But then he sees all his pals -- including Ma Mushroom and Larry, along with the Peas, practicing their music and realizes they sound pretty good, making him sad he won't be participating. It's available at veggietales.com.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at philip.potempa@nwi.com or (219) 852-4327.