Abracadabra to Zombies: More than 300 Wacky Word Origins By Don and Pam Wulffson

Reading Level: 3-5
Genre: Nonfiction

This book is a modern dictionary of sorts with the origins and definitions of words that are a part of pop culture.  It gives the origin of the words and how they came to be used in the context they are used in today.  It also explains the origin and meaning behind the names of brand names like Nike and the Harlem Globe Trotters.

I would use this book as a kid friendly way to explain how to use reference works like dictionaries and encyclopedias.  I could also use the information in the book as interesting facts that I could put on the board in the morning as trivia.  I could frame the facts as questions and have the students answer the questions as morning work.