Since you're a newbie, you might benefit from a more general book. I like colourful pictures but Skywatching (blurblock told me it's available at the library, I don't know which one but I've seen it myself before so might be MP) or Advanced Skywatching (I have it) are great general guides with well written sky tours at the back. Lots of pictures ;) but lots of info as well. By The Nature Company Guide.
Another book with lots of info AND maps by Wil Tirion, the guy who did the maps in Cambridge Star atlas and many others (Norton Star Atlas?) is Peterson's Guide to the Stars and Planets. I have the older edition which is still very useful, the latest edition has many errors unfortunately (mismentioned objects etc.), it's about $34 at Borders but..
Philips Guide to the Stars and Planets is cheaper and very similar with the same maps.
Also consider Eyewitness Guides, reader friendly, less wordy but well organised.
The last few I've seen at Borders. There are a few others there (like the Audubron sp? one) so good to go look, see which one suits you.
Good Astronomy Book For Newbie
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Airconvent
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If you want the get-up-and-go info instead of the hardcore info found in thicker books, then D&K's Stars and Planets by Ian Ridpath is highly recommended. Its not meant for manual star searching but the star maps are arranged according to constellation and most of the interesting objects are listed. NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT! Cost around $26 (Kinokuniya at Ngee Ann City).
ps...don't confuse this other book of SAME author and SAME title published under another printer. This one cost almost $40 at Borders although it has basically the same info but in a not-as-friendly-format.
AND....if you really must have THE ulitimate astro knowledge guide for beginners, go for the "Backyard Astronomers Guide" by Dickinson and Dyers. Packed with info, colour prints and explanations on every aspect of astronomy observation like filters, eyepieces, etc...all for the princely sum of only $90 in a hardcover!
rich
ps...don't confuse this other book of SAME author and SAME title published under another printer. This one cost almost $40 at Borders although it has basically the same info but in a not-as-friendly-format.
AND....if you really must have THE ulitimate astro knowledge guide for beginners, go for the "Backyard Astronomers Guide" by Dickinson and Dyers. Packed with info, colour prints and explanations on every aspect of astronomy observation like filters, eyepieces, etc...all for the princely sum of only $90 in a hardcover!
rich
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United Federation of the Planets
Captain, RSS Enterprise NCC1701R
United Federation of the Planets
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Airconvent
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"The universe is composed mainly of hydrogen and ignorance." 
The books recommended above are all very good. I would like to introduce two other books:
There are many good fieldguides to take with you for stargazing and indeed several of these have the same title of 'Stars and Planets'. One of which I recommend warmly is "Collin's pocket guide to STARS & PLANETS" (3rd ed.) by Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion. It has a simple legible layout covering deep sky objects (with interesting detailed annotations) on a constellation by constellation basis, and it is suitable for observers at the naked eye, binocular or small telescope level.
For absolute beginners looking for just one book, perhaps I can suggest "Nightwatch" (3rd ed. or later) by Terence Dickinson, also co-author of "The Backyard Astronomer" (2nd ed.). In comparison, Nightwatch is comphrehensive in coverage (includes mag. 5 starmaps/constellation/deepsky guide, overview of the structure of the universe, basic equipment recommendation etc), easy to understand and cheaper than The Backyard Astronomer. The Backyard Astronomer covers more in-depth and it is good as a second book after Nightwatch.
In fact both books complement each other and both are somewhat considered as 'standard reference guides' for amateur astronomers. However, for beginners, I must warn (in jest) that both books contain rather contagious diseases such as 'astronomy bug', 'aperture fever' and 'eyepiece junkie syndrome'; many stargazers, myself included, have already been infected, addicted and/or suffering from withdrawal symtoms...
There are many good fieldguides to take with you for stargazing and indeed several of these have the same title of 'Stars and Planets'. One of which I recommend warmly is "Collin's pocket guide to STARS & PLANETS" (3rd ed.) by Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion. It has a simple legible layout covering deep sky objects (with interesting detailed annotations) on a constellation by constellation basis, and it is suitable for observers at the naked eye, binocular or small telescope level.
For absolute beginners looking for just one book, perhaps I can suggest "Nightwatch" (3rd ed. or later) by Terence Dickinson, also co-author of "The Backyard Astronomer" (2nd ed.). In comparison, Nightwatch is comphrehensive in coverage (includes mag. 5 starmaps/constellation/deepsky guide, overview of the structure of the universe, basic equipment recommendation etc), easy to understand and cheaper than The Backyard Astronomer. The Backyard Astronomer covers more in-depth and it is good as a second book after Nightwatch.
In fact both books complement each other and both are somewhat considered as 'standard reference guides' for amateur astronomers. However, for beginners, I must warn (in jest) that both books contain rather contagious diseases such as 'astronomy bug', 'aperture fever' and 'eyepiece junkie syndrome'; many stargazers, myself included, have already been infected, addicted and/or suffering from withdrawal symtoms...
Frankly speaking the magazine produced by science center is good enough. They produce sky maps monthly stars to 4.5 mag suitable for newbies.