Layla Reed is only twelve years old, but she has a big project ahead of her. Her teacher has asked her to speak to her seventh grade class about Islam. Layla's best friend, Nancy Winters, is going to help her with the project, and she's going to learn a lot about her friend's religion along the way. Who was Muhammad? What exactly is in the Quran? What is jihaad? Islam is only 1,500 years old, but Muslims believe its message is older than Creation itself. Layla's family is busy fasting for the holy month of Ramadan, and the festival of Eid Al-Fitr is only a week away. Will she and Nancy be ready?
Mexico is home to pyramids and bullfighting, volcanoes and monarch butterflies. Best of all, it is home to an incredible variety of delicious food. From the juicy goodness of corn on the cob and the pop of hot peppers to the crunch of the hard taco shell and the summer freshness of salsa, there is something for everyone's appetite. Find out how to make these wonderful dishes in your own kitchen with just a few ingredients, some time-and a passion for learning how to mix, cook, and eat new foods! Welcome to the food of Mexico.
Puerto Rico is a land of lush green mountains, colorful flowers, white sand beaches, and an aqua blue tropical ocean. Along with its incredible beauty, it's also a land of fresh and flavorful cuisine. Take a culinary tour of this Caribbean paradise by making the recipes in this book. You can taste some of the island's favorites for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even dessert. Along the way, you'll learn a little about Puerto Rico's history, culture, and people. Hop inside and let's get cooking!
Cuba is a country filled with sunshine, fruit, and people who work hard to provide for their families. Life has not been easy for the Cuban people. Spain once owned their country. Cuba has also operated as a Communist state for decades. Sometimes food and other supplies are scarce. Today, Cuba is a place with people who know how to survive. They accept other cultures and love to have fun! Over the years, Cubans have created wonderful recipes that reflect their lifestyles and heritage. Read how they combine simple ingredients to create delicious dishes you can make in your own kitchen! Hay que inventar!
Sitting Bull had a vision of a great Sioux victory, but would he live to see it? Crazy Horse had an almost mythical ability to avoid death, but would it last? These were two of the greatest chiefs of the Sioux Nation, a mighty Native American people who once ruled the plains and prairies between the Rocky Mountains and the Great Lakes. The Sioux were great warriors and buffalo hunters. They were master horsemen who roamed the country living in teepees and keeping up with buffalo herds. They fought the U. S. government to keep their land and way of life. Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse led a historic victory over General George Custer in the Battle of the Little Bighorn before they were eventually beaten and driven into reservations. The Massacre at Wounded Knee ended the Sioux's dream of returning to their old way of life, but not their desire to be free. This is their story.
Guatemala is a beautiful country with lush green rainforests, active volcanoes, and beautiful white sand beaches surrounded by swaying palms. This country is home to the Maya people and was explored and settled by the Spanish in the early 1500s. Guatemalan cuisine is a blend of the cultures of all the people who have lived there. Many of the dishes have the same names as those you'd find in other Latin American countries, but they are made with a unique Guatemalan flare. Come and explore the beautiful country of Guatemala and its delicious food. You'll be glad you did!
The Nez Perce were once the largest group of Native Americans in the western United States. Their number once exceeded 6,000 in over 50 separate tribes. Except for occasional clashes with neighbors, the Nez Perce lived peacefully in lush homelands on the Snake River in central Idaho, western Oregon, and western Washington. They welcomed Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery in 1804. The Nez Perce coexisted peacefully with whites for decades. However, a series of treaties in the mid-1800s greatly reduced their territory to make room for white settlers. In 1877, federal authorities ordered all Nez Perce to move within the boundaries of a reservation. A handful of Nez Perce warriors attacked and killed some white settlers in protest. Their hostile acts led to the Nez Perce War of 1877 and changed the lives of the Nez Perce forever.
Long before The United States was formed, the original American lived here caring for the land from coast to coast. Learn who some of these Native Americans were, how they thrived with their own cultures and beliefs, and why they continue to influence not just their descendants, but all of us who understand the importance of remembering those who were here long before us.
What is it like to live in a world of snow and ice? What traditions do the Inuit have today that they developed long ago? Travel into the past, into a world of igloos and frozen tundra. Stand next to a hole in the ice and wait patiently for a seal to appear. Climb into a boat and help others track down a whale. Finally, stop to visit the unique city of Nunavut and learn how the Inuit people have managed to blend their rich past with the present.
Before they were the Iroquois, they were six separate nations involved in bloody battles. The Peacemaker and Hiawatha changed all of that by encouraging the nations to bury their weapons and live peacefully. Under the Peacemakers guidance, the Iroquois formed one of the most respected, and oldest, governments in the worldthe Iroquois Confederacy. It was an alliance between the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and later, the Tuscarora. Learn how the Iroquois organized and ran their government, controlled fur trade, fought in a war that put the strength of the Confederacy and its land at risk, and continued to preserve their culture, including religious practices, celebrations, and ceremonies, for over a thousand years.
An awakening, a rebirth called the Renaissance, changed Europe and the world from the 14th to the 16th century. The movement influenced all parts of society-art, science, architecture, literature, religion, politics, economics, and philosophy. Florence, Italy, the birthplace of the Renaissance, thrived in its dynamic climate. Like most of the poor, this movement did not affect Antonia. She still roamed the streets barefoot with other kids begging for bread. However, things changed when she became a servant in the palace of the Medici, the most powerful family in the region. Let's travel back to 15th-century Florence and visit Antonia who is anxious to tell about her life and Renaissance Italy.
Liu Chi is ten years old and lives in China. It is the year 1585, and the era of the Ming Dynasty, which was one of the most exciting times to live in China. Liu Chi has to go to school, do chores, and get along with his brothers and sisters just like kids do today. He lives in Peking, which is now called Bejiing. Come along with Liu as he leads you through the narrow streets of the city to see the sights. There is a grand procession headed by Emperor Wanli to watch and a visit to the sweets shop. You will also make a stop in a park to see a puppet show and climb a tree to peer over the wall around the mysterious Forbidden City. Join Liu Chi for a trip back in time.
Come visit Ancient Egypt, the land of sand and soil! What was it like to be a kid in this long ago land? Did you go to school? What games would you play? What was family life like? Pharaohs, pyramids, hieroglyphs, mummies, and more wait to be discovered by you, so let's take a trip to Ancient Egypt!
Twelve-year-old Astrid has come to Ghana with her family in 1979 so that her father can help oversee Ghanas first democratic election. Astrid and her brother, Gordo, were told it would be a great family adventure, but they soon find out that everything about Ghana is difficult; the heat, the food, the threat of disease, the soldiers on the roads, the schools. Gordo fits in more easily than Astrid, who is often left to look after her baby sister, Piper, as their mother begins to fall apart under the strain of living in Ghana. When the government is overthrown, Gordo comes down with malaria and a soldier threatens her family, Astrid is surprised to discover how protective she has become of her new home.
Life is hard for ten-year-old Safiyah in the Kibera slum outside Nairobi. Too poor to go to school, she makes a meager living for herself and her grandmother Cucu by selling things she finds at the garbage dump. After using scavenged paper to fix up the inside of the hut, Safiyah starts a mural on the outside. As word of the paper house spreads, Safiyah begins to take pride in her creation. When Cucu collapses after a fire, Safiyah stays at the hospital to help care for her grandmother. While Safiyah is away, her friend Pendo works on the mural, which upsets Safiyah. But when Pendo attracts media attention to the paper house, Safiyah and her grandmother are given a chance of a better life.
A myth is a story that attempts to explain a natural phenomena - such as how the world was created. Myths often include supernatural characters who have extraordinary powers. How To Tell a Myth is an engaging title that introduces readers to myths from around the world and highlights the common elements that make up this genre. Step-by-step instructions help readers create their own myths.
This exciting title introduces readers to the folktale genre. Readers will learn that folktales are often passed down and retold from generation to generation. Readers will discover the similarities and differences between folktales from around the world. The title also includes guided writing activities to help readers write their own folktales.
A fable is a short story that teaches the reader a lesson. The characters in a fable are often animals that speak and act like humans. How To Tell a Fable is an engaging title that uses fables from around the world to help readers identify the conventions of this genre. Readers are guided through a series of writing tasks to learn how to incorporate these same conventions in their own writing.
A legend is a story about a hero, a people, or a natural phenomena. Popular legends include King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Blackbeard, and Robin Hood. This exciting new title teaches readers about the common characteristics found in legends from around the world. Engaging writing activities guide readers as they use these characteristics to create their own legends.
This interesting title examines the mythology and folklore of India, and discusses its importance in Hinduism. The greatest myths of India, drawn from the sacred texts and traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, are presented. The Indian gods and goddesses portrayed in this colorful mythology are creators and protectors, but often they are also warriors and destroyers, particularly when fighting demons. Supported by beautiful Indian artworks and full-color photography, the text shows readers how these ancient tales helped Indians explain creation, birth, death, love, and the purpose of humans' earthly life. Topics include Vishnu, preserver of the universe, Shiva, the destroyer, and the Asuras, the demons or anitgods.
In this captivating book, readers are introduced to the mythology that reflects the religious beliefs and social practices of the Scandinavian people and the fearsome Vikings. Readers learn about the great Norse gods and the Nine Worlds. They will also discover how the physical geography of Scandinavia influenced their mythology. Topics include Ragnark, the prophecy of battles ending in death for many heroes, Beowulf, a legendary king, and Fenrir, the wolf.
This interesting books describes the mythology of Mesoamerica, which encompasses the general region of Central America. A mixture of myths from many cultures, including the Aztecs and the Mayans, these stories about the creation of the world and the afterlife helped these ancient cultures explain what was happening in their world. Topics featured include Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec creator god, Huitzilopochtli, the supreme god of Tenochtitlanthe capital city of the Aztec empire, and Maya hieroglyphic writing.
Explore the rich worldview of Native North American tribes through their myths and legends. Tales originating from various tribes functioned in a number of important ways: they explained the story of creation, described the relationship of humans to the rest of the universe, and preserved the sacred history of the tribe. In addition, myths and storytelling helped Native Americans pass on knowledge related to hunting, fishing, farming, healing the sick, and dealing with conflict or disaster. This book also places their mythology in historical context, for example, connecting earth myths with the Native Americans' real-life, tragic struggle to preserve their lands. Topics include the Great Mystery, animal guides, and the four directions.
The Paralympics are a series of sporting events for elite athletes with different physical abilities. This book examines the five Paralympic winter sports - alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, biathlon, ice sledge hockey, and wheelchair curling - and the athletes who compete in them. Prepare to be inspired by their courage, skill, and dedication to their sport.
Ten beautifully illustrated stories tell classic tales from different cultures of powerful gods and goddesses in mythology clashing with each other and with humans. Myths include: Pandora opening the box that releases the evils of humanity, and King Midas whose touch turned everything to gold, from Greek mythology; Ganesha, the god with the elephant head, from Indian mythology; Thor's Hammer, from Norse mythology; mighty Glooscap and the baby Wasis from Native American mythology; and the god Horus taking back the throne of Egypt, from Egyptian mythology. Feature boxes add additional details to help readers better understand concepts in the story as well as the time period in which the story was written.
