It's 1963, and Jack's family is still reeling from the SIDS death of his baby sister. Adrift in his own life, Jack is convinced that setting a world record will bring his father back to his senses and his mother back to life. But world events, including President Kennedy's assassination, threaten to overshadow any record Jack tries to beat from sausage eating to face slapping. Nothing works, and Jack is about to give up when a new friend suggests a different approach that involves listening to, not breaking, records.
In the spring of 1954, when her father announces that the family has a chance to immigrate to Canada, Theresa's life changes forever. She and her family are wartime refugees from Yugoslavia; so it shouldn't be hard to leave Austria. But the weathered barracks of Lager Lichtenstein are the only home she knows, and they are filled with family and friends she doesn't want to leave behind. As she says her good-byes, Theresa's friend Martin gives her two gifts: a package of postcards and a stone he calls the Gnome's Eye, which he says will "protect her from all things evil, living or dead." Theresa is convinced the stone has no power, but she still keeps it close as they travel on the crowded immigrant ship and when they settle into a rooming house on Kensington Avenue in Toronto. At first Theresa is afraid of everything: the other tenants in the rooming house, the rat that lives in the kitchen, learning a new language. But as time goes by, Theresa's need for the Gnome's Eye fades, until she is finally able to give it to someone who needs it more than she does.
In the sequel to Discovering Emily, Emily Carr is determined to become an artist. But her parents have died, and she and her siblings are ruled by the iron-willed eldest, Dede. Dede is more concerned with decorum than with ridiculous dreams and is not averse to punishing Emily severely. In the face of such resistance, and in the conservative climate of nineteenth-century Victoria, Emily must find a way to make her dream come true.
Young Emily Carr has no interest in learning to be a lady. She loves animals and the outdoors, and she is beginning to discover that what she loves most of all is drawing and painting. Will she find a way to develop her talent in the straitlaced world of nineteenth-century Victoria, British Columbia?
Ellie and her little brother Max find themselves moving from their grandmother's comfortable home in England to Upper Canada. Their mother is dead, Father wants to start over again, and in 1835 there are many opportunities for settlers in British North America. Despite the strangeness of this vast new world, Ellie is sure things will turn out all right, as long as the family stays together. But once they are in Upper Canada, Father leaves Ellie and Max with strangers on an isolated homestead, while he goes on ahead to find land and build a cabin. Although the mother and father are kind to her, Ellie makes an enemy of their daughter Mary, who is insulted by the newcomer's distant manners, fine clothes and talk of her London home. Ellie's loneliness and discomfort, however, gradually turns into a growing fear. Where is Father? Why hasn't he come back to them? A gripping story for young readers that explored the world of early settlers.
Belle, an 11-year-old Metis girl, and Sarah both want the coveted job of church bell ringer. An embroidery contest is held to award the position, and Sarah cheats. Before Belle can expose her, the two are caught up in the advancing forces of General Middleton and his troops as they surround Batoche in the 1885 Riel Rebellion. The church bell disappeared that day and remains missing to this day.
Socialism developed as a reaction to the capitalistic ideals of competition and profit. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels created a communist form of socialism in which the change would take place quickly. Reading Essentials in Social Studies.
Democracies began in ancient Athens and Rome in the sixth century B.C. These early democracies were the models for American democracy, which became the model for other modern democracies. Reading Essentials in Social Studies.
This book looks at the geography, history, resources, culture, and people of Brazil. Reading Essentials in Social Studies.
This book looks at the history and responsibilities of the executive branch of the United States government which includes the president, vice-president, cabinet, and other agencies and councils. Reading Essentials in Social Studies.
This book discusses the Vietnam War, its effects on America, and how the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was conceived. Reading Essentials in Social Studies.
Although women had participated in previous wars, World War II was the first war that officially allowed women to serve in the armed forces. Women in the military attended boot camp, took classes, and were trained for military jobs. Reading Essentials in Social Studies.
This book discusses the history, daily life, and religion of ancient Greece. Reading Essentials in Social Studies.
At the start of the Middle Ages, governments were practically nonexistent. Leaders couldn't organize their subjects or protect their borders. Feudalism evolved to bring the leaders and nobility together. Reading Essentials in Social Studies.
This book explains how the Vikings were a civilization of extraordinary explorers and creative craftspeople who influenced much of Western history. Reading Essentials in Social Studies.
This book looks at the geography, history, resources, culture, and people of Australia. Reading Essentials in Social Studies.
This book takes a look at the microscopic organisms, including mold and bacteria, discusses the causes of allergies, and looks at the invention of the microscope. Reading Essentials in Science.
The periodic table designed by Dmitri Mendeleev provides a wealth of information about the elements that make up our world. This book presents a study of the development and purpose of the periodic table of elements, explaining why this method of organization is needed and how scientist utilize the information. Reading Essentials in Science.
In medieval times, knights could dominate any battlefield. Armed with swords, shields, spears, and lances, they rode their horses into battle and struck fear into their enemies. Readers will discover the tactics, weapons, and tools of knight warfare and why knights remain some of historys greatest warriors.
Wealthy ancient Romans got their kicks at the arena, where convicted criminals, slaves, and prisoners of war were pitted against each other in physical combat. The contenders were called gladiators, and they fought until they found relief in victory, mercy, or death. Readers will be fascinated by the gladiators life in training and battle.
Avast, me hearty, or yell be walkin the plank! or so wed like to think. Pirates had a host of punishments for their unlucky captives, but walking the plank is likely just a myth. Learn what high-sea hijinks brought pirates a deadly reputation unless ye be too lily livered!
Maori warriors would unnerve the enemy with their dances called haka. The peruperu was a war haka performed before battle. In it, the warriors would wave their weapons and contort their faces to summon the god of war and warn the opposition of their fate. Find out how successful they were in this thrilling title of bravery, weapons, and war.
Mongol warriors were expert archers. They used this skill in battle, where opponents met a slew of arrows born of Mongol cunning and craft. Howling arrows whistled as they descended into enemy lines, sending assailants into a panic. In this book, kids will learn more about Mongol weapons, gear, and training.
The samurai were the warrior class of feudal Japan for hundreds of years. They led other soldiers to war on the battlefield, and their weapons and armor made them formidable opponents. Readers will learn the history of the samurai, their weapons and fighting styles, and what ultimately led to their decline.
Every male in the Aztec civilization received military training. The most feared fighters on the battlefields were eagle warriors and jaguar warriors. This title explores the history of these fierce warriors, the tools and tactics they used in battle, and what ultimately led to their downfall.
