Located in Scandinavia in Northern Europe, Sweden experiences some very cold weather. Many polar bears call Sweden home! In addition to the wildlife of Sweden, this title introduces readers to the physical geography of Sweden, its traditions and customs, and how Swedes live from day to day.
Moscow’s Red Square is a center of Russian history and culture. This book explores the physical and cultural geography of Russia, showing the reader what daily life is like in Russia and how Russians keep their cultural traditions alive in the modern world.
Sticking out into the Mediterranean Sea, Italy has some of the nicest weather in Europe. It is famous for its art, architecture, and cuisine. Readers will discover the physical geography of Italy through descriptions of the landscape, waters, and coasts. They will also learn about the cultural geography of Italy, reading about Italian schools, businesses, and communities.
Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth largest and most populated country in the world. The Amazon Rainforest in Brazil has the greatest biological diversity of any ecosystem on the planet. Students will learn all about Brazilian culture and get a glimpse into what kids do for fun in Brazil, especially discovering the country’s love for soccer.
Take a trip to “The Land Down Under” and discover all of the unusual wildlife inhabiting the Outback! There are kangaroos, wild dogs called dingoes, and nearly 700 types of birds in Australia. This title will also take readers to the Great Barrier Reef and to some of the largest cities in Australia, showing kids the daily life and culture of Aussies.
Boasting some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, Thailand is located in Southeast Asia. It has many beaches that attract tourists from all parts of the globe. Kids will learn about the cultural traditions of Thailand, what everyday life is like for Thais, and much more in this informative book.
Japan is a nation made up of many islands in the western Pacific Ocean. Over 100 million people live in this small nation of islands. Many live in the countryside, but millions live in crowded cities like Tokyo. Students will learn about the physical features of the landscape and surrounding waters as well as the cultural aspects of the Japanese from old traditions to modern everyday life.
Israel is a country with deep religious roots. It is considered the homeland of the Jewish people. In this book, young readers will be introduced to Israel’s devout people, historic landmarks, and foods that create an interesting and unique cultural heritage.
A country of open fields, Ireland is known for its agriculture. It is also known for its unique step dancing and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. This book teaches children about life in a country of lush green land and lively, laid-back people.
India is the place to find the stunning Taj Mahal and the world’s tallest peak, Mount Everest. Mount Everest rises nearly 5 miles into the sky! Children will learn all about India, a country known for mountains, curry, and the world’s second largest population.
For over a quarter century, Germany stood as a country divided. A huge concrete barrier known as the Berlin Wall physically divided the capital of Berlin. When the wall came down in 1989, Germany was reborn. Readers will learn what daily life is like today for the innovative and industrious people of Germany.
Cuba is a group of several islands. Long ago, one of the islands was called Treasure Island because it was a home base for many Caribbean pirates. Young readers will learn about life in modern Cuba—the school system, the delicious food, and the vibrancy of Cuban culture.
America’s northern neighbor, Canada, is similar to the United States in many ways but also very different. Kids will learn about Canada’s diverse wildlife as well as some of its biggest cities such as Toronto and Vancouver. They will read about what school is like for kids in Canada, how people often speak both English and French, and how Canadians enjoy playing hockey.
The Green Berets are one of the better-known special forces. Readers will learn the history of this elite force and the training and tools required to perform their dangerous missions.
Middle graders will laugh and cry with thirteen-year-old Vanessa Martin as she tries to be like Vanessa Williams, the first black Miss America. In this semi-autobiographical debut novel set in 1983, Vanessa Martin's real-life reality of living with family in public housing in Newark, New Jersey is a far cry from the glamorous Miss America stage. She struggles with a mother she barely remembers, a grandfather dealing with addiction and her own battle with self-confidence. But when a new teacher at school coordinates a beauty pageant and convinces Vanessa to enter, Vanessa's view of her own world begins to change. Vanessa discovers that her own self-worth is more than the scores of her talent performance and her interview answers, and that she doesn't need a crown to be comfortable in her own skin and see her own true beauty.
When Steward Edmund Rounds and Sir Cumference notice that there are strangers camped nearby, Rounds II decides to investigate despite being involved with the task of learning how to make accurate counts of the castle's stores of food, supplies, and weaponry. When he reports back that an enemy is lying in wait, everyone moves quickly to defend the castle. But wait! Will Rounds II be able to figure out how many bows and arrows they have to create an appropriate battle plan? Using rounding techniques to figure out the totals more quickly, Rounds II is just in time to help stave off a potentially disastrous attack
Naima is a talented painter of traditional alpana patterns, which Bangladeshi women and girls paint on their houses for special celebrations. But Naima is not satisfied just painting alpana. She wants to help earn money for her family, like her best friend, Saleem, does for his family. When Naima's rash effort to help puts her family deeper in debt, she draws on her resourceful nature and her talents to bravely save the day. Includes a glossary of Bangla words and an author's note about a changing Bangladesh and microfinance.
While riding through the forests of Angleland, cousins Per and Radius realize they are lost and are desperate for a map to guide them home. Soon they come across a mysterious house in the hills. Inside they find a map to a treasure belonging to Xaxon Yellowbearyd, the fiercest Viking warrior of his time. Per and Radius must decode the strange numbered grid on the map, while trying to steer clear of the pack of bungling bandits who are on their tail. Will they find the treasure in time?
A touching story about Japanese American children who corresponded with their beloved librarian while they were imprisoned in World War II internment camps. When Executive Order 9066 is enacted after the attack at Pearl Harbor, children's librarian Clara Breed's young Japanese American patrons are to be sent to prison camp. Before they are moved, Breed asks the children to write her letters and gives them books to take with them. Through the three years of their internment, the children correspond with Miss Breed, sharing their stories, providing feedback on books, and creating a record of their experiences. Using excerpts from children's letters held at the Japanese American National Museum, author Cynthia Grady presents a difficult subject with honesty and hope.
The eighth book in the popular Sir Cumference series, SIR CUMFERENCE AND THE OFF-THE-CHARTS DESSERT introduces readers to different methods of collecting data. Sir Cumference and Lady Di of Ameter are in a pickle. The castle cook is sick and the Harvest Faire is coming up—who will make the special dessert for this annual event? Two bakers in town, Pia of Chartres and Bart Graf, are up to the task. But after sampling Pia’s delicious pies and Bart’s scrumptious cookies, Sir Cumference and Lady Di just can’t choose! They come up with a solution: hold a contest and let the townspeople choose the dessert to be served at the faire. When Pia and Bart’s methods of tracking their votes fail, they each realize they need to come up with a better system. Pia places a colored candy around the edges of a pie dough and Bart stacks his cookie molds—each color candy or mold shape represents a different kind of pie or cookie. Thus, the pie chart and bar graph are born! But when the contest ends in a tie, Pia and Bart concoct a hybrid recipe that everyone enjoys.
Epic stories showcasing fabulous art. This series following EPIC voyages and discoveries, retell the adventures in fictional style.
The Living Arts Library is specially designed to stimulate children's interest and imagination in all aspects of the international arts. The activity-based approach encourages readers to try for themselves a variety of skills and techniques.
Which brilliant women have made ground-breaking scientific discoveries over the centuries? This series tracks the great scientific minds from all over the world - from the earliest geniuses who lived thousands of years ago to modern scientists who are advancing knowledge beyond our universe.
What will life be like in 100 years time? Humans will be living in outer space quite soon. Probably within the next 50 years - that's in the reader's lifetime - there'll be at least one small group of scientists inhabiting a different planet.
What will life be like in 100 years time? Humans will be living in outer space quite soon. Probably within the next 50 years - that's in the reader's lifetime - there'll be at least one small group of scientists inhabiting a different planet.
