When Polly's father goes overseas to fight in World War I, her whole world changes. Though the war is in Europe, its effects are felt on American soil. There are food, fuel, and other supply shortages everywhere. Even something as simple and enjoyable as a family Sunday car ride isn't possible anymore. Everyone must do their part to help the war effort. Victory gardens are planted and scrap metal is collected. "It's the biggest event in our history. And it involves every single adult, every single boy, and every single girl," says Polly's teacher. As Polly struggles to make sense of the war, she wonders how she can contribute. When the government puts out a notice requesting peach pits to be used in gas mask filters, Polly knows how she can help.
Most folks know the famous story of Helen Keller—a DeafBlind girl who learned to understand sign language at the family water pump. But what do you really know about her? Did you know she was an activist, a rebel, a writer, a performer, a romantic? There is so much more to Helen than we usually learn in school. Read ahead as the story of Helen Keller’s passionate, boundless life unfolds—reminding us that she was, as we all are, so many things.
What do you do with a grumpy kraken, a sickly sea serpent, and a tearful gigantic tortoise? You sing them a tune, of course! Following the sea shanty rhyme of "What Do You Do With . . . ," a ship's crew of sailors has to contend with a coterie of mythical sea creatures, all demanding comfort and attention. As each creature threatens to swamp the ship, the quick-thinking crew knows just what to do to save the day, from serving pancakes to mopping a sweaty forehead to sharing an umbrella to keep the rain away. But what happens when the sailors have had enough? Back matter includes information about the sea creatures featured, music and lyrics, along with a brief history of sea shanties.
Pug is snug on his rug. But what happens when along comes BUG?! With a claim to the rug?! The two engage in a hysterical, rhyming battle of wits and strength until Slug asks the necessary questions and helps them find common ground.
Sam and Logan are best friends. But sometimes Logan likes to have fun in ways Sam doesn't. When Sam decides to join Logan to explore a graveyard, he later comes to regret his choice.
Rae Mars and Kia Ladd are best friends starting sixth grade at a new school. But when they both decide to run for Student Council, things get complicated. Will this mean the end of their friendship?
Andrew Lu is the coolest kid at Knight Middle School. He's known for his epic pranks and amazing birthday parties. But when Andrew decides to prank his former best friend, the very uncool Zach Bottoms, everything goes wrong. His 12th birthday party and his own popularity hang in the balance. Can Andrew find a way to save his party, or will this prank be his last?
Carson Schwartz is used to being the best at everything. When he gets the hottest new toy, a Cube Spinner, all he can think about is becoming the best spinner in the world. But something about this Cube Spinner is different. Each time Carson uses it, strange things happen. People even get hurt. Can Carson put aside being the best in order to keep his friends and family safe?
The Scarecrow Carnival has finally started. It's Tom and Jake's favorite time of year. But this year their fun takes an unexpected turn when a strange man approaches them in the Vintage Rose booth. Before long, the friends realize that he's up to no good. Will they be able to stop him before the carnival leaves town for good, and takes all of Scarecrow with it?
Growing up, Dolores Huerta saw few people in power who looked like her. But her desire to help farm workers drove her to become a leader. After cofounding a labor union in 1962, Huerta helped improve the lives of countless farm workers. Her message of working together for change continues to inspire people around the world.
What does it take to make a hit record? Singers and bands often get all the glory, but there are many careers within the music industry. From scouting talent to writing and producing to marketing, it takes a big team to make the music we love. Explore the fascinating world of the music industry and find out how your favorite tunes get made.
Being able to get around easily provides people with a sense freedom and independence. But navigating public and private transportation systems can be a challenge. From taking the bus to walking to planning an efficient commute, learn how to get around your community safely and smoothly.
Joey Tran and his best friend, Max, love technology. When Joey’s dad comes home with a car that safely drives itself, they are thrilled and amazed. Their friends from school want to take a ride. This leads to a very unexpected adventure.
Dax Davis loves candy. He eats it every day and posts on a social media site for candy fans. But when he steals a rare piece of candy so he can be the first to try it, he has a very strange reaction. Before long, he finds himself in desperate need of help.
Born in China, Chien-Shiung Wu moved to the U.S. in 1936. Her dream was to become a physicist. But at the time, there were few women scientists. Discrimination was an issue too. Still, Wu did not give up. With hard work, she not only changed the field of physics, but also blazed a trail for women in science.
As a girl, Ellen Ochoa didn’t dream of going to space. But then she saw Sally Ride do it. This role model inspired Ochoa to apply at NASA. With hard work and perseverance, Ochoa became the first Latina to go to space. Now Ochoa is working to ensure diversity in the next generation of space explorers.
Using the graphics, students can activate prior knowledge--bridge what they already know with what they have yet to learn. Graphically illustrated biographies also teach inference skills, character development, dialogue, transitions, and drawing conclusions. Graphic biographies in the classroom provide an intervention with proven success for the struggling reader.
Fresh from his adventures in Wild Ride, Marcus is back and helping his cousin, Bounce, learn to skate. Between learning how to ollie and do a 50-50 grind, Bounce and his friends also have to avoid the skate-park goons and take on the outlaw bikers who are terrorizing the small town. Excitement, action and some radical skating tips. Hang on for another wild ride!
One, Two, Saddle up Lou. Little Buckaroo saddles up for a great day with horsey companion, Lou. But it will take more than a cowboy hat and spiffy red boots to get them on their way. Written to the nursery rhyme of "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe," this perfect book for little cowpokes combines counting and a bit of barnyard antics. And at the end, Buckaroo and Lou make a new friend. Back matter includes a fun activity identifying cowpoke "accoutrements."
What can smell like bubble gum, glow neon green at night, be poisonous and yet still eaten by humans, and even help create rain? The answer is mushrooms! From their hidden networks underground to the fruiting body above, mushrooms can do incredible things. But don't call them plants--mushrooms are fungi. They're more closely related to animals like you! Through lyrical text and colorful, detailed artwork, the wonderful, mysterious, and sometimes bizarre world of mushrooms is explored. Back matter includes a glossary, additional mushroom facts, and a science activity.
Did you hear it too? Summer is calling. Summer has magic all its own. But Michigan summers? Those are something else. Told in sweet lyrical vignettes, Summer's Call captures that timeless Michigan summer feeling as it follows a family of four from sunrise to sunset. Summer in Michigan isn't just a season; it's a call that must be answered. Back matter includes an art activity that invites the reader to display their summer memories. Written and illustrated by local Michiganders.
What animal is descended from dinosaurs, pollinates plants, flies thousands of miles annually, can weigh less than a dime or as much as 340 pounds, and can even remember when humans have been kind or mean? Meet the bird! Birds are extraordinary creatures and they live almost everywhere on earth. With over 10,000 bird species, there's tremendous variety in sizes, shapes, colors, and abilities. And besides being beautiful to look at, birds are a critical part of our ecosystems and support biodiversity on our planet. Through poetry and sidebar text, F is for Feathers: A Bird Alphabet explores all aspects of bird life, from physical characteristics to types of habitat. Additional information includes a glossary, ways to protect birds and their environment, and tips on how to be a good bird watcher.
Jackie Kennedy loved the arts. And America loved Jackie Kennedy. The first lady knew she had the country's attention--what would she do with it? Encourage Americans to appreciate art, of course! She turned the White House into a historical site filled with some of America's most treasured artifacts and pieces of art. She brought Shakespearean theater to the White House and ballerinas to the South Lawn. And most epically, she brought the Mona Lisa to the states (much to the chagrin of many Parisians) to encourage Americans to visit museums--and it worked! An inspiring story about one of the nation's most influential first ladies.
Fireflies (or lightning bugs) are some the world's most fascinating--and illuminating!--insects. And one many children can find right in their backyards! With a simple story, perfect for read-alouds, and colorful illustrations, this scientific look at a firefly's life-cycle will captivate little entomologists. Informative sidebars are included that let children learn even more about these amazing insects.
Award-winning author Eve Bunting pens a tender tribute to maternal love. The love between mother and child is a deep, profound bond, and that is true whether the pair walks on two legs, flies through the air, or swims in the ocean. A mother knows how precious her child is. Through gentle, rhyming text, human and animal mothers tell their little ones why they love them, sharing what is beautiful and unique about their children. From wrinkly skin to sharp claws to prickly quills, mothers love their babies just as they are.
