Elle is on the road as an opening act for Johnny James, the biggest star in country music. Touring is everything she's ever dreamed of, but it has unexpected downsides: crazy fans, jealous backup singers, weird rules on the tour bus. But when something goes terribly wrong during a performance, Elle struggles to figure out how she can make things right with her fans, her father, her record company and with her friend Webb. True Blue continues the story that began in Billboard Express.
Jackson knows how to get what he wants. Whether it's sweet-talking his friends into buying lunch or convincing teachers to give him extensions, he feels entitled to take whatever he wants - even a day off school or a new pair of shoes. Now he's set his sights on Abby, a troubled girl fresh out of juvie who only has eyes for Bryce, the go-to dealer of a dangerous new drug called kryptonite.
Fifteen-year-old Natalie is obsessed with ballet and plans to spend the entire summer in dance class with her two best friends. But when her mom gets a job out of town, Natalie gets shipped off to stay with cousins she barely knows. Natalie is thrilled when her cousins invite her to join them at the local dance studio. But it turns out it's not a ballet class; it's Irish dance. Skeptical at first, Natalie is surprised to learn she really enjoys the new dance style and agrees to take part in an upcoming competition. But this new passion could result in Natalie having to leave her ballet dreams behind.
Seventeen-year-old Christina McBurney has led a sheltered life. But when her twin brother, Jonathan, dies of consumption, Christina, unwilling to be farmed out as a nursemaid or teacher, runs away from home and her destiny. In Owen Sound she boards the Asia, a steamship that transports passengers and freight throughout the Great Lakes. She doesn't really have a plan other than to get to Sault Ste. Marie. She'll figure things out once she's settled. But a violent storm suddenly rises on Georgian Bay, and the overloaded and top-heavy steamship begins to sink. Christina is tossed overboard. Pulled to safety just before she loses consciousness, she finds herself on a lifeboat, surrounded by a number of bedraggled and terrified passengers and crew. One by one they succumb to their injuries, until only Christina and a brooding young man named Daniel are left alive. The usual rules of society no longer apply - Daniel and Christina must now work together as equals to survive. Big Water is a Fal account of the real-life story of the only two survivors of the sinking of the SS Asia in 1882.
Fourteen-year-old Ava is thrilled when she lands a part in a play based on the true story of orphans sent to Canada in the 1800s to work on farms. But is she good enough to hold her own in a professional production? As the rehearsal pressures crank up, Ava struggles with her character, with the vocal demands of outdoor theater and with the annoying ego of her castmate Kiefer. But as she learns more about the historical Lily on which her part is based, things begin to fall into place. Then one bad decision jeopardizes Ava's chances of being able to perform on opening night.
Going wild. We don't see it as a good thing. And why would we? For most of our time on earth, humanity has been running from lions and other wilderness dangers. We've worked hard to make our local landscapes as safe and convenient as possible. Sometimes that's meant paving over areas that might burst into weeds. Other times, we've dammed rivers for electricity or irrigation. But now pollution, climate change and disruptions to the water cycle are affecting the world in ways we never anticipated. What if the new key to making our lives safer (and even healthier) is to allow the wilderness back into our cities?
Experience Holi with every color of the rainbow! This Hindu celebration known as the festival of colors and the festival of love signifies the end of winter, the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. A time to laugh, play, visit friends and get messy! Little ones will love exploring the colors of Holi through the vibrant photographs and Singh's playful rhymes in this brilliant concept book. By the author of Diwali (Orca Origins), which has been called "an exceptionally valuable resource" by Kirkus Reviews and "a standout volume" by School Library Journal.
What qualities does it take to walk up to an unexploded bomb or mine, and coolly and calmly examine it? To slowly and painstakingly remove the cover and attempt to defuse it? To be completely alone while everyone else has taken cover? The rise of terrorism in the 21st Century and the evolution of car bombs and other improvised explosive devices mean that bomb disposal officers are in high demand once again in places as far apart as Northern Ireland and Afghanistan. This book looks at life as a bomb or mine disposal officer, and covers what sort of person becomes a bomb disposal officer: a day in the life; training; types of devices; and the history of bomb disposal from WW1 to the present day in Iraq, Israel, and Afghanistan.
Ten boldly illustrated stories tell classic tales from different cultures of giants, who were usually villains being outwitted and defeated by mythological heroes. Myths include: the hero Heracles versus the hated giant Geryon, and Odysseus versus the giant Cyclops Polyphemus, from Greek mythology; the good-natured giant Finn McCool from Celtic mythology; the Mayan twins versus the destructive mountain giant Cabracan, from Mayan mythology; Sedna, the giant goddess of the sea, from Inuit mythology; and the giant Goliath who was slain by David, from the Bible. 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.
Bullying provides an honest and unbiased view of a prevalent issue. This book examines different forms of bullying and covers practical topics such as how to recognize bullying behavior, the role of the bystander, and empowering ways to deal with bullies. Candid first-hand accounts from different perspectives and a list of valuable resources give readers the tools to help break the cycle of this destructive epidemic.
China! Natasha Yim tells of her experiences of watching dragon races in Hong Kong. Discover the art of a handwriting technique called calligraphy. How is silk made? Discover the women who make silk by hand in Hotan, China. Learn how people in China honor their loved ones who have gone before them. Stories by Natasha Yim, Linda Petrucelli, Gary Hoff, Josanne LaValley, and Christine Liu Perkins.
Crafting! The Timbertoes are a handy bunch, especially Pa! Pa makes a whistle for Tommy, and a doggy door for Spot. His plans don't go exactly as he wanted when he makes a snow buggy. Finally, all the Timbertoes join in, and have a fix-it day at their house. Stories by Rich Wallace, and Marileta Robinson.
It's springtime! Rabbit is inspired by a daffodil, and throws a party. Discover why there's bubbly foam on plants and evergreen trees in the spring. Mandy and Ben play outside and enjoy the beautiful spring weather. Sarah looks for a new spring coat. A frog sits near the meadow on a busy spring morning. Stories by Highlights for Children, Beverly J. Letchworth, Marianne Mitchell, Clara Gillow Clark, and Marilyn Kratz.
Brr! Five snowmen race down a hill, but only one makes it to the finish line. In another kind of "snowstorm," Jem uses her quick thinking to save her new friend, Vianna. Issac is excited to see snow for the first time, and Angela finds a new way to fly. Stories by Kathleen Doherty, Roxanne Werner, Nancy Dearborn, and Wendy Hogarth.
Halloween! A pirate, skeleton, and witch are coming towards Puppy's house. What can Puppy do? When space monkeys invade on Halloween, the townspeople soon discover the monkeys' love for doughnuts. Toby realizes that the only way to get them to leave is to give them Chuck's famous doughnut recipe. David and his family prepare for Halloween, Fox's costume dilemma is resolved, and a new neighbor provides unusual Halloween treats. Stories by Lois J. Szymanski, Peter McCleery, Highlights for Children, Barbara Owen, and Glenn G. Coats.
Scaly dragons! A Chinese folktale tells about a grateful dragon who gives a girl an impossible gift. Lily brings Dragon in to school. A little girl follows a treasure map past a dragon! Tex and Indi go to a festival in Chinatown to see a parade and a dancing dragon. What would you do if you met a dragon? Would you try to make friends? Stories by Camille S. Phillips, Lissa Rovetch, Marilyn Kratz, and Eileen Spinelli.
Camp out! Bryan and Syd are totally different, but they were put together as camp roommates and have to learn to get along. Tara and Shelly overcome their fears to become members of the camp's canoe squad. Tex and Indi make a blanket fort to pretend they're camping in the woods! Zach, Miguel, and Dad go camping. When they go to bed, they listen for animal noises, but all they can hear is Dad snoring! Stories by Highlights for Children, Carol A. McClelland, Lissa Rovetch, and Marianne Mitchell.
Giddy-up! Read about Rebecca who rides her horse, Snickerdoodles, for 98 miles on the Texas Independence Trail each year. Are you ready to learn how horses talk and communicate through body language? Janet trains guide horses, and John tames the wildest horse by making friends with it. Stories by Mary Ann Hellinghausen, Leslie Wyatt, Shannon Teper, and Deborah Kearney.
Goal! Casey had never played soccer before, so why did she decide to volunteer as goalie? Conor comes up with a plan to save his soccer team from their season-long losing streak. Jose learns that teamwork is important in soccer, and in family life. Jenny Benson plays soccer with the pros! Stories by Steve Garagiola, James M. Janik, Dorothy K. Mock, and Jen Bryant.
Bundle up! Maria and Grandma watch as a squirrel prepares for winter. Dad and Isabel watch different types of wild animals getting ready for the chilly winter. A fable tells of a little bird that cannot fly south for the winter. Each year before the river freezes, barges bring supplies for the long Alaskan winter. What will the barge bring for Ben? The arctic squirrel hibernates underground to survive the harsh winter. Stories by Marianne Mitchell, Bonnie Highsmith Taylor, Diana C. Conway, and Karen G. Ballen.
Travelers! A traveler shares what he learned about life in the Andes. Dad and Sam usually see Mom off when she leaves for a work trip, but this time they get to go with her. Grandpa reads exciting stories to Bert and Beth. A hiker writes about his journey around Lake Superior. A traveler visits an island to see puffins, and learns much more than she expects. Stories by David Meissner, Pamela Love, Valeri Gorbachev, Scott Erickson, and Nancy Marie Brown.
Dive in! Tex and Indi head to the pool for their swimming lesson but worry that they forgot how to swim over the past year. Roy works hard in swimming class. A young girl believes she can swim across an inlet, but gets into trouble when the tide begins to carry her out to sea! A dolphin learns how to swim with a prosthetic tail, and Olympic champion, Janet Evans tells about how she faced her fears and won swimming competitions against strong opponents. Stories by Lissa Rovetch, Arlene Mark, Jillian Sullivan, Sharon Teper, and Janet Evans.
Hot magma! Learn all about volcanoes from how they're formed, to what happens when they finally blow their tops! Hear about how scientists who study volcanoes get close enough to do their jobs. Stories by Nancy Marie Brown, Megan Clements, Chris Dietel, and Highlights for Children.
Little worms! Squirmy Wormy and Mortimer are three little worms who know how to have big fun! See what happens when they play jump rope, or when they enter a talent contest. What will they get up to next? Stories by David L. Roper.
Enchanting tales! Jonah shows Linda a magical box! A fable tells of a magical tree that creates moonfish. While trying to learn magic tricks, Rabbit accidentally casts a spell on himself. A boy is rewarded for his good deed with a magical paper boat that promises to save them. Learn about visiting a magical place any time you like. Stories by Marianne Mitchell, Joy Cowley, Maggie Murphy, Marilyn Bolchunos, and Marilyn Kratz.
