Regarded as the world’s first geneticist, Mendel overcame poverty and obscurity to discover one of the fundamental aspects of genetic science: animals, plants, and people all inherit and pass down traits through the same process, following the same rules. Living the slow-paced, contemplative life of a friar, Gregor Mendel was able to conceive and put into practice his great experiment: growing multiple generations of peas. From observing yellow peas, green peas, smooth peas, and wrinkled peas, Mendel crafted his theory of heredity—years before scientists had any notion of genes. Children will be inspired by Gregor’s neverending search for knowledge, and his famous experiments are easy to understand as an introduction to genetics. F&P level: Q

    But there's a lot of work to do--pies to be baked, deviled eggs to be filled--and the boy has lots of jobs to complete before he can enjoy the fun . . . the world's best picnic! Face painting! A band concert!And then, after what seems like the longest wait ever . . . he can kick back and enjoy the fireworks with the rest of the country.This delicious and spirited book celebrates small town America and is full of nostalgia for times gone by, yet absolutely of the moment.

    But after school, no one can stop her--and she's free to run endless miles to her heart's content. She is told no yet again when she tries to enter the Boston Marathon in 1966, because the officials claim that it's a man's race and that women are just not capable of running such a long distance. So what does Bobbi do? She bravely sets out to prove the naysayers wrong and show the world just what a girl can do.

    "Historically accurate; will attract competent primary-grade readers and will be equally suitable for less able readers in intermediate grades." —SLJ.1990 The USA Through Children's Books (ALA)Children's Books of 1989 (Library of Congress)1989 Children's Books (NY Public Library)

    But when Daddy moves on, the three boys must begin their own journey. They must learn to care for one another and face the dangers of the wilderness alone.

    Growing up enslaved in Tennessee, Doc was sent to plantations around the state to care for sick and wounded animals. When the Civil War ended and Doc was freed, he began to dream of breeding a winning racehorse. But those dreams were dashed when his colt was born weak and sickly. Although many people would have euthanized the colt, Doc nursed him back to health and named him Jim.Noticing a level of curiosity and eagerness in the horse, Doc began teaching Beautiful Jim Key first to recognize letters, then to read, write, add, subtract, and more. Doc soon took his talented horse on the road, spreading a message of patience and kindness, over cruelty, to all animals.With striking illustrations by Daniel Minter, Step Right Up is the inspiring story of one man and one horse who showed the world the power of kindness.This biography explores Common Core English Language Arts Standards and Social Studies Standards.

    Mesmer’s mysterious powers in a whimsical look at a true moment in history.The day Ben Franklin first set foot in Paris, France, he found the city all abuzz. Everyone was talking about something new. Remarkable. Thrilling. Strange. Something called Science!But soon the straightforward American inventor Benjamin Franklin is upstaged by a compelling and enigmatic figure: Dr. Mesmer. In elaborately staged shows, Mesmer, wearing a fancy coat of purple silk and carrying an iron wand, convinces the people of Paris that he controls a magic force that can make water taste like a hundred different things, cure illness, and control thoughts! But Ben Franklin is not convinced. Will his practical approach of observing, hypothesizing, and testing get to the bottom of the mysterious Mesmer’s tricks? A rip-roaring, lavishly illustrated peek into a fascinating moment in history shows the development and practice of the scientific method—and reveals the amazing power of the human mind.

    She knew how many miles it was to the moon (and how many back). She loved studying algebra and geometry and calculus and using math to solve problems in the outside world.Soon math led her to MIT and then to helping NASA put a man on the moon! She handwrote code that would allow the spacecraft’s computer to solve any problems it might encounter. Apollo 8. Apollo 9. Apollo 10. Apollo 11. Without her code, none of those missions could have been completed.Dean Robbins and Lucy Knisley deliver a lovely portrayal of a pioneer in her field who never stopped reaching for the stars.

    Being the youngest recruit in the Pacific during World War II was tough. But he finds a friend in a little girl who helps him soothe his bug bites, and he gets to know her family and gives them some of his rations. Although the little girl doesn’t speak English, Tucky Jo and Little Heart share the language of kindness. Many years later, Tucky Jo and Little Heart meet again, and an act of kindness is returned when it’s needed the most in this touching picture book based on a true story.

    "There's been so much tomfool nonsense told about McBroom's wonderful one-acre farm?." It's a good thing Farmer Josh McBroom is back, setting matters straight in this pair of hilarious, homespun, illustrated chapter books, issued in an easy-to-read paperback format for the very first time!What better way to find out how it all began than by starting at the beginning-as McBroom, his wife, and their 11 redheaded children pack up their homestead and head West!

    . . . spoofing classic primers, Max the Dog talks back to the book in a twist in this early reader.See Max. Max is not a cat--Max is a dog. But much to Max's dismay, the book keeps instructing readers to "see the cat." How can Max get through to the book that he is a DOG? In a trio of stories for beginning readers, author David LaRochelle introduces Max, who lets the book know that the text is not to his liking.

    Moby wants to help Farmer Bob, but what if his ninja skills aren't right for the job? Then the cows break down the gate-can Moby use his ninja tricks to save the day before the runaway cows ruin the farm? Rhyming text and energetic full-color artwork make this the perfect book for young readers!

    A boy. His daddy. "Bedtime?""Not yet!"A jet. . . A pilot. . . His turbo-boost!A train. . . A conductor. . . His full-steam-ahead!

    It gets a little scary when Stanley and his brother, Arthur, run away from a skunk—and straight toward the edge of a cliff!Flat Stanley Goes Camping is an I Can Read book designed to engage and excite child readers. It is a Level 2 book, which means it is perfect for kids who are starting to read on their own but still need some help.

    Too cold! Too windy! He prefers to stay as snug as a bug in a rug inside his nice, warm bed.Mouse is lonely. Ice skating and sledding just aren’t as fun for one. Then she gets an idea…a Sno-Mole might do the trick! Mole won’t be needing his hat or scarf or mittens…or will he?Sometimes even best friends want to do different things. But at the end of a cold winter’s day, it's nice to know that your best friend will be there waiting for you, with warm mittens and all.