A look at life in a medieval castle during the reign of King John through the eyes of one of its servant girls.

    Features: - Humorous Handy Hints that relate directly to the text are provided on each spread- High interest topic for children of all ages- Draws in even the most reluctant reader with a lighthearted tone and hilarious illustrations- The cultures and traditions of ancient civilizations spring to life in the pages of this series- Includes glossary and index- Perfect for struggling readers

    - Humorous Handy Hints that relate directly to the text are provided on each spread- High interest topic for children of all ages- Draws in even the most reluctant reader with a lighthearted tone and hilarious illustrations- The cultures and traditions from ancient civilizations through modern times throughout the history of the world spring to life in the pages of this series- Includes glossary and index- Perfect for struggling readers

    This series meets National Curriculum Standards for: Science: History and Nature of Science Social Studies: Time, Continuity, & Change

    Each book uses humorous illustrations to depict the sometimes dark and horrific side of life during important eras in history.

    - Humorous Handy Hints that relate directly to the text are provided on each spread- High interest topic for children of all ages- Draws in even the most reluctant reader with a lighthearted tone and hilarious illustrations- The cultures and traditions from ancient civilizations through modern times throughout the history of the world spring to life in the pages of this series- Includes glossary and index- Perfect for struggling readers

    Your owners treat you well and you live in a thriving city. But what's up with the dead fish floating in the river and the gas smell escaping from the ground? You better say your prayers, because when Mount Vesuvius blows its top, no one will be spared!

    You are a soldier named Marcus who just joined the Roman Army at the age of 18. You take an oath and receive your training in Rome. There you learn to fight. You train by running, wrestling, riding horses, and swimming. You have victorious moments, but there are hard times as well. This commitment to your country involves a lot of travel and some downright disgusting living conditions. You just might decide that You Wouldn't Want to be a Roman Soldier.

    Have you seen her?She's in New York. She's holding a torch. And she's in mid-stride, moving forward. But why?In this fascinating, fun take on nonfiction, Dave Eggers and Shawn Harris investigate a seemingly small trait of America's most emblematic statue. What they find is about more than history, more than art. What they find in the Statue of Liberty's right foot is the message of acceptance that is essential to an entire country's creation.

    You Wouldn't Want to... revels in the darker side of life in ancient times. The reader is on center stage as he or she gets a tour through life as a slave, warrior, explorer -- even a mummy! Hilarious illustrations, captions, and sidebars leave no doubt that you simply wouldn't want to be there.Cruising through space sounds pretty cool. Right? But what if an explosion leaves you short on oxygen, and Mission Control says you might not have enough electricity to make it back to Earth alive? Failure is not an option when you're stranded in outer space!

    In the fourth installment of the Actual Times series, Don Brown narrates the events of the day in a way that is both accessible and understandable for young readers. Straightforward and honest, this account moves chronologically through the morning, from the terrorist plane hijackings to the crashes at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania; from the rescue operations at the WTC site in New York City to the collapse of the buildings. Vivid watercolor illustrations capture the emotion and pathos of the tragedy making this an important book about an unforgettable day in American history.

    Through this engaging book, kids will understand the reasons that today, 200 years later, she is still remembered and immortalized on a golden dollar coin.

    Then I’ll tell you its story." When a little girl visits her great-grandfather at his curio-filled home, she chooses an unusual object to learn about: an old cigar box. What she finds inside surprises her: a collection of matchboxes making up her great-grandfather’s diary, harboring objects she can hold in her hand, each one evoking a memory. Together they tell of his journey from Italy to a new country, before he could read and write — the olive pit his mother gave him to suck on when there wasn’t enough food; a bottle cap he saw on his way to the boat; a ticket still retaining the thrill of his first baseball game.

    Here for a new generation of readers and explorers are the steady astronauts, clicking themselves into gloves and helmets, strapping themselves into sideways seats. Here are their great machines in all their detail and monumentality, the ROAR of rockets, and the silence of the Moon. Here is a story of adventure and discovery—a story of leaving and returning during the summer of 1969, and a story of home, seen whole, from far away.

    Hundreds of Maasai surround an American diplomat to bestow a gift on the American people. The gift is as unsought and unexpected as it is extraordinary. A mere nine months have passed since the September 11 attacks, and hearts are raw. Tears flow freely as these legendary warriors offer their gift to a grieving people half a world away. Word of the gift will travel news wires around the globe. Many will be profoundly touched, but for Americans, this selfless gesture will have deeper meaning still. For a heartsick nation, the gift of fourteen cows emerges from the choking dust and darkness as a soft light of hope and friendship. Master storyteller Carmen Agra Deedy hits all the right notes in this story of generosity that crosses boundaries, nations, and cultures. An afterword by Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah, the Maasai warrior at the center of the story, provides additional information about his tribe and their generosity. Thomas Gonzalez's stunning paintings are saturated with rich hues of oranges and browns and blues and greens, which capture the nobility of the Maasai people and the distinctive landscape of the African plain.