Penguins
Level S,
nonfiction
Often thought of as comical, penguins are actually very intelligent and fascinating animals. This book provides a great deal of interesting information about the types of penguins, their breeding and feeding habits, and the biggest threat to their existence. Incredible photographs support the text.
Bites and Stings
Level S,
nonfiction
A two-year-old girl is brought to the emergency room with a red mark on her leg. Her parents are sure that she has been bitten or stung, but the child is too young to explain what happened to her. A fascinating interview with the managing director of the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center in Tucson takes the reader through the various possibilities. Photographs and vivid descriptions of desert creatures, and the symptoms they can inflict with a bite or sting will intrigue young readers.
Gems: Treasures From the Earth
Level S,
nonfiction
Gems fascinate almost everyone. They sparkle, shimmer, and glimmer with mystery and beauty. This book explains how gems are formed, how they are valued, and the processes by which they become jewelry. At the end of the book, students can read about some of the most famous gems. Photographs and diagrams support the text.
Titanic: Lost and Found
Level S,
nonfiction
In this book, the tragedy of the sinking of the 'unsinkable' great liner is told with fascinating contemporary photos. The mystery of why the Titanic sank so quickly is finally answered when the wreck is located by Robert Ballard's expedition to the ocean floor.
T-Shirt Challenge
Level S,
fiction
The International T-Shirt Challenge features two friends who challenge each other with weekly questions. This week's puzzler, labeled the International T-Shirt Challenge, challenges one of the friends to spend $500 on T-Shirts in five different countries. Using his weblog, he attempts to get information from kids all around the world to help complete the challenge. Photographs, illustrations, and charts support the text.
Let a Smiley Face Be Your Umbrella
Level S,
fiction
With everyone in the town angry with Charly for one reason or another, who will vote for her garden over Mr. Rooney's? Readers finally discover whether Charly was able to put a smile on everyone's face.
What's In a Name
Level S,
nonfiction
What's in a Name is a study of the origin of names. The book provides a factual account of how many first and last names came into usage. Using the names of a third-grade class, the book delves into the history of names and how they have changed over the years.
Harriet Tubman & Underground RR
Level S,
nonfiction
Harriet Tubman was an African-American woman who daringly escaped slavery and helped hundreds of other slaves escape to freedom. She became the most famous of all 'conductors' of the Underground Railroad, which was a system of safe houses that slaves used to travel to freedom in the North. Her inspiring story of courage and determination continued into her later life as she worked for aid and education for freed slaves, as well as for women's right to vote.
A Big League for Little Players
Level S,
nonfiction
A Big League for Little Players is an informational book about the history of Little League Baseball. It tells about the beginnings of baseball in America and how a league of young players was formed. Also highlighted is the Little League World Series, from its roots to the 2006 champions. Photographs support the text.
The Trouble with English
Level S,
fiction
The Trouble with English is the story of a girl named Ting Yao who moves from China to the United States. The book is a first-person account of her experiences learning English at school. She has many difficulties with the unfamiliar idioms, pronunciations, and spellings of the English language. Ting Yao relates her frustrations with learning this new language but realizes that she will eventually master English.
Monkey Business
Level S,
nonfiction
Monkeys are fascinating animals. People love watching them, perhaps because they are so much like humans. Monkey Business discusses the distinctions between monkeys and apes, and between Old World and New World monkeys. Readers will also learn about the many different types of monkeys, where and how they live, and how they interact with people.
