The Wednesday Wars


Book Description

In this Newbery Honor-winning novel, Gary D. Schmidt tells the witty and compelling story of a teenage boy who feels that fate has it in for him, during the school year 1968-68. Seventh grader Holling Hoodhood isn't happy. He is sure his new teacher, Mrs. Baker, hates his guts. Holling's domineering father is obsessed with his business image and disregards his family. Throughout the school year, Holling strives to get a handle on the Shakespeare plays Mrs. Baker assigns him to read on his own time, and to figure out the enigmatic Mrs. Baker. As the Vietnam War turns lives upside down, Holling comes to admire and respect both Shakespeare and Mrs. Baker, who have more to offer him than he imagined. And when his family is on the verge of coming apart, he also discovers his loyalty to his sister, and his ability to stand up to his father when it matters most.




Nature's Fireworks


Book Description

Describes various types of lightning and explains what causes lightning.




Behind the Mountains


Book Description

A lyrical and poignant coming-of-age story about one girl's immigration experience, as she moves from Haiti to New York City, by award-winning author Edwidge Danticat. It is election time in Haiti, and bombs are going off in the capital city of Port-au-Prince. During a visit from her home in rural Haiti, Celiane Espérance and her mother are nearly killed. Looking at her country with new eyes, Celiane gains a fresh resolve to be reunited with her father in Brooklyn, New York. The harsh winter and concrete landscape of her new home are a shock to Celiane, who witnesses her parents' struggle to earn a living and her brother's uneasy adjustment to American society, and at the same time encounters her own challenges with learning and school violence. National Book Award finalist Edwidge Danticat weaves a beautiful, honest, and timely story of the American immigrant experience in this luminous novel about resilience, hope, and family.




A Long Walk to Water


Book Description

When the Sudanese civil war reaches his village in 1985, 11-year-old Salva becomes separated from his family and must walk with other Dinka tribe members through southern Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya in search of safe haven. Based on the life of Salva Dut, who, after emigrating to America in 1996, began a project to dig water wells in Sudan. By a Newbery Medal-winning author.




New York State Grade 3 Elementary-Level English Language Arts Test


Book Description

This brand-new title prepares third graders throughout New York State to succeed on the required English Language Arts Test. The author presents two separate introductions to the test: one directed at third-grade students, and the other for teachers and parents. Following chapters offer guidance and instruction in reading comprehension and multiple-choice questions; reading-comprehension and constructed response questions; listening comprehension; and grammar. Following the review chapters are two practice tests with explained answers. Appendices include a glossary, word lists, guiding charts, punctuation rules, and more.




Darlene Beck Jacobson Presents Wheels of Change


Book Description

Twelve-year-old Emily Soper avoids her mother's efforts to make her more ladylike by watching her father and his workers build fine carriages in Washington, D.C., but 1908 is a turbulent time and her father's livelihood threatened by racist neighbors and the growing popularity of automobiles. Includes historical note and recipes.




Children of the Longhouse


Book Description

When Ohkwa'ri overhears a group of older boys planning a raid on a neighboring village, he immediately tells his Mohawk elders. He has done the right thing—but he has also made enemies. Grabber and his friends will do anything they can to hurt him, especially during the village-wide game of Tekwaarathon (lacrosse). Ohkwa'ri believes in the path of peace, but can peaceful ways work against Grabber's wrath? "An exciting story that also offers an in-depth look at Native American life centuries ago." —Kirkus Reviews




New York Test Prep Common Core Ela Practice Workbook Grade 3


Book Description

Updated and Expanded for the 2014 Standards and the 2014-2015 State Tests! This practice test book is the perfect preparation tool for the New York Common Core English Language Arts tests. It will develop all the skills that students need and provide ongoing practice with all the tasks found on the real state test. Prepares Students for the New York Common Core ELA Test - Includes practice for all the tasks students will complete on the Common Core ELA Test - Covers all the skills assessed on the real test - Flexible format allows practice sets to be completed to suit any schedule - Helps students transition to the more rigorous Common Core tests - Format allows for review after each set to provide feedback and promote improvement Developed Specifically to Match the 2014-2015 New York Common Core Tests - Covers all the Common Core skills assessed on the real tests - Includes literary texts, informational texts, and paired texts - Provides practice with multiple-choice, short-response, and extended-response questions - More rigorous questions prepare students for the higher difficulty of the new tests - Strong focus on key Common Core features including close reading, using evidence from text, and analyzing and evaluating texts - Full answer key lists the Common Core Learning Standard (CCLS) for each question Key Benefits of this Book - Builds confidence by helping students prepare before taking the real test - Develops all the language, reading, and writing skills that students need - Provides experience answering all types of questions - Reduces test anxiety by allowing low-stress practice - More rigorous tasks prepare students for the new assessments - Detailed answer key allows for student work to be reviewed and improved on







New York State Grade 7 English Language Arts Test


Book Description

This all-new manual prepares seventh graders throughout New York State to succeed on the required English Language Arts Test. It presents an overview of the ELA test, a diagnostic test, and two full-length practice tests with all questions answered and explained. Separate chapters refine students' strategies for reading, completing graphic organizers and short-response answers, editing, listening and note-taking, and test taking. Appendices include a review of literary terms and genres and a helpful rubric for editing.