From the city of Pompeii-frozen in time by volcanic ash and lava-to the Coliseum's famed gladiators-treated like rock stars-ancient Rome had it all: Gods and Goddesses, infamous emperors, crippling warfare, and beautiful art. Spartacus, the famous gladiator and slave, led a revolt against a tyrannical government. Conspirators violently murdered emperor Julius Caesar. Virgil wrote epic poetry, and Jesus of Nazareth was proclaimed the messiah. Learn the stories behind the famous names, all backed by a variety of primary sources. Architectural ruins, ancient texts, and everyday items-like the iron collars used on slaves-show us how ancient Romans really lived. The Ancient Roman World focuses not only on the wars and government problems of the time, but also on the lives of common Romans. This intriguing and well-researched text written by a historian and a children's author provides a thorough understanding of everything you need to know about ancient Rome's rise and fall and will transport modern listeners back to the days of the Ceasars.
Dan Gutman, the prolific author of over 60 popular books for children and young adults, vividly imagines what is surely every put-upon school kid's dream: a machine that does homework for them-error free!When four unlikely friends become dependent on this marvelous device, they'll soon learn that cheating always has its consequences-including legal trouble. No matter what happens, their best bet is to stick together. "A dramatic and thought-provoking story with a strong message about honesty." -School Library Journal, starred review
National Book Award Finalist M. T. Anderson is an acclaimed author of children's books. This Junior Library Guild Selection is his poignant praise of peaceful independence. At the edge of a lofty cliff lives a young lad in his rough-hewn shack. He loves the simple pleasures of book reading, fossil finding and treasure hunting. He enjoys the wind whistling through the bristly pines and the sun setting over the vast horizon. And then a bold dreamer promises him non-stop fun and friends galore with the End of the World Inn and amusement park.
National Book Award-winning author Pete Hautman crafts a powerful tale of one tormented boy's troubled life in Invisible. Seventeen-year-old Doug Hanson is obsessed-with his best friend Andy, with pretty Melissa Haverman, and with his model railroad town. Doug also has terrible secrets from his past, and he isn't taking the medication his psychiatrist prescribed.
Shohei, Honoria, and Elias are best friends, banding together to survive the halls of The Peshtigo School for the gifted. But some things are beginning to change. Unexpected feelings are developing and dealing with the authority of parents and teachers is becoming more difficult. Luckily, through it all, they've got each other. Greg Leitich Smith's amusing and smart debut has received rave reviews from critics.
Newbery Award-winning author Linda Sue Park's The Firekeeper's Son received a starred review in Publishers Weekly. Sanghee's father lights a bonfire on top of the mountain near their Korean village every night. It is a signal to the next mountain, where another fire is lit as a signal to the next mountain, and so on all the way to the King's palace. If the first isn't lit, the others won't be lit, and the King will know that trouble has come to the land. One evening, Sang-hee notices that the fire is not lit. Has trouble come?
Koreans Sun-hee and her brother Tae-yul must study Japanese language and culture in school. The symbols of their beloved Korea-like its flag and the rose of Sharon tree-can never be displayed or mentioned in public. When the Emperor of Japan decrees that all Koreans must take Japanese names, Sun-hee and Tae-yul become Keoko and Nobuo. But as World War II explodes all around them, Sun-hee and Tae-yul wage their own war to stay true to their family, their country, and themselves.
