Reading & Literature

King Arthur has issued a challenge. The first knight to find the sword Edgecalibur will be the next king. Join Sir Cumference, Lady Di of Ameter, and their son, Radius, as they race to help their friend, Vertex, find the sword and discover the secrets of cubes, pyramids, cylinders, and cones. 32 pages. Learn More

When Steward Edmund Rounds and Sir Cumference notice that there are strangers camped nearby, Rounds II decides to investigate despite being involved with the task of learning how to make accurate counts of the castle’s stores of food, supplies, and weaponry. When he reports back that an enemy is lying in wait, everyone moves quickly to defend the castle. But wait! Will Rounds II be able to figure out how many bows and arrows they have to create an appropriate battle plan? Using rounding techniques to figure out the totals more quickly, Rounds II is just in time to help stave off a potentially disastrous attack. 32 pages. Learn More

The eighth book in the popular Sir Cumference series, SIR CUMFERENCE AND THE OFF-THE-CHARTS DESSERT introduces readers to different methods of collecting data. Sir Cumference and Lady Di of Ameter are in a pickle. The castle cook is sick and the Harvest Faire is coming up—who will make the special dessert for this annual event? Two bakers in town, Pia of Chartres and Bart Graf, are up to the task. But after sampling Pia’s delicious pies and Bart’s scrumptious cookies, Sir Cumference and Lady Di just can’t choose! They come up with a solution: hold a contest and let the townspeople choose the dessert to be served at the faire. When Pia and Bart’s methods of tracking their votes fail, they each realize they need to come up with a better system. Pia places a colored candy around the edges of a pie dough and Bart stacks his cookie molds—each color candy or mold shape represents a different kind of pie or cookie. Thus, the pie chart and bar graph are born! But when the contest ends in a tie, Pia and Bart concoct a hybrid recipe that everyone enjoys. 32 pages. Learn More

When young Per visits her uncle Sir Cumference and his family, she learns how to play the game, “Inners and Edges.” After she finds a clue linking the game to the mysterious castle on the island of Immeter, she must figure out how to find the perimeter and area of a circle to unlock the island’s secret. Math skills taught include finding the area and perimeter of a rectangle and a circle. Introduces an underlying concept of calculus — using straight lines to measure curves.32 pages. Learn More

Radius is on a quest to earn his knighthood! With only a circular medallion, a mysterious poem, and his own wits to guide him, he must find and rescue a missing king. 32 pages. Learn More

Sir Cumference and Lady Di discover “Fracton numbers” while purchasing cloth and cheese at the Fracton Faire. While twofourths may seem like the same as one-half, in truth it denotes two parts of one-half, or two quarters of the whole. But the real mystery is the fact that items at the fair keep disappearing, and Sir C, Lady Di, and the Earl of Fracton must set a numeric trap for the thief, teaching an important lesson along the way about the comparative size of fractions. Puns—both literal and visual—abound in this fun adventure story with beloved characters and a solid pedagogical foundation. 32 pages. Learn More

King Arthur was a good ruler, but in this math adventure he needs a good ruler. Geometry is explained with humor in SIR CUMFERENCE AND THE FIRST ROUND TABLE, making it fun and accessible for beginners. What would you do if the neighboring kingdom were threatening war? Naturally, you’d call your strongest and bravest knights together to come up with a solution. But when your conference table causes more problems than the threat of your enemy, you need expert help. Enter Sir Cumference, his wife Lady Di of Ameter, and their son Radius. With the help of the carpenter, Geo of Metry, this sharp-minded team designs the perfect table conducive to discussing the perfect peace plan. Thanks to Sir Cumference, even the most hesitant will be romancing math. 32 Pages. Learn More

Sir Cumference, Lady Di of Ameter, and Radius are back in their second Math Adventure! This time, a potion has changed Sir Cumference into a fire-breathing dragon. Can Radius change him back? Join Radius on his quest through the castle to solve a riddle that will reveal the cure. It lies in discovering the magic number that is the same for all circles. 32 pages. Learn More

A clever introduction to place value. Sir Cumference and Lady Di planned a surprise birthday party for King Arthur, but they didn’t expect so many guests to show up. How many lunches will they need? And with more guests arriving by the minute, what about dinner? Sir Cumference and Lady Di have to figure out a quick way to count the guests to bring order to the party. Sir Cumference and his friends have been entertaining young and old alike for years as they introduce important math concepts with clarity and humor. Ages 8-12. Learn More

ABOUT SHH! WE’RE WRITING THE CONSTITUTION

Go behind the scenes at the Constitutional Convention, thanks to award-winning author Jean Fritz’s words! This factual gem that’s written with Newbery Honor author Jean Fritz’s humorous touch chronicles the hot summer of 1787 where fifty-five delegates from thirteen states huddled together in the strictest secrecy in Philadelphia to draw up the constitution of the United States!

Includes a copy of the Constitution and those who signed it!

“An informative, interesting, and immensely readable account of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 . . . An excellent choice for introducing young readers to the complexities of the constitution.”—School Library Journal

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Sherlock Holmes The Complete Novels and Stories Volume I

Since his first appearance in Beeton’s Christmas Annual in 1887, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes has been one of the most beloved fictional characters ever created. Now, in two paperback volumes, Bantam presents all fifty-six short stories and four novels featuring Conan Doyle’s classic hero--a truly complete collection of Sherlock Holmes’s adventures in crime!

Volume I includes the early novel A Study in Scarlet, which introduced the eccentric genius of Sherlock Holmes to the world. This baffling murder mystery, with the cryptic word Rache written in blood, first brought Holmes together with Dr. John Watson. Next, The Sign of Four presents Holmes’s famous “seven percent solution” and the strange puzzle of Mary Morstan in the quintessential locked-room mystery.

Also included are Holmes’s feats of extraordinary detection in such famous cases as the chilling “ The Adventure of the Speckled Band,” the baffling riddle of “The Musgrave Ritual,” and the ingeniously plotted “The Five Orange Pips,” tales that bring to life a Victorian England of horse-drawn cabs, fogs, and the famous lodgings at 221B Baker Street, where Sherlock Holmes earned his undisputed reputation as the greatest fictional detective of all time.

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Twelve of Shakespeare's greatest tales come to life in this entertaining collection of short, lively stories specially adapted for young readers. Capturing the vital events and using some of the original wording, the stories serve as a perfect introduction to Shakespeare for preteens and as literate refreshers for older folks.

Fulfilling a request from her own children, author Edith Nesbit turned twelve of the Bard's most famous plays into delightful tales of kings, queens, ghosts, and witches. Filled with tragedy, humor, and moral lessons, the stories — told with wit and grace — include Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, King Lear, As You Like It, Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice, The Tempest, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Cymbeline, The Taming of the Shrew, Pericles, and The Winter's Tale.

Wonderfully transformed by the noted author of children's books, these classics are a great way to start a lifelong interest in the works of Shakespeare.

Reprint of The Children's Shakespeare, Henry Altemus Company, Philadelphia, 1900 edition.

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A delightful adveture full of humor and heart set in Elizabethan England. Widge is an orphan with a rare talent for shorthand. His fearsome master has just one demand: steal Shakespeare's play "Hamlet"--or else. Widge has no choice but to follow orders, so he works his way into the heart of the Globe Theatre, where Shakespeare's players perform. As full of twists and turns as a London alleyway, this entertaining novel is rich in period details, colorful characters, villainy, and drama. Learn More

Who is out and about during wintertime? Shine a light behind the pages and discover a natural winter world full of surprises!

36 pages

Ages 4-8

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Sea Monsters A NONFICTION COMPANION TO MAGIC TREE HOUSE MERLIN MISSION #11: DARK DAY IN THE DEEP SEA ( #6682) By MARY POPE OSBORNE and NATALIE POPE BOYCE Illustrated by SAL MURDOCCA.

Track the facts with Jack and Annie!!

When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House Merlin Mission #11: Dark Day in the Deep Sea, they had lots of questions. How big is a giant squid? What is a dragonfish? How do deep-sea creatures find food when it’s so dark down there? What do scientists think mythical sea monsters might really be? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Jack and Annie track the facts.

Filled with up-to-date information, photos, illustrations, and fun tidbits from Jack and Annie, the Magic Tree House Fact Trackers are the perfect way for kids to find out more about the topics they discovered in their favorite Magic Tree House adventures. And teachers can use Fact Trackers alongside their Magic Tree House fiction companions to meet common core text pairing needs.

Paperback | Published by Random House Books for Young Readers Mar 25, 2008 | 128 Pages | 5-3/16 x 7-5/8 | 7-10 years

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300 skill-building pages that give young learners practice with the alphabet, sight words, handwriting, counting, numbers, shapes and everything they'll need to succeed as students. Workbook

320 pages

Grade PreK

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This classic story by Patricia MacLachlan is about one woman's journey to become the mother-figure for a family that desperately needs her. Sarah, Plain and Tall: An Instructional Guide for Literature will encourage readers to explore the humanity of these characters who long to be loved. Students will enjoy completing the fun, challenging lessons and activities in this guide. Analyzing and comprehending story elements in multiple ways, practicing close reading and text-based vocabulary, and determining meaning through text-dependent questions are some of the skills students will gain as they analyze this Newbery Medal-winning story. Add rigor to your students' explorations of rich, complex literature by implementing this instructional guide for literature into your classroom. Grades K-3 From Teacher Created Materials See also #1592. Learn More

What happens when Sammy, the adventurous seal, leaves the zoo for the day? He goes to the city, finds a school full of kids and new things to do -- and he even learns to read! 64 pages. Ages 4-8 Learn More

In this exciting classic early reader, Nathaniel Benchly re-creates what it must have been like for a young boy to fight in the Battle of Lexington. Arnold Lobel's vivid pictures give a poignant reality to the famous battle that marked the beginning of the American Revolution.

This is historical fiction that pulls in young readers in first and second grade, even reluctant readers. Great for home or classroom units on and discussions about colonial America and the start of the American Revolution.

"Benchley's expressive words and Lobel's vivid drawings portray a realistic story," Publishers Weekly wrote.

Father and son rushed to the village green. Other Minutemen were already there. Through the long night they waited and waited. Then, at dawn, the soldiers came!

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Salamandastron A TALE FROM REDWALL (#1876) By BRIAN JACQUES

The inhabitants of Redwall relax in the haze of summer-but as they do, the neighboring stronghold of Salamandastron lies besieged by the evil weasel army of Ferhago the Assassin. Worse still, Mara, beloved daughter of Urthstripe, Badger Lord of the Fire Mountain, is in terrible danger. Then a lightning bolt uncovers the sword of Martin the Warrior, and young Samkin embarks on an adventure that leads him to Mara. Can the good creatures triumph over the villainous Assassin?

Illustrated by Gary Chalk

Paperback  | 400 Pages | 5-1/16 x 7-3/4 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

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Sabertooths and the Ice Age A NONFICTION COMPANION TO MAGIC TREE HOUSE #7: SUNSET OF THE SABERTOOTH  (#6631)  By MARY POPE OSBORNE and NATALIE POPE BOYCE Illustrated by SAL MURDOCCA.

Track the facts with Jack and Annie!!

When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House #7: Sunset of the Sabertooth, they had lots of questions. What was it like to live in the Ice Age? How did early humans stay warm enough to survive? Who made the first cave paintings? What happened to saber-toothed cats and woolly mammoths? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Jack and Annie track the facts.

Filled with up-to-date information, photos, illustrations, and fun tidbits from Jack and Annie, the Magic Tree House Fact Trackers are the perfect way for kids to find out more about the topics they discovered in their favorite Magic Tree House adventures. And teachers can use Fact Trackers alongside their Magic Tree House fiction companions to meet common core text pairing needs.

Paperback | Published by Random House Books for Young Readers Feb 22, 2005 | 128 Pages | 5-3/16 x 7-5/8 | 7-10 years

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Use this guide to follow along as Cassie Logan experiences the injustices of racial prejudice in the American South during the 1930s. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry: An Instructional Guide for Literature will support students as they analyze and comprehend this Newbery Medal-winning story. The lessons and activities work in conjunction with the text to teach students how to analyze and comprehend story elements in multiple ways, practice close reading and text-based vocabulary, determine meaning through text-dependent questions, and much more. Appealing and challenging cross-curricular lessons and activities were written to support College and Career Readiness Standards, and incorporate research-based literacy skills to help students become thorough readers. Add rigor to your students' explorations of rich, complex literature with this essential resource!

Grades 4-8

From Teacher Created Materials

See also #1875

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Robin Hood Adapted by ANNIE INGLE Illustrated by DOMENICK D’ANDRE

A Part of A Stepping Stone Book(TM)

 Life in Sherwood Forest has never been livelier than with this selection of tales of the fun-loving outlaw and his merry men. A fast-moving adaptation of the classic adventure will delight older emerging readers as well as kids reading on grade level.

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Roberto Clemente. Part of the Childhood of Famous Americans Series. Traces the personal life and baseball career of the Puerto Rican baseball superstar, from his childhood love of the game through his professional career and untimely death to his election to the Hall of Fame in 1973.192 pages. Ages 4-8.

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