Literature

A tale of true love and high adventure, pirates, princesses, giants, miracles, fencing, and a frightening assortment of wild beasts--The Princess Bride is a modern storytelling classic. As Florin and Guilder teeter on the verge of war, the reluctant Princess Buttercup is devastated by the loss of her true love, kidnapped by a mercenary and his henchman, rescued by a pirate, forced to marry Prince Humperdinck, and rescued once again by the very crew who absconded with her in the first place. In the course of this dazzling adventure, she'll meet Vizzini--the criminal philosopher who'll do anything for a bag of gold; Fezzik--the gentle giant; Inigo--the Spaniard whose steel thirsts for revenge and Count Rugen--the evil mastermind behind it all. Foiling all their plans and jumping into their stories is Westley, Princess Buttercup's one true love and a very good friend of a very dangerous pirate. Learn More

The Phoenix and the Carpet By E. NESBIT.

It’s startling enough to have a phoenix hatch in your house, but even more startling when it talks and reveals that you have a magic carpet on the floor. The vain and ancient bird accompanies the children on a series of adventures through time and space which, magic being what it is, rarely turn out as they were meant . . . This sequel to Five Children and It continues the magical adventures of siblings Cyril, Anthea, Robert, Jane and their baby brother.

Paperback | Published by Puffin Books May 10, 2012 | 304 Pages | Middle Grade (10 and up)

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The Phantom Tollbooth By NORTON JUSTER Illustrated by JULES FEIFFER.

With almost 4 million copies sold more than 50 years after its original publication, generations of readers have now journeyed with Milo to the Lands Beyond in this beloved classic. Enriched by Jules Feiffer’s splendid illustrations, the wit, wisdom, and wordplay of Norton Juster’s offbeat fantasy are as beguiling as ever.

“Comes up bright and new every time I read it . . . it will continue to charm and delight for a very long time yet. And teach us some wisdom, too.” –Phillip Pullman

For Milo, everything’s a bore. When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through only because he’s got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things seem different. Milo visits the Island of Conclusions (you get there by jumping), learns about time from a ticking watchdog named Tock, and even embarks on a quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason. Somewhere along the way, Milo realizes something astonishing. Life is far from dull. In fact, it’s exciting beyond his wildest dreams!Learn More

The Pearl, written by John Steinbeck. Based on a Mexican folk tale, The Pearl explores the secrets of man's nature, the darkets depths of evil, and the luminous possibilities of love. Softcover. 90 pages. Learn More

Encourage students to make connections in history concerning social classes and divisions in societies while becoming familiar with this well-known novel. Written to support instruction of The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton(#1877), these appealing and rigorous cross-curricular lessons and activities work in conjunction with the text to teach students how to analyze and comprehend rich, complex literature. This guide is the perfect tool to teach students how to analyze story elements in multiple ways, practice close reading and text-based vocabulary, determine meaning through text-dependent questions,and more. Add rigor to your students' explorations of rich, complex literature with this essential language arts resource. Grades 9-12 Learn More

Use this literature guide with 4th-6th graders. Activities include comprehension questions, vocabulary, character analysis and more. Teacher notes and answers are included. The book, The Outsiders, is required. Sold separately.

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A heroic story of friendship and belonging. No one ever said life was easy. But Ponyboy is pretty sure that he's got things figured out. He knows that he can count on his brothers, Darry and Sodapop. And he knows that he can count on his friends—true friends who would do anything for him, like Johnny and Two-Bit. And when it comes to the Socs—a vicious gang of rich kids who enjoy beating up on "greasers" like him and his friends—he knows that he can count on them for trouble. But one night someone takes things too far, and Ponyboy's world is turned upside down... Grade 7+ Learn More

ABOUT THE ORESTEIA

In the Oresteia Aeschylus addressed the bloody chain of murder and revenge within the royal family of Argos. As they move from darkness to light, from rage to self-governance, from primitive ritual to civilized institution, their spirit of struggle and regeneration becomes an everlasting song of celebration. In Agamemnon, a king’s decision to sacrifice his daughter and turn the tide of war inflicts lasting damage on his family, culminating in a terrible act of retribution; The Libation Bearers deals with the aftermath of Clytemnestra’s regicide, as her son Orestes sets out to avenge his father’s death; and in The Eumenides, Orestes is tormented by supernatural powers that can never be appeased. Forming an elegant and subtle discourse on the emergence of Athenian democracy out of a period of chaos and destruction, The Oresteia is a compelling tragedy of the tensions between our obligations to our families and the laws that bind us together as a society.

The only trilogy in Greek drama that survives from antiquity, Aeschylus’ The Oresteia is translated by Robert Fagles with an introduction, notes and glossary written in collaboration with W.B. Stanford in Penguin Classics.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

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The Old Man and the Sea is one of Hemingway's most enduring works. Told in language of great simplicity and power, it is the story of an old Cuban fisherman, down on his luck, and his supreme ordeal - a relentless, agonizing battle with a giant marlin far out in the Gulf Stream. Here Hemingway recasts, in strikingly contemporary style, the classic theme of courage in the face of defeat, of personal triumph won from loss. Written in 1952, this hugely successful novella confirmed his power and presence in the literary world and played a large part in his winning the Nobel Prize for literature.

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Explore a mythical world and encourage students to analyze various story elements through activities and lessons in this instructional guide for literature. This guide is the perfect tool to aid students in analyzing and comprehending this timeless story. Grades 9-12 Learn More

This literature guide is written at the challenging level. Activities include strategy pages that teach important literary themes. Includes teacher notes and answers. The book, The Odyssey, is required. Sold separately.

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The Odyssey of Homer Learn More

The Minstrel in the Tower Learn More

Tom, is doomed to spend the summer on his uncle's farm when his parents decide to take a long bicycle trip. Tom doesn't like animals, and they don't like him. But through quiet afternoons spent exploring the forest and fields, Tom becomes more aware of, and finally more comfortable, with the power and beauty of the natural world, and in the end acts to save a part of that world. Learn More

In The Martian Chronicles, Ray Bradbury, America's preeminent storyteller, imagines a place of hope, dreams, and metaphor-- of crystal pillars and fossil seas--where a fine dust settles on the great empty cities of a vanished, devastated civilization. Earthmen conquer Mars and then are conquered by it, lulled by dangerous lies of comfort and familiarity, and enchanted by the lingering glamour of an ancient, mysterious native race. In this classic work of fiction, Bradbury exposes our ambitions, weaknesses, and ignorance in a strange and breathtaking world where man does not belong. Learn More

This reproducible study guide is recommended for grades 5th-7th. Suggested activities include comprehension questions, vocabulary, author and background information and more. Biblical references given. Learn More

The Long Patrol A TALE FROM REDWALL By BRIAN JACQUES Illustrated by ALLAN CURLESS

The adventures of Redwall (#1876) continue, as Jacques’ masterful storytelling leads readers through one of the greatest battles yet. The murderous Rapscallion army is on the move. Dealt a humiliating defeat by Lady Cregga Rose Eyes, the Badger Lady of Salamandastron, who still pursues them, the Rapscallions are heading inland to take an even greater prize: the peaceful Abbey of Redwall. The elite fighting unit of hares, the Long Patrol, is called out to draw them off. At the forefront is the young hare Tammo, the lead sword in one of the most ferocious battles Redwall has ever faced.

“[Jacques is] a masterful storyteller . . . As in the other Redwall books, the combination of an absorbing plot, robust characterization, and detailed description make the novel a page-turner.”—The Horn Book

Paperback | 368 Pages | 5-1/16 x 7-3/4 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

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The Littles is a timeless favorite that's been enjoyed for decades. Ready to grab the attention of a new generation, fresh cover art brings an updated look to this classic series.

The Littles live in the walls of the Biggs' house. But when the Biggs go on vacation a messy family comes to stay, the trouble begins. Mice! Cats! How much can one small family take? Will Tom and Lucy, the littlest Littles of all, be able to save the day

80 pages

ages 7-12

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A Charming little story of a house built in the country and the changes around it as the big city moves closer and closer. Recommended for first grade reading level. Softcover. Delightful illustrations. Learn More

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: An Instructional Guide for Literature was written to support the classic children's story, and will engage students in a fun and interesting analysis of the text. The activities and lessons work in conjunction with the text to teach students how to analyze and comprehend rich, complex literature. Analyzing story elements in multiple ways, close reading and text-based vocabulary practice, and determining meaning through text-dependent questions are just a few of the many skills students will gain after interacting with the rigorous and appealing cross-curricular lessons and activities in this resource. From Teacher Created Materials Grades 4-8 Learn More

The Teacher Guide contains the answers to the Student Guide (sold separately#8818) and the Quizzes and Tests. Learn More

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis is a timeless children’s classic, filled with adventure, mystery and enchantment. Our Student Study Guide will aid the student in developing their Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension skills.

The Student Guide contains Reading Notes, Vocabulary Questions, Reading Comprehension Questions, and more. The answers are contained in the Teacher Guide (sold separately #8818).

45 pages

Grades 4-6 Learn More

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Literature Guide. Each book in this series is a guide for using a well-known piece of literature in the classroom. Included are sample plans, author information, vocabulary-building ideas, and cross-curricular activities. Also includes sectional activities and quizzes, unit tests, and ideas for culminating and extending the novel. Grades 3-5. 48 pages.

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James Fenimore Cooper’s classic American story of life on the frontier during the French and Indian War.  

The Last of the Mohicans, one of the world’s great adventure stories, dramatizes how the birth of American culture was intertwined with that of Native Americans. In 1757, as the English and the French war over American territory, the frontier scout Hawkeye—Natty Bumppo—risks his life to escort two sisters through hostile Huron country. Hawkeye enlists the aid of his Mohican friends Chingachgook and Uncas, and together they battle deception, brutality, and death in a thrilling story of loyalty, moral courage, and love. 464 pages.

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