Reading & Literature

If life could write, it would write like Tolstoy.’ Isaac Babel Tolstoy’s epic masterpiece intertwines the lives of private and public individuals during the time of the Napoleonic wars and the French invasion of Russia.

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Using Primary Sources to Meet Common Core State Standards is designed to help students learn how to analyze, interpret, and evaluate primary sources. The activities in the book are aligned with the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (ELA). Some of the ELA literacy skills covered are making inferences, summarizing text, citing evidence, and analyzing the connection between primary and secondary sources on the same topic. Topics covered include: The Charters of Freedom, The Civil War and The Great Depression. Learn More

This special edition of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic pirate adventure — complete and unabridged — is packed with thrilling action and stunning illustations by Fran Parreno. Follow young Jim Hawkins as he boards the Hispaniola and sets sail across the high seas in search of buried treasure. Danger lies ahead as he encounters mutiny, murder, shipwreck, and the mysterious Long John Silver.

Series: Illustrated Originals Beautifully illustrated, complete, and unabridged stories in paperback version.

Age 8 years and up Learn More

Discover magical princesses, mighty dragons, mischievous monkeys and more in this captivating collection of Chinese stories, specially retold for readers today.

The book features stunning traditional-style brush and ink illustrations by Chinese artist Li Weiding, and includes links to websites to find out more about Chinese folk tales and art.

Stories included: Fox & Tiger, Pearl that Shone in Dark, Frog in the Well, Butterfly's Dream, Great-Aunt Tiger, Painter of Dragons, How Phoenix Got Feathers, No Silver Buried Here, Mouse's Marriage, Old Man Moved Mountain, Golden Slipers, Monkey King,  and New Year Monster.

Age 8+

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This beautifully illustrated edition of Johanna Spyri's timeless classic is one to treasure. Follow Heidi's adventures, from her carefree life high in the Swiss Alps among the goats and the birds, to her loneliness in the city. One of the most popular children's books of all time, this heartwarming tale is as entrancing now as when it was first written.

Series: Illustrated Originals Beautifully illustrated, complete, and unabridged stories in paperback version.

Age 8 years and up

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Welcome to the wonderful world of fairy tales, full of wicked wolves, clever princesses and magic beanstalks that touch the sky.

Would you like to be whisked away to a royal ball? Or find out who lives in a castle in the clouds? Then let’s begin.

Once upon a time... Includes: Cinderella, Goldilocks, Jack & the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, The Princess and the Pea.

Series: Read-Aloud Story Books

These delightful books make great stories and gifts for young and old readers alike!

Age 3 years and up

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From teenage girls waiting to dance at their very first ball, to mothers hunting for rich husbands for their daughters, Jane Austen's love stories are famous throughout the world.

This collection of adaptations of all six novels — and one shorter tale — with beautiful illustrations and summaries of the characters, is the perfect introduction to Jane Austen.

Novels included are: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion and Lady Susan.

Age 9 years +

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COMING SOON

Sophia Touliatou’s dynamic and joyous illustrations make this Nursery Rhymes book unique. Through busy, annotated pages children are introduced to a range of classical nursery rhymes that they will learn to cherish for all their life! Nursery Rhymes included are: Do You Know the Muffin Man?; Pat-a-Cake, Pat-a-Cake; Old King Cole; The Queen of Hearts; Jack and Jill; Humpty Dumpty; Little Bo Peep; Mary Had a Little Lamb; Hickory Dickory Dock; 1,2,3,4, Mary at the Cottage Door; Little Miss Muffet; Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary; Rub a Dub-Dub; 1,2,3,4,5, Once I Caught a Fish Alive; Old Mother Hubbard; This Little Piggy; Sing a Song of Sixpence; Baa Baa Black Sheep; Hey Didddle Diddle; and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.

Series: Big Book of… Big, sturdy books that introduce fun topics in a large, unique format, perfect for little learners

Age 2 years and up

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This box set includes the hardback edition of the following titles: Ancient Greeks, Castles, Celts, Digging Up the Past, Egyptians, Iron Age, Maya, Romans, Stone Age, and Vikings.

Series: Beginners How many eyes do spiders have? What do fire fighters wear? What kind of truck can transport the space shuttle? Find the answers to these questions and lots more in these exciting books for children who are learning to read on their own

Age 6 years and up

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A naughty puppet, a flying horse and a sorcerer’s apprentice are just some of the characters you’ll meet in tales from all over the world. These ten very different stories, each with their own lively illustrations, are the perfect length for reading at bedtime – or any time. Learn More

Unbroken (Movie Tie-in Edition) A WORLD WAR II STORY OF SURVIVAL, RESILIENCE, AND REDEMPTION By LAURA HILLENBRAND.#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE

 In boyhood, Louis Zamperini was an incorrigible delinquent. As a teenager, he channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics. But when World War II began, the athlete became an airman, embarking on a journey that led to a doomed flight on a May afternoon in 1943. When his Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean, against all odds, Zamperini survived, adrift on a foundering life raft. Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended onthe fraying wire of his will. Appearing in paperback for the first time—with twenty arresting new photos and an extensive Q&A with the author—Unbroken is an unforgettable testament to the resilience of the human mind, body, and spirit, brought vividly to life by author Laura Hillenbrand.

Paperback | Published by Random House Trade Paperbacks Jul 29, 2014 | 528 Pages | 5-1/2 x 8-1/4

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Twisters and Other Terrible Storms A NONFICTION COMPANION TO MAGIC TREE HOUSE #23: TWISTER ON TUESDAY (#6666) By MARY POPE OSBORNE Illustrated by WILL OSBORNE and SAL MURDOCCA

When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House #23: Twister on Tuesday, they had lots of questions. How do tornadoes form? What kinds of tools can help predict bad storms? Where did the biggest snowfall on record happen? How fast are hurricane winds?

Paperback | Published by Random House Books for Young Readers Feb 25, 2003 | 128 Pages | 5-3/16 x 7-5/8 | 7-10 years

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Make reading fun for students in grades 4 and up using Reading Tutor: Biographies! This 48-page book captures readers' enthusiasm with interesting, age-appropriate biographies and activities relating to biographies. The book includes activities that reinforce difficult comprehension skills and improve reading levels. It is great for use in the classroom and at home!

48 pages Grade 4-8+ / Ages 9-14+

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Tsunamis and Other Natural Disasters A NONFICTION COMPANION TO MAGIC TREE HOUSE #28: HIGH TIDE IN HAWAII (#6671) By MARY POPE OSBORNE and NATALIE POPE BOYCE Illustrated by SAL MURDOCCA.

The #1 bestselling chapter book series of all time celebrates 25 years with new covers and a new, easy-to-use numbering system!

When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House #28: High Tide in Hawaii, they had lots of questions. What causes tsunamis? Who studies earthquakes? How do volcanoes form? What should people do if an avalanche hits? 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.

Paperback |  Published by Random House Books for Young Readers Feb 27, 2007 | 128 Pages | 5-3/16 x 7-5/8 | 7-10 years |

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Join young Hawkings on his expedition following a dead pirate’s map to find treasure! In this comprehension guide students can dig up directions for making a spyglass telescope and an origami parrot, learn nautical vocabulary and how to cook sea tack, and even research and write their own book of famous pirates. Biographies of pirates like Blackbeard are included.

This guide includes questions and answers for each chapter, too.

Suggested for students in the 5th grade.

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Introduce students to this classic novel as they complete activities and lessons that will encourage them to explore social issues within the story, and make connections to current and historical events. To Kill a Mockingbird: An Instructional Guide for Literature supports instruction of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Harper Lee, and provides students with fun and challenging activities that make studying the material interesting. The rigorous, cross-curricular lessons 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. Written to support College and Career Readiness Standards, the activities and lessons work in conjunction with the text to teach students how to analyze and comprehend rich, complex literature. Grades 9-12 From Teacher Created Materials Learn More

Scout lives with her brother Jem and their widowed father Atticus, a lawyer in Alabama. Atticus is assigned to defend a black man named Tom Robinson, who has been accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white woman. The citizens of Maycomb are angry that he agrees to defend Tom. Jem and Scout are then subjected to the taunts of "nigger-lover" from other children. Atticus shows that the accusers, Mayella Ewell and her father, the town drunk Bob Ewell, are lying. Despite Tom's innocence, he is convicted. Jem's faith in justice is badly shaken as is Atticus' when a hopeless Tom is shot and killed while trying to escape from prison. Learn More

Titanic A NONFICTION COMPANION TO MAGIC TREE HOUSE #17: TONIGHT ON THE TITANIC ( #6891)By MARY POPE OSBORNE and WILL OSBORNE Illustrated by SAL MURDOCCA

Track the facts with Jack and Annie! When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House #17: Tonight on the Titanic, they had lots of questions. How many people were aboard the Titanic? Why weren’t there enough lifeboats for all the passengers? How did this “unsinkable” ship sink? What lessons can we learn from the tragedy? 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 Aug 27, 2002 | 144 Pages | 5-3/16 x 7-5/8 | 7-10 years

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Through the Looking-Glass By LEWIS CARROLL Introduction by Chris Riddell.

When Alice steps through the looking-glass, she enters a very strange world of chess pieces and nursery rhyme characters such as Humpty Dumpty, Tweedledum and Tweedledee and the angry Red Queen. Nothing is what it seems and, in fact, through the looking-glass, everything is distorted.

Paperback | Published by Puffin Books Mar 17, 2011 | 208 Pages | Middle Grade (10 and up)

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For the first time in the history of the Little House books, this new edition features Garth Williams’ interior art in vibrant, full color, as well as a beautifully redesigned cover. Fifteen-year-old Laura lives apart from her family for the first time, teaching school in a claim shanty twelve miles from home. She is very homesick, but keeps at it so that she can help pay for her sister Mary's tuition at the college for the blind. During school vacations Laura has fun with her singing lessons, going on sleigh rides, and best of all, helping Almanzo Wilder drive his new buggy. Friendship soon turns to love for Laura and Almanzo in the romantic conclusion of this Little House book. 304 pages. Ages 8-12. Learn More

Nearly 300 speeches offer provocative themes, historic parallels, and memorable quotations: Socrates, Julius Caesar, St. Francis, Martin Luther, Napoleon, Victor Hugo, Mohandas K. Gandhi, Winston Churchill, Fulton J. Sheen, Barbara Jordan, Malcolm X, Ronald Reagan, Nelson Mandela, Earl of Spencer, and many others. Includes 8 selections from the Common Core State Standards Initiative. Learn More

Dorothy thinks she is lost forever when a terrifying tornado crashes through Kansas and whisks her and her dog, Toto, far away to the magical land of Oz.

To get home Dorothy must follow the yellow brick road to Emerald City and find the wonderfully mysterious Wizard of Oz. Together with her companions the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion whom she meets on the way, Dorothy embarks on a strange and enchanting adventure.

With a charming introduction by award-winning Cornelia Funke,

The Wizard of Oz is one of the twenty wonderful classics being relaunched in Puffin Classics in March 2015.

Age Range: 10 and up

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The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame is a timeless classic that has captured young readers’ imaginations for more than a hundred years. From the beloved river to the Wild Wood, and from stolen sports cars to Toad Hall the novel follows the adventures and misadventures of Mole, Rat, Toad, and Badger. Since its publication in 1908, The Wind in the Willows has been praised as a classic tale of camaraderie, cunning, and the celebration of nature.

The Wind in the Willows Teacher Guide is equipped with all answers to the The Wind in the Willows Student Guide #8820 as well as all tests and quizzes. The Wind in the Willows Teacher Guide enables educators to guide students through the grammar, logic, and rhetoric stages towards the central proposition that gives the story ultimate meaning and expression.

Grade6- 8. 95 pages Learn More

Considered a masterpiece of contemporary fiction by many, this charming idyll about Toad, Rat, Mole, and Badger represents the best of British whimsical fantasy. Kenneth Grahame's creatures endearingly share friendship (and tea) alongside the River, as together they face the turmoil of modern life and the pleasures of Arcadia. 304 pages. Grades 4-6 Learn More