Reading & Literature

Joel Goss knows that Little Bub is a special colt, even though he's a runt. And when schoolteacher Justin Morgan asks Joel to break the colt in, Joel is thrilled! Soon word about Little Bub has spread throughout the entire Northeast -- this spirited colt can pull heavier loads than a pair of oxen. And run faster than thoroughbreds! 176 Pages Ages 8-12 Learn More

A ruler said to be the model of goodness over evil and a formidable comrade in the ever present struggle between right and wrong, the figure of King Arthur of England prevails at the heart of the Arthurian legends. The myths surrounding his reign have been recounted in endless tales. This collection includes thirteen of the best loved legends of the man and his Knights of the Round Table. Bewitching stories, related by one of the world's greatest storytellers, tell of how the young Arthur pulled a sword from a stone to become king; his meeting with the Lady of the Lake and acquisition of the mighty sword Excalibur; gatherings at the Round Table; the death of Merlin; how the mysterious sorceress Morgan Le Fay attempted to kill Arthur; the quest for the Holy Grail; the romance of Lancelot and Guenevere, Arthur's wife; the passing of King Arthur, and more. A Dover Publication. Softcover. 170+ pages.

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ABOUT KING ARTHUR AND HIS KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE

They’re Puffin Classics for a reason, it’s because they’re the best.

Step up to the Round Table and join the knights of the Realm! King Arthur is one of the greatest legends of all time. From the magical moment when Arthur releases the sword in the stone to the quest for the Holy Grail and the final tragedy of the Last Battle, Roger Lancelyn Green brings the enchanting world of King Arthur stunningly to life. One of the greatest legends of all time, with an inspiring introduction by David Almond, award-winning author of Clay, Skellig, Kit’s Wilderness and The Fire-Eaters.

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The King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table Teacher Guide contains teaching guidelines, a map of Arthurian England, information about the author and illustrator, a family tree of King Arthur and his knights, and answers that correspond with the questions found in the King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table Student Guide. The teacher guide also contains quizzes, tests, and the answer key.

116 pages

 grades 5-7

See also Student Guide #8804

#3092 King Arthur...by Roger Lancelyn Green Learn More

This condensed version includes a ten chapter arrangement with vocabulary words and the context in which they are used, multiple choice questions and tests. Answers are included. Reading level grade 5, interest level through adult. Learn More

He was named "Sham" for the sun, this golden red stallion born in the Sultan of Morocco's stone stables. Upon his heel was a small white spot, the symbol of speed. But on his chest was the symbol of misfortune. Although he was as swift as the desert winds, Sham's proud pedigree would be scorned all his life by cruel owners. Sham and his friend, the stable boy Agba’s adventures take them from the Sahara to the royal courts of France and, finally, to the green pastures and stately homes of England. For Sham was the Godolphin Arabian, whose blood flows through the veins of almost every Thoroughbred. Learn More

Knights and Castles A NONFICTION COMPANION TO MAGIC TREE HOUSE #2: THE KNIGHT AT DAWN By MARY POPE OSBORNE Illustrated by WILL OSBORNE and SAL MURDOCCA

Getting the facts behind the fiction has never looked better. Track the facts with Jack and Annie!! When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House #2: The Knight at Dawn (#6626), they had lots of questions. How were castles built? What was it like to live inside a castle? How did boys train to become knights? Did horses really wear armor? 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 01, 2000 | 128 Pages | 5-3/16 x 7-5/8 | 7-10 years

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Leonardo da Vinci A NONFICTION COMPANION TO MAGIC TREE HOUSE MERLIN MISSION #10: MONDAY WITH A MAD GENIUS (#6681) By MARY POPE OSBORNE and NATALIE POPE BOYCE Illustrated by SAL MURDOCCA.

When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House Merlin Mission #10: Monday with a Mad Genius, they had lots of questions. Why was Leonardo da Vinci interested in flight? What are some of his most famous painting? Did he really keep noteboooks just like Jack? What do scientists today think of his ideas? 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 Jan 13, 2009 | 128 Pages | 5-3/16 x 7-5/8 | 7-10 years

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Leprechauns and Irish Folklore A NONFICTION COMPANION TO MAGIC TREE HOUSE MERLIN MISSION #15: LEPRECHAUN IN LATE WINTER (#6686) 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 #15: Leprechaun in Late Winter, they had lots of questions. What are leprechauns? How do we know many of the old Irish stories? How do fairies spend their time? Who speaks the Irish language? 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 Jan 12, 2010 | 128 Pages | 5-3/16 x 7-5/8 | 7-10 years

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A monumental classic and one of the most widely read novels in history, Les Misérables portrays the epic struggle between good and evil in the soul of one man: Jean Valjean. In a world brutalized by poverty and ignorance, the ex-convict struggles to renew his life and reaffirm his humanity. But he is haunted, both by his seemingly inescapable past and the malignant shadow of the infamous police detective Javert.

Rich in detail, packed with adventure, and filled with the sweep of human passions, Les Misérables is more than a literary masterpiece — it remains a powerful social document. Dedicated to the poor, the oppressed, and the misunderstood, this captivating novel captures the impossible societal layers — and the essence of life — as it truly existed in nineteenth-century France.

This fine edition features the renowned original translation and a sensitive abridgment.

Reprint of the Pagnerre, Paris, 1862 edition.

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The classic novel--and hit Broadway show--about escaped convict Jean Valjean has been adapted with easy-to-read text, large type, and short chapters. This engaging adaptation of the timeless tale is ideal for reluctant readers and kids not yet ready to tackle the original. Gr. 1-4. 112 pages. Learn More

Pi Patel is an unusual boy. The son of a zookeeper, he has an encyclopedic knowledge of animal behavior, a fervent love of stories, and practices not only his native Hinduism, but also Christianity and Islam. When Pi is sixteen, his family emigrates from India to North America aboard a Japanese cargo ship, along with their zoo animals bound for new homes. The ship sinks. Pi finds himself alone in a lifeboat, his only companions a hyena, an orangutan, a wounded zebra, and Richard Parker, a 450-pound Bengal tiger. Soon the tiger has dispatched all but Pi, whose fear, knowledge, and cunning allow him to coexist with Richard Parker for 227 days lost at sea. When they finally reach the coast of Mexico, Richard Parker flees to the jungle, never to be seen again. The Japanese authorities who interrogate Pi refuse to believe his story and press him to tell them "the truth." After hours of coercion, Pi tells a second story, a story much less fantastical, much more conventional -- but is it more true? Learn More

A Caldecott Honor Award Winner

By Else Holmelund Minarik, Illustrated by Maurice Sendak

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The book that started it all! Little House in the Big Woods is the first book in Laura Ingalls Wilder's treasured Little House series, which was based on her life growing up as an American pioneer. This edition features Garth Williams' interior art in vibrant full color. Told from four-year-old Laura's point of view, this story begins in 1871 in a little log cabin on the edge of the Big Woods of Wisconsin. Laura lives in the little house with her Pa, her Ma, her sisters Mary and Carrie, and their trusty dog, Jack. Pioneer life is sometimes hard for the family, since they must grow or catch all their own food as they get ready for the cold winter. But it is also exciting as Laura and her family celebrate Christmas with homemade toys and treats, do the spring planting, bring in the harvest, and make their first trip into town. And every night they are safe and warm in their little house, with the happy sound of Pa's fiddle sending Laura and her sisters off to sleep. And so begins Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved story of a pioneer girl and her family. The nine Little House books have been cherished by generations of readers as both a unique glimpse into America's frontier history and a heartwarming, unforgettable story. Ages 8-12. 256 pages. Learn More

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder remains an all-time American classic about life on the frontier. The first book in the beloved Little House series begins in 1871 in a log cabin on the edge of the Big Woods of Wisconsin. Four year old Laura, her Pa, her Ma, her sisters Mary and Carrie, and their dog, Jack all live happily together in the little house. Life as a pioneer is not always easy, especially when preparing for the long Wisconsin winter. But there is also joy and fun as Laura and her family celebrate Christmas, plant crops every spring, harvest in the autumn, and make trips into town. This heartwarming story will introduce students to America’s frontier history through the eyes of a young girl growing up in the safe, warm, and love-filled little house. Our Little House in the Big Woods Student Guide trains students to become active readers by providing in-depth word studies that help students build vocabulary as well as comprehension questions to teach students to identify important concepts and compose clear, concise answers to questions.

The Little House in the Big Woods Student Guide consists of lessons for the 13 chapters of Little House in the Big Woods, each containing spelling words, vocabulary work, comprehension questions, and questions for discussion. The answers can be found in the Little House in the Big Woods Teacher Guide (sold separately.#1337)

Recommended for grade 2

64 pages Learn More

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder remains an all-time American classic about life on the frontier. The first book in the beloved Little House series begins in 1871 in a log cabin on the edge of the Big Woods of Wisconsin. Four year old Laura, her Pa, her Ma, her sisters Mary and Carrie, and their dog, Jack all live happily together in the little house. Life as a pioneer is not always easy, especially when preparing for the long Wisconsin winter. But there is also joy and fun as Laura and her family celebrate Christmas, plant crops every spring, harvest in the autumn, and make trips into town. This heartwarming story will introduce students to America’s frontier history through the eyes of a young girl growing up in the safe, warm, and love-filled little house. Our Teacher Guide contains answers to the Little House in the Big Woods Student Guide.

The Little House in the Big Woods Teacher Guide features teaching guidelines, notes on reading activities, a model lesson plan, lessons for the 13 chapters of Little House in the Big Woods including answers to the Student Guide, optional honors activities, and an appendix of enrichment activities and assessments.

Recommended for grade 2.

64 pages

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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 beautifully redesigned covers. The adventures continue for Laura Ingalls and her family as they leave their little house in the Big Woods of Wisconsin and set out for Kansas. They travel for many days in their covered wagon until they find the best spot to build their little house on the prairie. Soon they are planting and plowing, hunting wild ducks and turkeys, and gathering grass for their cows. Sometimes pioneer life is hard, but Laura and her folks are always busy and happy in their new little house. 352 pages. Ages 8-12. Learn More

Little Lord Fauntleroy By FRANCES HODGSON BURNETT Introduction by John Boyne.

The story of a small, angelic boy from New York who is told he is the heir to an English earldom and is whisked away to the English countryside where he begins to win over his bad-tempered old grandfather. When the boy’s identity is challenged, his old friends from New York come to his rescue

Paperback | Published by Puffin Books Mar 17, 2011 | 256 Pages | Middle Grade (10 and up)

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Jo March, the tomboy heroine of Little Women, has grown up! She returns in this beloved sequel as a young woman with a family of her own. Jo and her husband, Professor Bhaer, open their hearts (and their home) to educate and care for a handful of rowdy yet well-meaning youngsters. Plumfield, the school where the boys learn "how to help themselves and be useful men," has a spirited student body that includes — in addition to the Bhaers' two sons — Nat, an orphaned street musician, cold and frightened when he first appears at the Bhaers' door; business-minded Tommy; Dan, a "wild boy" eventually tamed by love and kindness; and other endearing little mischief-makers.

Outside the classroom, the boys rush headlong from one prank to another — from playing matador with the family cow to nearly setting the school afire with a smoldering cigar stub. But in the end, they prove to have a positive effect on the lives of the entire Bhaer family. With tales ranging from tearful to cheerful, this heartwarming unabridged classic promises young readers an exciting and fun-filled visit to nineteenth-century America.

Grade level 3 - 8+ (ages 8 - 14+)

Page Count 304

Dimensions 5 x 8

Reprint of a standard edition.

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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. The little settlement that weathered the long, hard winter of 1880-81 is now a growing town. Laura is growing up, and she goes to her first evening social. Mary is at last able to go to a college for the blind. Best of all, Almanzo Wilder asks permission to walk home from church with Laura. And Laura, now fifteen years old, receives her certificate to teach school.320 pages. Ages 8-12. Learn More

This classic story tells of four sisters—Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy—growing up while their father is taking part in the War Between the States. This thorough comprehension guide includes questions and answers for each chapter, projects based on each character, vocabulary studies, and delicious recipes. This guide is recommended for readers in the 6th grade. 85 pages Learn More

William Golding's compelling story about a group of very ordinary small boys marooned on a coral island has become a modern classic. At first it seems as though it is all going to be great fun; but the fun before long becomes furious and life on the island turns into a nightmare of panic and death. As ordinary standards of behavior collapse, the whole world the boys know collapses with them—the world of cricket and homework and adventure stories—and another world is revealed beneath, primitive and terrible. Labeled a parable, an allegory, a myth, a morality tale, a parody, a political treatise, even a vision of the apocalypse, Lord of the Flies has established itself as a true classic. 208 pages. Learn More

Challenge students with engaging activities and lessons as they undertake a rich and deep exploration of this classic young adult fiction novel. Written by William Golding, the winner of the 1983 Nobel Prize in Literature, this world-renowned literary work will captivate students as they examine its powerful themes of conflict, civilization, survival, and savagery. This resource is packed with tools 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. These rigorous, cross-curricular lessons and activities work in conjunction with the text to teach students how to comprehend complex literature and help them understand the story's significance. Strengthen your students' critical literacy skills. Grades 9-12 From Teacher Created Materials See also #1874. Learn More

Generations of young readers have taken the characters of Little Women to their hearts, and this collection of paper dolls offers a delightful continuation of the tradition. Six dolls depict the March sisters — Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy — plus their mother, Marmee, and their neighbor, Theodore "Laurie" Lawrence. The dolls' wardrobes not only reflect their unique personalities but also the styles of 1860s New England. Outfits include everyday dresses and formal wear as well as nightgowns, coats, and hats. A full-color background scene appears on the inside covers. Dover Original. Learn More