A school assignment to look for an old penny opens up a world of adventure and living history for a group of students. Join them as they search for old pennies, hold them in their hands and wonder: Who held them when they were new? What was this country like? With each penny found, more history comes alive. The pennies lead back to the wave of immigration in the early 1900s, through the Influenza epidemic and The Great War, on to the Harlem Renaissance, the Depression and World War II. All this is seen through the eyes of young people the same age as the students. The powerful ending demonstrates how a simple penny can tie people together and carry a strong message of hope and the American spirit. The book includes discussion questions intended to stimulate thought-provoking conversation and creativity. The book is suited for the home, classroom, library or homeschool bookshelf. The book is also available in hardcover (ISBN 978-0-9795818-0-9)
“Some memories live in hearts and minds even though miles and years come between”—and for the author, she not only has memories to share, but a history to tell. Born and raised in the island of Saipan in Northern Marianas, Marie S. C. Castro (Miss Soledad) witnessed the transition of an idyllic community into a land of terror and poverty as the Japanese soldiers invaded her homeland. But rather than just tales of adversity in the hands of the Japanese invaders and the horrors of war, she showcases stories of bravery, faith, and hope as she, her people, and the American soldiers battle for survival, freedom, and restoration of not only their beloved community, but also of their own lives and future.
Found by a young boy and placed into his pocket for safekeeping, Penny feels useless compared to the exciting Superball, the shiny Marble, the adventuresome Rock, and the colorful Bubblegum. But as she reminisces about her life and history, she realizes her worth, and it is reinforced by the young boy's need for her in an important decision. Denise Brennan-Nelson's boundless energy and enthusiasm comes from her days as a motivational speaker. Since the publication of her first book, Buzzy the Bumblebee in 1999, Denise has taken that enthusiasm into schools and inspired thousands of children to "bee-lieve" in themselves. Her second title, My Momma Likes to Say, shares her interest in and knowledge of clichés, idioms, and funny expressions used by adults and often misunderstood by the children who hear them. Award-winning wildlife artist Michael Glenn Monroe is also known for his charming character illustrations in such titles as Buzzy the Bumblebee, A Wish to be a Christmas Tree (read aloud on the Today Show in 2002 by Katie Couric), and The Christmas Humbugs. He brings this lively brand of illustration to the adventures of Penny.
Boys' Life is the official youth magazine for the Boy Scouts of America. Published since 1911, it contains a proven mix of news, nature, sports, history, fiction, science, comics, and Scouting.
Heads, You Win, Tails, You Lose! Sixteen-year-old Ellen Willis has lived a life of constant misfortune and humiliating loss, and she is sick of it. Everything she tries to do is a complete disaster: she can never measure up to her beautiful and accomplished sister; boys avoid her like the plague; and her lifelong dream—the one thing she is actually good at—is taken from her by a horrific accident. She believes that God has cursed her life to be a sad comedy of errors and puts to him the challenge that if the power of fate were in her hands, she would be the one to do what he obviously isn’t: make all things right with the world. But Ellen gets more than she bargains for when she meets a mysterious woman named Tyche, who gives her a penny from the town’s wishing well, promising that her luck will change. Ellen doesn’t believe it at first, but when a series of miraculous fortune befalls her—seemingly at the hands of the penny—she is convinced that the power of fate is finally in her hands, and whatever divine favor God may have for her is no longer needed or wanted. Yet it is at this challenge that events take a drastic and frightening turn—again seemingly at the hands of the penny, when it is now severe bad luck that comes against Ellen with a terrifying vengeance that nearly costs her her life. Ellen has no idea what is happening, and in a desperate attempt to research the penny’s origin, she learns that she has reopened a centuries-old curse, one that only she can reverse, and the shocking true identity of Tyche. Spurred on by this new revelation, Ellen fights to defeat the penny’s evil, but before she can do so, it is stolen by vindictive teen heiress Linda Levenson, who also knows of the penny’s power and plots to use it against those innocent ones who have disrupted her plans for world domination, the result of which promise deadly consequences. Ellen must get the penny back and disarm it soon, for if she fails to do so “ere midnight the Witch’s Sabbath next,” the forces of darkness will prevail, and whatever evil the penny brought forth will remain forever.
CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS is an anthology that celebrates the spirit of Christmas through a diverse and magnificent collection of literature. This volume traverses the range of emotions and stories that encapsulate the holiday season, from the joyous to the reflective, presenting readers with a myriad of styles including poetry, short stories, and novels. The literary context of the collection taps into the traditional and the fantastical, featuring standout pieces that explore themes of redemption, love, and the magic of Christmas. The diversity within this compilation not only highlights the universal appeal of the holiday season but also showcases the significant literary contributions of its authors, making it a rich tapestry of Christmas sentiments. The authors and editors behind CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS come from varied backgrounds and periods, representing a wide spectrum of cultural and literary movements. From the pioneering narratives of Harriet Beecher Stowe and the enchanting tales of Hans Christian Andersen to the poignant poems of William Wordsworth and the transformative stories of Leo Tolstoy, this anthology brings together a remarkable group of contributors. Their collective works, each resonating with the themes of hope, family, and the human experience, contribute to a layered understanding of Christmas. This historical and cultural mosaic not only situates the anthology within significant literary traditions but also offers readers a unique insight into the ways Christmas has been celebrated, lamented, and reflected upon across different contexts and times. CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS is a must-have anthology for anyone who cherishes the holiday season and desires a deeper exploration of its meanings and manifestations. It invites readers to delve into a world where Christmas is not just a holiday, but a profound subject of artistic and emotional expression. This volume offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the works of some of literature's most beloved figures, all while experiencing the multifaceted perspectives on Christmas. Whether you're seeking the comfort of familiar holiday themes or the thrill of discovering new literary landscapes, CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS promises to enrich your holiday season with its breadth of insights and the dialogue it fosters between an impressive array of authors' works.
At the Back of the North Wind is a children's story about a good, sweet boy called Diamond who rides the North Wind as she travels her familiar routes. They do good and wreak havoc, though everything seems to work towards a happy end.
CLASSICS FOR CHRISTMAS: 180+ Novels, Christmas Tales, Poems & Carols in One Volume (Illustrated) offers an unparalleled aggregation of literary treasures, each radiating the warm spirit of Christmas in a myriad of textures. This anthology spans the vast landscape of classic literature, encompassing an array of genres from the poignant prose of Dickensian tales to the lyrical verses of Wordsworth, all unified under the festive banner of the holiday season. Such a compilation not only showcases the scholarly depth of the editors but also shines a light on the individual gemsstories, and poems that have shaped the cultural legacy of Christmas, making it a time of reflection, joy, and profound storytelling. The diverse cadre of authors presented in this volumeranging from novelists like Tolstoy and Dostoevsky to poets like Emily Dickinson and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and not forgetting the visionary storytellers such as Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersenbrings together a rich tableau of cultural and historical contexts. This anthology embodies a unique cross-section of literary movements, from Romanticism to Realism, each contributing to the multifaceted celebration of Christmas in literature. It is a tribute to their collective genius, offering a cohesive narrative that transcends geographical and temporal boundaries to underscore the universal themes of love, generosity, and renewal inherent to the holiday season. This volume is an essential addition to the libraries of those who cherish the literary soul of the holiday season. Beyond its value as a comprehensive anthology of Christmas classics, it serves as a gateway to the varied emotional landscapes created by some of literatures most celebrated authors. Readers are invited to dive into this cornucopia of festive tales, poems, and carolsto be delighted by the familiar, challenged by the profound, and ultimately enriched by the breadth of perspectives and stylistic approaches. CLASSICS FOR CHRISTMAS offers not just stories to be read but experiences to be lived and shared, making it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to rediscover the depth and complexity of the holiday spirit through the lens of classic literature.
