In France during World War I, four French children learn about honesty, loyalty, and courage from an English army deserter who tells them a series of stories related to his small, silver donkey charm.
The children rescue a blind donkey from the grumpy owner of a rundown scrapyard. The donkey becomes the star of the sanctuary when, because of his gentle nature, the local theatre company want him to be part of their production of Don Quixote. The donkey forms a special relationship with one of the actor's children, which leads to the sanctuary providing weekly riding facilities for children with special needs. * Peter Clover is the author of Puffin's best-selling 'Sheltie the Pony' books. * First story in a series of books featuring the donkeys of the sanctuary at Whistlewind Farm. * Short and lively stories for lovers of animal books. * Animal books are extremely popular at this age range. * Illustrated throughout in black and white.
Teacher Librarian Beth McGuire provides librarians and teachers with reproducible activities to encourage students to think about, discuss and provide a purpose for reading current star reviewed and award winning literature while practicing their comprehension strategies. Activities reinforce comprehension of the material and include an extension activity for going beyond the text, allowing the students to practice their higher level thinking skills. Librarians and teachers can make copies of the activities to directly incorporate into their lessons in the content areas. Titles included are organized by level and by curricular area. Usable for grades 6-8.
"Hartnett again captures the ineffable fragility of childhood in this keenly observed tale." — Publishers Weekly (starred review) Nine-year-old Adrian watches his world closely, but there is much he cannot understand. He does not, for instance, know why three neighborhood children might set out to buy ice cream one summer’s day and never be seen again...In a suburb that is no longer safe and innocent, in a broken family of self-absorbed souls, Sonya Hartnett sets the story of a lone little boy — unwanted, unloved, and intensely curious — a story as achingly beautiful as it is shattering. A Children’s Literature Choice List Title Two starred reviews (Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews)
"A complex, introspective novel with vivid characters. . . . Hauntingly beautiful." — School Library Journal Two loners in a country town find cause for hope when one of them encounters a long-lost animal in this taut, shimmering tale about daring to live a life beyond expectations.
Harper and her family live in a ramshackle house in the country. Her brother, Tin, lives below them, building tunnels. It is the Depression and each of them is coping in their own way. One year their lives are changed forever by the misguided actions of a well heeled neighbour.
This volume recommends some 500 positive, heart-warming stories for young readers—stories of the human spirit and what it can accomplish; stories of loving families surviving crises in positive ways; historical tales full of quick-witted people (especially girls); fairy tales with strong women; true stories of survival; and more. These gentle and uplifting reads span every genre—from science fiction and fantasy, to mysteries, realistic fiction, biographies, and nonfiction. They are Accelerated Reader titles, Reading Counts titles, and Junior Library Guild selections. Primarily intended for grades 5 to 9, this is a list of reading suggestions for the young adult who wants a great read but does not want to be offended. Grades 5-9.
As he is dying, a twenty-year-old man known as Gabriel recounts his troubled childhood and his strange relationship with a dangerous counterpart named Finnigan, realizing that only the most extreme measures will rid himself of Finnigan for good. Reprint.