Belle Teal

Newbery Honor author Ann M. Martin's gripping, widely acclaimed novel of a girl confronting the perils of friendship and the conflicts of community.Belle Teal's life isn't easy, but she gets by. She lives with her mother and grandmother far out in the country. They don't have much money, but Belle Teal feels rich with their love. As school begins, Belle Teal faces unexpected challenges. Her best friends are up against some big problems. And there are two new students in Belle Teal's class: a shy boy caught in the town's furor over desegregation, and a snob who has problems of her own. As her world falls apart, Belle Teal discovers the importance of sticking together.

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts. Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him--and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth. With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more. “As surprising as it is delicious.”—BCCB, starred review “Fun with a twist of supernatural and Southern charm.” —VOYA “The romance, coming-of-age aspects, and a well-drawn heroine with a crackling wit will lure in readers.” —Booklist

Belle Teal

How do you teach children to value peace and appreciate diversity? One way is to provide them with books with themes that promote these ideas. The Parent / Teacher Guide to Children's Books on Peace and Tolerance offers readers a wide variety of award-winning titles along with annotations and grade level recommendations. The book is divided into the following sections: Preschool - grade three Grades 4 - 6 Middle school, and High school. Each section has over 100 listings. Topics include civil rights, the Holocaust, slavery, Native Americans, bullying, war, child abuse, bigotry, cooperation, acceptance, apartheid, family relationships, Arab/Israeli conflict, controlling anger, the Civil War, the Vietnam War, WWII, gays and lesbians, and other social issues. Many of these books are the recipients of the following awards and honors: Newbery Award, School Library Journal (starred review), Caldecott Award, Boston Globe Horn Book Award, American Library Association Notable Book, Jane Addams Children's Book Award, American Bookseller - Pick of the List, Kirkus Reviews (starred review), Publishers Weekly (starred review), Booklist (starred review), Coretta Scott King Award, VOYA Top Picks, National Book Award, and the Michael L. Printz Award. This guide is an excellent resource for parents who would like their children to become peace-loving, accepting adults. Teachers who are looking for books to supplement their curriculum will find the suggested titles to be among the best written works in the designated areas. For example, one would be hard pressed to find a better written book on the Holocaust for middle and high school students than I Have Lived One Thousand Years. The author has done a great service by providing parents and teachers with a list of books that cannot be found anywhere else.

An estimated 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease. That number continues to grow - by 2050 the number of individuals with Alzheimer's could range from 11.3 million to 16 million. Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging. It is a devastating disorder of the brain's nerve cells that impairs memory, thinking, and behavior. Written for patients, their families, and caregivers, A Caregiver's Guide to Alzheimer's Disease: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier will help readers understand what is physically happening to the brain so they can empower their own special skills and talents throughout the disease process. The book is divided into three sections that correspond to the progression of Alzheimer's and the unique challenges encountered at each stage. Section A: The major part of the book divides the progression of the disease into Stages: the Pre-Clinical Stage; Early-To-Mild Stage, which marks the onset of the disease; Moderate Stage; and the Severe Stage. Hundreds of practical tips geared to coping and compensating at each level of the disease provide support for the affected individual and the caregiver. Section B: A bonus section of questions and answers addresses specific issues caregivers face and give them points to reflect on as they continue the process. Key topics covered include: Legal and financial issues Family Forums in the caregiving process The role of medication at various stages of the disease Helping children understand what is happening to a loved one Handling the holidays and celebrations Making the living environment more stimulating and enjoyable Section C: Lists resources and suggests websites to find additional information about the disease itself as well as related valuable networks. With an abundance of pointers and guidelines for affected individuals, their families, friends and caregivers, A Caregiver's Guide to Alzheimer's Disease: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier is essential for all readers who want to focus on the capabilities that remain instead of those that have been lost.

Presents over thirty sample lessons for use in third through sixth grade classrooms that employ spelling investigations, word study notebooks, reading logs, and writers' notebooks to help students understand and use new words in their reading and writing.

When Ann M. Martin was asked to write the first four Baby-sitters Club books in 1985, she had no way of knowing she was about to change the face of children's publishing.

Upon publication, Anita Silvey’s comprehensive survey of contemporary children’s literature, Children’s Books and Their Creators, garnered unanimous praise from librarians, educators, and specialists interested in the world of writing for children. Now The Essential Guide to Children’s Books and Their Creators assembles the best of that volume in one handy, affordable reference, geared specifically to parents, educators, and students. This new volume introduces readers to the wealth of children’s literature by focusing on the essentials — the best books for children, the ones that inform, impress, and, most important, excite young readers. Updated to include newcomers such as J. K. Rowling and Lemony Snicket and to cover the very latest on publishing and educational trends, this edition features more than 475 entries on the best-loved children’s authors and illustrators, numerous essays on social and historical issues, thirty personal glimpses into craft by well-known writers, illustrators, and critics, and invaluable reading lists by category. The Essential Guide to Children’s Books and Their Creators summarizes the canon of contemporary children’s literature, in a practical guide essential for anyone choosing a book for or working with children.