Writer Response

Summary: Two friends try to outdo each other through a series of small competitions.

Summary: This book introduces readers to animals that may be found in cities. Students will read about unusual city animals, such as hawks and opossums and animals with which they are more familiar, such as dogs and squirrels.

Summary: This book introduces readers to animals that may be found in the country, including the eating habits and activities of these animals.

Summary: A girl and her mom show the ingredients and sequence needed to make a yummy pizza.

Summary: This book takes the reader through the sights and sounds of a coming thunderstorm.

Summary: This book introduces readers to various types of weather that occur during each season. The text discusses typical activities and clothing for each type of weather.

Summary: Josh is not happy about the prospect of wearing glasses. Josh's eye doctor explains that wearing glasses helps people perform their jobs and helps children do better in school.

Summary: Two crows decide to rest for the night in the cornfield. Readers learn about cause-and-effect relationships from the crows' reactions when the scarecrow begins to move.

Summary: This book describes how each link in an example food chain is consumed by the link that follows it.

Summary: This classic folktale us retold with rich description--featuring the big, bad wolf huffing and puffing to blow down the straw house, the stick house, and the brick house.

Summary: This book describes the life cycle of a plant, from a seed falling on the ground to the production of roots and leaves, and finally to the production of a new seed.

Summary: This book gives the reader an up-close look at the eyes of some familiar animals. Readers are encouraged to guess what kind of animal has the type of eyes presented before turning the page to find out.

Summary: On the first day at his new school, Gordon knows he is supposed to go to music class, but he can't remember how to get there. However, Gordon asks for directions and then follows them.

Summary: a young boy named Adam asks his great-grandma what it was like when she was his age. Many things were different for her, but one thing was the same: they were both lucky enough to be well loved.

Summary: Maria is asked to join a baseball team. She accepts the invitation and is excited about being a part of the team. However, at school her friend Amos gives her an invitation to his birthday part for the same day as Maria's baseball game. She must decide what to do.

Summary: This book is about some of the fascinating animals in our world and includes interesting facts about each animal.

Summary: This book is a delightful retelling of a Native American folktale. Readers will enjoy reading about how the mice won the war against the men.

Summary: A police officer has many different jobs. Readers learn about what it takes to become a police officer, what police officers wear, how they get around, and how they help people.

Summary: A group of farm animals notice that their friends appear smaller and smaller as they go to a barn far away. Cow, who believes that each animal has disappeared, is the last to go to the barn. When she gets to the barn, she discovers something unexpected.

Summary: When Wing visits Singapore, his Uncle Lee takes him fishing on Bedok Jetty. It is Wing's first time fishing and he is not sure he will enjoy himself. As his uncle encourages him to keep trying, Wing learns that fishing can be fun after all.

Summary: This book introduces readers to different kinds of birds, from familiar owls to exotic emus.

Summary: This book provides readers with information about animals that hibernate and how they stay alive during the winter months.

Summary: Harry the Hippo lives in the jungle and has a horrible toothache. His animal friends try to help him and decide that they should pull out his tooth. One by one, they try unsuccessfully to extract Harry's tooth. Finally, the tooth is pulled out as part of a surprise ending.

Summary: Glooskap, the leader of his people, seeks a way to end the perilous winter that has gripped the land. He finds that a giant named Winter has caused the cold weather. Glooskap travels far to the south and finds a woman named Summer who can defeat the giant and bring warmth to the land.

Summary: Many things go wrong during Mike's day, both at home and at school. Every time something bad happens, someone helps him out. Mike discovers that it makes him feel good when others help him, so he learns to be helpful to others.

Summary: In this book, readers learn about the types and functions of bones in humans and other animals.

Summary: In this book, readers learn about many kinds of animals that live in the ocean, including what these animals look like, what they like to eat, and other interesting facts.

Summary: This book recounts a period in American history when segregation laws denied African-American people equal rights. The story is told from the point of view of a fictitious character, Marissa, who witnesses the bravery Rosa Parks displayed when she refused to give up her seat on the bus.

Summary: The animals are afraid the moon is disappearing, and they're very worried. They think their fears have come true until they get a lesson about the moon and its phases from wise old Owl.

Summary: This book introduces readers to some of the most unique and fascinating animals on our planet.

Summary: Two donkeys are tired of working and want an easier life. They meet a wise man who turns the donkeys into zebras by painting them. The idea catches on, but some of the donkeys run out of patience and pay the price.

Summary: People have been asking, "What time is it?" for thousands of years. Knowing the time helps us be where we are supposed to be, whether it’s at school, at a piano lesson, or at soccer practice. This informational book looks at clocks that were used to tell time long ago, as well as clocks used today.

Summary: When the salmon begin their long and tiring journey upstream to lay their eggs, one salmon's special ability helps save the fish from a hungry bear. As a result, the salmon are able to return home to spawn.

Summary: This book explains how geese migrate from cold climates to warmer ones in the fall. Many amazing facts about geese and how they help each other on the long journey of migration are included.

Summary: This book provides an informative look at unusual plants around the world including photographs of these strange plants and descriptions of their unusual qualities.

Summary: This retelling of the classic fairy tale offers a unique opportunity of showing how a change in the portrayal of the characters can give the story a different view.

Summary: This book introduces readers to different types of insects. It then gives the details of two different types of life cycles and describes the separate stages: egg, larva, pupa, nymph, and adult.

Summary: This book introduces readers to facts pertaining to Earth, including how the planet supports life, why seasons occur, and how day becomes night. Physical attributes are defined, such as continents, equator, latitude, longitude, and axis tilt.

Summary: Many different types of shoes are found around the world, including babouches from Morocco, klompen from Holland, and sandals from Africa.Each section of this book is dedicated to a different kind of shoe.

Summary: This book intoduces readers to the ways people—and even a gorilla—communicate with their hands. Students learn about the history of sign language and about famous people who have used sign language.

Summary: This book teaches readers number sense while exploring the concept of large numbers. Many concrete and engaging examples are provided that students can relate to, as well as help them understand just how one could make a million, a billion, and a trillion!

Summary: There’s nothing like cold, tasty lemonade on a hot day! And this book will tell you exactly how to make it, all by yourself!

Summary: Marcus is a little boy who loves playing video games. One day, he gets so wrapped up in his game that he forgets to feed his dog, Patches. When he finally gets around to feeding her, he realizes that he has forgotten to latch the gate and Patches has escaped.

Summary: This book is about a young boy’s search for answers. He wonders where the sun comes from each morning and where it goes each night. A wise woman helps him find the answers to his questions.

Summary: This classic folktale is retold with rich description—featuring the big, bad wolf huffing and puffing to blow down the straw house, stick house, and brick house.

Summary: Coral reefs are massive undersea communities where one quarter of all plants and animals in the ocean make their homes. Readers are invited to explore the diverse but fragile world of the coral reef.

Summary: Elephants are the largest land animals. This book discusses information about their bodies, their diet, and their families. Photographs of Asian and African elephants include captions that feature additional interesting facts.

Summary: This book provides instructions on how to prepare and cook rice, as well as information about the importance of rice in China.

Summary: Sammy likes to collect stuff. By the time he is an adult, he has so much stuff that he has to find places to store it. Realizing that his stuff does not make him happy, Sammy gives it all away.

Summary: One day, a mysterious wind comes to grant Taba a wish. Taba uses this wish to help improve the lives of the people in her village. Her unselfishness inspires the mystery wind to continue to grant her more wishes.

Summary: Chronicling events from birth until an historic election, this book educates readers on how life experiences shaped the decisions and career path of Barack Obama, the forty-fourth president of the United States.

Summary: Bats are fascinating, but often misunderstood, creatures of the night. This book dispels myths and sheds light on the true nature of bats.

Summary: At age 32 Sally Ride was not only the first American woman in space, she was also the youngest astronaut in NASA's history--male or female. This book highlights her accomplishments and describes her training.

Summary: This retelling of the The Three Little Pigs is told from the wolf's point of view. Readers will sympathize with the homeless, freezing wolf as he suffers a cold and can't stop sneezing.

Summary: Troika, a dog, got his name after saving his master’s life on three separate occasions. Despite losing a leg protecting his master from a grizzly bear, Troika becomes the lead dog in their dogsled team.

Summary: Readers are introduced to seven different groups of dog breeds. Special features of various dogs are highlighted, and photos show the range of size, shape, and hair quality.

Summary: Coyote falls in love with a star and tries many ways to get the star’s attention. In the end, he gets her to notice him, but his foolish ways bring tragic results.

Summary: This book describes many aspects of desert life, from diet and shelter to daily routines, traditions, and customs.

Summary: Landon remembers last Halloween, when he really messed up his pumpkin while trying to carve a jack-o’-lantern. This Halloween, he works with his dad on a plan to plant, grow, and harvest his own pumpkins using the three R’s—reduce, reuse, and recycle—in the process.

Summary: Ms. Rose’s fifth grade class is a fun place to learn, but make sure you do your homework! Putting it off can get you in real trouble. The pile grows and grows. Ms. Rose turns into a monster, and life gets strange.

Summary: Coral reefs are massive undersea communities where one quarter of all plants and animals in the ocean make their homes. Readers are invited to explore the diverse but fragile world of the coral reef.

Summary: Sarah works through the emotions of her upcoming birthday. Frustrated that she isn’t quite a teenager yet, like her sister, she finds herself trying to explain to her family that turning eleven is not what she wants at all.

Summary: This book describes the physical appearances, eating habits, and attack capabilities of sharks. The author points out that although sharks generally are thought of as dangerous killers, only a small percentage actually are.

Summary: Mark buys apple cider from Mia because her sidewalk business is slow. Mia decides to donate her favorite sweater to someone who might need it. On the way the donation center, Mia and her mom rescue a lost kitten and take it to the shelter. What do they all have in common? They all practice SPRAK. What is SPRAK?

Summary: Two cousins challenge each other to bake the best sweet potato pie. They are surprised to find out that they both are very good cooks.

Summary: The cold, wild land of Alaska is sometimes called “The Last Frontier.” From the exciting history of gold miners to the bright future of the state’s oil fields, Alaska is a unique part of the United States.

Summary: This informational book that is sure to make the reader’s mouth water. Interesting facts about the history of chocolate, where and how cacao trees are grown, and the steps taken to make chocolate into candy are included.

Summary: Pat finds himself dancing with fairies after he accidentally takes the infamous Murdoch's Path. Fortunately, Pat minds his manners, and as a result he is richly rewarded.

Summary: Han Van Meegeren goes to school to become an architect but quits to study art. He becomes frustrated early on because critics say he has no talent. To get back at them, he decides to take on a famous painter’s style and forge his paintings.

Summary: A group of student leaders work together to generate and implement new ideas and programs for their community. The Kids Company Leaders enters a national contest to win $3,000 to fund a project of their choice.

Summary: In this excerpt from the much-loved children’s novel, Alice finally catches up with the White Rabbit, who sends her to his house on an errand. Unfortunately, once she’s there, Alice can’t help taking a sip of another mysterious potion, and she grows until she fills the house.

Summary: Chronicling events from birth until an historic election, this book educates readers on how life experiences shaped the decisions and career path of Barack Obama, the forty-fourth president of the United States.

Summary: In this retelling of this classic tale, readers learn how Robin Hood came to steal from the wealthy and give back to the poor.

Summary: Often thought of as comical, penguins are actually very intelligent and fascinating animals. This book provides a great deal of interesting information about the types of penguins, their breeding and feeding habits, and the biggest threat to their existence.

Summary: All the water in the world comes from an enormous bowl on the moon. The woman who tips over the bowl to provide water for people on Earth sometimes forgets to do her job. A brave woodchopper named Tom is sent to the moon to remedy the situation.

Summary: A magician tricks Aladdin, the son of a poor tailor, into getting a magic lamp from a hidden cavern. Aladdin is able to use the magic lamp to get treasures for his family and marry the Sultan’s daughter.

Summary: This story recounts a child’s summer vacation at the shore with Gram. The child learns about ocean tides, building sand castles, and conquering ants in a bed.

Summary: This story recounts a child’s summer vacation at the shore with Gram. The child learns the importance of bats, how to dig and cook clams, and to say good-bye to a very special summer.

Summary: Onhgarouk leaves home to learn how to become a better man. Believing that the animals lead carefree lives, Onhgarouk wishes to become one. When he is granted his wish by the caribou, Onhgarouk gradually learns the lessons he sought.

Summary: From gigantic apes to alien spacecrafts, special effects help to create images on screen that make scenes more believable and entertain audiences of all ages. Types of special effects are discussed in relation to their evolution in the movie industry.

Summary: This book gives readers a close look at microbes--including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. The book provides examples of how microbes are both helpful and harmful. It explains how they are spread and how bad microbes are fought using vaccines and antibiotics.

Summary: This book is written as a mystery to teach the reader about a condition called XP, Xeroderma Pigmentosum. The author leads the main characters, as well as readers, to wonder if their new neighbors could be vampires or werewolves, since no one sees them in the daylight.

Summary: This book describes various ships used by pirates during the Golden Age of piracy. The types of ships used in different regions of the world, along with the advantages of each in the practice of looting, are explained.

Summary: In this tale about Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men, the Sheriff of Nottingham sets out to trick and capture the famous thief. Knowing that Robin Hood is the best archer in the kingdom, the Sheriff arranges an archery contest. Little does he know that Robin Hood is wise to his plan and is about to trick the Sheriff at his own game.

Summary: What do humans have in common with snakes, elephants, and whales? A skeleton! The numbers of bones may vary, but the purpose is the same--to support and protect all of the organs inside the body.

Summary: The world's tallest mountain, Mount Everest, has always provided a challenge for climbers. The climb to the top is dangerous, with steep cliffs, deep crevasses, limited oxygen near the top, and moving slabs of ice and snow. The book covers the history of the world's tallest mountain, from early attempts at its summit to modern climbers.

Summary: In the retelling of this classic tale, readers learn how Robin Hood came to steal from the wealthy and give back to the poor. Readers are also given insight into how John Little met, challenged, and later joined Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men.

Summary: This book explains why, how, and by whom the Egyptian pyramids were built. It also explains how bodies were prepared for burial inside the pyramids and the importance of studying the pyramids as a way of learning about ancient Egyptians and their culture.

Summary: While on a field trip to the Anasazi ruins in Colorado, Stanley DeCapers is determined to solve the mystery of the vanishing Anasazi. With a friend's help, he manages to slip away from the group and strike out on his own to search for clues.

Summary: At school while learning about the Gold Rush in Arizona in the late 1800s, something very odd happens to a boy named Billy. Suddenly, he finds himself, his friend, and his teacher searching for gold in the Superstition Mountains. Their adventure ends abruptly when Billy realizes he has been daydreaming. Or has he?

Summary: A young man and his parents vacation in Greece. He meets Dimitri, an old friend of his father's, who shows him some of the famous local landmarks. Most importantly, Dimitri teaches Brady how to appreciate the details and beauty that surround him. Brady leaves Greece a different person.

Summary: In the 1830s, Robert Anderson of Scotland invented the first electric carriage. Through the years, many improvements and inventions by others led to the popularity of electric cars in the beginning of the twentieth century. Is it possible for the electric car to be a thing of the past and the car of the future?

Summary: In this book, readers learn the difference between a hurricane, a typhoon, and a severe tropical cyclone. The book also explains how hurricanes are formed, where they come from, and where they occur most often in the world.

Summary: Imagine riding in a car at a speed of 200 miles per hour! This is the speed at which NASCAR drivers move. Their incredible custom-built cars are part of a major class of competitive events that has evolved over time. Readers will learn about these specialized vehicles and racing techniques that lead to NASCAR championships.

Summary: This book focuses on the structure and function of Earth's protective atmosphere. The text explains the ozone layer and the possible causes and consequences of global warming. The book also explores what effects these issues have on our planet, what scientists and world leaders are doing to protect our environment, and what individuals can do to protect our sky.

Summary: In addition to clothing and hairstyles, people have many ways of adorning their bodies. Body art has been practiced since the beginning of time. Readers will learn about some of the ways people around the world create body art.

Summary: This book documents the history of rock 'n' roll, highlighting performers such as Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and Ritchie Valens. The book also focuses on the course of technological changes and their influence on the growth in popularity of rock music.

Summary: Frustrated by his continual failures at bat playing baseball, Miguel escapes to the attic, where he magically becomes a character in the book The Knights of the Round Table. He learns that success and adoration are not everything, and that being truthful with oneself and others is one of the best life skills to acquire.

Summary: Eagle Feather, an old Native American warrior, tells his grandson Sagastao the stories of their people, the Algonquins of eastern Canada. Through the words of Eagle Feather, readers will learn about the history of the tribe, its trials and glories through the ages, and the effects of the "white man's" arrival on native peoples in North America.

Summary: This book recounts the history of voluntary and involuntary immigration to the United States from the early 1600s to the present. The book explains why people immigrated and how they came to the United States.

Summary: Many prehistoric animals other than dinosaurs were giants. There were other giant reptiles, as well as giant species of shellfish, insects, centipedes, fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals. Now extinct, these enormous animals were forces to be reckoned with.

Summary: In this tale about Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men, the Sheriff of Nottingham sets out to trick and capture the famous thief. Knowing that Robin Hood is the best archer in the kingdom, the Sheriff arranges an archery contest. Little does he know that Robin Hood is wise to his plan and is about to trick the Sheriff at his own game.

Summary: This book introduces readers to the types of boats that explorers built and used when discovering new lands. Ships and conquests of Polynesian, Viking, European, and Chinese explorers are explained.

Summary: In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson asked his private secretary Meriwether Lewis to lead an expedition to find the Northwest Passage. This book examines the reasons for the expedition, the preparations Lewis and his friend William Clark made for the trip, and the early part of the expedition.

Summary: Many scientists believe that Earth's climate is changing back to a warmer pattern, and they call the change "global warming." This book informs readers of the evidence for climate change, discusses possible causes for the changes, and touches on possible results of climate change.

Summary: In this selection from the classic novel by Daniel Defoe, English sailor Robinson Crusoe finds himself washed up on a deserted island. He struggles to get enough supplies from the ship before the sea destroys it and to make himself a home as he awaits rescue.

Summary: In this book, readers learn about Albert Einstein, including his accomplishments and theories that changed the way people think about the universe. Information about Einstein's hobbies, struggles, and opinions allows readers to gain insight into the personal side of his character.

Summary: This book informs readers about the major sources of energy consumed in the world today: fossil fuels, hydroelectric energy, solar and wind energy, and nuclear power. Discussions of the pros and cons of each source are included, allowing readers to form their own opinion about the use of each type of energy.

Summary: Tom and his parents visit the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904. His mother wants him to learn a lot while he is there, but he is only interested in The Apache Village, where he can have his picture taken with the infamous Chief Geronimo. Little does his mother know that when Tom leaves the exhibit, he has learned much more than expected.

Summary: This book describes how different kinds of volcanoes are formed and how they behave. Readers learn about ancient myths that were fueled by fear of volcanoes. The book gives details about some of the more famous volcanoes, including Mount Vesuvius, Mount St. Helens, Mauna Loa, and Mount Fuji.