When Marty Belucci chooses to write to Napoleon for a class project, his grandfather tells him how to get the letter delivered. His classmates are stunned when Marty receives a surprising reply.

Marty receives a surprising reply when he writes a letter describing his spirited but sick grandfather to Napoleon Bonaparte.

Marty receives a surprising reply when he writes a letter describing his spirited but sick grandfather to Napoleon Bonaparte.

In 1851, 12-year-old orphan Austin Ives joins a wagon train headed for California. As he makes his way across the country, Austin writes home to his brother Levi, describing life on the rugged Overland Trail. Extensively researched, with episodes based on true incidents, "the epistolary format and character development offer solid reading."--Booklist An IRA Teachers' Choice

Suggests activities to be used in the classroom to accompany the reading of Dear Napoleon, I know you're dead, but ...

To Knit or Not to Knit is a unique Dear Abby/mini-knitting essay collection, offering humorous tales of triumph and terror on the needles, with a witty nod to the famous and infamous throughout history. As Mrs. Wicks happily quotes everyone from William Shakespeare to Beatrix Potter, she adds her own wit and wisdom to answer a variety of questions on knitting ranging from, Is there a quick fix for dropped stitches? to My boyfriend says my passion for knitting is stronger than my passion for him—what should I do? A number of Mrs. Wicks’ own patterns are sprinkled throughout, along with her sound advice for stitches dropped and love gone wrong. Ever the optimist, she advises her readers to pick up their needles, dust off their hearts, and cast on without looking back. Knitter and non-knitters alike will enjoy this literary look at life lessons offered through a wooly lens, from Pablo Narudo’s poem “Ode to My Socks” (hand knit of course), to Ogden Nash’s witty words on the frustration of being married to a knitter, To Knit or Not to Knit is a quirky, enjoyable read, making it the perfect gift for the passionate knitter and thoughtful reader alike.

"One day this child shall hold the very heart of our family in the palm of her hand," predicts Granny on the day Darcy Heart O'Hara is born in a cottage on Derry Lane, in the town of Pobble O'Keefe, in County Kerry, Ireland. Darcy grows up to be a noticer, delighting in the small beauties all around her: a dew-covered spider web, castles in the clouds, a shiny wooden rosary bead. Life is simple but sweet in Pobble O'Keefe, with her family gathered round the hearth in the evenings while Granddad's voice fills the small room with stories. But in 1845, a blight strikes the land, the potatoes turn rotten, and Darcy and her family must leave Ireland forever. How will Darcy ever find a way to to bring the small beauties of home across the sea to America? Elvira Woodruff's story of emigration, heartbreak, and hope is vividly illustrated with the warm, evocative oil paintings of Adam Rex.

Award-winning author Elvira Woodruff has written a harrowing novel about an eleven-year-old orphan boy on a stormy sea -- and the charming daredevil who befriends him in England in 1695.When a storm brings down his father's boat, Digory Beale is forced to leave home to discover his fate. For if Digory has been orphaned, he can never go home again. On his journey, Digory becomes the apprentice to Henry Winstanly, whose life's obsession is to save sailors' lives. Digory must face his fears of the sea to help Henry bring candles to the lighthouse he's built on a killer reef. But who could have known the force of a monster storm heading their way? In this poignant page-turner, Digory comes to understand the many facets of courage -- and what it means to be a true hero.

The O'Mally sisters' bubble bath has some scary moments when they realize their bubbles contain chickens, frogs, and a mean, hungry alligator.

Ten-year-old Andy's life changes after a strange encounter with an ancient mummy during a class trip to the museum.