Steel. The promise of security-- the ability to provide for a family. The close sense of community of a neighborhood tied by Steel. Yet Steel in the end delivered misery, sickness and the degradation of that community. Kraff serves up memories of her childhood in Calumet City, Illinois, on the southeast side of Chicago.

On a warm summer night, a young girl and her daddy catch fireflies, put them in a jar to admire for a brief time, and then release them back into the moonlight. Includes facts about fireflies.

When you are standing in a place of darkness, the prospect of stepping boldly into the glaring light may be too much to bear. When you are feeling fragile, lonely, and overwhelmed, it is difficult to let change into your life. Sometimes all you need is a gentle spark that can sink into your subconscious and take root. It can coax you, nudge you, and slowly and gently guide you back to wholeness. A Jar Full of Fireflies is the gentle spark you have been searching for. There are no painful probing questions or confronting demands. Instead, it offers a library of wisdom, gathered from personal stories of life, love, and loss that will resonate in your heart and provide healing for your soul. Author Sharon Spence provides words of divine guidance, heavenly blessings, and sacred rituals, along with elements of inspiration and empowerment designed to help you find the light within and let it shine once more. This guide and collection presents a series of reflections, blessings, rituals, and personal stories designed to bring healing and enlightenment to anyone.

Two children catch fireflies on a summer night, putting them one by one into a jar until all ten are caught, and then they let them out to watch all ten fly away.

Jar of Fireflies is a riotous collection of short poems and writings that mine comedy in all aspects of life. Drawing inspiration from Shel Silverstein and Bo Burnham, author Karl Roskamp ponders why amnesia "only happens before (he) take tests" and if procrastination is bad if it means "(papers) take 60 seconds to finish." From there, readers encounter the racy proposition of "Loving Beaches" and meet characters like Figurative Florence and Literal Lawrence. Jar of Fireflies is grounded in relatable humor, blending satire and self-consciousness to bring out the funny side in every day topics from the last day of high school to gridlock traffic. These poems will make readers laugh, think, and possibly shed a tear. Roskamp's poems cover a wide range of material, but his sharp wit and personable sensibilities will keep your attention from start to finish.

This is the first comprehensive firefly guide for eastern and central North America ever published. It is written for all those who want to know more about the amazing world of lightning bugs and learn the secrets hidden in the flash patterns of the 75+ species found in the eastern and central U.S. and Canada. As an independent researcher working with numerous university teams, naturalist Lynn Frierson Faust, “The Lightning Bug Lady,” has spent decades tracking the behavior and researching the habitats of these fascinating creatures. Based on her twenty-five years of field work, this book is intended to increase understanding and appreciation of bioluminescent insects while igniting enthusiasm in a fun and informative way. Species accounts are coupled with historical background and literary epigraphs to engage and draw readers young and old into the world of these tiny sparklers. A chart documenting the flash patterns of the various species will aid in identification. Clear photos illustrate the insects’ distinguishing physical characteristics, while habitats, seasonality, and common names are provided in clear, easy-to-understand yet scientifically accurate language. The guide will be welcomed by everyone who wants to learn more about fireflies' and glow-worms' unique traits and about their fragile niche in the ecosystem. FEATURES Over 600 color photographsDetailed accounts and anatomical diagrams of 75+ species, as well as aids in distinguishing between similar speciesA first-of-its-kind flash-pattern chart that folds out on heavy-weight paper • Extensive scientific details written in an understandable and engaging wayColorful, common names—Twilight Bush Baby, Shadow Ghosts, and Snappy Syncs, and more—for easy species identification based on flash patternsTips on ideal sites and times of year for firefly watchingConservation-oriented approach

A gentle story and warm pictures capture the joyous freedom of a summer night.

Sam the Owl and Gus the Firefly literally light up the sky in this classic Beginner Book edited by Dr. Seuss. In Sam and the Firefly, P. D. Eastman (author of Are You My Mother? and Go, Dog. Go!) introduces us to the dynamic duo of Sam and Gus, who soar through the air writing words in the night sky. But when Gus’s words end up causing confusion and chaos for the people on the ground, it’s up to Sam to help Gus “write” his wrongs. Beginner Books are fun, funny, and easy to read! Launched by Dr. Seuss in 1957 with the publication of The Cat in the Hat, this beloved early reader series motivates children to read on their own by using simple words with illustrations that give clues to their meaning. Featuring a combination of kid appeal, supportive vocabulary, and bright, cheerful art, Beginner Books will encourage a love of reading in children ages 3–7. ★ "...provides interest, suspense and word repetition. Illustrations excellent. Recommended." —School Library Journal, starred review

It’s time for a family reunion! when tricia’s aunts, uncles, and cousins arrive at her house for an annual family reunion, the fun really begins. And this year, gramma has promised to teach the children something wonderful—how to catch “lightning” in a jar. with so many people and so much love, this family reunion will certainly prove to be the most memorable one yet. inspired by her own family, patricia polacco beautifully depicts an endearing family reunion that will surely have readers—young and old— yearning to spend quality time with their family.

An informative, entertaining, and beautifully illustrated look at the beloved firefly For centuries, the beauty of fireflies has evoked wonder and delight. Yet for most of us, fireflies remain shrouded in mystery: How do fireflies make their light? What are they saying with their flashing? And what do fireflies look for in a mate? In Silent Sparks, noted biologist and firefly expert Sara Lewis dives into the fascinating world of fireflies and reveals the most up-to-date discoveries about these beloved insects. From the meadows of New England and the hills of the Great Smoky Mountains, to the rivers of Japan and mangrove forests of Malaysia, this beautifully illustrated and accessible book uncovers the remarkable, dramatic stories of birth, courtship, romance, sex, deceit, poison, and death among fireflies. The nearly two thousand species of fireflies worldwide have evolved in different ways—and while most mate through the aerial language of blinking lights, not all do. Lewis introduces us to fireflies that don't light up at all, relying on wind-borne perfumes to find mates, and we encounter glow-worm fireflies, whose plump, wingless females never fly. We go behind the scenes to meet inquisitive scientists who have dedicated their lives to understanding fireflies, and we learn about various modern threats including light pollution and habitat destruction. In the last section of the book, Lewis provides a field guide for North American fireflies, enabling us to identify them in our own backyards and neighborhoods. This concise, handy guide includes distinguishing features, habits, and range maps for the most commonly encountered fireflies, as well as a gear list. A passionate exploration of one of the world's most charismatic and admired insects, Silent Sparks will inspire us to reconnect with the natural world.