Eleven-year-old Tilly saved lives in Thailand by warning people that a tsunami was coming. Fifteen-year-old Malika fought against segregation in her Alabama town. Ten-year-old Jean-Dominic won a battle against pesticides—and the cancer they caused in his body. Six-year-old Ryan raised $800,000 to drill water wells in Africa. And twelve-year-old Haruka invented a new environmentally friendly way to scoop dog poop. With the right role models, any child can be a hero. Thirty true stories profile kids who used their heads, their hearts, their courage, and sometimes their stubbornness to help others and do extraordinary things. As young readers meet these boys and girls from around the world, they may wonder, “What kind of hero lives inside of me?”

From the author of the highly acclaimed, New York Times bestselling novel Pax comes a gorgeous and moving middle grade novel that is an ode to introverts, dreamers, and misfits everywhere. Ware can’t wait to spend summer “off in his own world”—dreaming of knights in the Middle Ages and generally being left alone. But then his parents sign him up for dreaded Rec camp, where he must endure Meaningful Social Interaction and whatever activities so-called “normal” kids do. On his first day Ware meets Jolene, a tough, secretive girl planting a garden in the rubble of an abandoned church next to the camp. Soon he starts skipping Rec, creating a castle-like space of his own in the church lot. Jolene scoffs, calling him a dreamer—he doesn’t live in the “real world” like she does. As different as Ware and Jolene are, though, they have one thing in common: for them, the lot is a refuge. But when their sanctuary is threatened, Ware looks to the knights’ Code of Chivalry: Thou shalt do battle against unfairness wherever faced with it. Thou shalt be always the champion of the Right and Good—and vows to save the lot. But what does a hero look like in real life? And what can two misfit kids do?

Does your child know how to use a check book? Boil an egg? Do the laundry? Read a map? Homeschooler Christine Field helps parents systematically teach kids - from preschool to the teen years - what they need to know to thrive as adults.

Have you ever wondered about kids living in far-off places? What their lives are like? If they play the same games? If the schools they go to are like yours? In this book, the first in the REAL WORLD KIDS series, you will meet Thomas, a young boy who lives on a small farm in Australia. Each REAL WORLD KIDS book features the real-life story of a child from somewhere in the world. The main story tells an engaging and interactive "day-in-the-life-of" that child. At the end of each story you'll discover more fun, easy-to-understand facts about the country the child is from, including their native animals, languages, foods and activities. Then, continue the conversation about what you've learned by answering the discussion questions with your friends and family.

Have you ever wondered about kids living in far-off places? What their lives are like? If they play the same games? If the schools they go to are like yours? In this book, the first in the REAL WORLD KIDS series, you will meet Thomas, a young boy who lives on a small farm in Australia. Each REAL WORLD KIDS book features the real-life story of a child from somewhere in the world. The main story tells an engaging and interactive “day-in-the-life-of” that child. At the end of each story you’ll discover more fun, easy-to-understand facts about the country the child is from, including their native animals, languages, foods and activities. Then, continue the conversation about what you’ve learned by answering the discussion questions with your friends and family.

Marcelo Sandoval, a 17-year-old boy on the high-functioning end of the autistic spectrum, faces new challenges, including romance and injustice, when he goes to work for his father in the mailroom of a corporate law firm.

Charles J. Sykes offers fifty life lessons not included in the self-esteem-laden, reality-light curriculum of most schools. Here are truths about what kids will encounter in the world post-schooling, and ideas for how parents can reclaim lost ground---not with pep talks and touchy-feely negotiations, but with honesty and respect. Sykes's rules are frank, funny, and tough minded, including: #1 Life is not fair. Get used to it. #7 If you think your teacher is tough, wait until you get a boss. He doesn't have tenure, so he tends to be a bit edgier. When you screw up, he's not going to ask you how you FEEL about it. #15 Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping. They called it "opportunity." #42 Change the oil. #43 Don't let the success of others depress you. #48 Tell yourself the story of your life. Have a point. Each rule is explored with wise, pithy examples that parents, grandparents, and teachers can use to help children help themselves succeed---in school and out of it. A few rules kids won't learn in school: #9 Your school may have done away with winners and losers. Life hasn't. #14 Looking like a slut does not empower you. #29 Learn to deal with hypocrisy. #32 Television is not real life. #38 Look people in the eye when you meet them. #47 You are not perfect, and you don't have to be. #50 Enjoy this while you can.

Real-world writing happens when there is a reason to write. Help students explore real-world purposes for writing with activities that demonstrate thoughtful and effective writing strategies. The real-world topics are designed to fit seamlessly into any writing program and include letters, journal entries, product opinions, advertisements, directions, interviews, and more! Units are designed to fit into a weekly lesson plan and include: - A teacher overview page that describes the purpose of the format and how to introduce it - A writing sample to model each skill - A graphic organizer to organize and plan prewriting - Two writing tasks with a response pages to practice each format - An extension activity that prompts students to relate the writing to their own lives Each unit includes four unique and scaffolded writing assignments for beginning writers and more experienced writers. The 24 writing units within each book focus on six common writing purposes: - Self-expression - Information - Evaluation - Inquiry - Analysis - Persuasion Two assessment rubrics for formal and informal writing are included to help students remember effective writing strategies. Some writing topics for grades 3-4 include: - Awkward email - Thank-you note - Infographic - Biography - Peer review - Product review - Interview - Summary - Investigation - Powerful pitch - Billboard Answers will vary

Real children need real experiences with real people to grow up healthy - just as they have since mankind began. This book explores the 10 essential building blocks that help children build resilience and authentic self-esteem in our chaotic, modern world. It's a commonsense, holistic approach that encourages connectedness, character and compassion. We can't change the world, however we can change the choices we make for our children.

Inspiring true stories of kids from around the world of kids who have overcome obstacles to create success for themselves. The third installment in the Real Kids, Real Stories collection again travels the world with inspirational short stories of young people who overcame adversity and persevered in the face of extreme challenges. Soosan Firooz broke barriers to become Afghanistan’s first female rapper and speaks out about the oppression and hardships women in her country must overcome. David Omondi in Kenya built his own radio station despite a lack of resources. And Kevin Breel speaks out about his own depression to help save lives. The thirty short stories in Real Kids, Real Stories, Real Challenges will inspire readers to believe in themselves, strive for success, overcome obstacles, and create change in the world—even when faced with a challenge. Note: Several stories in this book address intense and serious situations, which some readers may find unsettling.