Trained sociologist and photographer Marrigje de Maar (born 1944) seeks out those magical households in which families have come together for generations--where life has "worn itself into" a house. Over the course of five trips to China, she photographed housing in Chinese communes that had been scheduled for demolition, finding within them a surprising diversity of types and uses of classical living spaces.

After Alma passed away in 1996, we all (her eight children) wanted a copy of her poems. So we took the hand written poems and typed them one by one, then we photocopied them and put them in a binder for all in the family to see. In 2009 we felt we wanted something that would stand the test of time, so we decided we would publish them in a book. We divided them into categories, took up some money and added illustrations. That took forever but here we are! Alma's first poem was written in 1938 about her family. Then in 1941 she began writing them to her soon to be husband, Gerald Lester Reasor, while he was stationed in Columbia, South Carolina. There are some poems about love, poems written to help her children in English class, and some silly poems about nothing in particular, but most of the poems are about people she knew and loved. She wrote a lot in the early morning hours waiting for her children to return home on Friday and Saturday nights. She also wrote some religious poems for Vacation Bible School. She was very active in the church. In 1990, Gerald, the love of her life passed away. The last poems that Alma wrote were about him.

"2010, New York City. Thomas Cunningam, a lively and troubled sixteen years old boy, after being kicked out of the school because of a fight with a classmate, is forced to attend one of the most prestigious boarding school of the whole world: Collegio Montevcatini-Montebello-Italy. Apparently, the first night, everything seems going great. everything seems so different from what he thought. he feels attracted by the atmosphere of the place, he loves that majestic piece of hystory and he likes his new, easy-going and nice friends. but he doesn't know anything about her... "The Fresher" is inspired by one of the most terrifying and frightening legend of whole Europe: Azzurrina's legend. While travelling through the thousand mysteries of Montebello, the reader is gonna be embraced by a captivating and dark atmosphere."

In this eloquent plea for compassion and respect for all species, journalist and gardener Nancy Lawson describes why and how to welcome wildlife to our backyards. Through engaging anecdotes and inspired advice, profiles of home gardeners throughout the country, and interviews with scientists and horticulturalists, Lawson applies the broader lessons of ecology to our own outdoor spaces. Detailed chapters address planting for wildlife by choosing native species; providing habitats that shelter baby animals, as well as birds, bees, and butterflies; creating safe zones in the garden; cohabiting with creatures often regarded as pests; letting nature be your garden designer; and encouraging natural processes and evolution in the garden. The Humane Gardener fills a unique niche in describing simple principles for both attracting wildlife and peacefully resolving conflicts with all the creatures that share our world.

Noted Australian author Susan Hawthorne creates a desert odyssey as she interweaves the emotional and physical journeys of her central characters. In doing so she has written a powerful exploration of myth and place, survival and self. Through Stella's experience and struggles of epilepsy, Susan Hawthorne also offers a rare and extraordinary insight into the mystery of a condition all but ignored by modern literature. Set in a living, chameleon landscape, "The Falling Woman" is laced with startling allegory and imagery intertwining the worlds the science and spirituality, creating a psychological narrative of power and originality.

Background information and notes on preparation for the teacher with each assembly. Ideas for differentiated follow-up activities and discussion after the assembly. Photocopiable prayers and reading for use by the children.

Elize DeVries was hired by The Strathmann Academy of Music in the summer of her fifteenth year. Joseph Strathmann sends talent scouts throughout the United States to find extremely talented young musicians. They look for the youngsters whose neighbors say, "That kid plays better than any famous person I ever heard." Each summer twelve to sixteen young talents are invited to spend the summer at Herr Strathmann's estate "Riverwind" in upper New York County. Special instructors assist the youngsters hone their talent. Elize was hired to be a counselor for the students- involve them in tea each afternoon and a social time in the evening. She was also Girl Friday for Herr Strathmann. The summer of 1903 proved to be a special time for sixteen students and Elize as they lived at Riverwind and discovered more than their musical abilities.