Tell your story and connect with the college of your dreams for admission and financial aid "If everyone wrote essays like this, admissions officers would have to take every student's essay seriously." --Steve LeMenager, founder of Edvice Princeton and former director of admission at Princeton University "With patience, contagious confidence, and plenty of real-life examples, Carol illuminates a process that can help anyone discover and articulate those stories that will help them stand out in their own way, and in their own words." --Shelley Krause, college counselor, Rutgers Preparatory School, and curator of the College Lists Wiki "Because the college essay offers applicants their lone opportunity to demonstrate what truly matters to them, and to share the qualities that make them unique, the stakes could not be any higher. With meticulous detail, Barash delivers a foolproof plan for helping college applicants strike essay gold." --Chad Troutwine, cofounder and CEO of Veritas Prep To write out loud is to write and speak in a way that makes people pay attention. Write Out Loud teaches the Story To College program--with its proven storytelling-based approach, the Moments Method. This program has helped more than 8,000 students from high schools in the United States and around the world create effective, authentic application essays to win admission and financial aid at their top college choices. Write Out Loud enables anyone to masterfully integrate past experiences and future ambitions into successful application essays and interviews. The guided exercises help college essay writers get past the stress and confusion of writing about themselves. Write Out Loud reveals how to find unique topics for compelling essays, shows how to make the transition from a spoken story to a written essay, and provides examples of successful essays. The book also walks students through the Common Application, the online college application form used by more than 500 colleges and universities in the US and abroad. Inside, students will find: The 12 tools of the Moments Method Specific guidance for completing the Common Application Charts and checklists to organize essays and supplements Insight from admissions officers on what characterizes a successful college application essay With Write Out Loud, students build confidence to show their best selves in writing and to gain admission into the college or university they desire.

In 2004, blind writer Beth Finke reluctantly agrees to teach a memoir-writing class to older adults in downtown Chicago. Over the next decade, she comes to love her students and the community that forms around her courses. Filled with humor, poignancy, and stories in the students' own voices, this book will move and inspire readers of any age.

Explains how to dictate correspondence, reports, speeches, and more, with tips on handling editing and diction.

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Anna Quindlen, hailed by the New York Times as “America’s resident sane person,” offers a collection of “engaging, fresh, [and] funny” (Chicago Tribune) essays about growing up, becoming a parent, spirituality, and more. “The lightning bugs are back. They are small right now, babies really, flying low to the ground as the lawn dissolves from green to black in the dusk. There are constellations of them outside the window; on, off, on, off. At first the little boy cannot see them; then, suddenly, he does. ‘Mommy, it’s magic,’ he say. “This is why I had children; because of the lightning bugs.” The voice is Anna Quindlen’s. But we know the hopes, dreams, fears, and wonder expressed in all her nonfiction, for most of us share them. Quindlen first vaulted to national attention with her “Life in the 30s” columns for The New York Times, and this wonderful collection of her early work shows why this Pulitzer Prize–winning author remains in the spotlight.

When Jordyn Michaelson's autistic brother joins her at her elite school, she's determined not to let anyone know they're related. Even if that means closing herself off to all her closest friends, including charming football stud Alex Colby. But despite her best intentions, she just can't shake the memory of kissing Alex last summer, and the desire to do it again. Can Jordyn find the courage to tell Alex how she really feels—and the truth about her family—before he slips away forever?

From the former editor-in-chief of Real Simple, enjoy this hilarious and deeply insightful take on the indignities of middle age and how to weather them with grace: "A pure pleasure to read" (Cathi Hanauer, author of Gone). ​ Do you hate the term “middle age?” So does Kristin van Ogtrop, who is still trying to come up with a less annoying way to describe those years when you find yourself both satisfied and outraged, confident and confused, full of appreciation but occasional disdain for the world around you. Like an intimate chat with your best friend, this mostly funny, sometimes sad, always affirming volume from longtime magazine journalist van Ogtrop is a celebration of that period of life when mild humiliations are significantly outweighed by a self-actualized triumph of the spirit. Finally! Featuring stories from her own life, as well as anecdotes from her unwitting friends and family, van Ogtrop encourages you to laugh at the small irritations of midlife: neglectful children, stealth insomnia, forks that try to kill you, t.v. remotes that won’t find Netflix, abdominal muscles that can’t seem to get the job done. But also to acknowledge the things you may have lost: innocence, unbridled optimism, smooth skin. Dear friends. Parents. It’s all here: the sublime and the ridiculous, living together in the pages of this book as they do in your heart, like a big messy family, in this no-better-term-for-it middle age.

Ed Sheeran is at the very top of the pop-music world. Whether he is creating and releasing his own amazing albums, or writing hits for many major artists - Justin Bieber, the Weeknd, Taylor Swift and One Direction, to name just a few - it is clear that Ed Sheeran is an exceptionally talented musician. Ed Sheeran: Writing Out Loud is a must-have book for the legion of fans of the beatboxing guitarist from Halifax. Caroline Sullivan, an experienced music journalist who has interviewed the biggest popstars in the world, goes behind the scenes to discover the stories behind the creation of Ed Sheeran's award-winning music. As well as analysis of his ground-breaking albums, there is an in-depth reflection on Ed Sheeran's life and where he has drawn his talent and inspiration. With a fan base covering all generations and nationalities, Ed Sheeran is far more than just another popstar. He is a true global songwriting talent - one whose career is not stopping any time soon. Ed Sheeran: Writing Out Loud gives his fans a refreshing new insight into what has driven him to his great success.

"Scribble, the book's main character, never thought he was different until he met his first drawing. Then, after being left out because he didn't look like everyone else, Scribble teaches the drawings how to accept each other for who they are which enables them to create amazing art together!"--Provided by publisher.

Committed to embracing the power of oral language, Literacy Out Loud recognizes the important role "talk" plays in developing the reading and writing abilities that students need in school and beyond. The book offers strategies where oral language takes centre stage and is fostered through engaging activities. Literacy activities and events focus on all aspects of listening and speaking, and emphasize enjoyable, purposeful, social learning. The book argues that listening and speaking, or "talk," is at the heart of a vibrant classroom. It shows teachers how to nurture dynamic classroom talk that is essential in its own right, and makes all learning possible.

One night, when Ethan reaches under his bed for a toy truck, he finds this note instead: "Monsters! Meet here for final test." Ethan is sure his parents are trying to trick him into staying under the covers, until he sees five colorful sets of eyes blinking at him from beneath the bed. Soon, a colorful parade of quirky, squeaky little monsters compete to become Ethan's monster. But only the little green monster, Gabe, has the perfect blend of stomach-rumbling and snorting needed to get Ethan into bed and keep him there so he falls asleep—which as everyone knows, is the real reason for monsters under beds. With its perfect balance of giggles and shivers, this silly-spooky prequel to the award-winning I Need My Monster and Hey, That's MY Monster! will keep young readers entertained.