Book clubs are sprouting up all over, and so are book club guides—but not all book club guides are equal. Many focus on a specific type of book club, or they take a generic approach of one size fits all; and most do not take into account the special needs of librarians and educators working with young readers. This guide has it all, and it will help you ensure that your book club meetings are both fun and educational. Focusing on children in grades 3-8 (and their families), the book offers 100 ready-made book club instructions for popular children's and YA titles—from newer releases, such as Theresa Nelson's Ruby Electric and Blue Balliett's Chasing Vermeer to perennial favorites and award-winning classics, such as Johanna Hurwitz's Much Ado about Aldo and Gary Soto's Baseball in April and Other Stories. Along with thought-provoking discussion questions, you'll find all the background information you need to conduct lively book discussions with a variety of readers-plot summary, themes and characters description, genre, reading level, author and award information, related reads, and more. The guide describes four types of family-oriented book clubs—family, mother/daughter, father/son, and readers' rap—as well as a book club for kids only. The author provides practical instructions for making each type of book club successful. For each title, she provides a plot summary, characterization sketches, questions to use for provocative discussion, and follow-up bibliographies on similar reads. Notes on genres, themes, and reading levels are also provided. The selected titles reflect some of the best, most current, and most popular children's literature. In addition, a broad scope of genres and multicultural titles are included. Perfect for public library programs and after school book clubs, this is a one-stop resource, with practical, ready-made plans that can easily be adapted to multiple environments. Grades 3-8.

Owing to a school project, eight-year-old Aldo decides to give up eating meat.

To do what no other magazine does: Deliver simple, delicious food, plus expert health and lifestyle information, that's exclusively vegetarian but wrapped in a fresh, stylish mainstream package that's inviting to all. Because while vegetarians are a great, vital, passionate niche, their healthy way of eating and the earth-friendly values it inspires appeals to an increasingly large group of Americans. VT's goal: To embrace both.

Get young readers hooked on some of the best titles in juvenile literature, ranging from humor to mystery to fantasy, with unusual and effective methods like games. Getting students to want to read is one of the greatest challenges facing middle school teachers and librarians. Determining which are the "right books" that can spark a child's mental awakening is also difficult. This book from prolific author Nancy Polette furnishes interesting and fun games to pique students' interest in junior novels that are worth reading—carefully selected titles that will contribute to their educational and emotional growth. Gateway to Reading: 250+ Author Games and Booktalks to Motivate Middle Readers is a powerful tool for luring middle-school students away from the distractions of 21st-century media and introducing them to junior or 'tween novels that they won't be able to put down. By presenting children with a challenge to engage their minds—racing to decode book titles, or using their creativity to come up with titles of their own, for example—students are naturally drawn towards reading these books from well-known children's authors.

Explains the tools, schooling, and work of librarians.

Rory and Derek were best friends but with Bolivia visiting next door would their friendship last?.

Ideas, resources, and a list of childrens' books that can be used to implement guided reading.

Expanding literature beyond the covers of a single book into every facet of the curriculum, from reading/language arts to math, social studies, music, physical education, and science and health, this volume is truly a celebration of reading. Thirty-five high-quality books, selected on the basis of interest level and application to the needs of reluctant readers, are presented with critical thinking questions, activities, and a host of other energizing ideas for the reading program, from making wind socks and tree diaries to raising tadpoles and brine shrimp. Guidelines for motivating students and encouraging active participation introduce the concepts and methodology of this exciting approach. Demonstrating the power and beauty of literature, it stimulates the perception of reading not only as a requisite part of every course and every subject, but as a natural and normal part of every student's life. Grades 2-5.

What Is Smart? There's evidence of so much more than "reading, writing, and 'rithmetic" in every child -- at least seven distinct intelligences, according to the theory of multiple intelligences, developed by Harvard's Dr. Howard Gardner. In Seven Times Smarter, veteran educator Laurel Schmidt offers a parent-friendly explanation of this theory and of the ways that kids are -- simply put -- word smart, picture smart, music smart, body smart, logic smart, people smart, and self-smart. These intelligences aren't fixed at birth. They can be nurtured and strengthened, meaning that in the right environment, kids get smarter. Seven Times Smarter, an invaluable resource for parents, teachers, and caregivers, provides the perfect way to create this environment. Unlike other craft or activity books that just fill time and keep kids busy, Seven Times Smarter prompts kids aged six to fourteen to work their brains and cultivate new skills using recycled or low-cost materials found in every home -- and enjoy it! It offers an exploration of what it means to be smart, checklists to recognize the seven intelligences in your child, book lists to develop and celebrate all the ways your child is smart, and fifty creative, constructive activities that are good for kids playing alone or in a group, supervised or independently, including: * Memory Tours -- If a memory book is too straightforward for your artistic child, try an un-book, a memory box, or a calendar. * Hanging Gardens -- Indoors or out, even the smallest garden plot can yield a bumper crop of mathematical, linguistic, scientific, and kinesthetic skills. * The Boredom Brigade -- Boredom is a springboard for imagination; imaginary structures, identities, occupations, and friends are just some of the ways kids develop their inter- and intra-personal intelligences. * Junk Yard Genius -- There's an education in junk; in fact, it's easy to turn your broken radio, alarm clock, fan, blow-dryer, or scale into a project that could fascinate kids for days.

Missing objects cause Derek, Rory, and Bolivia to accuse each other of lying and stealing. It isn't until the three friends become snowed-in that they come to understand what trust and friendship are all about.