Special Collections
Scholastic Guided Reading Level R
Description: Guided reading is an instructional approach that involves a teacher working with a small group of students who demonstrate similar reading behaviors and can read similar levels of texts. #Teachers
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When Marian Sang
by Pam Muñoz RyanAn introduction to the life of Marian Anderson, extraordinary singer and the first African American to perform with the Metropolitan Opera, whose life and career encouraged social change.
Winner of the Sibert Honor
Pocahontas and the Strangers
by Clyde Robert BullaA fictionalized account of the life of Pocahontas woven about the few facts known from historical records.
Rachel Carson
by Kathleen V. KudlinskiRachel Carson was always fascinated by the ocean. As a child, she dreamed of it and longed to see it. As a young woman, she felt torn between her love for nature and her desire to pursue a writing career. Then she found a way to combine both. Rachel had a talent for writing and talking about science in a way that everyone could understand and enjoy. With her controversial book, Silent Spring, Rachel Carson changed the way we look at our planet.
The Trumpet of the Swan
by E. B. WhiteLike the rest of his family, Louis is a trumpeter swan. But unlike his four brothers and sisters, Louis can't trumpet joyfully. In fact, he can't even make a sound. And since he can't trumpet his love, the beautiful swan Serena pays absolutely no attention to him. Louis tries everything he can think of to win Serena's affection--he even goes to school to learn to read and write. But nothing seems to work. Then his father steals him a real brass trumpet. Is a musical instrument the key to winning Louis his love?
Magic Pickle Graphic Novel
by Scott MorseThe full-color graphic novel version of the Magic Pickle legend! Magic Pickle, or "Weapon Kosher," as his creator, Dr. Jekkel Formaldehyde likes to call him, is the product of a top-secret U.S. Army lab. Unfortunately, the 1950s experiments to turn vegetables into soldiers went wrong. Sure, they created Magic Pickle, the flying dill soldier, but they also let loose a bunch of rotten vegetables, like the Romaine Gladiator, Chili Chili Bang Bang, the Phantom Carrot, and Peashooter. This Brotherhood of Evil Produce is out to take over the world and they've started
Advisory: Bookshare has learned that this book offers only partial accessibility. We have kept it in the collection because it is useful for some of our members. Benetech is actively working on projects to improve accessibility issues such as these.
The Dragon of Lonely Island
by Rebecca Rupp"Rebecca Rupp's magical tale . . . radiates a glow as golden as the dragon's scales. " -- BOSTON SUNDAY GLOBE Hannah, Zachary, and Sarah Emily are spending the summer at their great-aunt Mehitabel's house on faraway Lonely Island. There, in a cave hidden high above the ocean, they discover a fabulous creature: a glittering three-headed golden dragon with a kind heart, an unpredictable temper, and a memory that spans 20,000 years. Transported by the magic of the dragon's stories, the children meet Mei-lan, a young girl in ancient China; nineteenth-century cabin boy Jamie Pritchett; and, in more recent times, Hitty and her brother, Will, who survive a frightening plane crash on a desert island. In this fluidly written novel, Rebecca Rupp explores what three children from the present learn from the past - and from an unlikely but wise and generous friend.
The Report Card
by Andrew ClementsNora Rose Rowley is a genius, but don't tell anyone. Nora's managed to make it to the fifth grade without anyone figuring out that she's not just an ordinary kid, and she wants to keep it that way. But then Nora gets fed up with the importance everyone attaches to test scores and grades, and she purposely brings home a terrible report card just to prove a point. Suddenly the attention she's successfully avoided all her life is focused on her, and her secret is out. And that's when things start to get really complicated....
More Than Anything Else
by Marie BradbyNine-year-old Booker works with his father and brother at the saltworks but dreams of the day when he'll be able to read.
Freedom Crossing
by Margaret Goff ClarkWhen Laura Eastman comes home from a vacation with relatives in the South, her loyalties are challenged by abolitionist ideals. Her own father and brother are helping runaway slaves escape. Will Laura help them?
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes (Puffin Modern Classics)
by Ronald Himler and Eleanor Coerr"An extraordinary book, one no reader will fail to find compelling and unforgettable." --Booklist, starred review The star of her school's running team, Sadako is lively and athletic...until the dizzy spells start. Then she must face the hardest race of her life--the race against time. Based on a true story, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes celebrates the courage that makes one young woman a heroine in Japan. "[The] story speaks directly to young readers of the tragedy of Sadako's death and, in its simplicity, makes a universal statement for 'peace in the world." --The Horn Book "The story is told tenderly but with neither a morbid nor a sentimental tone: it is direct and touching." --BCCB
Snow Treasure
by Marie McswiganA daring adventure based on a true story about a group of Norwegian children who smuggled nine million dollars in gold past Nazi sentries during World War II.
Winner of Pacific Northwest Library Association’s Young Reader’s Choice Award
Volcanoes
by Seymour SimonExceptional nonfiction for children from two of the most trusted names in science education: Seymour Simon and the Smithsonian Institution.
[This text is listed as an example that meets Common Core Standards in English language arts in grades 4-5 at http://www.corestandards.org.]
Who Cracked the Liberty Bell?
by Peter Roop and Connie RoopWho put that giant crack in the Liberty Bell? Have you ever wondered who was invited to the Boston Tea Party? And why do we celebrate the Fourth of July every summer? This book will answer all kinds of questions about the American Revolution!
Owen and Mzee
by Isabella Hatkoff and Graig Hatkoff and Paula KahumbuThe inspiring true story of two great friends, a baby hippo named Owen and a 130-yr-old giant tortoise named Mzee (Mm-ZAY). When Owen was stranded after the Dec 2004 tsunami, villagers in Kenya worked tirelessly to rescue him. Then, to everyone's amazement, the orphan hippo and the elderly tortoise adopted each other. Now they are inseparable, swimming, eating, and playing together. Adorable photos e-mailed from friend to friend quickly made them worldwide celebrities. Here is a joyous reminder that in times of trouble, friendship is stronger than the differences that too often pull us apart.
Trail of Tears
by Joseph BruchacIn 1838, settlers moving west forced the great Cherokee Nation, and their chief John Ross, to leave their home land and travel 1,200 miles to Oklahoma. An epic story of friendship, war, hope, and betrayal.
Horses
by Seymour SimonIntroduces young readers to horses. In this book the author explains the history, evolution, breeds and cultural ties to horses.
[This text is listed as an example that meets Common Core Standards in English language arts in grades 4-5 at http://www.corestandards.org.]
The Buzz on Bees
by Shelley Rotner and Anne Love WoodhullChildren's book about the widespread disappearance of honeybees.
The Whale Who Won Hearts
by Brian Skerry and Kathleen Weidner ZoehfeldNational Geographic Kids Chapters picks up where the best-selling National Geographic Readers series leaves off.
This new series offers young animal lovers who are ready for short chapters lively, full-color true stories just right to carry in a backpack, share with friends, and read under the covers at night.
Based on the hit feature in National Geographic Kids magazine, we bring you Animal Adventures!
Featuring three amazing stories of explorer Brian Skerry and his incredible encounters with animals, written in fun and lively prose that empowers readers to devour page after page.
Everything Dog
by Marty CrispWhat can a dog tell by smelling a person? Do dogs come from dinosaurs? Do dogs ever fall in love? And what are they thinking when they look at you like that? Have you ever wondered these things about your dog, your friend's dog, or that huge dog that lives next door? Dog lover and author Marty Crisp has gathered questions from students during school visits across the country, and all the answers are right here! You'll find out about Everything Dog in this book, and why humans and dogs share such a special bond.
Duke Ellington
by Andrea Davis PinkneyEdward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington, "King of the Keys," was born on April 29, 1899, in Washington, D.C. "He was a smooth-talkin', slick-steppin', piano-playin' kid," writes master wordsmith Andrea Pinkney in the rhythmic, fluid, swinging prose of this excellent biography for early readers. It was ragtime music that first "set Duke's fingers to wiggling." He got back to work and taught himself to "press on the pearlies." Soon 19-year-old Duke was playing compositions "smoother than a hairdo sleeked with pomade" at parties, pool halls, country clubs, and cabarets. Skipping from D.C. to 1920s Harlem, "the place where jazz music ruled," Duke and his small band called the Washingtonians began performing in New York City clubs, including the Cotton Club, where Duke Ellington and his Orchestra was officially born.
Rules (Scholastic Gold)
by Cynthia LordThis Newbery Honor Book is a heartfelt and witty story about feeling different and finding acceptance--beyond the rules.Rules joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content!Twelve-year-old Catherine just wants a normal life. Which is near impossible when you have a brother with autism and a family that revolves around his disability. She's spent years trying to teach David the rules from "a peach is not a funny-looking apple" to "keep your pants on in public" -- in order to head off David's embarrassing behaviors.But the summer Catherine meets Jason, a surprising, new sort-of friend, and Kristi, the next-door friend she's always wished for, it's her own shocking behavior that turns everything upside down and forces her to ask: What is normal?
The Island
by Olivia LevezFrances is alone on a small island in the middle of the Indian ocean. She has to find water and food. She has to survive. And when she is there she also thinks about the past. The things that she did before. The things that made her a monster. Nothing is easy. Survival is hard and so is being honest about the past. Frances is a survivor however and with the help of the only other crash survivor she sees that the future is worth fighting for.A gripping and thoughtful story about a girl who didn't ask to be the person she is but is also determined to make herself the person she wants to be.
Miracles on Maple Hill
by Virginia Sorensen"Warm and real . . . packed with incident, country magic, family lore, and people to remember."--The New York Times Book Review"Vivid descriptions . . . and excellent characterization mark each page of the book."--Chicago Tribune —
Clarice Bean Spells Trouble (Pictures described)
by Lauren ChildThe quirky Clarice Bean is in for a spell of trouble -- and shares a lesson about kindness -- in this hilarious, full-length follow-up to UTTERLY ME, CLARICE BEAN. Clarice Bean seems to be in nonstop trouble these days, almost as much as Karl Wrenbury, who is the naughtiest boy at school. If only she could be more like her favorite book character, Ruby Redfort, girl detective, who is very good at getting out of trouble. The problem is, Mrs. Wilberton is planning a spelling bee, and just thinking about it gives Clarice a stomachache. The good news is that there is also going to be a class performance of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, and Clarice is exceptionordinarily keen on landing a starring role, so she can get discovered by someone who spots child talents and escape spelling-bee humiliation. But when Karl Wrenbury has a family problem and gets into really big trouble, Clarice does something utterly unexpected, altruistically proving Ruby Redfort's maxim "Never let a good pal down. " The superbly talented Lauren Child returns with another fast-paced, full-length adventure full of wacky wit, visual appeal, and a surprisingly heartwarming twist sure to reel in the most reluctant reader -- and the most inventive speller.
Looking Like Me
by Walter Dean Myers and Christopher MyersIn this splashy, rhythmic celebration of the wonders of life, Walter Dean Myer's hypnotic text combines with his son's fresh photo-collage illustrations to create a new picture book about self-esteem and growing up with an urban beat.