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Classic Starts®: Gulliver’s Travels (Classic Starts®)
by Jonathan SwiftAn abridged and illustrated chapter book retelling of Gulliver&’s Travels, part of the bestselling Classic Starts® series that has sold more than 8 million copies! Through the eyes of Lemuel Gulliver, Swift&’s unforgettable satire takes readers into worlds formerly unimagined. Visit four strange and remarkable lands: Lilliput, where Gulliver seems a giant among a race of tiny people; Brobdingnag, the opposite, where the natives are giants and Gulliver puny; the ruined yet magical country of Laputa; and the home of the Houyhnhnms, gentle horses far superior to the ugly humanoid Yahoos who share their universe.
Classic Starts®: Heidi (Classic Starts®)
by Johanna SpyriWhen Heidi, an orphan, goes to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps, no one can imagine the solitary old man caring for a child. But the two grow to love each other, and Heidi blossoms in her new home. Johanna Spyri&’s charming story—and spirited heroine—have won hearts for more than a century.
Classic Starts®: Journey to the Center of the Earth (Classic Starts®)
by Jules Verne“Go down the crater of the volcano Snaefells. Follow the shadow just before the month of July. You will find your way to the center of the Earth. I did it.” That mysterious message, found in a long-lost letter, propels a young man and his uncle on the adventure of a lifetime: to a prehistoric world below the earth where dinosaurs and other strange creatures still roam. Jules Vernes classic fantasy will enchant a new generation of readers.
Classic Starts®: Little Lord Fauntleroy (Classic Starts®)
by Frances Hodgson BurnettOne very special boy weaves some magic in Frances Hodgson Burnett’s sentimental favorite. When young Cedric Errol learns that he is actually a British lord and heir to an estate, his life is transformed. He leaves Boston for Dorincourt Castle to live with his uncle, the Earl—a tyrant who’s loathed by one and all. Will Cedric succeed in melting his cold, cruel uncle’s heart?
Classic Starts®: Little Men (Classic Starts®)
by Louisa May AlcottThis sparkling sequel to the beloved Little Women follows the grown-up and married Jo, mistress of Plumfield, a school for boys (and a few girls, too). The fun begins with a new arrival, Nat Blake; it is through his eyes that we first meet Plumfield’s lively residents and experience the cheerful confusion that reigns in the welcoming home. Fans of the first book will happily greet these wonderful characters…and renew their acquaintance with such old favorites as Laurie and Meg.
Classic Starts®: Little Women (Classic Starts®)
by Louisa May AlcottLouisa May Alcott&’s classic novel, set during the Civil War, has always captivated even the most reluctant readers. Follow the adventures of the four March sisters—Meg, Beth, Amy, and, most of all, the tomboy Jo—as they experience the joys and disappointments, tragedies and triumphs, of growing up.
Classic Starts®: Moby-Dick (Classic Starts®)
by Herman MelvilleCall me Ishmael. These three famous words begin one of America’s most epic novels, a tale of one obsessed captain, his doomed crew, and an elusive white whale named Moby-Dick. The massive original, however, can be very hard for young readers to navigate. This beautifully abridged and adventure-filled version will thrill children and whet their appetite for the complete work—when they are ready to tackle it.
Classic Starts®: Monkey King (Classic Starts®)
by Wu Cheng'enAn illustrated chapter-book retelling of the Monkey King&’s adventures from Journey to the West—part of the Classic Starts series, which has cumulatively sold more than 8 million copies! Sun Wukong is the &“Monkey King&”—and he has all the power and magic to prove it! But when his mischief lands him out of favor with the heavens, he must embark on a dangerous quest to deliver Buddhist scriptures. Will Monkey be able to control his impulsive behavior and complete his journey to the West? This retelling is the perfect way to introduce young readers to the famous and cherished Chinese story. The book also includes discussion questions.
Classic Starts®: Oliver Twist (Classic Starts®)
by Charles DickensAn abridged and illustrated chapter book retelling of Oliver Twist, part of the bestselling Classic Starts® series that has sold more than 8 million copies! Dickens&’s timeless novel transports young readers to a colorful Victorian England filled with mistreated orphans, grim workhouses, and gangs of thieving children. The hero finds himself in dire circumstances after he dares to ask for more food in the orphanage. Determined to make his way in the world, he escapes to London, where he becomes involved with criminals . . . and finally finds a real home. The Classic Starts® series has sold more than 8 million copies since it launched in 2004. These abridged, kid-friendly editions are the perfect way to introduce beloved stories to the next generation. Each book includes discussion questions by early childhood educator Arthur Pober, EdD.
Classic Starts®: Peter Pan (Classic Starts®)
by J. M. Barrie&“All children grow up. All except one.&” When Wendy and her brothers discover a boy named Peter Pan looking for his shadow, they can&’t decide what makes him more magical: the fact that he can fly, or that he never grows up! This abridged retelling is the perfect way to introduce young readers to the marvelous Neverland, jealous Tinker Bell, and menacing Captain Hook.
Classic Starts®: Pinocchio (Classic Starts®)
by Carlo CollodiThe young puppet Pinocchio dreams of becoming a real boy. But whenever he tries to prove himself worthy of the transformation, he falls into mischief and laziness. Pinocchio must learn the hard way how to become honest, kind, and—above all—human. One of the most-translated works in children&’s literature, Pinocchio is a thrilling story about improving one&’s character and learning how to live in an often-harsh world.
Classic Starts®: Pollyanna (Classic Starts®)
by Eleanor H. Porter“Once you start looking for the happy things, you don’t think about the bad ones as much.” That’s the joyful way Pollyanna sees the world: no matter what happens, she plays her “Just Be Glad” game and finds the sunny side of any situation. But when she’s orphaned and forced to live with her rigid Aunt Polly, will high-spirited Pollyanna succeed in melting her Aunt’s cold heart?
Classic Starts®: Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (Classic Starts®)
by Kate Douglas WigginEleven-year-old Rebecca Randall is quite a handful—and now she’s leaving her beloved Sunnybrook Farm to live with her well-to-do elderly aunts and get an education. But they were expecting Rebecca’s quiet, hard-working older sister instead. Can the bright-eyed and talkative girl win them over…especially her strict, rule-bound Aunt Miranda? Just as Rebecca’s “grand spirit” charms everyone in the story, it will captivate readers, too.
Classic Starts®: Robinson Crusoe (Classic Starts®)
by Daniel DefoeA shipwreck. A sole survivor, stranded on a deserted island. What could be more appealing to children than Robinson Crusoe’s amazing adventure? Set in the 17th century, and unfolding over a 30-year period, it offers plenty of suspense and everyday detail about how Crusoe manages to stay alive. Additionally, it paints a fascinating portrait of the age—including references to slavery and Europe’s view of the “New World.”
Classic Starts®: Roman Myths (Classic Starts®)
by Diane NammSeveral of the best-loved Roman myths are gathered in this one beautiful abridged collection, from “Romulus and Remus” (which tells how Rome came to be) to “Cupid and Psyche,” “Oedipus and the Sphinx,” and more. For easy reference, theres also a detailed list and family tree of all the important gods and goddesses right at the start.
Classic Starts®: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Classic Starts®)
by Mark Twain“We said there was no home like a raft. Other places do seem so cramped up and smothery…but you feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a raft.” Sail down the Mississippi with Huck Finn and the runaway slave, Jim. Twain’s beloved tale, with its folksy language, creates an indelible image of antebellum America with its sleepy river towns, con men, family feuds, and a variety of colorful characters.
Classic Starts®: The Adventures of Robin Hood (Classic Starts®)
by Howard PyleClassic Starts. The stories are abridged; the quality is complete. He robbed from the rich and gave to the poor, and had escapades enough to please any adventure-loving child. Now even the youngest readers can have the chance to enter Sherwood Forest with Robin's band of merry men, and meet such unforgettable characters as Friar Tuck, Little John, Allan-a-Dale, the nasty Sheriff of Nottingham, and wicked King John. Every moment of the story is filled with action and excitement.
Classic Starts®: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (Classic Starts®)
by Sir Arthur Conan DoyleClassic Starts. The stories are abridged; the quality is complete. No child is too young to appreciate the amazing deductive powers of the worlds smartest detective. These easy-to-read Sherlock Holmes stories provide the perfect introduction to the super sleuth and his friend and assistant, Dr. Watson. Among the intriguing tales: "A Scandal in Bohemia," Holmess first encounter with the mysterious Irene Adler; "The Red-Headed League"; "The Adventure of the Six Napoleons" and others.
Classic Starts®: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Classic Starts®)
by Mark TwainTom Sawyer&’s energetic antics—treasure hunting, fishing, and general mischief-making—have captured the imaginations of children for almost 150 years. Now, this abridged edition of the classic story is refreshed with an appealing new cover and contemporary interior illustrations. The Classic Starts series has sold more than 8 million copies since it launched in 2004. These abridged, kid-friendly editions are the perfect way to introduce beloved stories to the next generation. Each book includes discussion questions by early childhood educator Arthur Pober, EdD.
Classic Starts®: The Call of the Wild (Classic Starts®)
by Jack LondonClassic Starts. The stories are abridged; the quality is complete. Here is the ultimate dog story, one filled with emotion, adventure, and excitement. During the Gold Rush, Buck is snatched away from his peaceful home and brought to the harsh and bitter Yukon to become a sled dog. Will he adapt, and learn to trust men? Or will his newly awakened primitive instincts lead him to search for the freedom he has never known?
Classic Starts®: The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (Classic Starts®)
by Victor HugoSet in a richly rendered 15th century Paris, Victor Hugo’s powerful drama focuses on a beautiful gypsy girl named Esmeralda, the two men (including an obsessed and manipulative priest) who love her, and the pitiful hunchback Quasimodo who tries to save her. With this simplified yet spellbinding version, kids can enjoy all the excitement of Hugo’s masterful story.
Classic Starts®: The Iliad (Classic Starts®)
by HomerThis high interest/low vocabulary retelling of The Iliad introduces young readers to Homers thrilling epic tale. Set during the siege of Troy, and complete with duels, battles, larger-than-life characters like Achilles, and the famed Greek gods, The Iliad is truly the ultimate adventure story.
Classic Starts®: The Jungle Book (Classic Starts®)
by Rudyard KiplingRun with the jungle animals in this illustrated chapter-book retelling of The Jungle Book, part of the bestselling Classic Starts® series that has sold more than 8 million copies! Mowgli has lived among his wolf brothers for as long as he can remember. Baloo and Bagheera teach him the ways of the jungle, but some animals view him as a threat—or, even worse, as prey. Can Mowgli find a place where he truly belongs? This abridged retelling is the perfect way to introduce young readers to Mowgli&’s life among elephants, giant snakes, and monkeys. The book also includes discussion questions.
Classic Starts®: The Last of the Mohicans (Classic Starts®)
by James Fenimore CooperA fascinating adventure story, grounded in American history. As the French and Indian war rages, the two daughters of a British officer prepare to return home. But when, Cora, Alice, and the soldiers who guard them are betrayed by their Native American scout, their safety depends on wily forest tracker Hawkeye and his friends Chingachkook and Uncas—the last of the Mohicans.
Classic Starts®: The Man in the Iron Mask (Classic Starts®)
by Alexandre DumasDumas’ famous musketeers return in another exciting swashbuckler. And this time, Aramis is embarking on the most perilous mission of all: to depose King Louis XIV and put his twin brother Philip on the throne instead. Since childhood, Philip has been hidden away so no one would know of his existence—but Aramis believes that he would be the superior ruler. Is Aramis right…or is he making a deadly mistake?