Ballerina Dreams ─ From Orphan to Ballerina

Perfect for newly independent readers--the amazing true story of Michaela DePrince, one of America's top ballerinas. At the age of three, Michaela DePrince found a photo of a ballerina that changed her life. She was living in an orphanage in Sierra Leone at the time, but was soon adopted by a family and brought to America. Michaela never forgot the photo of the dancer she once saw, and quickly decided to make her dream of becoming a ballerina come true. She has been dancing ever since and is now a principal dancer in New York City and has been featured in the ballet documentary First Position, as well as Dancing with the Stars , Good Morning America, and Oprah magazine. Young readers will love learning about this inspiring ballerina in this uplifting and informative leveled reader. This Step 4 Step into Reading book is for newly independent readers who read simple sentences with confidence.

Into the Gauntlet

Who Was Michael Jackson?

Born in Gary, Indiana, on August 29, 1958, Michael Jackson was definitely not a regular kid. A superstar with The Jackson 5 before he was eight years old, he became the King of Pop as a solo artist. Michael was a creative--yet deeply troubled--genius who always remained devoted to his art right up until his death is 2009 before a much anticipated tour. He had a pitch-perfect voice and footwork that his idol Fred Astaire admired. Who will ever forget the Moonwalk? Kids today who only know Jackson through video performances are nevertheless fascinated by him. Megan Stine provides a sensitive, fair-minded depiction of this unique music legend.

The Adventure in the Amazon ― Brazil

For fans of the award-winning SECRET AGENT JACK STALWART series comes a must-read new chapter book series! Now Jack teams up with his older brother, Max, to solve new international mysteries, using their special training as secret agents. Secret agents Jack and Max Stalwart are sent to the Amazon jungle to investigate the disappearance of an important Global Protection Force scientist. Soon, they discover that the scientist's disappearance is no accident. A greedy outlaw is illegally mining for gold and he'll stop and nothing to keep his secret safe. Can Jack and Max save themselves and the scientist from almost certain death?

Ibn Al-Haytham

Celebrated in a film featuring Omar Sharif in his final role, meet the scientist known as the "Father of Optics," Ibn al-Haytham! During the golden age of science, knowledge, and invention in Muslim civilization -- also known as the "Dark Ages" in Western Europe -- this incredible scholar discovered how we see and set the stage for the methods we now know as the scientific process. Packed with beautiful and engaging photos, kids will learn all about this fascinating scientist. The Level 3 text provides accessible, yet wide-ranging, information for independent readers. This book is a companion to the international educational campaign, "1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn al-Haytham," that includes interactive exhibits, workshops, live shows, and a 12-minute film starring Omar Sharif in his final film role before his death.

The Way Of The Samurai

Invited to accompany Wild Willie to Japan, Geronimo Stilton enthusiastically joins the search for an ancient, legendary samurai scroll that holds the secret to a long-lost fighting technique, a quest that is challenged by a talented group of ninjas.

Tsunamis And Other Natural Disasters

Jack and Annie present a guide to geological disasters for young readers that answers such questions as "What are the warning signs that a tsunami is on the way?" and "Can scientists predict earthquakes?".

The Quest for Aztec Gold ― Mexico

Destination: Mexico. The Global Protection Force has summoned Secret Agent Jack Stalwart to Mexico to hunt down a stolen map leading to hidden Aztec gold. Suddenly, he finds himself trapped in the hands of one of the most treacherous treasure hunters in the world. Can Jack stop Callous Carl and his band of thieves before they plunder again?

Harriet Tubman, A Woman Of Courage

Brave and determined, Harriet Tubman helped hundreds of slaves escape on the Underground Railroad. See how her courage has inspired generations of Americans to fight for equal rights and to stand up for their convictions.

Where Do Polar Bears Live?

Uniquely adapted for life on the ice, polar bears have skin and blubber that cover them like a warm blanket and fur between the pads of their paws to keep them from slipping. But many scientists believe that climate change, which is causing ice to melt in the Arctic, may make it impossible for polar bears to live in the wild by as soon as 2020.

Thea Stilton And the Mystery on the Orient Express

The Thea Sisters are boarding the famouse Orient Express for a journey from Paris to Istanbul! The train is on a special trip to return a precious wedding dress stolen years ago from an Istanbul museum. But there's a rumor that the mysterious Acrobat Thief will steal the dress from the moving train! The Thea Sisters are determined to foil this super-sneaky mouse's plans.

Basketball Disasters

Here's the third entry in Claudia Mills's charming middle-grade series. Mason Dixon survived the school choir. He survived adopting his now-beloved dog named, uh, Dog. But now he faces his biggest challenge yet: joining the local basketball team. Not by choice, of course. Not only do his parents encourage it, but his dad even volunteers to be his coach. Now, with his best pal Brody and a team of misfits even worse at basketball than him (if that's possible), Mason must try to rally to beat his arch-rival, the school bully Dunk. Just another day-in-the-life of a disaster-prone fourth grader.