The online world has real dangers, but girls around the world are using social media to create positive change and practice good digital citizenship. You've probably seen media stories about the ways girls interact online, with headlines like "Depression in Girls Linked to Higher Use of Social Media," or "Half of Girls Are Bullied on Social Media." Better Connected focuses on the less-recognized and positive aspects of the online experiences of girls. From environmental activism to gun control, immigration policy to education access, girls are leading the way. They're showing up, teaming up and speaking up. With profiles of real changemakers and practical tools for getting started, Better Connected is an inspiring look at the amazing things girls can accomplish online.
Humans have searched out fun for centuries - chariot races, dueling crickets, roller coasters, Rubik's Cubes. It seems we've always had a knack for finding interesting ways to have a good time. Of course, it wasn’t always that way. Our earliest ancestors had to worry more about survival than finding something to do in their free time. But as we evolved and daily living got a little easier, we began to think a bit more about entertainment. It started simply, with storytelling by a fire. Soon it grew into activities like banquets, spectator sports, theater and fairs, to name just a few. Today huge theme parks attract thrill-seekers and people step into virtual worlds for fun. And that’s just scratching the surface. With things like virtual reality, fidget spinners and global phenomena like Pokémon Go, who knows what the future of fun will hold!
Jack’s a star player on an elite soccer team along with his brother, Alex. The Lancers are on top of the league, even favored to win the National Championship. But the game’s about to change. A slick bookie wins Jack’s friendship and introduces him to illegal betting. Before long, Jack is hooked on the adrenaline rush, and early wins convince him that gambling could make him rich. Meanwhile, an ever-widening rift is forming between the two brothers. Suddenly, Jack’s “system” fails and his luck runs out. How could a few losses pile up to a gut-kicking ten grand? When he can’t pay, the bookie gives Jack one way out - throw the National Championship. But can he betray his brother, his team and himself?
Gerri waits outside all night to audition for Big Time, her favorite TV singing competition. She believes she has a shot at success, but when she’s insulted by one of the judges and kicked out of the competition, she thinks she’ll probably never sing again. After a teacher at her school asks her to join a choral club, Gerri reluctantly gets involved. Even though she can’t read music and she doesn’t know the other kids, she finds herself enjoying the group and learning a lot about music. A cute guy she met at the Big Time auditions joins the group, and when they perform their unique mashups at an open-mic night, Gerri realizes there’s more than one way to be a successful—and happy—singer!
Cricket McKay is on the case! Cricket McKay and her best friend, Shilo, are enjoying the last few weeks of summer vacation when they discover that something is killing bats around Grandpa McKay's farm. Could the new wind turbines be the cause? The kids do some detective work and then jump into action coming up with a plan to save the bats. Bats in Trouble is the third book featuring animal-activist Cricket MacKay.
When Cassie comes to Vancouver from Australia for an intensive summer program at a prestigious ballet school, she finds it hard to fit in. A clique of girls who have been at the school a long time don't want the newcomers to get any attention. At first Cassie tries to go along to get along, but when she realizes that some of the visiting summer students are being bullied and threatened, and that she herself is being sabotaged, she finally speaks out - and finds out how far some girls will go to succeed.
Better Together explores how people gather in groups of all kinds to fulfill the basic human need for companionship. From the smallest units of parents, siblings and friends to global organizations that try to build on a foundation of common human experience to meet their goals, people working together are a powerful force for change. Too often, we look at someone and see all the ways we are different. People all around the world come together to build things, teach and entertain each other, and provide everything from better health care to good food to security and education. Better Together examines the many ways we are the same, no matter where we live.
On the last day of high school, Sophie's boyfriend breaks up with her. It turns out he thinks she is too predictable, too responsible, too mature...too boring. When Sophie turns to her best friend, Ella, for comfort and reassurance, Ella just confirms what her boyfriend has said. And that hurts even more. Then Ella comes up with a plan to help Sophie find her wilder side. In the 90 days between the end of high school and the start of university, she is going to arrange for Sophie to do amazing, new, different and sometimes scary things. The deal is Sophie has to agree to everything, no matter what. And she has to share her adventures through social media. Can 90 days of different create a different life? Can stepping outside your comfort zone help you find yourself?
Fair trade is not about spending more money or buying more stuff. It's about helping producers in developing countries get a fair price for their goods. A Fair Deal: Shopping for Social Justice provides a history of trade, explaining what makes trade systems unfair and what we can do about it. By examining the ways in which our global trade systems value some people over others, the book illustrates areas in which fair trade practices can help families all around the world and suggests ways to get involved in making the world a more equitable place.
School's almost over, and best friends Ava and Sammi are heading to summer camp as volunteer camp counselors.
Chris always does the right thing. But when he knows who messed with Sam in the school yard, he can't speak up. His friends can't either. There's the silent Code that every kid follows. Chris decides he can't live with himself if he doesn't say something, so he makes a stand and is shocked at the outcome. Mean bully Phil is actually ... cool. But then Phil asks him to do something so wrong.
Playing soccer is the only time Feng is in control. On the field, he can forget the rest of the world. When an injury puts Feng on the sidelines, he is forced to face the problems in his life head-on. Will he realize that he doesn't have to do it all alone?
In 1981, the world is moving forward, especially for Rob Baker. He's starting his first job at a record store. Plus, excitement abounds when a woman is nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court for the first time. Rob's family situation reflects the changing times too. Can he and his family withstand the resulting pressures at home? Or will the stress prove too much for them to handle?
Stuck in a boring little town, Mia wants something exciting to happen. But getting kidnapped on the way home from school is not what she had in mind. Now Mia is trapped in a world she knows nothing about, and her time may be running out.
BFFs Danya and Emma are known around school as Demma. The girls are total opposites, but they know each other so well that they finish each other's sentences. Danya is plagued with guilt when the girls and Rosie, Emma's mom, are involved in a terrible car accident that leaves Emma in a wheelchair. Danya believes the wreck was her fault because she distracted Rosie from the road and had to be scolded. For a while, Emma believes it too. And she can't forgive her friend.
Bring readers along to witness star performer Zendaya's rise to fame. Zendaya is a singer, dancer, Disney Channel actress, and author. Additional features include a Fast Facts spread, critical thinking questions, primary source quotes and accompanying source notes, a phonetic glossary, an index, and sources for further research.
Presents an overview of World War II, including history, important people and battles, and a timeline of events.
Presents an overview of World War I, including history, important people and battles, and a timeline of events.
Provides information about volcanoes, how they form, where they are, how they erupt, the damage they can cause, and the ways we can monitor them.
Offers readers a compelling look into the lives, challenges, and successes of Vietnamese immigrants. Additional features include a Fast Facts page, a timeline, informative photo captions, critical-thinking questions, primary source quotes and accompanying source notes, a phonetic glossary, additional resources for further study, and an index.
Introduces readers to Viking warriors, including their history and famous battles, uniforms and weapons, and training and tactics.
What can scientists learn from an ancient fossil of two dinosaurs locked in battle? Plenty! One of those dinosaurs was a Velociraptor, a 'quick thief' and predator of the Cretaceous period. Like the scientists who study Velociraptor, young readers will discover how much eighty-million-year-old bones still have to say! Additional features to enhance comprehension include informative sidebars, a glossary of key words and phrases, sources for further research, a Did-You-Know section, and an overview of the geologic time scale.
When you think of dinosaurs, do you think of ferocious meat-eaters terrorizing everything around them? If so, you were probably imagining the Tyrannosaurus Rex, the 'tyrant lizard' of its time. But if you think you know everything there is to know about T. Rex, think again! Learn about the many sides of this mighty dinosaur. Additional features to enhance comprehension include informative sidebars, a glossary of key words and phrases, sources for further research, a Did-You-Know section, and an overview of the geologic time scale.
In 1888, scientists searching for dinosaur bones found an enormous head like none they had ever seen before. They named it Triceratops, meaning 'three-horned face.' As they discovered more bones, they learned more and more about this 'new' dinosaur. With this book, you too can go back in time millions of years to explore the world of Triceratops. Additional features to enhance comprehension include informative sidebars, a glossary of key words and phrases, sources for further research, a Did-You-Know section, and an overview of the geologic time scale.
Examines tornadoes, their causes, where they occur, their characteristics, and the effects they produce.