Transgender teen Ichiro enters a drag contest in hopes of earning enough money to live off the grid. Ichiro is a transgender youth in his final year of high school. He has a job as a dishwasher to earn money to help support his single mother. But it's not enough. Ichiro dreams of buying a camper van for the two of them so they can escape and live off the grid and not have to worry about money anymore. A budding drag queen, he takes a second job performing drag at a local club and learns of an upcoming contest where the prize money would be enough to pay for a camper van. But nobody knows he does drag. So when some of his friends find out what he’s really doing in the evenings, Ichiro is worried about what they will think of him. Will they still accept him?
Brick, a young thief, is terrified of outer space. But they’re forced to escape Earth when a warrant goes out for their arrest. There’s nothing left for them on the dusty, barren wasteland of Earth anyway. Brick stows away on a cargo ship headed for the moon. They reluctantly allow a local teenage enforcer named Amar to tag along. But the ship ends up containing unusual cargo and the crew members may not be who they appear to be. Suddenly the spaceship is taken over by pirates, who imprison the crew in the airlock. Brick and Amar come up with a plan to rescue the crew. The only problem is that, in order to succeed, Brick must venture out into the deep darkness of space.
A massive earthquake forces Amy and her estranged half-sister to work together to survive. Amy is happy it’s the last day of school…until a huge earthquake hits. She’s surprised that it’s Mara, her half-sister, who finally comes for her, since they hardly know each other. There’s no word from any of their parents, and their homes have been destroyed. So Amy and Mara set out on a perilous journey from their suburb into the city to search for their parents. As they walk day and night, the scope of the horrific destruction becomes clear. Have their parents survived the disaster?
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.
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!
Moving between science and culture, After Life: Ways We Think About Death takes a straightforward look at these and other questions long taboo in our society. By showing the fascinating, diverse ways in which we understand death, both today and throughout our history, the book also shines a light on what it is to be human. Each chapter includes a brief telling of a death legend, myth or history from a different culture or tradition, from Adam and Eve to Wolf and Coyote, and ends with a section on a common theme in our thinking about death, such as rivers and birds in the afterlife, the colors that different cultures use to symbolize death, and, of course, ghosts. The final chapter is about grief, which is both a universal human experience and unique to each person. The text offers suggestions for ways to think about our grief, when to ask for help and how to talk to friends who are grieving.
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?
Wes and Meg love nothing more than following leads and reporting for their school newspaper. When they stumble upon a mysterious 20-year-old theft, these teens are on the case. Can they uncover the clues before the thief gets too close?
Joe is having trouble with bullies at his new school, and he doesn't know where to turn for help. Soon he finds a companion in the most unlikely form. But is this the friend he has been hoping for or something more sinister?
Life Scan is something that Royal Adam has always dreamed of. It's thrilling when Royal receives one as a 16th birthday present. After all, who wouldn't want to know their future? But what happens when the future isn't all it's expected to be? Will Royal risk everything to change it?
Zoey’s dream of winning a national title with her dance team is crushed when her mom shares that they will be moving to another state. Once at her new school, Zoey feels like she doesn’t fit in. Will she be able to take a chance on herself and find a new dream?
Tia is stuck at home babysitting when all she really wants is to go to a party. She settles in for a boring night at home, but tensions rise when a storm picks up and the lights go out. When strange events start to occur, Tia realizes her evening may become much different than what she expected.
Kenny dreams of traveling, but virtual reality is as close as he'll ever get to discovering new worlds. Or is it? When Kenny is offered a time-traveling trip on the black market, it is everything he ever wanted and more. But making his dream come true comes at a steep price. Is he willing to pay it?
Davit and Aram are having a rough time. They're both struggling with their dad's death, and then car trouble strands them near the woods. When a mysterious woman offers to help, the boys find themselves in a situation neither of them could have ever imagined.
In the year 2329, the Green Death has wiped out most of the human race. Those in the Domed City try to control any survivors. Rex and Lena are among the few who are immune to the disease. The twins long to live on their own terms. But what will they do when something from their past causes them to question everything they've known?
On planet Zera, Andon's dream is to work for the Space Center, just like his parents. He is convinced that something is destroying planets, and he wants to find out what it is. When Andon's family travels to Earth, the journey puts them in more danger than they can imagine. Can Andon discover the true danger lurking? Or will it be too late for Earth and the people of Zera?
What are you afraid of? Discover how the creatures of your fears came into existence and what truth lies behind the mythical stories as you immerse yourself into the world of Mythical Monsters... if you dare. Part of the Origin Stories book series, this nonfiction book explores the origin stories of three monsters: vampires, werewolves, and zombies and how they came to be the monsters we know today.
Legends have a way of working themselves into our lives. You may not know the stories, but you know the signs. Discover the chilling tale of the jack-o-lantern, learn the legacy of the witch, and find out why you think breaking a mirror will have consequences… if you dare. Part of the Origin Stories book series, this nonfiction book explores the origin stories of Halloween, witches, and different superstitions and how they came to be the versions we know today.
When things don't go as planned, do you throw in the towel and call it quits, or do you give it another try? Part of the Driven to Succeed book series, the nonfiction book Scientists & Inventors Who Never Gave Up tells the stories of exceptional scientists and inventors who overcame challenges to discover or invent something that changed the world.
Historically, black colleges and universities were established to educate African American students when segregation laws prohibited them from attending the same schools as white students. Travel to… Historically Black Colleges and Universities to take a guided tour to a handful of the campuses that paved the way for some of the country’s brightest minds!
A life of crime doesn't pay—and yet thousands of crimes are committed every day across the country. What crimes stand out in history and why? Learn about some of the most bizarre and famous American crimes and how their locations have become a part of the fabric of our country with the Scene of the Crime crime book, part of the Travel to… book series.
Does failing at something mean it's time to throw in the towel and give up? Part of the Driven to Succeed nonfiction book series, Artists & Entertainers Who Never Gave Up takes a look at the lives of some of the most famous and well-loved creators and entertainers who had to overcome challenges and obstacles to achieve their success.
What are some of America’s most iconic symbols? Learn about the history and meaning behind some of the United States’ most important landmarks. This book takes students on a field trip across the country to explore the differing perspectives as to why some monuments in the United States are important.
What are some of the best ways to volunteer and become involved in your local community? Learn tips on how to become an active community member through volunteering for different social causes. This book takes students on a civic journey to teach them about the importance of volunteering and getting involved in their community.
