Is constant access to technology safe for children? Should driverless vehicles replace human-controlled cars? Every day, we hear arguments about technology issues in the media. This book gives readers the tools to make sense of and evaluate some of these arguments. Using three relatable and accessible technology-related examples, this book introduces readers to the parts of an effective argument and prompts them to use the knowledge they have gained to evaluate the effectiveness of arguments on opposing sides of the issues.
Should athletes who used performance-enhancing drugs be stripped of their medals? Can video games help build important skills? Every day, we hear arguments about issues in sports and entertainment in the media. This book gives readers the tools to make sense of and evaluate some of these arguments. Using three relatable and accessible examples, this book introduces readers to the parts of an effective argument and prompts them to use the knowledge they have gained to evaluate the effectiveness of arguments on opposing sides of the issues.
Should an age restriction be placed on buying junk food? Are genetically modified foods safe to eat? Every day, we hear arguments about food issues in the media. This book gives readers the tools to make sense of and evaluate some of these arguments. Using three relatable and accessible food-related examples, this book introduces readers to the parts of an effective argument and prompts them to use the knowledge they have gained to evaluate the effectiveness of arguments on opposing sides of the issues.
Are science and math subjects more important than arts subjects? Should students be required to complete homework during their personal time? Every day, we hear arguments about education issues in the media. This book gives readers the tools to make sense of and evaluate some of these arguments. Using three relatable and accessible education-related examples, this book introduces readers to the parts of an effective argument and prompts them to use the knowledge they have gained to evaluate the effectiveness of arguments on opposing sides of the issues.
Should animals be kept in zoos? Is it okay to use animals for entertainment in circuses or rodeos? Every day, we hear arguments about animal issues in the media. This book gives readers the tools to make sense of and evaluate some of these arguments. Using three relatable and accessible animal-related examples, this book introduces readers to the parts of an effective argument and prompts them to use the knowledge they have gained to evaluate the effectiveness of arguments on opposing sides of the issues.
Martinez longs for the happy, stable home he had in Guatemala—before gang violence forced them to flee to Mexico. And now, he is being uprooted again. His mother has decided they must return to Guatemala to take care of the extended family. Martinez is scared to return—but the love of his family and support of his new rural community in Guatemala gives him hope for a future without violence. Paired with facts about the instability in Guatemala and the experience of displaced persons there, Martinez’s story offers a unique look at the fear—and resilience—refugees experience when they must return home.
Sonita has been a refugee for her entire life. Born in a refugee camp in Pakistan, Sonita had never seen her family’s homeland of Afghanistan—until, faced with discrimination in Pakistan and possible deportation, her parents decided to return. But despite the end of the war, Afghanistan is not the home Sonita’s parents and sister remember. Sonita must adjust to life in a homeland she has never known, and work hard to survive and thrive in a country still full of conflict and insecurity. Interwoven with facts about the conflict in Afghanistan, Sonita’s story gives a look at the experiences of Afghan refugees forced to return to a home that no longer exists.
After fleeing civil war in Yemen, Sahar knows that she and her family are lucky to have escaped the violence and survived the trip to Toronto, Canada. Although she still has nightmares about bombings and losing her baby brother—Sahar cannot believe how quickly her English is improving, and how much fun she had trick-or-treating on Halloween for the first time. Paired with facts about the current situation in Yemen and how different countries work to welcome and support refugees, Sahar’s story gives insight on a refugee’s life in a new country.
Roj and his family have lived in Germany for three years after fleeing civil war in Syria. Although his family faces discrimination from some in their small village, and hearing news about home from friends and family can be sad, Roj’s dreams for the future are high as he faces each new challenge with hope and resilience. Interspersed with facts about the current situation in Syria and the experiences of Syrian refugees in different countries, Roj’s story offers a window into the complex and ongoing journey of refugees as they adjust to their new homes.
Memories of fleeing war in Iraq, living in the refugee camp in Jordan, and the scary journey to the United States now seem far away to Zainab. But every day, as she attends school, plays sports, and participates in community groups in her new home in Dearborn, Michigan, she is aware that she will always be part of two cultures. Interwoven with facts about Iraq’s conflict and the experiences of Iraqi refugees around the world, Zainab’s story offers a thoughtful and unique look at the challenges—and triumphs—faced and experienced by refugees in their new homes.
Syed was forced to flee his homeland of Myanmar because of extreme violence and persecution against the Rohingya minority. After traveling by boat to Malaysia to meet up with his brother, Nazir, Syed must survive “underground” in a country in which he is not welcome. Interwoven with facts about the Rohingya humanitarian crisis and how refugees survive in countries such as Malaysia, Syed’s story sheds light on the plight of Rohingya refugees around the world.
New seventh-grade student Carson Roberts learns the hard way not to cross the school bully, and it's only her first day. Book #1 in the series.
Thirteen-year-old Chloë left her whole life back in Montreal, including her mom and her best friend. Now she's stuck in Victoria with her dad and her estranged grandfather, Uli, who recently had a stroke. When Chloë agrees to help Uli look after his garden, she's determined to find out why he and her dad didn't speak to each other for years. For decades Uli has collected seeds from people in the community, distinct varieties that have been handed down through generations. The result is a garden full of unusual and endangered produce, from pink broccoli to blue kale to purple potatoes. But Chloë learns that the garden will soon be destroyed to make way for a new apartment complex. And the seed collection is missing! Chloë must somehow find a way to save her grandfather's legacy.
Resourceful fourteen-year-old Odette is on the move again, traveling as a stowaway on a cheese cart with her hapless mother, Anneline. They are in Burgundy, France, in 1799, fleeing yet another calamity caused by Anneline (who is prone to killing people accidentally). At dawn they find themselves in a town called Nevers, which is filled with eccentric characters, including a man who obsessively smells hands, another who dreams of becoming a chicken and a donkey that keeps the town awake at night, braying about his narrow life. As Odette establishes a home in an abandoned guardhouse, she makes a friend in the relaxed Nicois and finds work as a midwife's assistant. She and Nicois uncover a mystery that may lead to riches and, more important for Odette, a sense of belonging.
Our views and opinions on many things are heavily influenced by our culture and what we see in the media. They can even shape how we see ourselves, including what is an acceptable or desirable body. Using relatable examples, this timely title explores the body image messages we receive from movies, video games, magazines, and social media, and how they affect our self-esteem.
Cultural beliefs surrounding illness and societal beliefs about how we should offer health care are discussed in this fascinating addition to the Our Values series. Discussions about the treatment of common diseases, as well as topics of interest, such as how a cast is made, are compared and contrasted with the way health care is provided throughout the world.
What are moral and legal rights and how are they recognized in our society? This engaging title explores what having “rights” means, while pointing out that we can’t have rights without also having responsibilities. A discussion about standing up for your rights will help readers understand the importance of individual rights and how they must be protected.
Abby is jealous of a young drifter's expertise with horses.
Integrity means sticking to your beliefs and doing the right thing-no matter what. In this graphic nonfiction book, you'll meet inspiring men, women, and kids like you who fought for what they believed in, regardless of the danger and no matter what the outcome. You'll also have opportunities to think about how you could show integrity and stand up for your own beliefs!
Casey Finnegan is a talented skateboarder. He lives to skate. At the end of his final year of high school, Casey is wondering what to do with his life. He hasn't applied to any colleges, and other than skateboarding, he doesn't believe he's very good at much of anything. When a young movie star contacts Casey and offers him the job of stunt double in an upcoming skateboarding movie, Casey is stoked. It's his dream job, and Casey jumps at the opportunity to train the star. But when word gets out about Casey's new gig, a local skater has other ideas about who would make the best stunt double.
Sixteen-year-old Spencer loves his job at the local racing stable, but when he becomes convinced that someone is drugging the racehorse Lord of the Flies, no one believes him. In an effort to find out who is behind a dangerous race-fixing scheme, he takes on some of the most unsavory members of the track community. By refusing to turn a blind eye, Spencer risks losing those he cares most about, including Em, the stableowner's niece.
Jack Spencer has more to worry about than being kicked off his high school's basketball team. He uncovers suspicious circumstances surrounding the car crash that severely injured his mother and learns of his father's arrest for fraud. Jack's dad is tough on him, but he has learned to live with it. For the most part, he has it pretty good. Jack is a star player on his high school basketball team with everything going for him-scoring records, popularity and an easy path to a college scholarship. Almost as fast as the crash that put his mom in the hospital, everything Jack believes in starts to crumble. His only hope is to discover what's really going on, and quickly. If he doesn't, Jack may lose much more than a basketball career.
Hockey stars Mike "Crazy" Keats and his new friend, Dakota, are caught in a web of violence which makes winning a championship the least of their concerns. Dakota Smith is in trouble. But Mike "Crazy" Keats doesn't care. He is new to the Seattle Thunderbirds, and Dakota seems like a good guy to have for a friend. Unfortunately, not everyone accepts Dakota's Native North American heritage so easily.
Byron is psyched when his older brother Jesse invites him on a weekend caving trip—even if it means spending time with Cole, Jesse's obnoxious college roommate. With Jesse's girlfriend Michelle rounding out the group, Byron is sure the excursion will be a success. Things get tense when they near the cave, only to find that the way in is blocked. Byron stumbles on the entrance to a new cave, but the thrill of his discovery is overshadowed by Cole's increasingly strange behavior. Exploring a wild cave is always dangerous, but it becomes deadly as tempers fray and the water level inside the cave starts to rise. When an underground confrontation leaves his brother seriously injured, Byron has to make some life-or-death decisions—and every second counts.
Reese loves horses and longs to be a competitive show jumper. When the leased horse she rides is sold, she is left riding the orneriest horse in the stable. She decides she must find a horse of her own. Her parents can't afford a trained horse, so she decides to buy a wild horse at auction. Outbid, she discovers that many of the wild horses will be sold for slaughter. Determined to save the horses from a terrible fate, she finds herself in deeper than she expected—and fighting for her life.
