Two siblings go on a search to find their uncle. They meet interesting characters, some who will prove their friendship, along the way. The kids scour the streets of NYC and discover some of its worst inhabitants.

Classic discussion assignment

A little boy lists the many things that make strange or loud sounds, like a lion's roar or a monkey's screech. These all cause him to be afraid. He shares how he deals with this fear.

Arthur and his friends on the Lakewood soccer team are close to being eligible to play in the playoffs. The team's success has been due to stars the Brain and Francine. When a petty argument breaks out between the stars, the entire team suffers. Arthur and Buster devise a plan to save the Brain and Francine's friendship, and the soccer team.

This collection of poems covers so many elements of the ocean, from sand and shells, to shipwrecked boats, to eels and whales and fish.

This book shares the little known or forgotten account of York's participation in the expedition of Lewis and Clark. Little record of York's involvement exists, besides what Clark wrote in his journal. Blumberg shares the contribution that York made by astonishing Indians with his black skin, he was seen as "big medicine" or a great warrior. His presence opened the door for the explorer's trade with native tribes. This story claims that the success of the expedition goes undoubtedly to York.

King Midas was the ruler of Phrygia. He was greedy and ignorant, and didn't rule fairly. Upon returning a lost satyr to the god Dionysus, he was granted his greatest wish. He wished everything he touched to turn to gold, but found that it brought nothing but misery.

All of the African birds were solid colors of the rainbow, except blackbird. The birds thought blackbird was so beautiful. They wanted him to paint them black too. Blackbird used his blackening brew to add a touch of black character to each and every bird of Africa.

Olvina takes a vacation to Hawaii with her friend Hailey. Olvina is a chicken, so thinks that she can't swim. With the help of Hailey, Olvina learns to swim and really enjoys it!

Ira was going to his first sleepover at Reggie's house. He hadn't thought about bringing his teddy bear until his sister taunted him about it. He asks the advice of his parents. He tries to ask Reggie about it also. Finally Ira decided against bringing his teddy bear. During spooky story telling at the sleepover, Reggie gets his teddy bear. Ira feels relieved and quickly goes home to get his.

We are introduced to a common frozen treat that is sold from a wagon in barrios, a paleta. Our narrator describes all of the creative ways that a paleta can be used, from making new friends, to painting with it, to licking and slurping it.

Henry's mother gave him a blueberry muffin for his school lunch, but he saved it for snack. His teacher changed the seating arrangement and Henry ended up sitting next to a girl he admired, Chloe. During snack time, Henry traded his blueberry muffin for Chloe's carrot.

Take a train ride across the United States of America! This book features a train car for every state filled with information about state birds, flowers, animals, as well as date of statehood, capitals, mottos, and interesting state facts.

The trucks of Trucktown decide to celebrate the finding of their town. They celebrate the contributions that each truck made and have a truck race each year on this day called "trucksgiving".

Amelia Bedelia and Effie Lou help Miss Emma get things ready for a tea party. Amelia Bedelia has unusual ways of weeding the garden, staking bean plants, and making tea cake.

Percy Jackson discovers that he is special, and in danger. He is sent to camp half-blood for protection. Having never known who his father was, he soon discovers that he is the son of Poseidon. With the help of two friends, he embarks on a journey to return the stolen lightning bolt to Zeus to diffuse a fued between Zeus and Poseidon.

This is a heartfelt story told from a gorilla's perspective of his time spent living in a mall circus. Over the years he has become close friends with an elephant and a stray dog. When a baby elephant is brought in to save the circus from plummeting, Ivan promises to not let her spend her eternity in a cage. Ivan uses his artistic talents to solicit help and find Ruby a new home.

Mother dragon reads her little dragon a bedtime story. As little dragon insists, mom reads it again and again, with the story changing slightly each time. Little dragon can't fall asleep and soon ends up the dragon in the story.

This book explores the sense of touch. It tells what parts of our bodies are the most sensitive to touch, how "touch" messages are sent to the brain, why temperature, pressure, and weight are perceived differently, and more.

When no one is watching a girl has the courage to do many things. She is a completely different person when everyone is watching. Yet, when her best friend and she are together, neither of them care who is watching.

There are so many occupations in the world! This book of poems explores careers in verse from underwear salesman to dictionary maker, from taxi driver to bubble bath tester.

Mrs. Finnemore is an overwhelmed mother of 5. She has trouble keeping track of her belongings and her children. Baby Edwin is the one who speaks up to let mom know where things are, but mom can't understand his gibber. Edwin takes matters into his own hands to save mom's perfect day.

A monkey is reading a book. A jackass asks lots of questions about what the book can do and how you use it. He is very curious about this "book" and eventually finds himself enthralled with it.

Partner Book Assignment

A school librarian loves reading and encourages students to read. She even dresses in character when she reads aloud. One young student claims that she doesn't like any books. Finally, a book appeals to her and she finds herself just as enthusiastic about books as the librarian.

All the letters of the alphabet race to the top of the coconut tree. Once all the letters have arrived, the tree topples over. All the little letters fall down. One by one they get up. Some little letters have boo-boos. When night falls, letter 'a' challenges them all again.

One flea is joined by numerous animals and insects, all in sequential order from 1 to 12. The reader is challenged to locate the correct number of the newest addition. Eventually there is one too many...but maybe it is because of who joins at the end.

Little green peas show different activities that they can do. There are activities that begin with the letter A, all the way through the alphabet to letter Z.

Poems are created from a single word. The spacing of the letters vary, keeping them in a column under the letter from the original word. There are 22 different word poems.

A young boy wakes up to a snowy day. He explores the snow and all the fun ways to play. He tries to save a snowball in his pocket, but finds it melted once in his warm house. He falls asleep afraid that it will all be gone tomorrow, but to his delightful surprise it is another snowy day.