Tara McCarthy

A striking exploration of dubious pursuits like destination weddings, book clubs, and rock 'n' roll, Wouldn't Miss It for the World is a spirited and surprising new novel from Tara McCarthy, the author of Love Will Tear Us Apart. The cast of characters that Tara McCarthy sends down to the tiny Central American country of Belize for a destination wedding are in for a few surprises. There's mother-of-the-bride Alice, a widow, who is about to come face-to-face with an impressive array of Belizean creatures from toucans to intriguing ex-pats. There's Abby, who would rather be back home at Chelsea Lambert's Sweet Sixteen but isn't entirely displeased with the effect her new black bikini has o n some of the wedding guests. And there's Dan, an old friend of the groom, who has decided it's time to declare his love for the bride -- until complications with his girlfriend arise. As their story unfolds against a backdrop of Mayan temples, butterfly farms, and coral reefs, we learn, too, about the bride and the groom. June and Cash are members of the Starter House, an up-and-coming rock band that is certain to either break through or break up -- and this will be the week that decides it.

Wouldn't Miss It for the World

Lorraine Freeney

Like the wildly popular Choose Your Own Adventure tales of our childhood--only with a 20-something twist--Big Night Out is the kind of book readers will delve into more than once in their sometimes frustrating, sometimes victorious, pursuit of their quest. In Big Night Out you must meet up with your current love interest at a party. In order to get to this party, you must track down one of a number of friends who were actually invited and figure out a way to tag along. Some friends are more cooperative than others; after all, each of them has an agenda of his or her own. Likewise, the city you live in poses its own challenges; you may encounter pick-pockets, insane taxi drivers, difficult bouncers, and a full cast of "extras." Add to that the practical necessities such as securing food lest you pass out from drinking too much, and Big Night Out could end up being a night out on the town from hell--depending on what you, the reader, choose to do at every turn.

An Adventure Where You Decide the Outcome

Big Night Out

A guide to facilitating the discussion of the novel by Lois Lowry by students in grades four through eight offers suggestions for identifying themes, analyzing vocabulary, and responding to the text.

Everything You Need for Successful Literature Circles That Get Kids Thinking, Talking, Writing- And Loving Literature

Number the Stars

A guide to facilitating the discussion of the novel by Katherine Paterson by students in grades four through eight offers suggestions for identifying themes, analyzing vocabulary, and responding to the text.

Bridge to Terabithia

Literature Circle Guides

Linda Ward Beech

Donna Townsend

Steck-Vaughn Company

These short reading selections contain a strictly controlled vocabulary and are followed by easy-to-follow comprehension exercises. The five progressive levels accomodate students working at a second through sixth-grade reading level.

Conclusion. Level D

Comprehension Skills

Teacher's Sourcebook

Exploring Humorous Fiction

Scholastic Inc

James Lincoln Collier

Christopher Collier

A study guide featuring author biographies, chapter summaries, reproducibles, and discussion questions for the Colliers' novel, "My brother Sam is dead"

Literature Guide

My Brother Sam Is Dead

Lisa Tucker

Pamela Ribon

Heather Swain

Elise Juska

Say "I do" to five surprising stories of women grappling with love and marriage and whether to walk down the aisle or run away. In Elise Juska's "Perfect Weather for Driving," Megan and Joel's sunset fender-bender makes for a great drunken story at his friend's wedding, but the reality is hardly romantic. Stuck in a New England hotel waiting for the verdict on their Volvo, the two are forced to take stock of their own damaged relationship -- and whether it's too late to fix it. In Tara McCarthy's "Losing California," engaged surfer Alison is convinced that Michael Madsen -- a member of her favorite band -- is her soul mate. Unfortunately, he's not her fiancé. So Alison flies to Nova Scotia, where Michael lives, because she's either right or she's wrong -- and she better find out before the wedding. The bride-to-be in Pamela Ribon's "Sara King Goes Bad" has always done the right thing but decides it's important to know what it feels like to be reckless for once. And so two weeks before her wedding, she indulges in an unforgettable night of sex, drugs, and petty crime. In Heather Swain's "The Happiest Day of Your Life," Annie and Ben plan a simple ceremony at an apple orchard. But when Annie loses perspective -- and everything that can go wrong does -- she's forced to rethink why she wanted a wedding in the first place. The "Emily & Jules" of Lisa Tucker's story are two lonely people who meet on an online bulletin board for agoraphobics. But when Emily is invited to her estranged brother's wedding -- and it's clear across the country -- both she and Jules may be forced to change their ways. Will any of these heroines get to the church on time? Cozy up with Cold Feet and find out.

Cold Feet

Teaching activities and reproducible pages on nine genres or subgenres of literature: poetry, biography, autobiography, reports of information, realistic fiction in a modern setting, historical fiction, folk literature, mystery, modern fantasy and science fiction.

Exploring 9 Types of Literature to Develop Lifelong Readers and Writers

Teaching Genre

Teaching activities and reproducible pages on basic elements that go into all good stories (character, setting, plot, conflict, climax, resolution, imagery, dialogue), readers understand how each of these elements develops and builds upon others as a story evolves.

Easy Strategies and Activities to Help Kids Explore and Enrich Their Experiences with Literature

Teaching Literary Elements

Looks at romance in the modern world, examines the meaning of virginity, and what it is like to be intercourse-free in a sex-obsessed world

A Virgin's Memoir

Been There, Haven't Done That

A guide to facilitating the discussion of the novel by Madeline L'Engle by students in grades four through eight offers suggestions for identifying themes, analyzing vocabulary, and responding to the text.

Everything You Need for Successful Literature Circles That Get Kids Thinking, Talking, Writing-And Loving Literature

A Wrinkle in Time

Hilarie N. Staton

Bring science to life using 24 popular children's books. Cross-curricular activities provide theme-based units that engage students in a broad scope of science discovery. Includes activities, student worksheets, extensions, and correlation charts.

Intergrating Science and Literature, Grades 4-6

Science & Stories

Recounts 24 fairy tales with accompanying teaching suggestions and activity sheets.

Stories and Activities to Promote Literacy and Cultural Awareness

Multicultural Fables and Fairy Tales

Helps kids respond to literature in small discussion groups!

Where the Red Fern Grows

Literature Circle Guide

A guide to using the book "The Sign of the Beaver," for literature circles in grades four through eight that includes management tips, an author biography, key reading comprehension strategies, and reproducible writing prompts and discussion questions.

Literature Circle Guide: the Sign of the Beaver

Linda Beech

Level E

The Main Idea

Ready-to-use, high interest stories with mini-lessons and activities that help students understand literary elements and use them effectively in their writing.

Tara McCarthy

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