Synopsis: At once a romantic history of a mighty river, an autobiographical account of Twain's early steamboat days, and a storehouse of humorous anecdotes and sketches, here is the raw material from which Mark Twain wrote his finest novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.Hannibal, Missouri, on the banks of the Mississippi River, was host to riverboat travelers from around the world, providing a vigorous and variable atmosphere for the young Samuel Clemens…

Synopsis: Named Temujin at birth by his nomadic family in early Mongolia, the great Genghis Khan used his skill and cunning to create the Mongol Empire and conquer almost the entire continent of Asia. As ruler of the largest empire in human history, he was as respected as he was feared. Learn more about the man and the legend in Who Was Genghis Khan?

Synopsis: Don’t miss the eagerly anticipated epic new fantasy from Christopher Paolini—Murtagh!New magic and new threats take flight in Book Two of the Inheritance Cycle, perfect for fans of Lord of the Rings! This New York Times bestselling series has sold over 40 million copies and is an international fantasy sensation. "Christopher Paolini is a true rarity." —The Washington PostDarkness falls… despair abounds… evil reigns… Eragon and his dragon,…

Synopsis: An exceptionally detailed investigation of Roman civilization from its founding to its decline in the West twelve centuries later, This book examines Roman political institutions, key figures, and geography. Readers (Grades 6-9) will encounter Roman religion through the ages and discover its role in shaping Roman society and family life. They will also learn about Rome's contributions to modern language, law, and architecture.

Synopsis: Since their mother's death, Carter and Sadie have become near strangers. While Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, her brother has traveled the world with their father, the brilliant Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane. One night, Dr. Kane brings the siblings together for a "research experiment" at the British Museum, where he hopes to set things right for his family. Instead, he unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes him to…

Synopsis: To make this quintessential Greek drama more accessible to the modern reader, this Prestwick House Literary Touchstone Edition? includes a glossary of difficult terms, a list of vocabulary words, and convenient sidebar notes. By providing these, it is our intention that readers will more fully enjoy the beauty, wisdom, and intent of the play.The curse placed on Oedipus lingers and haunts a younger generation in this new and brilliant translation…

Synopsis: An iron giant saves the world in this contemporary classic.A mysterious creature stalks the land, eating barbed wire and devouring tractors and plows. The farmers are mystified—and terrified. And then they glimpse him in the night: the Iron Giant, taller than a house, with glowing headlight eyes and an insatiable taste for metal. The hungry giant must be stopped at any cost.Only a young boy named Hogarth is brave enough to lead the Iron Giant to…

Synopsis: The authoritative edition of Much Ado About Nothing from the Folger Shakespeare Library—the most trusted Shakespeare series for students, educators, and general readers—offers a complete, accessible resource for exploring one of William Shakespeare’s best-known romantic comedies.A favorite on stage and in classrooms, Much Ado About Nothing presents two contrasting love stories: the impulsive romance between Hero and Claudio, threatened by…

Synopsis: A timeless tale of love and fate, Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare’s most celebrated tragedies. This passionate story follows two star-crossed lovers from feuding families, whose romance unfolds through some of the most beautiful and lyrical poetry ever written. This unabridged version is a must-read for anyone drawn to the power of love and the forces that conspire against it.

Synopsis: NOW ON BROADWAYThe international bestseller and modern classic of adventure, survival, and the power of storytelling is now an award-winning play."A story to make you believe in the soul-sustaining power of fiction."—Los Angeles Times Book ReviewAfter the sinking of a cargo ship, a solitary lifeboat remains bobbing on the wild blue Pacific. The only survivors from the wreck are a sixteen-year-old boy named Pi, a hyena, a wounded zebra, an…

Synopsis: Learn the story behind the ten laws that have been the guiding light of Judeo-Christian belief.Not just about Moses, whose origin story leaves open questions, this book looks back at the time when the commandments were written, how the belief in one all-powerful God set the Israelites apart from other ancient peoples, and the roles the Ten Commandments have played in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It also looks at what each individual…

Synopsis: In the 1930's, great rolling walls of dust swept across the Great Plains. The storms buried crops, blinded animals, and suffocated children. It was a catastrophe that would change the course of American history as people struggled to survive in this hostile environment, or took the the roads as Dust Bowl refugees.Here, in riveting, accessible prose, and illustrated with moving historical quotations and photographs, acclaimed historian Albert…

Synopsis: The journey up Mount Everest is never easy. Climbers risk their lives as they struggle around jagged towers of ice, over snow-covered boulders, and across gaping crevasses. Pete Athans knows these dangers well. He has climbed Mount Everest fourteen times and reached the summit seven times. What is it like to climb the highest mountain on Earth? In this book, you'll follow Pete to the top--and learn about his adventures along the way.-- "Journal"

Synopsis: This mystery begins when Spinner, a New York City native who would rather pirouette than fly cast, catches the family prize––much to her boy cousins' dismay. The prize fish, a huge cutthroat trout, had been thought to be extinct in the river, and Spinner and her cousin set out to solve the mystery of how this one spectacular cuttroat survived until Spinner reeled him in. HarperCollins is pleased to republish Jean Craighead George’s fourth…

Synopsis: Dustin Brown, all-star captain of the 2012 Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings, tells his story of how he went from being a youth hockey player in Ithaca, New York, to becoming one of the NHL's biggest stars. This short story from the collection Guys Read: The Sports Pages is a winner.

Synopsis: What starts as a class trip to the aquarium ends in the depths of the ocean, where the class has to escape from the jaws of a great white shark. Ms. Frizzle teaches the class about different shark species, including the goblin shark, angel shark, and the enormous whale shark. Illustrations.