Best Selling Books by Gare Thompson

Ride along with the daring men of the Pony Express.

This thrilling new series of books has everything middle school readers long for: action, adventure, danger, and young heroes! The Great Escapes series explores real historical events and shows children how kids just like them learn how to work together in order to change the world for the better. Historical figures are interwoven into the stories, offering readers the chance for further exploration on these people and their places in history. In Underground Railroad 1854: Perilous Journey, a pair of teenage slaves must rely on a white teenager to help them escape slavery. Will they work together—or pay a terrible price?

At age two, Helen Keller became deaf and blind. She lived in a world of silence and darkness and she spent the rest of her life struggling to break through it. But with the help of teacher Annie Sullivan, Helen learned to read, write, and do many amazing things. This inspiring illustrated biography is perfect for young middle-grade readers. Black-and-white line drawings throughout, sidebars on related topics such as Louis Braille, a timeline, and a bibliography enhance readers'' understanding of the subject.

For a long time, the main role of First Ladies was to act as hostesses of the White House...until Eleanor Roosevelt. Born in 1884, Eleanor was not satisfied to just be a glorified hostess for her husband, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Eleanor had a voice, and she used it to speak up against poverty and racism. She had experience and knowledge of many issues, and fought for laws to help the less fortunate. She had passion, energy, and a way of speaking that made people listen, and she used these gifts to campaign for her husband and get him elected president-four times! A fascinating historical figure in her own right, Eleanor Roosevelt changed the role of First Lady forever.

A very basic introduction to screws, levers, planes and more.

A survey of how rain forests work in the Amazon River Region.

This thrilling new series of books has everything middle school readers long for: action, adventure, danger, and young heroes! Great Escapes explores real historical events and shows children how kids just like them learn how to work together in order to change the world for the better. Historical figures are interwoven into the stories, offering readers the chance for further exploration on these people and their places in history. In Mount St. Helen''s 1980: Fiery Eruption!, Alex and Wendy love exploring this beautiful volcano. But when the long-dormant volcano erupts, the two best friends must race to save others—and themselves.

This is a story of a race between two explorers, R. Amundsen and R. Scott, both of whom wanted to be the first to reach the South Pole. To do this, they would have to overcome many dangers.

Describes the Serengeti Plain and the animals that live there.

Easy experiments introduce kids to water, air, and land pollution. Earth Awareness.

Shows how drama provides opportunity to develop language skills, self-expression and fun. The authors have significant classroom experience working with children.

Padre Carlos Ramón is visiting the Delgado family in Californina, where he shares stories of early California mission life with the Delgado children.

Timothy Mole writes of escapades and adventures in letters to his mom and dad while traveling with his school band to Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, DC.

The U.S.S. Monitor was an entirely new type of warship when it launched in 1862. Dubbed "the forefather of the modern Navy," this ironclad ship changed how wars are fought at sea. But on New Year''s Eve, 1862, it sank off the coast of North Carolina in a terrible storm. No one thought the Monitor could be raised, but after 140 years, parts of the ironclad have finally been brought to the surface. This book chronicles the Monitor''s revolutionary design, exciting battle, and intriguing excavation. Illustrated by Larry Day.

Readers learn about how people lived and worked in the 19th century whaling community of New Bedford, Massachusetts.

This pairing of fiction and non-fiction literature features a short play which is a retelling of the story of Pinocchio. The companion book describes how plays are put on and describes different people needed to perform a play.

Find out about the adventures of sailors who hunted whales in the 1800s and what products were made from whale oil and whale parts.

Perform this script about a ninety-five-year-old woman''s choice to hang her flag in the face of the enemy as they march through her town during the civil war.

Perform this script about two policemen who investigate a murder mystery.

Gives simple facts about wool.

A young man named Jack finds a great way to thank his friends for the help they gave him when he needed a home.

Follows a Jewish family as they leave Russia in 1893 and begin a new life in New York City, where they find new challenges and opportunities on their way to becoming Americans.

Pairs of fiction and nonfiction books share high-interest topics and encourage children to compare and contrast, distinguish between fact and fiction, and make the transition between fiction and nonfiction reading strategies.

Supplies interesting facts about the building and history of America''s cities.

It Is 1852, and 12-year-old Sarah Marshall and her family are on their way west to make a new life farming Oregon''s fertile land. But the journey will not be easy. The Marshalls must leave everyone and everything that will not fit in a covered wagon. They must risk their lives every day to disease, accidents, outlaws, river crossings, and Indians as they walk thousands of miles across the North American continent. In this deft combination of rich factual background and fictional story, Gare Thompson brings to life the adventures and challenges that faced the intrepid pioneers who traveled the Oregon Trail. Book jacket.