Interested in the Battle of Bunker Hill?

The Battle of Bunker Hill actually took place on Breed's Hill, which was slightly closer to Boston than Bunker Hill. The battle itself became known as the Battle at Bunker Hill, but is also called the Battle at Breed's Hill. The invading British wore thick winter uniforms in the June heat, and had to deal with lots of mud which made walking with their heavy boots difficult. The British won this particular battle, driving the colonial army away. The British did not take the colonial army seriously, thinking that they were not well trained.

The American Revolution started with the Battle at Lexington in April of 1775, was fought at Bunker Hill in June of 1775, and continued until October 1781, with the final battle taking place in Yorktown.

This middle school title, available in both library and paperback editions, is available directly from Enslow, your preferred vendor, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Today is Flag Day

Here are two great books that introduce our American symbol to young readers:




PreK–Grade 1

Authors Alison and Steven Eldridge explore the symbolism of the American flag in the The American Flag: An American Symbol book. Early readers will discover the colors of the flag, the meaning of the stars, and where the flag is flown.

 

 



Grades K–3

Superheroes are always good citizens . . . or are they? When Molly dons her clever crown and Ben ties on his courageous cape, this duo can accomplish anything. However, even superheroes must sometimes be reminded to show good citizenship. Follow Molly through a daring adventure in becoming a better citizen in Molly the Great Respects the Flag. A Free Educator's Guide is available through our web site.

Looking for math books for your sports fans?

Written for the upper elementary student, learn math concepts through sports examples. Each chapter opens with general rules and facts about that particular sport, and then math examples are shown, demonstrating
how math is used in that particular sport. Curious to know how large the penalty box is in soccer? Score with Soccer Math gives you the formula.

For the race car fan, how much total time does a race car lose during pit stops in a 500-mile race? Score with Race Car Math instructs the reader how to calculate that number.

The other four titles in the series, Score with Track and Field Math, Score with Football Math, Score with Basketball Math, and Score with Baseball Math, all follow the same format. Teachers stopping by our booth at BookExpo America liked looking through these titles!

All six of these titles, available in both library and paperback editions, can be ordered from your preferred vendor, independent bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Kyle Busch debuts new look for his No. 18 M&M Toyota at the Coca-Cola 600 this weekend.

Many fans and teammates love Kyle Busch for his ability to win and his straightforward personality. What many do not know is that he also runs a foundation to help underprivileged kids, in addition to volunteering his time to assist charities, like Habitat for Humanity, run by other NASCAR drivers

This weekend Kyle Busch will continue to drive his No. 18 M&M’s Toyota for the Coca-Cola 600. But there will be one slight difference in the car's paint scheme. The familiar M&M characters will be wearing construction gear to reflect Joe Gibbs Racings’ partnership with Habitat for Humanity. You can see before and after photos of the car here.

ISBN: 978-0-7660-3589-8

To learn more about Kyle Busch read, Kyle Busch: Gifted and Giving Racing Star from our Sports Stars Who Give Back series for grades 7–9. This book is also available as an eBook!

Have you hugged a turtle today?

Today is World Turtles Day!

May 23 is World Turtle Day, an annual celebration to increase awareness of turtles everywhere. World Turtle Day was started 13 years ago by the American Tortoise Rescue (ATR).

To learn more about leatherback turtles, check out our book, Leatherback Turtles, Giant Squids, and Other Mysterious Animals of the Deepest Seas by Ana Maria Rodriquez from our Extreme Animals from Extreme Environments series! And don't forget to hug a turtle today.

The leatherback is named for it's unique shell that looks like leather.

View a sample of the book

Sunday is Cinco de Mayo – How are you celebrating?

Enslow would like to share two great Cinco de Mayo titles:

Cinco de Mayo–Count and Celebrate!
Students in grades 3–4 can read about the history, customs and practices of Cinco de Mayo with this 48-page book that is available in library binding, paperback, and as an eBook.

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo
How many main colors are there on the Mexican flag? Can you count to ten in Spanish? Learn more in Cinco de Mayo—Count and Celebrate! Students in Grades 1–3 can count people, symbols, and more as you explore and learn about this fascinating holiday.This book is available in library binding.

These books and others in their series can be purchased from Enslow, Barnes and Noble, Amazon,your favorite bookstore, or your preferred vendor.

What part will DNA play in the Boston Marathon bombing investigation?

Female DNA was found on a piece of at least one of the explosive devices used in April 15's Boston Marathon bombing. However, police have not yet determined whether or not the DNA discovery indicates a woman's involvement in the attack.

What is DNA? DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a molecule that carries a set of instructions. These instructions tell our cells what to do, which determines physical traits such as eye color or height. The information encoded on the DNA molecule is what makes a person unique.

Available in paperback and library binding

The DNA in the blood can narrow down a list of suspects–clearing the innocent or helping send the guilty to prison. In our book, DNA and Blood: Dead People Do Tell Tales from our True Forensic Crime Stories series, discover how blood pattern analysis and DNA fingerprinting began, how they are used now for crimes like the Boston Marathon bombing, and how they have solved decades-old mysteries.

This book and others in the series are available from Enslow, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, your favorite independent bookstore or your preferred vendor.

Will you be in New Orleans?

The New Orleans Jazz and Hertitage Festival starts today and runs through May 5. Many great artists will be appearing. But do you know the history of jazz? What about Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Herbie Hancock? What do they all have in common?  The answer is, they are all great jazz artists. 

Enslow's Incredible African-American Jazz Musicians from our African-American Collective Biographies series highlights how each of these musicians got started and what gifts they brought to the world of music.

Each of these musicians had their own voice, sound, or style of playing. Miles Davis played trumpet in a muted whisper. Charlie Parker's saxophone solos displayed phenomenal speed and variety. 

Library Edition ISBN: 978-1-59845-137-5
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-4644-0036-0

The earliest jazz originated in New Orleans. It's musical elements were derived from African-American brass marching bands and ragtime music from the saloons. Known as Dixieland, it was characterized by several musicians simultaneously playing their improvisations based on the melody and chord pattern of the tune. The tune would most likely have been a popular song of the day or a blues that the musicians did not compose. Many of these early jazz musicians could not read music. But through improvisation they created exciting, joyful music that bore little resemblance to the original tune.

You can read more about the history of jazz and these eight great jazz musicians in our book, Incredible African American Jazz Musicians by Stephen Feinstein.

Available from Enslow, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, your favorite independent bookstore or your preferred vendor.

  

Do you have a little chef in your home?

From party food...

to pizza and pasta...

to tasty desserts...

and even yummy snacks...

young chefs will find the simple steps accompanied by illustrations easy to follow.

Enslow's Little Chef series that will be available June 1 is already receiving great advance reviews.

Available for preorder from Enslow, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, your favorite independent bookstore, or your preferred vendor. Reserve your copies today!

This Year Marks the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham

Referred to as the "most segregated city in America," Birmingham, Alabama, became a hotbed for civil rights activity in the early 1960s. Great African-American leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth, helped lead the civil rights movement in the city. In Birmingham, African-American youth marched, sang, and spoke out against segregation. Although they faced police dogs and fire hoses, they offered non-violent resistance and did not back down. 

This May will mark the 50th anniversary of the children's marches in Birmingham.  It's a great opportunity to check out these honor and award-winning books about the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham.

Enslow's When the Children Marched by Robert H. Mayer is now also available as an eBook.

We've Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children's March by Cynthia Levinson

Birmingham Sunday by Larry Dane Brimner

You can see a sample list of special events being held throughout the year to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham.

  

What if you were Paul Revere? What would you do?

General Thomas Gage was in charge of Massachusetts. On April 14, 1775, he received some special orders from Britain. He and his soldiers were to arrest John Hancock and Sam Adams. The pair was hiding out in Lexington.
     The British soldiers then were to go on to Concord.. The colonists had hidden weapons there. General Gage wanted those weapons destroyed.
     The raid would take place on April 18. The British hoped to surprise the colonists. If successful, they could hurt the rebel's cause.

What Would You Do?

What if you were Margaret Kemble Gage? She was General Gage's wife, who was born in the colonies. You overheard your husband discussing the attack. You do not want to betray him. Yet you do not want the king to crush the colonists. Would you alert the rebels? What do you think Margaret Kemble Gage did?

     On the evening of April 18, Warren asked Paul Revere to ride to Lexington. He was asked to warn Hancock and Adams that the British were coming. After that, he was to ride on to Concord to warn the colonists there.
     Colonists had formed their very own fighting groups called militias. In Massachusetts, these men were known as minutemen. They were proud that they could be ready to fight in a minute's notice. Now they would be put to the test.
     Revere had been a messenger for the patriots before. Tonight he would have to ride as fast as he could to get to Lexington and Concord before the British.

What Would You Do?

What if you were Paul Revere? Would you agree to do this? The British will be on the lookout for rebels tonight. If you are caught you could be arrested or even hanged! Would you be willing to take the risk?

The Revolutionary War Begins: Would You Join the Fight? is part our What Would You Do? series. It is available in library binding and in paperback from Enslow, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and your favorite Indie store or preferred vendor. A free educator guide is also available.
  

Anniversary of the Titanic

978-0-7660-4017-5

On this day in 1912, the Titanic, the largest ocean liner ever built, struck a iceberg and sunk. Considered the most state-of-the-art ship at the time, it was five days into its maiden voyage when disaster struck. Even though the crew tried to steer the ship around the iceberg, the iceberg hit the side of the ship. Two hours Titanic had sunk, taking fifteen hundred passengers with it.
later, the

Built in Belfast, Ireland, the Titanic was the largest of the three ships built by the White Star Line. It was thought that the Titanic was indestructible. The hull was 882 feet long, nearly the length of three football fields. The ship had nine decks, which made it as tall as an eleven-story building. The hull was constructed with sixteen separate watertight compartments. Giant iron doors were added, so that if one compartment started taking on water, the door could be closed, preventing any water from flowing into other compartments.

Departing from Southampton, England, on April 10, 1912, the passenger list comprised some of the most wealthy and famous people in the world, including Benjamin Guggenheim and Isidor Straus (founder of Macy's department store.) More than half of the ship's passengers traveled in third class. Most of these passengers were immigrants, traveling to North America to start a new life for themselves.

Written for the upper elementary or middle school reader, this title describes what happened that night, introduces readers to those who tried and were able to help others, as well as investigates the aftermath, including why this ocean liner had only one voyage.

Interview with Author Bonnie Pryor and Special eBook Offer

Bonnie Pryor is the author of several of Enslow's historical fiction books, including the Hannah Pritchard trilogy. She took some time recently to talk to us about how she combines historical facts with her fictional characters. 

Bonnie Pryor

Enslow:  What is your favorite childhood memory about books?

Bonnie:  My favorite memories are about reading and my favorite places to read were…sitting in a crook of an old plum tree, under my covers at night, inside my math book at school, and under the dining room table when I was supposed to be dusting….any place I had a book.

Enslow:   How has your upbringing influenced your writing?

Bonnie:  I suppose I had a fairly sheltered childhood with strict parents, so I have trouble imagining bad characters.

Enslow:  When did your interest in writing historical fiction start?

Hannah Pritchard: Pirate of the
Revolution (Book  1)

Bonnie:  I’ve always enjoyed reading historical fiction, but, for some reason or other, I didn’t think of it until about fifteen years ago when an editor (knowing I liked historical fiction) suggested I try writing some.

Enslow:  What was your biggest challenge when writing The Hannah Pritchard trilogy?

Bonnie:  Fitting what was going on in the real world at that time into my story – for instance, John Paul Jones being in Portsmouth, NH, and Paul Revere in Boston.

Enslow:  What is your favorite trait of your female pirate character, Hannah Pritchard?

Bonnie:  Hannah is strong and independent. She figures things out and takes care of them on her own.

Enslow:   Hannah finds herself aboard an American privateer ship during the Revolutionary War and has to hide her female identity to be able to work as a cabin boy. How do you think this reflects the roles of women during this time period?

Pirate Hannah Pritchard:
Captured  (Book 2)

Bonnie:  Except for a few female pirates, who were not very nice characters, women were considered bad luck on a ship. Although women worked as hard and as well as men, they were restricted by the society of the times as to what they could and couldn’t do.

Enslow:  Hannah and her friends must complete some important missions for the Continental navy and outsmart an enemy pirate in a race to bring home the buried treasure. What’s your secret to writing fabulous adventures while still referencing real people and real historical events?

Bonnie:  I did a lot of research to get the timelines correct in my head. The events that were actually happening then were exciting, so it wasn’t hard to fit them into the story.

Captain Hannah Pritchard:
The Hunt for Pirate Gold
(Book 3)

Enslow:  What do you and Hannah have in common?

Bonnie:  Like Hannah, I’m an independent person with a mind of my own and I’ve always been fairly interested in having adventures.

Enslow:  If you could trade places for a day with one historical character, who would it be and why?

Bonnie:  It would be Margaret Mead. Growing up I admired her and her amazing adventures as an anthropologist and actually thought about going into that field.

About the Author: 

Bonnie Pryor claims she was ‘born loving books’ and it certainly seems as if books are the warp and weft upon which the threads of her life are woven.

Thirty years after the publication of her first book, Grandpa Bear, she has written and had published a total of thirty-seven books for children and young adults. Though her first love is picture books, she has written easy-to-read books, chapter books, mysteries, and historical fiction. Many of her books have been translated into different languages and are sold in countries around the world.

REVIEW

"The 'Real History Behind the Story' section is a great addition to this historical fiction series. These would be excellent books for teachers to use in their classrooms, because they intertwine American history with realistic tales."
     –Library Media Connection, March 2008

SPECIAL EBOOK OFFER FOR A LIMTED TIME ONLY!
Consumers can take advantage of a SPECIAL OFFER on the eBook versions of the Hannah Pritchard trilogy from their favorite eBook retailers including Amazon and Kobo. For a limited time, Hannah Pritchard: Pirate of the Revolution (Book 1) is only 99 cents and Pirate Hannah Pritchard: Captured (Book 2) is just $3.49. Captain Hannah Pritchard: The Hunt for Pirate Gold (Book 3) is also available for $7.69.

Learn About Booker T. Washington

With skills like farming, carpentry, and sewing, Booker T. Washington believed that blacks could find acceptance in the racist white society of the late 1880s. His school became a leading educator of African Americans, and he became a powerful national figure, advising business owners and even presidents. Though many considered Washington the most important black leader of his time, some other black leaders criticized his accommodating "Uncle Tom" views. In simple language, the McKissacks clarify Booker T. Washington's philosophy, accomplishments, and place in history.

Booker T. Washington: African American Leader from our Famous African Americans series for grades K–3 is available from Enslow, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. Now available in library, paperback, and eBook editions!

Win a free book on Friday

The seven wonders of the ancient world have dazzled people with their beauty, size, and sheer magnificence. Majestic pyramids, grand monuments, and towering statues are among the many wonders to have graced the list. 

The picture below is one of those natural wonders of the ancient world from our book What Are the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World?. Can you guess the name of this ancient wonder? 

Leave your answer in a comment and we will pick one random winner from all of the correct answers to win a free copy of the book. Repin the book cover image from Pinterest using #WondersNaturalWorld and we'll throw your name in the hat twice. Maximum of two entries per person. U.S. residents only. Contest ends March 31st. 

ISBN: 978-0-7660-4151-6
For Grades 5-6

P.T. Barnum and James A. Bailey join forces for "The Greatest Show on Earth"

In the spring of 1881 P.T. Barnum and James A. Bailey opened their new show, the largest circus ever seen, and the first three-ring circus in history. A hippodrome track circled the edge of the arena. At night, arc lights powered by a steam generator lit up the rings and the sideshows.

When Jumbo the Elephant arrived in the United States on April 8, 1882, crowds lined up to see this seven-ton animal perform at the circus. Only one man could deliver such a giant attraction to audiences—P. T. Barnum. A master of entertainment and showmanship, Barnum introduced Americans to wild acts and curiosities at the American Museum and the Barnum & Bailey Circus. His keen understanding of advertisement and promotion helped invent the modern world of "show business." Author Tom Streissguth explores the life of this innovative entertainer from his early days in the lottery business to his creation of the first three-ring circus.

P.T. Barnum: "Every Crowd Has a Silver Lining" is available from Enslow, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or  through your preferred vendor.

Guess the natural wonder and win the book!

ISBN: 978-0-7660-4154-7

Seven spectacular natural wonders can be enjoyed from coast to coast within the United States. Discover these majestic works of art, shaped by natural forces, seen and unseen by humans in our book

 What are the 7 Natural Wonders of the United States? from our new series What Are the Seven Wonders of the World? for grades 5–6.

The picture below is of one of those natural wonders of the United States. Can you guess the name of this natural wonder? Leave your answer in a comment and we will pick one random winner from all of the correct answers to win a free copy of the book. Repin the book cover image from Pinterest using #WondersNaturalWorld and we'll throw your name in the hat twice. Maximum of two entries per person. U.S. residents only. Contest ends March 17th.

What do Albert Einstein and Pi have in common?

Numbers, basically. Albert Einstein and Pi are both celebrated on March 14th.

Albert Einstein was born in Ulm Germany, on March 14, 1879 and he remained active working for peace and science until his death in 1955.

Have you ever stepped into an elevator and wondered what it would feel like if it suddenly fell out of control? Albert Einstein thought about it a lot. Thinking about space and gravity in this way helped Einstein form his general theory of relativity, one of the most important scientific ideas of the twentieth century. With his wild, bushy white hair, Albert Einstein is the symbol of genius.

Though Albert Einstein is remembered mostly as being a scientific genius, he was also concerned with helping people. During World War II, he assisted many Jews fleeing the Nazis. After the war, the people of Israel asked him to be their president. Einstein declined; he still had unanswered scientific questions to solve. Today, scientists are still hard at work trying to solve some of Einstein's questions. 

Albert Einstein:  Physicist and  Genius,  Revised  Edition
ISBN:  978-0-7660-2838-0

 Pi Day is also celebrated on Einstein's birthday because March 14th (3/14 in month/date format) is the approximate numeric equivalent of Pi in decimal form - 3.14

Doesn't that make for the perfect excuse to celebrate today with a piece of birthday cake or pie?

Win A Free Book!

The natural world is a beautiful place. From the ocean shores to the inland forests, there are many little spots of heaven on earth. What are the 7 Wonders of the Natural World? showcases some of the most magnificent views nature has to offer. This new spring title is for grades 5–6.

The picture below is of one of those wonders of the natural world. Can you guess the name of this natural wonder? Leave your answer in a comment and we will pick one random winner from all of the correct answers to win a free copy of the book. Repin the book cover image from Pinterest using #WondersNaturalWorld and we'll throw your name in the hat twice. Maxium of two entries per person. U.S. residents only. Contest ends March 10th.

What is St Patrick's Day?

Are you ready to answer this question? If not, there's still time to order any of these titles from our
St. Patrick's Day collection in time for March 17.

PreK–Grade 1 students will learn the meaning of St. Patrick's Day with our book, St Patrick's Day, that uses sight words and simple sentences with large, readable text for these early readers.

Readers in grades 1–2 will enjoy What is St. Patrick's Day? This book introduces young readers to cultures and holiday traditions surrounding St. Patrick's Day.

Elementary students in grades 3–4 can explore the origin, along with the traditions and customs of St. Patrick's Day with more advanced text in our St. Patrick's Day, Revised and Updated book.

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day,  written by Elaine Landau, explores the history of the holiday and how it is celebrated in the United States in a simple way that elementary students are able to understand. A St. Patrick's Day activity is also included.

Paper Crafts for St. Patrick's Day is a great book to use in support of the lessons about the holiday. With a short introduction to the holiday, step-by-step instructions are included for making unique paper-cutting crafts. Perfect for the classroom!

Library bound and paperback versions of these titles are available from Enslow, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and of course, from your favorite vendor!