Did Leif Eriksson who traveled to Canada, beat Christopher Columbus by nearly 400 years?

October 9 every year is Leif Eriksson Day. This day was created in 1964 and chosen for its connection to the first organized immigration from Norway to the United States (the ship arrived in NY harbor on October 9 1825), but ironically not for any event in the life of the Eriksson.

There are many fascinating things to find out about the Viking explorer: Leif Eriksson was a Norse explorer who was probably the first European to land in North America. According to stories from the time, he established a Norse settlement at Vinland, which has been tentatively identified as L'Anse aux Meadows, a Norse site on the northern tip of the island of Newfoundland, Canada.

Find out more in Enslow Publishers' titles here.

Freedom of the press

Should news providers be allowed to publish stories that may prove embarassing to the United States government? This was the question the United States Supreme Court had to consider in the case of New York Times v. United States in 1971.

The debate about freedom of the press is discussed in a thought-provoking overview entitled New York Times v. United States, a library-bound book for middle school readers.

The History of Fire Prevention Week

Perhaps you've heard the kids talking about firefighters with their fire engines visiting their schools this week. Courtesy of our new Fire Dog Heroes book, here's the history behind this special week...

On October 9, 1911, Fire Prevention Day was proclaimed. This day was chosen because it was the fortieth anniversary of the 1871 Great Chicago Fire, which killed hundreds of people and destroyed thousands of buildings. In 1992, Fire Prevention Day was extended to an entire week. Fire Prevention week is celebrated during the week that includes the date of October 9th.

The high price of gold

"Did you know that the rising price of gold has caused outlaw mining companies and miners to explore abandoned mines? Outlaw miners will break through concrete seals on closed shafts to try to mine any remaining gold. In June 2009 there were reports that sixty-one miners died from a fire in an abandoned mine. Additional accidents have reportly killed an estimated twenty illegal miners in 2009."

This quote was taken from True Underground Rescue Stories.

Today Brian Johnson from AC/DC is celebrating a birthday

Having joined AC/DC after the sudden death of Bon Scott, the lead singer, Brian Johnson has been with the band ever since. Their first album with Johnson as lead singer was Back in Black.

Formed in 1973, AC/DC is still one of the most popular bands to perform today. Interested in reading more about AC/DC? This title is available in both library and paperback versions.

Justin Timberlake Discusses "The Social Network"

Singer Justin Timberlake, the subject of an Enslow Publishers biography, recently spoke about his experience acting in the new movie The Social Network. His comments, during the New York Press Day for the film, note Timberlake's preparation for his role, his working relationship with The Social Network's director David Fincher, and the actor's surprising perspective on the social networking phenomenon.

The movie offers teachers and librarians a strong opportunity to encourage students to read about Timberlake's life and career. Author Tony Napoli's 48-page biography provides a reliable, interesting "way in" for young readers to learn more about the entertainer's background. Enslow also provides a free, downloadable teacher's guide for the Timberlake book. You'll find it, along with other contemporary biographies in Enslow's "Hot Celebrity Biographies" series, at http://www.enslowclassroom.com/. The site features Enslow paperback books suitable for use as classroom supplemental materials, classroom libraries, or recreational reading.

The paperback edition of Justin Timberlake: Breakout Music Superstar costs $7.95; the book is also available in a library-bound version.

Anniversary of the death of Janis Joplin

Forty years ago today Janis Joplin died of an accidental heroin overdose in Los Angeles. Another one of those singers whose talent was never fully realized, her addictions to alcohol and drugs were her downfall.

During her short and eventful life, her powerful and soulful voice paved the way for other female rockers.

Yesterday Yosemite National Park celebrated its 120th birthday

On October 1, 1890, the United States Congress designated Yosemite National Park. Each year around 4 million people from around the world visit this park.

My family visited this park several years ago. While my two brothers and brother-in-law climbed Half Dome, my sister, mother, niece, nephew and I drove around to the different meadows and lakes, and hiked to Sentinel Dome to get an amazing view of the entire valley with all of the different peaks and waterfalls. We hiked through Hetch Hetchy and drove to Glacier Point on our way out of the park. Talk about an amazing experience!

Posted by Pam

Former President Jimmy Carter is celebrating a birthday today

In 2002, Jimmy Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize for his lifelong dedication to world peace, human rights, and democracy. In the years since Carter’s presidency, he has become an extraordinary role model of service to humanity. Readers of Barbara Kramer’s inspiring biography cannot help but admire this idealistic, selfless man who has harnessed his considerable ambition and power for just one goal: to make the world a better place.

On this day in 1908

Henry Ford introduced the Model T to the market. Each car cost $825. Back then, that was a lot of money for something that had people nervous about whether it would be a worthwhile purchase.

Missing hiker found after 6 days!

Edward Rosenthal, a real estate broker survived six days without food or water in Joshua Tree National Park in California. He thought for sure he was never going to be found, so wrote all over his hat his wishes for his family and friends when he passed on, making sure that Persian food was to be served at his funeral.

Rosenthal was found thanks to the relentless of the search team, which included many Search and Rescue Dog Heroes.

It's funny, because as I was reading this story, I was handed our brand new True Rescue Stories books that just came in. This is the type of story that can be found in True Wilderness Rescue Stories. These thrilling stories are 48 pages long and even include tips on how to survive!

Have you ever had an encounter like Rosenthal's, or known someone who has?

For those James Dean fans out there ....

On this day in 1955, literally 55 years ago, James Dean died in a car accident at the age of 24.

This complicated young actor made three classic films, East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, and Giant.

In James Dean, Karen Clemens Warrick explores his often unguarded life, giving insight into his personality and turbulent emotions and offering explanations about what made his few film performances unforgettable.

Today is Hilary Duff's birthday

Known for both her singing and acting, did you know that Hilary Duff also works with charities? She is involved with Blessings in a Backpack, a group that provides backpacks (with food inside) for students to eat over the weekend. Since many students across the country participate in local school lunch programs, they do get lunch during the school week, however they may not have enough food at home to eat over the weekend. Students take the filled backpacks home and then return the empty backpacks on Monday to be filled again for the following weekend.

Another one of her favorite charities is Kids With a Cause. This group encourages children to help children. It teaches the principles and practices of philanthropy to children and teens in the entertainment industry.

She also works with charities that help animals. She and her sister, Haylie, like to encourage people to adopt pets at local animal shelters.

Interested in learning more about Hilary Duff? Available in both library and paperback versions, this biography is great for grades 6 and up.

Halloween Event Supports San Francisco Schools

Among this year's more creative school fundraising events is the "San Francisco Halloween Run and Walk for Schools." Participants can choose either a 5K and one mile option that covers a relatively flat course. It sounds like a healthy, spirited way to support local schools.

The event reminds us that Halloween is nearly a month away. Many instructors create special lesson plans, intending to use the holiday as a teaching and learning opportunity. Enslow Publishers’ new Haunted House Adventure Crafts provides hands-on activities that are especially useful for group work. The book, best suited for grades K-3, offers fun activities, clear directions, and a child-friendly look.

The 32-page title is available in paperback for $6.95; a library-bound version is also available. Walk or run to Enslow Classroom for more information about Haunted House Adventure Crafts and all the books in Enslow Publishers' "Fun Adventure Crafts" series!

Avril Lavigne is celebrating a birthday today

"A big part of Lavigne's appeal always has been her life story. When a young girl from a small town in Canada becomes one of the biggest stars on the planet, people everywhere get inspired. But when that small-town girl becomes successful, negative people everywhere begin looking for flaws."

This quote is from Avril Lavigne: Celebrity with Heart. Written for the middle school, it is available in both library and paperback versions.

Enslow supports Banned Books Week

Each of the following five titles in Enslow's Banned Book series highlights authors and their books that may have been banned from school and library collections. Founded in 1982, this annual campaign is meant to bring attention to the importance of the freedom to read. Librarians and teachers celebrate the ability to retain frequently-challenged books in their collections while encouraging readers to examine banned and challenged books.

J.K. Rowling
John Steinbeck
Madeleine L’Engle
Mark Twain
Robert Cormier

Review of Pirate Hannah Pritchard: Captured!

School Library Journal review (Feburary, 2010) of author Bonnie Pryor's second adventure of Pirate Hannah Pritchard: Captured!

This sequel to Hannah Pritchard: Pirate of the Revolution (Enslow, 1998) is easy to read and fast moving. Courageous, strong, and determined are just a few of the adjectives that describe the 14-year-old protagonist...

160 pages, Historical Fiction Adventures Series, Enslow Publishers, Inc.

Description from the Publisher's website:
Aboard the Sea Hawk, Hannah Pritchard and her fellow pirates are sailing home to share the treasure they took from the British. But, during their journey, a British frigate attacks the Sea Hawk, destroying the ship. Hannah and a few crewmates narrowly escape with the treasure chest. Marooned on an island, Hannah and her friends are captured by the British. Follow Hannah Pritchard in her second pirate adventure as she faces brutal conditions as a British prisoner during the American Revolution

http://www.enslow.com/displayitem.asp?type=1&item=2648

Amazing Americans Series Review in SLJ

"Is it possible to condense the life of any person into approximately 40 sentences? This is what Wade attempts to do in these early-reader biographies...." as reviewed in School Library Journal (February 2010). All books written by Mary Dodson Wade and included in the review are:

Amazing Arctic Explorer Matthew Henson,
Amazing Champion of the Earth Rachel Carson,
Amazing Cherokee Writer Sequoyah,
Amazing Civil War Nurse Clara Barton,
Amazing Olympic Athlete Wilma Rudolph,
Amazing President Theodore Roosevelt.

Interesting facts about F. Scott Fitzgerald on what would have been his birthday

• Did you know that his parents were obsessed with his well-being? Both of his older sisters died (at the ages of one and three years old) while his mom was pregnant with him, so I guess it's understandable. Eventually they did have another daughter, but Scott felt that his mother never got over the deaths of her older daughters.
• His full name was Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald and he was named after the man who composed "The Star Spangled Banner." Edward Fitzgerald (Scott's father) was related to Francis Scott Key.
• I also didn't know that This Side of Paradise was the best selling of his books during his lifetime. These are just a few tidbits of information I found about him in this book.

Interested in learning more about him? Click here.

Has anyone been involved in training service dogs?

Several years ago I attended a Christmas Eve service at church. If I'm not mistaken, the church was undergoing renovations, so the service was held in a gym. Sitting 2 or 3 bleacher-rows below me was a couple who had a Golden Retriever puppy wearing a vest that stated it was a service dog in training, or some similar wording.

I love the idea of helping to train a service dog, I just don't think I could give the dog back to the training institution, at least not easily. I give a lot of credit to those people who can train service dogs, and give them back!

Any thoughts?

Pam, Enslow staffer