Teen Read Week Book Giveaway!

To celebrate Teen Read Week next week, Enslow is hosting a book giveaway. Each day next week we'll be posting a question to librarians and teachers about the most popular books in their libraries and classrooms. Each response on our blog will be eligible to receive a free Enslow book. Check back next week and celebrate Teen Read Week with Enslow!

What is Thanksgiving?



ISBN #:  978-0-7660-3701-4



As we approach the last few months of the year, we begin to anticipate and think about the year-end holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Titles in Enslow’s I like Holidays! series, written by Elaine Landau, can help teach children in grades K-3 about these shared events. What Is Thanksgiving? is a great way to help the family prepare for this holiday that is fast approaching. It features words to know and full-color photos as it tells the Thanksgiving story from its history to how we celebrate today.

I Like Holidays! is a great series year round as it contains titles appropriate throughout the year: What Is Christmas?, What Is Halloween?, What Is St. Patrick’s Day?, What Is Thanksgiving?, What Is the 4th of July?, What Is Valentine’s Day?, and What Is Veteran’s Day? Each library bound title costs $21.26 and has 24 pages, vivid color photographs, and an activity that relates to the title.

Make What Is Thanksgiving? part of your family’s feast this year!

Fire Prevention Week and Fire Dog Heroes

This week is National Fire Prevention Week, and I would like to take a moment to recognize the often unsung heroes of fire prevention: the hard-working Fire Dog Heroes.

Aside from keeping up morale at their fire department stations, most of us do not really know what fire dogs actually do. When we imagine a fire dog, we picture a Dalmatian living at a fire department station and riding in the fire engine. While a few fire departments do keep Dalmatians around, they are relatively rare a fire stations today. When fire departments relied on horse-driven steam pumpers instead of fire engines, dalmatians lived and traveled with the horses in order to keep them calm.

Though horses and steam pumpers are no longer used by firemen, fire dogs are still very important. Today's fire dogs are brought in shortly after a fire to sniff for accelerants (typically gasoline or any other flammable chemical) that may have fueled the fire. If a fire dog detects an accelerant, it will signal to its handler to take a sample to test for accelerants By detecting these accelerants, fire dogs are able to help a fire department determine if a fire was unintentional or the result of arson. Instead of Dalmatians, today's fire dogs are most often Labrador mixes, golden retrievers, golden mixes, and German shepherds. These breeds make great fire dogs because they like to work and they are capable of detecting very faint scents.

If you have kids or teach any children that want to learn more about fire dogs, check out Fire Dog Heroes, from our Amazing Working Dogs with American Humane series by Linda Bozzo.

Fire Dog Heroes

by Linda Bozzo

Publication Year: 2010

48 Pages

Interest Level: Grades 3-4

ISBN: 978-0-7660-3202-6

Binding: Library

Price: $23.93

School/Library Discount Price: $17.95

Score With Enslow's New Eli Manning Biography

Library ISBN: 978-0-7660-3832-5
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-59845-298-3

With football excitement in the air, now is the time to score with young readers who enjoy sports. One way to go is with Enslow Publishers' new "I Like Sports Stars!" series. The six-book ensemble offers excellent, child-friendly biographies of pro football players suitable for the season. Among the titles is author David P. Torsiello's Read About Eli Manning. The 24-page biography offers an engaging glimpse into the career and life of the New York Giants quarterback and New Orleans native. Featuring an engaging style and excellent action photos, this Guided Reading Level "I" work provides page-turning reasons to read this book from cover to cover.

Read About Eli Manning is available in paperback for $6.95 per copy and at 10% discount for "six-packs". A library-bound edition is also available.

Investigating the Unknown

Looking for titles that will interest your reluctant reader and have them thinking about the paranormal? This series invites readers to investigate the unknown and decide for themselves if the amazing events are real or fake. All six books are available in both library and paperback bindings.

Amazing Out-of-Body Experiences, Astonishing Mind Powers, Discovering Past Lives, Sensing the Unknown, The Mysterious Secrets of Dreams, and The Mystery of Fortune-Telling are all co-written by Carl R. Green and William R. Sanford.

Happy Leif Eriksson Day!

Leif Eriksson Day was proclaimed as a way to honor explorer, Leif Eriksson, the first Scandinavian known to have set foot on American soil and the contribution of the Nordic peoples to the United States.

Leif Eriksson: Viking Explorer of the New World from our Great Explorers of the World series includes illustrations of the explorer, color maps to help students understand the explorer's world, and primary source documents. This book isn't just for the report writer, but it is also great for the casual reader.

So, line up some long tables and set up a banquet feast to celebrate this great explorer.

Enslow Salutes Steve Jobs

All of us at Enslow note with sadness the passing of Steve Jobs. As with many people around the world, Jobs' products and creative zeal touched us and continue to impact our work. We thought his life was so intriguing that, a decade ago, we published his biography. This age-appropriate narrative, relating Jobs' innovative talent and entrepreneurial drive, was welcomed by librarians and teachers. (Thank you!)

Library ISBN: 978-0-7660-3441-9
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-59845-728-5

We're proud of our Jobs biography, which has neatly fit into the forward-looking titles we have published over three decades for young readers. Enslow continues to provide reliable, well-edited books on the people and trends that shape today's society and tomorrow's leaders. Books on industry giants such as Bill Gates are included among our middle school selections. (Gates, in his blog The Gates Notes, writes a brief, moving tribute to Jobs.) A new Enslow book, Using Technology: A How-To Guide by Sherri Mabry Gordon, explores core issues young readers face in this new, data-driven world. For elementary school students, our Ace Your Oral or Multimedia Presentation title introduces readers in ways to use the very machines Steve Jobs created to communicate and learn in new, exciting ways.

If you're planning an activity or display on Steve Jobs and the spirit of American innovation, Enslow has the books you'll need. Call us or e-mail us today for money-saving offers on these and other Enslow books!

Prepare for Holiday Activities with Enslow Holiday Craft Books

Library ISBN: 978-0-7660-3722-9
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-59845-336-2

The secret to school and library holiday activity success is advance preparation. For year-end celebrations, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, that means now is the time to purchase the books your young readers need.

Among the most practical additions you can make to your holiday book collection is Enslow Publishers' "Paper Craft Fun for Holidays" series. This outstanding ensemble features books filled with fun, manageable hands-on activities suitable for young children. Written by popular author and storyteller Randel McGee, each title provides step-by-step instructions and useful "how-to" photos. The text, embracing AR ranges from 4.8-5.5, also includes a short introduction to the holiday, so that young readers connect the activity to an enriched context.

The series includes books on year-end holidays, such as Halloween, Day of the Dead, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. Libary-bound editions of each title in the 12-book series is available to schools and libraries for $17.95 (a 25% discount from Enslow's list prices). Paperback editions of selected titles, including Paper Crafts for Thanksgiving, are available for $7.95.

Gene Simmons gets married

After being together for twenty eight years and having two children together, Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed finally tied the knot on Saturday in Beverly Hills, California. Here's some info about the wedding.

Gene Simmons is known for being a founding member of the band KISS. When the band was formed in the 1970s, Gene and his bandmates decided they needed a gimmick. Each band member dressed up in full costume and wore face paint. The band is still very popular today.

Interested in reading more about the band? Part of the "Rebels of Rock" series, the library edition is available here. This title is also available in paperback.

Important Teen Guides

Enslow's new series, Life–A How-to Guide is a 7-book series for teens about a variety of issues that they face in their everyday lives. Whether you have a teen who is getting ready to driving or driving already, our Getting Read to Drive: A How-to Guide is great for research or personal use. Driving can play a pivotal role in a young person's life. It represents freedom but it also requires responsibility. From deciding if you're ready to drive, to the rules and safety, this book is a comprehensive guide for young drivers and their parents.

Technology has become so integrated into the life of today’s teenager that it is changing the way the American family communicates.  That's why we felt that Using Technology: A How-to Guide was an important book to include in this series. From cell phone etiquette, to texting, playing games, and listening to music, this title explores different forms of technology and how it affects our lives, and most importantly, how kids can stay safe using it.

Enslow's New Football Skill Book Includes NFL Player Tips and Tricks

Just in time for football season, Enslow Publishers has released a new book that provides useful performance tips for young readers. The title -- Top 25 Football Skills, Tips, and Tricks -- offers a very readable, engaging assemblage of "how-to" instructions readers can immediately apply to their athletic endeavors. The 48-page book's wealth of insider ideas includes some from age peers and from National Football League players, such as Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. A fun design and action photos also draw readers into author John Albert Torres' well-written text. A further reading list is especially helpful for reluctant readers who wish to learn more about the subject.
The book, part of a six-title "Top 25 Sports Skills, Tips, and Tricks" series, is available in paperback for $7.95; a library-bound version is also available for $17.95 (a 25% discount from the school/library price).

It's Banned Books Week

ISBN 978-0-7660-2688-9
Grades 9-12

Looking at the list of classic titles on the banned books list, John Steinbeck has written The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men. One of the main reasons Steinbeck's books are on the Banned Books list is because of their use of obscene language. Racism, sexuality, and other issues play a part, but obscene language is the recurring theme.

Enslow's Authors of Banned Books series includes titles on Mark Twain, Robert Cormier, Madeleine L'Engle, J.K. Rowling, and John Steinbeck. These titles include arguments of those opposed to these books and arguments of the books' supporters to help readers decide for themselves whether they should be banned.

Ye Yucky Middle Ages Brought to Life with Dazzling Illustrations!



Ye Catle Stinketh
ISBN:  978-0-7660-3786-1



     Enslow's new series Ye Yucky Middle Ages asks the question-Could You Survive Medieval Life?  The four titles in this series breaks the general question down into Don't let the Barber Pull Your Teeth:  Could You Survive Medieval Medicine?, Sweaty Suits of Armor:  Could You Survive Being a Knight?, There's a Rat in My Soup:  Could You Survive Medieval Food?, and Ye Castle Stinketh:  Could You Survive Living in a Castle?  The titles themselves are an example of the fun and lively way that this series brings the time period to life by stressing the gross and yucky aspects of life during the Middle Ages.    
     Each title contains full color illustrations by Gerald Kelley, and the stunning illustrations just add to the amusement of learning about the more offensive living conditions during this period of time.  You can even view how Kelley puts together one of his magical illustrations featured in Ye Castle Stinketh on You Tube.  The books come library bound at $23.93, with 48 pages each.  This series is a great way to engage grades five through nine in learning about this fascinating (and quite disgusting) period in history!

September 23rd is the First Day of Fall! Are You Ready for the Fall Colors?

Fall is here, and with the change of the season, Fall Colors are starting to show up all around us. It's a great time to teach your preschooler to read the words associated with Fall, and our new book, Fall Colors, makes this a fun and engaging experience for new readers. With vivid photographs, detailed illustrations, and large, crisp type, Fall Colors is sure to get your child's attention.

Fall Colors is one book in our "All About the Colors of the Seasons" series, written entirely by our very own Brian Enslow. All books in the series are available in both paperback and library binding and are Guided Reading Level B.


Fall Colors
24 pages
Illustrated with color photographs and illustrations
Library Edition ISBN 978-0-7660-3909-4
Library Edition List Price: $21.26
Library Edition School/Library Discount: $15.95
Paperback Edition ISBN 978-1-59845-264-8
Paperback Edition List: $6.95

The Secret's Out! New Enslow Series Explores Spy World's Heroes, Villains, and Gadgets

Young readers delight in discovering spying's concealed arts and unpublicized actions. New titles on the subject are often among a library's most popular choices, especially among "reluctant readers." Bringing a fresh perspective to the subject, Enslow Publishers's new series "The Secret World of Spies" examines this intriguing world, from its human "assets" to technology even Jason Bourne in The Bourne Identity could not have imagined. Author Susan K. Mitchell's Guided Reading Level "Q" text brings a lively point of view to this engaging subject. Each 48-page book includes excellent design support, including useful "pull-outs". Fun illustrations help bring alive an elliptical world often shrouded in mystery and misinformation.

Get the straight story on spying's world in Enslow's six-book series! Each title is available in paperback for $7.95. A library-bound edition of each book is available for $17.95 (a 25% school/library discount from Enslow's list price.)

It's Talk Like a Pirate Day!

978-0-7660-3817-2 Library
978-1-59845-283-9 Paperback

Enslow is celebrating the fact that the last book in the Hannah Pritchard trilogy has just been released. Captain Hannah Pritchard is now available. The first title, Hannah Pritchard, was published in 2008, and the second, Pirate Hannah Pritchard, in 2009. Written by Bonnie Pryor, these middle school titles take the reader from the beginning, when Hannah finds that her family has been murdered, to her imprisonment by the British, to her hunt for buried treasure.

Elementary students may want to create pirate crafts using Pirate Ship Adventure Crafts. This title provides step-by-step instructions on how to make eleven simple pirate-themed crafts using easy to find materials. Create a ship, pirate crew, treasure chest, and more. It also includes a story for kids to tell with their crafts, or they can act out their own pirate story.


 

Available in both library and paperback bindings, this title is part of the "Fun Adventure Crafts" series.

An Introduction to the World of Volunteering

ISBN: 978-0-7660-3440-2

Back-to-school time is a great time to talk to teens about volunteering. Many schools now require a certain number of volunteer hours to graduate, others strongly encourage it by offering a wide variety of after-school programs that students can participate in. Whether young adults volunteer through their school or another organization, they are very likely to benefit from the experience. Volunteering can be very rewarding and in some cases it may help students decide what they want to do later in life.

Enslow's new title, Volunteering: A How-to Guide, offers inspiring true stories of teens who volunteer. And while these teens may already know what issues they are passionate about, the choice is not always obvious.

 

Included in this book is a quick quiz students can take to help them figure out what issues they may like to help with. There is also a great list of volunteer and services resources provided making it easy for teens to start volunteering.

September is Roald Dahl Month



Roald Dahl:  Author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
ISBN:  978-0-7660-2353-6



This September marks the 95^th birthday of the late British author. Some of his more famous works are Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr. Fox, and James and the Giant Peach. In fact it’s the 50th anniversary of James and the Giant Peach. A great way to learn more about this gifted storyteller is with Enslow’s title, Roald Dahl, part of the Author’s Teens Love series. Titles in this series are for an interest level of grades six and up and feature insightful quotes by and about each author.  Learn more about one of the world's best-selling authors!

Can you imagine flying through the center of a hurricane?

Library ISBN 978-0-7660-3050-3
Grades 5-up

That is what hurricane scientists do. They use aircraft to fly into the eye of a hurricane, measuring the speed, direction, temperature, pressure, and humidity of the winds on either side of the eye. Several passes are made from one side of the storm to the other at different heights to get an idea as to the strength of the winds. As we are well aware on the East Coast, hurricanes can dump a lot of rain as they progress.

The difference between a hurricane and a tropical storm is the speed of its winds. Once winds reach 74 miles per hour, the storm becomes classified as a hurricane.

By the way, the word "hurricane" comes from Hurican, the name of a mythical Caribbean god of evil.

Interested in learning more about hurricanes and other storms? Check out Storm Scientist by Timothy Gaffney.

Sensible Book About Weird Weather for Grade K-3 Readers

Weird weather gets kids' attention. They talk about it at home, with their peers, and even in class. Leveraging that interest with page-turning books about unusual weather takes advantage of those situations, with benefits for young readers, teachers, and parents.

Enslow Publishers' Weird But True Weather is a 24-page book suitable for Grades K-3 readers. Author Carmen Bredeson's title features two-page spreads in which excellent color photographs support the Guided Reading Level "I" text. The book's nifty 9" x 7 1/2" trim size gives the illustrations and text a sense of scale young readers need. Its "Learn More" section offers useful, age-appropriate information for further print and web-based reading.

Weird But True Weather, part of Enslow's six-book "Weird But True Science" series, is avaiable in paperback for $6.95. A library-bound edition is available to schools and libraries for $15.95 -- a 25% discount from Enslow's list price.