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Computer Resources
“Reading Upgrade”
This web-based innovative course helps adults to overcome reading difficulties and rapidly begin reading on their own. Learners use web-connected computers to complete enjoyable self-paced lessons featuring pop music, video, and games. In just 3 to 8 weeks of 30 to 60-minute sessions, learners complete 50 research-based lessons and receive a certificate.
“Comprehension Upgrade”
After completing “Reading Upgrade” learners advance to this program, where they learn to analyze what they read through story maps, organizers, K-W-L charts, and flow charts. Students also develop critical thinking skills and expand their vocabulary.
***Both “Reading Upgrade” and “Comprehension Upgrade” can be accessed at home***
“Multisensory Reading, Spelling and Penmanship Program”
This CD-ROM program builds an association between symbols and sounds in the English language through self-paced repetition, starting from the letters of the alphabet and progressing until the sixth grade level. It utilizes the close association of visual, auditory and kinesthetic elements to help students improve their language skills.
“The Oxford Picture Dictionary Interactive”
This interactive, multimedia CD-ROM brings all 3,700 words and vivid illustrations of The Oxford Picture Dictionary to life with sound and animation.
“The Alphabet”
This CD-ROM teaches a wide range of alphabet skills in North American, British and Australian accents, including letter names and sounds, learner recording and play back, and thirty exercises in a highly interactive, self-paced, learner-controlled environment.
“Writer’s Companion”
This CD-ROM and booklet help organize concepts and ideas from the initial stages of writing through completion. Simple tools guide through the learning process and can publish or export work upon completion. Allows switching between English and Spanish and features spell checker, text-to-speech and Spanish and UK dictionaries.
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Tutor Resources
Tutor Guides
Developmental Variation and Learning Disorders
By Melvin D. Levine M.D. with Martha Reed M.Ed.
This book explores different developmental functions (i.e. attention, memory, language, etc.), the variations that occur among people, including learning disabilities, and the interplay these functions have with our ability to acquire academic skills such as reading, writing, and math. It also offers information about predispositions to certain learning disorders and approaches in assessing and managing them.
The ESL Teacher's Book of Lists
By Jacqueline E. Kress
Provides 80 practical, tested lists for developing instructional materials and planning lessons to teach American English grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and writing skills to English-as-a-Second Language students of all ability levels.
Family Reading, an Intergenerational Approach to Literacy: Teacher's Guide
By Ellen Goldsmith and Ruth D. Handel
Gives learners practice in good reader strategies, using children’s books and adult reading selections. It helps adults improve their own literacy skills while developing their ability to bring literacy into the home.
Foundations for Literacy: Structures and Techniques for Multisensory Teaching of Basic Written English Language Skills
By Aylett Royall Cox
This book provides a logically structured, multisensory approach to teaching reading, spelling and writing. Foundations suggests formats for lesson plans with detailed procedures for presenting each activity. In addition, the book includes an outline of six Word-Spelling Formulas which prevail in English and govern the spelling of most derivatives.
Help Yourself
By Gail Murphy Sonbuchner
Different people learn in different ways. Help Yourself is a handy reference for students who want to take advantage of their learning strengths, as well as for teachers and tutors who want to better understand learning style and their practical application.
LITSTART: Strategies for Adult Literacy and ESL Tutors
LITSTART provides tutors with the framework, guidance, and strategies to teach lessons that focus on the personal goals and learning styles of their students. LITSTART contains 13 strategies for teaching English as a Second Language, 12 strategies for reading, 24 for work study and spelling and two for writing, as well as background information, tutoring tips, checklists of skills, sample lessons and over 60 pages of word lists.
Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills, Second Edition
By Judith R. Birsh
Provides educators with a multisensory approach to teaching learners with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. Includes guides to the teaching of language skills, including phonological awareness, comprehension, spelling, composition, letter knowledge, handwriting, mathematics, and fluency. Supplemental activity book for student use is available for checkout.
The Reading Teacher's Book of Lists
By Edward Bernard Fry, Jacqueline E. Kress, and Dona Lee Fountoukidis
Over 190 lists for developing instructional materials and planning lessons, organized into 15 sections with practical examples, teaching ideas and activities. Included are lists on websites for educators, activities for tutors, search engines and teaching with newspapers.
Solving Language Difficulties: Remedial Routines
By Amey Steere, Caroline Z. Peck, and Linda Kahn
This book requires that students have a basic to good understanding of phonics, as it delves into some more complex rules for decoding and spelling. Broken into five sections, it provides several very helpful worksheets that give students the opportunity to practice lessons in syllabication, word structures and pronunciation, and spelling rules.
The Source for Learning Disabilities
By Paula S. Currie and Elizabeth M. Wadlington
A systematic guide to learning disabilities, this book discusses the prevalence of learning disorders in this country, and the social and emotional aspects that those with disabilities face. It also includes a thorough description of different learning disorders and how to recognize them, as well as strategies on intervening and managing a learner’s disorder. Contains great references for further information on most aspects discussed in the book.
Starting Over: A Literacy Program
By Joan Knight
Starting uses a variety of techniques for teaching literacy, including multisensory phonics, whole words and language experience, rather than just a single approach. Lessons are very systematic and build upon one another. Great resources are included, such a pre and posttests, as well as guides to spelling and pronunciation.
Taking the Mystique out of Learning Disabilities: A Practical Guide for Literacy Tutors
By Ricki Goldstein
Explores the many aspects of learning disabilities, from the effects they have on individuals who suffer from a disability, to ways of recognizing and dealing with learners’ specific needs. Appendix contains a questionnaire as well as other resources that can be used to pinpoint a student’s learning needs and where to go to find out more about particular disabilities.
Teaching Adults and Adolescents who Learn Differently: An Extensive Guide for Literacy Teachers and Tutors
By Louise Skinner, Phyllis Gillespie, and Lynda Balkam
This extensive guide for literacy tutors is well-organized and features Teaching and Intervention Strategies, Language Structure and Learning Differences complete with sample lessons, lesson planning tips and other resources.
Teaching Adults: A Literacy Resource Book
Developed by ProLiteracy America
Includes important background information about adult learners and literacy, as well as 69 specific activities that can be used with learners. Appendixes contain valuable reference material such as lists of frequently used words, common phonics principles, and prefixes and suffixes.
Teaching Adults: An ESL Resource Book
Developed by ProLiteracy America
Includes important background information on both the principles of second language acquisition and the process of learning a new culture. It also contains 61 specific activities that can be used with adult learners as well as an extensive description of the English sound system.
Tutor: A Collaborative Approach to Literacy Instruction
This basic service is an effective reference for lesson planning and tutoring. Easy to follow procedures for using the Language Experience Approach, integrating the writing and reading processes, direct instruction, goal-setting, and developing comprehension and critical thinking skills.
The Writing Teacher's Book of Lists: With Ready-to-Use Activities and Worksheets
By Gary Robert Muschla
Includes 90 useful lists for developing instructional materials and planning lessons. In addition, the book includes innovative activities that help students improve their writing skills, word usage, and vocabulary.
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Life Skills for Learners
Citizenship
Citizenship: Passing the Test
By Lynne Weintraub
A comprehensive book, accompanied by a workbook, that covers the information learners need to pass the U.S. citizenship test. Including: U.S. history and government, ways to answer questions you are unsure about, practice for writing sentences like the ones hears on the test.
GED
Pre-GED Skill Workbooks: Science
This New Readers Press workbook builds skills needed for the GED Science Test, beginning with a Skills Inventory, moving on to the Skill Builder lessons, and then learning more about the test with the Test Smart and Science Skill Review lessons.
-Science
-Social Studies
-Mathematics 1
-Mathematics 2
-Language Arts, Writing 1
-Language Arts, Writing 2
-Language Arts, Reading
GED Skill Workbook
Each workbook includes three basic components: Evaluate, Review and Practice. A diagnostic test helps direct where most review and practice should come from, targeted skills and content from the GED are reviewed with practice sections and then the GED Skill Builder allows practice on the same format as the actual test.
-Science
-Social Studies
-Mathematics 1
-Mathematics 2
-Language Arts, Writing 1
-Language Arts, Writing 2
-Language Arts, Reading
GED
By Steck and Vaughn
A comprehensive study guide for each portion of the GED, including an introduction to the test format and in-depth practice for each section and various practice tests.
-Science
-Mathematics
-Language Arts, Reading
-Essay
Easing into Essays: Getting Ready to Write the GED Essay
Reading Level 5-8
A guide to writing an organized, edited essay using the Five Step Process. Students gain the tools they need to pass writing tests, including the GED essay, by teaching students to think of ideas, get them on paper, hear how they sound, improve what they wrote, proofread and write a final paper.
Life Skills
American Business Vocabulary
By John Flower and Ron Martinez
This book is the most efficient program to develop work power and communication for business students. Includes varied exercises and careful choice of content, making this supplemental text a valuable resource for classroom use or for individual study.
The Complete Control Your Money: A Quick and Easy Guide with Worksheets
Learn how to manage our money and make responsible financial decisions with this quick and easy guide. Control your Money will help you master financial skills such as creating a spending plan, choosing the right bank, and applying for a loan.
The Complete Get that Job! A Quick and Easy Guide with Worksheets
A guide to help learners understand their strengths and how to sell them to an employer. It covers all the tools of a job search: resumes, cover letters, networking, and more. It gives valuable tips on completing a job application and interviewing.
The Childbearing Year
By Barbara B. Holstein
This 110-page reader, designed for childbirth educators and adults with limited literacy skills, describes what it is like to be pregnant and care for a newborn. Three women, shown in photographs, describe their experiences in each section. Each section includes vocabulary words.
Eating right
A concise guide to staying healthy and energetic, including expense and staying on a plan.
Essential Life Skills Series
What You Need to Know About: Reading Signs, Directories, Schedules, Maps, Charts & Graphs.
By Carolyn Starkey and Norgina Penn
Helps learners develop the special skills needed to use these sources by building skills step-by-step.
A Good Beginning: Enjoying your baby’s first year
By Barbara S. Lewis
Following month by month growth, A Good Beginning provides new parents with information about newborn babies and the changes they go through in the first year.
Filling Out Forms
By Wendy Stein
A guide to filling out forms in all facets of life, from social security and banking to credit, voting and insurance. This workbook features many examples of checks, job applications and other common forms to give learners practice with actual tasks they will encounter.
Having a Baby
By Sharron S. Humenick
Provides facts about pregnancy, as well as advice for many of the social and emotional issues that parents-to-be face and directions for more help.
Living in America: Getting Along with Others
By New Readers Press
Living is designed to meet the needs of English Language Learners (ELLs) with very limited literacy and oral skills. The curriculum is all very learner-centered; topics addressed include problems non-English speakers might encounter in their day to day routines and how to solve them, what life skills might make their lives in the US easier, and what vocabulary and conversation patterns would help facilitate daily communication. Living takes a multisensory approach to teaching each lesson, and includes topics for conversation, visuals and writing activities.
Managing Stress
A quick and easy guide showing practical ways to cope with stress so you can feel your best and keep control of your life.
Our United States Geography
By Beverly Vaillancourt
A workbook that will help learners remember facts about each state. Learners will be asked to color and label certain parts of the map as well as look information up in an encyclopedia. Not only will map-reading skills improve, but learners will also have the chance to use reference materials.
The Safe, Self-Confident Child
This easy to read book offers help for every caring parent or childcare provider. You’ll learn important information on how to protect children from harm. You’ll also discover ways to help children improve their self-confidence.
Studying for a Driver's License
By Frank C. Kenel and Beverly Vaillancourt
Freedom to learn, to grow, to change – a book designed to help readers pass the drivers test.
What to do for Senior Health
By Albert Barnett, Nancy Rushton, and Lynne Mumaw
Written by a doctor, this book answers questions of seniors related to health: accident prevention, buying and taking medicines, insurance, body changes, common health problems and other health tips.
Women’s Health
Highlights women’s special health needs, covering menstruation, menopause, stress, depression and different life stages.
Writing it Down: Writing Skills for Everyday Life
A New Readers Press guide to the basics of everyday writing, including chapters on: Penmanship, Application Forms, Lists, Absence Notes, Invitations and Business Writing.
You and Your Child’s Teacher
By Pamela Weinberg
Many parents want to do more to help their children in school. But they aren’t sure of what to do. You and Your Child’s Teacher helps parents be strong partners with teachers. It gives tips for helping children at home. After all, parents are their children’s first teachers!
You Can Give First Aid
By Kim Bowman
This book gives students the tools and know how to provide first aid in various medical emergencies.
Your Home is a Learning Place
By Pamela Weinberg
Shows ways to teach children basic skills at home – including reading, writing, math and art.
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Math for Learners
Contemporary's Number Power
A five-book set of math texts, designed to help the learner with thorough explanations of each topic with word problems and number problems.
“1 Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division”
"2 Decimals, Fractions, Ratios, and Percents”
“3 Algebra: A Real World Approach to Math”
“4 Geometry”
“5 Graphs, Charts, Schedules, and Maps”
Math Sense
A complete and comprehensive series designed to help adults gain the range of math skills they need to succeed in life and work, and on standardized tests, including the GED. Students overcome math anxiety, discover math as interesting and purposeful, and develop good number sense. There are five books in the series:
"Algebra and Geometry”
By Jan Phillips and Kathy Osmus
"Comprehensive Math Review”
By Pamela Halloran
“Fractions, Decimals, and Percents”
By Robert Mitchell and Donald Prickel
"Measurement and Data Analysis”
By Deborah P. Adcock
“Whole Numbers and Money”
By Jan Philips
Math for the Real World
Workbooks designed by New Readers Press to enhance real world math skills.
Book 1: Reading and Writing Numbers, Adding Whole Numbers, Subtracting Whole Numbers, Multiplying Whole Numbers, Dividing Whole Numbers
Book 2: Adding and Subtracting Decimals, Multiplying and Dividing Decimals, Measurement, Adding and Subtracting Fractions, Multiplying and Dividing Fractions, Percents
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Additional Reading for Learners
Non-Fiction
16 Extraordinary Americans
The stories of 16 dedicated people who forever changed the direction of American life and history in the fields of politics, the arts, sports, education and science. Each story is followed by exercises to help the reader remember the facts, understand the story, get the main idea, and apply what was learned.
By Nancy Lobb
"16 Extraordinary African Americans”
"16 Extraordinary Hispanic Americans”
"16 Extraordinary Young Americans”
95 Poems
E.E. Cummings
95 Poems is the last book of new poems published in Cumming’s lifetime. Remarkable for its vigor, freshness, interest in ordinary individuals and awareness of the human life cycle, the collection reflects Cumming’s observations on nature and his prevailing gratitude for what life offers.
Academic Content Collection
This series features titles in the areas of American history, ecology and astronomy, spread across three levels.
American Lives 3: Readings and Language Activities
By Gail Feinstein Forman
A historical journey into the lives of famous and less well-known people, both native-born and immigrants, whose contributions have helped shape key periods in U.S. history. Fifteen high-interest biographies in each of the three books profile a person’s life in a cultural context. Follow-up exercises and activities enhance vocabulary skills and language development.
At Home in Two Lands: Intermediate Reading and Word Study
By William P. Pickett
This sequel to William Pickett’s best-selling reading text Far from Home is an intermediate-level reader, word study, and discussion book all in one. The high-interest readings, which gradually present and reinforce key vocabulary, encourage discussion and are accompanied by a list of topics for written and oral presentations.
Hot Topics, Books 1-3
By Cheryl Pavlik
Hot Topics is guaranteed to engage readers, stimulate thinking, and provoke conversation while developing vocabulary and reading skills. The controversial topics explored in the text all have more than one side to them, thus encouraging debate and classroom interaction.
Learner Success Stories
Oakland Readers Series
Edited by Jessica Lamb
Four books on various reading levels composed of stories from readers who have been through the Oakland Readers literacy program. They share their struggles both with literacy and in life and how their developed skills have helped them.
Series One:
Level 1: “My Daddy Showed Me How to Dance”
Level 2: “I Have No Earthly Fears”
Level 3: “Your People Will Always Be Your People”
Level 4: "All People Should Fellowship”
Series Two:
Level 1: “When I Travel I Like to Fly”
Level 2: “Twelfth Grade Common Sense”
Level 3: “The South Was Pretty Cold”
Level 4: “Deep Feeling Feedback”
More Than a Job: Readings on Work and Society
Compiled by John Gordon
We all work. But what does “work” really mean? What place does it have in our lives? More Than a Job looks at these questions from many points of view. Inside you’ll find oral histories, short stories, poems, a song, and quotations, all of which have something to say about work. What do you say?
Our Global Village
By Angela Labarca and James M. Hendrickson
Designed for students of English as a second or foreign language, Our Global Village aids students in acquiring English through active participation in a variety of learning activities. With a strong cross-cultural focus, the authors have included reading selections on a broad range of human interest themes and geographical regions of the world. (Level: Intermediate)
Past, Present & Future: A Reading and Writing Course
The fourth edition of this classic intermediate-level text continues to integrate reading and writing, with grammar support, through contemporary, theme-based units.
Reading for Today Series, Books 1-5
By Lorraine C. Smith and Nancy Nici Mare
A series of best-selling, academic skills texts that systematically develops students’ reading and vocabulary skills through engaging themes and intensive practice. Students learn successful reading strategies and are further prompted to build proficiency in their writing, listening, and speaking rules.
Reflections
By John Dennis & Suzanne Griffin
This anthology of contemporary fiction and nonfiction is designed to engage tudents in the reading process, promote critical understanding and analysis of subject matter, and encourage reflection on themes as they pertain to the readers themselves. (Level: Intermediate)
Rethinking America, Books 1-3
By M.E. Sokolik
Rethinking America is a lively three-level cultural reading series that helps students truly understand American life. Students and teachers alike enjoy the thought-provoking readings and intriguing CNN video selections that enhance cross-cultural awareness and build reading and language skills.
Selected from 20th-century American Poetry: An Anthology
By Suzi Mee and the staff of Literacy Volunteers of New York City
An anthology of poems selected from the work of eight 20th-century American poets
Selected from Coal Miner's Daughter
By Loretta Lynn, with George Vecsey
The events and people that influenced Lynn’s life. Plus an essay about country music.
Selected from Giant Steps
By Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Peter Knobler
Abdul-Jabbar writes about his life, with highlights of his career and farewell tour.
Selected from I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and The Heart of a Woman
By Maya Angelou
Two inspiring pieces by a brilliant author.
Selected from My Turn at Bat: The Story of My Life
By Ted Williams with John Underwood
Autobiographical stories from one of baseball's greatest hitters.
Selected from Rashad: Vikes, Mikes, and Something on the Backside
By Ahmad Rashad with Peter Bodo
Reveals Ahmad Rashad the man as well as the celebrity.
Timely Topics
By Patrick Aquilina
This thematically-organized reader provides authentic selections on contemporary topics such as education, the rights and responsibilities of smokers, and the state of the environment to promote community awareness and stimulate discussion and debate. (Level: Advanced)
The Wild Card: Selected Poems, Early and Late, by Karl Shapiro
Edited by Stanley Kunitz and David Ignatow
This compilation includes a selection of enduring works that will definitively represent the poet as one of the major artists of our time. Karl Shapiro is an American poetic treasure and an acknowledged master of lyrical poetry whose subjects have ranged from commonplace objects and occurrences to biting political commentary to open celebrations of the “necessary contradictions” in humanity’s moral nature.
World Views: Multicultural Literature for Critical Writers, Readers and Thinkers
By Patricia A. Richard-Amato
World Views is a cross-genre reader designed to provide developing writers with a rich selection of readings which inspire them to improve critical writing and thinking skills. Accompanied by high-interest, easy to use World Wide Web searching activities and critical thinking exercises, as well as a concise grammar appendix, World Views provides a wealth of support for teachers and their developing writing students, including non-traditional learners.
Fiction
20th Century American Short Stories, Volumes 1 & 2
Compiled by Jean A. McConochie
Unabridged, unsimplified stories by a wide variety of American authors, this compilation promotes strong connection between reading and writing. Both volumes provide opportunities for discussion and writing activities, replacing grammar exercises.
American Short Stories: Exercises in Reading and Writing
By Greg Costa
Intermediate students of English will delight in these nine, classic American stories while learning accuracy in reading and writing their new language. Students will gain a broad understanding of the United States’ beginnings and growth into a modern, industrial nation as well as the diversity of America’s peoples and their struggles.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
By Mark Twain (adapted by Joanne Suter)
Freedom is everything to Huckleberry Finn. How can he avoid being "civilized" by the good-hearted Widow Douglas? But just now Huck has more important things on his mind -- like helping his friend Jim escape the slave-catchers!
Reading Level 4.0
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
By Mark Twain (adapted by Joanne Suter)
Mark Twain's great story of an imaginative boy's adventures in a small town on the Mississippi River. As usual, Tom Sawyer and his pal Huck Finn were only out looking for fun. They never dreamed they'd witness a murder! And that isn't Tom's only problem. There's the new girl, Becky Thatcher, and the fence he's supposed to paint---not to mention the hunt for Injun Joe's buried treasure!
Reading Level 4.0
Bless me, Ultima
By Rudolph A. Anaya
A young Chicano boy and his family. Plus the history of the Chicanos of New Mexico and a Spanish glossary.
The Call of the Wild
By Jack London (adapted by Stephen Feinstein)
This memorable story is one of a series of classic novels that has been adapted for easier reading, complete with a study guide. Many students enjoy this novel, especially animal lovers. The story is easy to read and understand, and students like the length (79 pages), the print size, the illustrations and reading a classic novel.
Carrie
By Stephen King
A lonely teenage girl with strange powers. Plus an essay about the horror genre and listings of Stephen King’s books.
A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens (adapted by Emily Hutchinson)
Scrooge is downright mean and cold-hearted -- the stingiest man in all of London. Could anything on earth transform him into a kind and caring human being? Probably not. But the Spirit of Christmas is very powerful -- more powerful by far than anything on earth.
Reading Level 4.0
Cujo
By Stephen King
Cujo is a friendly, playful 200-pound Saint Bernard who chases a rabbit into an underground cavern. When he emerges from the darkness, he is something else. Something that the men, women, and children of Castle rock, Maine, do not suspect. Until it is too late.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
By Robert Louis Stevenson (adapted by Janice Greene)
The chilling tale of a good doctor who falls victim to his own evil experiment. Henry Jekyll is a respected doctor---a kindly man much loved by all. Why is he so protective of the vicious criminal, Edward Hyde? Jekyll's friends are stunned when the mystery is finally unraveled. They can scarcely believe that the man they had so admired had been living a double life!
Reading Level 4.0
Dracula
By Bram Stoker (adapted by Emily Hutchinson)
Everyone's all-time favorite vampire story. Why are the Transylvanian peasants so fearful of count Dracula's castle? When the young businessman discovers the truth, it is nearly too late. Will Jonathan have enough time to save his beloved fiancé from the vampire's deadly embrace?
Reading Level 4.0
Frankenstein
By Mary Shelley (adapted by Emily Hutchinson)
Mary Shelley's masterpiece---the world's most popular horror story. Victor Frankenstein was only trying to advance the cause of science. How could his experiment have produced such a terrible result? The creature's powers were superhuman. Was there any real chance that Victor could stop the monster before he murdered again?
Reading Level 4.0
The Jack Sloan Series
By Agnes M. Hagen
Sheriff Jack Sloan has returned from the Civil War to his small Texas town and runs into some adventures.
"Jack Sloan in Justice on Horseback”
"Jack Sloan in Mississippi Stranger”
"Jack Sloan in Shotgun Revenge”
"Jack Sloan in Tin Star Promise”
The Magic of Love
By Alyssa Logan
A single mother running her own business, Beth Harris can’t afford to believe in dreams. But then she meets a clown whose greatest joy comes from making children smile. Can he help Beth find the magic of love?
Life, Language, & Literature
By Linda Robinson Fellag
This anthology of American literature is an integrated skills reading text that focuses on aspects of American life and its reflection through literature. (Level: Advanced)
The Red Badge of Courage
By Stephen Crane (adapted by Emily Hutchinson)
A young soldier's dreams of battle glory clash with the nightmare of bloody
reality. The Civil War battlefields are nothing like Henry Fleming had imagined them to be. Isn't it the duty of every living creature to save it's own life? Yet Henry is afraid to return to his regiment. His comrades are sure to sneer at his cowardice.
Reading Level 4.0
The Scarlet Letter
By Nathaniel Hawthorne (adapted by Stephen Feinstein)
A gripping tale of secret sin and ruthless revenge. Hester Prynne must be punished. Why won't she name her baby's father? The vengeful Puritans of Boston demand an answer. Can the new doctor in town unlock the mystery of the shameful secret? Hester's gentle pastor seems unable---or unwilling---to give her any help.
Reading Level 4.0
Treasure Island
By Robert Louis Stevenson (adapted by Janice Greene)
The world's all-time favorite pirate story. Jim and his friends have the treasure map but they're badly outnumbered. Do they have a chance against the bloodthirsty mutineers? Long John Silver says he's on Jim's side. But the one-legged old pirate is clever and wily---and Jim's very life is at stake!
Reading Level 4.0
Selected from A Different Kind of Christmas
By Alex Haley
A boy questions slavery. Plus an article about the Underground Railroad and events related to slavery.
Selected from The Godfather
By Mario Puzo
A dynasty of organized crime. Plus a selection from The Godfather Papers and Other Confessions.
Selected from Jaws
By Peter Benchley
Terror from the ocean. Plus a natural history of sharks and a chapter on the making of the movie.
Selected from the Joy Luck Club
By Amy Tan
Chinese women and their American daughters. Plus a history and chronology of modern China.
Selected from Kramer vs. Kramer
By Avery Corman
The famous tug-of-love story. Plus a note from Avery Corman and articles about custody issues and the movie.
Selected from The Women of Brewster Place
By Gloria Naylor
Women living in a poor neighborhood. Plus a history of the great black migration.
Penguin Readers Series
Penguin Readers are simplified texts designed in association with Longman, the world famous education publisher, to provide step-by-step approach to the joys of reading for pleasure. Each book has an introduction and extensive activity material. They are published at seven levels from Easystarts (200 words) to Advanced (3000 words).
Level 1
The House of Seven Gables
By Nathaniel Hawthorne
The House of Seven Gables was built by Colonel Pyncheon, but the same day he finished the house he died in his chair. Was this because of a wizard’s curse? Hawthone answers this question, and gives us a love story too.
Little Women
By Louisa May Alcott
The four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—have problems. Their father is away in the war and they don’t have much money. But the girls have happy times too! Read this story of family love in a difficult year for the Marches.
Pelé
By Rod Smith
Pelé is the number one player in the story of soccer. He won the World Cup three times with Brazil and the fans loved him. Today, Pelé is famous in every country of the world. In 1950, he was a young boy with no shoes. This is his story.
Level 2
E.T.
By William Kotzwinkle
Millions of people know and love the story of E.T.—the little visitor from the stars. Earth is interesting for E.T. but he wants to go home. Can his new Earth friend, Elliott, help him? This is the famous story of one of the world’s favorite movies.
Extreme Sports
By Michael Dean
Up in the air! Down on the ground! Under the water! Extreme sports are new, exciting, and dangerous! Learn about extreme sports from aerial ballet to zorbing. Read about the crazy people who love extreme sports. Are extreme sports for you?
Gandhi
By Jane Rollason
Mahatma Gandhi died in 1948, but his name is famous around the world. He fought for the change in South Africa and then at home in India. But he lived a simple life and he protested without violence. People watched him and they loved him. Many follow his ideas today.
The Scorpion King
By Jonathan Hales and Stephen Sommers
The Scorpion King is an exciting story and a great movie. Memnon, the “Teacher of Men,” is taking countries and killing everybody in them. He wants the world. Mathayus is a fighter too—but he is a good man. Can he win? Can he change the future?
Level 3
Amistad
By Joyce Annette Barnes
There is a bloddy fight on the slave ship Amistad. Now the African salves face prison and the US law. The courts must decide: are the Africans murderers? Or are they honest men, fighting to be free?
The Beatles
By Paul Shipton
The year was 1963, and Beatlemania was only just beginning. Soon the Beatles had fans all around the world. For the rest of the 1960s their music led the way and they changed modern music forever. This book tells the story of the greatest band in the world from the early days in Liverpool to the Beatles’ music in the world today.
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