Elementary Extras

Addendums to

Basic Book Package

Spring - 2007 - 2008

CanLit Customers  (Option 1 - 20% discount), (Option 2 - 15% discount)

For information about returns, please check our Return Policy

Here is our selection for Elementary level extras.

Any of these titles may be substituted with or added to the books from our "basic" packages.

Let us know what works best for you.

ELEMENTARY LEVEL BOOKS

Back to Book Packages Spring 2007 - 2008

Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson

Regular list price       $25.00

(Grades 6 and up) (443 pages) (In Middle School package)

Before she arrived at Green Gables, Anne Shirley had a difficult early life. Orphaned as a baby, she is sent from one foster-home to the next, caring for other people’s children though but a child herself, and escaping from her dark reality through the power of her vivid imagination. Curious, inventive, and outspoken, even at a young age, Anne battles to make a life for herself by searching out kindred spirits, finding solace in her books, and dreaming of the day she has a family of her own.

Award-winning author Budge Wilson brings young Anne vibrantly to life in this fully authorized prequel to the much-loved Anne of Green Gables. It celebrates the 100th anniversary of the original publication. This is an excellent read.

Reviewed by Sarah Ellis . Quill and Quire, January, 2008 "In Before Green Gables, a prequel to Anne, renowned Maritime writer Budge Wilson faces the paradox head on. In a recreation of Anne’s life from birth to age 11, Wilson pulls no punches. There’s no dumbing down and not a hint of parody... Loving and intelligent attention pretty much describes Wilson’s accomplishment, an impressive addition to the Anne canon."

The Diary of Laura's Twin by Kathy Kacer

Regular list price       $14.95

(Grades 7-9) (200 pages)

Laura has just three weeks to go before her Jewish “coming of age” ceremony, called a Bat Mitzvah, when she is assigned a special project. She is to read the diary of Sara Gittler, a young girl her own age who was imprisoned by the Nazis in the Warsaw Ghetto. Sara never had the chance to celebrate her coming of age, so Laura is to learn about Sara’s life and then share her Bat Mitzvah with her “twin” by speaking of her at the ceremony. Reluctant to undertake the project at first, Laura quickly becomes caught up by Sara’s struggle to survive. Sara’s diary unfolds with the details of her daily life in the Ghetto, a world full of fear, confusion, tragedy and above all, courage. Includes photographs, biographies of young heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, and true accounts of “Twinning Ceremonies”.

Forestry A-Z by Ann Walsh & Kathleen Cook Waldron

Illustrated by Bob Warick

Regular list price       $19.95

(Grades 2-6)

From cork boots to silviculture, pine beetles to screeching saws, discover fascinating forestry facts! How is plywood made? What are dozer boats? How has forestry changed in the last century? These questions and dozens more are answered in Forestry A-Z, both in the informative text and in the photographs. In writing this book, the authors consulted dozens of experts in the field to provide a balanced look at this important industry.

Hurry, Freedom (Canadian Flyer Adventures #7) by Frieda Wishinsky

Illustrated by Dean Griffiths

Regular list price       $6.95

(Grades 2-4) (78 pages) (In K-5/6 package)

Emily and Matt find a bird’s feather in the drawer labelled “Underground Railroad.” They think the label refers to a real train, running underground. The actual destination is not what they expect once they land at the Canada–U.S. border in 1856. The nail-biting action and real-life drama of this story will have readers feeling like they were there and rooting along with Matt and Emily for the fleeing slaves. The latest in this magical chapter book series.

Jellaby by Kean Soo

Regular list price       $10.99

(Grades 5-8) (Comic strip)

Quiet, brilliant Portia has just moved to a new neighbourhood with her mom. Adjusting to life without a father is hard enough, but school is boring and her classmates are standoffish -- and even Portia's mom is strangely distant. But things start looking up when Portia mounts a late-night excursion into the woods behind her house and discovers a shy, sweet-natured purple monster. Life with Jellaby is a lot more exciting, but Portia's purple friend has secrets of his own; secrets that may even lead to the mystery of Portia's father's disappearance!

Mikissuk’s Secret by Isabelle Lafontana Illustrated by Barroux

Regular list price       $6.99

(Grades 3 to 5)

Mikissuk dreams of going hunting on the big dogsled, but her brother says she is too small and not tough enough. Maybe, her secret project will convince him that she really is ready. A very nice addition to the emerging body of work about the Arctic and its people.

Mark Twain by Elizabeth MacLeod

Regular list price       $7.95

(Grades 4 to 8)

The latest addition to the Snapshots series introduces young readers to the famous writer, comedian, world traveler and lecturer originally known as Samuel Clemens. From his Mississippi boyhood, through the Civil War, his years of fame following the publication of Huckleberry Finn, and his business reversals and family tragedies, Mark Twain's story is a fascinating trip through a changing United States.

The Master’s Apprentice by Rick Jacobson Illustrated by Laura Fernandez and Rick Jacobson

Regular list price       $22.99

(Grades 5 to 8)

This book depicts a fascinating episode in the history of art. Set in Renaissance Florence, a young boy has been sent into apprenticeship with the young master, Michelangelo Buonarroti and much rides on his success. Armed with secret color formulas that his father has taught him, the boy has a good chance at being selected to accompany the master to work in the Sistine Chapel.

In bringing this story to life, the authors show a little-known side of the richest artistic era in the history of the world and one of the greatest geniuses of all time.

Reviewed by Gregory Bryan. CM: Canadian Review of Materials, January, 2008 Recommended. "With his new book, The Master’s Apprentice, Jacobson is sure to continue to develop his reputation for interesting art history books for young readers. The master referred to in the title is Michelangelo Buonarroti—the great artist who painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and who sculpted the masterpiece, David. ... The Master’s Apprentice is an enjoyable book. Readers will be interested to gain some insight into what it might have been like to serve as an apprentice to one of the most esteemed artists the world has known."

Starred Review by Joanne Findon . Quill and Quire, April, 2008 "This gripping story evokes a fascinating episode in the history of art and in the early career of the great Michelangelo. Marco’s hopes and fears are well depicted, as are the mercurial emotions of the artist. ... This book provides wonderful insight into a crucial moment in the history of Western art. "

Starred reviews for Quill and Quire indicate books of exceptional merit.

Pioneer Kids (Canadian Flyer Adventures #7) by Frieda Wishinsky

Illustrated by Dean Griffiths

Regular list price       $6.95

(Grades 2-4) (80 pages) (In K-5/6 package)

On their sixth trip into the past, Emily and Matt find out what life was like for the early settlers on the Saskatchewan prairies in the late 1800s. The children have a chance to experience the close community of the one-room school house and even help build a sod hut. Like in all the other Canadian Flyer books, children and teachers will love the extra notes in the back.

Reviewed by Tanya Boudreau. CM: Canadian Review of Materials, April, 2008 Highly Recommended. "The 11 chapters in this sixth book in the "Canadian Flyer Adventures" series tell a story about how a misunderstood boy living in the Prairies in 1910 becomes a hero....This entire series should be in every Canadian library."

Timberwolf Challenge (Howling Timberwolves series #5) by Sigmund Brouwer

Illustrated by Dean Griffiths

Regular list price       $6.95

(Grades 2 to 4) (64 pages)

Johnny Maverick has come up with an idea to win a fundraising contest for the Howling Timberwolves hockey team. It seems fun, until a girl visits Howling—and starts to win challenges against Johnny. The entire town finds it funny; even worse, his friends Tom and Stu like what’s happening.

Zibby Payne and the Party Problem by Alison Bell

Regular list price       $6.95

(Grades 4 to 7) (92 pages)

Zibby can't believe "friends" like Amber and Savannah are turning their birthday bashes into exclusive events, handing out special party privileges to a select few. To combat the rise of the sixth grade cliques, Zibby decides to have her own shindig - which will of course be The Best Party Ever - and comes up with an all-inclusive mantra: "A party for all, and all for the party!" Zibby's open invitation policy lands her in one tricky party predicament"

Reviewed by Tanya Boudreau. CM: Canadian Review of Materials, March, 2008 Recommended. "Alison Bell remembers what its like to be a sixth grade girl. Her stories deal with the wonderful and the not so wonderful parts of being 12. She writes about the problems that arise in a girl’s life but resolves them in a way readers will believe and even laugh about."

Zibby Payne and the Trio Trouble by Alison Bell

Regular list price       $6.95

(Grades 4 to 7) (96 pages)

Zibby's new best friend Gertrude and old best friend Sarah can't stand each other, so Zibby swings into action with Operation Friendship Campaign. And, it works ... too well! Gertrude and Sarah end up bonding more with each other than with Zibby, whose peacemaking efforts have resulted in Zibby Payne, Party of One. As Zibby tries to figure out how to turn this smug duo into a happy trio, she discovers that Gertrude isn't who she seemed to be.

Zoe's Extraordinary holiday adventure by Christina Minaki

Regular list price       $8.95

(Grades 4-7) (152 pages)

Zoe thinks her life is boring – nothing ever changes. She’s stuck in her wheelchair and her parents never let her do anything fun. And it really bugs her that some of the kids think she’s not smart just because her body doesn’t always do what she wants. Then in the midst of the holiday season, Zoe learns about the diverse cultures of her friends at school, and realizes she’s not the only different one in class. A story about differences and challenges, and, more importantly, about similarities and inclusion.

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