School Culture

For well over a century, public schools have been a non-partisan gathering place and vital center of civic life in America—but something has changed. In School Moms, journalist Laura Pappano explores the on-the-ground story of how public schools across the country have become ground zero in a cultural and political war as the far-right have made efforts to seek power over school boards.

Jaime is sitting on his bed drawing when he hears a scream. Instantly, he knows: Miguel, his cousin and best friend, is dead. Everyone in Jaime's small town in Guatemala knows someone who has been killed by the Alphas, a powerful gang that's known for violence and drug trafficking. Anyone who refuses to work for them is hurt or killed - like Miguel. With Miguel gone, Jaime fears that he is next. There's only one choice: accompanied by his cousin Ángela, Jaime must flee his home to live with his older brother in New Mexico.

Born in the picturesque town of Taxco, Mexico, Julissa Arce was left behind for months at a time with her two sisters, a nanny, and her grandma while her parents worked tirelessly in America in hopes of building a home and providing a better life for their children. That is, until her parents brought Julissa to Texas to live with them. From then on, Julissa secretly lived as an undocumented immigrant, went on to become a scholarship winner and an honors college graduate, and climbed the ladder to become a vice president at Goldman Sachs.

Rafe isn't exactly considered a winner in Hills Village Middle School, to say the least, but everything's about to change: He's won a school-wide art competition, and the fabulous prize is getting to jet-set off to Australia for a whirlwind adventure! But Rafe soon finds that living in the Land Down Under is harder than he could've ever imagined.

Ryan Smithson joined the Army Reserve when he was 17. Two years later, he was deployed to Iraq as an Army engineer. In this extraordinary and harrowing memoir, readers march along one GI's tour of duty. It will change the way you feel about what it means to be an American.

After a mostly-successful stint at Hills Valley Middle School, Rafe is excited to visit the incredible city of London with his class. Sightseeing around a foreign country sounds like a blast, until Rafe finds out his roommate is Miller the Killer, bully extraordinaire! Then he's forced to work on a class project side by side with his crush Jeanne Galletta and her too-perfect boyfriend, which might be even worse than rooming with Miller.

While sleeping on the roof of his father's hotel-spy school, 13-year-old Lucas Benes finds a baby alone and learns that the Good Company has restarted its profitable brainwashing business. Brainwashed (Crime Travelers Spy Series book number one) tracks the secret urban adventures of the new resistance, a school of international teenage spies. Lucas leads a group of friends through the hotspots of Paris - from the catacombs to the Eiffel tower - in an all-out effort to sabotage a brainwashing ceremony that could potentially turn them all into "good" kids.

One of Argentina's 30,000 "disappeared", Alicia Partnoy was abducted from her home by secret police and taken to a concentration camp where she was tortured, and where most of the other prisoners were killed. Her writings were smuggled out of prison and published anonymously in human rights journals. The Little School is Alicia Partnoy's memoir of her disappearance and imprisonment in Argentina in the 1970s.

After sabotaging a mass kidnapping in Paris, Lucas Benes faces a new and perilous threat from Siba Günerro and her anything-but-good Good Company. When a briefcase-toting kid from the Falkland Islands joins the New Resistance Spy School, 14-year-old Lucas learns the truth about his mother and becomes a boy on a mission. Lucas and friends speed in and around Rome - from the Colosseum to the Vatican - until they stowaway on a cargo ship carrying diamonds that could unlock the secret to Lucas's past and destroy the Good Company's future.

Just as Martine is settling into life on the wildlife game reserve, she is whisked away on a school trip. Her class is going on an ocean voyage to witness the Sardine Run, a spectacular natural phenomenon, off the coast of South Africa. What begins as an exciting adventure quickly turns perilous when a storm blows up and Martine and her classmates are thrown overboard into shark-infested waters. They are saved by a pod of dolphins, only to end up marooned on a deserted island.

Malala's memoir of a remarkable teenage girl who risked her life for the right to go to school is now abridged and adapted for chapter book listeners. Raised in a changing Pakistan by an enlightened father from a poor background and a beautiful, illiterate mother, Malala was taught to stand up for what she believes. Her story of bravery and determination in the face of extremism is more timely than ever.

‘The thing with being invisible, is that people forget that you are there and they say confidential things you are not supposed to know. It’s a bit like being painted with body paint so that you blend into the surroundings and become one with the background. If you are quiet you cease to exist.’ When Maddie was ten years old her teacher told her class to keep a Thought Journal to record their thoughts. Seven years later and Maddie is still recording her thoughts in her Thought Journal, only now she has withdrawn completely and stopped interacting with others. Why has Maddie become a ...

"What Shall We Do Today? The Colorful Celebration" Celebrate diversity with this heartwarming children's story about International Romani Day - perfect for ages 6-9! Join curious Imani, enthusiastic Tommy, and knowledgeable Maya as they discover the beauty of Romani culture! When Maya brings news about their school's International Romani Day celebration, the three friends embark on an educational journey to learn about this important cultural heritage. This engaging children's story: Introduces young readers to Romani culture, traditions, and history in age-appropriate language Features ...

Jummy has won a place at the River School, the finest girls' boarding school in Nigeria. Nothing can dampen her spirits, not even when she learns that her best friend Caro won’t be joining her. By the Shine-Shine River, school is everything Jummy dreamt of, with friendly new girls, midnight feasts and sporting prizes—but when Caro suddenly arrives at the school to work, not to learn, Jummy must bring all her friends together to help.

This book explores the array of principles and practices that have evolved and make up the rich culture that has permeated the school. The Sudbury school model is unique in creating a community that extends to all students the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities available to every adult American for the enjoyment of life, liberty, and the pursuit of a meaningful life. All we did was turn the clock back - or, better, forward - and finish the job the Founding Fathers began...by including children in the ringing phrases of the Declaration of Independence.

Join curious Imani, enthusiastic Tommy, and knowledgeable Maya on their most heartwarming adventure yet! In this delightful addition to the beloved "What Shall We Do Today?" series, three best friends discover the magic of celebrating World Wish Day, International Dance Day, and National Shrimp Scampi Day—all happening on April 29th! Perfect for ages 6-9, this enchanting story: Takes young readers on a cultural journey through different dance traditions from around the world Teaches the importance of compassion and making wishes for others through the Make-A-Wish Foundation's World Wish ...

Malala Yousafzai was a girl who loved to learn but was told that girls would no longer be allowed to go to school. She wrote a blog that called attention to what was happening in her beautiful corner of Pakistan and realized that words can bring about change. She has continued to speak out for the right of all children to have an education. In 2014, she won the Nobel Peace Prize.

S.T.E.M. stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Children need to learn S.T.E.M. because these subjects help them understand the world around them. S.T.E.M. teaches kids to solve problems, think critically, and be creative. These skills are useful in school, everyday life, and future jobs. Learning S.T.E.M. also prepares children for careers in fields that are growing, like medicine, computer science, and engineering. By studying S.T.E.M., kids can make a big difference in the world when they grow up!

Building a Winning Culture: Player Development Beyond Basketball Go beyond the scoreboard and transform lives through the game of basketball. Are you a youth or middle school basketball coach who believes in developing well-rounded individuals, not just skilled players? Do you aspire to create a team environment where character, life skills, and sportsmanship are as vital as any jump shot or defensive stance? Then "Building a Winning Culture: Player Development Beyond Basketball" is your essential guide. In this insightful and practical book, seasoned coach Bryce Patton reveals that true ...

After healing her wounds, our shapeshifting dolphin, Misty, has no feet or a tail. She must rely on her daughter's father, Chris, to help her. Chris is a billionaire who owns a company specializing in prosthetic limbs. While creating new feet and a tail for Misty helps heal Misty physically, it also allows Chris and Misty's estranged relationship to heal.