Synopses & Reviews
More is expected of middle schoolers—more reading, more writing, more independent learning. Achieving success in this more challenging world requires knowing many more words.
100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know helps students in grades 6 to 8 (ages 11-14) to express themselves with distinction and get the most out of school.
The 100 words are varied and interesting, ranging from verbs like muster and replenish to nouns like havoc and restitution to adjectives like apprehensive and imperious. Knowing these words enables students to express themselves with greater clarity and subtlety. Each word has a definition and a pronunciation and appears with at least one quotation—a moving or dramatic passage—taken from a book that middle schoolers are assigned in the classroom or enjoy reading on their own.
Both classic and contemporary works of fiction and nonfiction are represented. Among the authors are young adult favorites and award-winners such as Kate Di Camillo, Russell Freedman, Neil Gaiman, E.L. Konigsberg, Lois Lowry, Walter Dean Myers, Katherine Paterson, J. K. Rowling, and Gary Soto. Readers can see for themselves that the words are used by the very best writers in the very best books. It stands to reason that they will see them again and again in higher grades and throughout their lives.
100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know helps students to gain useful knowledge and prepares them to step into a broader world.
Review
"A treat for myth lovers and language lovers alike, this smart and well-executed compilation should provide readers with a deeper understanding of the ways in which language evolves and of the surprising symbolism behind certain words."--
Publishers Weekly, starred review "The colorful artwork and brief chapters make this volume ideal for classroom sharing. Use this unique offering to launch a discussion about the elemental power of story and its influence on modern-day language."--School Library Journal
"Sure to attract language arts teachers who want students to master word origins, this work will also hold strong appeal for teens who will be attracted by the combination of clever text and exceptional illustrations."--VOYA
Synopsis
This reference helps students in grades six to eight and includes verbs, nouns, and adjectives. Each word has a definition and pronunciation, and appears with at least one quotation taken from a book that middle schoolers are familiar with.
Synopsis
Master storyteller Lise Lunge Larsen brings to life the ancient stories behind the enduring words the Greeks have given us. To be illustrated in full color.
Synopsis
Ancient names come to rich and fascinating life in this lavishly illustrated gift book for mythology fans and word lovers. Did you know that and#8220;museumsand#8221; were initially temples built to worship the nine muses, the goddesses of the arts? That and#8220;Janusand#8221; was the god of the doorways and hallways, and we have named our janitors after him?
Where did these words and#8212; and other words, such as chaos, genius, nemesis, panic, echo, and narcissus and#8212; come from? From the ancient stories of the Greeks and#8212; stories that rang so true and wise that the names of the characters have survived for centuries as words we use every day. The brief stories here not only impart the subtle wisdom of these ancient tales, but make us understand the words, and our own world, more deeply.
About the Author
Folklorist, linguist, and professional storyteller, Lise Lunge Larsen draws upon her rich background in legends and myths to make these tales come alive.and#160; A children's book author, she has received many starred reviews and awards for her books.and#160;
Gareth Hinds has created illustrated versions of such classics as BEOWULF, KING LEAR, MERCHANT OF VENICE and most recently, THE ODYSSEY, forthcoming from Candlewick in fall 2010.and#160;and#160; As a recent interview with him (SLJ Teen 1/20/2010) said, "He stays faithful to the original text but uses art to illuminate the story and make it more accessible to the reader."and#160; A graduate of the Parsons School of Design, he lives in New York City with his wife, former children's bookseller, Alison Morris.and#160;