Books with author Charles J. Rad

I had been blessed by Mother greatly. She had fed me all I needed to be strong when this day arrived, and seeing the others made me yet gladder of it. One of the bolder ones had not eaten as I had, which would have been apparent to anyone even if ribs and shoulder bones hadn’t shown through his skin. He could scarcely lift the cup Lubentinus had given him, and yet he expended energy enough to pace the pit and brag about his inevitable victory. It is the fate of all to suffer, not just the fools. Perhaps I envied him. If I did not, I should have.

Long ago there was a persimmon tree that was blessed by the Great Spirit. Its bark was hard and strong, it’s trunk thick and sturdy, and its fruit was bountiful and sweet. In those days our people lived in the land near the island where the tree grew, and all knew the persimmons it produced could produce clarity of thought, heal sicknesses, and call forth bush spirits.One day people came from across the sea and made their homes by the shore near this special tree. They had not brought enough food for the winter nor were they prepared to make dwellings. They scattered all over the place they landed in search of wood to burn and build with. When they saw the tree they knew it would be perfect for making sturdy buildings, but it was so large and strong it would take considerable effort to cut down. Men came by the dozens and hacked at its trunk, one after the other, relieving each other whenever the cutter became too tired to continue. Trees know it is their fate to be struck down, but this tree also knew that it was special to the Great Spirit and so it held on with all its might. When it became clear the men would not give up and that death was inevitable the tree strove to delay its death as long as possible. Which each strike of the hatchet it channeled a bit of its wrath into a single fruit at its top. The work continued for three days, and when the final blow was delivered the persimmon was complete and fell from the tree.

Students entering today's workplace need to have a firm grasp of the fundamentals of economics and finance. This new series of books teaches middle school students the basic principles of economics and how modern economies work. Be a Zillionaire treats its readers as if they were true participants in the economy. Whether it's opening a savings account, purchasing a stock, or deciding which of various products or services represents the best buy, Be a Zillionaire will show kids how to make the best economic choices, and how those choices affect the workings of the larger economy.The sale of stocks, or shares of ownership in a company, is the way that industry raises capital to operate. Stocks are bought, sold, and traded on what is known as the stock market. This volume provides young readers with an introduction to this integral part of the American and world economy.