Books with author Christi E. Parker

A fast-paced, nerve-fraying contemporary thriller that questions loyalties and twists truths. Appearances can be deceiving. Lyla Hamilton is a loyal member of the Community. Her family was happy to be chosen by Pioneer to join such an lovely gated neighborhood. Here, life seems perfect. But after meeting Cody, an outsider boy, Lyla starts questioning Pioneer, her friends, her family--everything. And if there's one thing not allowed in the Community, it's doubt. As Pioneer cleverly manipulates his flock toward disaster, the real question is: Will Lyla follow her heart or follow Pioneer over the edge? From the outside looking in, it's hard to understand why anyone would join a cult. But Gated tells the story from the inside looking out, and from behind the gates things are not quite so simple. Amy Christine Parker's beautiful writing creates a chilling, utterly unique YA story. Perfect for fans of creepy thrillers and contemporary fiction alike."A tense psychological thriller that will leave you gasping for breath as you race to the very last page." --Gretchen McNeil, author of TenHelloGiggles.com, August 3, 2013:"When I found out that there was a YA book about cults, of course I had to read it. As it turns out, Amy Christine Parker’s Gated is an awesome, creepy book that reminds me of my favorite cult films while still being surprising."Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 2013:"Parker doesn’t pull punches, indicating a level of brutality that will appropriately disturb even as it successfully conveys Lyla’s complete entrapment in the Community. Compelling and not that distant from real-world cults that have ended in tragedy."Publishers Weekly, June 10, 2013:"Parker skillfully explores the mindset and inner workings of an apocalyptic cult, steadily building toward the inevitable moment of truth...As for the apocalypse itself, Parker keeps things suitably ambiguous, resulting in a complex, intriguing tale rooted in real-world events."School Library Journal, October 2013: "This well-plotted tale will allow readers a glimpse into the possible world of a doomsday cult...The language is accessible, making it a good choice for reluctant readers. After the last page is turned, the question will linger: 'Could I ever be deceived like this?'"Examiner.com"A well-rounded and thorough look into cults while still remaining entertaining throughout. I look forward to reading more of Parker's works in the future."

This—a sequel to Gated—is a nerve-fraying contemporary young adult thriller that will make readers question loyalties as it twists truths. Her life was based on a lie. Lyla Hamilton almost died escaping the Community. In her new life, the outsiders call the Community a cult. They don’t understand how easy it was to believe. How good it felt to belong. “Normal” life—high school and dating—is harder than Lyla expected. Who should she love? Who should she hate? The Community is willing to do terrible things to bring her back to the fold. The members are still preaching Pioneer’s twisted message that the end of the world is near. Pulled in two directions and unsure which way to turn, Lyla risks everything to follow her heart, but can she uncover the Community’s plan before it’s too late? Lyla’s escape was only the beginning. Praise for Gated and Astray “A tense psychological thriller that will leave you gasping for breath as you race to the very last page.” —Gretchen McNeil, author of Ten “An awesome, creepy book that reminds me of my favorite cult films.” —HelloGiggles.com * “Parker doesn’t pull punches, indicating a level of brutality that will appropriately disturb even as it successfully conveys Lyla’s complete entrapment in the Community. Compelling and not that distant from real-world cults that have ended in tragedy.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred “A complex, intriguing tale rooted in real-world events.” —Publishers Weekly“A good choice for reluctant readers. After the last page is turned, the question will linger: ‘Could I ever be deceived like this?’ ” —School Library Journal “A well-rounded and thorough look into cults while still remaining entertaining throughout. I look forward to reading more of Parker’s works in the future.” —Examiner.com

This—a sequel to Gated—is a nerve-fraying contemporary young adult thriller that will make readers question loyalties as it twists truths. Her life was based on a lie. Lyla Hamilton almost died escaping the Community. In her new life, the outsiders call the Community a cult. They don’t understand how easy it was to believe. How good it felt to belong. “Normal” life—high school and dating—is harder than Lyla expected. Who should she love? Who should she hate? The Community is willing to do terrible things to bring her back to the fold. The members are still preaching Pioneer’s twisted message that the end of the world is near. Pulled in two directions and unsure which way to turn, Lyla risks everything to follow her heart, but can she uncover the Community’s plan before it’s too late? Lyla’s escape was only the beginning. Praise for Gated and Astray “A tense psychological thriller that will leave you gasping for breath as you race to the very last page.” —Gretchen McNeil, author of Ten “An awesome, creepy book that reminds me of my favorite cult films.” —HelloGiggles.com * “Parker doesn’t pull punches, indicating a level of brutality that will appropriately disturb even as it successfully conveys Lyla’s complete entrapment in the Community. Compelling and not that distant from real-world cults that have ended in tragedy.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred “A complex, intriguing tale rooted in real-world events.” —Publishers Weekly“A good choice for reluctant readers. After the last page is turned, the question will linger: ‘Could I ever be deceived like this?’ ” —School Library Journal “A well-rounded and thorough look into cults while still remaining entertaining throughout. I look forward to reading more of Parker’s works in the future.” —Examiner.com

Learn about the White House while acting out the story of Charlie as he builds a treehouse that will be his own "White House"! Charlie wants to become the president one day and, with the help of his friends, he learns more about the White House and the president's duties. He even practices being president by making important decisions about the treehouse! The roles in this script are written at different reading levels. This feature allows teachers to easily implement differentiation and English language learner strategies detailed in the complete kit and assign specific roles to students in a way that accommodates individual reading skills. By using differentiation strategies, teachers can get all of their students involved and engaged in the same activity, whether they are struggling or proficient readers. Everyone can feel successful and can enjoy improving their fluency through performance! While performing this story with others, students can also practice interacting cooperatively and using expressive voices and gestures. With an accompanying poem and song for additional fluency practice, this script is a dynamic resource for your third and fourth graders. This colorful, leveled script is sure to get all students participating and confidently practicing fluency in a unique way.About Shell Education Rachelle Cracchiolo started the company with a friend and fellow teacher. Both were eager to share their ideas and passion for education with other classroom leaders. What began as a hobby, selling lesson plans to local stores, became a part-time job after a full day of teaching, and eventually blossomed into Teacher Created Materials. The story continued in 2004 with the launch of Shell Education and the introduction of professional resources and classroom application books designed to support Teacher Created Materials curriculum resources. Today, Teacher Created Materials and Shell Education are two of the most recognized names in educational publishing around the world.

Ocean’s Eleven meets the star-crossed lovers of West Side Story. Grab some popcorn and get ready for an adrenaline-filled heist! LEXI is a rich girl who loves a good rush. Whether it’s motorcycle racing or BASE jumping off a building in downtown Los Angeles, the only times she feels alive are when she and her friends are executing one of their dares. After her father’s arrest, Lexi doesn’t think twice about going undercover at his bank to steal the evidence that might clear his name. She enlists her hacker brother and her daredevil friends to plan a clever heist. CHRISTIAN is a boy from the wrong side of the tracks. The local gang has blackmailed him and his friends into robbing banks, and he is desperate for a way out. When the boss promises that one really big job will be the last he ever has to do, Christian jumps at the chance for freedom. In fact, he’s just met a girl at the bank who might even prove useful. . . . Two heists. One score. The only thing standing in their way is each other. Told in alternating points of view, this caper is full of romance and fast-paced fun. Hand to fans of Perfect Chemistry, The Conspiracy of Us, and Heist Society.

Ocean’s Eleven meets the star-crossed lovers of West Side Story. Grab some popcorn and get ready for an adrenaline-filled heist! LEXI is a rich girl who loves a good rush. Whether it’s motorcycle racing or BASE jumping off a building in downtown Los Angeles, the only times she feels alive are when she and her friends are executing one of their dares. After her father’s arrest, Lexi doesn’t think twice about going undercover at his bank to steal the evidence that might clear his name. She enlists her hacker brother and her daredevil friends to plan a clever heist. CHRISTIAN is a boy from the wrong side of the tracks. The local gang has blackmailed him and his friends into robbing banks, and he is desperate for a way out. When the boss promises that one really big job will be the last he ever has to do, Christian jumps at the chance for freedom. In fact, he’s just met a girl at the bank who might even prove useful. . . . Two heists. One score. The only thing standing in their way is each other. Told in alternating points of view, this caper is full of romance and fast-paced fun. Hand to fans of Perfect Chemistry, The Conspiracy of Us, and Heist Society.

A group of students learns about a puzzling school called Wayland Jr. High where the students get to solve fun math problems and puzzles. They discover that everything at Wayland is a bit odd and different. Act out their story as the kids learn that Wayland is no more fun and puzzling than their own school, Dullsville! This script includes six roles, each of which match a different reading level. Teachers can apply differentiation and English language learner strategies to the script to assign roles in a way that accommodates all students, whether they are struggling or proficient readers. All students can engage in one activity together, gaining confidence in their reading fluency and feeling successful, regardless of their current reading ability! An accompanying song and poem provide additional resources to help students build fluency! Along with reading fluency improvement, students will also practice reading aloud, interacting cooperatively, and using expressive voices and gestures by performing this charming story together. This dynamic, colorful script is sure to benefit a classroom of varied readers!About Shell Education Rachelle Cracchiolo started the company with a friend and fellow teacher. Both were eager to share their ideas and passion for education with other classroom leaders. What began as a hobby, selling lesson plans to local stores, became a part-time job after a full day of teaching, and eventually blossomed into Teacher Created Materials. The story continued in 2004 with the launch of Shell Education and the introduction of professional resources and classroom application books designed to support Teacher Created Materials curriculum resources. Today, Teacher Created Materials and Shell Education are two of the most recognized names in educational publishing around the world.

Pharaoh Rhombuses of Anglezandria loves math and wants his successor to love math too! In this colorful script, the pharaoh sends the citizens of his city on a mathematical scavenger hunt to find the golden tri-scarab. Act out this charming story to find out who will be the next ruler of Anglezandria! The six roles in this script are written at different reading levels, supporting differentiation and English language learner strategies. Teachers can easily implement these strategies by assigning specific roles to their students in a way that best accommodates readers of all levels. All students can participate in this activity, helping them gain confidence and feel successful while building fluency! An accompanying song and poem about the garden gives readers exciting additional opportunities to engage in the story and build fluency. Students will also practice other important skills like reading aloud, interacting cooperatively, and using expressive voices and gestures while performing this story together. All of the features in this colorful script make it the perfect tool for a diverse classroom of learners to practice repeated reading and fluency!About Shell Education Rachelle Cracchiolo started the company with a friend and fellow teacher. Both were eager to share their ideas and passion for education with other classroom leaders. What began as a hobby, selling lesson plans to local stores, became a part-time job after a full day of teaching, and eventually blossomed into Teacher Created Materials. The story continued in 2004 with the launch of Shell Education and the introduction of professional resources and classroom application books designed to support Teacher Created Materials curriculum resources. Today, Teacher Created Materials and Shell Education are two of the most recognized names in educational publishing around the world.

A fast-paced, nerve-fraying contemporary thriller that questions loyalties and twists truths. Appearances can be deceiving. Lyla Hamilton is a loyal member of the Community. Her family was happy to be chosen by Pioneer to join such an lovely gated neighborhood. Here, life seems perfect. But after meeting Cody, an outsider boy, Lyla starts questioning Pioneer, her friends, her family--everything. And if there's one thing not allowed in the Community, it's doubt. As Pioneer cleverly manipulates his flock toward disaster, the real question is: Will Lyla follow her heart or follow Pioneer over the edge? From the outside looking in, it's hard to understand why anyone would join a cult. But Gated tells the story from the inside looking out, and from behind the gates things are not quite so simple. Amy Christine Parker's beautiful writing creates a chilling, utterly unique YA story. Perfect for fans of creepy thrillers and contemporary fiction alike."A tense psychological thriller that will leave you gasping for breath as you race to the very last page." --Gretchen McNeil, author of TenHelloGiggles.com, August 3, 2013:"When I found out that there was a YA book about cults, of course I had to read it. As it turns out, Amy Christine Parker’s Gated is an awesome, creepy book that reminds me of my favorite cult films while still being surprising."Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 2013:"Parker doesn’t pull punches, indicating a level of brutality that will appropriately disturb even as it successfully conveys Lyla’s complete entrapment in the Community. Compelling and not that distant from real-world cults that have ended in tragedy."Publishers Weekly, June 10, 2013:"Parker skillfully explores the mindset and inner workings of an apocalyptic cult, steadily building toward the inevitable moment of truth...As for the apocalypse itself, Parker keeps things suitably ambiguous, resulting in a complex, intriguing tale rooted in real-world events."School Library Journal, October 2013: "This well-plotted tale will allow readers a glimpse into the possible world of a doomsday cult...The language is accessible, making it a good choice for reluctant readers. After the last page is turned, the question will linger: 'Could I ever be deceived like this?'"Examiner.com"A well-rounded and thorough look into cults while still remaining entertaining throughout. I look forward to reading more of Parker's works in the future."

This—a sequel to Gated—is a nerve-fraying contemporary young adult thriller that will make readers question loyalties as it twists truths. Her life was based on a lie. Lyla Hamilton almost died escaping the Community. In her new life, the outsiders call the Community a cult. They don’t understand how easy it was to believe. How good it felt to belong. “Normal” life—high school and dating—is harder than Lyla expected. Who should she love? Who should she hate? The Community is willing to do terrible things to bring her back to the fold. The members are still preaching Pioneer’s twisted message that the end of the world is near. Pulled in two directions and unsure which way to turn, Lyla risks everything to follow her heart, but can she uncover the Community’s plan before it’s too late? Lyla’s escape was only the beginning. Praise for Gated and Astray “A tense psychological thriller that will leave you gasping for breath as you race to the very last page.” —Gretchen McNeil, author of Ten “An awesome, creepy book that reminds me of my favorite cult films.” —HelloGiggles.com * “Parker doesn’t pull punches, indicating a level of brutality that will appropriately disturb even as it successfully conveys Lyla’s complete entrapment in the Community. Compelling and not that distant from real-world cults that have ended in tragedy.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred “A complex, intriguing tale rooted in real-world events.” —Publishers Weekly“A good choice for reluctant readers. After the last page is turned, the question will linger: ‘Could I ever be deceived like this?’ ” —School Library Journal “A well-rounded and thorough look into cults while still remaining entertaining throughout. I look forward to reading more of Parker’s works in the future.” —Examiner.com