Books with author Rita Santos

Raised just a few blocks from Broadway, Alicia Keys began playing classical piano when she was seven years old. At twenty-two, she became famous for combining the music of her city and her classical training into a sound all her own. In this compelling biography, readers learn about the inspiring life and work of Keys, a fifteen-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer. Keys is also an actress, author, and global activist in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Accessible text is accompanied by compelling full-color photographs, as well as direct quotes from Keys herself.

Hailee Steinfeld was just thirteen years old when she was cast as the tough as nails Mattie Ross in the movie True Grit. Her breakout performance was so impressive that she became one of the youngest actresses to be nominated for an Academy Award. Conquering Hollywood wasn't enough for this young artist, and in 2015 she released her first single "Love Myself," which went platinum. Readers will learn how the young artist balances her acting and singing careers through easy-to-follow text accompanied by stunning full-color photographs, as well as direct quotes from Steinfeld herself.

Most children aren't fans of rules, but this essential book will reinforce why it is important to respect rules. Young readers are taught to consider the role of rules in our society. They will learn how following the rules makes our communities safer and happier. Readers will learn how citizens create and agree upon different kinds of rules, like laws and professional codes of conduct and what happens when those rules are broken. This key civic virtue will be explained using easy-to-follow terms and real-life examples.

Young readers will be introduced to the concept of respecting property. Through the use of real-life examples, they will learn the difference between public and private property and why respecting both is important. Students will learn why caring for public property is a key civic virtue. Using easy-to-follow terms, students will learn how respecting property makes our communities better places to live. Readers will learn the role of public property, like parks, in our communities and how citizens can help support and maintain them.

The solitary leopard seal is a fierce hunter and a graceful swimmer. It spends most of its time swimming in the frigid waters of Antarctica. How does it survive in this extreme environment? With the help of color photographs and fun facts, this accessible text explores how the leopard seal's life cycle, body structure, and behaviors have adapted to make it one of the most fearsome predators in one of the coldest places in the world. An engaging final activity encourages readers to use what they've learned to create an Antarctic food web.

As civic engagement is on the rise, and rallies, protests, and political conflicts dominate the headlines, it's become more important than ever to educate young readers about the ways they can make a difference in their communities. With accessible, easy-to-grasp language, this series tackles the complex issue of social justice, teaching students about the significance of ethnic and racial identity, the value of diversity, how to stand up against bias and discrimination, and how they can help create a better, more just society. Features include: Designed to correlate directly with the four anchor standards of the Teaching Tolerance curriculum guide: Identity, Diversity, Justice, and Action. Social justice is an increasingly relevant topic. Helpful Words to Know sections define complex terms in the social justice framework and Learn More sections provide further resources for study.

Infrastructure is an essential part of any modern community. In this informative book, readers will explore the water supply, taking a detailed look at how water is gathered and filtered for safe consumption. Full-color photographs, fast facts, and accessible text provide readers with comprehensive descriptions of the system, an overview of its history and development, a description of the jobs that support the water system, and a look at how technology may change the future of the infrastructure. Content supports Next Generation Science Standards.

As inequality and social justice become larger parts of the daily news cycle, it's more important than ever for students to learn about inequality. With this book, students will learn how to spot inequality in their communities and discover what exactly to do when they see it. Readers are provided with real-life examples of people who noticed inequality in their communities and decided to set things right. With accessible, easy-to-grasp language, this volume teaches students that they have the power to stand up against bias and discrimination.

It's said that honesty is the best policy, but what does that mean? In this book students will learn the value of honesty in our communities. Young readers will be taught to consider their role as an honest citizen. They will learn the importance of honesty in our political as well as personal lives. Young readers will be introduced to the consequences of dishonesty and how it can affect others. They will learn all about this important civic virtue through the use of easy-to-follow terms and real-life examples.

Polar bears are one of the Arctic's most fearsome predators and one of its most endangered animals. Their huge size, blubber, and thick fur allow them to survive in their cold environment, while their sharp sense of smell means they can sniff out their dinner from a long distance. Full of vibrant photographs and fun facts, this simple narrative examines how the polar bear's life cycle, body structure, and behaviors have adapted to its challenging environment and shrinking habitat. A final activity asks readers to use what they've learned about polar bears to create an Arctic food web.

As more people are becoming politically engaged, the concept of social justice is rapidly becoming a hot topic. Help students learn about the concept of justice and how it relates to their lives. This book highlights not only the importance of justice but also the ways the criminal justice system can be unfair to minority groups. Students will learn about how unconscious biases affect the justice system and how they can combat them. With simple, accessible text, this book tackles the complicated topic of justice and teaches students how they can help create a better, more just society.