Books with author Tamra Orr

As children mature into teenagers, they develop connections beyond friendship with peers. Navigating romance is tough, while breakups can be demoralizing. Jealousy can cloud relationships that have ended, but also ones that are just beginning or going strong. This book helps teens with the sometimes intense emotions surrounding getting together and splitting up, empowering readers to solve their problems constructively, with empathy, and to seek help from others when necessary. Special attention is paid to the lived experiences of digital natives, whose heartbreaks and joys are amplified (for better and for worse) via social media, texting, and apps.

Apollo was a god who seemed to be skilled at everything except love. He was the god of music and light, as well as a teacher of medicine. He told of the future and even transformed himself into a dolphin. As the son of the powerful Zeus, and a twin to the goddess Artemis, Apollo spent much of his time chasing the things he wanted. The one thing that always seemed to get away, however, was the woman he loved. One woman was turned into a tree just as he reached her, while another was murdered at his command for falling in love with another. Apollo played an important part in the Trojan War. A series of sports competitions, known as the Pythian Games, was held every four years to honor this god.

From Mensa member to Minecraft inventor, Marcus Persson's imaginative world of blocks has led millions of people to unblock their own imaginations and build their dream worlds together. More than a game, Minecraft is used by institutions to teach, and by UN Habitat to help rebuild communities. See how it came together, from his first game creation at age 8, to building his renowned company in Sweden, Mojang, where more marvels are coming together.

Imagine defending your country with your life and then being treated unfairly when the battle is over and you go back home to rest and recover. That is what it was like for many of the African American soldiers who fought on the frontier in the mid-1800s. As peacekeepers on American soil and as soldiers fighting the Spanish-American War, the Buffalo Soldiers saved lives and gave their own to help the United States grow. Find out what roles they played, and how, as soldiers, they took a major step toward desegregating the military and in gaining civil rights for future generations.

Some animals look so alike, it's difficult to tell which is which! The Wasp or Bee book in the Which Is Which? series helps readers discover the similarities and differences between wasps and bees. Focused on 21st Century content, the Which Is Which? series encourages readers to ask questions, think more critically and creatively, and use their problem-solving skills. Book includes table of contents, sidebars, glossary, index, and author biography.

Dominican Heritage in the Celebrating Diversity in My Classroom series explores the geography, languages, religions, food, and culture of the Dominican Republic in a fun age-appropriate way. Students with Dominican heritage are a significant and important part of the fabric of America and this book helps foster empathy in all students and a multi-cultural community in the classroom. Glossary, index, and additional backmatter aids further learning.

Rochester, New York, 1852: A young boy listens to Frederick Douglass deliver his speech, and begins to question the meaning of Independence Day. Aligned with curriculum standards, these narrative-nonfiction books also highlight key 21st Century content: Global Awareness, Media Literacy, and Civic Literacy. Thought-provoking content and hands-on activities encourage critical thinking. Book includes a table of contents, glossary of key words, index, author biography, sidebars, and timeline.

In this book, students see the scientific method at work in a real-world situation. Readers practice close reading as they look for clues that will lead to a deeper understanding of erosion, sinkholes, and Earth's structure. The scientific method pushes students to apply critical thinking as they learn new methods of exploration and build on concepts they may already know. Additional tools, including a glossary and index, help students learn new vocabulary and locate information.

"Specialized construction jobs are one of the brightest spots in the job market. This book lays out what qualifications and training are necessary to get a job installing sheet metal or doing ironwork. Discover exactly what each job entails, as well as what kinds of tools and machinery are commonly used. Readers will learn how to write a resume, get interview tips, and come to understand the importance of apprenticeships in high-skill construction fields"--