Books published by publisher State Street Press

With insight and humor, Jodi Okun takes you inside the often murky world of paying for college. First as a financial aid consultant at Occidental and Pitzer colleges, and then in her own successful consulting business, College Financial Aid Advisors (CFAA), Jodi learned firsthand the struggles families endure to find financing and pay for college. In SECRETS OF A FINANCIAL PRO, she demystifies the process and presents sensible solutions any family can use as they go through what can be a complicated and intimidating affair. No matter where you are in the college financial aid process, this book will be an invaluable resource. Understand what you should be doing--and when you should be doing it--to set yourself up for the best possible outcome when managing the cost of a college education. Learn how to find and apply for every type of financial aid, including FAFSA, grants, scholarships, and loans. Find out how to give your student the financial skills they'll need for life--it all starts in college by helping them manage expenses and money.

Three Steps from a Mermaid's HeartAmaya longs to swim in the sea and, on her tenth birthday, she finally gets her wish. Unfortunately, as these stories often go, getting her wish may be more than Amaya's heart can handle.The Little Human is a modern story inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid. Fans of classic fairytales and strong female characters will enjoy this imaginative adventure that centers science, curiosity, and every person's right to choose their own destiny.

Scottish-born midwife, Miriam loves her work at a health clinic in rural Afghanistan and the warmth and humour of her women friends in the village, but she can no longer ignore the cracks appearing in her marriage. Her doctor husband has changed from the loving, easy-going man she married and she fears he regrets taking on a widow with a young son, who seems determined to remain distant from his stepfather. When Miriam acts as translator at a medical teaching camp she hopes time apart might help her understand the cause of their problems. Instead, she must focus on helping women desperate for medical care and has little time to think about her failing marriage. When an old friend appears, urging her to visit the village where she and her first husband had been so happy. Miriam finds herself travelling on a journey into her past, searching for answers to why her marriage is going so horribly wrong. Her husband, too, has a past of his own – from being shunned as a child to the loss of his first love. PRAISE FOR MARY SMITH’S DEBUT NOVEL:“Mary Smith makes the reader care what happens to every character and leaves us the richer for having read it.”ROSEMARY GEMMELL (Dangerous Deceit) “Her characters are complex with layered pasts (Iqbal’s leprosy and the metaphorical and physical scars it has left behind – Miriam’s lives in Scotland and with her previous husband) and uncertain futures…A lovely book which calls for attention.” JANICE GALLOWAY (This is Not About Me)“Written with empathy and humour, No More Mulberries provides a fascinating insight into life in rural Afghanistan.” JAMES ROGERS“This book might be about Miriam, but it's Afghanistan which will grab you and hold you.”THE BOOKBAG“It is so much more than just a good romantic novel; it has a serious subtext of highly informative passages incorporating colourful detail across the whole spectrum of political and social issues in 1990s Afghanistan. Smith’s ability to manipulate plot and rationalise timelines makes this book a real 'page turner' - A triumphant debut as a novelist.” SUSAN HARVARD“Beautifully written, full of the sounds, smells, skies of Afghanistan. And written by a woman who clearly loves and respects that country and its culture.” SHEILA TEMPLETON (Digging for Light)

A summary of the 250 best books for LGBTQ teens, written by experts on the subject and addressed to teen book buyers.Identifying titles that address the sensitive and important topics of coming out, being out, and the search for community, this catalog spotlights the best gay, lesbian, bi, transgender, and questioning books written for teens. The authors cover fiction of all kinds, as well as graphic novels and general nonfiction aimed at readers in middle school and high school, and include recent publications as well as classics that continue to be read and enjoyed by 21st-century teens. Information on how to find library programs, services, and additional resources for LGBTQ teens is also provided, making this a one-stop sourcebook for LGBTQ teens, their families, friends, and classmates, as well as teachers and librarians.

Can one lonely little boy show the strength and determination to survive the dangers that lie ahead? Traveling along the rocky road from boyhood to manhood, how can David learn who to trust and who to love? Will David’s friends bring him happiness or heartache? In this inspiring tale of trust, betrayal, courage and love, Charles Dickens presents a world of colorful characters to amuse us, astonish us, disgust us and move us to tears. Once encountered, David Copperfield’s friends and enemies will never be forgotten.

Geography Fun for Kids! Grab your crayons and join Swift Walker on his amazing adventures around the world. Learn about the continents and oceans as you join Swift Walker for stops in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Antarctica, and Africa. The coloring book features images from the popular Swift Walker series along with maps to help you learn where you are in the world. Perfect for home, school, or homeschoolers. Ages 4-8

At the tender age of 10, Fanny Price moves from her poor family home to live with her wealthy cousins at Mansfield Park. Settling into this proud family is only the first of many challenges she will have to face. Can Fanny, uneducated and inexperienced, win any respect or love, or will the spiteful Mrs. Norris turn everybody against her? When plays, balls and marriage proposals challenge Fanny’s judgement, will she be strong enough to do what is right? When jealousy, duty and flattery challenge Fanny’s heart, will it be strong enough to guide her towards true love? Just how strong is Fanny Price?

The award-winning NERD CAMP series continues with bite-size Nerd Camp Briefs!Nikhil should be excited about the Summer Center for Gifted Enrichment winter retreat. It’s supposed to be a weekend of learning and fun with his best friends, Wesley and Gabe. But his mischievous little sister, Monishah, is attending the retreat too, and it’s Nikhil’s responsibility to keep her from causing trouble. Then Mo plans something that could get them both kicked out of Nerd Camp forever. What’s the world’s most cautious camper to do? Break as many rules as necessary, just to be safe.

This groundbreaking survey, written in 1860, is a radically open-minded look at the use of drugs across the world and throughout the ages. Early users of tobacco in Russia would have their noses cut off and repeat offenders their heads. Pope Innocent XII excommunicated any who used it in St. Peters. Marijuana users in 14th century Egypt would have their teeth extracted for the crime. Yet use of these and other forbidden substances continued to grow. If only as a record of the perennial failure of harsh punishments to deter drug use Victorian naturalist Mordecai Cooke's work The Seven Sisters of Sleep would remain significant. But Cooke's natural humor and keen insights have ensured this work's reputation as possibly the best early book from what has grown into an enormous body of literature on mind- and mood-altering substances. Written at a time, similar to our own, when drug use was being reconsidered, The Seven Sisters of Sleep is a thought-provoking and open-minded look at the use of drugs across the world and throughout the ages. Quite popular in its day and a major influence on Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, this is an important book for anyone interested in an unbiased account of humanity's long involvement with psychoactive, hallucinogenic, and stimulant plants.

‘You must hear my tale. You must hear my terrible, terrible tale.’ Committed to the deadly pursuit of the monster he created, Victor Frankenstein tells his chilling story. It all began with a desire to help mankind, but where will it end? Frankenstein leads us through vast mountainous landscapes and over frozen seas. Can he stop the fiend’s murderous course? Is he prepared to do what the monster demands? The reader will be shocked and surprised. Is the monster as evil as he seems? Is Victor Frankenstein responsible for the tortures he himself endures? What can Frankenstein’s terrible tale teach us today?

This exciting, colorful book walks through a day in the life of a farmer with simple, beautiful, hand-drawn illustrations that show situations and words toddlers and children learn early on. It features clever introductions to animals, vegetables, family life, and basic hygiene.This is the first of a series of books that will explore several careers.