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Books in True Teen Stories series

  • Gunner: Hurricane Horse

    Judy Andrekson, David Parkins

    Paperback (Tundra Books, Sept. 14, 2010)
    Each book in the True Horse Stories focuses on a contemporary horse from a different part of the world, and each animal is, in his or her own way, a hero.PBJ Decks Smokin Gun (Gunner) is an American Paint Horse, one of the many of Heather Lott Goodwin's herd, and a valuable show animal that won the World Championship Paint Horse title. When Hurricane Katrina passed over the Goodwin property, it took with it the fences, the cattle, and several horses. Heather and her family lived in their horse trailer for six weeks and considered themselves lucky to have safe, comfortable shelter. After the storm, they searched for the animals and recovered many of them. But three months passed before they located Gunner, a hundred miles away. They were told he was in terrible shape and should be put down. Nevertheless, Heather drove on washed-out roads to bring him home, starving, dehydrated, and blind in one eye. With the help of a vet and her mother, she nursed him back to health. Amazingly, nine months later, he was well enough to compete again in the World Championship Paint Horse Show. Gunner's story is a testament to love and to determination.
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  • Zoo Station: The Story of Christiane F.

    Christiane F.

    Paperback (Zest Books TM, Jan. 1, 2013)
    This incredible autobiography of Christiane F. provides a vivid portrait of teen friendship, drug abuse, and alienation in and around Berlin's notorious Zoo Station. Christiane's rapid descent into heroin abuse and prostitution is shocking, but the boredom, longing for acceptance, thrilling risks, and even her musical obsessions are familiar to everyone. Previously published in Germany and the US to critical acclaim, Zest's new translation includes original photographs of Christiane and her friends.
  • Titanicat

    Marty Crisp, Robert Papp

    Hardcover (Sleeping Bear Press, June 5, 2008)
    Young Jim Mulholland can't believe his good luck: He has signed on as a cabin boy to the world's finest ocean liner, the Titanic, and can't wait for the history-making voyage across the sea to America. As part of his duties Jim is in charge of the ship's cat, a beautiful tortoiseshell that also appears happy to be on board. He calls the cat by the ship's construction number, 4-0-1, certain that she will bring him good luck. And he's delighted when 4-0-1 shortly gives birth to a litter of kittens. But once the ship's trial runs are completed and it's ready to launch to sea, Jim notices that 4-0-1 is nowhere to be found. He's got to find her-the Titanic can't cast off without her lucky cat. Jim is faced with a decision that will affect the rest of his life.A newspaper journalist for 30 years, Marty Crisp often writes about the animals that hold a special interest and place in her heart. She has published many award-winning books for children and adults, including White Star, her book about a dog on the Titanic. Marty lives in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. Robert Papp's award-winning artwork includes hundreds of illustrations for major publishers across the United States, and his first children's book, The Scarlet Stockings Spy, was named an IRA Teachers' Choice in 2005. His other books with Sleeping Bear Press include The Last Brother and M is for Meow: A Cat Alphabet. Robert lives in historic Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
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  • The Story Behind Water

    Christin Ditchfield

    Library Binding (Heinemann, July 1, 2011)
    What is water? What are the three forms of water? How can we conserve water for the future?To uncover the hidden facts behind everyday things, explore the secrets of True Stories. True Stories reveals the surprising truth about a range of subjects. Discover everything you could wish to know, and some things you'll wish you didn't, about a huge range of topics!
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  • Dear Teen Me: Authors Write Letters to Their Teen Selves

    Miranda Kenneally, E. Kristin Anderson

    Paperback (Zest Books TM, Aug. 1, 2012)
    Dear Teen Me includes advice from over 70 YA authors (including Lauren Oliver, Ellen Hopkins, and Nancy Holder, to name a few) to their teenage selves. The letters cover a wide range of topics, including physical abuse, body issues, bullying, friendship, love, and enough insecurities to fill an auditorium. So pick a page, and find out which of your favorite authors had a really bad first kiss! Who found true love at 18? Who wishes he'd had more fun in high school instead of studying so hard? Some authors write diary entries, some write letters, and a few graphic novelists turn their stories into visual art. And whether you hang out with the theater kids, the band geeks, the bad boys, the loners, the class presidents, the delinquents, the jocks, or the nerds, you'll find friends―and a lot of familiar faces―in these pages.
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  • War Stories: True Stories from the First & Second World Wars

    Paul Dowswell

    Paperback (Usborne Pub Ltd, Jan. 1, 2012)
    Collects stories of events during the first and second world wars, covering land battles, the naval Battle of Jutland, the last voyage of the Bismarck, the cracking of the Enigma code, and the Manhattan Project.
  • Easy True Stories: A Picture-Based Beginning Reader

    Sandra Heyer

    Paperback (Longman Pub Group, Jan. 1, 1994)
    * A couple feels something moving inside their mattress. Is it alive? What is it? * A man's winning lottery ticket -- worth half a million dollars -- is somewhere in the town dump. Can he find it in the mountains of garbage? * A woman searches 20 years for the daughter she gave up for adoption. Where does she discover her daughter? Easy True Stories, by Sandra Heyer, presents 20 new stories in the True Stories tradition: human interest stories adapted from newspapers and magazines. The stories -- some humorous, some poignant, some astounding -- are told as simply as possible. Most stories are less than half-page long, and they are written almost exclusively in the present tense. Nine pre-reading drawings introduce each unit visually and ease students into reading. Easy True Stories can be used as a first reader for students who have some experience with English. The True Stories series also includes: **Very Easy True Stories*All New Very Easy True Stories*All New Easy True Stories* Tru
  • Alfred Nobel: The Man Behind the Peace Prize

    Kathy-jo Wargin, Zachary Pullen

    Hardcover (Sleeping Bear Press, April 15, 2009)
    Almost everyone has heard of the Nobel Prize, a collection of prizes awarded for accomplishments in science, medicine, literature, and peace. But few people know about the man who established the award and for whom it is named, Alfred Nobel. Alfred Nobel was born in Sweden in 1833. A quick and curious mind, combined with a love of science and chemistry, drove him to invent numerous technological devices throughout his long life. But he is perhaps most well known for his invention of dynamite. Intending it to help safely advance road and bridge construction, Nobel saw his most famous invention used in the development of military weaponry. After a newspaper headline mistakenly announces his death, Nobel was inspired to leave a legacy of another sort. The Man Behind the Peace Prize tells the story of the enduring legacy of Alfred Nobel.Kathy-jo Wargin is the bestselling author of more than 30 books for children. Among her many awards for her work are an International Reading Association Children's Choice Award for The Legend of the Loon and an IRA Teachers' Choice Award for Win One for the Gipper. She lives in the Great Lakes area. Zachary Pullen's character-oriented picture book illustrations have won awards and garnered starred reviews. He has been honored several times with acceptance into the prestigious Society of Illustrators juried shows and Communication Arts Illustration Annual of the best in current illustration. Zachary lives in Wyoming.
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  • Little Squire: The Jumping Pony

    Judy Andrekson, David Parkins

    Paperback (Tundra Books, April 10, 2007)
    Little Squire was born in an Irish meadow on an early spring day. The colt was beautifully formed with strong, straight legs and a pretty head. But due to his small size, it was unlikely he would be more than a nice child’s riding pony. By the following spring, the yearling was separated from his mother and turned out to pasture with the other weanlings. Little Squire wasn’t happy to be away from his dam so he charged the high stone wall and cleared it easily. Little Squire had just shown an astonishing side of himself that would eventually bring him greatness. Over time, the young horse traded hands, crossed an ocean, and ended up on the American show-jumping circuit. That was when he met another diminutive Irish immigrant, Mickey Walsh. The two were inseparable until, at Mickey’s request, Little Squire was retired at the top of his game, and while he was still sound. He went out in a blaze of glory, though, ending his last performance with Mickey by jumping a six-foot-two fence — rider-less — in front of a packed arena. During the war-torn 30s, Little Squire had given people something to cheer about.
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  • True Stories of Teen Homelessness

    Monika Davis

    Paperback (Cavendish Square, Jan. 15, 2018)
    Nearly two million teens face homelessness a year in the United States alone. This book shares the stories of teens who are homeless and live on the streets or in shelters, with or without their families. Readers are presented with relatable facts about a vulnerable population. They will learn what can be done to address homelessness, and how to remedy the long-lasting consequences of the epidemic.
  • True Stories of Teen Terrorist Recruits

    Bridey Heing

    Paperback (Cavendish Square, Jan. 15, 2018)
    Terror groups' recruitment efforts center on vulnerable, impressionable populations, which make teens a common target. This book helps readers understand why and how teens join terrorist organizations like ISIS and the Lord's Resistance Army by providing specific case studies. The book also explains the geopolitical circumstances that have given rise to terrorist groups themselves and promotes critical thinking about what drives young people to engage in terrible violence.
  • Miskeen: The Dancing Horse

    Judy Andrekson, David Parkins

    Paperback (Tundra Books, April 10, 2007)
    Miskeen was born in obscurity on a Russian farm, sold to a traveling circus, and earned a reputation performing in small towns in the 1980s. He was schooled first as a liberty (rider-less) horse and then as a “dancing” (dressage) performer. Dancing was what he did best, and he was often observed trotting on the spot whenever he heard music. He matured into a magnificent, highly trained and valuable animal. But then tragedy struck.Confined in his stall after an exhausting day of performances in unbearable heat, Miskeen was spotted by a boy. The boy took up a training whip and beat the horse mercilessly until, in panic, Miskeen struck out. The boy was bitten severely, and, in retribution, Miskeen was ordered to have all his teeth pulled so that he could never “turn vicious” again. Suddenly the magnificent animal was disabled, humiliated, unable to eat, and totally worthless to those who had prized him.Miskeen would have died, had he not been rehabilitated by a young British woman named Vicky Malia. He recovered, eventually rewarding his new owner with private dance performances. It seemed he still had an ear for music and a memory of grander days. Miskeen is dancing still.
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