Profiles twenty-five monsters from mythology, folklore, and literature, from Medusa the gorgon and Polyphemus the cyclops to Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, and the headless horseman of Sleepy Hollow.

"Eclectic School Readings" is a 1904 work by American writer Orison Swett Marden. Within it, Marden has briefly outlined various life stories from the lives of great historical figures in order to show to young people that-regardless of their circumstances or birth-they are able to live lives that are remembered in history book for generations. Dr. Orison Swett Marden (1848-1924) was an American author of inspirational books. He wrote primarily on...

A compelling dive into the life and times of Willa Cather, a fascinating woman who lived during the great migration across western America and whose works influenced a region.

Adoring fans have explored much about Harry Potter, especially his classic hero's journey. However, many don't notice how the other characters suffer through the same struggle at every stage of life – one Dumbledore and Neville Longbottom pass but Draco Malfoy and Voldemort do not. Exploding into the Wizarding World in 2016, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child offered an unusual double hero's journey for Albus Severus and Scorpius and a twisted antiheroine's...

A fascinating insight into the life of Ernest Hemingway, exploring his involvement in World War I and the Spanish Civil War, and detailing how these events and love influenced his most celebrated works.

Nova is excited to go grocery shopping with her family. Little does she know, due to civil unrest, rioters damaged the stores where she usually shops. Her family drives to a store in a beautiful neighborhood far from where they live. As they arrive at the grocery store, the family is confronted by an angry man who does not want them there. The man's despicable behavior traumatizes Nova, and she wants to go back to her neighborhood. This racist experience...

Helen Keller's triumph over her blindness and deafness has become one of the most inspiring stories of our time. Here, in a book first published when she was young woman, is Helen Keller's own story--complex, poignant, and filled with love.

Jhumpa Lahiri understands what it means to be caught between two cultures. Born in London to Indian immigrants, she has spent most of her life in the United States but still struggles to feel "American." This is the challenge facing many new Indian Americans, and it is the focal point of Lahiri's novels and stories, which examine various aspects of the culture clashes that come from being a newcomer in a foreign land. This insightful guide takes readers...

In Shakespeare's time, the term "comedy did not necessarily denote something funny or amusing. Rather, through such plays such as A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Merchant of Venice, the playwright examines other defining characteristics of comedic drama-the social interactions of common folks and a focus on the contradictions inherent in everyday life. Readers explore the major themes of Shakespearean comedies, which have enchanted readers and theater-goers...

Songs are universal, and every culture has its own. Some are celebratory. Others tell stories. Many are about love. There are national anthems and protest songs. There are lullabies and playground songs. This book teaches young readers about the many different kinds of songs around the world and throughout history. It then compares pairs of songs, allowing readers to think about how each pair is similar or different. Finally, readers are challenged...