New Releases by Paul Fleischman

In this expertly crafted story from Newbery Medal–winning author Paul Fleischman, a fourth-grade class takes the journey of a lifetime from the comfort of their own classroom as they follow the flightpath of a small (but mighty) bird—with full-color illustrations by Hannah Salyer Every afternoon with their heads down and eyes closed, a fourth-grade class embarks on an imaginative migration journey alongside the bird they are studying. Guided by the voice of their teacher in the cool sanctuary of the classroom, the students travel all the way from Brazil to their hometown in Wisconsin. Along the way, they encounter weather, predators, setbacks, and loss. As their imaginations soar, the children begin to relate with their subject; they, too, need rest; have a hard time holding still; and have dodged a bully or two. At the journey’s end, the class has learned much more than science and geography—they have learned to fly. In this transcendent picture book, Newberry Medal–winning author Paul Fleischman weaves together a story rich with information, connection, and empathy.

"This fantastical picture book, like its hero, is bursting at the seams with creativity. . . . a vigorous shot in the arm to nonconformists everywhere" — Publishers Weekly (starred review) Enter the witty, intriguing world of Weslandia! Now that school is over, Wesley needs a summer project. He’s learned that each civilization needs a staple food crop, so he decides to sow a garden and start his own — civilization, that is. He turns over a plot of earth, and plants begin to grow. They soon tower above him and bear a curious-looking fruit. As Wesley experiments, he finds that the plant will provide food, clothing, shelter, and even recreation. It isn’t long before his neighbors and classmates develop more than an idle curiosity about Wesley — and exactly how he is spending his summer vacation.

Are you a word person? A curiosity seeker? An explorer? Take a look at these twenty-six extraordinary individuals for whom love of language is an extreme sport. Step right up and read the genuine stories of writers so intoxicated by the shapes and sound of language that they collected, dissected, and constructed verbal wonders of the most extraordinary kind. Jean-Dominique Bauby wrote his memoirs by blinking his left eyelid, unable to move the rest of his body. Frederic Cassidy was obsessed with the language of place, and after posing hundreds of questions to folks all over the United States, amassed (among other things) 176 words for dust bunnies. Georges Perec wrote a novel without using the letter e (so well that at least one reviewer didn’t notice its absence), then followed with a novella in which e was the only vowel. A love letter to all those who love words, language, writing, writers, and stories, Alphamaniacs is a stunningly illustrated collection of mini-biographies about the most daring and peculiar of writers and their audacious, courageous, temerarious way with words.

Aaron has never left alone before. He is mute, and depends on his mother for everything. But tomorrow Aaron will be twelve years old, old enough to stay home by himself while his mother goes to town. Everything will be fine, as long as he stays close to the house. And if there''s trouble, Aaron can write what he needs to say. Trouble there is aplenty. When a terrible blizzard keeps his mother from returning home, Aaron sets out to search for her—but he stumbles upon the mysterious Half-a-Moon Inn, where the crafty Miss Grackle forces him to work for her. How can Aaron stop her from carrying out her devilish schemes—before it''s too late?

Mothers give birth in the borning room. The dying take their departure there. Outside the Lott family''s Ohio farmhouse, the Civil War rages, slavery falls, and the world marvels at the wonder of electricity. Inside, within the walls of the borning room, Georgina Lott will experience her life''s greatest turnings. Across the years, she discovers womanhood and first love, experiences the mourning that comes with loss, and, as did her mother and grandmother, at last takes her place in the room as another precious life is about to begin.

It is December 1681, and the words of Mr. Baggot, the tithingman, terrify young William. William is living a strange double life. By day he is a printer''s apprentice living in a white man''s house. By night, he is Weetasket of the Narraganset tribe who must risk Baggot''s wrath to search for his lost brother. Then comes the winter celebration of the Saturnalia—the ancient Roman holiday on which masters and slaves trade roles. Will William''s secrets be revealed? And what dark deeds of others will be brought to light on this fateful night?

A collection of talks given by Dr. Paul Fleischman on Vipassana meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka, these selections explore subjects such as mental health, mindfulness, and cultivating inner peace. They were given to diverse audiences across the world in locations including Boston, Madrid, Vienna, and Dublin. These talks are a valuable introduction to Vipassana meditation, as well as an inspiring resource for those who are already practicing.

The Dunderheads--a gang of misfits with unique and unusual talents--come to the aid of one of their own when Spider is falsely arrested for stealing jewelry.

Simplified Chinese edition of Weslandia, a classic by Newbery Medal winner Paul Fleischman. Wesley is not like other boys; he spent his summer inventing a myriad of things and effortlessly convinced people to believe in him. In Simplified Chinese. Distributed by Tsai Fong Books, Inc.

At first light the finches are flitting about the treesFlittering fluttering flit purple finches flit Fluttering flittering fly painted finches fly.In this companion volume to JOYFUL NOISE: POEMS FOR TWO VOICES, the winner of the 1989 Newbery Medal, Paul Fleischman celebrates the sound, the sense, the essence of birds. Written to be spoken aloud by two voices, sometimes alternating, sometimes simultaneous, these poems perfectly capture the beauty of birds in their singing, soaring, and rejoicing.

After being forced to sell the animals he loves, a farmer cuts his hedge to look like them and teaches his sons about following their hearts.

Offers a retelling of the story of the Trojan War illustrated with collages featuring newspaper clippings of modern events from World War I through the Iraq War.

This National Book Award finalist is now in paperback. Growing up in foster care, Del pens a one-woman play about a Los Angeles traffic jam, providing readers with a backstage pass into a young playwright''s psyche as her play parallels her own life.

A young girl watches as the activities across the street from her bus stop become a circus.

Jack the B. April/03.

A grandmother tells a story about a young girl who uses her wits and what is available to her to help her survive when she is lost in the snow. Includes instructions for creating a number of string figures mentioned in the story.

Provides young readers with a colorfully illlustrated picture book of poems about conversation, talk, and gossip.

Sixteen-year-old Courtney, paralyzed in an accident, learns about the power of the mind from an elderly blind woman who takes her on an imaginary journey to Italy using a 1910 guidebook.

Northerners, Southerners, generals, couriers, dreaming boys, and worried sisters describe the glory, the horror, the thrill, and the disillusionment of the first battle of the Civil War.

A creative guide to using copy machines to produce silhouettes, miniatures, decals, flip books, and other kinds of inexpensive artwork.

A class takes a field trip back through time to observe living dinosaurs in their natural habitat.

When a young piano student plays Beethoven''s "Rondo in C" at her recital, each member of the audience has a memory evoked by the music. Wentworth matches each person''s face to his or her fantasy, juxtaposing the portraits with the dreams in beautiful pastels.