Best Selling Books by Tamra Orr

Achilles was a powerful Greek warrior and hero famed for his swift-footedness. His mother, the sea goddess Thetis, tried to make him immortal, but one spot on his heel was vulnerable. His role in the Trojan War was the center of Homer's The Iliad in fact, and it was prophesied that the Greeks couldn't win the war without him. Once he arrived, however, his wrath began to take over. This brave and confident warrior let pride and a hot temper get in his way, and it led to tragedy. Read how the great hero had great decisions to make, and how his anger often blinded him from wiser choices.

Hidden by the clouds and fog of the central highlands of Papua province, Indonesia, is Carstensz Pyramid. Also called Puncak Jaya, it is one of the highest peaks in the world. Learn more in Carstensz Pyramid, one of the titles in the Seven Summits series.

AnnaSophia Robb grew up in front of movie cameras. From her very first commercials to her strolls down the runway, from small movie roles to becoming the lead, her happy smile and amazing talent have brought her fans of all ages. Read about how she won her first audition and then went on to become one of Hollywood’s most popular young stars. In this book, you will find out what Robb’s plans are for helping the world become a better place, plus see what important advice she has for other young people just like her.

They came, they saw, they conquered. These little ants may seem small, but in the world of nature they are fierce warriors. They move in and others either move out or get eaten. Read all about how they chased a boy up a tree, almost ruined a vacation, turned the tables on an ant expert--and much more.

Imagine discovering new planets lightyears away or galaxies you never knew existed. Readers learn all about new and amazing space discoveries in these carefully-leveled and engaging books reviewed by Smithsonian experts.

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.

Have you ever looked at photographs of the pyramids and wondered about the people who created them? How did they live from day to day? Why was the Nile River so important to their survival? What role did all of their gods and goddesses play in the way they led their lives? Meet Kebi—young Egyptian girl who works hard to help her family, while she says her prayers to the god Habi and watches to see if the Nile waters are rising as they should. Too little means possible starvation and drought. Too much means lost homes and floods. It is a fascinating life—and one just waiting to be explored.

When a very young Louis Armstrong felt the policeman grab his arm and haul him off to jail, he had no idea that his life was about to change. What started out as punishment turned into the best thing that could have happened to the young African American. He discovered that he had a passion for music, and a real talent for the horn. The combination led him to become one of the nation’s most beloved and respected jazz musicians in history. Armstrong’s music thrilled audiences throughout the world and his joy for life infected anyone who listened to his soaring horn or his gravelly voice. Louis Armstrong—Satchmo to those who knew and loved him—made jazz music what it is today. Open the cover and find out how.

How do the advances in science, technology, and economics in Sub-Saharan Africa impact the larger global community? This book takes a close look at the past and present technology that has developed in Sub-Saharan Africa, and how it ties into the area's natural resources and factors of production. Informative graphic organizers, fact-filled text, and vivid photographs will help readers develop a strong understanding of the global influence of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Hannah’s school is facing a budgeting dilemma: The school board wants to hire a new art teacher, but they don’t know where they’ll get the money. Learn with Hannah and her classmates why balancing what you earn (income) and what you spend (expenses) is an important lesson at any age. Figure out your average income and outgo, then decide what you need to do when they don’t balance the way you want them to. Find out how to budget for those big items you have been wanting. Best of all, you may just discover that you have a lot more money than you ever thought you did!