Have you been dreaming of a curriculum your family could study together? I often get requests for this type of curriculum and I'm happy to announce after many months of planning we now have Geo-Tour II available. A big thank you to my mom for helping me read the literature to pick the best selections for this curriculum. We enjoyed reading these books and hope your family enjoys them as well.
Geo-Tour is a family curriculum to study Geography, Literature and writing together. The focus for this curriculum is to learn to write well with a copywork and dictation approach to writing well by mimicking well written authors. I have provided writing throughout related to the literature being studied; parents are also encouraged (and is scheduled) to have their students learn to write well with Writing with Ease and Writing With Skill programs. These programs are well designed.
"Young students who learn to write well need one-on-one instruction—something which your child’s classroom may not offer.
In The Complete Writer series, Susan Wise Bauer turns every parent into a writing teacher. No experience is needed.
Drawing on her fifteen years of experience in teaching writing, Susan lays out a carefully-designed sequence of steps that will teach every student to put words on paper with ease and grace. This alternative plan for teaching writing combines the best elements of old-fashioned writing instruction with innovative new educational methods—and explains why so many writing programs fail." -Well-Trained Mind
Science is lightly covered throughout using a DK Encyclopedia. I would suggest that students in grades 7-8 add on science. Grammar is lightly covered for grades 3-5. Otherwise, I do not recommend adding any grammar or spelling this year, I would like to see your family focus on learning to write well with the side benefit of learning proper grammar, punctuation, spelling, proper sentence and paragraph structure. You will need to add math for each student. Your youngest children may need to add in phonics.
This is a ONE-YEAR Curriculum (36 weeks) for you to use with all of your children in Grades 3-8 to learn together. If you have a set of younger children as well; you can then cycle through this program again later when the younger set gets a little older.
NOTE: This curriculum has been written for grades 3-8. If you have a high school student who would like to take this with the family it would do well, just make sure you add in Writing with Skill, grade level math, and Science.
Items to purchase:
Geo-Tour II Curriculum Textbooks
Geo-Tour II Reading books
Writing
Math
Geo-Tour is a family curriculum to study Geography, Literature and writing together. The focus for this curriculum is to learn to write well with a copywork and dictation approach to writing well by mimicking well written authors. I have provided writing throughout related to the literature being studied; parents are also encouraged (and is scheduled) to have their students learn to write well with Writing with Ease and Writing With Skill programs. These programs are well designed.
"Young students who learn to write well need one-on-one instruction—something which your child’s classroom may not offer.
In The Complete Writer series, Susan Wise Bauer turns every parent into a writing teacher. No experience is needed.
Drawing on her fifteen years of experience in teaching writing, Susan lays out a carefully-designed sequence of steps that will teach every student to put words on paper with ease and grace. This alternative plan for teaching writing combines the best elements of old-fashioned writing instruction with innovative new educational methods—and explains why so many writing programs fail." -Well-Trained Mind
Science is lightly covered throughout using a DK Encyclopedia. I would suggest that students in grades 7-8 add on science. Grammar is lightly covered for grades 3-5. Otherwise, I do not recommend adding any grammar or spelling this year, I would like to see your family focus on learning to write well with the side benefit of learning proper grammar, punctuation, spelling, proper sentence and paragraph structure. You will need to add math for each student. Your youngest children may need to add in phonics.
This is a ONE-YEAR Curriculum (36 weeks) for you to use with all of your children in Grades 3-8 to learn together. If you have a set of younger children as well; you can then cycle through this program again later when the younger set gets a little older.
NOTE: This curriculum has been written for grades 3-8. If you have a high school student who would like to take this with the family it would do well, just make sure you add in Writing with Skill, grade level math, and Science.
Items to purchase:
Geo-Tour II Curriculum Textbooks
Geo-Tour II Reading books
Writing
Math

wbcgeotouriisample.pdf |
Geo-Tour II Lesson Plans
STEP ONE: Buy your Lesson Plans and Textbooks
Geo-Tour II Manual in print
Full Grades 3-8 in print & spiral bound
Full Grades 3-5 in print & spiral bound
Full Grades 5-8 in print & spiral bound
Save by buying in the textbook package
Geo Tour II Manual In PDF
Full Grades 3-8 in PDF download lesson plans
[uses spine books Memoria Press Geography I set & DK Children's Illustrated Encyclopedia; sold separately]
Geo-Tour II Textbooks
Geo-Tour II textbook list: Memoria Press Geography II Bundle, extra Geography II workbook for additional students, DK Children's Illustrated Encyclopedia, DK Big Fantastic Earth, Where is the Great Wall?, DK Children Just Like Me (GR 3-5), Usborne Illustrated Grammar & Punctuation (Gr 3-5)

Geography II Bundle:
Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Oceania, & the Americas
Each lesson includes physical features, history, and culture. Students will continue to deepen their understanding of past and present as they learn about ancient and modern countries.
The Geography II Set includes:
Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Oceania, & the Americas
Each lesson includes physical features, history, and culture. Students will continue to deepen their understanding of past and present as they learn about ancient and modern countries.
The Geography II Set includes:
- Geography II Text
- Geography II Student Workbook
- Geography II Teacher Manual
- Geography I Review Student
- Geography I Review Key, Quizzes, & Tests
- $55.68 Click Here to Buy
- You can also buy extra copies of the Student Workbook by scrolling down on the page after you click on the 'click here to buy' link.

DK Children's Illustrated Encyclopedia
This textbook is used as a spine book for the Geo-Tour II Lesson Plans. It covers History, Science, Geography and more.
Grades 3-8 textbook for Geo-Tour II program
$23.49
Click Here to Buy
This textbook is used as a spine book for the Geo-Tour II Lesson Plans. It covers History, Science, Geography and more.
Grades 3-8 textbook for Geo-Tour II program
$23.49
Click Here to Buy

Children Just Like Me: A new celebration of children around the world; (Grades 3-5 Geo-Tour II Lesson Plans, Textbook)
Children Just Like Me is a comprehensive view of international cultures, exploring diverse backgrounds from Argentina to New Zealand to China to Israel. With this brand new edition, children will learn about their peers around the world through engaging photographs and understandable text laid out in DK's distinctive style.
Grade 2 Social Studies and Grades 3-5 Geo-Tour II Lesson Plans
$19.99
Click Here to Buy
Children Just Like Me is a comprehensive view of international cultures, exploring diverse backgrounds from Argentina to New Zealand to China to Israel. With this brand new edition, children will learn about their peers around the world through engaging photographs and understandable text laid out in DK's distinctive style.
Grade 2 Social Studies and Grades 3-5 Geo-Tour II Lesson Plans
$19.99
Click Here to Buy

Usborne Illustrated Grammar and Punctuation
Age 8+ (Grades 3-5 in the Geo-Tour II Lesson Plans)
12.99
Click here to purchase and learn more
or Click here to buy on Amazon
Age 8+ (Grades 3-5 in the Geo-Tour II Lesson Plans)
12.99
Click here to purchase and learn more
or Click here to buy on Amazon
STEP TWO: Buy or find the Reading books for your grade(s) [see buying links below]:
Almost Home (GR 3-8)
Ashanti to Zulu (GR 3-5)
The True Story of Balto (GR 3-5)
Dr. Seuss The Great Doodler (GR 3-5)
The Cay (GR 5-8)
The Cricket in Times Square (GR 3-5)
The Cricket in Times Square Student and Teacher Study Guides (GR 3-5)
Flying the Dragon (GR 3-8)
Force & Motion in Sports (GR 3-8)
Grizzly Trap (GR 3-8)
Henry Reed, Inc. (GR 3-8)
Mala, A Hero for All (GR 3-8)
Amazing Animal Journeys (GR 3-8)
Skyscrapers (GR 3-8)
Rickshaw Girl (GR 3-8)
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes (optional)* (GR 3-8)
Seven Daughters and Seven Sons (optional)* (GR 5-8)
Shadow Spinner (GR 3-8)
A Single Shard (GR 3-8)
Sky High George Ferris's Big Wheel (GR 3-5)
Usborne Illustrated Stories from Aesop (GR 3-5)
Welcome to Wonderland Home Sweet Motel (GR 3-8)
Welcome to Wonderland Beach Party (optional)* (GR 3-8)
Ashanti to Zulu (GR 3-5)
The True Story of Balto (GR 3-5)
Dr. Seuss The Great Doodler (GR 3-5)
The Cay (GR 5-8)
The Cricket in Times Square (GR 3-5)
The Cricket in Times Square Student and Teacher Study Guides (GR 3-5)
Flying the Dragon (GR 3-8)
Force & Motion in Sports (GR 3-8)
Grizzly Trap (GR 3-8)
Henry Reed, Inc. (GR 3-8)
Mala, A Hero for All (GR 3-8)
Amazing Animal Journeys (GR 3-8)
Skyscrapers (GR 3-8)
Rickshaw Girl (GR 3-8)
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes (optional)* (GR 3-8)
Seven Daughters and Seven Sons (optional)* (GR 5-8)
Shadow Spinner (GR 3-8)
A Single Shard (GR 3-8)
Sky High George Ferris's Big Wheel (GR 3-5)
Usborne Illustrated Stories from Aesop (GR 3-5)
Welcome to Wonderland Home Sweet Motel (GR 3-8)
Welcome to Wonderland Beach Party (optional)* (GR 3-8)
ADD ON INSTRUCTIONAL WRITING CURRICULUM
STEP THREE: The manual provides writing assignments with literature being studied. Also scheduled, which can be optional, is the Complete Writer Series or you can use Evan-Moor Daily 6-Trait writing workbooks. See notes above in the introduction.

gradechartwritewithease.pdf |

Writing with Ease: Level 3 Workbook; Grade 3+
These workbooks provide lessons, student worksheets, and teacher instructions for every day of writing instruction. Each covers one year of study.
$28.00
Click here to Buy
These workbooks provide lessons, student worksheets, and teacher instructions for every day of writing instruction. Each covers one year of study.
$28.00
Click here to Buy

Writing with Ease: Level 4 Workbook; Grade 4+
These workbooks provide lessons, student worksheets, and teacher instructions for every day of writing instruction. Each covers one year of study.
$25.90
Click here to Buy
These workbooks provide lessons, student worksheets, and teacher instructions for every day of writing instruction. Each covers one year of study.
$25.90
Click here to Buy
If you are using this program with a 5th - 7th Grader and you feel they are not quite ready for Writing with Skill you can use Evan-Moor 6-trait Writing instead:

Evan-Moor Daily-6 Trait Writing, Grade 4 -Teacher's Edition, Print
Provide your students with frequent, focused skills with this Reproducible Edition.
Teacher pages each week and reproducible student pages.
$29.99
Click Here to Learn More
Provide your students with frequent, focused skills with this Reproducible Edition.
Teacher pages each week and reproducible student pages.
$29.99
Click Here to Learn More

Evan-Moor Daily-6 Trait Writing, Grade 5 -Teacher's Edition, Print
Provide your students with frequent, focused skills with this Reproducible Edition.
Teacher pages each week and reproducible student pages.
$29.99
Click Here to Learn More and to Buy
Provide your students with frequent, focused skills with this Reproducible Edition.
Teacher pages each week and reproducible student pages.
$29.99
Click Here to Learn More and to Buy

Evan-Moor Daily 6-Trait Writing Grade 6- Teacher's Edition, Print
Give your sixth-graders the fun and focused writing practice they need to become to become strong and successful writers. The 125 engaging, 10- to 15-minute lessons support any writing program.
Weekly Teacher pages and Reproducible student pages.
$29.99
Click Here to Learn More and to Buy
Give your sixth-graders the fun and focused writing practice they need to become to become strong and successful writers. The 125 engaging, 10- to 15-minute lessons support any writing program.
Weekly Teacher pages and Reproducible student pages.
$29.99
Click Here to Learn More and to Buy

Evan-Moor Daily 6-Trait Writing Grade 7 Teacher Edition, Print
Daily 6-Trait Writing gives your seventh graders scaffolded, focused writing practice. Each of the 25 weekly units provides trait-based writing activities that cover the essential traits of strong writing: ideas, organization, word choice, sentence fluency, voice, and conventions. The weekly units present a writing skill on Day 1, and writing activities progress in difficulty until students apply what they’ve learned to a writing prompt on Day 5.
This book contains Teacher Pages each week & Reproducible student pages.
$29.99
Click Here to Learn More & Buy
Daily 6-Trait Writing gives your seventh graders scaffolded, focused writing practice. Each of the 25 weekly units provides trait-based writing activities that cover the essential traits of strong writing: ideas, organization, word choice, sentence fluency, voice, and conventions. The weekly units present a writing skill on Day 1, and writing activities progress in difficulty until students apply what they’ve learned to a writing prompt on Day 5.
This book contains Teacher Pages each week & Reproducible student pages.
$29.99
Click Here to Learn More & Buy
NOTE: According to Susan's Grade Recommendations above, Writing With Skill can also be used with a student at half-speed, or in other words, using one of the levels for two years.

Writing with Skill Level 1; Grades 8+
This groundbreaking new writing series combines time-tested classical techniques―the imitation and analysis of great writers―with original composition exercises in history, science, biography, and literature. You will need both the student and teacher edition.
Click here to buy the Student workbook
Click here to buy the Teacher Edition
This groundbreaking new writing series combines time-tested classical techniques―the imitation and analysis of great writers―with original composition exercises in history, science, biography, and literature. You will need both the student and teacher edition.
Click here to buy the Student workbook
Click here to buy the Teacher Edition

Writing with Skill Level 2; Grades 9+
Time-tested classical techniques--the imitation and analysis of great writers--combined with original composition exercises in history, science, biography, and literature
The Student Workbook encourages independent composition, while the Instructor Text contains easy-to-use supporting information for the teacher, rubrics for grading, sample compositions, and dialogue to use while teaching. Together, the Student Workbook and Instructor Text provide a full year of middle-grade writing instruction, preparing students to enter high-level rhetoric.
Click here to buy the Student workbook
Click here to buy the Teacher edition
Time-tested classical techniques--the imitation and analysis of great writers--combined with original composition exercises in history, science, biography, and literature
The Student Workbook encourages independent composition, while the Instructor Text contains easy-to-use supporting information for the teacher, rubrics for grading, sample compositions, and dialogue to use while teaching. Together, the Student Workbook and Instructor Text provide a full year of middle-grade writing instruction, preparing students to enter high-level rhetoric.
Click here to buy the Student workbook
Click here to buy the Teacher edition
SINGLE ITEMS: READING
Memoria Press Links

Cricket in Time Square
Teacher Guide, Student Workbook and Novel
(Grades 3-5 in the Geo-Tour II Lesson Plans)
Click Here to Purchase and Learn More
Or click here to buy the novel on Amazon
Teacher Guide, Student Workbook and Novel
(Grades 3-5 in the Geo-Tour II Lesson Plans)
Click Here to Purchase and Learn More
Or click here to buy the novel on Amazon
Usborne Links

Illustrated Stores from Aesop
Age 8+ (Grades 3-5 in the Geo-Tour II Lesson Plans)
19.99
or Click here to buy on Amazon
Age 8+ (Grades 3-5 in the Geo-Tour II Lesson Plans)
19.99
or Click here to buy on Amazon
Amazon Links

Almost Home by Joan Bauer
Grades 3-8 Read Aloud for WBC Geo-Tour II curriculum.
When twelve-year-old Sugar's grandfather dies and her gambling father takes off yet again, Sugar and her mother lose their home in Missouri. They head to Chicago for a fresh start, only to discover that fresh starts aren't so easy to come by for the homeless. Nevertheless, Sugar's mother has taught her to be grateful no matter what, so Sugar does her best. With the help of a rescue dog, Shush; a foster family; a supportive teacher; a love of poetry; and her own grace and good humor, Sugar comes to understand that while she can't control the hand life deals her, she can control how she responds.
$8.99
Click here to Buy
Grades 3-8 Read Aloud for WBC Geo-Tour II curriculum.
When twelve-year-old Sugar's grandfather dies and her gambling father takes off yet again, Sugar and her mother lose their home in Missouri. They head to Chicago for a fresh start, only to discover that fresh starts aren't so easy to come by for the homeless. Nevertheless, Sugar's mother has taught her to be grateful no matter what, so Sugar does her best. With the help of a rescue dog, Shush; a foster family; a supportive teacher; a love of poetry; and her own grace and good humor, Sugar comes to understand that while she can't control the hand life deals her, she can control how she responds.
$8.99
Click here to Buy




The Bravest Dog Ever, The True Story of Balto; Grades 3-5 Geo-Tour II Lesson Plans
Step into reading level 3
It is one of the worst storms ever - the snow has not stopped for days and it is 30 degrees below zero. But somehow Balto must get through. He is the lead dog of his sled team. And he is carrying medicine to sick children miles away in Nome, Alaska. He is their only hope. Can Balto find his way through the terrible storm? Find out in this exciting true story!
$4.99
Click Here to Buy
Step into reading level 3
It is one of the worst storms ever - the snow has not stopped for days and it is 30 degrees below zero. But somehow Balto must get through. He is the lead dog of his sled team. And he is carrying medicine to sick children miles away in Nome, Alaska. He is their only hope. Can Balto find his way through the terrible storm? Find out in this exciting true story!
$4.99
Click Here to Buy

The Great Alaskan Race movie PG
In 1925's historic great race of mercy, a group of brave mushers travel 700 miles to save the small children of Nome, Alaska from a deadly epidemic.
Click here to Rent
In 1925's historic great race of mercy, a group of brave mushers travel 700 miles to save the small children of Nome, Alaska from a deadly epidemic.
Click here to Rent

Sky High: George Ferris's Big Wheel
he 1893 World’s Fair organizers wanted something big to draw people to Chicago . . . something that would rival the Eiffel Tower. George Ferris, an American engineer, had the idea for an observation wheel that passengers could ride on. People laughed at his idea. They said it would never work. But it was a huge success, with thirty-six cars that could hold over 2,100 riders! That’s some big wheel! Ferris wheel lovers can thank George Ferris for never giving up his dream.
$6.04
Click Here to Buy
he 1893 World’s Fair organizers wanted something big to draw people to Chicago . . . something that would rival the Eiffel Tower. George Ferris, an American engineer, had the idea for an observation wheel that passengers could ride on. People laughed at his idea. They said it would never work. But it was a huge success, with thirty-six cars that could hold over 2,100 riders! That’s some big wheel! Ferris wheel lovers can thank George Ferris for never giving up his dream.
$6.04
Click Here to Buy


Dr. Seuss: The Great Doodler (Step into Reading level 3); Grades 3-5 Geo-Tour II Lesson Plans
Biography Reader about Theodor Geisel and his transformation from a doodler into the beloved Dr. Seuss. Little Ted Geisel always had a sketchpad and pencil in hand. He was a Boy Scout with a penchant for creating zany creatures. He grew up with a love of books and words from his mother, and his inventor father spawned a wildly imaginative and perfectionist side. It’s no wonder that these qualities led to the beloved work of Dr. Seuss, the Great Doodler.
$4.99 Click here to Buy
Biography Reader about Theodor Geisel and his transformation from a doodler into the beloved Dr. Seuss. Little Ted Geisel always had a sketchpad and pencil in hand. He was a Boy Scout with a penchant for creating zany creatures. He grew up with a love of books and words from his mother, and his inventor father spawned a wildly imaginative and perfectionist side. It’s no wonder that these qualities led to the beloved work of Dr. Seuss, the Great Doodler.
$4.99 Click here to Buy

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr
optional reading for Geo-Tour II plans
Click here to buy
optional reading for Geo-Tour II plans
Click here to buy

A Single Shard
Tree-ear is an orphan boy in a 12th-century Korean village renowned for its ceramics. When he accidentally breaks a delicate piece of pottery, he volunteers to work to pay for the damage. Putting aside his own dreams, Tree-ear resolves to serve the master potter by embarking on a difficult and dangerous journey, little knowing that it will change his life forever.
$10.02
Click Here to Buy
Tree-ear is an orphan boy in a 12th-century Korean village renowned for its ceramics. When he accidentally breaks a delicate piece of pottery, he volunteers to work to pay for the damage. Putting aside his own dreams, Tree-ear resolves to serve the master potter by embarking on a difficult and dangerous journey, little knowing that it will change his life forever.
$10.02
Click Here to Buy

The Cay; (Grades 5-8 in the Geo-Tour II Lesson Plans)
Phillip is excited when the Germans invade the small island of Curaçao. War has always been a game to him, and he’s eager to glimpse it firsthand–until the freighter he and his mother are traveling to the United States on is torpedoed.
When Phillip comes to, he is on a small raft in the middle of the sea. Besides Stew Cat, his only companion is an old West Indian, Timothy. Phillip remembers his mother’s warning about black people: “They are different, and they live differently.”
But by the time the castaways arrive on a small island, Phillip’s head injury has made him blind and dependent on Timothy.
$7.99
Click Here to Buy
Phillip is excited when the Germans invade the small island of Curaçao. War has always been a game to him, and he’s eager to glimpse it firsthand–until the freighter he and his mother are traveling to the United States on is torpedoed.
When Phillip comes to, he is on a small raft in the middle of the sea. Besides Stew Cat, his only companion is an old West Indian, Timothy. Phillip remembers his mother’s warning about black people: “They are different, and they live differently.”
But by the time the castaways arrive on a small island, Phillip’s head injury has made him blind and dependent on Timothy.
$7.99
Click Here to Buy

Flying the Dragon by Natalie Dias Lorenzi ; (Grades 3-8 in the Geo-Tour II Lesson Plans)
American-born Skye is a good student and a star soccer player who never really gives any thought to the fact that her father is Japanese. Her cousin, Hiroshi, lives in Japan, and never really gives a thought to his uncle's family living in the United States.
Skye and Hiroshi's lives are thrown together when Hiroshi's family, with his grandfather (who is also his best friend), suddenly moves to the U.S. Now Skye doesn't know who she is anymore: at school she's suddenly too Japanese, but at home she's not Japanese enough. Hiroshi has a hard time adjusting to life in a new culture, and resents Skye's intrusions on his time with Grandfather. Through all of this is woven Hiroshi's expertise, and Skye's growing interest in, kite making and competitive rokkaku kite flying.
$8.95 Click here to Buy
American-born Skye is a good student and a star soccer player who never really gives any thought to the fact that her father is Japanese. Her cousin, Hiroshi, lives in Japan, and never really gives a thought to his uncle's family living in the United States.
Skye and Hiroshi's lives are thrown together when Hiroshi's family, with his grandfather (who is also his best friend), suddenly moves to the U.S. Now Skye doesn't know who she is anymore: at school she's suddenly too Japanese, but at home she's not Japanese enough. Hiroshi has a hard time adjusting to life in a new culture, and resents Skye's intrusions on his time with Grandfather. Through all of this is woven Hiroshi's expertise, and Skye's growing interest in, kite making and competitive rokkaku kite flying.
$8.95 Click here to Buy

Grizzly Trap; Extreme Adventures (Grades 3-8 in the Geo-Tour II Lesson Plans)
by Justin D'Ath
Ready for an adventure??
Click here to Buy on Amazon
by Justin D'Ath
Ready for an adventure??
Click here to Buy on Amazon

Henry Reed, Inc by Keith Robertson; (Grades 3-8 in the Geo-Tour II Lesson Plans)
Henry Reed has arrived in Grover's Corner--and the town will never be the same. While spending the summer with his aunt and uncle, Henry comes up with a sure-fire money-making project: Henry Reed, Inc., Research. Henry's neighbor, Midge Glass, has an even more sure-fire hit: Reed and Glass, Inc. Now with Henry's ingenious mind and Midge's practical reasoning, Reed and Class Inc. turns into a huge success--while creating more bewildering and outrageous schemes than the town could have imagined.
$7.99
Click here to Buy
Henry Reed has arrived in Grover's Corner--and the town will never be the same. While spending the summer with his aunt and uncle, Henry comes up with a sure-fire money-making project: Henry Reed, Inc., Research. Henry's neighbor, Midge Glass, has an even more sure-fire hit: Reed and Glass, Inc. Now with Henry's ingenious mind and Midge's practical reasoning, Reed and Class Inc. turns into a huge success--while creating more bewildering and outrageous schemes than the town could have imagined.
$7.99
Click here to Buy

Rickshaw Girl by Mitali Perkins; (Grades 3-8 in the Geo-Tour II Lesson Plans)
Naima loves to create the traditional alpana pattrns Bangladeshi women and girls paint in their homes. Her designs are always the best in the village. But Naima wishes she could help earn money for her family. Her friend Saleem can drive his father's rickshaw. If only I had been born a boy, Naima thinks.
$6.95 Click here to Buy
Naima loves to create the traditional alpana pattrns Bangladeshi women and girls paint in their homes. Her designs are always the best in the village. But Naima wishes she could help earn money for her family. Her friend Saleem can drive his father's rickshaw. If only I had been born a boy, Naima thinks.
$6.95 Click here to Buy

Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher; (Grades 3-8 in the Geo-Tour II Lesson Plans)
Every night, Shahrazad begins a story. And every morning, the Sultan lets her live another day -- providing the story is interesting enough to capture his attention. After almost one thousand nights, Shahrazad is running out of tales. And that is how Marjan's story begins....
It falls to Marjan to help Shahrazad find new stories -- ones the Sultan has never heard before. To do that, the girl is forced to undertake a dangerous and forbidden mission: sneak from the harem and travel the city, pulling tales from strangers and bringing them back to Shahrazad. But as she searches the city, a wonderful thing happens. From a quiet spinner of tales, Marjan suddenly becomes the center of a more surprising story than she ever could have imagined.
$7.99 Click here to Buy
Every night, Shahrazad begins a story. And every morning, the Sultan lets her live another day -- providing the story is interesting enough to capture his attention. After almost one thousand nights, Shahrazad is running out of tales. And that is how Marjan's story begins....
It falls to Marjan to help Shahrazad find new stories -- ones the Sultan has never heard before. To do that, the girl is forced to undertake a dangerous and forbidden mission: sneak from the harem and travel the city, pulling tales from strangers and bringing them back to Shahrazad. But as she searches the city, a wonderful thing happens. From a quiet spinner of tales, Marjan suddenly becomes the center of a more surprising story than she ever could have imagined.
$7.99 Click here to Buy

Seven Daughters and Seven Sons
Click here to buy
Click here to buy

Home Sweet Motel; (Grades 3-8 in the Geo-Tour II Lesson Plans)
Welcome to Wonderland Book 1
Eleven-year-old P. T. Wilkie may be the greatest storyteller alive. But he knows one thing for a fact: the Wonderland Motel is the best place a kid could ever live! All-you-can-eat poolside ice cream! A snack machine in the living room! A frog slide! A giant rampaging alligator! (Okay, that last one may or may not be made up.) There’s only one thing the Wonderland doesn’t have, though—customers. And if the Wonderland doesn’t get them soon, P.T. and his friend Gloria may have to say goodbye to their beloved motel forever.
They need to think BIG. They need to think BOLD. They need an OUTRAGEOUS plan. Luckily for them, Gloria is a business GENIUS, and OUTRAGEOUS is practically P.T.’s middle name. With Gloria’s smarts and P.T.’s world-famous stories and schemes, there’s got to be a way to save the Wonderland!
$7.99
Click here to Buy
Welcome to Wonderland Book 1
Eleven-year-old P. T. Wilkie may be the greatest storyteller alive. But he knows one thing for a fact: the Wonderland Motel is the best place a kid could ever live! All-you-can-eat poolside ice cream! A snack machine in the living room! A frog slide! A giant rampaging alligator! (Okay, that last one may or may not be made up.) There’s only one thing the Wonderland doesn’t have, though—customers. And if the Wonderland doesn’t get them soon, P.T. and his friend Gloria may have to say goodbye to their beloved motel forever.
They need to think BIG. They need to think BOLD. They need an OUTRAGEOUS plan. Luckily for them, Gloria is a business GENIUS, and OUTRAGEOUS is practically P.T.’s middle name. With Gloria’s smarts and P.T.’s world-famous stories and schemes, there’s got to be a way to save the Wonderland!
$7.99
Click here to Buy

Beach Party Surf Monkey [Welcome to Wonderland Book 2](Grades 3-8 in the Geo-Tour II Lesson Plans)
There’s always something wacky happening when you live in a motel, and P.T. (named after P. T. Barnum, of course) has grown up at the world’s wackiest! When word gets out that the hottest teen idols in Hollywood (plus current YouTube sensation Kevin the Monkey!) will be filming their next movie—Beach Party Surf Monkey—right in St. Pete’s Beach, Florida, P.T. and his friend Gloria know that the Wonderland would be the perfect location. Now they just have to convince the producers!
But when things start to go wrong (crazed fans? missing stars?), it will take all of Gloria’s business genius and P.T.’s wild stories to save the movie before both it and the Wonderland are all washed up!
$7.99
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There’s always something wacky happening when you live in a motel, and P.T. (named after P. T. Barnum, of course) has grown up at the world’s wackiest! When word gets out that the hottest teen idols in Hollywood (plus current YouTube sensation Kevin the Monkey!) will be filming their next movie—Beach Party Surf Monkey—right in St. Pete’s Beach, Florida, P.T. and his friend Gloria know that the Wonderland would be the perfect location. Now they just have to convince the producers!
But when things start to go wrong (crazed fans? missing stars?), it will take all of Gloria’s business genius and P.T.’s wild stories to save the movie before both it and the Wonderland are all washed up!
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*NOTES: Optional books
Cricket in Times Square study guides- some lessons provided in the manual, this would be in addition to those.
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes- This book is a Japanese drama of the tragedy resulting from the dropping of the atom bomb on Hiroshima during World War II. Strongly suggest that parent(s) read prior to reading it aloud to the family. – it is a short read
WARNING/NOTE: Mom and I both read this book and feel that families can glean a lot of insight into Japanese culture/thinking as well as information regarding a major historical event that affected many lives. Due to the sensitivity of the book’s contents, this book is optional and would only be suggested as a read-aloud so that families can discuss the sensitive topics as they arise.
Seven Daughters and Seven Sons- This is one of those diversity titles that does really give you insight into the view of stations in life in an Arab nation. However, there are several warnings I will give for reading this book. I enjoyed the storyline of seeing a frustrated daughter in an impossible situation where there was a need to help the family financially and of eventually seeing her fall in love. On the back of the book it says 12 and up; I would say for a mature 12 and up who really enjoys reading historical fiction and understands in reading such that they will read about customs, viewpoints, etc. from a foreign viewpoint.
Welcome to Wonderland Beach Party- This is the second book in the series and is read at the end of the year; can be optional but a fun book! No warnings for this book.
Cricket in Times Square study guides- some lessons provided in the manual, this would be in addition to those.
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes- This book is a Japanese drama of the tragedy resulting from the dropping of the atom bomb on Hiroshima during World War II. Strongly suggest that parent(s) read prior to reading it aloud to the family. – it is a short read
WARNING/NOTE: Mom and I both read this book and feel that families can glean a lot of insight into Japanese culture/thinking as well as information regarding a major historical event that affected many lives. Due to the sensitivity of the book’s contents, this book is optional and would only be suggested as a read-aloud so that families can discuss the sensitive topics as they arise.
Seven Daughters and Seven Sons- This is one of those diversity titles that does really give you insight into the view of stations in life in an Arab nation. However, there are several warnings I will give for reading this book. I enjoyed the storyline of seeing a frustrated daughter in an impossible situation where there was a need to help the family financially and of eventually seeing her fall in love. On the back of the book it says 12 and up; I would say for a mature 12 and up who really enjoys reading historical fiction and understands in reading such that they will read about customs, viewpoints, etc. from a foreign viewpoint.
Welcome to Wonderland Beach Party- This is the second book in the series and is read at the end of the year; can be optional but a fun book! No warnings for this book.