WORTHY OF TRUST AND CONFIDENCE HAS BEEN CHOSEN BY CBS NY AS A BEST OF BEACH READ. This exciting debut novel written by former Secret Service Agent J.A. Ballarotto is by no means an ordinary kiss and tell story. Set in 1963, it sweeps the globe from New Jersey to Las Vegas to Cuba and back to Dallas, as it tells the story of Jake, a young Italian Secret Service Agent who finds himself on the trail of a band of resourceful counterfeiters. Our rebellious hero becomes hopelessly infatuated with a gorgeous yet unattainable redhead, a testarossa in every respect, who, together with a Cuban secret agent, embroils The Secret Service and The FBI, as well as the New Jersey Mafia in the most diabolical conspiracy of the century...the assassination of JFK. The story takes the reader through a twisted and at times terrifying journey where the good guys are enigmas, the bad guys are heroes and the girls are always tantalizing.

Educational resource for teachers, parents and kids!

Literacy is a skill for all time, for all people. It is an integral part of our lives, whether we are students or adult professionals. Giving all educators the breadth of knowledge and practical tools that help students strengthen their literacy skills is the focus of Read, Write, Lead. Drawing on her experience as a mentor teacher, reading specialist, instructional coach, and staff developer, author Regie Routman offers time-tested advice on how to develop a schoolwide learning culture that leads to more effective reading and writing across the curriculum. She explains how every school—including yours—can: implement instructional practices that lead to better engagement and achievement in reading and writing for all students, from kindergarten through high school, including second-language and struggling learners; build Professional Literacy Communities of educators working together to create sustainable school change through professional learning based on shared beliefs; reduce the need for intervention through daily practices that ensure success, even for our most vulnerable learners; and embed the language of productive feedback in responsive instruction, conferences, and observations in order to accelerate learning for students, teachers, and leaders. In their own voices, teachers, principals, literacy specialists, and students offer real-life examples of changes that led to dramatic improvement in literacy skills and—perhaps just as important--increased joy in teaching and learning. Scattered throughout the book are “Quick Wins”--ideas and actions that can yield positive, affirming results while tackling the tough work of long-term change.

A devastatingly large number of people in America cannot read as well as they need for success in life. With literacy problems plaguing as many as four in ten children in America, this book discusses how best to help children succeed in reading. This book identifies the most important questions and explores the authoritative answers on the topic of how children can grow into readers, including: What are the key elements all children need in order to become good readers? What can parents and caregivers provide all children so that they are prepared for reading instruction by the time that they get to school? What concepts about language and literacy should be included in beginning reading instruction? How can we prevent reading difficulties starting with infants and into the early grades? What to ask school boards, principals, elected officials, and other policy makers who make decisions regarding early reading instruction. You'll find out how to help youngsters build word recognition, avoid comprehension problems, and moreâ€"with checklists of specific accomplishments to be expected at different ages: for very young children, for kindergarten students, and for first, second, and third grade students. Included are 55 activities to do with children to help them become successful readers, a list of recommended children's books, and a guide to CD-ROMs and websites. Great strides have been made recently toward identifying the best ways to teach children to read. Starting Out Right provides a wealth of knowledge based on a summary of extensive research. It is a "must read" for specialists in primary education as well as parents, pediatricians, child care providers, tutors, literacy advocates, policy makers, and teachers.

This theory-based, strategy-driven approach to teaching content area and secondary reading keeps an eye on the cultural issues affecting secondary students while emphasizing reflective practice to promote the most effective teaching. Chapters on assessment, motivation, struggling readers, aligning standards with strategies and assessment, and a constant focus on diversity set this text apart. Frequent opportunities for readers to apply the concepts they are learning help to make this a truly informative text. SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE: Step-by-Step features, which precisely explain a strategy's implementation. Plenty of simple and effective strategies for assessing and addressing students reading capabilities. A strong focus on standards that shows beginning teachers how to integrate literacy goals with content standards. An abundance of student work samples to fully illustrate chapter concepts, strategies, and effective teaching. A Companion Wesite, available at www.prenhall.com/unrau, containing self-assessments, web links, and classroom video footage to round out content comprehension.