Alex Van Tol

Chick is a popular fourteen-year-old who is essentially on this earth to live up to his father’s impossible expectations—or, at least, that’s how he feels. This pressure is a grinding source of anxiety for him, which he copes with by making lists. He itemizes every aspect of his life, from his daily routine to the things that make him nervous. But as the pressure of school and his budding romance with his debating teammate Audrey builds, his compulsion starts to feel impossible to control—or conceal. This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Mike is in love with his best friend, Lindsay. And he's pretty sure she feels the same way...until a misunderstanding destroys Lindsay's trust. Devastated, Lindsay leaves town for the summer. When she returns in the fall, she has reinvented herself, dressing differently and hanging with the "in" crowd. And she wants nothing to do with Mike. When a video of a very intoxicated Lindsay goes viral, Mike has to figure out a way to be there for his friend when she needs him most. This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

In the northwest corner of British Columbia, between the Alaska-BC border and the northern tip of Vancouver Island, lies a land of forest green and sparkling blue. From massive whales to tiny herring, spirit bears to sea wolves, an incredibly diverse array of wildlife calls this land home. Part of the largest coastal temperate rainforest in the world, the Great Bear Rainforest is one the last untouched places on Earth. Experience this magical place through the power of IMAX(R) and the giant screen. Learn about the people who make their home in the Great Bear Rainforest and are committed to preserving and protecting it. Hear how Indigenous youth are coming together and taking responsibility for this place they call home. Go behind the scenes of the production of the film to learn about the incredible challenges of filming in such difficult conditions and feel the wonder that comes from experiencing this wild place.

It really seems like Dani''s dad has gone around the bend. Ever since Dani''s mother died of cancer, all her dad does is stand around on street corners with his crazy signs, proclaiming that processed foods mean the end of the world. The Food Freak, as he is known, has already scared away all of Dani''s friends at her old school. But it''s a new year, and Dani is at a new school in a different part of town. Maybe things will be better now. Dani just needs to keep her head down and avoid making any friends. That way, nobody will find out about her dad and his insane protests. The plan seems to be working fine until one day Dani meets a boy who helps her see things in a different light. This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

What would you do if you came face to face with a Large Yellow Waxwing, Wild Turkey or Weather Loach? Who would you call if Common Wall Lizards or Giant Hogweed crept into your back yard? Alex Van Tol can help. In Aliens Among Us, she identifies more than 50 species of alien animals and plants that have established themselves in British Columbia. With the help of colour photographs and Mike Deas’ illuminating illustrations, Van Tol exposes the invaders, then explains how they got here and what they’re doing to the local environment. A former middle school teacher, Alex Van Tol has written eight books for young readers. For Aliens Among Us, she has harvested the knowledge of museum biologists to alert the next generation of responsible environmentalists. Her list of invaders includes Purple Loosestrife and Yellow Perch, Norway Rats and American Bullfrogs, Northern Snakeheads and Zebra Mussels, to name just a few. This readable and alarmingly informative book will help young people prepare for the invasion, and arm them with the tools to stop the spread of unwanted aliens in British Columbia.

Owen has a crush on Kamryn. Kamryn has a crush on Owen''s brother Kyle. Owen knows extreme action is necessary to make sure Kamryn does not end up dating his brother, a jerk who manipulates every situation to get what he wants. So what does Owen do? He manipulates the situation. With the help of his friend Hannah, Owen sets up a blog called The Oracle that gives out relationship advice to local teens. Everything seems to be going great. Hannah and Owen are having fun, and Kamryn seems to be following The Oracle''s advice and taking an interest in Owen. Owen thinks he''s got it made, but he soon discovers that fraudulent tactics have their consequences. This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!

Jamie is determined that nothing—not even his annoyingly popular younger brother Seth—is going to spoil his fun at a mountain biking camp in the backcountry. Nothing except stumbling on a giant grow-op in the woods, that is. And watching their fellow campers get captured by violent drug dealers. And working with Seth to figure out a way to save them without getting caught themselves. This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!

Born in 1930 in a small mining town in New Mexico and raised in the farming region of California's San Joaquin Valley, Dolores Huerta (born Dolores Fern ndez) grew up in a climate charged by political activism. Fueled by her own contact with migrant farm workers - most of them Mexican immigrants - Dolores became an outspoken activist and organizer. At the time, these workers had virtually no access to the system of labor laws and conditions under which they lived and worked. When she founded the United Farm Workers in 1962 with legendary Mexican American labor leader C sar Ch vez, it became a seminal moment in U. S. labor history. This brave and resourceful leader in the struggle for human rights also worked toward improving the lives of workers, voters, immigrants, and women.