ELA

Mason Buttle is the biggest, sweatiest kid in his grade, and everyone know he can barely read or write. But those troubles don't compare with grief. Fifteen months ago, Mason's best friend, Benny Kilmartin, turned up dead in the Buttle family's orchard. An investigation drags on, and Mason, honest as the day is long, can't understand why Lieutenant Baird won't believe the story Mason has told about that day.

High-spirited young Jane is excited to be part of Mr. Mercer’s plan to bring Civil War widows and orphans to Washington Territory—but life out west isn’t at all what she expected.

Washington Territory is just the place for men of broad mind and sturdy constitution—and girls too, Jane figures, or Mr. Mercer wouldn’t have allowed her to come on his expedition to bring unmarried girls and Civil War widows out west.

In this unique guide for young readers who dream of becoming writers, award-winning author Jack Gantos reveals his tried-and-true approaches to storytelling and shows you how to turn on your Writing Radar and use the everyday world around you for inspiration.

Love is never divided, only multiplied. I hold my breath to keep all the tears inside until I'm safely in the bathroom. Then I turn on the water and I breathe deep deep deep like Dr. Fredrick taught me. I stand there and breathe breathe breathe until the crying stops.
It's not happening again, I tell myself.
It will never happen again.
You have to believe.

It's the only promise Person has ever asked us to make.