Amazing Annabelle Learns Sensitivity toward OthersDuring a Social Studies activity, Annabelle Copeland is paired with fellow student, Victoria, who’s a little boastful and conceited. Annabelle takes the lead in the activity and moves the group toward completing their plans to honor the veterans in their town.Later, Annabelle attends two drama classes with Victoria and begins to see an unpleasant side of Victoria when she makes inappropriate comments. Can Annabelle help her?...

Amazing Annabelle Learns To Trust Her FriendsAnnabelle Copeland welcomes being a Youth Committee member for the Fall Festival at Melville School, where she attends the third grade. As she works on her contribution for the arts and crafts booth, she recruits a few friends to assist her.One of Annabelle’s friends is Lila, who turns out to be a very reliable source of support after Annabelle injures her ankle in P.E. class. Annabelle, who has never missed a day of school in he...

IN 2010, MEMBERS OF THE HAUDENOSAUNEE NATIONALS (formerly the Iroquois Nationals) lacrosse team, representing the Haudenosaunee Confederacy of six Indigenous Nations in North America, were sitting in a hotel in New York City instead of playing on the field in Manchester, England, competing for a world championship. The Nationals were told they couldn’t use their Haudenosaunee passports to travel to the UK; only Canadian or American passports would be accepted, effectively denying that this...

“Abby I cannot wait to see you!”I couldn’t help but grin at my best friend Melody’s enthusiasm. We hadn’t seen each other for years since she’d moved to New York to pursue her dancing after we’d graduated from college. She’d made it, dancing professionally with a world famous troupe. I missed her terribly.“I can’t wait to see you either. We have so much to catch up on. Danny and I were just talking about you the other day. I’d seen on the news that you guys were in Budapest...

“Dude, you know you’re going to get into trouble for violating the dress code, right?”I grinned at my friend. “Relax Mandy. Old Mr. Gerald isn’t going to say a word. I’ve seen the way he’s been looking at me. I decided to give him something to look at.”We walked into the conference room and sat down. I lay my notebook on the table, ready to take notes. Mandy glanced over at me.“What do you think he wants to talk about?”I shrugged. “I don’t know.” I grinned a...

TAYLOR MADELife of an Entrepreneur, Mother and Celebrity Event PlannerTaylor Made tells the fascinating story of Liz Taylor, the unflappable, unstoppable entrepreneur and organiser of some of the biggest and best parties in the world. Respected, renowned and with a famed attention to detail, this formidable organiser of luxury events counts many of her celebrity clients as trusted friends. Over decades her determination and success has att...

Amazing Annabelle Celebrates Earth MonthThe month of April begins, and Mrs. Mitchell’s class is preparing their projects for Earth Month. As Annabelle makes a suggestion for an added activity, she is met with opposition from a student in her class. But an unexpected classmate defends her and ends up losing a friend. Other students additionally weigh in on both sides. Preparations are also underway for an awesome Animal Science project that includes arts and crafts and writing poetr...

Amazing Annabelle Learns About the December HolidaysIt’s the month of December and Annabelle Copeland, along with her fellow Melville Elementary students, discover the importance of three major holiday celebrations: Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas.During their Hanukkah celebration, two Jewish students bring in latkes to Mrs. Mitchell’s class for them to taste and enjoy. They also teach the traditional dreidel game to the class.As the class learns all about Kwanzaa,...

Amazing Annabelle and “Operation Kindness”Annabelle Copeland is excited about the new school year. She wants to be the very best at everything she sets out to accomplish. Mrs. Mitchell, her third grade teacher, gives their class an apple research project to work on in class with small groups of classmates.To her surprise, Annabelle is teamed up with Sally who has been mean to her in the past and has teased her endlessly. Although Annabelle tries to step up to the challenge,...

Amazing Annabelle Celebrates Black HistoryDuring the month of February, Mrs. Mitchell’s class celebrates Black History Month, Valentine’s Day, and the 100th day of school. For Black History Month, the class is doing an Interactive Black History Museum, which requires research on famous African Americans.For Valentine’s Day, each student will choose a classmate as their secret valentine and create a special card for them. A conflict on the bus arises as students try to find ...

Annabelle Celebrates Women’s History and St. Patrick’s DayDuring the month of March there is a lot of talk about leprechauns, and Mrs. Mitchell does a short unit on Irish culture and traditions. In Drama Club, the girls are getting ready to audition for three short plays about famous women as they celebrate Women’s History Month. A lot of research is taking place as well as anxious and nervous feelings about the outcome of the auditions.This book brings attention to the acc...

Amazing Annabelle and DR. Martin Luther King Jr.As the month of January begins, Mrs. Mitchell introduces her class to the great civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through discussions and media. Mrs. Phillips, the drama teacher, created a short skit about a historic event during the Civil Rights Movement that involved Dr. King and Rosa Parks.As the students recreate the skit, it sparks a deeper conversation about the Civil Rights Movement, segregation, and the di...