Free 11/17-21: The Classical Reader

You read it right!  The Classical Reader Kindle version goes free for a very limited time.

Finally, a short stories curriculum for those who crave action; for guys -young and old - or anyone who prefers excitement, suspense, and adventure. Heroes and villains of every kind wander through the pages of 16 tales chosen to make you a lifelong short story fan. These adventures will take you to medieval castles, foggy London streets, Spanish torture chambers, uncharted islands, and more places where crime and evil lurk at every turn. You will meet an amazing array of characters, including knights, detectives, zombies, convicts, and quite a few well-meaning bunglers for comic relief. Perfect for classroom (especially boys' schools), homeschool, book club, or just curling up in front of the fire on that dark and stormy night.
Also available: companion curricula, The Classical Reader Workbook on Short Stories of Action & Adventure, and a book of quizzes, The Classical Reader Quizbook on Short Stories of Action & Adventure, sold separately.

"I am an American," page 16

     Why this is, you shall learn someday, when you study our own history and that of other countries. Now, while you are still boys and girls, you can begin to learn about it.

"I am an American," page 15

      In the world today, there are no people so fortunate

as the people who can say "I am an American.

I am an American, page 14

   

What do those words mean to us?
     When we say, "I am an American," we are proud, glad, and thankful.  But not many of us know how much reason we have to be proud, glad, and thankful.

I am an American, page 13

     The girl stood still, and when Mr. Gerard came nearer, she came to him, weeping.  She told him she was French, a slave in the hands of the German army.
     She begged Mr. Gerard to get help from America.
     She was very happy to talk to him.
     She knew that no American would hurt her.

I am an American, page 12

"...I am an American."

I am an American, page 11

Mr. Gerard called out, "Do not be afraid..."

I am an American, page 10

     "When she saw a man coming toward her, the young girl started to run away."

I am an American, page 9

     The German officer said that all the women in that part of the country dressed very nicely, and tried to drive on.
     But Mr. Gerard thought the women might be French prisoners, so he got out of the car and started toward the nearest one.

I am an American, page 8

  One day, Mr. Gerard was riding in a car out in the country with two German officers, and he saw some young women working in the fields.  He said to a German officer, "Those women do not look like peasants."

I am an American, page 7

     Just before America entered World War I, in 1917, we had an American Ambassador in Germany named James Gerard.  Because England and France were at war with Germany, it was his duty to take care of all the English and French people in Germany.  He had to do what the English and French Ambassadors would have done, if they had been there.

I am an American, page 6

     And after a moment, the man's eyes grew bright.  He reached out for the hot tea and drank it eagerly.  

     He was no longer afraid when he heard the words "I am an American."

I am an American, page 5

     So, the officer said to the Chinaman...

     "I am an American.  We are all Americans."

I am an American, page 4

     At last, one of the officers said, I believe the poor fellow thinks we're Germans; he thinks we are giving him poison!"

I am an American, page 3

     The American sailors lifted the man on board their ship and hurried to get warm clothes and hot tea for him.  But to their surprise, he would not drink.  He put up his hands to push away the cup, and seemed terribly afraid.

I am an American, page 2

     They lowered one of their boats and rowed out to the tossing lifeboat.  There was only one man on it.  He was a Chinaman and he was half-dead with cold, hunger, and thirst.  He was the only man left alive from a ship that a German submarine had sunk.

I am an American, Page 1

I am an American 

a little book about American identity  

by Gail McGaffigan

and Sara Cone Bryant

     One day, in the winter of 1917, the men on a ship of the American Navy looked out over the grey waves of the Atlantic Ocean and saw a lifeboat tumbling about in the stormy sea.

The Classical Speller and Dyslexia

Nik tweeted me to ask if The Classical Speller would work with a dyslexic student.

This is a new question for me, so I did a bit of reading on the subject, and here is my conclusion:

If you are considering using The Classical Speller with a dyslexic child, I encourage you to download the sample:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/252729

It provides the notes for the student and the first eight lessons.

Get the sample from the teacher edition, too:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/274050

Then, try it out, and let me know what you think, because I'm sure other parents and teachers of dyslexic children would be interested, one way or the other.

My feeling is that it may work well, since it emphasizes study, concentration, roots, and basic spelling rules, rather than the usual hodgepodge of games and activities. On a personal note, my son found the whirlwind of spelling "stations" distracting to the point of annoyance! Anyhoo...because The Classical Speller is basic, but structured, you may find it a good fit for teaching your child in the way he needs to learn successfully.

I recently was invited by Kindle Direct Publishing to enroll my books in the new Kindle MatchBook program, which I accepted. This means that when a reader purchases my book in print, he will be able to get the ebook for another $.99. They tell me this will launch in a few weeks, so there's an additional potential resource.

Friendship Bracelet Book Now Available

It's live! Friendship Bracelets That You CAN Make... ...Definitely! is now available for $2.99! Stop by and grab your copy. Better yet, grab your daughter's e-reader and surprise her with a copy.

I have tried very hard to make this the clearest, most definitive resource for learning how to make these colorful, little bracelets; but know that I am here to support you, if you need help. I would hate to think of someone getting frustrated and losing her enthusiasm just because she got hung up on one step.

Please let me know what you think, and remember, contact me here at the blog anytime, 24/7, if you get stuck.

Your Friend,

Gail

Friendship Bracelet Book Coming Soon!

Good Morning, Friends!

Just giving you a heads-up you'll want to share with your daughters and their friends: my newest Ebook, Easiest-Ever Friendship Bracelets That You CAN Tie... ...Definitely! is about to hit the 'net! This light-hearted, instructional book will teach you how to tie friendship bracelets, guaranteed. Not only that, but it's fun to read. I know I have been having fun writing it.

I wrote this book, because, for all the sources on how to tie friendship bracelets, my daughter, age 9, just couldn't figure it out. She tried websites, library books, kits, and friends.  I wasn't crazy about her sitting online while she learned, the books and kits were discouragingly hard and ignored the basics, and none of the friends seemed to have the hang of it, either. She asked for my help, and it took a lot of poking around and trial-and-error before I was able to tie anything worth wearing, never mind giving. If I didn't love my kid so much, I would not have had the patience!

Easiest-Ever Friendship Bracelets That You CAN Tie... ...Definitely! will save you the trouble I went through. It teaches two basic knots that will enable your daughter to make an endless and satisfying variety of friendship bracelets. Included are instructions, photos, support, and basic patterns; all at an affordable price.

It could be released at any time, so heads up! I will keep you posted!

Your Friend,

Gail

PS - Also featured in the book will be the world's first paw-model!