social life and customs

"Take a trip to Jamaica! Start in the city of Kingston, where you can see beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea and the Blue Mountains. Then, listen to some reggae music or grab some delicious jerk chicken to eat. And don't forget to say hi to the manatees! Learn all about Jamaica as you explore the country through this . . . book"--Provided by publisher.

In 1901, the word 'Bondmaid' was discovered missing from the Oxford English Dictionary. This is the story of the girl who stole it. Esme is born into a world of words. Motherless and irrepressibly curious, she spends her childhood in the 'Scriptorium', a garden shed in Oxford where her father and a team of dedicated lexicographers are collecting words for the very first Oxford English Dictionary. Esme's place is beneath the sorting table, unseen and unheard. One day a slip of paper containing the word 'bondmaid' flutters to the floor. Esme rescues the slip and stashes it in an old wooden case that belongs to her friend, Lizzie, a young servant in the big house. Esme begins to collect other words from the Scriptorium that are misplaced, discarded or have been neglected by the dictionary men. They help her make sense of the world. Over time, Esme realises that some words are considered more important than others, and that words and meanings relating to women's experiences often go unrecorded. While she dedicates her life to the Oxford English Dictionary, secretly, she begins to collect words for another dictionary: The Dictionary of Lost Words"--Provided by publisher.

Explores how people honor this special day in countries and cultures around the world.

"Award-winning author Eddie Chuculate recounts his experience growing up in rural Oklahoma, from boyhood to young manhood"--Provided by publisher.

From being buried with the emperor through breaking bones while building the Great Wall of China, daily life in ancient China was pretty deadly! Readers will love digging up the past and finding out just how horrible it was in this gripping read. Primary sources, colorful designs, and engaging text bring to life the chilling practices of the ancient Chinese in this fascinating history title.

Japanese food often looks beautiful and seems complicated to prepare, but readers are able to create their own versions of popular Japanese foods with the help of age-appropriate recipes broken into simple steps. Measuring guides help readers with their math skills, and tips are included to help them learn to be safe in the kitchen. As readers explore the delicious dishes they can make for family and friends, they also discover the special connection between Japanese cooking and culture. The main text, fact boxes, and colorful photographs highlight how food plays a part in Japanese festivals, celebrations, and everyday life.

In 2004, four undocumented Mexican teenagers arrived at the national underwater robotics championship at the University of California, Santa Barbara. No one had ever told Oscar, Cristian, Luis, or Lorenzo that they would amount to much -- until two inspiring high school science teachers convinced the boys to enter the competition. Up against some of the best collegiate engineers in the country, this team of underdogs from Phoenix, Arizona, scraped together spare parts and a few small donations to astound not only the competition's judges but themselves, too.

"From Christmas music to gifts and food, as well as a look back through the country's rich and troubled history through the perspective of the festive season, this illustrated book introduces readers to Ukraine's unique Christmas traditions. In a country where East and West meet, this is a guide to capturing the spirit of one of the most important times of year and a reminder of the strength of holding on to your culture and beliefs, even as others try to take everything from you"--Provided by publisher.

"Covering traditions ancient and modern, 'Christmas Past' is filled with stories of happy accidents, cultural histories, criminal capers (including tomb raiders and con artists), and hidden connections between Christmas and broader social, economic, and technological influences"--Provided by publisher.

A graphic novel adaptation of Charles Dickens's novel in which a miser learns the true meaning of Christmas when three ghostly visitors review his past and foretell his future.