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Have you ever heard a strange sound behind you but when you turned to look nobody was there? Have you ever looked into the night sky and thought you saw an unidentified flying object? Have you ever heard or seen anything else that did not have a logical explanation?

For centuries, people from all over the world have noticed strange things that they could not explain. People have claimed to see ghosts and UFO’s. Some people have even claimed that they have spoken to aliens from other planets. Others claim that they have seen monsters in mountains and lakes.

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Rachel is given the task of taking care of her great-grandmother, Nana Sashie. Little does she know that Sashie has a story that will change her life. Often at night, Nana Sashie tells Rachel about her childhood in the Czar’s Russia, where her family lived under the constant fear of annihilation.

Compared to Rachel’s life, this distant past seems quite unreal. Until Rachel discovers the samovar, or Russian tea decanter, in the cellar. Slowly as Sashie’s story unfolds, Rachel begins to understand that Sashie was a bright and lively girl like her once upon a time. Moreover, she sees that her great-grandmother actually played a central role in the family’s escape from terror. The Night Journey by Kathryn Lasky shows that sometimes the most frail and forgotten people might have been heroes in their time.

Mother’s Day is the holiday that is celebrated in the United Sates and in many countries around the world, although the exact date varies from country to country. Do you ever stop and reflect on how much your mother means to you? Take a moment and think about all of the things that she does for you everyday.

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Mother’s Day is celebrated in over 40 countries around the world! The exact date of this holiday, however, varies from country to country. The way in which this holiday is celebrated is also different in the different countries. In the United States, Mother’s Day is usually celebrated by giving our mother’s a present such as flowers, candy, and cards. Many families like to make a festive dinner or go out to a nice restaurant with the entire family. Read about these other interesting ways that Mother’s Day is celebrated around the world.

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Most mothers love when their children do chores around the house. Is there a finer way to honor your other than by helping her out when she needs it? Make your mom a coupon book this year. Inside you can include coupons that your mom can redeem at anytime for special favors.

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If you have ever wondered about the gods, goddesses and heroes of ancient Greece, then Dateline: Troy by Paul Fleischman is worth checking out. The Trojan War was an event that took place during the Bronze Age; its story combines both mythological and historical components, and it is up to you to siphon through the facts to uncover the fiction.

What may surprise you about this book are the parallels that the author draws between that ancient war and the events that shape our world today. In order to illustrate these parallels, the author has used collages that contain headlines found in modern day news media. Seeing the similarities between our war-like culture and that of the ancient past makes one wonder how far we have really evolved since ancient times. Are the causes that we fight for really any different than those of our ancestors? When will humankind learn to avoid war altogether? Reading this book may give you a better idea of where we have come from, and just how far we have to go until we find peace in our time.

Magic markers are among every kid’s favorite instrument for good or evil. With them you can make colorful drawings, or draw colorfully on things you are not supposed to. Here is an experiment that lets you gain some insight into the secret of markers and what makes them seem like magic.

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Did you know that what we call saber-toothed tigers were probably closer in relation to lions than tigers?

More formally known as the Smilodon, remnants of these feline creatures have been found by the hundreds in the La Brea tar pits of California. Paleontologists have been able to reconstruct these creatures and consequently have discovered some clues to their habits and physical appearance.

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Pinatas are found at almost every Mexican celebration. Pinatas were traditionally in the shape of a six-pointed star and were filled with fruit, candy, and small toys. Today they are designed in all types of shapes, including animals, plants, and flowers. At fiestas, the pinatas are hung in the air and children are blindfolded and take turns swinging at the pinatas. Eventually, the pinata is hit hard enough and it breaks releasing the candy and toys that it contained.

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Arriba, Arriba! May 5 is a day of great celebration and remembrance in Mexico and in many Mexican communities in the United States and around the world. This holiday is known as “Cinco de Mayo” (which means May 5) and it is usually celebrated with delicious foods, parties, parades, music, and dancing.

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Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein is one of the greatest books of poetry for kids ever put together. It’s weird, funny, clever and poignant. Eye candy at its finest: this collection of limericks, rhymes and free verse is crawling with Silverstein’s creative ink drawings.

Ever wondered what would happen if you forgot to take the garbage out for a couple of years? How about the monster rumored to live up your nose? You’ll read about giants, and lonesome kids, birds with sharp beaks and a kid who can’t find his head. Your parents might think that these poems are for weirdos, but as a kid you will certainly dig every page. Don’t miss out on this book.

What happened when the straw met the potato? Did the straw break? Was the potato pierced? Did they shake hands?

This little experiment also teaches you about motion and force, and is a lot of fun to try and try again. You may find yourself pushing straws at a lot more than potatoes.

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