Collins Big Cat supports every primary child on their reading journey from phonics to fluency. Top authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that children love to read. Book banded for guided and independent reading, there are reading notes in the back, comprehensive teaching and assessment support and ebooks available. The Battle of Hastings was a pivotal point in England's history. Power changed hands and the country was set on a different course. But what caused this to happen? Discover the reason for King Harold's downfall. Lime Plus/Band 11+ books provide challenging plots and vocabulary as well as opportunities to practise inference, prediction and reading stamina. Pages 46 and 47 allow children to re-visit the content of the book, supporting comprehension skills, vocabulary development and recall. Ideas for reading in the back of the book provide practical support and stimulating activities. The Battle of Hastings is often remembered as the last invasion of England and a turning point in the history of the country. For Ben it represents not only a fascinating one-day battle during a pivotal time in Middle Age warfare and weaponry, but also the beginning of French rule in Britain. This lasted for over 400 years and followed Viking and Roman occupations of the country. These cultures together help make up the melting pot that is Britain today. The history of warfare, weaponry and warriors is an endlessly fascinating subject. Among Ben's titles in this area are books about Vikings, the Samurai, Roman gladiators and the Trojan war. Writing about the Battle of Hastings was a great excuse to look more closely at this important moment in history.

Find out how this one-time American hero became the country's most notorious traitor. As a young child, Benedict Arnold never shied away from a fight. So when the French and Indian War began in 1754, Benedict was eager to join the militia and fight for the British colonies in America. And when he was eighteen years old, he got his chance. Arnold had no idea that less than twenty years later, he would be fighting against the British in the Revolutionary War. Now the captain of his own militia, Benedict won the admiration of his troops and George Washington when he captured a major British fort. He continued fighting for the colonies and was even considered a patriotic war hero after being wounded in battle. But in 1780, Benedict made a decision that no one could anticipate. He betrayed his fellow Americans and joined the British army. Author James Buckley Jr. takes us through Benedict's life and explains the events that led him to switch sides and become the most famous turncoat in American history.

They are the Army's most elite top-secret strike force. But you won't hear about their heroics on the news, no headlines about them can appear in the papers, and no one--not even their families--can know who they are. First Special Forces Operational Detachment-D--Delta Force, America's supersecret counterterrorist unit. On paper they do not exist, but without them, our lives wouldn't be the same.
In this exclusive behind-the-scenes account, founding member Eric L. Haney, Command Sergeant Major, USA (ret.), takes you into the grueling selection and training process of Delta Force. From learning how to open a padlock with a soda can to rescuing a hijacked airplane, these men are masters of espionage and warfare. They are the anonymous heroes who protect us every day from threats we'll never know existed.

Age range 9+ Readers will be captivated as they explore the lives, weapons and battle tactics of history's most legendary pirates. Dynamic images and an engaging use of graphics entice readers into the text as they learn about these renegade fighters. Children across a broad age range will enjoy the Top 5 feature and the story each entry contains.

This book gives an exciting overview of the Green Berets, from when this special force first formed to its missions and members today, as well as their tasks, equipment, and training. Short paragraphs of easy-to-read text are paired with plenty of photos to make reading engaging and accessible. The book also includes a table of contents, fun facts, sidebars, comprehension questions, a glossary, an index, and a list of resources for further reading. Apex books have low reading levels (grades 2-3) but are designed for older students, with interest levels of grades 3-7.

This book describes the weapons that were used and invented during World War II, including tanks, planes, and the atomic bomb. In addition to historic photos, this book includes a table of contents, two infographics, critical thinking questions, two "A Closer Look" special features, a reading comprehension quiz, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. This Focus Readers title is at the Voyager level, aligned to reading levels of grades 5-6 and interest levels of grades 5-9.

The ghettos of Colombia are crawling with street kids. They have nothing, and are forced into lives of crime in order to get enough to eat. Their life expectancies are short, not least because the Colombian authorities allow paramilitaries to shoot them like rats.

But it's with the street kids of Colombia that the cadets must become embedded. Some of these kids have been recruited by the Colombian cartels. The cartels are causing untold misery, both in Colombia and on the streets of the UK. The cadets must befriend the cartel kids in the hope that they will lead them into the heart of the drug lords' empire.

But when you head into the lion's den, you must expect to be bitten. The cartel chiefs are the most ruthless people in the world, and they do not take kindly to the infiltration of their secret, violent world . . .

X-Books are for kids who love facts-especially in bite-sized portions and about fascinating, true subjects. As plentiful images and graphical representations stimulate visual perception, readers will be drawn into learning how to use informational texts. Each title is framed by a signature Top 5 countdown feature that not only serves as an example of sequential order but also narrates a brief story within the main topic: in X-Books: Fighters, these sidebars summarize the extraordinary true tales of famous warriors throughout history. Count down the world's most extreme fighters, and launch a lifetime of reading without limits!

A look at two of the biggest challenges facing our world today - war and conflict - and how we are tackling them War and conflict have been part of the human experience for thousands of years, and take many different forms - from diplomatic cold wars to full-blown conflicts lasting many years. All wars are damaging and harmful, not only for those on the frontline, but for innocent people and children everywhere. So what can we do to make our world more peaceful? How can we build a better, fairer, more equal, cleaner world? This series seeks to answer this by exploring some of the greatest challenges facing our planet today - from disease to conflict, and from the energy crisis to the plight of refugees. It explains what is already being done to meet and tackle these challenges, and explores what more could and should be done, both individually and collectively, to ensure a better future for our planet, its people and its wildlife. Taking a positive, but realistic perspective, this series aims to empower young readers by helping them understand these complex and troubling issues, calm their anxieties, and promote empathy and understanding for the many millions of people suffering from for example, poverty or inequality. Perfect for readers aged 9 and up Titles in the series: Climate Change Disease Inequality Migration Poverty & Food Insecurity War & Conflict

What do you know about the Civil War? What if you lived in a different time and place? What would you wear? What would you eat? How would your daily life be different? Scholastic's If You Lived... series answers all of kids' most important questions about events in American history. With a question and answer format, kid-friendly artwork, and engaging information, this series is the perfect partner for the classroom and for history-loving readers. What if you lived during the Civil War? Would you be allowed to be a soldier? How would you communicate? What is the true story of the battle between the states? Denise Lewis Patrick answers all these questions and more in this comprehensive guide to the Civil War. A great choice for Civil War units, and for teaching children about this important moment in American history.

A clear and informative account of how the Second World War began, the infamous battles and the conclusion and aftermath of the war. Illustrated with maps, evocative archive photographs and illustrations. Includes descriptions of the most famous events including Pearl Harbor, Battle of Midway, D-Day and the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Part of series three of the Usborne Reading Programme for children whose reading ability and confidence allows them to tackle longer and more complex information. Produced in association with the Imperial War Museum, London.