Audio Curriculum

Tom Sawyer is one of the most popular protagonists in the history of American literature. Although Tom resides in a small, ordinary Missouri town, his daring exploits land him in the center of many thrilling adventures. Tom lives with his Aunt Polly, an elderly woman who dearly loves her nephew but struggles to control her mischievous charge. Tom loathes going to school or church. He would rather spend time immersed in fictional plots or romancing Becky Thatcher, the new girl in town. Tom envies the life of Huckleberry Finn, the town outcast. Huck, homeless and essentially an orphan, can do whatever he pleases and doesn't have to obey anyone. While testing a wart-removal cure in the town graveyard, Tom and Huck witness the brutal murder of Dr. Robinson. Both Tom and Huck wrestle with feelings of guilt when the wrong man, Muff Potter, is prosecuted for the crime. However, the boys initially hide their shared knowledge out of fear of retribution from the guilty party, Injun Joe. Bothered by his conscience and the "unjust" treatment he receives at home, Tom plots an escape from his gloomy existence. Tom, his friend Joe Harper, and Huckleberry Finn run away to a nearby island where they decide to become pirates. The residents of St. Petersburg are convinced that the boys must have drowned in the Mississippi River and grief consumes the entire village. Tom's dramatic plan to walk into his own funeral causes him to become the focal point of community life. The normally quiet town is brought to life again during Muff Potter's murder trial. Tom remains deeply troubled that an innocent man may face the ultimate punishment for the act and eventually makes a significant decision at great personal cost. Though still worried that Injun Joe may seek revenge, Tom and Huck become distracted from their concern with a new exploit: they decide to search for buried treasure. But when an unexpected encounter with Injun Joe reveals a vast treasure, the two boys set aside their fears and focus their efforts on claiming Injun Joe's amazing treasure for themselves.

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION HAS BEGUN--AND RUSH REVERE, LIBERTY THE HORSE, AND THE TIME-TRAVELING CREW ARE READY TO RIDE INTO THE ACTION!

Join us on this incredible time-travel adventure!

Liberty, my wisecracking horse, our old friends Cam, Tommy, Freedom, and I are off to meet some super-brave soldiers in the year 1775. Yep, that's right. We'll be visiting with the underdog heroes who fought for American independence, against all odds--and won! But not before eight very real years of danger and uncertainty. Be a part of Rush Revere's crew as we rush, rush, rush into a time when British rule had become a royal pain, and rebellion was in the air. We'll be on hand to see two lanterns hungin the Old North Church, prevent a British spy from capturing Paul Revere, and grapple with danger at the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill.

The extra-special part of this trip is that right here in the twenty-first century, Cam's dad is a soldier fighting in Afghanistan, and Cam has been pretty angry that he is away. Visiting with exceptional American heroes like Dr. Joseph Warren and George Washington, racing along after Paul Revere on his midnight ride, and seeing the Declaration of Independence signed make Cam see his own dad in a new and special way.

But don't worry. Along with the danger, excitement, and patriotism, there will still be time to stop for a delicious spinach, oats, and alfalfa smoothie. No, wait--that one's for Liberty. The kids and I voted for strawberries.

Now let's open the magic portal to the past!

This book includes not only technical data about green walls, but also some of the latest green wall projects for inspiration. It is composed of two parts: technical theories and some wonderful projects. The first part goes into the finer details about green wall systems characteristics, design approaches, and considerations, including system construction, growing medium, plants, irrigation, and illumination. The examples and technological drawings are used to make theories easier to understand. The secrets of the king of green wall design, Patrick Blanc, and his successful projects, are discussed in this part. The second part of the book is a fine collection of green wall projects completed by world-renowned designers such as Patrick Blanc, Vertical Garden Design, and Kengo Kuma and Associates. Each project in this book has detailed drawings that will be great value for designers.