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Mr. Universe (Orca Soundings)
by Arthur SladeSeventeen-year-old Michael goes to visit his eccentric mad-scientist uncle while he's busy working on yet another time-travel experiment. In the cluttered lab, Michael's uncle barely notices him. And he keeps muttering things like “quantum multiverse transporter," so Michael has to entertain himself. Which is how Michael accidentally ends up in an alternate universe. Everything looks remarkably similar to his own world but with a few key differences, like lizard men dressed in gray suits and three-wheeled vehicles. And then there's Emily, a sassy, confident girl who needs Michael's help before he can find his way back to his own dimension. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
Truth (Orca Soundings)
by Tanya Lloyd KyiWhen an adult neighbor is brutally murdered during a high-school house party, everyone in school seems to have an idea who did it, but no one will go to the police. Jen was there and saw the body and she has her own ideas about who is responsible. As a reporter for the school TV show, she decides to try and uncover the truth and discover if a classmate's increasingly violent behavior is to blame. When she and others begin digging too deeply, violence flares in the small community. Finally, Jen is forced to take a stand, one that may cost her more than she could imagine. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
Death Wind (Orca Soundings)
by William BellAllie's life has just taken a turn for the worse; not only do her parents fight all the time, but she is failing more classes than not and now she thinks she might be pregnant. Unable to face up to her parents she decides to run away. She hooks up with her old friend Razz, a professional skateboarder, and goes on the road. Razz is ranked number one but constant confrontations with the challenger Slash put Allie in some dangerous situations. With the rivalry heating up, Razz and Allie head toward home--right into the path of a fierce tornado. To survive in the horror and destruction that follow the storm, Allie has to call on an inner strength she didn't know she had. Also available in Spanish.
Sabotage (Orca Currents en Français)
by Sigmund BrouwerLe champion de ski Carl Lévesque évite de peu un câble d’acier tendu au travers d’une piste. Des empreintes à proximité indiquent que le responsable de ce sabotage serait un planchiste. Carl apprend seul à faire de la planche à neige pour trouver le coupable. Quand il découvre que quelqu’un vole de l’équipement au Mont Charlevoix et que la fille qu’il vient de rencontrer pourrait être impliquée, il doit surmonter ses peurs et se lance dans une course effrénée en planche à neige pour se réfugier en sécurité. Cet ouvrage en format ePub est entièrement accessible.
The Trailblazing Life of Viola Desmond: A Civil Rights Icon (Orca Biography #1)
by Rachel KehoeYears before Rosa Parks famously refused to give up a bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, Viola Desmond took a similar stand against racial segregation in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. On November 8, 1946, she was arrested for refusing to move from the "whites-only" section of a movie theater. Her heroic act inspired Black community leaders and made her a symbol of courage in the fight against inequality. This story of Viola's life is based on rare interviews with her sister Wanda Robson, who spent her life championing her sister's story and was successful in getting Viola a posthumous pardon that recognized she was innocent of any crime. From their childhood in Nova Scotia to Viola's career as a teacher in a segregated school and, later, her role as a pioneer in Black beauty culture, young readers are introduced to the girl and the woman who went on to become the face of the civil-rights movement in Canada. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
Pia's Plans (Orca Currents)
by Alice KuipersKey Selling Points A girl tries to cope with her parents’ divorce by controlling everything she can. This book examines the serious issue of perfectionism in a lighthearted manner. Many kids today mask their anxiety with control mechanisms. Alice Kuipers has written many novels for readers of all ages, including the 2011 Arthur Ellis Award for Best Juvenile/YA Crime Book-winning The Worst Thing She Ever Did (HarperCollins). The author herself suffered from crippling anxiety at a young age. New, enhanced features (dyslexia-friendly font, cream paper, larger trim size) to increase reading accessibility for dyslexic and other striving readers.
Sulfur Heart (Orca Soundings)
by Brooke CarterWill’s father was just found dead in a pile of sulfur. He was a retired cop who'd been working as a night security guard at the SulCorp sulfur mill. Now, to determine if his death was a tragic accident or something more sinister, Will must return to the place he swore he'd never set foot in again. Hope is a little town struggling in the shadow of a major metropolis, haunted by a history of death, violence and crime. And then there’s the girl Will never thought he’d see again, Eve. But falling back in love with her isn’t the only complication he will have to face while investigating his father’s possible murder. Could his search for the truth cause history to repeat itself? The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
Stuffed: (stuffed) (Orca Soundings)
by Eric WaltersCan Ian stand up for what he believes in? When Ian and his classmates watch a documentary about the health concerns of eating fast food, Ian decides to start a boycott and stop everyone he can from eating at Frankie's, a huge fast-food chain with a questionable menu. The boycott takes off and Frankie's gets concerned. The company's lawyers threaten Ian and his friends and try to force them to stop the boycott. Ian must convince others that the boycott is a good idea, but can he do it? The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
My Colors, My World / Mis colores, mi mundo
by Maya GonzalezPura Belpré Illustrator Award Honor - American Library Association (ALA)Bilingual English/Spanish. An instant favorite, this beautiful bilingual board book follows Maya as she discovers all the colors in her world.Maya longs to find brilliant, beautiful color in her world. But when the wind blows, desert sand covers everything, and turns her whole neighborhood the color of dust. With the help of a feathered friend, Maya searches high and low to find the colors in her world. And she does-in the vibrant purple of her Mama's flowers, the juicy green of a prickly cactus, the hot pink clouds at sunset, and the shiny black of her Papi's hair. As they follow Maya's search for all the colors of the rainbow, little readers will be inspired to look around and ask themselves, where can I find the colors in my world? Written in English and Spanish, this beautiful bilingual board book will be an instant favorite for beginning readers.
Summer of the Mariposas
by Guadalupe García McCallIn this young adult retelling of The Odyssey, Odilia and her four sisters journey to Mexico to return a dead man to his family and encounter magical creatures along the way.When Odilia and her four sisters find a dead body in the swimming hole, they embark on a hero's journey to return the dead man to his family in Mexico. But returning home to Texas turns into an odyssey that would rival Homer's original tale. With the supernatural aid of ghostly La Llorona via a magical earring, Odilia and her little sisters travel a road of tribulation to their long-lost grandmother's house. Along the way, they must outsmart a witch and her Evil Trinity: a wily warlock, a coven of vicious half-human barn owls, and a bloodthirsty livestock-hunting chupacabras. Can these fantastic trials prepare Odilia and her sisters for what happens when they face their final test, returning home to the real world, where goddesses and ghosts can no longer help them? Summer of the Mariposas is not just a magical Mexican American retelling of The Odyssey, it is a celebration of sisterhood and maternal love.
A Movie in My Pillow / Una película en mi almohada: Una Película En Me Almohada
by Jorge ArguetaBilingual English/Spanish. Young Jorgito has come to live in the Mission District of San Francisco, but he hasn't forgotten the unique beauty of El Salvador.Young Jorgito has come to live in the Mission District of San Francisco, but he hasn't forgotten the unique beauty of El Salvador. In his first collection of poems for children, poet Jorge Argueta evokes the wonder of his childhood in rural El Salvador, a touching relationship with a caring father, and his confusion and delight in his new urban home. We glimpse the richness of Jorgito's inner world and dreams-the movie in his pillow. Artist Elizabeth Gómez perfectly captures the indigenous beauty of El Salvador, the sadness of the war, and the joy of family reunion in San Francisco. Her paintings, with their brilliant colors and striking details, fill every page with authenticity and charm.
Diverse Energies: By 11 Speculative Fiction Authors
by 11 Speculative Fiction AuthorsA collection of dystopian short stories featuring diverse main characters and by authors of color."No one can doubt that the wave of the future is not the conquest of the world by a single dogmatic creed but the liberation of the diverse energies of free nations and free men. No one can doubt that cooperation in the pursuit of knowledge must lead to freedom of the mind and freedom of the soul." -President John F. Kennedy, from a speech at University of California, March 23, 1962 In a world gone wrong, heroes and villains are not always easy to distinguish and every individual has the ability to contribute something powerful. In this stunning collection of original and rediscovered stories of tragedy and hope, the stars are a diverse group of students, street kids, good girls, kidnappers, and child laborers pitted against their environments, their governments, differing cultures, and sometimes one another as they seek answers in their dystopian worlds. Take a journey through time from a nuclear nightmare of the past to society's far future beyond Earth with these eleven stories by masters of speculative fiction. Includes stories by Paolo Bacigalupi, Ursula K. Le Guin, Malinda Lo, Cindy Pon, Daniel H. Wilson, and more.
I and I Bob Marley
by Tony MedinaA biography in verse of reggae legend Bob Marley, exploring the influences that shaped his life and music on his journey from rural Jamaican childhood to international superstardom.Born in the Jamaican countryside in 1945, Bob Marley seemed special from birth. The curious, intuitive boy had an extraordinary gift for absorbing and interpreting the world around him. Influenced by his biracial heritage, his island home, and the injustices he observed in everyday life, Bob went on to become a musician and messenger; a poet and prophet of reggae culture. His music echoed from Jamaica all the way across the globe, spreading his heartfelt message of peace, love, and equality to everyone who heard his songs. Brimming with imagination and insight, I and I Bob Marley, is a multifaceted tribute befitting this international musical legend. Soulful, sun-drenched paintings transport readers to Bob Marley's Jamaica, while uniquely perceptive poems bring to life his fascinating journey from boy to icon.
Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty
by G. NeriCoretta Scott King Author Award Honor - American Library Association (ALA) Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards NomineeA graphic novel based on the life and death of Robert "Yummy" Sandifer, an eleven-year-old gang member from Chicago's Southside who was killed by his own gang members.Eleven-year-old Roger is trying to make sense of his classmate Robert "Yummy" Sandifer's death, but first he has to make sense of Yummy's life. Yummy could be as tough as a pit bull sometimes. Other times he was as sweet as the sugary treats he loved to eat. Was Yummy some sort of monster, or just another kid? As Roger searches for the truth, he finds more and more questions. How did Yummy end up in so much trouble? Did he really kill someone? And why do all the answers seem to lead back to a gang-the same gang Roger's older brother belongs to? Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty is a compelling dramatization based on events that occurred in Chicago in 1994. This gritty exploration of youth gang life will force readers to question their own understandings of good and bad, right and wrong.
I Know the River Loves Me / Yo sé que el río me ama: Yo Sé Que El Río Me Ama
by Maya GonzalezBilingual English/Spanish. Listen... Can you hear the river calling you? Rushing and bubbling, splashing or still, the river has so much to teach us.Whenever Maya visits the river, the river jumps up to greet her. It cools her down when the summer sun is too hot, and holds her up when she dives in. It keeps her company in the quiet of winter. The river takes care of Maya and Maya takes care of the river. In this gentle story of love and respect for nature, Maya Christina Gonzalez combines her award-winning talents as an artist and storyteller. Young readers will be inspired by the joy and wonder of being outdoors, and learn powerful lessons about their environment and themselves.
A Place Where Sunflowers Grow
by Amy Lee-TaiBilingual English/Japanese. A young girl finds things to be joyful about in the Topaz Internment Camp.Mari wonders if anything can bloom at Topaz, where her family is interned along with thousands of other Japanese Americans during World War II. The summer sun is blazingly hot, and Mari's art class has begun. But it's hard to think of anything to draw in a place where nothing beautiful grows. Somehow, glimmers of hope begin to surface under the harsh sun--in the eyes of a kindly art teacher, in the tender words of Mari's parents, and in the smile of a new friend. Inspired by her family's experiences, author Amy Lee-Tai has crafted a story rooted in one of America's most shameful historical episodes--the internment of 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II. The art schools which offered internees moments of solace and self-expression are a little known part of this history. Amy Lee-Tai's gentle prose and Felicia Hoshino's stunning mixed media images are a testimony to hope and how it can survive alongside even the harshest injustice.
Yasmin's Hammer
by Ann MalaspinaAsian/Pacific American Award for Literature Winner - Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA)A young Bangladeshi girl who helps support her family by working in a brickyard finds a way to make her dream of going to school and learning to read a reality.In the noisy streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh, another busy morning is beginning as Yasmin rides to work in her father's rattling rickshaw. Yasmin longs to go to school so she can learn to read, but her family needs the money she and her sister earn at the brickyard to help keep the rice bag full and the roof repaired. As she hammers away at bricks day after day, Yasmin dreams of a different life. If she could read, she could be anything she wants to be when she grows up. One night Yasmin has an idea--a secret plan that will bring her one step closer to making her dream a reality. Compassionately told and inspired by contemporary news articles, Yasmin's Hammer offers a fresh perspective on the value of education. Readers will admire Yasmin's persistence in reaching for her goals and the enduring love of her hardworking family in this hopeful story of a bright young girl whose mind is set on changing her future.
Still Dreaming / Seguimos soñando
by Claudia Guadalupe MartínezPura Belpré Illustrator Award Honor 2023 - American Library Association (ALA)A 2023 Pura Belpré Illustrator Award Honor In the first children's book to describe the long-forgotten chapter of US history known as Mexican Repatriation, a boy and his family leave their beloved home to avoid being separated by the government. En el primer libro infantil que describe el capítulo olvidado de la historia de los Estados Unidos conocido como la Repatriación Mexicana, un niño y su familia dejan su amado hogar para evitar ser separados por el gobierno.Faced with the prospect of being separated from each other, a young boy and his family make the difficult decision to leave their home and begin a journey filled with uncertainty. On the road, they meet other people like them. Families with deep roots tied to the land. Others that helped build the railroads. Some were shop owners and factory workers. Each with similar hopes and dreams. Historians estimate that between 1930 and 1940, two million people living in the United States were forcibly removed and sent to live in Mexico. Telling this story from a child's perspective, award-winning author Claudia Guadalupe Martínez lyrically recounts this often-overlooked period of United States history--Mexican Repatriation. Emotive illustrations by Magdalena Mora convey this poignant tale of longing for home and permanence, which reflects many of the dreams and hopes of people today. Ante la perspectiva de ser separados, un niño y su familia toman la difícil decisión de dejar su hogar y emprender un viaje lleno de incertidumbre. En el camino, se encuentran con otras personas como ellos. Familias con raíces profundas atadas a la tierra. Otros que ayudaron a construir los ferrocarriles. Algunos eran dueños de tiendas y trabajadores de fábricas. Cada uno con esperanzas y sueños similares. Los historiadores estiman que entre 1930 y 1940, dos millones de personas que vivían en los Estados Unidos fueron sacadas a la fuerza y enviadas a vivir aMéxico. Contando esta historia desde la perspectiva de un niño, la galardonada autora Claudia Guadalupe Martínez relata líricamente este período de la historia de los Estados Unidos a menudo pasado por alto: La Repatriación Mexicana. Las emotivas ilustraciones de Magdalena Mora transmiten esta conmovedora historia de añoranza por el hogar y la permanencia, que refleja muchos de los sueños y esperanzas de la gente de hoy.
Kochen für Dummies (Für Dummies)
by Marie Rama Bryan MillerKochen leicht gemacht! Leckere Suppen, schmackhafte Salate, vegetarische Köstlichkeiten, feine Fisch- und Fleischgerichte und Desserts: In diesem Kochbuch finden Sie Rezepte für viele Geschmäcker und Gelegenheiten – und das so gut erklärt, dass auch Kochneulinge damit arbeiten können. Die Kochprofis Bryan Miller und Marie Rama wissen, was Sie in Ihrer Küche brauchen, um diese leckeren Gerichte zuzubereiten. Sie machen Sie mit Garmethoden bekannt und haben Tipps und Tricks parat, falls doch mal etwas schiefgeht. Ob Fingerfood für die Party, One-Pots für Freunde oder ein leckeres Rührei: Mit diesem Kochbuch gelingt Ihnen alles. Sie erfahren Wie Sie Ihre Küche optimal ausstatten Welche Vorräte sinnvoll sind Wie Sie Grundtechniken wie Dämpfen, Braten und Blanchieren beherrschen lernen Wie Sie sich vom einfachen Gericht bis zum Drei-Gänge-Menü vorarbeiten
Motivations-Coaching mit V.I.E.L Spirit: Deine psychologische Gebrauchsanweisung
by Thomas RückerlDer Kompass für menschliche Motivation! Das Buch von Thomas Rückerl offenbart auf unterhaltsame Weise, was Menschen innerlich antreibt. Anhand vieler Beispiele vermittelt es einen spannenden Einblick hinter die Kulissen der menschlichen Psyche. Es zeigt anschaulich, was Motivation überhaupt ist, wie sie entsteht und wodurch sie gehemmt wird. Der Leser lernt, wie er sich und seine Mitmenschen gezielt motivieren kann. Unsere Motivation erwächst aus dem dynamischen Zusammenspiel verschiedener Elemente: Bedürfnisse, Emotionen, Ängste, Zwänge, Werte, Sehnsüchte, Träume, Glaubensmuster und Gewohnheiten - jeder Mensch wird durch zahlreiche Faktoren beeinflusst. Sie steuern unser Verhalten, ohne dass wir dies bewusst bemerken. Thomas Rückerl zeigt auf, was im psychischen Maschinenraum geschieht, während der Mensch per Autopilot durch den Alltag gesteuert wird. Der Leser bekommt einen nützlichen Motivations-Kompass an die Hand, der ihn befähigt, unterschiedliche Persönlichkeits-Typen zu erkennen und mit ihnen so umzugehen, dass dabei Motivation entsteht. So entsteht eine motivierende Perspektive, um neue Freiheit zu gewinnen und eine nachhaltige Transformation in eine bessere Zukunft zu schaffen. Um dem Leser die komplexen Zusammenhänge der Motivations-Psychologie anschaulich darzustellen, erzählt das Buch die Thematik aus verschiedenen Blickwinkeln. Dabei wurden mehrere Ebenen geschaffen, die auf unterhaltsame Weise miteinander verwoben sind: - beispielhafter Coaching-Prozess als Motivations-Krimi, - wissenschaftliche Darstellungen, - praktische Früchte langjähriger Coaching-Erfahrung, - humorvolle Illustrationen, - V.I.E.L-Spirit als ethische Grundhaltung, - Praxis-Transfer: Die V.I.E.L-Toolboxen. Tom Rückerl gelingt es, komplexe Sachverhalte verständlich darzustellen. Er schildert typische Business-Situationen in unterhaltsamer Sprache. Viele Betroffene werden sich in den zahlreichen Beispielen wiederfinden. Wer dieses Buch aufmerksam liest, entwickelt intrinsische Motivation, um den Umgang mit sich selbst und seinen Mitmenschen zukünftig besser zu gestalten. Insbesondere Führungskräfte und Personal-Verantwortliche lernen, ihre Kommunikation so auszurichten, dass unnötiger Frust vermieden und der Motivations-Pegel im Unternehmen kontinuierlich steigen wird.
Hands-On Large Language Models
by Jay Alammar Maarten GrootendorstAI has acquired startling new language capabilities in just the past few years. Driven by the rapid advances in deep learning, language AI systems are able to write and understand text better than ever before. This trend enables the rise of new features, products, and entire industries. With this book, Python developers will learn the practical tools and concepts they need to use these capabilities today.You'll learn how to use the power of pre-trained large language models for use cases like copywriting and summarization; create semantic search systems that go beyond keyword matching; build systems that classify and cluster text to enable scalable understanding of large amounts of text documents; and use existing libraries and pre-trained models for text classification, search, and clusterings.This book also shows you how to:Build advanced LLM pipelines to cluster text documents and explore the topics they belong toBuild semantic search engines that go beyond keyword search with methods like dense retrieval and rerankersLearn various use cases where these models can provide valueUnderstand the architecture of underlying Transformer models like BERT and GPTGet a deeper understanding of how LLMs are trainedUnderstanding how different methods of fine-tuning optimize LLMs for specific applications (generative model fine-tuning, contrastive fine-tuning, in-context learning, etc.)
The New Quantum Era
by Sebastian HassingerQuantum computing and associated technologies and ideas seem to be everywhere today, even in blockbuster movies. As a field, quantum information science only goes back a few decades, but it's generating outsize excitement and investment in the 21st century. There's reason for the enthusiasm, but we're still a long way from being able to build and use these exotic machines.In this book, author Sebastian Hassinger guides you through the foundational ideas of quantum computing, providing insight into where it came from, what it is today, and what it may be in the future.Grounded in information science and quantum mechanics with straightforward explorations of the technology's crucial concepts and elements, this book demystifies the field and helps you develop your quantum intuition, making it easier to learn and use the technologies available on the cloud today.You'll learn:The origins of quantum information science, quantum physics, and relevant conceptsInformation science and the birth and evolution of the "classical" computer industryHow quantum concepts change information science and create new potential for computationThe current state of quantum computation hardware, error correction, and algorithmsQuantum computer hype: magical thinking and reasonable expectationsProblem-solving with quantum information science and quantum computation
A Weberian Perspective on Home, Nature and Sport: Disenchantment and Salvation (ISSN)
by Michael SymondsThis book extends Max Weber’s theory of the value-spheres of modernity into wholly new areas, showing that the addition of home, nature and sport to Weber’s own list of five spheres (economic, scientific/intellectual, political/legal, erotic and aesthetic) yields original insights into these aspects of modernity and modernity itself. It shows how each of these new spheres is able to create its own ‘inner cosmos’ of salvation from rationalised senselessness, just as Weber’s ‘irrational’ spheres offer release from the grim reality of capitalism, the disenchanted universe and the bureaucratic state formed by the more ‘rationalised’ spheres. Drawing on a wide, cross-disciplinary range of sources, the author sheds light on the role of home in creating a sense of our enchanted past, of nature in helping to restore to the world a teleological meaning constructed from innocence and purity and of sport in imposing sense on the world, at least temporarily. A Weberian Perspective on Home, Nature and Sport: Disenchantment and Salvation will appeal to scholars of sociology and social theory with interests in classical sociological theory and the analysis of modernity.
Fundamentals of Enterprise Architecture
by Tanu McCabeWith the increasing complexity of modern cloud-based systems, an effective enterprise architecture program is more critical than ever. In this practical book, author Tanu McCabe from Capital One provides proven frameworks and practices to define an effective enterprise architecture strategy—one that will enable software and enterprise architects to create and implement great architecture strategies.You'll learn how to create shared alignment across business and technology, embed architecture practices into processes and tooling, incorporate technology and business trends, and instill contextual understanding over siloed decision-making. Complete with examples of patterns and antipatterns, this book provides reusable templates, assessment tools, and practical advice.With this book, you will:Understand exactly what enterprise architecture is, and why it's important to build an effective enterprise architecture practiceLearn who needs to be involved to define and implement architecture strategiesExamine common pitfalls that inhibit effective architecture strategiesAssess the current state of your organization's architecture practice to identify opportunities for improvementDefine your own architecture strategy at both an organizational and personal level by applying the book's frameworksEnhance your ability to make great architecture decisions using the frameworks and lessons providedTanusree (Tanu) McCabe is a distinguished engineer who leads public cloud strategy at CVS and formerly led enterprise architecture strategy at Capital One as an executive distinguished engineer.
Implementing Data Mesh
by Jean-Georges Perrin Eric BrodaAs data continues to grow and become more complex, organizations seek innovative solutions to manage their data effectively. Data mesh is one solution that provides a new approach to managing data in complex organizations. This practical guide offers step-by-step guidance on how to implement data mesh in your organization.In this book, Jean-Georges Perrin and Eric Broda focus on the key components of data mesh and provide practical advice supported by code. Data engineers, architects, and analysts will explore a simple and intuitive process for identifying key data mesh components and data products. You'll learn a consistent set of interfaces and access methods that make data products easy to consume.This approach ensures that your data products are easily accessible and the data mesh ecosystem is easy to navigate. This book helps you:Identify, define, and build data products that interoperate within an enterprise data meshBuild a data mesh fabric that binds data products togetherBuild and deploy data products in a data meshEstablish the organizational structure to operate data products, data platforms, and data fabricLearn an innovative architecture that brings data products and data fabric together into the data meshAbout the authors:Jean-Georges "JG" Perrin is a technology leader focusing on building innovative and modern data platforms.Eric Broda is a technology executive, practitioner, and founder of a boutique consulting firm that helps global enterprises realize value from data.