Ten True Tales Series...

Each book in this series features ten exciting stories based on true events ripped from the headlines or taken from little-known moments in history. Most of the stories in this gripping series reveal, in dramatic fashion, ordinary kids caught in extraordinary situations—often with their very lives in extreme danger.



HOW TO ORDER ANY OF THESE BOOKS — The books below can be ordered through Scholastic by phone. Call 800.724.6527. Next, press 3 for "Other Educational and Instructional Products" and then 1 for "Classroom books, paperbacks and Other Supplemental Materials." Give the customer service agent the item number of each book you want. You'll find the item number after each book description below.



Titantic: Young Survivors
By Allan Zullo

No maritime disaster in modern history has captivated the public's imagination more than the sinking of the RMS Titanic. On April 10, 1912, the majestic steamship set off on her maiden voyage from Southampton, England, bound for New York City with 2,208 passengers and crewmembers onboard. She stopped in Cherbourg, France, and Queensland, Ireland, before heading out into the Atlantic. Four days into the crossing, at 11:40 p.m., the ship struck an iceberg. Less than three hours later-at 2:20 a.m., April 15 — she sank, taking the lives of an estimated 1,502 passengers and crewmembers. Only 706 people were saved-including 81 children.

This book features ten true stories that reflect what happened on that terrible night as seen through the eyes of children. Each had their own unique experience, depending on the class (first, second or third) and the lifeboat they were in. Two teenage survivors never even made it into a lifeboat. Jack Thayer, the youngest person to leap into the frigid water and live, clung to an overturned sinking lifeboat throughout the bitterly cold night. So did John Collins, the youngest crewmember to survive, after he was swept off the Titanic while trying to save the life of an infant.

Item Number 533315



HEROES OF 9/11
By Allan Zullo

The first responders on September 11, 2001 — firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, military officers and even many civilians — risked their lives to save people they didn't know. Every one of them is a hero. This book features ten gripping stories that reflect the countless breathtaking acts of heroism that occurred inside the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a hijacked plane. Among other amazing true accounts, you will read about the miraculous survival of the fire captain and his men who were buried alive when the north tower collapsed... the cop who dodged death twice to help save others... and the two navy officers who ran into a burning, crumbling section of the Pentagon to rescue a trapped worker.

Item Number 525506



BATTLE HEROES: Voices from Afghanistan
By Allan Zullo

After War Heroes: Voices from Iraq was published in 2009, Allan Zullo felt it was his duty to write about another band of warriors—the courageous members of the United States military who have been waging a valiant fight in Afghanistan. The heroes spotlighted in Battle Heroes: Voices from Afghanistan represent some of the tens of thousands of American troops who, with steadfast boldness, have been battling a ruthless enemy in knee-deep snow of rugged mountains, in scorching temperatures of sand-blasted desert plains, and in deadly close combat of militant-occupied villages. You'll read ten gripping stories of bravery, including the exploits of Master Sergeant Brendan O'Connor who crawled through enemy fire in a desperate effort to save the life of a severely wounded soldier. O'Connor was a member of a team that became the most decorated Special Forces unit for a single battle in the war. There were so many heroes in the two-day fight that this book includes two stories about them.

Item Number 520642



WAR HEROES: Voices from Iraq
By Allan Zullo

This book spotlights the honor, gallantry and valor of ten brave heroes who fought in the Iraq War. They represent some of the tens of thousands of American troops, who, with steadfast courage, have been fighting a vicious enemy in a sand-blasted, war-ravaged country. And they have been willing to lay down their lives for their comrades.

All ten persons featured in this book earned medals for bravery, yet all said they were just doing the job they were trained to do. Still, when you read the gripping accounts of their gutsy actions, you'll see that they displayed an intense boldness that spurred them to reach far beyond their personal limits. For example, five times during a fierce firefight, a Marine disregarded his own safety and rushed out in the open to rescue wounded comrades... Even though they were outnumbered 10 to one and running out of ammunition, a National Guardsman and his squad saved a convoy from devastation during a brutal ambush... Despite being shot in the foot, a female helicopter pilot whose bullet-riddled craft was in danger of crashing, flew through intense enemy fire to help trapped ground troops escape.

Item Number 509026



TEENS AT WAR
By Allan Zullo

Ever since the American Revolution, teenagers have risked their lives to serve in every war this country has fought. The minimum age to enlist in most wars was 16 or 17—with parental consent. But in reality, much younger teenagers hoodwinked their way into military service by lying about their age, forging papers, and doctoring their birth certificates. Because many recruiters were desperate to sign anyone who looked old enough, they often turned a blind eye to the teen's youthful appearance or chose not to challenge his lies or enlistment papers.

In warfare, most underage soldiers showed their zealous spirit and raw courage, but few were properly prepared for the horrors they would experience. This book features ten gripping, true stories about these warriors. Among them are a 12-year-old sailor who, despite his own injury, helped rescue fellow seamen when their battleship was attacked in World War II... a 15-year-old soldier who, in the Korean War, took over command of his squad after their leader was killed... the teenage cadets who fearlessly rushed into battle and saved the day during the Civil War... and a Revolutionary War hero who, from age 15 on, single-handedly and repeatedly proved his strength and valor.


Item Number 505807



CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATORS
By Allan Zullo

At virtually every crime scene, the criminal leaves behind some barely detectable clue of his or her presence and often unwittingly carries away something that is directly linked to the crime. It could be a drop of blood, a strand of hair, a fingerprint. Today, law enforcement agencies are solving cases by finding and analyzing such trace evidence.

This process is known as forensics — using science and technology to investigate and establish facts in criminal cases. The people involved in forensics are part of a crime scene investigation (CSI) team that includes detectives, technicians, medical examiners, scientists and laboratory analysts.

This book features ten gripping stories of detectives and CSI members who cracked difficult cases from kidnapping to murder by discovering trace evidence that connected the villain to the victim. You will read how seemingly insignificant things such as dirt under the fingernails, a scratch on the fender of a car, or balled-up paper in a wastebasket helped police capture cold-blooded killers.


Item Number 00993406



WORLD WAR II HEROES
By Allan Zullo

During World War II, everyday citizens fought for our country to protect and preserve the values that made America great. Many of them found incredible courage they didn't know they had in firefights in the bombed-out fields of France, in dogfights over the flak-filled skies of Belgium, and in hand-to-hand combat on the bloody beaches of Okinawa.

Among the heroes, you'll read about the colonel who led his Rangers up a 100-foot-high cliff while the Nazis were firing down on them... the teenage Marine who dived on two exploding grenades to save his fellow soldiers-and lived... the airman who was blinded and wounded from an attack by German planes yet helped save the crew of his crippled bomber.


Item Number 00993405



KID PIRATES
By Allan Zullo

From the late 1600s to the early 1800s, piracy thrived on the world's oceans. Pirate ships were manned by penniless, desperate sailors who once served on merchant vessels and warships... cold-blooded thugs who were mad at the world... crewmen who were forced to join at gunpoint... and some pirates were kids.

Each of the young people featured in this book sailed with a notorious pirate such as the feared Blackbeard, Black Sam Bellamy or Captain Kidd. Some of these kids fought side-by-side with the pirates while other kids tried to escape. Some were brought to trial while others escaped scot-free. They all had one thing in common. They led perilous lives.


Item Number 00991813




THE RESCUERS: Kids Who Risked Everything to Save Others
By Allan Zullo

Many kids have endangered their own lives in daring efforts to rescue others from deadly circumstances. A teenage babysitter repeatedly ran into a blazing house to save the lives of five little children. A 13-year-old boy braved raging floodwaters during the height of a killer hurricane to rescue a family of 12. A high school athlete spent 17 hours on a frozen ledge in a blizzard to keep an injured avalanche victim alive.

Despite overwhelming obstacles, these and other courageous kids found the inner strength to persevere during dangerous rescues. They did what they believed had to be done no matter the risk to their own safety. In every case, it was worth it—because these heroes saved lives.


Item Number 00985483



THE SECRET AGENT And Other Spy Kids
By Allan Zullo

Throughout American history, spies have sneaked behind enemy lines, adopted fake identities, and unearthed enemy secrets. They have sent coded messages, worn clever disguises and used inventive hideaways. The information they've gathered has helped win battles and changed the course of war.

This book features ten stories, from the American Revolution to the Korean War, about the thrilling and dangerous adventures of real-life teenagers who left their mark in the shadowy world of espionage. These young spies chose to live a lie and risk everything—including his or her life—for the good of their country.

Item Number 00984835




Surviving Sharks and Other Dangerous Creatures
By Allan Zullo

On rare occasions, wild animals like cougars, grizzly bears and alligators can pose a deadly threat to humans. Sometimes with little or no warning, wild animals attack. Few will pick a fight with humans, but most will defend themselves if they are cornered or surprised or defending their young.

In this book you will read about the incredible life-and-death ordeals of young people who battled ferocious wild animals, such as a merciless great white shark off the coast of California and an enraged moose in the winter woods of Maine. These stories are based on true accounts ripped from the headlines.

Item Number 00979207