"Up in the garden, the world is full of green--leaves and sprouts, growing vegetables, ripening fruit. But down in the dirt there is a busy world of earthworms digging, snakes hunting, skunks burrowing, and all the other animals that make a garden their home. In this exuberant book, discover the wonder and activity that lie hidden between the stalks, under the shade of leaves ... and down in the dirt."--

When his teacher asks him to write a persuasive argument about something he really wants, fourth-grader Calvin creates a unique way to express his desire for a dog.

Professional artist Anthony Pessler discusses what makes a composition effective and demonstrates some techniques for achieving variety, balance and unity. Art professor Anthony Gully visits a gallery to critique and analyze the elements of a composition.

While zoning out in Chemistry class, Lily scribbles some of her favorite song lyrics onto her desk. The next day, she finds that someone has continued the lyrics on the desk, and added a message to her. Soon, Lily and her anonymous pen pal are exchanging full-on letters -- sharing secrets, recommending bands, and opening up to each other. Lily realizes she's kind of falling for this letter writer. Only who is he? As Lily attempts to unravel the mystery,...

Art instructor Jasen Evoy discusses seven principles of design: balance, movement, emphasis, contrast, pattern, rhythm, and unity. Students learn to recognize the principles of design in existing artwork and illustrates ways to practice and incorporate each principle into the their own works.

Alex Fletcher is a washed-up 80s pop star who has been reduced to working the nostalgia circuit of county fairs and amusement parks. The charismatic and talented musician gets a chance at a comeback when reigning pop diva Cora Corman invites him to write and record a duet with her. The only problem is that Alex has not written a song in years, he has never written lyrics, and what's worse, he has to come up with a hit in a matter of days. Sophie Fisher...

Sixth-grader Emmy tries to find her place in a new school and to figure out how she can create her own kind of music using a computer.