Tana Reiff

If only she had stayed in school. If only she hadn't had a baby when she was so young. If only she had taken cosmetology classes back when she had the chance. If only, if only, if only. Jackie does not want to spend the rest of her life crying over what might have been. "You have a flair for hair," Taria tells her one day, after Jackie styles her hair for the prom. Jackie starts dreaming again about what could be. Then she gets to work on changing her life. Could she own a beauty salon one day? This high-interest, low-vocabulary novella is intended for adult basic education (ABE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) readers.

As she looks down at her baby, a tear runs down Valerie's cheek. "How can I possibly leave you?" she whispers. Valerie's time at home with baby Jarrod is almost up. She must return to work. But Valerie finds a way to stay home with Jarrod-and make money. She will run day care in her home. Valerie's husband, James, has his doubts. It's such a big change. They agree Valerie will run the day care for two years, then return to work. As the two-year mark closes in, a big surprise hands Valerie the best change of all This high-interest, low-vocabulary novella is intended for adult basic education (ABE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) readers.

"Mom, is that all you think about? What someone's house looks like?" Nick asks. It isn't all that Maggie thinks about, but she does take pride in how her home looks. When her son Nick suggests she take a job cleaning other people's houses, Maggie gives it a try. Before she knows it, she has her own business going, with her best friend Liz as her partner. It's a perfect match. Maggie loves cleaning and Liz has a head for business. But what happens when business partners don't agree? Maggie and Liz are both about to find out. This high-interest, low-vocabulary novella is intended for adult basic education (ABE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) readers.

"Don't have a job, don't want a job." That's what Wayne tells people when they ask what kind of work he does. But job or no job, Wayne finds himself busy doing "odd jobs" for neighbors and friends. And around the house, where he lives with his mom. When his mom dies, he is left to fend for himself. With help from a few special people in his life, and a little luck, "go-getter" Wayne does better than he ever thought possible. As time goes on, he discovers a confidence and a sense of self-worth that surprises even him. This high-interest, low-vocabulary novella is intended for adult basic education (ABE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) readers.

Alex just lost his job at the plant. His unemployment checks won't last forever. He owns only one thing of value-his pickup truck. That's when the idea comes to him. He can start a hauling business The business turns out to be full of surprises and takes many twists and turns. Alex doesn't give up. In time, he earns a steady income. He gets closer with his son. And he falls in love. Then he gets a phone call. After all his hard work, he must decide whether to keep his business or let it go.This high-interest, low-vocabulary novella is intended for adult basic education (ABE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) readers.

That is just like Ethan. Sights along the way catch his eye. His mind goes somewhere else. Ashley is the one who always finds the way to where they are going. Ethan is an artist. His girlfriend, Ashley, has a head for business. Together they start selling Ethan's handmade jewelry and crafts. But things take off in ways they did not imagine. With Ethan's full-time job, plus handling the whole operation and a new baby, the couple begins to wonder: Are they running the business or is it running them? Ethan and Ashley soon face a hard decision.This high-interest, low-vocabulary novella is intended for adult basic education (ABE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) readers.

"Pet sitting would be good work for you," Ginny's friend Eva tells her. Ginny really is cut out to be a pet sitter. After the death of her dog, Rocky, she can't bear the thought of getting another dog. But then Ginny takes care of Eva's dog for a week and realizes something important-she not only loved Rocky, she loves all animals. And animals love her. So she starts a pet-sitting business. Funny and not-so-funny things happen along the way. And she learns that loving animals is not always enough to make a business work.This high-interest, low-vocabulary novella is intended for adult basic education (ABE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) readers.

This 82-page easy-to-understand reader is one of 12 historical novels in the Hopes and Dreams series, whose diverse and fascinating characters, regardless of their ethnicity, face prejudice, danger, hardships, and setbacks, but survive with perseverance, a little bit of luck ,and a generous amount of love in their new home in the US. Downloadable audio recordings of all 12 novels and free supplementary materials for teachers are available (visit ProLinguaLearning.com for more details). Plot Summary for Neighbors: In the 1980s in El Salvador, the struggle for power between the government’s army and the Guerillas causes widespread damage and death. A peasant couple, Ramón and Pilar, see their neighbor being taken away, his wife killed, and his house burned. Ramón becomes involved in a protest and is marked for death. He tries to escape to the U.S. but is returned to El Salvador and discovers that his village was destroyed and his family gone. He again crosses the U.S. border and is rescued from death in the desert by two nuns. He is given sanctuary by a couple in Texas. While there, he learns that his family is safe. Together again, they move to Maryland where they work in a restaurant. After several years, they work to help others gain protected status and sanctuary in the U.S.

This 80-page easy-to-understand reader is one of 12 historical novels in the Hopes and Dreams series, whose diverse and fascinating characters, regardless of their ethnicity, face prejudice, danger, hardships, and setbacks, but survive with perseverance, a little bit of luck ,and a generous amount of love in their new home in the US. Downloadable audio recordings of all 12 novels and free supplementary materials for teachers are available (visit ProLinguaLearning.com for more details). Plot Summary for Amala's Hope: In 2011, the Najjar family decides to flee from their home in Aleppo, Syria, as the civil war comes closer and closer. The grandparents stay behind to take care of the family business. The Najjars drive to Jordan to stay with an uncle, but his house is very crowded and uncomfortable. As the war goes on, they go to a refugee camp, where they wait five years to be cleared for resettlement in America. Finally they arrive in Texas, where a church sponsors them. Only the daughter, Amala, speaks some English, but with the help of a neighbor, Marisol, they begin their new life. First, the children need to begin schooling, but with inadequate English they are placed below their normal grade level. Amala is relieved to discover three other Muslim girls wearing head scarves at the high school. Although the community is very supportive, they are harassed by anti-Muslim people, and the local mosque is burned. Meanwhile, back in Syria, the grandparents escape to a refugee camp in Turkey, where the grandmother dies. The grandfather is resettled in Germany as America closes its doors to Muslim immigrants and refugees. Despite their difficulties, the family gives thanks for what they have at their neighbor Marisol’s Thanksgiving dinner.

This 80-page easy-to-understand reader is one of 12 historical novels in the Hopes and Dreams series, whose diverse and fascinating characters, regardless of their ethnicity, face prejudice, danger, hardships, and setbacks, but survive with perseverance, a little bit of luck ,and a generous amount of love in their new home in the US. Downloadable audio recordings of all 12 novels and free supplentary materials for teachers are available (visit ProLinguaLearning.com for more details). Plot Summary for The Family from Vietnam: As 1975 begins, Vietnam is a divided country. The North, with its capital in Hanoi, is a communist country under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh. The South, with its capital in Saigon, is supported by the United States. At the end of April 1975, Saigon is about to fall to the Communists. The Nguyen family, Mai and Set and their three children, need to escape because their uncle has worked for the Americans. They manage to escape by helicopter from the roof of the U.S. Embassy, but they are separated. Mai and two children are sent to Guam, while Set and their son Vinh are sent to the Philippines where Vinh becomes sick and dies. Mai with her two children are sent to a refugee camp, Fort Indiantown Gap, in Pennsylvania. At the same time, Set is living with a sponsor family in California. Separated by 2,500 miles, Mai and Set begin to adapt to American culture. After many months, Set learns that his family is in Pennsylvania. He hitchhikes across the country, and at last they are re-united. They and their children go on to live very successful lives.

This 80-page easy-to-understand reader is one of 12 historical novels in the Hopes and Dreams series, whose diverse and fascinating characters, regardless of their ethnicity, face prejudice, danger, hardships, and setbacks, but survive with perseverance, a little bit of luck ,and a generous amount of love in their new home in the US. Downloadable audio recordings of all 12 novels and free supplementary materials for teachers are available (visit ProLinguaLearning.com for more details). Plot Summary for A Different Home:In 1962 Mario Perez’ parents sent him alone to work in the United States. He had been helping them run their sugar business after it was taken over by the Castro government. Mario arrived in Miami with a few clothes and little money. He got a job in a grocery store while he studied English. The Cuban Refugee Center found him a job in a bank, but not in Miami. He moved to Cleveland, Ohio and helped the bank work with Spanish-speaking customers. He did well. He became a citizen, married, had two daughters, and was elected to the school board. Then after 20 years, his parents were able to leave Cuba. He went back to Miami and hired a boat.

This 80-page easy-to-understand reader is one of 12 historical novels in the Hopes and Dreams series, whose diverse and fascinating characters, regardless of their ethnicity, face prejudice, danger, hardships, and setbacks, but survive with perseverance, a little bit of luck ,and a generous amount of love in their new home in the US. Downloadable audio recordings of all 12 novels and free supplementary materials for teachers are available (visit ProLinguaLearning.com for more details). Plot Summary for Sent Away: This is the story of the Higashis, a Japanese-American family. At New Year’s dinner in 1941, the Higashis celebrated their good life in Northern California, living on their successful strawberry farm and running a boarding house for the farmworkers. They were prosperous and proud to be in America. On December 7, the bombing of Pearl Harbor changed everything. Keiko and her brother Tatsu were American citizens, but they and their parents were sent away to Poston, a Relocation Camp in the Arizona desert for the duration of the World War II. It was dusty, hot, and crowded with poor sanitation. Mrs. Higashi died there. Tatsu joined the U.S. army and was killed fighting for America in Europe. Mr. Higashi helped administer the camp’s co-op, while Keiko studied and kept their tiny living space. After the war, Keiko and her father returned home to California to rebuild their lives.

This 80-page easy-to-understand reader is one of 12 historical novels in the Hopes and Dreams series, whose diverse and fascinating characters, regardless of their ethnicity, face prejudice, danger, hardships, and setbacks, but survive with perseverance, a little bit of luck ,and a generous amount of love in their new home in the US. Downloadable audio recordings of all 12 novels and free supplementary materials for teachers are available (visit ProLinguaLearning.com for more details). Plot Summary for Hungry No More: It was 1845. The Irish were starving. When their crops turned black and died, Johnny and Mary McGee with their son Little John fled the Irish Potato Famine for Boston. A recruiter found them a room and Johnny a job building a railroad. It was exhausting work, away from home, and dangerous. Mary worked at a wool mill and paid a neighbor woman to care for Little John. Their work was hard and paid little, but they had enough to eat – life was better here than in Ireland. Johnny was good at working with the other men, so he was promoted to supervisor. Then his best friend was blown up. Johnny returned to Boston, got a job as a policeman, worked as a volunteer fireman, and got involved in local politics as a “ward heeler.” He loved helping other people. He and Mary had seven more children. Then, as the Civil War began, Johnny volunteered. Mary worked and waited alone.

This 80-page easy-to-understand reader is one of 12 historical novels in the Hopes and Dreams series, whose diverse and fascinating characters, regardless of their ethnicity, face prejudice, danger, hardships, and setbacks, but survive with perseverance, a little bit of luck ,and a generous amount of love in their new home in the US. Downloadable audio recordings of all 12 novels and free supplementary materials for teachers are available (visit ProLinguaLearning.com for more details). Plot Summary for Little Italy: This is the story of the Trella family. In 1920 Vito's land is worn out, and he can't sell his oranges. Sadly, he leaves his Italian homeland and sails to New York to get work and save enough money to bring his wife, Rosetta, and their three children to America. For more than two years he works as a stonecutter, building the new skyscrapers of New York. It is dangerous work. Finally, he saves enough money for four tickets. Rosetta and their children join him. They make their new life on Mulberry Street in New York's “Little Italy.” Rosetta finds the city dirty and depressing at first, but she learns to love her Italian neighbors and her church. They have four more children. Then Vito falls, is injured, and must take a job making paper flowers; the whole family helps. All seven children finish high school and get good jobs. Vito and Rosetta stay in Little Italy. The novel ends as their youngest child, Dominick, graduates from high school with honors.

This 80-page easy-to-understand reader is one of 12 historical novels in the Hopes and Dreams series, whose diverse and fascinating characters, regardless of their ethnicity, face prejudice, danger, hardships, and setbacks, but survive with perseverance, a little bit of luck ,and a generous amount of love in their new home in the US. Downloadable audio recordings of all 12 novels and free supplementary materials for teachers are available (visit ProLinguaLearning.com for more details). Plot Summary for The Magic Paper: This is the story of Teresa Garcia and Benito Cruz, two Mexican-Americans. In 1980 Teresa buys a fake visa and comes alone to Los Angeles to care for her sick aunt. Then she stays, working in a dress factory to send money home to Mexico. Benito crawls through a pipe into California, where he works as a migrant farmworker. They meet and fall in love. Benito moves to Los Angeles and works in a factory. They want to marry, but they can't because they are illegal. They work hard and save money to go to Mexico and bring Teresa's sister back. Finally they have enough money, but when they go to Mexico City, there is a great earthquake. Teresa's whole family is killed. They come back to the U.S. illegally. They continue to work hard and wait until a new law lets them apply to get the magic paper, to become legal, and to get married. At last, they feel safe.

This 80-page easy-to-understand reader is one of 12 historical novels in the Hopes and Dreams series, whose diverse and fascinating characters, regardless of their ethnicity, face prejudice, danger, hardships, and setbacks, but survive with perseverance, a little bit of luck ,and a generous amount of love in their new home in the US. Downloadable audio recordings of all 12 novels and free supplementary materials for teachers are available (visit ProLinguaLearning.com for more details). Plot Summary for Nobody Knows: Mattie’s family are sharecroppers in the American South. When Mattie is six, Mama takes her to town where she sees two doors marked “White Only” and “Colored Only.” Mattie thinks the shopkeeper doesn’t like them. Her mother tells her at least she’s not a slave, as she was as a child. At 18, Mattie marries Nate Charles. In 1917 their cotton crop is failing, so Nate takes a job in a Chicago meatpacking plant. Mattie is sad to leave home, but she moves with her husband to work for a better life. In the North they find racial prejudice, labor unrest, and violence. They work hard, and with two children they move to a better home. Then there is an accident at the plant. Nate is killed. Alone after Nate dies, Mattie brings Mama north to help her. Through the Great Depression and World War II, she works many jobs to support her family. When Mama dies, Mattie takes her home. She finds the South still segregated. She stands up for change.

This journey through Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, captures a glimpse of Amish Country through 240 color photographs of unique signs in their natural settings. The signs and graphics of official markers, one-room schoolhouses, roadside stands, cottage industries, local trades, and many more tell the story of this special place. Zero in on the signage of one farm or one road, as well as the seasonal delights of summer and fall. See the many ways the area supports horses and the transportation and agriculture that rely on them. Join the photographer on a scenic adventure through back roads, expansive farmland, and quaint villages, with informative and entertaining anecdotes along the way. You’ll discover new details every time you page through this extraordinary picture book. It’s a tour of Amish country like none other. For armchair tourists, sign buffs, and photography fans alike.