Crossing a Continent

Learn about the creation of the Transcontinental Railroad and how it influenced the state of California with this primary source text that builds students’ reading skills and social studies content knowledge. The intriguing primary source maps, letters, documents, and images provide authentic nonfiction reading materials and keep students interested in learning. Text features include a glossary, index, captions, sidebars, and table of contents. This book connects to California state studies standards and the NCSS/C3 Framework and features appropriately leveled text to meet the needs of students reading at different levels. Additional features include Read and Respond and a culminating activity that prompt students to dive deeper into the text for additional reading and learning. | Ignite students' curiosity about historical events with this informational text! Featuring dynamic primary sources, this nonfiction title details the creation of the Transcontinental Railroad, and promotes social studies content literacy. |

Lisa Perlman Greathouse started her writing career as a journalist, working for The Associated Press for over a decade. There, she reported on hundreds of stories, from interviewing presidential candidates to covering plane crashes. From there, she joined a communications agency, where she launched a custom publishing division and developed award-winning magazines for major clients.
During her professional writing career, Lisa's deep commitment to public education launched an interest in writing children's books. Over the past 20 years, she has written dozens of titles for Teacher Created Materials, mostly nonfiction readers, with a focus on science and social studies. Among her favorites is a biography about President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Lisa is a staunch public education advocate who has run for her local school board. She has two adult children and lives in Southern California with her partner.