H.G. Wells

The first modern tale of alien invasion, H.G. Wells's The War of the Worlds remains one of the most influential science fiction novels ever published.

The night after a shooting star is seen streaking through the sky from Mars, a cylinder is discovered on Horsell Common in London. At first, naïve locals approach the cylinder armed just with a white flag - only to be quickly killed by an all-destroying heat-ray, as terrifying tentacled invaders emerge. Soon the whole of human civilisation is under threat, as powerful Martians build gigantic killing machines, destroy all in their path with black gas and burning rays, and feast on the warm blood of trapped, still-living human prey. The forces of the Earth, however, may prove harder to beat than they at first appear. The War of the Worlds has been the subject of countless adaptations, including an Orson Welles radio drama which caused mass panic when it was broadcast, with listeners confusing it for a news broadcast heralding alien invasion; a musical version by Jeff Wayne; and, most recently, Steven Spielberg's 2005 film version, starring Tom Cruise.

This Penguin Classics edition includes a full biographical essay on Wells, a further reading list and detailed notes. The introduction, by Brian Aldiss, considers the novel's view of religion and society. 

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

"I've had a most amazing time...."

So begins the Time Traveller's astonishing firsthand account of his journey eight hundred thousand years beyond his own era-and the story that launched H. G. Wells's successful career. With a speculative leap that still fires the imagination, Wells sends his brave explorer to face a future burdened with our greatest hopes...and our darkest fears. A pull of the Time Machine's lever propels him to the age of a slowly dying Earth. There he discovers two bizarre races-the ethereal Eloi and the subterranean Morlocks-who not only symbolize the duality of human nature, but offer a terrifying portrait of tomorrow as well.

Spine-tingling and entertaining, THE INVISIBLE MAN is a science fiction classic. To its author, H.G. Wells, the novel was as compelling as "a good gripping dream." But to generations of readers, the terrible and evil experiment of the demented scientist, Griffin, has conveyed a chilling nightmare of believable horror. An atmosphere of ever increasing suspense begins with the arrival of a mysterious stranger at an English village inn and builds relentlessly to the stark terror of a victim pursued by a maniacal invisible man. The result is a masterwork: a dazzling display of the brilliant imagination, psychological insight, and literary craftsmanship that made H.G. Wells one of the most influential writers of his time.

This is an adapted version of the classic The Time Machine by H.G. Wells. The story is broken up into 10 chapters in easy language for a 4th grade reading level. After each chapter there are multiple choice questions and vocabulary words. An answer key for comprehension and vocabulary exercises is also included. Clear illustrations are spread throughout the book.

The Novel Unit series is comprised of this Student Packet, and a sold-separately The Time Machine Teacher's Guide. The book The Time Machine by H.G. Wells must be purchased independently.

A few pre-reading activities are included to gauge a student's familiarity with the context of the novel. Once the student has began reading the novel, vocabulary activities, graphic organizers, review and comprehension questions, quizzes, a final test, puzzles, project and essay ideas, and a line-listed answer key are included. Exercises help students focus on literary and character analysis, as well as critical thinking and comprehension skills. Student questions may include the page numbers from the edition quoted in the front cover [2002 Modern Library paperback edition, copyright 1895, 1923 by H.G. Wells, copyright 1931 by Random House Inc. ISBN: 0-375-76118-7]. 40 reproducible for classroom use pages, softcover. Answer Key included. Grades 9-12.

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells is designed to bring the classic to life for Level 3 readers. It breaks the story up into 10 chapters. There are multiple choice questions and key words defined at the end of each chapter. Clear illustrations are spread throughout the book. Includes a complete answer key for comprehension and vocabulary exercises. 72 pages, softcover.