For centuries, exploration of the Arctic has been pursued for its potential value as a commercial sea route. Many expeditions tried in vain to navigate its frozen waterways. This timely book tells the stories of famous expeditions to find a Northwest Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific, to map the frozen wasteland, and to be the first to reach the North Pole.
On December 7, 1941, Americans woke up to find World War II had landed harshly at their doorstep. This amazing book describes the surprise air raid by Japan on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, that shocked the United States into joining the war in Europe. This gripping account describes events leading up to the attack, the preparation made by the Japanese military, the chaos of the attack, and the unleashing of the atomic bomb afterward on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
This fact-filled title profiles the celebrated heroes and unfortunate zeroes throughout Olympic history. Readers will learn about great athletic achievements and tales of scandal and dishonor.
One hundred years after its tragic voyage, the Titanic continues to capture our imaginations. This fascinating title looks at the building, voyage, sinking, and rediscovery of the Titanic.
First-hand accounts, historical photographs, and engaging text combine to explore the experiences of immigrants to North America during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This fascinating title details the reasons for immigration and the challenges faced and contributions made by immigrants. In addition to Ellis Island, Angel Island, Grosse-isle, Quebec, and other immigration points in North America are discussed.
On January 24, 1848 a man named James W. Marshall found gold at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. This compelling title explains how Marshalls discovery sparked gold fever and lured thousands of people west in search of great fortunes. Primary source accounts and historical photographs trace the history of the gold rush in California as well as the later Klondike gold rush.
This title provides a factual and in-depth look at one of the bloodiest battles in American history. Features include a day-by-day breakdown of events, profiles of major figures, and a detailed review of President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, one of the most important speeches in American history.
The Samurai may have been the rock stars of the warrior class in medieval Japan, but the Ninjas were the secret agents. Known also as shinobi, which means "to steal away," Ninjas kept to the shadows and practiced espionage for their clan leaders. This exciting book details the history and skills of these stealthy, farming-class saboteurs who were masters of 18 warrior skills, including the martial art ninjutsu.
To be a spy in today's high-tech world, you've got to specialize whether you're keeping tabs on foreign governments, fighting terrorist organizations, or stopping cyber espionage. This fascinating book describes spying throughout history, the gadgetry of a spy, and what kind of training is required to join intelligence-gathering agencies around the world.
This captivating title looks at extinction--from the dinosaurs, 65 million years ago, to the possible extinction of species in our world today.
This gripping title describes the events of June 6, 1944 and explains how the Normandy landings had a momentous effect on the outcome of the war.
This title provides a detailed overview of the Navy SEALs, including the history of the organization, training programs, equipment, and the type of missions they perform.
This title takes us behind the scenes into president Abraham Lincoln's decision to end slavery 150 years ago.
As the 50th anniversary of the 1963 march for Civil Rights in Washington, D.C. approaches, this timely book looks at its organization, the key players, and why it is still relevant today.
This fascinating title takes the reader to one of the most isolated prisons on the planet where some America's worst criminals were held. This is the story of how Alcatraz was created, what it was like to live there, and why it was virtually impossible to escape from.
This fascinating title brings ancient history to life with a clear, easy-to-understand overview of the Mayan culture and the mystery surrounding their calendar.
This intriguing new title invites students to walk with the dinosaurs, learning about what they looked like, what they ate, and how they lived. From fossilized teeth to ancient footprints, students will explore how studying the different parts of a dinosaur fossil show paleontologists how these amazing creatures lived before their mass extinction over 65 million years ago.
Since the discovery of Lucy, one of the most famous human skeletons ever discovered, paleontologists and people alike have been fascinated with human fossils. In this book, students will follow the timeline of key discoveries in human fossils, and learn how scientists continue to link together the evolution of humanity using evidence from the past.
Perfect for the budding paleontologist, this book brings to life animals that lived long ago. With clear text and engaging questions, a full range of fossils from microscopic insects to gigantic prehistoric mammals is examined. Students are encouraged to discuss the idea of living fossils and examine how fossilized animals have adapted into life forms still present today.
You eat salt everyday, but did you know that only 20% of the world's salt is consumed as food? Read this book to learn more about how salt is harvested, its other uses, and why wars have been fought over this common, yet important, mineral.
Readers will discover that the natural element carbon is found in all living things, including people. This fascinating book explains how the Earth's supply of carbon moves among Earth's oceans, atmosphere, ecosystem, and geosphere in a process called the carbon cycle. Accessible text and detailed images help explain such processes as photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition. Feature boxes highlight examples of the ways in which human activity, such as burning fossil fuels, releases too much carbon dioxide into the air disrupting the balance of the carbon cycle. Readers are encouraged to find ways to take action and find solutions.
This exciting title explores the groundbreaking modes of transportation that have helped define the modern age. From Henry Ford's Model T car to the bullet trains of Japan, students will travel along and learn about the monumental successes and failures that have driven our world ahead.
Architects are designing more and more amazing buildings every year. Many are "green buildings", friendly to the environment. Look inside to learn about the history of architecture, what architects do, and some unique examples of their work.
This study makes the United States government system - three branches with checks and balances - clear and understandable.
While today most food is bought from a grocery store, many years ago food was grown and harvested on the family farm. This informative title examines different types of foods eaten and how they were produced from the olden days to the present.
