A crunching sound awakens a husband and wife sailing to Hawaii. Water starts to rush into their boat. They watch from the life raft as it sinks in only 15 minutes. That is the beginning of William and Simonne Butler’s 66-day trial of survival on the ocean. Iron Will: Surviving the Sea tells the story of five shipwrecks, and what it took for the survivors to endure until they were rescued. From surviving in an air pocket in a sunken ship at the bottom of the ocean, to the longest solo survival at sea, readers will learn how these individuals persevered against all odds.
A group of friends plan a trip to explore the Amazon rainforest. They have a map and some supplies, but the jungle is thick with trees. There are very few paths. The friends realize that they are lost and no one knows where to look for them. That is the beginning of Loic Pillois and Guilhem Nayral’s dangerous adventure. Iron Will: Surviving the Jungle tells five shocking stories of being lost in the rainforest. The survivors faced deadly animals, like jaguars and poisonous spiders, and encountered dangerous terrain, with heavy rains, flooding, and waterfalls. But readers will learn how they each made it out alive, with little more than an iron will.
A woman is getting her gear ready for a day of skiing. It’s a beautiful day at the lodge and she is near the lockers setting up her ski boots. She hears a distant rumble, and the lodge is overtaken by an avalanche. This is the start of Anna Allen’s five-day ordeal of being trapped under snow and debris. Iron Will: Surviving the Mountain retells 5 stories of adventure and survival on cold, dangerous mountains around the world. Some people lost limbs, and others lost fingers and toes to the cold. Even the most prepared can become the mountain’s victim. But somehow, with grit and determination, these survivors didn’t lose their lives.
A man is driving through the Australian outback. His car breaks down, miles away from any help. He is surrounded by nothing but dry earth and bare trees, which offer very little shade. He knows he won’t make it if he tries to walk to a town. This is the beginning of Ricky Megee’s 71-day ordeal in the Australian wilderness. Iron Will: Surviving the Desert relates the experiences of five people alone in deserts around the world, and how they made it out alive. If the poisonous snakes and lizards don’t pose a major threat, the lack of water and high temperatures will. It takes a special will to survive to make it through such harsh a environment.
It is the most famous house in the United States. Major moments in world history have taken place within its walls. World leaders, children, and even animals have roamed the halls. War once destroyed it. But now the house stands as a symbol of freedom and democracy in the U.S. This is the story of the White House.
Pack your bags—it’s time for a trip to South Africa! This nation, the southernmost on the African continent, is full of beautiful landscapes, fun activities, and interesting traditions. In this title, readers will see it all! Leveled text supported by engaging photos introduce all that South Africa has to offer. Added features introduce landmarks, wildlife, a famous person profile, a recipe, and more. This fun title shows readers just why this nation shines!
In 2019, Saudi Arabia opened its doors to more tourists than ever before. But what will travelers find when they visit? Through leveled text and vibrant photos, readers will find information on the country’s landscape, people, traditions, and more. Along the way, special features show off popular landmarks, highlight native animals, and introduce popular foods. Readers will walk away with a new appreciation for all that Saudia Arabia has to offer!
The world’s oldest bookstore still in operation opened in 1732. It is found in Portugal! This small country on the Iberian Peninsula has much to offer, from mountains to coastlines to rolling plains. Beyond the landscape, Portugal is a vibrant country with excellent food, fun activities, and exciting traditions. In this title, young readers will see it all! Vibrant photos support leveled text, and exciting special features—a landmark graphic, a recipe, a language feature, a cultural activity, and more—highlight exciting parts of life in Portugal. Readers will walk away with a solid understanding of life in this beautiful nation!
Time for a journey to the Philippines! This tropical nation is made up of more than 7,000 islands. These beautiful islands are filled with lush rain forests, rugged mountains, and sandy coasts. In this fact-filled title, leveled text and vibrant photos introduce the country’s landscape, wildlife, traditions, day-to-day life, and more. Special features show off famous landmarks, introduce native animals, and introduce readers to delicious recipes and fun activities. Readers will soon be ready to pack their bags for a visit to the beautiful Philippines!
Petra is Jordan’s most famous place. This city carved in stone is also one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world! In this fact-filled title, readers will go on a journey to the 2,000-year-old city. Leveled text and engaging photos will introduce the history of Petra, from how and why it was built to what it’s used for today. Additional features, including a map, a timeline, a comparison graphic, and a pop culture connection, further highlight why Petra is one of the modern wonders of the world!
Known as the “Giant of Africa,” Nigeria is bursting with culture and life! Readers of this text will learn how millions of people, hundreds of languages, and a wealth of natural resources have made this country a powerhouse in Africa and the world. Features including a language sidebar, a cultural activity, and a traditional recipe allow readers to immerse themselves in Nigerian ways of life. This fact-filled title keeps students up-to-date on one of the fastest growing countries in the world!
High in the Andes Mountains of Peru, a mysterious ruin preserves the story of the Inca people. Machu Picchu holds more than 200 ancient structures, each built with intricately carved stones that have lasted centuries! The leveled text and fascinating photos in this title introduce readers to the purpose, building, and current uses of Machu Picchu. A map, a timeline, a comparison graphic, and other special features help further highlight what makes this place a modern wonder of the world!
Iceland is one of the happiest countries in the world! When you consider the island’s beautiful landscape and fun activities, it’s easy to see why. This title introduces young readers to everything Iceland has to offer. Fact-filled text and relevant photos highlight the basics of Iceland’s geography, climate, people, traditions, and more. Added features, such as a landmark sidebar, a famous person profile, and a recipe, further support the text.
Welcome to the Czech Republic! There is much to see in this beautiful country, from the sprawling expanse of Bohemian Switzerland National Park to the cultural attractions in historic Prague. Through fact-filled text and colorful photos, this engaging title takes young readers on a journey to see it all! Readers will explore the country’s landscape, wildlife, traditions, and day-to-day life. Along the way, special features show off native animals, introduce popular foods, teach basic Czech phrases, and more. This title is sure to inspire readers to explore the world!
Nicknamed the “Gateway to South America,” Colombia is filled with beauty and color! In this text, readers will explore the nation’s landscape, people, wildlife, and much more. Interesting facts and features fill each page, including a landmark sidebar, a famous face, a cultural activity, and more. This engaging title highlights the beauty of Colombia!
Chichen Itza is more than 1,000 years old. At its center is a tall pyramid built to honor the Maya snake god Kukulcan! This fact-filled book introduces the pyramid, temples, observatories, and other structures found in this ancient city. With engaging text and photos to guide them, readers will dive into treasure-filled cenotes and climb atop ancient ruins. Along the way, they’ll discover the history and purpose of Chichen Itza. Special features such as a map, a timeline, a comparison graphic, and a pop culture connection add even more to explore!
Tío sends Elena, Jorge, and Marcus to a small town in Iowa in 1983. This sounds like a boring adventure, until they learn that they're going to one of the first video game competitions--and they're there to identify and hide a flock of zombies from the public! Will they be able to find and save the zombies in time? And will Marcus ever get to play an original PacMan arcade game? Join the Secret Society of Monster Hunters to find out.
It is 1972--a cold summer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Tío has sent the monster hunters to find a dangerous werewolf. They need to stop it from hurting others--and from getting hurt itself. But is it really that dangerous? Join Marcus, Elena, and Fiona to find out. They explore downtown Minneapolis and the Minnesota State Fair. As they search for the werewolf, they learn about 1970s history and culture, and make friends with the theater folk of Minnesota along the way.
Elena, Jorge, and Marcus must brave the Chicago winter in search of a vampire. In a bleak, post-Depression city, the children must not only find this creature of the night, but also find her lost locket. Will it be downtown at Marshall Fields? Or at a roller derby event? And will they find it in time to get home? Readers will find out, as they learn about the 1930s--and how to survive an encounter with the undead.
The kraken is the biggest monster in the sea. And in the 1950s, it seems to be headed straight for Boston! Marcus, Jorge, and Amy travel in Tío's time machine to the world of the Red Sox and Boston Harbor, racing to find the kraken and send it back to the northern seas where it belongs. Their journey takes them from Fenway Park to a high seas adventure as they learn about the culture of the 1950s, the mythology of the kraken, and even some marine biology.
Jorge, Elena, and Amy need to find a poltergeist before it reveals itself to the world. The only catch? It's in Seattle--and it's in the 1990s. Join the gang as they travel back to the rainy "Emerald City" in 1996. There, they will chase the poltergeist, racing against the clock to lay it to rest before it lays waste to historic Pioneer Square. Readers will learn about the history, culture, and fashion of the late 1990s, and meet someone very special along the way!
Is there a unicorn wandering around Woodstock? Or is it just a figment of some hippie's imagination? Marcus, Jorge, and Elena will have to find out as Tío sends them back to the Summer of Love. They will explore the world's happiest--and muddiest--rock festival along the way, learning about both the groovy and the controversial aspects of 1960s culture and history. Readers will get acquainted not only with the 1960s, but also with the beautiful, mysterious beast that is the unicorn.
Tío has an urgent mission for Jorge, Elena, and Amy. They must voyage to Harlem in the late 1920s. A fairy with a beautiful voice has been imprisoned. They must rescue her from her gangster captors before history learns of her and her fairy kind! Readers will learn about the Jazz Age and the Harlem Renaissance as they embark with the monster hunters on a thrilling adventure through jazz clubs, the streets of Harlem, and Central Park.
Elena, Amy, and Fiona are going on a wartime mission! They must join Rosie the Riveter and other women workers at the Bath Iron Works, a huge shipyard in Bath, Maine. But they're not there to build ships--they're looking for a huge red dragon! They have to be careful not to blow their cover, and to stay on this dangerous dragon's good side. Join the girls as they search for the dragon, outwit evildoers, and learn about the history of the 1940s.
Monroe County, New York, 1873: Confused on what to think about the suffragist movement, a young boy stops at one of Susan B. Anthony's pre-trial speeches. Aligned with curriculum standards, these narrative-nonfiction books also highlight key 21st Century content: Global Awareness, Media Literacy, and Civic Literacy. Thought-provoking content and hands-on activities encourage critical thinking. Book includes a table of contents, glossary of key words, index, author biography, sidebars, and timeline.
