The right and privilege to vote give people great power. They can choose leaders and affect great change. Look inside for information about history for this right and its importance in the 21st century.
One of the key features in a democracy such as that in the United States is the right to elect our leaders. Certain groups in the United States have had to fight for this right. Look inside to learn about the history of American voting rights and the future of elections in the 21st century.
The US Constitution established the nation's government and laws. The judicial branch - courts, judges, and juries - make sure the laws are fair and keep people safe. Look inside to learn more about the amazing document and the work of the judicial branch of government.
Governments provide many services - fire and police protection, education, medical care and more. So many we sometimes take them for granted. Look inside to discover the services government provides and why we pay taxes to fund them.
There are many levels of government that protect American citizens. While the national government is responsible for protecting us from attack and similar things, state and local governments resolve local issues. Look inside to discover all the kinds of things state and local governments do for their citizens.
This study makes the United States government system - three branches with checks and balances - clear and understandable.
Asian carp have big appetites and can leap out of the water when startled. They were brought to the United States from their native Asian habitats to control algae growth on fish farms. Find out what happened when some of these big, jumping fish escaped and made their way up the Mississippi River.
American mink have beautiful, thick, glossy fur. At one time, many were exported to other countries where farmers raised them for their fur. Find out what happened to native species when fur went out of fashion and many minks were released into the wild.
Cane toads are known for their warty skin and poison glands. They were brought to Australia and other places to help control pests that were harming crops. Learn more about how the cane toad has gone from being farmer's friend to an unwanted pest.
Gray squirrels are known for their bushy tails and hoarding habits. These North American natives were imported to parts of Europe and South Africa as pets, but quickly went from pets to unwanted pests. Learn more about the problems caused by invasive gray squirrels and what can be done to solve them.
Emerald Ash Borers have shiny green bodies and an appetite for ash trees. This native Asian insect hitchhiked to North America and has killed millions of ash trees. Learn more about the emerald ash borer and what is being done to try to stop its spread.
Zebra Mussels are known for their striped shells and clingy habits. These natives of Europe and Asia traveled to North America in by ship. Learn more about why the zebra mussel poses a threat to native animals and the health of North American waterways.
There are many opportunities for people to make a difference, such as delivering meals to the elderly or volunteering with United Way or the Red Cross. This book encourages people to help out where they can.
The Florida panther once roamed as far west as Louisiana and as far north as Tennessee. Today, these cats are found in just four counties in southern Florida. How did the Florida panther become one of the most endangered animals in the world? Read this book to find out how hunting and other human activities brought the Florida panther to the brink of extinction. Learn what is being done to help it get on the road to recovery.
The grizzly bear once roamed much of western North America. In the early 1800s, as many as 50,000 grizzly bears lived in the West. As settlers pushed westward, the bears lost much of their habitat. Fewer than 1,000 grizzlies remained in the lower 48 U.S. states when the bear was listed as endangered. Read this book to learn how grizzly bears came close to extinction and find out what is being done to increase their numbers and insure their survival.
Honeybees are known for their familiar buzzing and honey production. Learn how an experiment meant to increase honey production created aggressive Africanized honeybees that have taken over territory and caused big problems for beekeepers, farmers, and anyone unlucky enough to disturb them.
The California condor is the largest bird in North America. Scientists have found condor fossils that are nearly 100,000 years old. As more people settled in the American west, however, condors lost much of their habitat to human development. By 1982, fewer than 25 California condors lived in the wild. Read this book to find out more about California condors, how they came close to extinction, and what people are doing do help make sure condors stay on the road to recovery.
The bald eagle is known to people around the world as a symbol of the United States. In the early 1800s, as many as 100,000 bald eagles lived in the United States. By the 1960s, the familiar bird of prey was nearly extinct. What happened? Read this book to find out how human activity brought the handsome eagle close to extinction. Discover how human efforts helped it fight back and once again become a familiar sight in North American skies.
The Hands on Science series provides students with background on key concepts in Science. Each title includes engaging hands on exercises that bring the concepts to life for kids. Real World Science: Protecting Ecosystems, provides information on natural changes vs. changes brought about by people, wise use of ecosystems, and restoring damaged ecosystems.
In this engaging new title, readers follow firefighter Ruth Lancashire during a day at the fire station. Action-filled photographs and accessible text introduce readers to the tools firefighters use to fight fires and how firefighters help keep our communities safe.
This exciting title provides students with a comparative look between a modern-day classroom and a one-room schoolhouse from long ago. From slates to whiteboards, question boxes encourage students to compare and contrast how they learn today with how students learned long ago.
Once upon a time, doctors made house calls, fire trucks were pulled by horses, and the milkman delivered fresh milk right to peoples doors. In this innovative title, students will love learning about their favorite community helpers and how their jobs have evolved over time.
Election Day is an important day when citizens choose a leader. But not every country has elections. Young readers will learn about democracy and its history, how a polling station works, and how votes are counted on election day.
Arbor Day is held on the last Friday of April across the United States. Observers are encouraged to plant trees across the nation and remember the importance of forests and the environment. Young readers will learn about the importance of environmental awareness through this unique celebration that began in the 1800s.
Labor Day is a national holiday that recognizes the important contributions of workers across North America. Celebrated every year on the first Monday of September, people who do all kinds of jobs, from factory work to health care, participate in parades, attend barbecues, and listen to speeches. This interesting book provides a look at the labor movement of the last century, the traditions and symbols of this special day, and how workers are recognized in other parts of the world.
