Engineers design structures using domes because of their amazing ability to withstand outside forces such as weather and weight. This unique book shows readers how engineers use the engineering design process to design dome-shaped structures that suit the environments in which they are built. Reader-centered examples illustrate concepts for children, and a model-building activity allows them to design their own dome solutions.
Listed as a threatened species in 1975, the grizzly bears near Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming have made a remarkable recovery. Intriguing text and vibrant images will draw readers into the story of the bear's decline due to human interaction and habitat loss, and the strategies put in place that helped it return.
Houses are structures that allow people to meet their basic need for shelter. From its design to the materials used to build it, engineers design houses to withstand many different weather conditions and suit many different environments. Child-centered language takes readers through the engineering design process to design a house to solve a problem, and an activity allows readers to design a model of their own.
How can modern forensic tools help solve the mystery of ancient Aztec skull masks? What can we learn about Aztec life from the forensic analysis of their art? Can chemical analysis teach us about how Aztecs treated disease—and why millions were killed in an epidemic? This exciting title offers answers to these questions and more as it examines how forensic science has allowed scientists, archaeologists, and historians to solve mysteries and answer questions about the Aztecs.
Engineers design roads to be as safe and efficient as possible for the people who travel on them. From roundabouts and speed bumps to the routes that roads take, readers will learn how engineers follow the engineering design process to design roads that suit different environments and people who will use them. Vibrant photographs, child-centered examples, and a model-building activity allow readers to step into the shoes of engineers.
Long considered by humans as a threat to livestock, wolves are hunted as pests. In particular, the gray wolf has been hunted almost to extinction in parts of North America. But these keystone predators help keep an ecosystem in balance. This book details reintroduction programs that have helped populations recover—yet they still occupy only 10 percent of their historic range.
What can modern DNA analysis of skeletons tell us about the lifestyle, diet, and beliefs of the Maya? How can new mapping technology uncover previously hidden Mayan cities and structures? Can we use forensic science to solve the mystery of how the Mayan civilization came to an end? Get lost in this compelling title, which examines how forensic science has allowed scientists, archaeologists, and historians to solve mysteries and answer questions about the Maya.
Can modern DNA analysis uncover clues about the ancestry and migration of Romans? What new information can forensic science teach us about the fate of the citizens of Pompeii? How can X-rays help us analyze ancient art to learn about ancient Roman life? Find answers to these questions and more in this captivating title, which examines how forensic science has allowed scientists, archaeologists, and historians to solve mysteries and answer questions about ancient Rome.
Humpback whales are a true ecological success story. Readers will be enthralled by the story of these masters of the deep, listed as endangered in 1970. Protected by an international ban on hunting all whales in 1982, the humpback recovered so well it was no longer listed as endangered in most of the world by 2016.
What can modern forensic tools teach us about existing and newly uncovered artifacts from ancient Chinese dynasties? How can we learn about human migration from the discovery of preserved bodies? Can today’s technology uncover new clues about the Great Wall of China? Dive into this intriguing title, which examines how forensic science has allowed scientists, archaeologists, and historians to solve mysteries and answer questions about ancient China.
The American alligator, which escaped extinction 65 million years ago, was nearly wiped out in the marshes and swamps of Louisiana and Florida in the last century. Today, they are thriving. This exciting book tells the story of how government protection, habitat preservation, and a campaign to reduce the demand for alligator products helped bring back these fierce-looking predators.
The revelation of King Tutankhamun’s tomb brought fame and glory to its discoverers. But as unlucky occurrences hit the crew, people wondered if it brought something more sinister as well. Through brightly colored illustrations, this graphic narrative examines the tomb’s discovery and the grim events that followed. With aids including a timeline and possible theories, readers can draw their own conclusions about the mummy’s curse in this thrilling narrative.
Most people know the Titanic from television or movies. But there are a few things that Hollywood left out. This high-interest title takes readers on a journey across the ocean to explore the Titanic’s history, from when it was built to its resting place on the ocean floor. Maps, graphs, profiles of recent discoveries, and other features provide a look into what went wrong on this ill-fated ship.
On a small farm in rural Tennessee, a mysterious spirit was tormenting a family. Quilts were pulled off beds, strange noises stomped through the house, and shoes were thrown across rooms. In this graphic narrative, real quotes from an account written by a family member help tell the story of this strange haunting, while other theories are presented to dispute the supernatural nature of the story. Do you believe in the Bell Witch?
Nuclear war became a reality when the United States dropped two nuclear bombs in Japan during World War II. Despite the devastating results, many countries still own nuclear weapons. This high-interest title explores how the world would end from a nuclear war. From blast waves and radiation to a nuclear winter, the detonation of multiple nuclear bombs would cause worldwide destruction. Features outline the possible chain of events and examine the fateful Fat Boy detonation. Discover the possibilities and preventative measures against nuclear war in this gripping book!
In the late 1940s, the world watched as a small town in New Mexico was splashed across newspaper headlines. Reports of flying saucers crashing in the desert left people hungry for the truth. This graphic narrative presents first-hand eyewitness accounts and true military statements to tell that story. A timeline of events and theories behind the incident let readers make their own decisions on what they believe happened in the New Mexican desert.
Some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters are animated movies! From hand-drawn animation to computer-generated works, animation is a fascinating world of fantasy. But what goes into making these popular films? This high-interest title answers that question! Special features highlight famous animated works, and profiles of famous animators such as Walt Disney and Hayao Miyazaki introduce readers to animation pioneers. For readers interested in behind-the-scenes movie magic, this title is sure to deliver!
Gemstones are more than just pretty rocks. These stones serve a purpose far beyond jewelry or decoration! In this book, beautiful photos and interesting text combine to create a fascinating glimpse into the world of gemstones. Many special features turn this into a stand-out introduction to the subject, including a gemstone profile, comparison features, a formation diagram, and an activity. The text, photos, and features combine to create an engaging read sure to strike readers’ interest in gemstones!
Have you ever wanted to visit outer space? It takes a lot of work to get ready for the journey, and there’s even more work when you get there! Find out what it takes to become an astronaut, and as well as the qualities and training needed. Features outline a day’s activities, chart a career path, and profile an important person in the field. Readers will snap up this high-interest title about a job that is truly out of this world!
Thousands of years ago, royals gathered in the luxurious Palace of Knossos. Today, the palace is in ruins. Though bright frescoes still decorate its walls, the walls themselves are crumbling. What happened here? This high-interest title explores just that! Engaging text, colorful photos, maps, graphs, and other features combine to tell the gripping story of the Palace of Knossos and its fall to ruin.
The Earth is constantly bombarded with space matter. Most burns up before it reaches the surface. But what if a giant asteroid was headed our way? In this high-interest title, the end of the world becomes a reality as a massive asteroid strikes Earth! Readers can put themselves in the line of impact with a narrative opening and discover if any asteroids are on course to collide with Earth anytime soon. Features follow the chain reaction of an asteroid impact and examine past asteroid impacts. Would we be able to save ourselves?
Driven by superheroes in Iron Man 3 and The Wolverine, the Audi R8 is an enviable car. This title digs into the features that transform this awesome vehicle into a supercar, with special features calling out the hottest stats, from top speeds to horsepower. Jump into the driver’s seat and take this high-interest title for a test drive!
The velociraptor was a fierce predator. Though it stood less than 2 feet tall, it was capable of taking down much larger prey. But how did it hunt? What did it eat? This fascinating text introduces readers to the world of the velociraptor, focusing on what the dinosaur ate, how it protected itself, and how it went extinct. Special features, such as maps, a pronunciation guide, a diet graphic, and a two-page profile, give readers even more information about the small but mighty velociraptor!
Viruses and bacteria are everywhere! They can mutate and move easily from one person to the next. Vaccines and other forms of prevention help fight these vicious pests, but pandemics have hit the world and taken out millions! In this high-interest title, a world-ending global pandemic is explored, from how it could start to how we might fight the spread. Features follow the chain reaction of the societal breakdown and jump back in time to the bubonic plagues. Are we due for another pandemic? Find out how to fight when the next one comes!
The Sun is a major component in the existence of life on Earth. Could it also bring about the end? Energy often shoots coronal mass ejections into space. A massive CME on course for Earth could cause a solar storm with devastating results! This high-interest title explores how the world could end from a solar storm, from electrical shutdowns to disastrous food shortages. Fun facts add fascinating bonus information while the look back feature provides a glimpse into a past solar storm. Find out the science behind solar storms and what we can do to save ourselves in this world-ending title!
