Karts aren’t just for the amusement park. They can reach speeds up to 160 miles per hour! Many racing greats have gotten their start on the local kart tracks. Reluctant readers will love learning about these small but powerful racers in this thrilling title.
The Wright Brothers famously made the first flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. But the history of human flight goes back much further! This title details the experimentation and innovation that went into the creation of the airplane. Special features highlight important airplanes as well as pioneers who had a lasting influence on the world of air travel. Buckle up and prepare for takeoff! This exciting title is sure to interest anyone with a love of planes.
The 20th century approaches, and life is about to change forever! Inventors across the world race to invent and innovate automobile designs. Which ones will end up on top? Anyone who has ever ridden in a car will appreciate this fascinating title about how the automobile got its start. Fun facts, a timeline, and inventor and automobile profiles show the importance of this amazing invention!
Smartphones put a camera in just about everyone’s pocket, but it hasn’t always been so easy to take a snapshot. The 18th century brought a new innovation that allowed people to easily preserve a moment in time. That innovation carries on today! Through informative text, fun facts, and special features, this fascinating title explores how the camera was invented and how it continues to develop!
Many consider Thomas Edison the inventor of the light bulb, but this world-changing invention has a long history. Since the 19th century, many have worked to create and improve the light bulb. Starting from the light bulb’s early development all the way up to its modern uses, this informative title will fascinate anyone who wants to know about the invention that lights up the world!
Read all about it! The history of the printing press started centuries ago. Through the years, it has been used to share news, make books more affordable, and make information more accessible. And it still helps people communicate today! This title explores the history of the printing press, from its first use in the 1300s to uses tomorrow and beyond. Readers will use fun facts, profiles, and a timeline to learn all about how this life-changing invention got its start.
Not even a century ago, a computer took up an entire room. Today, a computer can fit inside your pocket! Over decades of technological advancement, the personal computer has shaped the world in ways that are still being determined. This powerful invention has changed everything from the way people communicate to how we entertain ourselves. With a series of fun facts, profiles, and a timeline, this title will fascinate anyone who has ever booted up.
A dragster can finish a race by the time you finish reading this sentence. These speed demons are the fastest accelerating vehicles in the world! Readers will the get a rush learning about these powerful vehicles and their incredible capabilities in this exciting title.
South Sudan’s recent beginnings stem from people seeking freedom and peace. As the nation grows, the values of tribal strength and independence add to the natural wonder that spans across the savannas and swamplands. Readers will explore the people, customs, land, and much more in this title about South Sudan.
Readers are immediately taken with rodeo bull riding because of this book. Breathtaking photos help the reader to understand this exciting, but dangerous sport.
The jungle food web connects animals large and small, both predators and prey. In this beginning origami title, the animal crafts show this diversity of species well, from spider to monkey. Kids will learn all about the jungle biome as they fold some of the coolest wild animals.
Through twenty-six letters to her friend Nina, twelve-year-old Kasey chronicles the often humorous observations and impressions of her unexpected, month-long stay in a geriatric ward for the treatment of a rare but treatable bone disease ("osteo-something-something-itis"). Kasey tries to make her life less dull by wearing her own nightgowns, surrounding herself with her favorite stuffies and developing an unusual exercise routine. Hospital food, insomnia and the germy communal bath are enduring sources of dread, but some new (and unexpected) friends make her life bearable.
Seventeen-year-old Mark "Shark" Hewitt is good at playing pool. Really good. When he, his mom and sister move to a new town, Mark immediately seeks out the local pool hall. He loves to play, but even more than that, he just loves hanging out with the regulars. It reminds him of good times with his dad, who is no longer in the picture. When one of the patrons notices Mark's natural gift for the game, he forces Mark to use his talent for profit. Now Mark has to find a way to get out from under this sleazeball's thumb and protect his family.
Elle is on the road as an opening act for Johnny James, the biggest star in country music. Touring is everything she's ever dreamed of, but it has unexpected downsides: crazy fans, jealous backup singers, weird rules on the tour bus. But when something goes terribly wrong during a performance, Elle struggles to figure out how she can make things right with her fans, her father, her record company and with her friend Webb. True Blue continues the story that began in Billboard Express.
Fifteen-year-old Natalie is obsessed with ballet and plans to spend the entire summer in dance class with her two best friends. But when her mom gets a job out of town, Natalie gets shipped off to stay with cousins she barely knows. Natalie is thrilled when her cousins invite her to join them at the local dance studio. But it turns out it's not a ballet class; it's Irish dance. Skeptical at first, Natalie is surprised to learn she really enjoys the new dance style and agrees to take part in an upcoming competition. But this new passion could result in Natalie having to leave her ballet dreams behind.
Fourteen-year-old Ava is thrilled when she lands a part in a play based on the true story of orphans sent to Canada in the 1800s to work on farms. But is she good enough to hold her own in a professional production? As the rehearsal pressures crank up, Ava struggles with her character, with the vocal demands of outdoor theater and with the annoying ego of her castmate Kiefer. But as she learns more about the historical Lily on which her part is based, things begin to fall into place. Then one bad decision jeopardizes Ava's chances of being able to perform on opening night.
Going wild. We don't see it as a good thing. And why would we? For most of our time on earth, humanity has been running from lions and other wilderness dangers. We've worked hard to make our local landscapes as safe and convenient as possible. Sometimes that's meant paving over areas that might burst into weeds. Other times, we've dammed rivers for electricity or irrigation. But now pollution, climate change and disruptions to the water cycle are affecting the world in ways we never anticipated. What if the new key to making our lives safer (and even healthier) is to allow the wilderness back into our cities?
What qualities does it take to walk up to an unexploded bomb or mine, and coolly and calmly examine it? To slowly and painstakingly remove the cover and attempt to defuse it? To be completely alone while everyone else has taken cover? The rise of terrorism in the 21st Century and the evolution of car bombs and other improvised explosive devices mean that bomb disposal officers are in high demand once again in places as far apart as Northern Ireland and Afghanistan. This book looks at life as a bomb or mine disposal officer, and covers what sort of person becomes a bomb disposal officer: a day in the life; training; types of devices; and the history of bomb disposal from WW1 to the present day in Iraq, Israel, and Afghanistan.
Ten boldly illustrated stories tell classic tales from different cultures of giants, who were usually villains being outwitted and defeated by mythological heroes. Myths include: the hero Heracles versus the hated giant Geryon, and Odysseus versus the giant Cyclops Polyphemus, from Greek mythology; the good-natured giant Finn McCool from Celtic mythology; the Mayan twins versus the destructive mountain giant Cabracan, from Mayan mythology; Sedna, the giant goddess of the sea, from Inuit mythology; and the giant Goliath who was slain by David, from the Bible. Feature boxes add additional details to help readers better understand concepts in the story as well as the time period in which the story was written.
Bullying provides an honest and unbiased view of a prevalent issue. This book examines different forms of bullying and covers practical topics such as how to recognize bullying behavior, the role of the bystander, and empowering ways to deal with bullies. Candid first-hand accounts from different perspectives and a list of valuable resources give readers the tools to help break the cycle of this destructive epidemic.
China! Natasha Yim tells of her experiences of watching dragon races in Hong Kong. Discover the art of a handwriting technique called calligraphy. How is silk made? Discover the women who make silk by hand in Hotan, China. Learn how people in China honor their loved ones who have gone before them. Stories by Natasha Yim, Linda Petrucelli, Gary Hoff, Josanne LaValley, and Christine Liu Perkins.
Crafting! The Timbertoes are a handy bunch, especially Pa! Pa makes a whistle for Tommy, and a doggy door for Spot. His plans don't go exactly as he wanted when he makes a snow buggy. Finally, all the Timbertoes join in, and have a fix-it day at their house. Stories by Rich Wallace, and Marileta Robinson.
It's springtime! Rabbit is inspired by a daffodil, and throws a party. Discover why there's bubbly foam on plants and evergreen trees in the spring. Mandy and Ben play outside and enjoy the beautiful spring weather. Sarah looks for a new spring coat. A frog sits near the meadow on a busy spring morning. Stories by Highlights for Children, Beverly J. Letchworth, Marianne Mitchell, Clara Gillow Clark, and Marilyn Kratz.
Brr! Five snowmen race down a hill, but only one makes it to the finish line. In another kind of "snowstorm," Jem uses her quick thinking to save her new friend, Vianna. Issac is excited to see snow for the first time, and Angela finds a new way to fly. Stories by Kathleen Doherty, Roxanne Werner, Nancy Dearborn, and Wendy Hogarth.
Halloween! A pirate, skeleton, and witch are coming towards Puppy's house. What can Puppy do? When space monkeys invade on Halloween, the townspeople soon discover the monkeys' love for doughnuts. Toby realizes that the only way to get them to leave is to give them Chuck's famous doughnut recipe. David and his family prepare for Halloween, Fox's costume dilemma is resolved, and a new neighbor provides unusual Halloween treats. Stories by Lois J. Szymanski, Peter McCleery, Highlights for Children, Barbara Owen, and Glenn G. Coats.
