Adventures with the Vikings by
The Binkerton twins, Josh and Emma, and their little sister, Libby, unwittingly stumble into the Good Times Travel Agency and are carried off on a trip they'll never forget. First, the kids are stowaways on a Viking longship. Then, the Berserker, the most feared of Norse warriors, drags Josh along on a Viking raid. And Emma makes a plunder blunder that turns the siblings into slaves! Will the Binkertons' latest saga come to an untimely end? Adventures with the Vikings mixes fact and fiction for fast, funny and fascinating romps through the past. Kids will adore the contemporary comic-book look, while parents, teachers and librarians will love the well-researched story lines and solid factual information.
Earthquake! by
Did you know that our planet quivers with over a thousand earthquakes every day? That underwater quakes can cause huge ocean waves called tsunamis? Or that shocks from a massive earthquake once caused the Mississippi River to flow backwards for several hours? In Earthquake!, the second title in the Disaster series, kids explore how colliding continents can trigger earthquakes. They'll find out about the ways rescue workers search for earthquake survivors. And they'll read about famous quakes that jolted the world! The book features amazing photos that highlight the destruction caused by major earthquakes, creative hands-on activities that investigate the movement of tectonic plates and seismic waves, and fascinating true-life stories that tell of shocking devastation and awe-inspiring survival!
Gold Rush Fever by
The year is 1898. Over the last decade, North America has been ground down by a depression. Wages are low, jobs are scarce and people are getting desperate. Although Aunt Rachel isn't happy about 13-year-old Tim and his older brother, Roy, heading off to the Klondike Gold Rush, the possibility of striking it rich is hard to resist. Tim and Roy begin their trek to the Yukon filled with excitement. Little do they suspect the harsh realities they'll have to face: blinding snowstorms, raging rapids, backbreaking work and bitter disappointment. In this unique book, each chapter is followed with factual information, illustrations and photographs of the people and places of the time. In addition, easy-to-do activities help bring the historical period to life.
Hana's Suitcase by
In March 2000, a suitcase arrived at a children's Holocaust education center in Tokyo, Japan from the Auschwitz museum in Germany. Fumiko Ishioka, the center's curator, was captivated by the writing on the outside that identified its owner: "Hana Brady, May 16, 1931, Waisenkind (the German word for orphan)." Children visiting the center were full of questions. Who was Hana Brady? Where did she come from? What was she like? What happened to her? Inspired by their curiosity and her own need to know, Fumiko began a year of detective work, scouring the world for clues. Her search led her from present-day Japan, Europe and North America back to 1938 Czechoslovakia to learn the story of Hana Brady, a fun-loving child with wonderful parents, a protective big brother, and a passion for ice skating, their happy life turned upside down by the invasion of the Nazis.
How Hockey Works by
Have you ever thought about the game of hockey... scientifically? How Hockey Works, by Keltie Thomas, holds a bevy of fascinating scientific and behind-the-scenes facts about our favorite winter sport. Not just for hockey fans and players, How Hockey Works will also surprise non-enthusiasts with stunning statistics, fascinating facts and awesome anecdotes. Kids, coaches and hockey parents will all love the practice tips as well as the stories and photos of legendary players. Learn all about the history and lore of the game of hockey, the development of equipment and safety practices, everything you ever wanted to know about ice, as well as stories from men's and women's leagues. From the physics of speedy, powerful skating to the all-important science of explosive moves (the slapshot and body check) to the science of sports medicine, this book has everthing to increase enjoyment at every level. That includes tips on scoring goals! Special Features: Legends of the Game: stories from hockey's history including how some rules came to be (like why rubber rodents were banned from the ice) Quick Shots -- quick facts about the game Timelines, with archival photos showing the progression of hockey equipment over time -- you'll be amazed at the technology we've developed! Hockey Card sidebars, featuring players from the NHL, Women's pro hockey and others Quick Answers to Speedy Questions tips to improve your game, from exercises you can do, to understanding plays to finding the right gear a Glossary jam-packed with all the terms and information to make any reader an expert at the basics of the game fully updated with information from the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Secrets in stone : all about Maya hieroglyphs by
"Lavish illustrations tell the fascinating story of the Maya civilization. Special activities show how to send secret messages, create signs, host a Maya celebration and more".
Forest of Reading 2003 nominee.
Silver Birch Non-Fiction award nominee 2003.
To the Top of Everest by
On October 5, 1982, Laurie Skreslet became the 131st person to reach the peak of Mount Everest. His lifelong dream of scaling the world's tallest mountain had become a reality, but it was an achievement that came with a heavy price. Laurie and his expedition faced hidden crevasses, blinding snowstorms, horrible altitude sickness and deadly avalanches that claimed the lives of team members throughout the ascent. In this exciting true-life adventure, Laurie shares intimate details from the climb itself, including the terrifying moment when he almost plunged to an icy death. A true hero, Laurie proves that with a bit of courage, a little faith and a lot of teamwork, an ordinary person can accomplish extraordinary things.
What's that bug? by
A Scholastic/Madison Press book.
Includes bibliographic references and index.
Everyday insects and their really cool cousins.
Forest of Reading 2003 nominee.
Silver Birch Non-Fiction award nominee 2003.
Where Poppies Grow by
Finalist for the Silver Birch Award Winner of the 2002 Information Book Award When World War I began in 1914, no one knew that millions of young people would die in the agonizing years ahead. No one imagined the effect it would have on family life, or that whole villages would disappear, or that entire nations would be changed forever. They believed their sons and daughters, mothers and fathers would be home by Christmas. They were tragically mistaken. With photos, memorabilia, and anecdotes, Linda Granfield brings us face-to-face with people from all walks of life who risked everything for their country. These painstakingly-gathered bits and pieces are remnants of conflict on a scale never before witnessed. Hastily-penned letters, notes written in code, and prayers for deliverance form an eloquent portrait of humanity, and a startling comment on the devastation of war.
Zzz... by
In the fourth Mysterious You book, Zzz ?, kids uncover the secrets of sleep to find out how the body clock works, why the brain needs sleep, what happens during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep and more. This unique book explores the mysteries of the human body using a mix of thoroughly researched factual information, amazing anecdotes and surprising try-it activities. Did you know? * If a person lives to be 70, they'll have spent 23 years sleeping. * Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was inspired by music he heard in his dreams. * Gorillas who've learned sign language have been known to sign in their sleep!
Hana's Suitcase by
In March 2000, a suitcase arrived at a children's Holocaust education center in Tokyo, Japan from the Auschwitz museum in Germany. Fumiko Ishioka, the center's curator, was captivated by the writing on the outside that identified its owner: "Hana Brady, May 16, 1931, Waisenkind (the German word for orphan)." Children visiting the center were full of questions. Who was Hana Brady? Where did she come from? What was she like? What happened to her? Inspired by their curiosity and her own need to know, Fumiko began a year of detective work, scouring the world for clues. Her search led her from present-day Japan, Europe and North America back to 1938 Czechoslovakia to learn the story of Hana Brady, a fun-loving child with wonderful parents, a protective big brother, and a passion for ice skating, their happy life turned upside down by the invasion of the Nazis.