Birds of Prey: An Introduction by
"A Scholastic / Madison Press Book."
Includes bibliographical references (p. 48).
Brave Deeds by
When Holland was under Nazi rule, the Dutch lived extremely harsh lives. Thousands were in hiding, especially Jews who had managed to escape transport to the death camps. Frans Braal and his wife Mies took in anyone in need of help -- Jews, children whose parents could no longer look after them, resistance fighters, and people who were starving -- providing them with a temporary home. Twice their place was searched by the Nazis, and on both occasions they managed to hide everyone in time. Told through the eyes of a child, this is the story of the Braals, two people who willingly put themselves in great danger in order to save the lives of those less fortunate. Throughout, sidebars provide further information about Dutch resistance workers and traitors, Dutch Jews, bombing missions, false identity cards, the war, and more. The book also gives a flavor of wartime Dutch culture -- treats, children's games, favorite books, and a visit from Sinterklaas are all relished by the young protagonist. A glossary is also included.
Everything but the Kitchen Sink by
Did you know that radishes are a common breakfast food in Japan? Why do Americans love corn dogs? Do watermelons remove freckles? Can you really clean a toilet with a can of cola? Where does the expression "say cheese" come from? Did you know that in 1919 a molasses flood killed 21 people in Boston? What child isn't going to want to know the answers to these questions? Step into any school cafeteria and you'll hear kids buzzing about food. Everything but the Kitchen Sink builds on that fascination with food through history, science, art, superstitions, and world records. Organized in 10 fast-paced and fun chapters, Everything but the Kitchen Sink will present bite-size facts, interviews with fantastic "foodies," and amazing but true sidebars. Some recipes and activities are also included.
Gold Medal for Weird by
The world's greatest sporting events, chock-full of guts, glory and going for gold. If you want to read about that, you'd better look elsewhere. The gold medals handed out in this book are for inept athletes, shameful scandals, freakish weather, cheaters, chokers and much worse. But it's not all bad. You'll also read about athletes who went from chump to champ and warm your heart to stories of high-stakes heroism and fair play. There may still be hope for humans -- and sports competitions! Read about * unbeatable runners who tested positive for turtle's blood and caterpillar fungus * the snowboarder whose hot-dog move cost her a gold medal * live animal hunting, dueling with pistols and other events now (thankfully) discontinued * a medal-winning gymnast with a wooden leg * the sailor who gave up a chance at the gold medal to save a drowning competitor
How Soccer Works by
From the How Sports Work series comes How Soccer Works, which presents a fascinating and informative look at the science behind the sport. Whether readers are first timers on the pitch or can already bend it like Beckham, How Soccer Works has something for everyone. Text that is as exciting to read as the sport is to play, delves into all aspects of the sport. Great insider information includes the personality of a soccer ball, the differences between artificial turf and real grass, the science of fitness, and how to counter basic offensive and defensive moves. "Quick Kick" factoids, "Star" highlights revealing moves of the pros, "Tips" for game improvement, "Quick Answers to Speedy Questions" explaining everything soccer, and "Legends of the Game" introduce young sports fans to some of the most inspirational players in soccer history. A "Rules and Regs" section and glossary at the back of the book provide all of the terms and need-to-know information to make any reader a master of game basics.
The Inuit Thought of It by
Today's Arctic communities have all the comforts of modern living. Yet the Inuit survived in this harsh landscape for hundreds of years with nothing but the land and their own ingenuity. Join authors Alootook Ipellie and David MacDonald as they explore the amazing innovations of traditional Inuit and how their ideas continue to echo around the world. Some inventions are still familiar to us: the one-person watercraft known as a kayak still retains its Inuit name. Other innovations have been replaced by modern technology: slitted snow goggles protected Inuit eyes long before sunglasses arrived on the scene. Andother ideas were surprisingly inspired: using human-shaped stone stacks (Inunnguat) to trick and trap caribou. Many more Inuit innovations are explored here, including: * Dog sleds * Shelter * Clothing * Kids' stuff * Food preservation * Medicine. In all, more than 40 Inuit items and ideas are showcased through dramatic photos and captivating language. From how these objects were made, to their impact on contemporary culture, The Inuit Thought of It is a remarkable catalogue of Inuit invention.
The Strongest Man in the World by
Strongman and circus owner Louis Cyr captured the world's imagination with his remarkable feats of strength and his mammoth proportions. Set in Quebec at the turn of the 20th century, this biography, in graphic-novel style, features the celebrity in his old age as he recalls the glory days for his young daughter. In vivid detail he recounts his adventures traveling through Europe, performing feats of strength that astounded audiences and remain unsurpassed today. Nicolas Debon's vibrant illustrations and moving text bring the world of long-ago circuses and celebrities to life for young readers.
This Is My Planet by
As world leaders and others face up to what needs to be done to ensure the future of our planet, Jan Thornhill gives a young audience the tools to understand the crisis and take action in their own lives. Her intelligent, sensitive text guides readers through a sometimes difficult but highly relevant terrain. While not shying away from the facts, This Is My Planet offers hope, showing where action can make a difference and evidence of the amazing resilience and adaptability of Earth. Beginning with a foundation that answers basic questions about how our planet works, and moving through an in-depth look at three specific environments -- polar, ocean, and land -- and at our human societies, Thornhill takes a comprehensive look at the subject of global warming. In a conversational tone, This Is My Planet explores fascinating aspects of how our world works and how we can preserve it. Never preaching or alarmist, this amazing book arms young readers with the facts to form their own intelligent opinions.
Wild Animals in Captivity by
On the School Library Journal's Best Books 2008 list On the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association YA Top Forty list for 2008 2009 Silver Birch Nominee Good Zoos! Bad Zoos!! A large family of elephants ambles all day along a well-remembered route across the hot African savanna. Halfway around the world in a zoo in Alaska, a single female elephant paces back and forth in her cramped, concrete pen. During the sub-arctic winter, she lives alone in a dark barn. As it plods great distances across the ice in the Canadian Arctic, a polar bear continually sniffs the wind, closing in on a ringed seal. In a zoo in Jakarta, another polar bear lies motionless on the concrete floor of its enclosure, panting in the tropical heat. Its fur has turned green from the algae growing inside its hollow guard hairs. These scenes are at the heart of Wild Animals in Captivity - a book that focuses on wild animals living in captivity around the world. "Captive animals become stressed when they try to act naturally, but can't," the author writes. "In many zoos, you'll see them pacing, weaving, or sitting motionless. This is the animal's way of telling us that it's bored and unhappy. Wild animals need a rich and varied environment-things to do, space to roam, social groups, families to care for." This is an eye-opening look at the lives of captive wild animals-at bad zoos, good zoos, and the best wild animal sanctuaries.
The World of Penguins by
Journey south of the equator to the cold-water currents of South America, Africa, Australia, and Antarctica, where seventeen different types of penguins reside. An early explorer wrote, “We came across a multitude of strange birds. They could not fly, but ran quickly enough to get away from us…. Nature appears to have endowed them with great agility: they are wonderful swimmers.” In The World of Penguins, critically acclaimed biologist and wildlife educator Evelyne Daigle, brings readers an in-depth view into the fascinating environment of these exquisite birds. The riveting text coupled with detailed illustrations by well-known, wildlife illustrator Daniel Grenier, will capture readers everywhere as they take “flight” into the land and underwater world of penguins. Did you know? -A penguin colony becomes a source of heat in cold weather -The colony provides protection from predators -The young in a penguin colony form a nursery, or crèches, leaving both parents free to fish together
Gold Medal for Weird by
The world's greatest sporting events, chock-full of guts, glory and going for gold. If you want to read about that, you'd better look elsewhere. The gold medals handed out in this book are for inept athletes, shameful scandals, freakish weather, cheaters, chokers and much worse. But it's not all bad. You'll also read about athletes who went from chump to champ and warm your heart to stories of high-stakes heroism and fair play. There may still be hope for humans -- and sports competitions! Read about * unbeatable runners who tested positive for turtle's blood and caterpillar fungus * the snowboarder whose hot-dog move cost her a gold medal * live animal hunting, dueling with pistols and other events now (thankfully) discontinued * a medal-winning gymnast with a wooden leg * the sailor who gave up a chance at the gold medal to save a drowning competitor