How long did it take to build the Great Wall of China? Why is the Golden Gate Bridge the most iconic bridge in the world? These and other great structure-related questions are answered in this engaging title. Clever infographics, and infographic-like icons make it easy to access useful facts and numbers.
This fascinating book combines the work of groundbreakers in politics and social activism with mini-biographies of the innovators behind them. A useful resource for projects and posters, bite-sized text breaks down difficult concepts and provides detailed information on a diverse array of world-changers such as Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, and Mahatma Ghandi.
Inspiring people for decades, Buffy Saint-Marie is a singer-songwriter, visual artist, activist, educator, public speaker, and philanthropist. Beginning life as an orphan on a reserve in Saskatchewan, Sainte-Marie grew to become an international icon. This award-winning songwriter has experienced censorship at times because of her vocal activism against war and on behalf of native peoples. She continues to create music and art, speak out, and support life-long learning through educational and scholarship programs.
In today’s world, we often see and hear news about conflict around the world. This timely book guides readers through discussions of peace and war—from different types of warfare occurring today to human rights groups fighting to achieve peace. Case studies help readers put information in context. Examples include the devastating civil war in Syria and the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict. Discussion prompts encourage readers to consider questions about human rights, the consequences of war, and how peace may be achieved.
Laws are rules made by government. When followed, laws should ensure that people are treated fairly and equally—a pillar of justice in our society. This book explains how laws and legal systems work here and in different countries, and introduces readers to the relationship between law and justice. Using meaningful examples and compelling case studies, the book also tackles difficult questions about such things as civil rights, capital punishment, and prison systems. Discussion prompts encourage readers to examine their own beliefs.
As people, we are all born with certain rights, called human rights, that are not given to us by laws. This book explains that no matter where we live in the world or under what government, our human rights protect our claim to live with freedom, equality, justice, and peace. Case studies discuss what happens when human rights are blocked and our liberty—the right to live the way we want to—is taken away. An activity encourages further discussion.
John Muir spoke, wrote, and lived the wilderness, including taking President Theodore Roosevelt on an overnight trip to the Yosemite Valley. This trip led to Roosevelts signing into law a bill that placed Yosemite under federal control as a national park. Because of this and his founding of the Sierra Club, John Muir is credited as one of the key shapers of the modern environmental movement.
This book takes students on a journey from the traditional practices of the Far East to modern Western medicine. Looking at the sometimes mysterious treatments and their applications, Mysterious Healing seeks explanations for the amazing healing powers that people claim to have seen and experienced.
Is there some mysterious force of nature that has a sense of humor, causing seemingly unexplained and bizarre things to happen on Earth? Flying omelets and shoals of fish falling out of the sky may have perfectly sensible explanations, but how do we explain the way that twins separated at birth have time and again followed the same path through life? In this intriguing book, scientists use science and chaos theory to try to explain the Cosmic Joker.
Images in stone like those on Easter Island are part of our historical legacy, but were they inspired by creatures from other planets? This gripping book examines the many myths and legends about the ancient past, searching for and finding facts about fascinating sites that include Stonehenge and the lost cities of Tiahuanaco and El Dorado.
Why do aircraft and ships seem to disappear in the Bermuda Triangle? Since the time of Christopher Columbus there have been reports of strange sightings and vessels lost while traveling through the Devils Triangle. Are the legends make-believe, or is there something sinister waiting in the waters of the Bermuda Triangle?
A government is a group of people who provide rules and authority for the society they serve. Readers will learn that there are many different kinds of governments. Examples of governments around the world frame a discussion of why it is important that citizens have a say in who governs them and the decisions that get made. Activities encourage further discussion.
In the search for oil and gas, we have drilled deep beneath the ocean’s surface and the ground to tap into the energy wells trapped there. Today, we need more energy than ever before in our history, but the oil and gas fields may soon dry up. One option being considered is fracking. Rock is fractured underground in order to reach deposits. Discover how people use fracking to harness the before-unreachable supplies of gas and oil beneath Earth’s surface, the challenges of this form of mining, and the controversies surrounding it.
Laughter is a universal language. Using jokes, puns, riddles, fantastic images, rhymes, and more, this book examines humor around the world. Readers will learn how humor is shaped by language and culture and how being a "cultural insider" can help you understand humor in another language or country.
Vampire jokes, insect humor…we often make fun of the things that creep us out. This cringe-worthy book examines how our funny bones are sometimes tweaked by fright. Using jokes, puns, riddles, and rhymes, readers will learn how to harness their own fears and slay them with jokes.
The role of bodyguard or "close protection officer" is highly misunderstood. In action films threats are obvious: ski-mask wearing gunmen fire at the client from a speeding black Suburban. In real life, threats may be harder to assess. If a crowd of unarmed protesters pushes towards the client and blocks access to the client's car and the building he is being escorted to, this poses a threat. The client is caught outside of the two "safe zones" (car and building). However bodyguards have no legal right to use force in a public place unless they or the client is being attacked. The bodyguards will call the police, but they may not arrive for ten to twenty minutes. This interesting new book examines the different types of bodyguard: police, military and civilian; their training; typical roles; the equipment they use; weapons; bodyguards and the law; evasive driving; and life as a bodyguard.
For centuries, falling water has been used in parts of the world to create energy to run grinding stones at mills and irrigation systems for crops. This interesting book shows how the use of this “clean” form of energy, called hydroelectricity, is being expanded to help us build a more sustainable future. Discover how other forms of water-based energy, such as energy from ocean waves and tides, are being harnessed and used to help create electricity to power our homes, offices, and factories.
In this inspired title, readers will discover the elements graphic designers use, such as colors, shapes, fonts, and perspective, to convey their messages. Creative and engaging maker projects help readers use these same elements to create their own graphic design works. “Makers and Shakers” sidebars introduce readers to some of the most innovative graphic designers and their work.
Game design requires many skills including imagination, problem solving, communication, and teamwork. These characteristics make it a natural fit for the Maker movement. From board games to video games, this exciting title introduces readers to the essential basics of game design including game components and systems, prototype design, play testing, and the steps in the iterative design process. “Makers and Shakers” sidebars introduce readers to some of the world’s greatest game designers and innovators. The title also includes engaging, step-by-step Maker projects to put their game design skills to work.
In this highly visual title, readers will find out where fashion trends originate, learn about cutting-edge technologies such as digital prints and smart clothing, and discover how to use up-cycling to create original fashion statements. They will also learn about choosing patterns and textiles, and be instructed on how to do design techniques such as basic sewing, beading, and stenciling. The book includes several imaginative Maker projects to inspire readers to create works of fashion art.
Pounding hooves, the roar of the crowds, muscles tightening, and then - the leap! Experience the excitement and thrill of competitive Steeplechase in the latest book in the Horsing Around series, Steeplechase. You too can be a champion!
In 1974, an inventor named Victor Wouk became a man who could be described as ahead of his time. He had developed a prototype for the hybrid, a car that would become the most credible and commercially successful alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles.
There are no second places in aerial combat. Fighter pilots have perhaps the most dangerous job of all pilots - engaging other aircraft in order to shoot them down, or flying over enemy territory to drop bombs. Learning to master flying such a complex jet is only part of the job. Ultimately, a fighter jet is no more than a weapons platform, and the pilot must be better than his or her rivals in using the jet's weapons. This book will examine what it takes to become a fighter pilot; what the job is like; the jets and equipment required; and what its like to fly at twice the speed of sound in pursuit of an enemy.
Are you longing to mount up and hit the trail? Trail Riding, the latest book in the Horsing Around series, explores the sport of competitive trail riding from head to tail. Learn the tips, the tricks, the rules and rides -- and most importantly, how to finish - a winner.
Hold on to your cowboy hats and prepare for a wild read! In this book, you'll learn all about the bucking horses, lively livestock, and daring riders of the rodeo world. You'll read about roping, riding, racing, wrestling, and more! You'll also discover the breeds of rodeo horses, how riders handle and care for their animals, and how cattle herding became a rough-and-tumble sport.
