For over a quarter century, Germany stood as a country divided. A huge concrete barrier known as the Berlin Wall physically divided the capital of Berlin. When the wall came down in 1989, Germany was reborn. Readers will learn what daily life is like today for the innovative and industrious people of Germany.
Egypt is one of the oldest countries in the world. People love to visit the ancient pyramids outside of Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Thousands of years ago, pharaohs ruled Egypt, and people mummified many pharaohs after they died. Students will read all about mummy museums, school and work life in Egypt, and how Egyptians use the Nile River in their daily lives. Blastoff! Series
Cuba is a group of several islands. Long ago, one of the islands was called Treasure Island because it was a home base for many Caribbean pirates. Young readers will learn about life in modern Cuba—the school system, the delicious food, and the vibrancy of Cuban culture.
America’s northern neighbor, Canada, is similar to the United States in many ways but also very different. Kids will learn about Canada’s diverse wildlife as well as some of its biggest cities such as Toronto and Vancouver. They will read about what school is like for kids in Canada, how people often speak both English and French, and how Canadians enjoy playing hockey.
The Green Berets are one of the better-known special forces. Readers will learn the history of this elite force and the training and tools required to perform their dangerous missions.
Iraq gets a lot of bad publicity. People hear regularly about the country’s troubles without learning about its achievements. For example, you’ve maybe never heard that Iraqis invented the wheel, sailboat, and plow! This title takes young readers past news headlines to tell the full story of Iraq.
Choosing just one animal mascot to represent the country of Australia is difficult! The marsupial contenders alone include the kangaroo, koala, and wombat. Then there are the predator options like the dingo and saltwater crocodile. After learning all about Australia in this title, fluent readers just might make a mascot pick!
Brazil has a monopoly over about half of the South American landscape. The country covers more than 3 million square miles of the continent! In this snapshot of Brazil, young readers will especially enjoy touring the Amazon Rain Forest and the country’s other unique biomes.
O Canada! The opening words of the Canadian national anthem are a fitting exclamation for appreciating the country sometimes called the True North. Canada’s untouched wilderness, Arctic animals, and native peoples are all worthy of a shout-out. This read points out to capable young readers what makes Canada special.
One-fifth of all the people in the world call China home. This means Mandarin Chinese is the number one language when it comes to native speakers! In this look at a country rich in history and culture, young readers will learn a few main Mandarin characters and much more.
The beloved fictional Harry Potter calls England his home. Though his world is imaginary, it includes many of England’s actual landmarks. In this profile of the real England, kids will learn the facts about the European country that serves as the setting for many of their favorite stories.
Did you know that at first Parisians disliked the addition of the Eiffel Tower to their city? They thought the landmark, which is now France’s most famous, was ugly! This children’s title narrates a sightseeing trip around France. Readers can judge the beauty of the country’s landmarks and culture for themselves.
India has its very own Hollywood—the rhyming Bollywood! The thousands of Bollywood films that are released every year put the songs, dances, and colors of India in the spotlight. Upper-elementary students are invited to a special viewing of a country with a memorable flavor.
Two thousand years ago, Italy was known for its spectacles. Rome’s famous Colosseum hosted epic sports contests and gladiator fights. In this book, Italy is on display to engage fluent young readers. Kids will be especially amazed by ancient Italian architecture.
In the United States, a bow is most often taken by a performer at the end of a concert or play. But in Japan, a bow is the traditional gesture to greet another person. This country close-up teaches upper-elementary students Japanese customs and much more about the Asian island nation.
Mexico is a cactus capital. Giant cardon, the world’s tallest cactuses, grow in the Sonoran Desert. They reach heights up to 63 feet! And Mexicans also eat the stems of prickly pear cactuses like vegetables! This country profile takes kids south of the border to explore Mexico.
Russia is a rare transcontinental country, with its small western part belonging to Europe and its large eastern part belonging to Asia. The dividing line is the Ural Mountains. Fluent readers will see both sides of Russia and discover the cultural elements that unite all of its people.
Soldiers on combat missions are courageous, intelligent, and tough. They work to free the oppressed, which oftentimes involves battle. Complex weapons and specialized tools are paramount to completing missions successfully. In this exciting, low-level title, students will learn more about how danger meets bravery in military combat missions.
Many people claim to have experienced strange events when they were near-death. Some claim to have had an out-of-body experience. Others describe moving upward toward a white light. Students will learn about stories of near-death and how scientists have tried to verify or disprove those tales.
China, with over one billion people, is the most populated country in the world. China’s most famous tourist attraction is the Great Wall, which runs across about 5,000 miles of northern China. Rich with Chinese culture, this title explores Chinese food, holidays, and daily life. Eager readers will also get to challenge their tongues with a few common words from the unique Chinese language!
Have you ever seen something in the sky that you could not identify? You wouldn't be alone. Many people have reported seeing unidentified flying objects. Reports range from flying saucer sightings to stories of mysterious lights in the sky. Readers will discover the history of UFO sightings and the evidence both for and against their existence.
Could an ancient sea monster be living in a quiet lake in Northern Scotland? People have put forth pictures and videos of what they claim to be the Loch Ness Monster. Does the Loch Ness Monster exist? It will be up to the reader to decide in this title that shows the evidence and skepticism surrounding the Loch Ness Monster.
Japan is a nation made up of many islands in the western Pacific Ocean. Over 100 million people live in this small nation of islands. Many live in the countryside, but millions live in crowded cities like Tokyo. Students will learn about the physical features of the landscape and surrounding waters as well as the cultural aspects of the Japanese from old traditions to modern everyday life. Blastoff! Series
Spanning an area in the Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda, Puerto Rico, and the southern tip of Florida, the Bermuda Triangle has been a mystery for over a hundred years. Many ships and aircraft have been lost in its waters. Readers will learn about the many disappearances and the possible explanations for them, ranging from piracy to paranormal activity.
Many people claim to have seen ghosts. Some say they saw an apparition or heard noises in their home when they were alone. Others claim that a drop in temperature signaled a ghost's presence. Are these observations credible, or are they all made up? Readers will decide for themselves in this title that throws them into the middle of the mystery.
