This book begins with a factual introduction to the Civil War and then continues with a fictional story of Conrad Elroy, a 13-year-old powder monkey for the Union navy.
When the Confederacy threatens to call 14-year-old Daniel Mayfield into service, the Mayfield family contemplates traveling north to Kentucky, a neutral state.
This book gives an overview of the American Revolutionary War. As Commander in chief of the Continental army, George Washington set up a system of espionage. This book details the lives of several of these spies.
In 2011, British soldiers were searching a compound in Afghanistan for explosives. Private Andrew Duff, a dog handler, was on patrol with an English springer spaniel named Jack. The dog was trained to sniff out bombs that the enemy might have hidden in the area. As Private Duff was about to take his next step, Jack suddenly stopped and sat down in front of him. It was the dog's way of letting his handler know that a bomb was buried just ahead. Thanks to Jack's keen sense of smell, the weapons were found before they could do any harm. Jack is just one of the thousands of military dogs serving faithfully around the world. Some, like Jack, sniff out explosives. Others guard soldiers, weapons, vehicles, and buildings. All of them show the love and loyalty that make them a soldier's best friend. With real-life stories and full-color photos of these courageous canines on the job, this book is sure to appeal to dog lovers everywhere.
In March 2010, British soldiers were patrolling a street in Afghanistan with a Belgian shepherd named Chocolat. Suddenly, the dog walked ahead of the men and entered an empty shop. His handler knew this meant the dog smelled something dangerous. The soldiers carefully entered the building and discovered a supply of explosives--enough to make more than 10 bombs. Thanks to Chocolat, the weapons had been found before they could do any harm. Chocolat is one of thousands of dogs that have been trained to use their super sense of smell to detect explosives. Some, like Chocolat, serve in the military, while others work with police in crowded public places like airports, bus stations, or sports stadiums. They all serve faithfully to help make the world a safer place. With real-life stories and full-color photos of bomb-sniffing dogs on the job, this book is sure to appeal to dog-lovers everywhere.
In the Korean War, a horse named Reckless worked alongside U.S. Marines to carry heavy ammunition to the front lines. During one battle, Reckless made 51 trips to the front lines in a single day, and even brought wounded soldiers back to the base camp. Today, horses, donkeys, and mules help Marines who are fighting in the mountains of Afghanistan. These animals can move across rough, rocky terrain that trucks and Humvees cannot negotiate. In this book, young readers will meet the pack animals that help the U.S. Marines by carrying weapons and supplies. They'll also discover the history, training, and care of these brave working animals. Full-color photos and dramatic true tales capture the stories of these animals and their critical military missions.
One morning in 2010, a pest inspector came to a home in Brooklyn, New York, to search for bedbugs. However, the inspector wasn't a person--he was a dog named Cruiser! This puggle (a cross between a pug and a beagle) was able to sniff out the bedbugs in the family's home so that they wouldn't get bitten by the blood-sucking insects. Cruiser is one of about 150 dogs that have been trained to detect pests. Some dogs specialize in finding bedbugs, while others hunt for termites, which can eat through the wood in a house, or mealybugs, which can destroy farmers' crops and trees. Thanks to the work of pest-sniffing dogs, the harmful bugs can be detected before serious damage is done. In this book, young readers will meet the hardworking dogs that use their keen sense of smell to locate pests. Packed with real-life stories and full-color photos of pest-sniffing dogs at work, this book is sure to be a favorite of dog-lovers everywhere.
Gremlin dove deep into the water and quickly found what he was looking for: a sea mine on the ocean floor. He attached a clamp to the mine so that workers could safely pull it out of the water. Gremlin is a sea lion that was trained by the U.S. Navy to protect American sailors and ships from danger. Because sea lions are smart and able to swim fast, dive deep, and fit through narrow spaces, they can locate mines and capture enemies underwater more quickly than humans or machines can. In this book, young readers will meet the California sea lions that work with the U.S. Navy to patrol sea and coastal waters around the world. They'll also discover the history, training, and care of these brave working animals. Full-color photos and dramatic true tales capture the stories of these animals and their critical military missions.
The men and women of the United States Coast Guard are always on call to protect their nation's coasts and help those who are in trouble at sea. In Today's Coast Guard Heroes, kids will meet real-life Guardians who have displayed incredible courage in the face of great danger as they served their country. Packed with first-hand accounts of the brave acts performed by modern-day Guardians working after Hurricane Katrina, the Midwest floods of 2011, and more, this riveting title is sure to inspire young readers. Large action photos, fact boxes, maps and a narrative format enrich these true stories of courage and valor.
In Today's Air Force Heroes, kids will meet real-life airmen and women who have displayed incredible courage in the face of danger as they served their country in Iraq and Afghanistan. Readers will meet heroes like Earl Covel, a Staff Sergeant who risked his own life during a battle in Iraq in order to protect his 19-man team. With his unit under attack and pinned down in a house, Sergeant Covel raced to an exposed rooftop to direct U.S. fighter jets sent to the scene to help. He remained on the roof, under intense enemy fire, for 36 hours. Thanks to his selfless act, his team remained safe and the Americans won the battle. This is just one of the many acts of courage recounted in this riveting look at our nation's military heroes. Written in a narrative format, Today's Air Force Heroes will keep kids turning the pages as they read about individual soldiers who've shown uncommon courage in the face of great danger. Large action photos, fact boxes, and maps enrich these true stories of bravery and valor.
On October 25, 2007, U.S. Army Specialist Salvatore Giunta and his platoon were on a nighttime mission in northeastern Afghanistan. Suddenly, Taliban fighters ambushed the Americans, and bullets were flying everywhere. Several of Specialist Giunta's fellow soldiers were struck by fire and seriously wounded. Without hesitation, Specialist Giunta ran toward the wall of enemy fire so he could help bring the wounded soldiers to safety. Despite being shot twice in the chest, Specialist Giunta still managed to pull his fellow soldiers back to safety. The body armor he was wearing saved his own life. For this incredible act of courage, Specialist Giunta became the first living soldier who served in Afghanistan to receive the Medal of Honor. This is just one of the many acts of courage recounted in this riveting look at our nation's military heroes. Written in a narrative format, Today's Army Heroes will keep kids turning the pages as they read about individual soldiers who've shown uncommon courage in the face of terrible danger in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Large action photos, fact boxes, and maps enrich these true stories of bravery and valor.
In Today's Navy Heroes, kids will meet real-life servicemen and women who have displayed incredible courage when facing almost certain death as they served their country in Iraq and Afghanistan. Readers will meet heroes like Navy corpsman Juan Rubio, who risked his life in Iraq so he could save the lives of other soldiers. Rubio performed first aid on injured soldiers right in the middle of an intense gun battle, and helped carry the wounded to safety--all while he was seriously injured with a shrapnel wound in his leg. This is just one of many acts of courage recounted in this riveting look at our nation's military heroes. Written in a narrative format, Today's Navy Heroes will keep kids turning the pages as they read about individual soldiers who've shown uncommon courage in the face of terrible danger while serving their country. Large action photos, fact boxes, and maps enrich these true stories of bravery and valor.
One night in February 2010, a suicide bomber approached an American military base in Afghanistan. Wearing 25 pounds of explosives, the man tried to sneak inside the building. However, three dogs--Sasha, Target, and Rufus--started barking and attacked him. The bomber set off his explosives by the door instead of inside the building, and all of the soldiers at the base survived the attack. Sasha, Target, and Rufus were heroes! In this book, young readers will meet the courageous canines that work with the U.S. military to search for explosives and to guard soldiers, weapons, vehicles, and buildings. They'll also discover the history, training, and care of these loyal working animals. Full-color photos and dramatic true tales capture the stories of these brave dogs and their mission to keep U.S. soldiers around the world safe.
For Sergeant Brad Kasal, a U.S. Marine who served in the Iraq War, November 14, 2004, is a day that he'll never forget. During a battle against insurgents in Fallujah, Iraq, he used his body to shield an injured soldier from an enemy grenade. Through this courageous act, Sgt. Kasal saved that soldier's life while putting his own at great risk. This is just one of many acts of courage recounted in Today's Marine Heroes, a riveting book about U.S. Marines serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Written in a narrative format, the profiles in courage included in Today's Marine Heroes will keep readers turning the pages. Large action photos, fact boxes, and maps enrich these true stories of bravery and valor.
In 2003, K-Dog swam quickly through the waters of the Persian Gulf. He had an important job to do. The enemy had hidden sea mines in the water. K-Dog had to find the bombs so that they wouldn't explode and destroy U.S. ships. Although K-Dog's name makes some people think he is a dog, the expert swimmer is actually a bottlenose dolphin. He was trained by the U.S. Navy to protect American sailors and ships from danger. In Dolphins in the Navy, kids get a behind-the-scenes look at the way the U.S. Navy trains dolphins so that they are prepared to help out at a moment's notice. From hunting for deadly sea mines to searching for enemy divers, these heroic animals help out in ways that no humans ever could. Full-color photos and dramatic true stories bring these courageous sea animals and their brave missions to vivid life.
Shortly after midnight on May 2, 2011, two large helicopters swooped down on a home in Abbottabad, a small city in northern Pakistan. As the helicopters reached the ground, a group of American fighters spilled out. Soon, loud blasts filled the air as the commandos-all members of a group known as the Navy SEALs-blew apart walls and doors and shot their way in. The SEALs were looking for the world's most wanted terrorist, Osama bin Laden. The secret raid was risky, but if anyone could carry out the mission successfully, it was the Navy SEALs. Members of this special operations force are among the best-trained fighters in the world. Young readers will follow this elite group of soldiers on their raid and explore the context for their mission, from the 9/11 attacks by Al Qaeda to the war against terrorists in Afghanistan. Large, full-color photos, grade-appropriate text, and a narrative format will keep kids turning the pages as they learn about our nation's military heroes.
On October 3, 1993, Michael Durant was sent on the most dangerous mission of his life. A brutal warlord was trying to seize control of Somalia. American forces, however, were determined to stop him. Michael Durant was a helicopter pilot for the U.S. Army's elite special operations force known as the Night Stalkers. His mission was to fly U.S. Army Rangers into the heart of Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, so that they could capture the warlord. Would Michael be able to carry out his mission? In this gripping new book, young readers will meet the fearless soldiers who serve our country, and also get an inside look at how they train for, and carry out, their dangerous missions. From rescuing hostages in Iran to capturing terrorists in Pakistan, no job is too tough for members of the Army Night Stalkers. Large, full-color photos and dramatic real-life stories will keep kids turning the pages to learn more.
It was March 2003 in Basra, Iraq. Marine Scout Sniper Jack Coughlin's convoy was winding through a street when a hidden gunman opened fire. Machine-gun bullets flew everywhere--but where was the shooter? It was Scout Sniper Coughlin's job to find out. In this gripping new book, young readers will meet the fearless soldiers who serve our country, and also get an inside look at how they train for, and carry out, their dangerous missions. From stopping deadly attacks to tracking down enemies, no job is too tough for Marine Scout Snipers. Large, full-color photos and dramatic real-life stories will keep kids turning the pages to learn more.
In 2007, U.S. Army Sergeant Edward Watson and his regiment, who were serving in the Iraq war, found a nearly starved puppy covered with fleas. The men took the dog, which they named Charlie, back to their base. Sgt. Watson knew it was against military rules for them to keep animals as pets, but he saw how much the tiny pup lifted his men's spirits. He hoped Charlie could be kept a secret. However, the group was scheduled to leave Iraq. Fearing Charlie would die if he left him, Watson contacted the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International (SPCAI). The group was touched by Sgt. Watson's request to take Charlie home with him. After months of planning, the SPCA International flew Charlie out of Baghdad to live with Sgt. Watson and his family in Arizona. This is just one of many inspiring stories found in Baghdad Pups. With dramatic, full-color photographs of the brave soldiers and their rescued dogs, this book is sure to warm the hearts of dog lovers everywhere.
This photo-illustrated book describes the life of SWAT officers, including the work they do to catch dangerous criminals and free hostages. Describes what it takes to become a SWAT officer and includes real-life missions. The Q&A features throughout promote reader inquiry and critical thinking. Includes glossary, further resources, and index.
An introduction to what the US Navy is, what recruits do, and jobs soldiers could learn. Includes descriptions of missions to save a fishing crew from pirates and to keep the oil shipping lane open.
An introduction to what the US Special Forces are, including the Green Berets, Navy SEALs, and Marine Force Recon, what recruits do, and jobs soldiers could learn. Includes descriptions of missions to find Osama bin Laden and to rescue an American aid worker in Somalia.
An introduction to what the US Marine Corps is, what recruits do, and jobs soldiers could learn. Includes descriptions of missions to do recon in Afghanistan and to save Americans trapped in unrest in the Middle East.
An introduction to what the US Army is, what recruits do, and jobs soldiers could learn. Includes descriptions of missions to save the Baghdad Zoo and give aid to the 2011 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
An introduction to what the US Air Force is, what recruits do, and jobs soldiers could learn. Includes descriptions of missions to rescue soldiers in Afghanistan and battle wildfires in Colorado
