Gemstones are more than just pretty rocks. These stones serve a purpose far beyond jewelry or decoration! In this book, beautiful photos and interesting text combine to create a fascinating glimpse into the world of gemstones. Many special features turn this into a stand-out introduction to the subject, including a gemstone profile, comparison features, a formation diagram, and an activity. The text, photos, and features combine to create an engaging read sure to strike readers’ interest in gemstones!
Have you ever wanted to visit outer space? It takes a lot of work to get ready for the journey, and there’s even more work when you get there! Find out what it takes to become an astronaut, and as well as the qualities and training needed. Features outline a day’s activities, chart a career path, and profile an important person in the field. Readers will snap up this high-interest title about a job that is truly out of this world!
China’s famous terra-cotta army has at least 8,000 soldiers! More than 2,000 years ago, this army was created to protect the tomb of the ancient Chinese emperor Qin Shihuang. Today, the army has immense value to archaeologists and historians around the world! This high-interest text uses maps, graphs, profiles of recent discoveries, and other features to introduce readers to the army’s thrilling history.
We have all wondered about the possibility of intelligent life visiting Earth. But what if their intentions were to take over? With superior intelligence and weapons, humans may not stand a chance. This title explores the worst-case scenario of an alien invasion, from what we know about the potential for alien life to what plans may be in the works in case of attack. Features look back at the flying saucer sighting in Roswell, and a narrative opening envisions what an attack might look like. Watch out! Aliens may attack without warning!
The Earth is constantly bombarded with space matter. Most burns up before it reaches the surface. But what if a giant asteroid was headed our way? In this high-interest title, the end of the world becomes a reality as a massive asteroid strikes Earth! Readers can put themselves in the line of impact with a narrative opening and discover if any asteroids are on course to collide with Earth anytime soon. Features follow the chain reaction of an asteroid impact and examine past asteroid impacts. Would we be able to save ourselves?
Increasing temperatures, rising sea levels, raging wildfires, and sweeping hurricanes: climate change is happening, but what if we don’t make changes to stop it? Readers will find out when climate change began, how it has progressed, and what we can do to fight it in this high-interest title. An opening narrative throws readers into what may happen as the climate continues to change for the worse in this title, while interesting facts provide additional information to the main text. Can life adapt to our climate-changed world, or will it be the end?
Viruses and bacteria are everywhere! They can mutate and move easily from one person to the next. Vaccines and other forms of prevention help fight these vicious pests, but pandemics have hit the world and taken out millions! In this high-interest title, a world-ending global pandemic is explored, from how it could start to how we might fight the spread. Features follow the chain reaction of the societal breakdown and jump back in time to the bubonic plagues. Are we due for another pandemic? Find out how to fight when the next one comes!
Robots and artificial intelligence are all around us! We use them for everything from cleaning our homes to contacting our families. The technology continues to advance, but will it surpass the intelligence of humans? If it does, will AI be our friend or foe? In this high-interest title, discover the potential of a robot uprising to bring about the end of the world. Readers will take a look at the history of AI and machine learning as well as the possibility for singularity. Sidebars examine potential chain reactions and historical instances of out of control AI. If the day comes, can robots and humans work together? Hopefully we will never find out!
The Sun is a major component in the existence of life on Earth. Could it also bring about the end? Energy often shoots coronal mass ejections into space. A massive CME on course for Earth could cause a solar storm with devastating results! This high-interest title explores how the world could end from a solar storm, from electrical shutdowns to disastrous food shortages. Fun facts add fascinating bonus information while the look back feature provides a glimpse into a past solar storm. Find out the science behind solar storms and what we can do to save ourselves in this world-ending title!
A few vents open, then suddenly, a blast shoots from the Earth! Lava races from the vents and ash covers the sky. There is no way to stop a supervolcano! In this high-interest title, find out what the world may look like if a supervolcano erupts. Young readers can discover the likelihood of it happening in the future and learn about the most active volcanic spots around the world. A historical sidebar takes a look back at a past eruption, and a visual feature follows the possible chain of events in this explosive title about supervolcano eruptions!
Driven by superheroes in Iron Man 3 and The Wolverine, the Audi R8 is an enviable car. This title digs into the features that transform this awesome vehicle into a supercar, with special features calling out the hottest stats, from top speeds to horsepower. Jump into the driver’s seat and take this high-interest title for a test drive!
BMW’s successful racing past shows in the popular M4. Even though it is meant for everyday use, it can hit speeds up to 190 miles (306 kilometers) per hour! Learn about the history of this flashy sports car and all the technology packed inside, with special features calling out top stats and showing how to spot the car. Reluctant readers will race through this high-interest title!
Tested to the extreme, even in temperatures down to -40 Fahrenheit (-40 Celsius), the Jaguar F-Type has been engineered to perfection. Striving readers can dig into this hot car, exploring its history and coolest features, with sidebars calling out need-to-know information such as top speed and identifying characteristics. Take this supercar for a spin with this high-interest title!
Nissan has engineered a lot of vehicles, from the Frontier truck to the electric Leaf, but perhaps its crowning achievement is the sleek GT-R. Reluctant readers can follow Nissan’s history and learn about all the features that make this supercar stand out. With sidebars outlining specifications and showing off identifying qualities, this high-interest title is an exciting ride!
The enormous ankylosaurus looked intimidating. But this dinosaur ate only plants! Tough armor protected the ankylosaurus from bites. When attacked, it swung its club tail to knock out foes! This engaging book introduces the world of the ankylosaurus, including how it survived, what it ate, and how it went extinct. Special features include maps, a pronunciation guide, a diet graphic, and a two-page profile of this mighty dinosaur!
The huge diplodocus had a long neck, a long tail, and a 2,000-pound heart! As it grazed the land for low-lying plants, the dinosaur whipped its tail at dangerous enemies. In this high-interest title, readers will learn about the life of the diplodocus, from how it survived and what it ate to how it went extinct. Special features such as maps, a pronunciation guide, a diet graphic, and a two-page profile support key points in this engaging text about the enormous diplodocus!
The stegosaurus is known for the row of tall plates that stick out of its back. But this dinosaur had many other fascinating traits! Using a pointed beak and long tail spikes, the stegosaurus found food and warded off predators as it made its way through the world of dinosaurs. This fascinating text takes readers on a journey through that world, focusing on the life, diet, and extinction of the mighty stegosaurus. Special features include maps, a pronunciation guide, a diet graphic, and a two-page profile to show off the stegosaurus’s best features!
In the middle of a quiet forest, a triceratops holds it ground against a ferocious T. rex. Who will come out on top? As the T. rex draws closer, the triceratops flashes its wide frill and three sharp horns. Victory! The triceratops had many predators. It used its tough body to scare off enemies. This fascinating text dives deep into the world of the triceratops, exploring how it survived, what it ate, and how it went extinct. Special features, including maps, a pronunciation guide, a diet graphic, and a two-page profile, will give readers even more information about the powerful triceratops!
A low roar rumbles through the forest. A Tyrannosaurus rex is on the move! What unlucky dinosaur will be its next meal? The ferocious T. rex is famous for its long, sharp teeth. But what other traits does it have? This thrilling title uses engaging text and vibrant illustrations to explore the life of the T. rex, from how it hunted and what it ate to how it went extinct and who found the first T. rex fossils. Special features include maps, a pronunciation guide, a diet graphic, and a two-page profile to support the key points of this high-interest text on the fierce T. rex!
In the early 1960s, Betty and Barney Hill had a wild story to tell: they believed they were abducted by aliens! This graphic narrative tells their story, from the night of the abduction to their later struggles to understand what happened. Alternate explanations explore other perspectives, while a timeline clarifies the sequence of events. Could the Hills have encountered beings from beyond this planet?
An ordinary day turns disastrous as a regular training flight disappears. But what could have caused the crew to be so confused? This graphic narrative explores the most famous disappearance in the Bermuda Triangle, drawing from actual naval correspondence to tell the story. Detailed illustrations, a timeline of events, and possible explanations will grip readers and leave them wondering: what really happened to Flight 19?
Strange sightings around the quiet town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia set off a town-wide hunt for the flying “Mothman” with glowing red eyes. What was this creature, and what did its appearances mean? Detailed illustrations tell the story of the Mothman sightings in this high-interest graphic narrative based on real-life accounts. A timeline and possible explanations let readers think critically and look beyond the stories to decide what they believe about this mysterious beast.
Many are familiar with Andy Serkis’s groundbreaking motion capture role as Gollum in the Lord of the Rings film series. But motion capture has come a long way since it first began! This title introduces the technology behind motion capture, using many of today’s most popular movies as examples. Special features highlight famous uses of motion capture, and pioneer profiles introduce some of the most influential mocap filmmakers in history. This high-interest title is sure to capture the attention of readers!
Get ready for a wild ride! From boats and planes to sports cars, vehicles have been used in movies since the dawn of film. Through gripping text and vibrant photos, this title explores some of the most famous on-screen vehicles in movie history. Special features introduce readers to movie pioneers, unique vehicles, and more. Whether you want to hit top speed in one of James Bond’s cruisers or learn how Herbie the Love Bug was chosen, this engaging book will take you along for the ride!
Special effects have come a long way over the past century! Computer-generated visual effects are now par for the course, bringing spectacular worlds to screens big and small. This title explores the history of visual effects, starting with the very first uses of CGI in the 1970s to the present day, where just about anything is possible! This title includes engaging text and vibrant photos that are sure to grip young readers. Additional special features highlight early visual effects, introduce pioneers in the field, and show off some of the best uses in modern movies!
