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!
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!
The velociraptor was a fierce predator. Though it stood less than 2 feet tall, it was capable of taking down much larger prey. But how did it hunt? What did it eat? This fascinating text introduces readers to the world of the velociraptor, focusing on what the dinosaur ate, how it protected itself, and how it went extinct. Special features, such as maps, a pronunciation guide, a diet graphic, and a two-page profile, give readers even more information about the small but mighty velociraptor!
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!
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?
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?
Dozens of ships and planes have vanished without a trace in the Bermuda Triangle. Are giant rogue waves the culprit? Or could it be something more otherworldly? This title explores the theories, tools, and technology used to investigate the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle. Diagrams and other features look at the science behind some of the techniques and profile a famous investigation. Young readers can examine the evidence and draw their own conclusions about the secrets of the Bermuda Triangle.
A flaming ship appears on the horizon. It sails closer and closer to land, when suddenly, it vanishes! With engaging research, maps, and easy-to-read infographics, this high-interest title explores the spooky history of phantom ships. A special profile tells of a famous example, while diagrams explain the science behind the technology used to investigate these occurrences. Readers will be left wondering, are these ships just a trick of the light? Or do ghosts truly haunt the seas?
Have you ever had a dream that seemed to come true? Or known a person’s thoughts before they said a word? You just might have extrasensory perception, or ESP! This book explores parapsychology, clairvoyance, and many experiments that set out to prove or disprove psychic powers. A narrative opening pulls the reader into the text, while helpful sidebars examine a famous experiment and the different types of ESP. Young readers can decide for themselves: is ESP fact or fraud?
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!
Snowflakes float gently through the air. Aged cheeses add the perfect flavor to an afternoon snack. Gas stoves boil water for pasta. Each of these everyday objects contains crystals! They are in nature, in food, and in many of the appliances and electronics we use every day. This title explores the ins and outs of crystals, from how they are structured and how they form to how we use them. Special features such as a crystal profile, an activity, and several formation diagrams help readers understand the complex world of crystals!
Sedimentary rocks are the only type of rocks that contain fossils! But that’s not the only reason sedimentary rocks are important. Scientists study the rocks to learn about Earth’s history, while other people collect the rocks for use in construction, farming, and even art. This title introduces readers to these useful rocks, including information about how to identify them, how they form, and how people use them. Special features, including a profile, an activity, and formation diagrams, help highlight the key features of sedimentary rocks in this title for curious readers.
Metamorphic rocks form deep below Earth’s surface. Over thousands of years, they make their way to the surface. Then they are collected for use as building materials, sharpened tools, and even fertilizer! Interesting text and vivid photos engage readers in this fascinating book about metamorphic rocks. Additional special features, such as a rock profile, formation diagrams, and a rock cycle chart, will help underscore the key features of these useful rocks for confident students who are reading to learn.
Time for a fossil hunt! Digging through a layer of sedimentary rock, scientists uncover many relics of prehistoric Earth. Tiny trilobites prove that a vast desert was once an ocean. Huge dinosaur fossils show where dinosaurs once roamed! With this title, readers will learn about the types of fossils, how they form, and why scientists study them today. This title includes engaging special features such as a fossil profile, a fossil comparison chart, formation diagrams, and more, all designed to introduce readers to the fascinating world of fossils.
For most of us, igneous rocks are no more than a stone’s throw away. These underrated rocks make up more than half of Earth’s crust! Not only that, but they have many uses in building, medicine, and other industries. This title dives deep into the properties, types, formation, and uses of igneous rocks. Special features designed to visually engage readers such as a profile, an activity, formation diagrams, and a rock cycle chart, complete this fact-filled read.
Twenty-five times faster than the speed of sound, rockets are high-speed space delivery machines. Every week, at least one rocket launches into space from somewhere in the world! This title will boost the knowledge of reluctant readers as it breaks down space rockets.
Icy winds whip snow into whiteout conditions. It’s a blizzard! These extreme winter storms can turn deadly if you’re not prepared. Bundle up and learn how to get ready for a blizzard and what to do if you get caught in one in this book for reluctant readers.
Read all about it! The history of the printing press started centuries ago. Through the years, it has been used to share news, make books more affordable, and make information more accessible. And it still helps people communicate today! This title explores the history of the printing press, from its first use in the 1300s to uses tomorrow and beyond. Readers will use fun facts, profiles, and a timeline to learn all about how this life-changing invention got its start.
Reports of haunted houses go back to ancient Rome. People who claim to have witnessed hauntings tell of strange sounds, objects that move on their own, and ethereal spirits. Readers will learn about the history of hauntings, why skeptics claim they are not real, and how researchers use technology to try and find proof of these unwanted visitors in our homes!
Does a giant sea monster live beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland? Reachers have used cameras, sonar, and other technology in hopes of finding this legendary creature. This title explores the mystery of the Loch Ness Monster, the tools and technology used to search for it, and examines the evidence gathered to date, letting the reader make their own conclusion about the existence of this beast beneath the water.
Creaking doors, gusts of wind, eerie sounds--could these be the signs of ghosts? Ghost hunters have tried for years to prove the existence of ghosts through photos, videos, and sound recordings. This book investigates reports of ghosts, illuminates the tools and technology used to search for ghosts, and leaves the reader wondering whether or not there are spirits among us!
Most sightings of unidentified flying objects can be explained--but not all of them. Those that cannot be are the focus of investigation by UFO researchers. They use video cameras, binoculars, radar, and other technology together with eyewitness accounts to try and identify strange objects in the sky. Students who read this title will find themselves later wondering: what is that strange object in the sky?
About 120,000 pounds of space dust falls to Earth every day. All of this dust comes from asteroids! Asteroids are chunks of rock and metal that orbit around the sun, but some venture near Earth from outside the solar system. Through detailed photos and fact-filled graphics, this title introduces readers to the phenomenon of asteroids.
Reports of Bigfoot go back to the early 1800s. Since then, several footprints, films, and pictures have been used as evidence that Sasquatch roams the Pacific Northwest. This title examines the history of Bigfoot reports, the tools and technology used by researchers, and considers whether or not Bigfoot exists.
The action of the big screen--car crashes, torrential rainfall, ships sinking--is the work of special effects! Directors and crews use anything they can to create a real and captivating experience. Enormous models, airplane engines, controlled fires, and much more create the excitement we all crave! Young readers will marvel over this behind-the-scenes look at how movies are made.
