This inspiring book examines the life and work of Craig Kielburger, co-founder of the worldwide Me to We and Free the Children organizations. An important children’s rights activist, Craig works to empower youth around the world to make a difference in their communities and take action to solve global issues. With his brother, Marc, Craig actively works to stop child labor and promote social involvement across borders—educating, inspiring, and motivating people to make a difference every day.
Championing equal rights for all people regardless of gender, race, and economic class, Dolores Huerta is a globally recognized icon in the fight for social justice. This book explores Huerta’s inspiring story, focusing on her courage and perseverance as an advocate for the working poor, women’s rights, and rights for immigrant communities. As a co-founder of the United Farm Workers union and president of the Dolores Huerta Foundation, she continues to make positive strides for equal rights and inspire people everywhere to stand up for what they believe.
This timely book looks at the world's production of oil and our dependence on this natural resource. The majority of today's forms of transportation run on fuel that comes from oil, and hundreds of thousands of the items we use every day come from oil or oil-based products. Readers will find out about the origins of oil and its first use in industry, and learn how it is found, mined, and processed into many different products that are used all over the world. Real-world examples also consider the environmental and human disasters related to oil, encouraging discussion of the ethics and worldwide impact of the production, distribution, and consumption of this global resource. Possible alternatives to using oil are also discussed now that this important, non-renewable natural resource is running out.
Most of us use water all day, every day, without thinking about it. But how does it get to our homes? From the pitter patter of raindrops to the whoosh of water from the shower, this book follows the journey from the source to the resource. Water is one of the most vital natural resources for humans, and we use it in abundance for more than just drinking water. It is used in household chores, leisure activities, and in work and industry. Readers will learn about where water comes from and the water cycle, as well as how water is stored, treated, and pumped around the country and into our homes. Real-world examples consider the environmental impact of our water use and how we can reduce consumption in our daily lives, and how many people live in places around the world that do not have a reliable water supply and rely on local methods to clean water that is in short supply.
Marquette was a French missionary and Joliet a fur trader and explorer. Together they set out to find the direction and origin of the Mississippi River, ultimately exploring most of the distance between the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico! Historical information and high-interest fact boxes are presented in an appealing tabloid style that guides readers through major voyages, explorations, and discoveries. Topics include why the French wanted to explore North America, the fur trade, meetings with local peoples such as the Illinois and Mascouten, relations between France and Spain in the Americas, and what became of the two men after their journey.
This fascinating book follows the travels of the Spanish conquistador Francisco Vasquez de Coronado on his quest to find the fabled Cities of Gold in what is now the Southwestern United States. Historical information and high-interest fact boxes are presented in an appealing tabloid style that guides readers through major voyages, explorations, and discoveries. Topics include why the Spaniards sent Coronado into the Southwest, deadly clashes with the Pueblo peoples, the first European sighting of the Grand Canyon and the Great Plains, and Coronado's eventual disappointment and disgrace.
Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto is known for leading the first European expedition to discover - and cross - the Mississippi River. This intriguing book describes his career beginning with being a leader in the Spanish conquests of Central America and Peru, making first contact with the Inca emperor Atahuallpa, and being made the governor of Cuba. He was also a fierce and controversial explorer, who was involved in many conflicts with the Native Americans who lived in the lands he explored and conquered.
This fascinating book follows the expeditions in Africa of Scottish missionary David Livingstone, to find the source of the Nile River, and British-American journalist Henry Stanley, to find the lost Livingstone. Historical information and high-interest fact boxes are presented in an appealing tabloid style that guides readers through major journeys, explorations, and discoveries. Topics include why Europeans were eager to explore Africa, how Livingstone lost touch with the outside world, Stanley's mission to find Livingstone, contact with local African peoples and Arab slave traders, and Livingstone's eventual death.
Courageous Malala Yousafzai survived an assassination attempt for advocating for the education of girls in her home country of Pakistan. This book describes her incredible story, including her advocacy work on behalf of women and girls on an international scale following her attack, and how she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize - all while she was still in her teens. Young readers will discover how important her parents' support has been to the young activist and gain an understanding of the culture in which Yousafzai was raised. The world can always use more positive female role models, and Yousafzai's youth and forthrightness make it easy for young readers to relate to her.
An important advocate for people with physical disabilities, Canadian Paralympic athlete Rick Hansen circled the world in his wheelchair, proving that, with perseverance and courage, anything is possible! Hansen's Man in Motion tour took him around the world, raising money for research to improve the lives of those who have disabilities. This inspiring book describes his remarkable story as an athlete, activist, and philanthropist. An example of determination for many people around the world, his commitment to making a difference continues today.
American Temple Grandin is a renowned scientist, champion for animal rights, and an advocate for people with autism. This book highlights the achievements of this inspirational woman who lives with high-functioning autism. Grandin overcame language and social challenges to become one of the world’s most influential minds in animal welfare and in autism education, exposing the incredible, and sometimes unacknowledged, potential of people who have special needs. Primary sources, sidebars, and discussion and writing prompts highlight her remarkable story.
The first African American woman to travel in space, Mae Jemison has broken barriers in science and medicine to become one of the most admired women worldwide. This fascinating book describes how Jemison refused to let anyone stand in the way of her dreams. She became a doctor and worked in the Peace Corps until NASA invited her to join the astronaut program. Today, she is an important advocate for science in education - especially for girls and women. Jemison also continues to push scientific research to improve life in developing countries.
When doctors told her parents that she may never walk again, no one could have imagined that Wilma Rudolph would grow up to become the world’s fastest woman. This awe-inspiring book shows how, with grace, perseverance, and dedication, young Wilma used her inner strength to overcome physical disabilities caused by polio to win three gold medals for the USA in track and field at the 1960 Olympics. A sports superstar and an icon worldwide, her legacy continues to inspire youth and African-American communities today.
Imagine your family had to choose between sending you to school or having enough food to eat. This book tells how William Kamkwamba was forced to drop out of his school in Wimbe, Malawi, when a famine struck his village and his family, who relied on farming, could no longer afford his tuition fee. Instead of giving up on his education, William visited his local library often. It was here that he read a book about wind power. At the age of 14, William used what he learned from the book to build a windmill that brought power to his family’s home. He has since built his village’s first drinking water pump. William’s ingenuity, perseverance, and initiative are an inspiration to many people around the world.
In this inviting book, young readers discover ways to practice democratic principles in their schools and classrooms. Accessible, child-centered examples demonstrate key skills and practices including active listening, consensus-building, and voting procedures. Readers will also learn ways to clearly communicate their own points of view while showing respect for others’ perspectives.
Good citizens take an active role in making their communities better places to live. This motivating book provides several practical examples of ways young readers can demonstrate that they care about their communities. From helping to care for community gardens to participating in community clean-up events, readers will learn the value of becoming active citizens in their communities.
This engaging title explains the need for and purpose of rules in different settings, including in a classroom, at school, and in a community. Young readers will discover how rules and laws keep people safe and help make sure people are treated fairly. Familiar laws are introduced with an explanation of who makes them and why they are important.
What does it mean to be a citizen? Accessible text and relatable examples introduce young readers to this core concept and highlight the rights and responsibilities all citizens share.
Motivating text and real-world examples introduce readers to the concept of community service. Readers will discover ways that people in communities can work together to solve problems and create positive change. Inspiring stories that show children participating in civic action will empower and encourage young readers to believe in their own abilities to make a difference.
Appealing text and supportive images introduce young readers to democratic principles, including fairness, equality, and respect for legitimate authority and rules. Young readers will also learn the basic concepts of how a democracy works.
Earth's surface is constantly being changed by heat, water, ice, salt, plants, and animals. Sometimes the changes are destructive to human activities such as farming and the building of structures. This interesting title shows the different ways people try to stop or reduce this change in the land. Examples feature such structures as dikes to hold back water and windbreaks, and adding shrubs, grass, and trees to an area of land to prevent erosion. Teacher’s guide available.
Animals are endangered in many kinds of habitats and for different reasons. This intriguing book looks at why some animals have become endangered due to changes in their habitat. Examples include animals in the Arctic that rely on ice for hunting face the challenge of melting ice due to climate change, the populations of animals born only on particular islands and nowhere else are shrinking, and many kinds of ocean animals are being poisoned by water pollution. Ideas are included to encourage readers to help protect these endangered animals and their habitats.
Everybody has the right to keep somethings private! This carefully crafted book helps children understand what things should be kept private and what shouldn’t to help keep them safe.
It is important for young children to gain an understanding of who they are and how each individual is unique. This clever book helps define identity in simple terms, even when dealing with seemingly difficult concepts such as gender and belonging.
Rules are a fact of life. Knowing why they are useful can help children make the right choices. With a focus on safety, this title discusses freedom and the consequences of breaking rules, norms, and laws.
