Etienne is a former child soldier from the Democratic Republic of Congo with a secret fear he will never be safe. His father and brother are missing and presumed dead. After he escapes his captors, his mother decides they have lost enough. They are lucky enough to have family in Canada and are reunited with them as refugees. The story is interspersed with facts about the trauma some refugees deal with and the uncertain welcome from countries struggling with opposition to refugees.
Andre's family was resettled in Ecuador after rebels stormed their village in Colombia. Although they were safe, life wasn’t easy and Andre’s father had a hard time finding work. Suffering discrimination in their country of refuge, and with the situation improved in Colombia since the 2016 peace deal, his family makes the decision to return home. There, they work hard to regain their life and are reunited with a brother and son who had been taken by rebels. Readers get vital insight into how some refugees return to their homelands when—and if—it is safe to do so.
Pollution is seriously damaging our planet. Human activity and waste are harming the environment by polluting the air, water, and land. Discover the facts about where pollution comes from, where garbage really goes after we throw it away, and how we can reduce waste.
Human overpopulation is putting pressure on our planet and its natural resources.The more people there are, the more resources are consumed, harming the environment and depleting the world's supplies. Discover the facts about the world's growing population, which countries have the highest and lowest birth rates, and how overpopulation affects climate change.
Natural resources on Earth are at risk of running out. Using too many natural resources, such as water, trees, and fossil fuels, is putting pressure on our supplies and damaging the environment. Discover the facts about how resources are used around the world, which resources are renewable and non-renewable, and what the future of natural resource management looks like.
Our modern world runs on energy to power our homes and industries. We all know the problems with burning fossil fuels to create energy— it pollutes the planet and we are running out of these resources. Discover the facts about renewable and non-renewable energy resources, how our energy use contributes to global warming, and what the future of energy looks like.
Climate change is reshaping the planet before our eyes. From melting ice caps and rising sea levels to drought and destructive hurricanes, no corner of Earth is protected from the effects of global warming. Discover the facts about what climate change is doing—and will continue to do—to our planet, and how we might reduce its impact.
The huge variety of plants and animals that live on Earth is called biodiversity. As ecosystems are destroyed by climate change and human activity, plants and animals are becoming endangered and even extinct. Find out how the loss of biodiversity affects food chains and natural habitats, why it is important to humans, and how its loss threatens the health of all living things on the planet.
Native to several mountain ranges and plateaus in south Asia and eastern Europe, the snow leopard has been threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and a reduced food source. Learn how collaborative programs across borders and with local people have helped the species populations in some areas remain steady, and also benefit the big cat's main food source, wild sheep and goats, whose numbers are reduced by hunters and competition for grazing from livestock.
The lesser long-nosed bat became the first bat species to be removed from the US endangered species list due to population recovery. This mammal plays a vital role as a pollinator in desert ecosystems in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Readers will learn about the collaborative efforts between the two countries, conservationists, tequila producers, and citizen scientists that are bringing back not only the lesser long-nosed bat, but the plants they rely on for food.
The black-footed ferret was once listed as extinct on the prairies of North America. Its population had been devastated by a disease that also reduced its main food source—prairie dogs. This book tells the fascinating story of the black-footed ferret's rediscovery in 1981 by a dog in Wyoming. Readers will learn how the find inspired a captive breeding program that is restoring not only this prairie species to the wild, but its essential food source as well, the prairie dog.
Does bottled water do more harm than good? Should clear-cutting for agriculture be allowed? Every day, we hear arguments about environmental issues in the media. This book gives readers the tools to make sense of and evaluate some of these arguments. Using relatable and accessible environment-related examples, this book introduces readers to the parts of an effective argument and prompts them to use the knowledge they have gained to evaluate the effectiveness of arguments on opposing sides of the issues.
Is constant access to technology safe for children? Should driverless vehicles replace human-controlled cars? Every day, we hear arguments about technology issues in the media. This book gives readers the tools to make sense of and evaluate some of these arguments. Using three relatable and accessible technology-related examples, this book introduces readers to the parts of an effective argument and prompts them to use the knowledge they have gained to evaluate the effectiveness of arguments on opposing sides of the issues.
Should athletes who used performance-enhancing drugs be stripped of their medals? Can video games help build important skills? Every day, we hear arguments about issues in sports and entertainment in the media. This book gives readers the tools to make sense of and evaluate some of these arguments. Using three relatable and accessible examples, this book introduces readers to the parts of an effective argument and prompts them to use the knowledge they have gained to evaluate the effectiveness of arguments on opposing sides of the issues.
Should an age restriction be placed on buying junk food? Are genetically modified foods safe to eat? Every day, we hear arguments about food issues in the media. This book gives readers the tools to make sense of and evaluate some of these arguments. Using three relatable and accessible food-related examples, this book introduces readers to the parts of an effective argument and prompts them to use the knowledge they have gained to evaluate the effectiveness of arguments on opposing sides of the issues.
Are science and math subjects more important than arts subjects? Should students be required to complete homework during their personal time? Every day, we hear arguments about education issues in the media. This book gives readers the tools to make sense of and evaluate some of these arguments. Using three relatable and accessible education-related examples, this book introduces readers to the parts of an effective argument and prompts them to use the knowledge they have gained to evaluate the effectiveness of arguments on opposing sides of the issues.
Should animals be kept in zoos? Is it okay to use animals for entertainment in circuses or rodeos? Every day, we hear arguments about animal issues in the media. This book gives readers the tools to make sense of and evaluate some of these arguments. Using three relatable and accessible animal-related examples, this book introduces readers to the parts of an effective argument and prompts them to use the knowledge they have gained to evaluate the effectiveness of arguments on opposing sides of the issues.
This highly relevant title examines terrorism in its different forms, from cyber attacks to bombings and state terrorism. Extremism and the ways in which people are convinced to believe extreme points of view are explained, balanced with information on how to combat radicalization. Historic and contemporary examples of terrorism also give readers context.
This title introduces basic concepts related to exchange and markets, including how communities meet challenges caused by scarcity, and factors that influence pricing. Readers are encouraged to look for examples of the goods and services produced and provided in their local communities.
Martinez longs for the happy, stable home he had in Guatemala—before gang violence forced them to flee to Mexico. And now, he is being uprooted again. His mother has decided they must return to Guatemala to take care of the extended family. Martinez is scared to return—but the love of his family and support of his new rural community in Guatemala gives him hope for a future without violence. Paired with facts about the instability in Guatemala and the experience of displaced persons there, Martinez’s story offers a unique look at the fear—and resilience—refugees experience when they must return home.
Sonita has been a refugee for her entire life. Born in a refugee camp in Pakistan, Sonita had never seen her family’s homeland of Afghanistan—until, faced with discrimination in Pakistan and possible deportation, her parents decided to return. But despite the end of the war, Afghanistan is not the home Sonita’s parents and sister remember. Sonita must adjust to life in a homeland she has never known, and work hard to survive and thrive in a country still full of conflict and insecurity. Interwoven with facts about the conflict in Afghanistan, Sonita’s story gives a look at the experiences of Afghan refugees forced to return to a home that no longer exists.
After fleeing civil war in Yemen, Sahar knows that she and her family are lucky to have escaped the violence and survived the trip to Toronto, Canada. Although she still has nightmares about bombings and losing her baby brother—Sahar cannot believe how quickly her English is improving, and how much fun she had trick-or-treating on Halloween for the first time. Paired with facts about the current situation in Yemen and how different countries work to welcome and support refugees, Sahar’s story gives insight on a refugee’s life in a new country.
Roj and his family have lived in Germany for three years after fleeing civil war in Syria. Although his family faces discrimination from some in their small village, and hearing news about home from friends and family can be sad, Roj’s dreams for the future are high as he faces each new challenge with hope and resilience. Interspersed with facts about the current situation in Syria and the experiences of Syrian refugees in different countries, Roj’s story offers a window into the complex and ongoing journey of refugees as they adjust to their new homes.
Memories of fleeing war in Iraq, living in the refugee camp in Jordan, and the scary journey to the United States now seem far away to Zainab. But every day, as she attends school, plays sports, and participates in community groups in her new home in Dearborn, Michigan, she is aware that she will always be part of two cultures. Interwoven with facts about Iraq’s conflict and the experiences of Iraqi refugees around the world, Zainab’s story offers a thoughtful and unique look at the challenges—and triumphs—faced and experienced by refugees in their new homes.
Syed was forced to flee his homeland of Myanmar because of extreme violence and persecution against the Rohingya minority. After traveling by boat to Malaysia to meet up with his brother, Nazir, Syed must survive “underground” in a country in which he is not welcome. Interwoven with facts about the Rohingya humanitarian crisis and how refugees survive in countries such as Malaysia, Syed’s story sheds light on the plight of Rohingya refugees around the world.
