Daniel E. Harmon

A first car is a young person's ticket to independence and responsibility. A lot is involved in the process of this purchase: how to decide what to buy, what is affordable, how much may be owed in taxes, and what the insurance options are. This information-packed volume helps readers learn how to negotiate the purchase price, whether they are entitled to a warranty, and how to get a loan. Tips include the particulars of service contracts, fuel conservation, hybrid options, and how to maintain the vehicle. Smart cars, cycles, scooters, and other non-car options round out the final chapter of this informative volume.

Earning money at a job for the first time is an exciting step on the road to adulthood. Taking the steps necessary to getting that job and learning how to function as an employee make this a valuable experience. Teens soon realize that their paychecks may quickly disappear when spent on new technology, clothing, entertainment, and other things. This informative volume guides readers through finding work, understanding pay scales and benefits, and learning about hours and schedules. Advice on how to budget and save and what to expect when it comes to taxes round out what to expect from the employment process.

The sudden arrival of a "harbor wave" in a crowded seaport has terrified coastal residents for centuries. Tsunamis are among the deadliest natural catastrophes, in some cases killing thousands of people in a matter of minutes. Readers will learn how tsunamis develop, what kinds of damage they cause, and how scientists are using warning systems to give people more time to flee disaster. Some of the deadliest tsunamis in history, including the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, are also discussed.

The sudden arrival of a "harbor wave" in a crowded seaport has terrified coastal residents for centuries. Tsunamis are among the deadliest natural catastrophes, in some cases killing thousands of people in a matter of minutes. Readers will learn how tsunamis develop, what kinds of damage they cause, and how scientists are using warning systems to give people more time to flee disaster. Some of the deadliest tsunamis in history, including the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, are also discussed.

Millions of people are calorie-conscious. They measure the number of estimated calories contained in their meals primarily because they wish to lose weight or avoid gaining it. But many of these people miss the big picture, the fact that regular exercise is as important as caloric discipline. This book explains the ins and outs of calories for young children. It describes the sources of calories, daily calorie needs, the meaning of "empty" calories, and the problems that can result if someone eats too many of them. Your readers will understand the need to balance caloric intake with exercise.

Fatty foods are worrisome to health professionals and consumers alike, and for good reason. Obesity rates are alarming, and people of all ages struggle to control their weight. Many fail to understand, though, that fats are necessary for growth and for maintaining healthy bodies. They cushion and protect vital organs and store reserves of energy. This volume explains for young children both the positive and negative aspects of fat-containing foods. It differentiates the types of fats people consume, notes the links between fats and calories and fats and cholesterol, and addresses such issues as the dangers of dieting by fasting.

Millions of people are calorie-conscious. They measure the number of estimated calories contained in their meals primarily because they wish to lose weight or avoid gaining it. But many of these people miss the big picture, the fact that regular exercise is as important as caloric discipline. This book explains the ins and outs of calories for young children. It describes the sources of calories, daily calorie needs, the meaning of empty calories, and the problems that can result if someone eats too many of them. Your readers will understand the need to balance caloric intake with exercise.

Fatty foods are worrisome to health professionals and consumers alike, and for good reason. Obesity rates are alarming, and people of all ages struggle to control their weight. Many fail to understand, though, that fats are necessary for growth and for maintaining healthy bodies. They cushion and protect vital organs and store reserves of energy. This volume explains for young children both the positive and negative aspects of fat-containing foods. It differentiates the types of fats people consume, notes the links between fats and calories and fats and cholesterol, and addresses such issues as the dangers of dieting by fasting.

Carbohydrates are the body's primary energy providers. Written for young children, this book discusses the main forms of carbs, how they are created, and why they are important. It explains the differences between simple and complex carbohydrates and between monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. It details how carbs are broken down in the digestive system into units small enough to be distributed through the bloodstream, absorbed by cells, and converted into energy. Other subjects investigated are carb loading, major and minor health problems caused by carbs, and the importance of managing the consumption of different types of carbohydrates.

A career path devoting to servicing mental health patients is a challenging and rewarding sector of health care. Patients are of all ages, backgrounds, and circumstances. Some suffer from clinical disorders, others from the consequences of traumatic events in their lives or of long-term problems at home, in school, or at work. Careers described in this practical guide include psychiatrist, psychologist, mental health counselor, social worker, counselor in behavioral disorders, rehabilitation counselor, psychiatric technician, and aide, among related vocations. Some careers require medical degrees, others only a high school diploma with postsecondary training.

Johannes Kepler was just twenty-three years old when he became a teacher of mathematics and astronomy at the university in Graz, Austria, in 1594. For the next thirty-five years, his intensive research based on the theories of Nicolaus Copernicus resulted in astonishing new ideas on the physics of the solar system. Most important was his realization that the planets move in elliptical orbits. Kepler's laws greatly influenced the later findings of Sir Isaac Newton and other famous scientists. Kepler is considered one of the most important thinkers of the Scientific Revolution.

Ibn Battuta, a fourteenth-century Moroccan adventurer and religious scholar, was one of the most ambitious travelers of the Silk Road. Scholars estimate his lifelong journeys covered no fewer than 75,000 miles. Because of his knowledge of Muslim history and laws, he was greatly respected by the Muslim rulers he visited. His geographical records helped fill in the pieces of a mysterious world, a world in which people of different regions knew little or nothing about what lay over the horizon. It was Ibn Battuta, more than any other explorer of his era, who was able to make intra-cultural introductions.

Residential, commercial, and industrial roofing jobs and flooring carpentry tasks and materials, including green materials and the credentials needed for becoming a green roofer and floor installer, are investigated in this perceptive volume. Students learn about where to acquire basic carpentry skills and skills for using hand and power tools. Post-high school courses and degrees in business management and engineering are advantageous for advancing to supervisory positions or starting a new business. Sidebars include an interview with a contractor, the licensing requirements for independent contractors, and how to go about constructing a roof of a complex home design.

Police and other law enforcers are often seen around towns and cities, helping to keep the peace and enforcing the laws. This informative resource offers an overview of many of the common law-enforcement careers, from beat cops and investigators to security guards and probation officers. Each chapter provides insight into the exciting aspects of the job and brings to light any potential challenges, drudgery, and downsides. Readers will learn what steps to take during high school and after, including classes, internships, and college degrees. This book will get readers started learning about careers in law enforcement that keep every community running smoothly.

With the capture of high-profile terrorists like Osama Bin Laden and accused Boston Marathon bombers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, military intelligence work is frequently in the headlines. This captivating book discusses the differences between information and intelligence, answering many questions about what intelligence work involves and some of the tools and technology that are put to use. It delves into the history of military intelligence, starting with Revolutionary War-era spy efforts, and continues to the tech-heavy weapons and intelligence tools common today. Readers will find it hard to put down this fascinating book of mystery and intrigue.

Marketing and PR professionals are trained to effectively communicate a seller's message to a buying public. These professionals work in community relations, public and media relations, government relations, investor relations, corporate communications, marketing communications, public affairs, advertising, writing, editing, training and teaching, photography and video production, graphic design, and human resources. This comprehensive volume presents young people with exciting, diverse career opportunities to consider. Marketing campaigns, running a marketing firm, client relations, connecting with the community, putting together a resume, working as a freelancer, pitching a client, and business-building strategies are just some of the topics covered in this all-inclusive career guide.

In many parts of the world, people can not only smell the air around them, but also see it and even feel it. Air is so thick with pollutants in certain areas that astronauts in space have seen and photographed it without magnification. Smoke does not simply disappear; it lingers in the atmosphere until natural processes eliminate it. One method of natural process is that trees and other plants are structured so that they absorb pollutants. The bad news is that companies are reducing plant habitats for their timber and land area. Readers learn that new pollutants are entering the atmosphere, both natural and man-made. Natural air pollutants include volcanic eruptions as well as wildfires. Hospitals have been overwhelmed by thousands of patients with respiratory problems. This graphic account explores the causes of pollution and its effects on the lungs. It looks at what is being done to address the pollution problem and ways in which readers can contribute to solutions.

In many parts of the world, people can not only smell the air around them, but also see it and even feel it. Air is so thick with pollutants in certain areas that astronauts in space have seen and photographed it without magnification. Smoke does not simply disappear; it lingers in the atmosphere until natural processes eliminate it. One method of natural process is that trees and other plants are structured so that they absorb pollutants. The bad news is that companies are reducing plant habitats for their timber and land area. Readers learn that new pollutants are entering the atmosphere, both natural and man-made. Natural air pollutants include volcanic eruptions as well as wildfires. Hospitals have been overwhelmed by thousands of patients with respiratory problems. This graphic account explores the causes of pollution and its effects on the lungs. It looks at what is being done to address the pollution problem and ways in which readers can contribute to solutions.

Students learn that internships and volunteer positions can give them a foot in the door for permanent employment in math or science careers. They discover that these opportunities can provide options for sampling different careers and perhaps discover those vocations are not what they anticipated. Intern and volunteer positions are excellent platforms for testing the waters and determining which career will be most satisfactory for their life's work. Readers gain tools for developing a mission statement, exploring print and online sources for finding openings in science and math, and applying for those positions. They also learn about creating a positive digital footprint now so they can present themselves as serious job candidates in the future. Some of the volunteer and intern possibilities that are covered include: zoos, aquariums, local companies, websites, labs and research facilities, the robotics industry, aeronautics, and the chemical engineering, energy, and pharmaceuticals industries.