Heather Moore Niver

Almost no one can resist the compulsion to start tapping their feet or snapping their fingers when a good song comes on the radio. Almost every young reader has been hearing songs since they were born. This book introduces the fundamental aspects of songs, paired with examples both new and familiar, from common songs they likely know to new, different songs from around the world. Eye-catching photographs help reinforce the text. This insightful book will get readers excited to explore more songs, and maybe even begin writing their own.

When you consider the fact that some of the plays written in Ancient Greece, 2,000 years ago, are still performed today, the importance of this genre really hits home. This simple yet insightful overview of plays offers readers a vibrant introduction that is bound to get them interested in learning more. Lively text is paired with vivid photographs to keep readers engaged. Carefully selected examples pertinent to the age group will encourage them not only to explore the plays on their own but to use these sources as a springboard to a lifetime of appreciating this long-lived art.

Baby kangaroos have an interesting life from the time they are born. Readers will be engrossed by the lives of these fabulous, bouncing marsupial babies. Vibrant photographs accompany lively text and facts to teach readers all about the unique way kangaroos are raised and fed in the characteristic marsupial pouch. The text also teaches readers about basic kangaroo facts, including their amazing jumping abilities, they can jump far and fast, and the importance of their tails when it comes time to leap and balance.

Bear cubs are super cute when they tumble and play, but this play with each other and their mothers actually teaches them how to survive on their own one day. Fun facts round out their story, and vibrant photographs show baby bears as they grow up, learning to forage, hunt, and defend themselves. Readers will learn all about the lives of bear cubs as they grow from helpless, hairless babies into adults ready to face the wild world.

True stories often make for the most fascinating stories. This lively text will interest and engage students while teaching them all about the wide and sometimes wild world of nonfiction. Readers will learn what defines nonfiction, with age-appropriate examples and authors to pique their interest, such as Eric Carle. They will be intrigued by the wide variety within this one area of literature, and learn about some basic parts of a book, such as table of contents, glossary, and the index. A thought-provoking final activity challenges readers to research and write their own work of nonfiction.

When you consider the fact that some of the plays written in Ancient Greece, 2,000 years ago, are still performed today, the importance of this genre really hits home. This simple yet insightful overview of plays offers readers a vibrant introduction that is bound to get them interested in learning more. Lively text is paired with vivid photographs to keep readers engaged. Carefully selected examples pertinent to the age group will encourage them not only to explore the plays on their own but to use these sources as a springboard to a lifetime of appreciating this long-lived art.

The idea of the Roaring '20s conjures up images of speakeasies, women with short, saucy hairdos, and hot jazz. Readers will learn about the historical events that define this decade, including the devastating war that preceded it. An explanation about project-based learning will help readers understand how it can help them research their topic in unique and interesting ways. Constructive suggestions offer ideas for projects, while encouraging readers to take their studies in new and interesting directions.

The Civil Rights Movement changed the face of America when it commenced back in the 1950s, but racism is still a contentious reality in the twenty-first century. Readers will get a thorough review of the movement, its major players, and the lasting effects it had on the country. They'll also learn what project-based learning entails, and how they can put it to use. Hands-on project suggestions encourage readers to think creatively as well as analytically about the Civil Rights Movement, while allowing them more flexibility in how they approach it.

The idea of the Roaring '20s conjures up images of speakeasies, women with short, saucy hairdos, and hot jazz. Readers will learn about the historical events that define this decade, including the devastating war that preceded it. An explanation about project-based learning will help readers understand how it can help them research their topic in unique and interesting ways. Constructive suggestions offer ideas for projects, while encouraging readers to take their studies in new and interesting directions.

The Civil Rights Movement changed the face of America when it commenced back in the 1950s, but racism is still a contentious reality in the twenty-first century. Readers will get a thorough review of the movement, its major players, and the lasting effects it had on the country. They'll also learn what project-based learning entails, and how they can put it to use. Hands-on project suggestions encourage readers to think creatively as well as analytically about the Civil Rights Movement, while allowing them more flexibility in how they approach it.

The Civil Rights Movement changed the face of America when it commenced back in the 1950s, but racism is still a contentious reality in the twenty-first century. Readers will get a thorough review of the movement, its major players, and the lasting effects it had on the country. They'll also learn what project-based learning entails, and how they can put it to use. Hands-on project suggestions encourage readers to think creatively as well as analytically about the Civil Rights Movement, while allowing them more flexibility in how they approach it.

True stories often make for the most fascinating stories. This lively text will interest and engage students while teaching them all about the wide and sometimes wild world of nonfiction. Readers will learn what defines nonfiction, with age-appropriate examples and authors to pique their interest, such as Eric Carle. They will be intrigued by the wide variety within this one area of literature, and learn about some basic parts of a book, such as table of contents, glossary, and the index. A thought-provoking final activity challenges readers to research and write their own work of nonfiction.

Count Dracula strikes a memorable figure with his dark swooping cape, pale skin, and gleaming sharp teeth. He has lurked in the shadows of fiction as well as film, giving more than a few people goosebumps through the years. Author Bram Stoker certainly made this image of Dracula popular, but this illuminating resource will shed light on the flesh-and-blood origins of the creepy count. Fast facts also flesh out the alluring lore that has contributed to the image of the vampire, which is so common today.

Networking is the process of building up your social and professional connections in order to advance your career and/or to strengthen your community. For young women in particular, networking is a useful skill to know in order to chart a path through adulthood, whether through choosing a college, finding a first job or internship, or even meeting new friends. This text guides readers through the process of networking with a focus on how to cultivate useful social skills. It incudes a glossary, a "For More Information" section, and suggestions for additional research to guide students in their reading.

Musician Taylor Swift has written music that puts her heart on the page, but even at a young age, Swift was clearly more than a lovelorn songwriter. This vibrant biography offers a glimpse into the musical celebrity's life, her childhood, her rise to fame, and her impressive accomplishments along the way. Readers will learn about her staunch stance on how she is photographed, her support of other female musicians, and her giving spirit. Quotes straight from Swift's lips further inspire the fan and budding musician alike.

The largest animal to walk our Earth, the elephant, is a sight to see, whether it's in the wild or a zoo. But did you know that they are actually a lot like us humans? Readers will learn how this is especially true regarding emotions, such as tears. This instructive resource will engage readers with tales of elephant emotions, such as tears of the death of a family member and concern over another elephant. They will also learn about body language other than tears that indicates their sadness or other emotions. Full-page photos will help readers visualize what they are reading, while a "Words to Know" section will help them master new vocabulary.

The bald eagle is the national emblem of the United States. Unfortunately, the very people who made this bird into an icon also put it at risk of extinction. The bald eagle has been the victim of pesticide use, poaching, and habitat destruction. Thankfully, conservation efforts and the banning of DDT have helped eagle populations recuperate. Breaking down the history of the bald eagle's progress with a helpful timeline, this book educates readers about the issues facing our national symbol. They'll learn about the animal's unique ecological role in text accompanied by colorful photographs.

What lurked in Earth's oceans millions of years ago? This volume introduces readers to amazing marine fossils that have been found in oceans, creeks, lakes, and other areas that were once underwater. Readers will examine the fossils of ancient trilobites and other marine animals, as well as marine plants. They'll learn to think like a paleontologist as they discover the remains of prehistoric fish and marine dinosaurs. Color photographs, diagrams, and sidebars allow readers to connect with the text and expand their understanding of the ancient underwater world.

Through simple, fact-filled text and vivid photographs, readers will enjoy learning about this important American symbol, including why the bald eagle was chosen as the national bird, if Ben Franklin really wanted a turkey instead, and how the eagle on the Presidential Seal has changed over the years. A follow-up activity guides readers in researching other national symbols from around the world.

In 2015, scientists found 200-million-year-old fossil remains of a huge salamander-like amphibian, a "super salamander," that was a top predator of rivers and lakes. It might have even munched on early dinosaurs Young paleozoologists will love learning about these remarkable creatures that once lived on Earth as well as seeing imaginative images of what they might have looked like. They'll be amazed how such beasts change and adapt into the animals we know today.