Janey Levy

Some mammals are cute and cuddly, while others are really strange. This information-rich title explores some of the oddest mammals around, including the naked mole rat, tarsiers, platypuses, and more. Written to support elementary science curricula, this age-appropriate text explores adaptations and survival, animal behavior, life cycles, and habitats. Readers will understand why adaptations are important and how they help mammals survive. Sidebars, colorful photographs, and age-appropriate text make this book a perfect choice for young readers interested in learning more about the animal kingdom.

Who were the earliest Americans? When, how, and from where did they enter and spread across the continent? What is their relationship to modern Native Americans? Anthropologists develop theories to answer these questions based on the evidence they discover. Their theories, and the discoveries that prove and disprove them, are highlighted in this fascinating volume. It is full of awe-inspiring facts and incredible breakthroughs. Readers will feel like anthropologists and archaeologists themselves as they read about bones and artifacts, and what they reveal about the ancient cultures that roamed North America, more than 13,000 years ago.

Mount Vernon, which was George Washington's residence, holds a special place in American history and in the hearts of many Americans. Its history of slavery has remained largely hidden until recently. That's because it's difficult to accept the contradiction of a Founding Father who fought for liberty, but engaged in the practice of slavery. This thought-provoking volume uses the discoveries of archaeologists as well as the writings of Washington himself to shed light on the lives of the slaves who dwelled on this land. Readers will especially appreciate the illustrative photographs and enlightening sidebars and fact boxes.

Who were the earliest Americans? When, how, and from where did they enter and spread across the continent? And what is their relationship to modern Native Americans? Anthropologists develop theories to answer these questions based on the evidence they discover. Their theories--and the discoveries that prove and disprove them--are highlighted in this fascinating volume, full of awe-inspiring facts and incredible breakthroughs. Readers will feel like anthropologists and archaeologists themselves as they read about bones and artifacts, and what they reveal about the ancient cultures that roamed North America, some more than 13,000 years ago

What drove the Maya economy? What kinds of goods did people create and trade? Readers gain insight into these questions and more as they explore ancient Maya economic systems. This book provides archaeological evidence about the goods and services that existed in the Maya civilization through primary sources. Photographs of artifacts and ruins, paired with artwork and engaging text, provide readers with a well-rounded understanding of this ancient yet advanced economy.

The native peoples of the northwest coast are often known by the totem poles they create. Made from cedar trees, totem poles were painted bright colors and featured both animal and human forms. Why these amazing pieces of art are created is just one of the interesting details readers will learn about the many native peoples who lived in modern-day Alaska, Oregon, Washington, northern California, and British Columbia. The main content features many social studies curriculum topics, including customs, clothing, and spirituality of native peoples. Full-color photographs and historical images enhance each chapter as specific native groups are highlighted throughout the book.

There are stories of meat-eating plants, but are they really true? Yes Plants are just as freaky as animals in many ways. This book dives into jungles, forests, and fields all over the world that contain some of the wildest plants on the planet. From Venus flytraps and pitcher plants to a plant that smells like a rotting corpse, these organisms are as diverse as they are weird. Toxic mosses and poisonous plants like the New Zealand tree nettle show that plants can be just as dangerous--and freaky--as anything in the animal kingdom.

What drove the Maya economy? What kinds of goods did people create and trade? Readers gain insight into these questions and more as they explore ancient Maya economic systems. This book provides archaeological evidence about the goods and services that existed in the Maya civilization through primary sources. Photographs of artifacts and ruins, paired with artwork and engaging text, provide readers with a well-rounded understanding of this ancient yet advanced economy.

The native peoples of the northwest coast are often known by the totem poles they create. Made from cedar trees, totem poles were painted bright colors and featured both animal and human forms. Why these amazing pieces of art are created is just one of the interesting details readers will learn about the many native peoples who lived in modern-day Alaska, Oregon, Washington, northern California, and British Columbia. The main content features many social studies curriculum topics, including customs, clothing, and spirituality of native peoples. Full-color photographs and historical images enhance each chapter as specific native groups are highlighted throughout the book.

The rallying cry "Remember the Alamo" is famous, but how much does the average person actually know about the Texas mission and the 1836 battle that took place there? This volume traces the Alamo's history, from the Native American peoples who lived in the area when the mission was first built through the continuing efforts to preserve the historic site. Particular attention is paid to the Battle of the Alamo and how the bravery of its defenders inspired Texans during the Texas War of Independence. A timeline, primary resource transcriptions, and a wealth of primary-source images enhance the educational experience.

The plague, aptly known as the Black Death, swept through Europe in the 1300s, killing more than 20 million people. Not only deadly but incredibly painful, the disease was characterized by black boils all over the body that oozed blood and pus. While providing more details about the plague, this book, an asset to any social studies collection, also addresses where the lethal outbreak originated and whether it could return. Aided by striking illustrations, sidebars, and fact boxes, readers will discover the conditions in the Middle Ages that made it possible for such an appalling disease to spread so easily.

In AD 79, the residents of the booming Roman city of Pompeii were shocked when a nearby mountain exploded, releasing superhot ash, rock, and gas on the surrounding areas. What happens next is the extraordinary account of a volcano in action. Though the people who didn't flee Pompeii were doomed, the volcano preserved their remains, allowing us to better understand a fascinating time in the Roman Empire. Astonishing photographs of Pompeii, primary source records of the occurrence, and riveting text are just some highlights of this high-interest volume.

In AD 79, the residents of the booming Roman city of Pompeii were shocked when a nearby mountain exploded, releasing superhot ash, rock, and gas on the surrounding areas. What happens next is the extraordinary account of a volcano in action. Though the people who didn't flee Pompeii were doomed, the volcano preserved their remains, allowing us to better understand a fascinating time in the Roman Empire. Astonishing photographs of Pompeii, primary source records of the occurrence, and riveting text are just some highlights of this high-interest volume.

During the Middle Ages, women often did backbreaking work. Whether they were weaving their own cloth to make clothing or helping their husbands in the fields, medieval women worked hard--and so, often didn't live past age 40 Fascinating facts like this engage readers with women's lives during an important historical period. Full-color photographs and historical images illustrate the daily life of both peasants and noblewomen, as readers are introduced to Fiery Joanna, Joan of Arc, and other powerful, role-challenging women of the Middle Ages.

In AD 79, the residents of the booming Roman city of Pompeii were shocked when a nearby mountain exploded, releasing superhot ash, rock, and gas on the surrounding areas. What happens next is the extraordinary account of a volcano in action. Though the people who didn't flee Pompeii were doomed, the volcano preserved their remains, allowing us to better understand a fascinating time in the Roman Empire. Astonishing photographs of Pompeii, primary source records of the occurrence, and riveting text are just some highlights of this high-interest volume.

The plague, aptly known as the Black Death, swept through Europe in the 1300s, killing more than 20 million people. Not only deadly but incredibly painful, the disease was characterized by black boils all over the body that oozed blood and pus. While providing more details about the plague, this book, an asset to any social studies collection, also addresses where the lethal outbreak originated and whether it could return. Aided by striking illustrations, sidebars, and fact boxes, readers will discover the conditions in the Middle Ages that made it possible for such an appalling disease to spread so easily.

If we could take a trip to the center of the Earth, what would we find? In this amazing book readers can do just that with the help of a special ship that can handle the extreme heat and pressure deep beneath Earth's crust. Digging through a few miles of the crust is just the start of the nearly 4,000-mile journey to Earth's core. Readers might be surprised to find that not all of the trip is through solid rock, as the intense heat does strange and amazing things to the material that makes up our planet

If we could take a trip to the center of the Earth, what would we find? In this amazing book readers can do just that with the help of a special ship that can handle the extreme heat and pressure deep beneath Earth's crust. Digging through a few miles of the crust is just the start of the nearly 4,000-mile journey to Earth's core. Readers might be surprised to find that not all of the trip is through solid rock, as the intense heat does strange and amazing things to the material that makes up our planet.

The journey of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark across the newly acquired Louisiana Territory from 1804 to 1806 was truly extraordinary. It's best explained using the journals of these two explorers. In this book, primary source materials were carefully chosen to highlight the most interesting and exciting parts of the adventure. Maps, sidebars, and fact boxes highlight many of the exploits of the Corps of Discovery.

Australia, or the "Land Down Under," is an exotic place. Thousands of plants and animals can be found only on this continent, and its famous Outback is so hot and dry that almost no one lives there. Readers will enjoy traveling into the bush through the colorful images in this book as they learn about the geography, population, and natural resources of Australia with the help of detailed maps. Including an introduction to the continent's regions as well as some history of its settlement, the content of this book will be an excellent complement to the social studies curriculum. Fact boxes add even more fascinating information about the only continent that is also a single country.