Louise A. Spilsbury

Robotics is already used to protect people in cities all around the United States. As robot technology continues to grow, patrolling human police officers could someday be a thing of the past Humanoid robots might be rolling around city streets or heading into dangerous situations in place of police officers. From surveillance cameras to bomb disposal, the incredible robots already used in law enforcement will engage and surprise readers. The main text explains the real-life technology used today, and full-color photographs enhance the science and engineering content.

Emergency medical technicians are heroes on the move. As first responders, they have to stay calm and act quickly. They also need to operate complex equipment and do everything they can to save lives, all while under extreme pressure. Readers will get a glimpse at the exhilarating life of this heroic career, learning what it takes to be an EMT and what a typical day is like. This information-rich text covers training, specializations, certifications, and the steps necessary for getting involved in this career that counts. Readers will learn about the risks and rewards of being an EMT and are encouraged to think about if they, one day, could join their community's team of heroes. Fact boxes, sidebars, and helpful infographics provide opportunities for additional learning.

Police officers are some of our communities' most important people. These men and women put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe and protect the people living in them. Readers learn about the life of police officers and the tough and unique tasks they face. Readers will learn what it takes to become a police officer and the paths they can take to one day have a career in law enforcement. Specialized careers--such as crime scene investigators, detectives, and animal-focused jobs--are examined in depth. The text also covers high-interest topics such as police equipment, crime fighting, and the risks and rewards that accompany this career. The main text is enriched by instructive diagrams, informative sidebars, and helpful fact boxes.

NASA wouldn't know nearly as much about the planet Mars without space probes. A special kind of robot that can fly through space, space probes have gone to the asteroid belt and even traveled near Jupiter to take pictures of it Readers learn all about these incredible robots as well as other space technology including robotnauts, or robot astronauts Examples of the robots used in space are shown in full-color photographs, complete with explanations of their abilities. The main content and sidebars delve into the technological and scientific side of creating robots and how important they've become to space exploration.

Humanitarian aid workers dedicate their lives to helping people in need. They bring medicine, emergency supplies, and other kinds of disaster relief to countries affected by war, natural disasters, and poverty. Aid workers help refugees and also build infrastructure, hospitals, and schools in struggling nations. Readers will determine if this career is in their future after reading this text, which explores the heroic lives of these brave people. They'll learn about the challenges and rewards of this career and see how it impacts the global community. The text's age-appropriate content will inspire readers to do their part one day, while memorable images help readers visualize aid workers' important work. Fact boxes, sidebars, and diagrams further support this career-focused text.

Over time, the traits and actions that are best suited to prolonging animals' lives in a place are passed down, making them just normal parts of life. Migration, hibernation, stripes, and even the shape of a bird's beak are all adaptations to the environment an animal lives in. Through a colorful layout and up-close photographs, this volume introduces readers to some of the coolest adaptations in the animal kingdom, including how kangaroos keep cool by licking themselves and letting the moisture evaporate. Sidebars offer extra science content and fascinating facts to keep readers engaged throughout.

The Australian Christmas tree has lovely orange flowers, but don't be fooled by its pretty exterior. Once fully grown, this tree reaches its roots hundreds of feet out to grab surrounding plants' roots. It then takes the water and nutrients that plant needs to grow It's not the only deadly plant. From lilies' ability to kill cats to the huge thorns of the whistling thorn acacia, killer plants are found all over the world. Full-color photographs and detailed, understandable text present the oddities of these extreme plants to readers. They'll never look at a garden the same way again

All birds lay eggs, have feathers, and are warm-blooded. But even though they have these characteristics in common, birds are incredibly diverse in appearance, behaviors, and unique abilities. Giant wingspans, dizzying flying altitudes, and many more amazing facts are packed into this richly illustrated edition that brings the wonder of the skies to land-bound readers.

In this thought-provoking title, readers learn about the commercial journey behind their favorite clothing and how their own buying choices impact the world. Learn all about the supply chain, the conditions workers endure in sweatshops, and who makes money on the final purchase price of a garment.

As the 13 colonies grew, they prospered with new industries and trade. However, some of these trades, like tanning animal hides, were unpleasant. From slaves and indentured servants to "mad hatters" and risk-taking whalers, jobs in the colonies could be downright horrible. Readers will delight in viewing the colonial world through a different lens while they continue to learn about life in early America. Enhanced by detailed images, the social studies content augments classroom learning through true and bewildering facts and examples of making a living in the 13 colonies.

Even though natural disasters often seem inexplicable, this text takes these destructive events caused by forces of nature and describes the fundamental science behind their occurrences. Captivating diagrams and photographs show what natural disasters such as volcanoes, hurricanes, and avalanches look like, while text boxes encourage readers to compare and contrast the causes and outcomes of these devastating incidents. Information about historic natural disasters, as well as preparedness and rescue methods, benefits any reader who seeks to understand these global happenings.

Although rocks may initially seem like solid, unchanging substances, they are actually made up of minerals that change forms and get recycled through many different stages. This engaging book explores the rock cycle with diagrams and detailed photographs illustrating the movement of rocks through their various states, including magma-formed igneous rock, metamorphic rock such as marble, and layered sedimentary rocks that build up over time. Also covered are the scientific processes that cause rocks to change forms and the ways in which humans have benefitted from rock's surprising and constant transformations.

Water and the natural phases it moves through are fundamental aspects of earth science. The water cycle and each of its stages are presented in a precise and clear manner in this book, which also guides readers through the role that plants, animals, and people play in that cycle. Text boxes defining important terminology and vibrant photographs allow readers to take away exciting new information about the water we need to survive, and to understand how scientific concepts link up with the Common Core reading standards.

Arguably the most intelligent of nonhuman animals, chimpanzees are endlessly fascinating. Sadly, their population has been drastically reduced over the past 50 years. This book explains what makes these animals so interesting, the dangers they grapple with, and a number of conservationist efforts.

Approximately 90% of the humpback whale population has been lost due to excessive hunting throughout the twentieth century. Filled with details about the humpback whale's behavior and the threats they face every day, this book helps create a better understanding of and appreciation for these magnificent creatures.

Cheetahs may be the fastest animals on land, but they are unable to outrun the dangers that have brought them to the brink of extinction. Readers will learn all about cheetahs and the hardships they face, various conservation groups, and ways to aid these face-paced wonders.

Key biological terms are defined in a way that all readers can understand in this book that explains the essential concepts of life processes and how living and nonliving things relate to each other. The basics of feeding, respiration, waste, and reproduction, among other important activities that sustain living things, are explained in clear, simple language, with colorful photographs to illustrate them. Non-living things are defined and described, as well. Each section also includes text boxes that define key terms and reading comprehension activities with thought-provoking questions.

The ingredients for a quality narrative, informational, or opinion piece of writing are found in this thorough guide to the world of writing. Readers will examine the steps of crafting a well-written report as well as learn how fiction writers construct believable characters and helpful dialogue to keep their stories flowing. "Tips for Success" boxes and plenty of examples make this book an accessible and valuable tool for any writer's toolbox.

Key biological terms are defined in a way that all readers can understand in this book that explains the essential concepts of life processes and how living and nonliving things relate to each other. The basics of feeding, respiration, waste, and reproduction, among other important activities that sustain living things, are explained in clear, simple language, with colorful photographs to illustrate them. Non-living things are defined and described, as well. Each section also includes text boxes that define key terms and reading comprehension activities with thought-provoking questions.

Landform is the term used to describe the various features, shapes, and types of land that cover more than a quarter of the Earth's surface. Readers will find out about the variety of land formations found around the world including plains, mountains, canyons, and caves. Key information is highlighted in detailed captions, text boxes, and a glossary, all of which guide readers in connecting ideas about different landforms.