Janey Levy
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Thousands of years before Europeans reached the shores of the Americas, the ancestors of the Americas' native peoples arrived. These early people gave rise to great civilizations with a remarkable list of achievements. These accomplishments range from the birchbark canoe to the first organized game in the history of sports. This engrossing volume will fascinate readers as they discover the achievements of the ancient Americans. Thoroughly researched...
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Today, women can have careers in fields such as medicine, engineering, and politics, but it wasn't always that way. Women couldn't even vote when the United States was founded. Readers of this powerful volume will discover the history of women's rights through the words of women who fought for them, including Abigail Adams urging her husband to "Remember the Ladies," Elizabeth Cady Stanton's "Declaration of Sentiments," Betty Friedan's The Feminine...
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Oprah Winfrey is one of the richest and most influential women in the United States. But she began her life in poverty and endured some terrible experiences in childhood before her father helped her turn her life around. This absorbing volume traces Winfrey's life from her difficult childhood to her early success and her rise to fame and fortune. Age-appropriate text covers important social studies content while colorful photographs enliven the reading...
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Even the warthog's name suggests that it isn't one of the world's most beautiful creatures, and it's true. They have large flat heads covered with warts, and sharp ominous tusks. Readers will learn intriguing facts about these weird-looking animals, who may not be beautiful, but are strong and intelligent. They'll be surprised to learn that even though warthogs look really scary, they prefer staying out of danger. Accessible text addresses important...
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Plants grow in the ground, and their roots absorb from the soil the water and nutrients the plants need to grow, right? You'd be surprised. Some plants seem to possess secret powers. They don't grow in the ground. They grow on a host plant, but they're not parasites. They get the water and nutrients they need from rain, debris on the host plant, and even the air. These amazing plants are called epiphytes, or air plants. Readers of this fun and engaging...
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The Bill of Rights is an exceptionally important part of the Constitution. Not only does the Bill of Rights guarantee individual liberties and place limits on government powers, but without the addition of this section, the Constitution itself might never have been approved. This absorbing volume discusses the Bill of Rights and how it came to be, the language of each amendment, and how amendments have been interpreted. Intriguing controversies surrounding...
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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,...
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An herbivore and a carnivore meet in battle. Who will win? The first instinct might be to pick the carnivore, but when you're pitting a gray wolf against the massive and dangerous Cape buffalo, the outcome isn't so obvious. Young readers will delight in learning about these two magnificent animals as they try to determine who might triumph in a contest between them. Accessible text covers important science concepts. Vibrant images and impressive facts...
9) New York
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New York's history and culture is greatly influenced by its complex past, which includes the many years that the area was a Dutch colony known as New Netherland. This thought-provoking book provides a detailed history of the important people and events involved in shaping New York while it was under Dutch control. The book features beautiful paintings by Dutch artists as well as maps, primary sources, and biographical information about New Netherland's...
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Disastrous consequences often follow the introduction of invasive plants species. The invasive species spread, altering habitats, driving out native plants and animals, and reducing biodiversity. But what secret powers do invasive plant species possess that allow them to do this? Readers of this engaging book will learn what invasive species are and discover how they spread across and alter habitats. This intriguing volume is filled with eye-catching...
11) Piranhas Bite!
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Piranhas are small fish with sharp teeth and a ferocious reputation. They're reputedly such fierce, terrifying predators that horror movies have been made about them. But do they really warrant their reputation? This absorbing volume dives into the world of piranhas to discover the truth about these South American freshwater fish. Special attention is paid to the most infamous and dangerous species, which is the red-bellied piranha. Age-appropriate...
12) Hippos Bite!
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Hippos are perhaps the most surprising animals in this set about voracious biters. They are, after all, herbivores, not carnivores or even omnivores. Their huge body and short, fat legs make them look slow moving rather than pouncing and powerful. Yet these enormous animals are surprisingly speedy, aggressive, and equipped with an immensely powerful bite. Young readers will be enthralled with what they discover about this popular animal. An accessible...
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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...
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If you saw the movie Jaws, you probably formed the opinion that great white sharks are to be feared above all others. Surprise! It turns out bull sharks were probably responsible for the attacks that inspired the book and movie. Many experts consider bull sharks to be the most dangerous of all sharks. Young readers will be thrilled by what they discover about this impressive animal that can thrive in both salt and fresh water environments. Striking,...
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We all get by with a little help from our friends. You might not think of sharks as having friends, but they do. And, those friends provide important help in keeping sharks clean and free of parasites. In return, sharks provide protection for their friends. This captivating volume will thrill young readers as they learn about the relationship between sharks and the various cleaner fish who help them. Vibrant, buoyant images, fun facts, and a graphic...
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Immigration, both legal and illegal, has been debated passionately for centuries. The terrorist attacks of September 11th focused more attention on illegal immigration, making the debate more highly charged and the need for a solution more urgent. This insightful book provides readers with the basics about illegal immigration and amnesty. Students learn about American attitudes toward immigrants, and about significant legislation that has been enacted...
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This book teaches students how to analyze patterns though cryptography. Illustrates and explains how use a cipher to encrypt and decrypt simple substitution ciphers, poly-alphabetic ciphers and transposition ciphers. Includes famous examples of encrypted messages about and by figures like Julius Caesar and Queen Elizabeth I.
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When you think of the achievements and legacy of ancient Greece, you probably think of art, architecture, and democracy. But ancient Greeks left so much more to the world, and some of their inventions will surprise modern readers. The list includes the lighthouse, the alarm clock, the shower, and trial by jury. This fascinating volume will introduce readers to this and more as they explore the myriad accomplishments of ancient Greece. Thoroughly researched...
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The environmental movement encompasses many issues, including pollution, conservation, climate change, and alternative energy. Environmentalists maintain that people are part of ecosystems and must act to keep those systems balanced and healthy. This compelling guide to the history of the movement, including efforts today, focuses on important environmental crusaders, including Rachel Carson and John Muir, and the organizations that have fought for...
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Imagine a battle between a bird and a rhinoceros. It might seem obvious that the rhinoceros would triumph, but the outcome isn't so clear when the bird in question is a cassowary. This is a large, heavy creature with a reputation as the world's deadliest bird. Young readers will thrill at the knowledge they uncover as they try to figure out, which of these fascinating animals might prove victorious if they were to confront each other. Age-appropriate...