New Releases by Hal Marcovitz

What are the defining characteristics of the sprawling era known as the Middle Ages? What sets ancient Egypt apart from other ancient civilizations? And what is the legacy of the twentieth-century genocide known as the Holocaust? These are some of the ideas explored in Understanding World History, a series that surveys the political, social, and cultural trends of major periods and events in world history. Primary and secondary source quotes bring historical events to life. Source notes, a bibliography for further research, and index provide additional tools for student researchers. Book jacket.

Scott O''Dell enjoyed modest success as an author until 1960, when he published the novel;Island of the Blue Dolphins.

A biography of American children''s book author and illustrator Maurice Sendak.

As a young girl growing up in El Paso, Texas, Pat Mora felt as though she belonged to two worlds.

Author of the;Magic Shop;series and;The Unicorn Chronicles, Bruce Coville has captured the imaginations of young readers for more than 20 years with tales of talking toads, Shakespearean spouting skulls, and dragon hatchlings.

Examines the life and work of nineteenth-century explorer and mapmaker John C. Frémont, focusing on his accomplishments as leader of several expeditions into the largely uncharted American West.

This eBook tells the story of Sacagawea, the most famous guide of the team led by Lewis and Clark that explored the American northwest in the early 19th century.

Vasco Núñez de Balboa and his men were the first Europeans to cross Central America and see the vast body of water later dubbed the Pacific Ocean.

Presents an account of the Apollo space program and the advances and setbacks that led to the first human visits to the moon.

What are the defining characteristics of the sprawling era known as the Middle Ages? What sets ancient Egypt apart from other ancient civilizations? And what is the legacy of the twentieth-century genocide known as the Holocaust? These are some of the ideas explored in Understanding World History, a series that surveys the political, social, and cultural trends of major periods and events in world history. Primary and secondary source quotes bring historical events to life. Source notes, a bibliography for further research, and index provide additional tools for student researchers. Book jacket.

In the years following the War for Independence, the United States of America was in danger of collapsing because the new nation lacked a solid system of governance and framework of laws. The delegates who met in Philadelphia in 1787 to write the US Constitution were charged with the awesome task of establishing a democracy that would survive the ages. The document they produced has stood the test of time and has also served as a model for emerging democracies across the globe.

Author Hal Marcovitz examines the enormous popularity of e-books in the 21st century. Readers will learn about the evolution of the e-book concept from Project Gutenberg to dedicated e-readers such as Kindle and Nook, as well as the adaptation of e-books for tablet computers. Later chapters delve into how e-readers are changing the way people read, how e-books are impacting the publishing industry and libraries, and how the e-book may change in the future.

A biography of the union activist who led the struggle of migrant farm workers for better working conditions.

Most young people in the United States today are willing to give something back to their communities. A recent report showed that each year an estimated 13 million teenagers donate more than 2.4 billion hours of their time to charitable causes, and the Gallup Youth Survey has found that roughly one-third of all teens participate in volunteer work. This volume examines the opportunities young people have for volunteering, and explores the issue of school-mandated community service.

The first official music videos aired in the 1970s, but the seeds for making music something more than a pleasure for the ears were planted decades earlier. This book covers the birth of the music video, starting in the 1920s and 1930s when the first great movie musicals were produced, then details how MTV revolutionized the industry by making the film production as important as song production. Author Hal Marcovitz explains the various music video styles and differences in production value. Concluding chapters highlight the Internet video sensations of today and the interactive features that will likely characterize the genre tomorrow.

Examines current controversies and positions on whether juvenile offenders should be tried as adults.

Introduces dictatorships, discussing the social, political, economic, religious, and cultural effects, and examining the efforts of various nations to move beyond dictatorships.

Many experts believe renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power hold the answers to stemming climate change as well as reducing America''s reliance on foreign governments to provide oil. Through objective discussion, numerous direct quotes, and full-color illustrations this title examines What Are the Origins of the Controversy over Fossil Fuels? How Practical Is Renewable Energy? How Affordable Is Renewable Energy? What Policies Should Guide Renewable Energy''s future? Can People Live Without Fossil Fuels?

Discusses the history of international trade and outlines the arguments for free trade.

This title examines one of the world''s critical issues, the arms trade. Readers will learn the historical background of this issue leading up to its current and future impact on society. Import and export nations, civilians, brokers, mercenaries, terrorists, and corrupt governments are discussed in detail, as well as licensed production, embargoes, changing alliances, and government legislation meant to control the arms trade. Also covered are types of weapons, threats to international security, the United Nations and other organizations that work to control illegal weapons and exercise law enforcement, and the arms trade related to the global economy. Engaging text, informative sidebars, and color photographs present information realistically, leaving readers with a thorough, honest interpretation of the arms trade. Features include a timeline, facts, additional resources, Web sites, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index. Essential Issues is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

Gene therapy has the potential to wipe out many horrific and debilitating diseases, including Parkinson''s disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer. As doctors pursue breakthroughs in gene therapy, they must overcome many ethical questions that surround the research as well as the unknown consequences of replacing faulty genes. This title examines the science behind gene therapy research in the following chapters: What is Gene Therapy? The Ideal Gene-Delivery Vehicle: Viruses, Attacking Bad Genes with Drugs, Stem Cells, Cloning and Gene Therapy, What is the Future of Gene Therapy?

This title gives readers a balanced look at the arguments surrounding organ and body donation. Readers will learn the history of organ and body donation, as well as the pros and cons of organ transplants and harvesting organs. Color photos and informative sidebars accompany easy-to-follow text. Features include a table of contents, timeline, facts, additional resources, web sites, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index. Essential Viewpoints is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

Media bias occurs when factual journalism is spun in a particular way to appeal to either conservatives or progressives. Rather than concentrating on all of the facts, media bias has a tendency to expose facts or ideas that only tell one side of the story. This pertinent resource provides thorough and balanced information on bias in the media. Its visually appealing presentation and compelling examples provide context. Readers will be inspired to think critically about the role of objectivity in the media and reporting.

Playing sports can improve fitness and coordination and boost self-discipline and self-esteem, but these benefits sometimes come at a price; sports injuries. This detailed examination covers the causes, diagnoses, current treatments and rehabilitation for the different types of sports injuries. Since many of them are preventable, author Hal Marcovitz includes a discussion of training and safety techniques as well as changes to equipment that have been instituted as a result of common athletic injuries.

This title examines one of the worlds critical issues, gangs. Readers will learn the historical background of this issue, leading up to its current and future impact on society. Early U.S. gangs, such as the Mafia, are discussed, as well as the formation of large gangs throughout the country, in both urban and rural areas. Violent gang rivalry is discussed, as well as law enforcement related to gang activity. Reasons young people join gangs are addressed, and programs for at-risk youth are covered. Engaging text, informative sidebars, and color photographs present information realistically, leaving readers with a thorough, honest interpretation of gangs. Features include a timeline, facts, additional resources, Web sites, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index. Essential Issues is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.