New Releases by Rebecca Stefoff

This title explores and explains how the Panama Canal was built. The canal''s construction is described in terms of the engineering process. The book explores why the canal was built and describes the design stages and technologies used during construction. The book also describes the challenges builders faced while building the canal.

Termites are amazing builders. Some build mounds more than 15 feet above ground! How do they do that? These social insects live and work together in colonies. Each colony member has its own job. Discover how termites build their nests, communicate, and depend on one another to survive in their huge colonies.

"Discusses the main concerns of the environmental movement in the 1960s, and how those have evolved since; what''s changed for the better, what might be worse, and where ... we go from here"--Amazon.com.

The Erie Canal was mocked as a big ditch when it was started, but by the time it was completed in 1825 it was called an engineering marvel. Readers learn how engineers overcame a rise in elevation of 568 feet between the Hudson River and Lake Erie with locks and aqueducts to create a waterway that changed America.

The Hoover Dam is called one of American''s seven modern civil engineering wonders. Hurdles to clear included building access roads, diverting the Colorado River, and creating a way to cure massive amounts of concrete quickly enough to complete the project on time. Readers will learn how what was then the world''s tallest dam was built in a region that presented challenges in geography and weather.

Explains how and why grammar has evolved through the years, and where it is likely to go. Writing prompts engage and challenge the young reader. Meets Common Core standards for Literature.

Explains how and why grammar has evolved through the years, and where it is likely to go. Writing prompts engage and challenge the young reader. Meets Common Core standards for Literature.

An engaging way to introduce young readers to parts of speech, particularly similes and metaphors. Explains the differences, and how best to use--and not use--said parts of speech. Fulfills Common Core standard for literature.

Soil is something we donu0092t just live on, itu0092s something we live in. Throughout history, mankind has developed ways of using soil to build dwellings. The ancients built cities out of bricks, the Native Americans of the Southwest used soil to build adobe settlements, and the pioneers on the prairies built sod homes to combat heat and cold. This book examines the properties of different kinds of soil and what makes that soil useful for building a structure.

"Explores various perspectives on the Space Race. The reader''s choices reveal the historical details"--

John Brown and his violent attacks on slavery have been romanticized through the years. Find out about the man behind the myth and learn about his contribution to the abolitionist movement. The book is complete with timeline, primary sources, photographs, and excerpts from the time period.

Bridges have helped people cross large bodies of water for millennia. Readers discover the engineering behind bridges.

Roads allow people and goods to travel across land quickly and safely. Discover the engineering behind roads.

Skyscrapers stretch high into a cityu0092s skyline, providing places to work and live for millions of people. Discover the engineering behind skyscrapers.

Dams change the landscape, providing reservoirs of freshwater and even producing electricity. Discover the engineering behind dams.

Through centuries of storytelling, giants have evolved into monstrous fairy tale creatures with unique powers. This book explores many stories about giants and discusses their place in history as well as in todayu0092s society.

Tunnels allow people to cut through tall mountains or even travel deep underwater. Discover the engineering behind tunnels.

First Published in 2015. Aimed at young adults and written in an accessible way, with colour images, this book contains information about the cities and towns of the early settlement of North America. With reference to first camps and the development of communities, the rise of cities in the British Colonies, more out reaching towns and villages, the Spanish and French cities and towns and a look at urban life in early America. Includes a timeline and sections for further reference.

First Published in 2015.Aimed at young adults and written in an accessible way, with colour images, this book contains information about the exploration and early settlement of North America.. It includes the first explorers to reach America, a section on colonies and conquistadors, venture into North America, and the Pilgrims and finishes with the areas of New Netherland, England and Spain. Includes a timeline and sections for further reference.

Discover the lives of Mary Read and Anne Bonny, the dangerous female duo who sailed with Calico Jack.

Discover the life of Redbeard (Heyreddin Barbarossa), the powerful Ottoman Admiral who nearly conquered Africa.

Goliath Beetles are among the largest insects on Earth at about the size an adult hand. Learn about their history, behavior, lifecycle, and the conservation efforts that are being done to protect these huge bugs.

Whale Sharks are the most massive fish. Learn about their history, behavior, lifecycle, and the conservation efforts that are being done to protect these gentle giants of the sea.

Alchemy is an idea based on superstition and philosophical global traditions spanning hundreds of years. Alchemists made medicines and pharmaceuticals from the earthu0092s materials and purified objects through philosophy, magic, and spirituality. Chemistry is based on the material principles of mixed bodies, and spans all natural or physical sciences in its practices. This book on alchemy and chemistry shows the scientific method at work and proves and disproves the subjects at hand. It explores a branch of modern science or a major scientific milestone, comparing and contrasting it with an older idea that has been proved wrong or fails to meet the strict and studied standards of science.

We say that the sun "rises" in the morning and "sets" at night, but is it really moving? Readers will learn about the long, sometimes dangerous struggle to discover whether the sun revolves around Earth, or Earth around the sun, and find out what scientists now know about our planet''s place in the universe.

Alchemy is an idea based on superstition and philosophical global traditions spanning hundreds of years. Alchemists made medicines and pharmaceuticals from the earthu0092s materials and purified objects through philosophy, magic, and spirituality. Chemistry is based on the material principles of mixed bodies, and spans all natural or physical sciences in its practices. This book on alchemy and chemistry shows the scientific method at work and proves and disproves the subjects at hand. It explores a branch of modern science or a major scientific milestone, comparing and contrasting it with an older idea that has been proved wrong or fails to meet the strict and studied standards of science.

Magic is an art form that effects events by using mysterious or supernatural forces. Much of magic is rooted in tricking the viewer to look elsewhere while the effect, or trick, is performed. Medicine is rooted in science and is the practice of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. This book on magic and medicine shows the scientific method at work. it explores a branch of modern science or a major scientific milestone, comparing and contrasting it with an older idea that has been proved wrong or fails to meet the strict and studied standards of science.

Can animals feel empathy or have a consciousness? Through the extensive work from ethologists like Charles Darwin and Jane Goodall, it is widely thought that some animals do feel empathy. Research is ongoing, however, dogs, birds, elephants, rodents, and dolphins are thought to all have a moral compass. In what ways do these animal species show empathy or feeling? Through explanative based text by award-winning author Rebecca Stefoff, your readers will be challenged to notice animal behavior in a myriad of ways. Key scientific terms and phrases are explained and step-by-step guidance for scientific observation procedures are included.

Birds that are smarter than a fifth grader--smart enough to do math, that is. Chimps that use tools. These are just two examples of the amazing skills of the animals all around us. In this jovial book, award-winning author Rebecca Stefoff tells us not just that animals are intelligent, but explains how researchers have discovered how smart they are. Readers will learn the languages of chimps and the mental maps of birds as well as the disputes that have arisen over the years about the very idea of animal intelligence.

Ethology is the scientific study of animal behavior. It was widely thought that animal play, mostly in mammals, was part of Darwinian natural selection and somehow fit into survival of the fittest. However, animal researchers believe that animals play out of pure joy, rather than aiding in their survival. This jovial book about animal play, tells the secrets of, and the science behind, clever baboons that know which cars to break into for snacks, mighty elephants that grieve, tricky octopuses that squirt water, and beetles that read messages through their feet. This book includes explanative text by award-winning author Rebecca Stefoff and an extensive bibliography. Key scientific terms and phrases are explained and includes procedures for scientific observation.