Most Popular Books by Rebecca Stefoff

An overview of the characteristics, habitat, way of life, and conservation status of various primates.

Readers of the books in Todays Writers and Their Works will learn the story behind each writers story.

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.

Illustrations and text provide information about the physical characteristics, habits, and habitats of various species of chameleons and other related lizards.

Traces the life and career of Vice President Gore, describes his experiences in Vietnam, and explains how he developed an interest in environmental issues.

Examines the physical characteristics and behavior of jellyfish and describes six different kinds.

This book on the four elements and the periodic table 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. A robust index, glossary, science content, and bibliography accompanies the descriptive and concise text while the further reading section inspires future research and deeper thought.

Discusses the various conflicts between the colonists and Native Americans and, later, between the United States and Native Americans.

Details the American expansion into Texas and the far west from the late eighteenth- to the mid-nineteenth century, including information on the Oregon Trail, the war with Mexico, and the California gold rush.

Chronicles the exploration and settlement of lands west of the Appalachian Mountains during the late 1700s and early 1800s.

Mammals originated on land. Millions of years ago, some of them adapted to life in the sea. They were the ancestors of today''s sea mammals: whales, manatees, seals, otters, and more. Sea Mammals explores the origins and history of marine mammals, then looks at the many varieties that exist today, from the blue whale-the largest animal that has ever lived-to the vaquita, the world''s smallest and most endangered sea mammal. It also focuses on the role of sea mammals in human life, the questions that fascinate marine mammal researchers, and the future of these creatures that share the oceans with fish and reptiles but are biologically closer to bears and elephants. Book jacket.

From emperor penguins nesting in the frozen reaches of Antartica to peregrine falcons that have made themselves at home among urban skyscrapers, birds are amazingly adaptable. The Bird Class surveys the many orders and families of living birds and traces the origins of these winged, feathered marvels. Bird biology, life cycles, behavior, and habitats are also explored. The Bird Class sounds a warning about the threats that many of the world''s ten thousand bird species now face, and describes some of the actions being taken to protect them. Book jacket.

"An examination of the origin, history, development, and impact of the submarine and related underwater exploration and transport technology"--Provided by publisher.

Examines the physical characteristics and behavior of snakes and describes six different kinds.

Farmers were tilling soil to grow crops before the dawn of recorded history. This book examines how soil is formed and the history of agriculture and how it changed life for mankind. Students can learn what properties make soil fertile and which ones allow different crops to thrive in various regions. Finally, it reports on advances in soil science and what technology means for the future of farming.

Examines the physical characteristics, life cycle, and natural habitat of various kinds of hummingbirds.

A biography of the Portuguese sea captain who commanded the first expedition that sailed around the world, thus providing the first positive proof that the earth is round.

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.

Examines the physical characteristics and behavior of frogs and presents many different kinds.

Describes the characteristics, life cycles, and roles of various flowering plants.

The arachnids include some of the planet''s most feared creatures, such as venomous scorpions and deadly funnel-web spiders. Other arachnids-like the tiny house dust mites that live by the millions in all of our homes-are among the world''s smallest and most successful animals. The Arachnid Class explores the origins, scientific classification, and biology of arachnids, from familiar garden spiders to less common creatures such as wind scorpions and the rare, cave-dwelling "living fossil" spiders of Southeast Asia. The more than 80,000 known species of arachnids play important roles in the world''s ecosystems. As The Arachnid Class shows, these creatures also affect human life in a variety of ways. Book jacket.

Describes the physical characteristics, behavior, and habitats of different kinds of beetles.

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

Describes the physical characteristics, behavior, and camouflage abilities of this unusual fish.

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.

Celebrate the richness and diversity of the United States of America in this exciting series. Readers can explore the unique character of each state—its land and waterways; its history; its government and economy; its festivals, cultural diversity, landmarks, and exciting stories of success. Celebrate the States, second edition, brings the series into the twenty-first century and updates the original titles to reflect the changes that have gripped the state in the past five to ten years. the second edition features a new design and all new photographs. Also included is a new chart showing the breakdown of the state''s workforce and two new maps. One shows the state divided by county, and the other presents the population distribution. the structure has been slightly changed as well. While the profiles of state luminaries remain in the back matter, the government and economy are given expanded coverage, each in its own chapter.

The impact and ramifications of cases argued before the Supreme Court are felt for decades, if not centuries. Only the most important issues of the day and the land make it to the nine justices, and the effects of their decisions reach far beyond the litigants. Under discussion here are five of the most momentous Supreme Court cases ever. They include Marbury v. Madison, Roe v. Wade, Dred Scott, Brown v. Board of Education, and The Pentagon Papers. An absorbing exploration of enormously controversial events, the series details, highlights, and clarifies the complex legal arguments of both sides. Placing the cases within their historical context (though they ultimately emerge as works in progress), the authors reveal each decision''s relevance both to the past and the present. the result is a fascinating glimpse across the centuries into the workings of the Supreme Court and the American judicial system.

Describes the discovery of Pluto, the ninth planet, what has been learned about it, and the current controversy over whether it is a planet at all.

Discusses the geological features, weather, and exploration of Neptune.

Color photos fill this overview of bear species, which describes their histories, physical traits, biologies, habitats, diets, behavior, life cycles, and relationships with humans.

Defines the different levels of friendship, love, and intimacy and discusses their role in leading a healthy life.

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.

Examines the physical characteristics, life cycle, and natural habitat of different species of penguins.

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.

Describes physical aspects of the earth and moon, the relationship between the two bodies, and exploration of earth''s natural satellite.

Discusses the history of horses and their domestication by humans, as well as their physical characteristics and behavior.

Presents the history of the westward expansion of the United States in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries through excerpts from letters, newspaper articles, journal entries, and laws of the time.

Presents information on some of the causes of the Civil War, the battles fought between 1861 and 1863, and the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.