New Releases by Wil Mara

In the wake of a pandemic virus that rapidly spreads throughout the world killing millions of people, Dennis and Andi Jensen flee the ensuing panic and escape to the mountains while scientist Cara Porter makes a potentially fatal mistake in her laboratory.

Although called gunsmiths, they rarely labored on guns during colonial times. An important part of the community, the gunsmith most likely focused on other types of metal work, but occasionally assembled firearms. This historical volume chronicles the formative years of the United States through the activities and occupations of its most important community members. It explore the everyday life, responsibilities, social life, and the affect the gunsmith had on the colonial American way of life. Hands-on activities and recipes, sidebars detailing the history and evolution of the profession, and key social studies words are defined in the glossary.

Simple, engaging text and vivid photographs introduce young learners to the most important and influential men and women in history. From presidents, to civil rights leaders, to visionary artists, young readers will learn about how these individuals worked to attain their goals and accomplished what few others have. Key Features: A "You Can..." feature at the end of each book that tells the reader how he or she can emulate the subject. For example, You Can Be an Artist, You Can Be a Leader, You Can Help Others, etc. Fast facts -- offering fun, sometimes little known facts about the subject A map with key indicating where the subject was born and other significant nearby areas A timeline that recaps important moments in the subject''s life A poem about the subject Table of Contents and Chapters Glossary with pictures Additional content for further learning on this subject available at www.factsfornow.scholastic.com

A guide to what a wind turbine services technician does and how to become one.

Learn what it takes to become a helicopter crew chief in the U.S. military.

Learn how sharkskin has helped scientists create more effective swimsuits.

Readers will discover the proper way to react when encountering stray animals and what to do if they are attacked.

Safety rules are presented for playing or traveling near busy streets, and readers are taught how to alert adults in case of an emergency.

Readers will learn how to stay safe by avoiding strangers as well as what they can do if strangers approach them.

Readers learn the potential dangers of swimming and learn how to avoid injury.

Readers learn what to do if they are caught in a burning building, how to prepare for such events ahead of time, and how to react to firefighters.

Readers are taught how to care for their bicycles and avoid situations that could result in injury.

Colonial America was a place of new beginnings. From the first settlement in 1607 in Jamestown, Virginia, to the formation of the thirteen colonies, people arrived to start a new life and build their community. Local merchants were important community members in the building of the American colonies. In The Innkeeper, explore the daily life of these colonial hosts and discover their importance to the colonial community. Book jacket.

Provides comprehensive information on the nuclear disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and the differing perspectives accompanying it.

Colonial America was a place of new beginnings. From the first settlement in 1607 in Jamestown, Virginia, to the formation of the thirteen colonies, people arrived to start a new life and build their community. Growing crops and providing food was an important job in the building of the American colonies. In The Farmer, explore the daily life of the colonial farmer and discover his importance to the community. Book jacket.

Colonial America was a place of new beginnings. From the first settlement in 1607 in Jamestown, Virginia, to the formation of the thirteen colonies, people arrived to start a new life and build their community. Caring for the ill was important in the building of the American colonies. In The Apothecary, explore the daily life of these medical specialists and discover their importance to the colonial community. Book jacket.

Colonial America was a place of new beginnings. From the first settlement in 1607 in Jamestown, Virginia, to the formation of the thirteen colonies, people arrived to start a new life and build their community. Tradespeople were an important element in the creation of America. In The Silversmith, explore the daily life of these skilled craftspeople and discover their importance to the community. Book jacket.

Earthqakes can strike at any moment, without warning. They can bring down tall buildings and rip highways to pieces. But what causes the? Why Do Earthquakes Happen? Helps readers understand the awesome forces at work. Book jacket.

A member of the Democratic Party, Grover Cleveland was viewed by his fellow Democrats as someone who would bring change to the White House. In 1884 he was elected as the twenty-second president of the United States. In Grover Cleveland, explore his rise in politics and his two-term career as the nation''s leader. Book jacket.

Just as we do today, ancient people wanted heated homes and baths, reliable roads, and sturdy vehicles for land and sea travel. Technology of the Ancients shows how society benefited from the ingenuity of forward-thinking inventors and engineers who created tools and techniques that improved everyday life in the ancient world. Each title focuses on an ancient civilization''s unique contributions. Irrigation and terracing practices ensured excellent crops for Aztec farmers, while the Mesopotamians'' most important invention, the wheel, revolutionized trade and travel for the entire ancient world. China''s silk, paper, and gunpowder brought its faraway neighbors to the East along the Silk Road. Viking shipbuilding produced the impressive longships that carried terrifying raiders throughout Europe. Roman roads and aqueducts are still marvels of invention today. from compasses and calendars to weapons and weaving looms, here is a fascinating look at innovation through the ages.

Winner of the New Jersey Notable Book Award! It''s a beautiful day on the New Jersey shore. The residents of Long Beach Island—a narrow strip of land connected to the mainland by a single bridge—are going about their daily routines, enjoying the lovely weather. They have no idea that far out to sea, a plane carrying a nuclear device has crashed. The resultant explosion triggers a massive underwater landslide . . . and a massive tsunami forms, heading straight for Long Beach Island. By the time anyone realizes the water is coming, it''s almost too late. The National Guard is deployed—on the mainland, since the fast-approaching thirty-foot-high wall of water will flatten everything on the island. Terrified residents stream toward the slender lifeline of the bridge, causing the island''s first—and last—major traffic jam. In the frantic struggle to reach safety, strangers offer help to people they''ve never seen before and neighbors turn against neighbors. Some cannot decide which precious possessions must be saved, and so take nothing—or refuse to leave. Others attempt to profit from the panic, looting abandoned homes and businesses. Time is running out. The first wave will hit in less than three hours. At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

What better way to study the presidents of the United States than through an exploration of the times in which they lived and served? Presidents and Their Times examines the life and times of each president, placing each within his historical and cultural context, while at the same time focusing on the major events that occurred during each president''s administration. This in-depth series delves into the time period and formative events of each president''s term, revealing childhood character-building experiences, entry into politics, major events of the presidency, and a look at life after the presidency. with its clearly written and accessible text, primary sources, and vivid historical photographs, this series will bring to the forefront the life and times of the presidents of the United States.

Explore civil unrest in the 1960s and with eyewitness accounts and commentary, learn about the differing viewpoints surrounding this time.

Most young children are brimming with questions about the processes and events they observe at work around them every day. This new series, in which each title is in the form of a question, addresses the often mysterious phenomena of the natural world and the amazing behaviors and abilities of plants and animals. In simple, age-appropriate, easy-to-understand language, the five chapters that make up each book take the young reader on a journey of scientific discovery-from the formulation of a simple question to the revelation of the sometimes simple, sometimes startling, explanation. Bold charts, simple scientific illustrations, and dazzling four-color photography bring this process of inquiry vibrantly to life. Echoing the question-and-answer format of the series, each chapter features a challenge question to reinforce the concepts presented and to bolster reading comprehension. In addition, each book contains an activity related to the concepts learned in the text, so students can see for themselves science at work-yet another way of reinforcing the processes and phenomena central to each topic.

Most young children are brimming with questions about the processes and events they observe at work around them every day. This new series, in which each title is in the form of a question, addresses the often mysterious phenomena of the natural world and the amazing behaviors and abilities of plants and animals. In simple, age-appropriate, easy-to-understand language, the five chapters that make up each book take the young reader on a journey of scientific discovery-from the formulation of a simple question to the revelation of the sometimes simple, sometimes startling, explanation. Bold charts, simple scientific illustrations, and dazzling four-color photography bring this process of inquiry vibrantly to life. Echoing the question-and-answer format of the series, each chapter features a challenge question to reinforce the concepts presented and to bolster reading comprehension. In addition, each book contains an activity related to the concepts learned in the text, so students can see for themselves science at work-yet another way of reinforcing the processes and phenomena central to each topic.

History is shaped by events and people. Through studying history we come to understand how things change, learn to grasp the factors that cause this change, and begin to understand what parts of society remain constant despite change. Each title in Perspectives On investigates an historical event and includes, with the help of primary sources such as eyewitness accounts and commentary, differing viewpoints of each event. Factors leading up to the event, and the event''s effect on the culture and people at that time, will be explored, as well as the event''s lasting effects and historical significance.

Describes different types of trucks.

What better way to study the presidents of the United States than through an exploration of the times in which they lived and served? Presidents and Their Times examines the life and times of each president, placing each within his historical and cultural context, while at the same time focusing on the major events that occurred during each president''s administration. This in-depth series delves into the time period and formative events of each president''s term, revealing childhood character-building experiences, entry into politics, major events of the presidency, and a look at life after the presidency. with its clearly written and accessible text, primary sources, and vivid historical photographs, this series will bring to the forefront the life and times of the presidents of the United States.

Describes the physical characteristics, habitat, behavior, diet, and the life cycle of the otter.

Presents a brief look at the life of Anne Frank.