Most Popular Books by Wil Mara

While walking home from school one day, Izzy discovers that the only park she''s ever known is being closed so townhouses can be built on the site. But Izzy plans to fight this any way she can, even if that means going all the way to town hall. Will she be able to save Harmony Hill Park?

Logan Lewis is new to Earth, and there are some human behaviors that are still a mystery! When he catches his classmate Madison cheating on a test, he doesn''t understand why. She''s one of the smartest kids in school. Madison doesn''t get caught, but Logan decides to investigate the matter further. Logan discovers something he never expected, but can he step in before Madison''s luck runs out?

Introduces the sport of stock car racing including its history, various special features of the cars, and qualifications of drivers and crews.

Logan might be new to Earth, but he already has a terrestrial best friend named Abby. She''s figured out his secret identity, and is excited to help him observe humans in their natural habitat. When all of his neighbors are invited to a party at the creepiest house on the street, Logan watches as they give in to their deepest fears before they even enter the house. Can Logan come up with a plan to uncover the truth behind the biggest mystery on the block?

Evan Hall is the town bully. Logan observes as Evan teases and hurts any kid who gets in his way. Not even getting in trouble can stop him! This doesn’t make any sense to Logan, until he discovers what he thinks is the reason behind Evan’s behavior. Is there anything Logan can do to turn Evan around, or will he become the next victim?

No one messes with Izzy Jeen and gets away with it. But then one day, Izzy finds that her beloved bike has been stolen! Who would do such a thing? Izzy insists that everyone help her launch a full-blown investigation at once. She vows to find the culprit and make them sorry that they ever stole from Izzy Jeen "the Big Mouth Queen" Marino.

Izzy stops in at the Hip Hop Ice Cream Shop to find that her favorite flavor is no longer on the menu. Most people would just order something else, but Izzy has no intention of giving up so easily. She''s got a bad taste in her mouth, and a craving for sweet justice!

Brief text chronicles the life of the Hall of Fame baseball player who, in 1947, became the first African American to play for a major league team.

Set in the world of the NFL, this novel chronicles the deals and desperation behind a high-stakes draft. "The Draft" provides intriguing insight into a process that can be as competitive as those that occur on the gridiron itself.--Marv Levy, general manager of the Buffalo Bills.

Twins Madison and Mason Page have everything two kids could ever want, but they don''t seem to appreciate any of it. One day, they dive into their luxurious swimming pool and surface in a very different place. They emerge into another town, long since abandoned. Trapped in this new world, they venture forth, finding evidence that the town''s former residents must have suffered some sort of horrible fate before disappearing. Then it hits them. They have somehow been transported to the ghost town of Pripyat, which has stood empty since the local power station exploded many years earlier, a nuclear plant known as Chernobyl.

But the Giants refuse. They want Brookman to play through his last year, "then" they''ll talk about a new contract. Sturtz, however, doesn''t trust them.

An introduction to the life of famous TV personality Oprah Winfrey, who grew up in poverty but later discovered her talent as a reporter and talk show host.

Introduces the sport of snowmobile racing, discussing the equipment and tactics, race courses, necessary skills, and safety measures.

Get ready to celebrate! People around the world look forward to different holidays and honor them with special traditions. Learn about the many types of holidays and how they''re celebrated in this engaging series that develops kids'' understanding of our diverse global community and their place in it.

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

Describes different types of trucks.

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.

Introduces the life of John Muir, the naturalist who formed the Sierra Club to help preserve the Sierra Mountains.

A short biography of the famous civil rights figure and her work.

Presents a brief look at the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder, famed author of the "Little House" books.

Prolific director, writer and producer of such films as Saving Private Ryan, E.T.: The Extraterrestrial, Jurassic Park, and others.

Presents a brief look at the life of Amelia Earhart.

Who can resist trucks? They’re loud. They’re complicated. They have wheels twice as tall as your dad. Trucks! has many cool images of the trucks we know and love. There are also curiosities like the $3 million mining truck that’s "like driving a house." This level 1 text is revved up with sound words and images to steer young readers on the road to reading success. National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources. Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

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.

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.

Alex Anderson is nothing if not ordinary. He goes to school, plays baseball, hangs out with his friends, and loves his parents. His world is thrown into chaos when his aging great-grandmother starts referring to him as "David." What''s most peculiar is how insistent she is that this is his name. At first, Alex dismisses it as another saddening example of her growing dementia. Then, while rummaging through the attic, he comes across a photo album he''s never seen before. Inside, he finds photos of himself and his parents on a trip. What''s strange is that he has no memory of it. Then he discovers something even stranger. The photographs were taken three years before he was born.

Three friends go against their parents'' wishes and enter the old house that''s been sitting abandoned on the edge of town for over a hundred years, and quickly realize getting back out isn''t simply a matter of turning around.

Presents a brief look at the life of one of New York City''s most popular mayors.

Presents a brief look at the life of George Washington

Readers will learn what it takes to succeed as an FBI special agent. The book also explains the necessary educational steps, useful character traits, potential hazards, and daily job tasks related to this career. Sidebars include thought-provoking trivia. Questions in the backmatter ask for text-dependent analysis. Photos, a glossary, and additional resources are included.

Get a first hand look at the early days of the American Revolution. When British soldiers accuse Samuel Richardson''s father and uncle of being rebellious Patriots, Samuel must work together with his cousin Molly to help the family make an escape. Readers (Ages 7-9) will follow along on the cousins'' adventure as they witness the early days of the American Revolution and come up with a daring plan to save their fathers.

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. 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.

Readers will learn about a favorite animal, the deer, its anatomy, special skills, habitats, and diet.

Presents a brief look at the life of George W. Bush