'Hi! My name is Nigel Hook. I race powerboats.' Join the crew for a P1 Evolution powerboat Grand Prix. It's an 80 mile race at more than 110 miles an hour. The boat is three times more powerful than a Ferrari. Have you got what it takes? This is life at the edge. This new edition of Powerboat Race, now introduces more difficult words and fuller sentences to make it ideal for children reading at the Purple Book Band level. Powerboat Race is part of the 321 Go! series, a non-fiction series which cover heart-in-the-mouth, jaw-droppingly exciting experiences! Using real-life photographs and comic-format speech bubbles, the book is narrated by a powerboat racing world champion. You couldn't get closer to the action! This is the perfect read for beginning and struggling readers who want something much more visual to develop their literacy skills.

'Today is flight day. Today we go into space.' How does it feel to orbit the Earth at more than 17,000 miles per hour? Join the crew of the Space Shuttle on a trip you won't forget. Have you got what it takes? This is life at the edge. This new edition of Astronaut, now introduces more difficult words and fuller sentences to make it ideal for children reading at the Gold Book Band level. Astronaut is part of the 321 Go! series, a non-fiction series which cover heart-in-the-mouth, jaw-droppingly exciting experiences! Using real-life photographs and comic-format speech bubbles, the book is narrated by a real astronaut. You couldn't get closer to the action! This is the perfect read for beginning and struggling readers who want something much more visual to develop their literacy skills.

'I am a sky diver. I am in the Red Devils.' Jump out of an aircraft and fall 10,000 feet without a parachute. You'll be falling at 120 miles per hour. After that, you can try the 'chain of death'. Have you got what it takes? This is life at the edge. This new edition of Sky Dive, now introduces more difficult words and fuller sentences to make it ideal for children reading at the Purple Book Band level. Sky Dive is part of the 321 Go! series, a non-fiction series which cover heart-in-the-mouth, jaw-droppingly exciting experiences! Using real-life photographs and comic-format speech bubbles, the book is narrated by expert sky-diver. You couldn't get closer to the action! This is the perfect read for beginning and struggling readers who want something much more visual to develop their literacy skills.

This title focuses on the Battle of Gettysburg and the Siege of Vicksburg, helping readers understand how these two events altered the course of the war. Critical thinking questions and two "Voices from the Past" special features help readers understand and analyze the various views people held at the time.

This title focuses on the leaders, beliefs, and events that led to the creation of the Confederate States of America. Critical thinking questions and two "Voices from the Past" special features help readers understand and analyze the various views people held at the time.

Recommended by the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy as an exemplary informational text.
Thousands of years--way before Christopher Columbus set sail--wandering tribes of hunters made their way from Asia across the Bering land bridge to North America. They didn't know it, but they had discovered a New World. The First Americans is a fascinating re-creation of pre-Columbian Native American life, and it's an adventure of a lifetime Hunt seals with the Inuit; harvest corn on a cliff-top mesa; hunt the mighty buffalo; and set sail with Leif Erickson, Columbus, and all the early great explorers--Cabot, Balboa, Ponce de Leon, Cortes, Henry the Navigator, and more--in this brilliantly told story of America before it was America.
About the Series:
Master storyteller Joy Hakim has excited millions of young minds with the great drama of American history in her award-winning series A History of US. Recommended by the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy as an exemplary informational text, A History of US weaves together exciting stories that bring American history to life. Hailed by reviewers, historians, educators, and parents for its exciting, thought-provoking narrative, the books have been recognized as a break-through tool in teaching history and critical reading skills to young people. In ten books that span from Prehistory to the 21st century, young people will never think of American history as boring again.

The story of D-Day - the Normandy beach landings which saw the start of the Allies' major offensive against German forces - specially written for readers of 9 and up. Published in association with the Imperial War Museums and full of photographs, maps and full-colour illustrations, this is a great introduction to the story of D-Day. Includes internet links to specially selected websites where children can access additional information and resources. Ideal for those who prefer history to fiction.

Winner of the 2012 Batchelder Award Based on a real series of events that happened during World War II, Soldier Bear tells the story of an orphaned bear cub adopted by a group of Polish soldiers in Iran. The soldiers raise the bear and eventually enlist him as a soldier to ensure that he stays with the company. He travels with them from Iran to Italy, and then on to Scotland. Voytek's mischief gets him into trouble along with way, but he also provides some unexpected encouragement for the soldiers amidst the reality of war: Voytek learns to carry bombs for the company, saves the camp from a spy, and keeps them constantly entertained with his antics.Always powerful and surprising, Bibi Dumon Tak's story offers readers a glimpse at this fascinating piece of history.

Be truly inspired by these powerful true stories of animal heroes: meet heroic bears, drone-catching eagles, loyal dogs, sassy cats, and much, MUCH more!

This book brings you the heart-wrenching stories of the real animals who traversed treacherous paths, made daring rescues and went above and beyond to save human lives. When faced with human conflict, these animals have all shown bravery, friendship, or brought comfort.

Journey throughout history from Hannibal's elephants to a guide dog in the Twin Towers. Uncover 34 amazing animal stories - and celebrate their humans.

With vivid colour illustration from five different illustrators, and knowledge from the experts at the Imperial War Museums, this is a book to treasure and share.

This title focuses on Sherman's March to the Sea, guiding readers through its historical context, goals, and impact on military strategy. Critical thinking questions and two "Voices from the Past" special features help readers understand and analyze the various views people held at the time.

This title focuses on the hardships and opportunities experienced by black Americans during the Civil War, especially those who fought for the Union. Critical thinking questions and two "Voices from the Past" special features help readers understand and analyze the various views people held at the time.

This book gives an exciting overview of the US Coast Guard, from when it first formed to its missions and members today, as well as their tasks, equipment, and training. Short paragraphs of easy-to-read text are paired with plenty of photos to make reading engaging and accessible. The book also includes a table of contents, fun facts, sidebars, comprehension questions, a glossary, an index, and a list of resources for further reading. Apex books have low reading levels (grades 2-3) but are designed for older students, with interest levels of grades 3-7.

This book describes the key events that took place on the Western Front during World War II, including the Axis advance, the liberation of France, and the invasion of Germany. In addition to historic photos, this book includes a table of contents, two infographics, critical thinking questions, two "A Closer Look" special features, a reading comprehension quiz, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. This Focus Readers title is at the Voyager level, aligned to reading levels of grades 5-6 and interest levels of grades 5-9.

This fascinating title sets the world scene in the two decades between the end of World War I and the start of World War II. Readers will get a snapshot of the political and economic situations around the world. Most countries experienced booming economies following WWI. But Germany, punished under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, suffered under great hardship. With the stock market crash in 1929 and the Great Depression that followed, the world found itself moving again toward war. Find out how the humiliation and poverty of the German people led to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party - and a second world war.

The SAS mission conducted behind Iraqi lines is one of the most famous stories of courage and survival in modern warfare. Of the eight members of the SAS regiment who set off, only one escaped capture. This is his story. Late on the evening of 24 January 1991 the patrol was compromised deep behind enemy lines in Iraq. A fierce fire-fight left the eight men miraculously unscathed, but they were forced to run for their lives. Their aim was to reach the Syrian border, 120 kilometres to the north-west, but during the first night the patrol accidentally broke into two groups, five and three. Chris Ryan found himself left with two companions. Nothing had prepared them for the vicious cold of the desert winter, and they began to suffer from hypothermia. During the night one of the men was to disappear in a blinding blizzard. The next day a goat-herd came across the two survivors. Chris's remaining partner, went with him in search of food and was never to return. Left on his own, Chris Ryan beat off an Iraqi attack and set out alone. His greatest adventure was only just beginning. This is the story of courage under fire, of hairbreadth escapes, of the best trained soldiers in the world fighting against adverse conditions, and of one man's courageous refusal to lie down and die.

"From the Paperback edition."

In the next Magic Tree House(R) Fact Tracker, track the facts about World War II--with Jack and Annie!

When Jack and Annie came back from their adventure in Magic Tree House Super Edition #1: World at War, 1944, they had lots of questions. How did World War II begin? Why were so many innocent people killed? What was D-Day? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Jack and Annie learn all about one of the darkest hours of history.

Filled with up-to-date information, photographs, illustrations, and tidbits from Jack and Annie, the Magic Tree House Fact Trackers are the perfect way for kids to find out more about the topics they discover in their favorite Magic Tree House adventures. And teachers can use the Fact Trackers alongside their Magic Tree House fiction companions to meet Common Core text pairing needs. Have more fun with Jack and Annie on the Magic Tree House website at MagicTreeHouse.com! Did you know there's a Magic Tree House book for every reader? Find the perfect book for you: Classic Adventures with Jack and Annie, perfect for readers who are just starting to read chapter books.

Prairie dogs, vultures, grasshoppers, goldfinches, pocket gophers, and bison are some of the many animals that make up a grassland food web. But do you know how the many types of grasses in a grassland benefit these animals? Or how earthworms and other decomposers play an important role in the food web? See grassland food webs in action in this fascinating book.

New York Times bestseller, now adapted for young readers, Flags of Our Fathers is the unforgettable chronicle of perhaps the most famous moment in American military history: the raising of the U.S. flag at Iwo Jima.
Here is the true story behind the immortal photograph that has come to symbolize the courage and indomitable will of America. In February 1945, American Marines plunged into the surf at Iwo Jima–and into history. Through a hail of machine-gun and mortar fire that left the beaches strewn with comrades, they battled to the island’s highest peak. And there, they raised a flag. The son of one of the flag raisers has written a powerful account of six very different men who came together in the heroic battle.

During World War II, a young Japanese-American boy and his family are sent to an internment camp after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Despondent in their desolate surroundings, father and son pull the camp together to build a baseball diamond and form a league.

Sibert Honor author Deborah Hopkinson paints a vivid portrait of the deadly battles that raged in the Pacific during WWII and the remarkable courage of the US submarine sailors who fought them. Dive! World War II Stories of Sailors & Submarines in the Pacific tells the incredible story of America's little known "war within a war" -- US submarine warfare during World War II. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the US entered World War II in December 1941 with only 44 Naval submarines -- many of them dating from the 1920s. With the Pacific battleship fleet decimated after Pearl Harbor, it was up to the feisty and heroic sailors aboard the US submarines to stop the Japanese invasion across the Pacific. Including breakouts highlighting submarine life and unsung African-American and female war heroes, award-winning author Deborah Hopkinson uses first-person accounts, archival materials, official Naval documents, and photographs to bring the voices and exploits of these brave service members to life.

The life story of this World War II Navajo Code Talker introduces middle-grade readers to an unforgettable person and offers a close perspective on aspects of Navajo (or Dine) history and culture. Thomas H. Begay was one of the young Navajo men who, during World War II, invented and used a secret, unbreakable communications code based on their native Dine language to help win the war in the Pacific. Although the book includes anecdotes from other code talkers, its central narrative revolves around Begay. It tells his story, from his birth near the Navajo reservation, his childhood spent herding sheep, his adolescence in federally mandated boarding schools, and ultimately, his decision to enlist in the US Marine Corps. Alysa Landry relies heavily on interviews with Begay, who, as of this writing, is in his late nineties and one of only three surviving code talkers. Begay's own voice and sense of humor make this book particularly significant in that it is the only Code Talker biography for young readers told from a soldier's perspective. Begay was involved with the book every step of the way, granting Landry unlimited access to his military documents, personal photos, and oral history. Additionally, Begay's family contributed by reading and fact-checking the manuscript. This truly is a unique collaborative project.

An accessible and thought-provoking introduction to the First World War and the Second World War, stunningly illustrated with dramatic contemporary photographs, paintings, posters and maps. This beautifully presented hardback book tells the story of both conflicts, from the trenches of the First World War to the battles and Blitz of World War Two. Please note this title is a combined volume containing Introduction to the First World War and Introduction to the Second World War.