California is the country's most populous state. The home of the entertainment industry and Silicon Valley. It's known for its beaches, its redwood forests, and as the 'land of fruit and nuts.' Its people, industries, politicians, climate and allure captivates the world and draws millions of visitors each year. Exploring the state's fascinating history, people, myths, culture and trivia, The Handy California Answer Book takes an in-depth look at this fascinating, quirky and diverse state.

Fully updated with the latest advances in meteorology as well as an additional section on climate change, this comprehensive reference addresses all aspects of weather in an accessible question-and-answer format. All the basic elements of weather are discussed, as are all types of weather phenomena and the science of forecasting. In addition, the relationships between weather and oceanography, geology, and space science are expertly covered. Included are more than 1,000 questions and answers such as, "Has a hurricane ever struck southern California? Could our oceans have originated in space?" and "What is bioclimatology?" This resource is an ideal reference for students, teachers, and amateur meteorologists.

Each book in this series offers all the statutes, legal opinions, and studies a student needs to structure a cohesive argument on a given controversial topic. Issues are presented from multiple points of view; sidebars cite law and opinions to aid in critical analysis; paratextual questions encourage reader engagement; and all sources are fully documented and grouped by the side of the argument. Discusses the juvenile court system and recent trends toward getting "tough on crime": Is it just to try and/or sentence juveniles in adult courts? Should a separate system exist that takes into account youthful inexperience?

From questions over whether it is appropriate to eat meat or to wear fur or leather, this title examines all sides of this very controversial issue.

With Authors & Artists for Young Adults teens have a source where they can discover fascinating and entertaining facts about the writers, artists, film directors, graphic novelists, and other creative personalities that most interest them. International in scope, each volume contains 20-25 entries offering personal behind-the-scenes information, portraits, movie stills, bibliographies, a cumulative index and more. For table of contents or other volume specific information see the entry for the volume.

An easy-to-use source for librarians, students and other researchers, each volume in this series provides illustrated biographical profiles of approximately 75 childrens authors and artists. This critically acclaimed series covers more than 12, 000 individuals, ranging from established award winners to authors and illustrators who are just beginning their careers. Entries typically cover: personal life, career, writings, works in progress, adaptations, additional sources. A cumulative author index is included in each odd-numbered volume.