This fascinating title sets the world scene in the years before the start of World War I. Readers will get a snapshot of the political and social climates of the five great European powers: Britain, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia. Rapid industrial development and a movement toward solving differences through military action led countries to create alliances between them. The feeling in Europe was that war was inevitable, and Germany was the first to make the move. Find out how an assassination set off a chain of declarations of war, and how Germany put their war machine into motion with the Schlieffen Plan - a strategy that called for the invasion of neutral countries.

Most people have heard of the massive collection of debris in the Pacific Ocean or the damaging effects of oil spills on ocean ecosystems. But there are many other ways the world's oceans are being affected by pollution. This important title examines the sources of ocean pollution and the action being taken around the world to prevent pollution. Get inspired to take action in your community!

From ancient Pueblo homes to the Australian mining town where half the population lives underground, this appealing book uses cutaway illustrations to introduce readers to homes that were built below ground. Labeled diagrams of underground homes and fun facts will make this enjoyable read highly useful.

Why do people migrate to and settle in the places they do? Fascinating examples in history help explain how the earliest human settlements were situated close to fertile ground and rivers for farming and raising livestock. Other determining factors have included areas that offered defensive advantages, resources such as metals, salt, and fossil fuels, and locations on trading routes. In modern times proximity to commercial centers and transportation links, such as railways, canals, and airports, have become more important. Examples featured include settling the Nile in ancient Egypt; the shaping of Central America by trade and colonization; the Industrial Revolution in Britain; the opening up of the American West; the Gold Rush; and the colonization of Australia. The concepts of urbanization - the settlement and growth of cities - and suburbanization, the return to the countryside and the growth of commuter towns, are both examined.

Should the Internet be a place for free thought and free sharing? Or should the government and Internet service companies be able to censor and block content? This up-to-date book will help equip readers with tangible tools to help understand the issues involved in net neutrality and encourage them to stay informed of further developments. Teacher's guide available.

In this colorful book, students will learn about the roles and relationships of the heroes and gods in ancient Greek myths and legends. Several ancient Greek myths are retold, describing how these stories helped ancient people interpret their world. Myths include: - Apollo and the oracle at Delphi - Demeter and Persephone - Pandora's box, and more!

Earth's surface is constantly being changed by heat, water, ice, salt, plants, and animals. Sometimes the changes are destructive to human activities such as farming and the building of structures. This interesting title shows the different ways people try to stop or reduce this change in the land. Examples feature such structures as dikes to hold back water and windbreaks, and adding shrubs, grass, and trees to an area of land to prevent erosion. Teacher's guide available.

To be a spy in today's high-tech world, you've got to specialize - whether you're keeping tabs on foreign governments, fighting terrorist organizations, or stopping cyber espionage. This fascinating book describes spying throughout history, the gadgetry of a spy, and what kind of training is required to join intelligence-gathering agencies around the world.

For centuries, exploration of the Arctic has been pursued for its potential value as a commercial sea route. Many expeditions tried in vain to navigate its frozen waterways. This timely book tells the stories of famous expeditions to find a Northwest Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific, to map the frozen wasteland, and to be the first to reach the North Pole.

Since the discovery of Lucy, one of the most famous human skeletons ever discovered, paleontologists and people alike have been fascinated with human fossils. In this book, students will follow the timeline of key discoveries in human fossils, and learn how scientists continue to link together the evolution of humanity using evidence from the past.

Entrepreneurs are a vital component of a successful economy. They can create jobs and help keep money in their local communities. What is Entrepreneurship? explains the risks and rewards involved for entrepreneurs as they work to bring innovative ideas to life and make their mark on the business world. This title outlines key steps involved in starting, managing, and growing a small business, including research and idea development, writing a business plan, managing financial input and output, and planning for growth. Biographical snapshots highlight the innovative thinking, perseverance, problem-solving skills, and other traits essential to the entrepreneurial spirit.

Sharing, taking turns and treating everyone we meet with respect are ways we can show fairness to others. But how do we know what's fair? And how do we follow through on what we know is right? The six people in this graphic nonfiction book have all shown their commitment to a world of equality and fairness. Let's see what we can learn from them. As you read, you'll also ask yourself how you would have responded in some of the situations they faced.

The legendary island of Atlantis was said to have incredible buildings, waterways, and art - far advanced for its time. Then, in a day and night, it was destroyed by earthquakes and floods, disappearing forever into the earth. Was this fascinating place myth or reality? This intriguiging book follows the clues in the writings of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato to discover the truth.

This exciting book explains how the shape of Earth can change with the sudden movement of Earth's crust or when molten rock explodes out of an opening in Earth's surface. Young readers will be fascinated to discover how volcanoes form - destroying the landscape and creating new landforms at the same time. They will also learn about tectonic plates and fault lines, the damage earthquakes can cause, and how to stay safe when an earthquake happens. Teacher's guide available.

Why do people migrate to and settle in the places they do? Fascinating examples in history help explain how the earliest human settlements were situated close to fertile ground and rivers for farming and raising livestock. Other determining factors have included areas that offered defensive advantages, resources such as metals, salt, and fossil fuels, and locations on trading routes. In modern times proximity to commercial centers and transportion links, such as railways, canals, and airports, have become more important. Examples featured include settling the Nile in ancient Egypt; the shaping of Central America by trade and colonization; the Industrial Revolution in Britain; the opening up of the American West; the Gold Rush; and the colonization of Australia. The concepts of urbanization - the settlement and growth of cities - and suburbanization, the return to the countryside and the growth of commuter towns, are both examined.

A major societal issue in the world today, opioid addiction is causing a devastating number of deaths and is costing countries millions of dollars. This timely book includes information on the causes and effects of opioid addiction and the methods being used to combat this deadly epidemic. Teacher's guide available.