This is a rich selection of engaging non-fiction, grouped into five themes: Incredible Animals, Fascinating Places, Remarkable People, Exciting Activities, and Amazing Science. The features are: one hundred individual readers, graded into eight levels - from Pre-Intermediate to Advanced - and ranging from 800 to 3,000 headword; carefully-controlled grammar syllabus that covers the most typically taught structures in coursebooks; audio programme containing the full text of each reader; and, teacher support materials, including Teacher's Manuals and ExamView[registered] Pro Assessment CD-ROM. "The Teacher's Book" available for every level, includes: a step-by-step lesson planner for each title; photocopiable worksheets that provide complete teaching instructions, answer keys, a grammar presentation, and additional research and communicative activities; and, photocopiable quizzes. An ExamView[registered] Pro CD-ROM is also available for every level.

Every year, over 500 cowboys and cowgirls gather in western Canada. They want to test their rodeo skills at the famous Calgary Stampede. This year, two cowboys intend to win one of the most exciting-and dangerous-events: chuckwagon racing. Which cowboy will win? Will he do it safely?

Fish River Canyon, Namibia was once home to many wild animals. Over time hunters killed them for food and sport. Now, conservationist Natacha Bateau wants to help. She wants to rescue animals from other areas and bring them back to the canyon. Will Natacha's animal rescue succeed?

'Taiko' is a kind of Japanese drum that people hit to make music. Taiko drumming is an ancient Japanese art and it's difficult to learn. Now, many people are practicing taiko drumming in the United States. They have a very special teacher. What makes him so special?

Koalas are recognized around the world for their cute and lovable appearance. But unfortunately the koala population is rapidly declining because their natural home in the thick forests of Australia is being destroyed. What can be done to help the koalas? Who is working to save them?

A group of young athletes have traveled to the Indian Ocean to visit Reunion Island for a unique challenge: canyaking. This tough outdoor activity is a combination of two different sports and requires the cooperation of all team members. What two sports does canyaking involve? Will the team succeed in canyaking Reunion Island?

In the village of Chinchero, Peru, weaving is an important tradition. Weavers use animal hair to make beautiful cloth. They have always used this cloth to stay warm. However, now they are also selling it to make money. How will this affect the local people and economy?

In the town of Kariba, Africa, people and animals live together happily. The town was built in a place where wild animals live. As long as both humans and animals obey certain rules, they can live peacefully. What are the rules in Kariba? How dangerous is it there?

Greve, Italy, is one of the many cities around the globe that is part of the 'Slow City' movement: a way of living designed to fight the negative effects of our increasingly fast-paced world. The 'Slow City' movement has also inspired individuals to start a 'Slow Food' movement. What does it mean to be part of these groups?

A snake park in the Sultanate of Oman has a serious problem: all but one of their snakes have died. The owner of the park has hired a 'snake detective' to uncover the mystery of the dying snakes. Why did the snakes die? Will the snake detective be able to save the new snakes?

Ming is an artist from China who now lives and works in New York City. He teaches children in the public school system how to draw and paint. However, he also teaches them something else that's very important. What does Ming teach the children and why is it so important?

Peter May has the unique job of reconstructing dinosaurs for museum displays. He works with a team using real dinosaur bones as well as artificial bones to create these giant creatures. How did Peter May become a dinosaur builder? How does he know what these long-extinct animals looked like?

In Japan, a young woman named Umechika dreams of becoming a geisha and has left home to follow her dream. This mysterious Japanese profession requires years of difficult training. What happens during the training of a geisha? Why does Umechika want to be one?

Most crocodiles live above ground but an unusual group of crocodiles in Africa lives underground, in caves. A team of scientists will go to Madagascar to learn more about these crocodiles. Will they find any crocodiles? What will happen if they do find a real giant cave croc?

In some areas of Cambodia, there are few people around. Because of this, people go there to catch and kill animals illegally for food or for sale. If these animals don't get help, there will soon be none left Who will save the animals before it's too late?

Cheju, South Korea, is known for its traditional women divers. They have long dived into the ocean to look for seafood. It's dangerous, but there were no other jobs available. Now, women in Cheju have more choices. What jobs can they do? What will happen to the Cheju divers?

Machu Picchu is a beautiful old city in Peru. It was forgotten for many years, but now many people are visiting it. Some people think that too many visitors may not be good for the city. What will happen to Machu Picchu?

Running from Paris to Istanbul, the Orient Express is a first-class hotel on wheels. Once a year, travelers can ride the luxury train across Europe just to enjoy the journey, but it's hard work to make the grand train run smoothly. Who is responsible for the train's success? What unique difficulties do they face?

The Arctic region of Canada is home to a huge depression in the earth called the Haughton Crater. A group of explorers has come to the area to explore the challenges expected when traveling to Mars. What challenges will they experience? What preparations are being made for a trip to Mars here on Earth?

People often visit aquariums to see sea creatures in their natural environment, but in Baltimore, a local program brings aquarium exhibits to people. Local teenagers travel to schools and libraries to educate children about sea life and conservation. How do people react to Aquarium on Wheels? What do the teenagers learn from their work?

Flora grew up in a large city in Tanzania. Then she married and moved to a small village where she and her husband hunt and farm to live. She dreams of going back to the city but doesn't want to leave her family. Will Flora stay in the village? Will she move back to the city?

The Amazon rain forest is in crisis. Illegal miners are destroying the homes of millions of plants and animals; however, one group of scientists is exploring the far off regions of a newly formed national park to stop the destruction. How can they help to save the rain forest? Who will they get to help them?

Two National Geographic explorers take an exciting and difficult trip to the Gobi Desert. When they finally get there, one explorer wants to take pictures of the desert in an interesting way. Why is it so difficult to cross the desert? How does the explorer take pictures of the Gobi?

Goliath tarantulas are the most enormous spiders in the world. Most people consider them to be extremely dangerous and avoid them, but not tarantula expert Rick West. He seeks out tarantulas because he has an important story to tell. What information does West want to share with the world? Are tarantulas as dangerous as people think?

Puffins are a kind of bird that lives in Iceland. Each year baby puffins, or pufflings, leave their homes to find the sea. Sometimes the pufflings get lost and cannot find their way. Groups of people must rescue, or help, the pufflings. How do people rescue the pufflings?