Anita Croy

Is universal health care a good idea? Has the Affordable Care Act been a success or a failure? These questions can be answered many different ways. Readers are introduced to the variety of views on health care as they take a deep dive into this crucial current events topic. The narrative encourages readers to become more informed citizens, and sidebars that present expert viewpoints help them gain a deeper understanding of the health care debate. Readers are also inspired to take part in this debate through discussion questions that deepen their critical thinking skills.

John Steinbeck's novels, including The Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden, have been read by students around the world, and they often provide a strong starting point for learning about the devastating effects of the Great Depression. This connection between history and literature is waiting for readers to discover as they take in the fascinating details of Steinbeck's life and closely examine one of his most famous works, Of Mice and Men. Featuring enlightening sidebars, primary source images, and graphic organizers such as detailed timelines, this reading experience is sure to captivate young literature lovers.

Charles Dickens often wrote about the social problems of 19th-century England, such as child labor, poverty, and crime. By shedding a light on these issues through popular works of literature, he helped create change. Readers explore this connection between history, social issues, and literature as they examine the details of Dickens's life and literary career through engaging main text, fact-filled sidebars, graphic organizers, and historical images. Readers are also given a close look at one of Dickens's most famous works, Oliver Twist. They are encouraged to think critically about how his words may have changed the world.

Extrasensory perception is the ability to hear others' thoughts, predict the future, and have visions. It sounds like a plot point in a superhero fantasy film, but this intriguing resource reveals there might be more truth to it than fiction. Ancient history, including the Greeks' oracles, the Ides of March, and Joan of Arc, provides compelling context. Reports of premonitions and out-of-body experiences have been ample enough for the government to get involved. These riveting accounts will make readers ponder the facts and question whether these phenomenon are coincidence or something else entirely.

The Supreme Court is tasked with interpreting the Constitution. How do they do this, and how do the decisions they make impact the lives of ordinary American citizens? The answers to these and other important questions about the role of the Supreme Court are found through accessible text supplemented by detailed sidebars, full-color photographs, and discussion questions designed to strengthen critical-thinking skills. Supreme Court decisions have impacted marriage laws, civil rights, and many other parts of American life throughout the country's history, and understanding these decisions helps readers become more informed citizens.

Filibusters are often covered by the news media, but what is their purpose? How long can they last, and what are the rules that must be followed during a filibuster? Readers discover the answers to these and other common questions about this unique part of American politics as they explore some of the most famous filibusters in U.S. history, including recent filibusters by Wendy Davis and Nancy Pelosi. Sidebars encourage readers to become more active citizens, and discussion questions allow young people to examine their own opinions about the American political process.

Lobbyists have a lot of political power, and they're often in the news. However, the role of lobbyists is not a focus of many social studies or civics classes, so students don't often get a full picture of who these people are and how they influence policies that affect Americans' daily lives. Readers are invited to learn more about lobbyists as they explore informative text on this important political topic. Full-color photographs and sidebars enhance the reading experience, and discussion questions help readers sharpen their critical-thinking skills as they closely examine different points of view about lobbyists.

The ancient Egyptians were skilled builders, artists and inventors, and one of the best ways to discover how they lived is by studying the artefacts they made. Just as ancient objects enable us to step back into the world of the people who made them, the stories people told can reveal what they thought about their world. This book combines facts about the ancient Egyptians with photographs of the artefacts they left behind and the stories they shared with each other to present a full picture of life at the time.

Did you know that Louis XIV, the Sun King, had 48 wigmakers to help him hide his premature baldness? Hair has always been a part of what makes a person look both attractive and powerful, but it's also frequently been the subject of regulation and public opinion. From afros to wigs, modest bonnets to beehives, side burns to shaved looks, and so much more, the history of hair is decidedly weird and complicated. Samson and Delilah, the Beatles, Farrah Fawcett, Princess Diana, Clara Bow, they're all brought into sharp focus through this fascinating book that readers are sure to love.

For thousands of years, people have wanted to keep their skin soft and free of blemishes. Bathing and pale, clean skin were signs of wealth and privilege, though skin tanning is popular these days. What substances people have used, however, will surprise and disgust you: whipped ostrich eggs, donkey milk, crocodile excrement, gem stone poultices, crocodile glands, wolf's blood, mud, and even a lotion made from boar's brains. From homemade remedies to manufactured goods, this book is filled with strange science and history that readers are sure to enjoy. Full-color photographs share every detail, making for a real page-turner.

Did you know that an 18th century Swedish king ate himself to death at a feast? Or that Maria Callas swallowed a tapeworm to try to control her weight? People throughout the ages have turned to bizarre dietary regimes to shape their bodies. This book covers so many interesting moments in food history, from cannibals to fasting, moral diets to extreme weight loss, fad diets to war rationing, and the diagnosis of eating disorders to Elvis. At the same time, readers learn history, science, nutrition, and social studies. Sidebars bring extra fun to the chapters, and incredible full-color art makes each fact pop.

There are numerous underground organizations of crime hidden from the public. These criminals work diligently to keep their crimes secret in order to successfully execute their deceitful and dangerous missions. Through this accessible and age-appropriate text, readers are given an in-depth look at secretive subjects such as organized crime, corruption in politics, fraud schemes, phishing and spam, and the drug trade. Vibrant full-color photographs, detailed fact boxes, and engaging sidebars provide readers with additional insight into this fascinating and timely topic.

Piercings and tattoos, scarification and cosmetic surgery, foot binding and body building, corsets, and crinolines. People have long altered the shape of their body parts using physical modifications or specially designed clothing in order to fulfill a beauty standard. Then, they learned that other culture's ideas were different. For instance, exploration and trade brought Europeans into contact with peoples who had far different ideals of physical beauty from their own. This exciting tome covers world and cultural history in an enticing, easy-to-read way that is sure to keep it in high demand.

Did you know that an 18th century Swedish king ate himself to death at a feast? Or that Maria Callas swallowed a tapeworm to try to control her weight? People throughout the ages have turned to bizarre dietary regimes to shape their bodies. This book covers so many interesting moments in food history, from cannibals to fasting, moral diets to extreme weight loss, fad diets to war rationing, and the diagnosis of eating disorders to Elvis. At the same time, readers learn history, science, nutrition, and social studies. Sidebars bring extra fun to the chapters, and incredible full-color art makes each fact pop.

Did you know that a Roman woman was executed in the 1600s for selling a poisonous lipstick that women kissed their husbands to death with? Or that women painted their teeth and nails with radium for a special glow? From Cleopatra to Carole Lombard, Madam C.J. Walker to Madame de Pompadour, Elizabeth I to Elizabeth Taylor, and geishas to flappers, the history of makeup has many exciting, and some deadly moments. This fascinating book is sure to attract fans of history and science. The history of entrepreneurship, commerce, and beauty standards give context to some of the most bizarre stories of beauty around.

Did you know that a Roman woman was executed in the 1600s for selling a poisonous lipstick that women kissed their husbands to death with? Or that women painted their teeth and nails with radium for a special glow? From Cleopatra to Carole Lombard, Madam C.J. Walker to Madame de Pompadour, Elizabeth I to Elizabeth Taylor, and geishas to flappers, the history of makeup has many exciting, and some deadly moments. This fascinating book is sure to attract fans of history and science. The history of entrepreneurship, commerce, and beauty standards give context to some of the most bizarre stories of beauty around.

Rome is one of the most famous cities in the world. Its history is long and tumultuous, but at one point Rome was one of the world's greatest superpowers. What happened to make this strong and powerful city fall? Historians and archaeologists have been trying to answer this question for many years. This book gives insight into how Rome was built and how the Romans lived during the city-state's prime. Informative sidebars and fact boxes supplement full-color photographs and provide readers with the tools to act as a historian and figure out why the Eternal City rose and fell.

Stonehenge is one of the archaeological mysteries of the world. Experts are not entirely certain why Stonehenge was built, but there are clues that have aided them in working toward discovering its true purpose. Readers will learn about some of the theories archaeologists have about Stonehenge's past and how there is not enough evidence to support their theories entirely. Maps, sidebars, and full-color photographs supplement information in the text to spark readers' interest in learning more about Stonehenge.

The Aztec people lived in central Mexico and are known for their rich culture and powerful empire. Although these people held control over several regions in Mexico, the Spanish conquistadors eventually removed them from power. What has become of these once famous cities? Archaeologists and historians have been working toward uncovering more information about how these people came to power, how they lived, and what their culture consisted of. Readers will learn about how excavations of Aztec cities have provided scholars with information regarding these people lived and how their cities were constructed. Full-color photographs and corresponding fact boxes supplement the informational text and will excite readers to learn more about these ancient cities.

Machu Picchu, a UNESCO world heritage site, is one of the most important archaeological finds in history. This sanctuary stands at the boundary between the Peruvian Andes and the Amazon Basin, making for spectacular views. The people who built this sanctuary, the Inca, are much more mysterious. This book gives readers insight about how these people lived, what their customs were, and how this awe-inspiring city was found after the Inca were conquered. Vivid photographs and insightful sidebars provide readers with the tools to become knowledgeable about Machu Picchu.