Carmella Van Vleet

A dazzling introduction to paleoclimatology for kids, connecting the methods that scientists use to study our climate history with future climate change solutions. Believe it or not, ice isn't always just frozen water. In fact, most of the ice covering our planet contains thousands of years' worth of information about our atmosphere. This ice is made up of a lot more than snow--it has soot, volcanic ash, gasses, and other substances that affect the climate. And if we drill a piece of that ice? We get a frozen time capsule, courtesy of Earth. In this exhilarating middle grade nonfiction book by a former educator, kids are immersed in the field of paleoclimatology. Readers go along on an ice core expedition, run through each step in the collecting and transporting process, review the fascinating components of an ice core, and explore the specialized labs where scientists examine them. But these pieces of our planet are more than just cool records. By preserving and studying these frosty collections of climate history, we can learn from previous patterns and better protect our planet in the future. The final chapter focuses on ice as a key tool in the fight against climate change. With crystal-clear explanations and an engaging, kid friendly tone, the book features 15+ full-color photographs, diagrams, interviews with paleoclimatologists, a glossary of terms, and simple experiments for budding scientists at home. Books for a Better Earth are designed to inspire children to become active, knowledgeable participants in caring for the planet they live on. A School Library Journal Best Book of the YearA Science Friday Best Book for KidsA Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

'Creeeeak!' goes the screen door to self-taught artist Elijah Pierce's barbershop art studio. A young boy walks in for an ordinary haircut and walks out having discovered a lifetime of art. Mr. Pierce's wood carvings are in every corner of the small studio. There are animals, scenes from his life, and those detailing the socio-political world around him. It's this collection of work that will eventually win Elijah the National Heritage Fellowship in 1982 just two years before his death. But the young boy visiting the shop in the 1970s doesn't know that yet. All he knows is: 'You gotta meet Mr. Pierce!' Based on the true story of Elijah Pierce and his community barber shop in Columbus, Ohio, this picture book includes cleverly collaged museum-sourced photos of his art and informative backmatter about his life. With engaging text by Pierce to the Soul! playwright Chiquita Mullins-Lee and Christopher Award-winning author Carmella Van Vleet, it's illustrated with striking Japanese woodblock by Jennifer Mack-Watkins. A new addition to vital Black art history!

Fascinating explanations of something we use every day Kids ages 8 to 12 discover where electricity comes from, how it works, and how we can make it more efficient. It's everywhere. In our homes, schools, offices, on the train, in our cars-even inside our bodies Electricity: Circuits, Static, and Electromagnets with Hands-On Science Activities for Kids explores the science of electricity and the technology we've developed to harness the energy to power our lives. By diving into the topics of static electricity, currents, circuits, electromagnetism, motors, and ways we might produce and use electricity in the future, kids ages 8 to 12 gain a full view of how electricity works and why it's so important to human society. And while it's tempting to think electricity was invented by humans, it existed since before the earth was even formed In this book, we'll examine the electricity found in nature and even inside our own bodies. Hands-on STEM activities, entertaining illustrations, essential questions, text-to-world connections, fascinating sidebars, and links to online resources and videos get kids hooked on the fascinating subject they all use in their daily lives-electricity Additional materials include a glossary, a list of media for further learning, a selected bibliography, and index. Aligns with Common Core state standards and Next Generation Science Standards. All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile. All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats.

Fascinating explanations of something we use every day Kids ages 8 to 12 discover where electricity comes from, how it works, and how we can make it more efficient. It's everywhere. In our homes, schools, offices, on the train, in our cars-even inside our bodies Electricity: Circuits, Static, and Electromagnets with Hands-On Science Activities for Kids explores the science of electricity and the technology we've developed to harness the energy to power our lives. By diving into the topics of static electricity, currents, circuits, electromagnetism, motors, and ways we might produce and use electricity in the future, kids ages 8 to 12 gain a full view of how electricity works and why it's so important to human society. And while it's tempting to think electricity was invented by humans, it existed since before the earth was even formed In this book, we'll examine the electricity found in nature and even inside our own bodies. Hands-on STEM activities, entertaining illustrations, essential questions, text-to-world connections, fascinating sidebars, and links to online resources and videos get kids hooked on the fascinating subject they all use in their daily lives-electricity Additional materials include a glossary, a list of media for further learning, a selected bibliography, and index. Aligns with Common Core state standards and Next Generation Science Standards. All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile. All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats.

The case of a missing father is hard to crack . . . even for Felix, a tiny kid with a huge heart and an eye for detail. Eleven-year-old Felix likes being the smallest kid in school. At least he knows where he fits in. Plus his nickname, "Short-lock Holmes," is perfect for someone who's killing it in forensic science club. To Felix, Growth Hormone Deficiency is no big deal. And then Felix learns that his biological dad was short, too. This one, tiny, itty-bitty piece of information opens up a massive hole in his life. Felix must find his father. He only has a few small clues to work from, but as Sherlock Holmes said, "To a great mind, nothing is little." The further Felix gets in his investigation, though, the more he starts to wonder: What if his dad doesn't want to be found? And what if Felix's family--his mom, his stepdad, the baby on the way--needs him right where he is? Tender and uplifting, this warm novel from Christopher Award-winner Carmella Van Vleet celebrates little differences in us that can make a big impact. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

A full-color book for ages 7 to 10 that explores the world of ancient Rome through hands-on STEAM activities, fascinating facts about everyone from gods to ordinary people, and essential questions that get kids recognizing the source of the knowledge we enjoy today What was it like to live in ancient Rome? Are ancient Roman roads still used today? What did ancient Romans wear and eat and do for fun? Ancient Civilizations: Romans With 25 Social Studies Projects for Kids investigates the fascinating civilization of ancient Rome through 25 hands-on projects, games, essential questions, links to online resources, and more Kids ages 7 to 10 learn about ancient Roman homes, food, playtime, clothing, conquests, gods, and entertainment. By promoting critical and creative thinking, Romans encourages kids to develop an understanding of how this ancient civilization laid the foundation of our modern world. - This book brings daily life from thousands of years ago into today's reality through fun illustrations, fascinating facts, essential questions, and hands-on projects such as designing an aqueduct, making a Roman theater mask, and building a mosaic.- Explores the sites of ancient architectural wonders such as the Colosseum and the Cloaca Maxima. - Introduces key people associated with ancient Rome, including Spartacus, Hadrian, Trajan, and Julius Caesar. About the Explore Ancient Civilizations set and Nomad Press Ancient Civilizations: Romans is part of a set of four Explore Ancient Civilization books that bring to life the vibrant cultures of the distant past. The other titles in this series are Ancient Civilizations: Aztecs, Maya, Incas ; Ancient Civilizations: Egyptians , Ancient Civilizations: Greeks Nomad Press books in the Explore Your World series integrate content with participation, encouraging readers to engage in student-directed learning. Combining content with inquiry-based projects stimulates learning and makes it active and alive. Nomad's unique approach simultaneously grounds kids in factual knowledge while allowing them the space to be curious, creative, and critical thinkers. All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core State Standards and National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies. All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats.

Where was the last time you saw a robot? Did you read about one in a book or see one in a movie? Maybe you saw one in a video game Some people think robots exist only in our imagination, but actually, robots are all around us right now. Robotics With 25 Science Projects for Kids offers readers ages 7 to 10 an introduction to the history, mechanics, and future use of robots Readers explore the history of robotics and discover how the first types looked and moved and what people expected they could do. Compare these early robots to those we have today, some of which don't even have bodies Kids discover how robots have changed as decades have passed and see how they now look, think, sense, move, and do things. Robotics also discusses all the amazing things robots do for us--help us around the house, go into and explore dangerous situations, build our cars and other products, assist during surgeries, and protect and entertain us. Learn all about early robots such as Unimate and Elmer and Elsie, and compare them to modern-day robots Robonaut 2 and ASIMO. Robotics includes 25 science-minded activities to engage budding scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and artists and help answer the questions, what exactly is a robot and where do they come from? Kids also discover how technology such as computers and other electronics of the last 50 or so years played an important role in the development of modern-day robotics. Requiring little adult supervision and using common, easy-to-find (and often recycled ) materials, kids experiment, play games, and explore components of robotics. They also build a variety of things such as their own automaton, a robot hand, and a replica of Robonaut 2. Combining hands-on fun with interesting facts, cartoons, and sidebars, Robotics provides young readers with a fun introduction to this fascinating and important field. Robotics is part of a set of two Explore Technology books that introduce young digital natives to the history, science, and engineering of the tech world in which we live, using hands-on STEM activities, essential questions, links to online primary sources and real-life connections. The other title in this series is Simple Machines Nomad Press books integrate content with participation. Common Core State Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards, and STEM Education all place project-based learning as key building blocks in education. Combining content with inquiry-based projects stimulates learning and makes it active and alive. Nomad's unique approach simultaneously grounds kids in factual knowledge while allowing them the space to be curious, creative, and critical thinkers.

Kathy Sullivan wanted to go everywhere. She loved blueprints and maps. She loved languages and the ocean. She didn't like the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" She wanted to explore and do exciting things that girls weren't supposed to be able to do. Only men had the exciting jobs. Kathy liked fishing and swimming; flying planes and studying science. That's what she liked and that's what she decided to do with her life. She followed her heart and eventually became a NASA astronaut and the first woman to walk in space. Kathy wanted to see the whole world and so she did: from space Backmatter includes further information about Dr. Sullivan and her career, as well as other famous firsts made by women astronauts.

Kathy Sullivan wanted to go everywhere. She loved blueprints and maps. She loved languages and the ocean. She didn't like the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" She wanted to explore and do exciting things that girls weren't supposed to be able to do. Only men had the exciting jobs. Kathy liked fishing and swimming; flying planes and studying science. That's what she liked and that's what she decided to do with her life. She followed her heart and eventually became a NASA astronaut and the first woman to walk in space. Kathy wanted to see the whole world and so she did: from space Backmatter includes further information about Dr. Sullivan and her career, as well as other famous firsts made by women astronauts.

Given the pace of how we harness and utilize electricity, as well as the importance of developing new sources of energy, electricity is a timely subject for kids to explore. In Explore Electricity! With 25 Great Projects, kids ages 6-9 will learn the basics of electricity: currents, circuits, power, magnetism and electromagnetism, motors and generators. They'll become more attuned to how much they rely on electricity in their daily lives. They'll also understand that while electricity is a wonderful resource, and one we've used to our advantage ever since it was discovered, the future of how we make and use electricity is still changing and there are things they can do today to impact these changes. This title invites kids to experiment on their own with 25 simple projects that will "spark" their learning and enthusiasm, including making their own clothespin switch, lemon battery, compass, electromagnet, and flashlight, as well as generating their own "lightning." These hands-on activities combined with informational text will excite kids about STEM? the interrelated fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Over 2,000 years ago, ancient Greek scholars named seven of the most wondrous monuments to civilization, including the Pyramids of Egypt and Statue of Zeus at Olympia. Through the centuries these treasures were known as the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Because all but the Egyptian pyramids have been lost to the ravages of time, a new list of seven wonders was established in 2007. These monuments, including Machu Picchu in Peru and the Great Wall of China, symbolize the creativity and ingenuity of human civilization. Seven Wonders of the World introduces kids ages 9--12 to the seven wonders on the original list and the seven wonders on the new list. Learning about these icons of world culture offers opportunities to discover amazing civilizations, technological innovations, and our shared world heritage. Sidebars, fun trivia, and entertaining illustrations break up the text, making it easily accessible and engaging, while hands-on projects encourage active learning.

Exploring everything from his groundbreaking scientific discoveries and his many useful inventions to his successful career as a writer and printer, this interactive guide reveals the life and times of one of the most famous Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin. Fun activities and compelling biographical information offer young readers a unique portrait of one of America's most revered and original statesmen. Detailed step-by-step instructions for more than two dozen hands-on projects combine with fascinating facts and trivia to give kids a comprehensive look at the man who not only gave us the lightning rod, bifocals, and the post office, but was also instrumental in securing America's independence from England. Encompassing Franklin's life from childhood to death--and detailing his relationships with historical figures such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson--this handbook provides an insightful look into colonial America, while teaching kids how to create their own thermometer, letterpress, or Liberty Bell.

With text that covers ancient Egyptian food, housing, games, farming, medicine, clothing, religion, and jewelry, an interactive activity book explores the fascinating lives of ancient Egyptians through more than two dozen hands-on projects. Original.

Provides ideas for eight writing workshops, each including an introduction, list of materials, and writing activities.

Inspire the next Emily Dickinson! These workshops will help younger students develop their passion for the written word and expand their writing ability. Meant for use throughout the entire school year, the workshops steadily become more thought-provoking as students are challenged to increase their skills.Grades 2-5