Autor: Ryan Nagelhout

Before he was an NBA superstar, Kevin Durant was a kid who loved playing basketball. Durant grew up to be the second overall pick in the NBA Draft. After a season in which he won NBA Rookie of the Ye …

If people ever doubt that the printed word can change the world, they should look to Common Sense, the pamphlet penned by Thomas Paine. Just paper and ink helped persuade American colonists that inde …

Getting that first job is an important rite of passage for many teens. However, teens entering the workplace need to be aware of their rights. Readers will learn about the protection the law offers i …

The conquistador Balboa is best known for having led the first party of explorers of European descent to reach the Pacific by traveling overland from the Atlantic. An ambitious man from a noble but r …

The moon has fascinated people for centuries, as demonstrated by the numerous myths and stories told about it. Although no one has visited the moon since the early 1970s, scientists are still very in …

Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company, didn’t invent the car or even his famous assembly line. However, he was the innovator who made these things wildly successful. In fact, his practices an …

One of the most historic moments in human history happened in July 1969-the first person walked on the moon! But Neil Armstrong’s steps were only the end result of years of hard work, by both Armstro …

In 1911, two teams headed to the southernmost point on Earth: the South Pole. No one had ever been there before, and at the end of the race, not everyone would live to tell the tale. Readers go explo …

Countless young football players dream of breaking into the NFL and scoring the winning touchdown of the Super Bowl. Those on their way to the pros and those who just want to know more about athletes …

Many professional athletes begin their journey as children. Hockey players are no different. Wayne Gretzky learned to skate when he was 21/2 years old! However, hard work and practice are what allow …

The prophecies of sixteenth-century French astrologer Nostradamus still resonate in our world. Many of his predictions have seemed to correlate with major world events. There are more predictions tha …

Early commercial cameras were big, boxy, and you had to actually give your camera back to the camera maker to develop your photos. Before that, making photographs was actually even more difficult. Co …

Automobiles are amazing machines that take most of us from place to place on a daily basis. From their earliest days, making them safe to drive took lots of hard work and ingenuity. From early explos …

Taking to the skies has always been a dream for human beings. Watching birds and bees take flight while people remained chained to the soil provided the inspiration to experiment with machines capabl …

Telling time wasn’t always as easy as looking at a cell phone. Clocks are incredibly complex machines that help make sure we’re on time for school and many other tasks in our everyday lives. But how …

Computer technology has come a long way from the machines that took hours to do even simple tasks. The history of computing is full of computers that were the size of a room and did very little. Year …

It’s fascinating to think about how people ever found their way around. For instance, how did people navigate hundreds or even thousands of years ago? They likely didn’t ask for directions, as they w …

The Hindenburg, the largest airship ever built and the pride of Nazi Germany, burst into flames over Lakehurst, New Jersey, in 1937. It swiftly fell from the sky and was incinerated. This incident is …

Soccer is called "the beautiful game" for a reason. It’s an amazing sport full of interesting players, teams, and records. This book takes readers onto the pitch with the greatest players e …

Put the ball in the hoop and don’t let the other team score. It sounds simple, but there’s so much more to the game of basketball. This exciting book takes a look at the game in a quick and fun way t …

Hockey is a tough sport full of fascinating facts. From the fastest slap shot in National Hockey League history to the player with the most fights, readers will love exploring amazing seasons from in …

Earth borers are huge, amazing tools that help build tunnels. Readers will dig deep underground with these massive machines to learn how they chew up rocks and dirt and help engineers build new thing …

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored 38, 387 points during his professional basketball career! Readers discover this and many other fascinating facts as they explore the history of basketball and its most impr …

Many people are quick to run from bees or swat them, afraid they’ll sting, but this book will teach readers that honeybees are actually hardworking and beneficial to their ecosystems. Readers will lo …

How do homing pigeons navigate? They have a special ability to sense magnetic fields. As readers learn about this impressive adaptation, they’re introduced to important science curriculum topics in a …

Science can be seen in action all around you during a football game. Physics explains how wide receivers make amazing catches and how defensive players make big tackles. Biology is studied in order t …

Hockey players need speed, strength, and skill to become great. They also need science. In this volume, readers explore the many ways science is put into action on the ice. Vibrant photographs of hoc …

Le Bron James overcame adversity to become a superstar athlete while he was still in high school. After joining the NBA, he won multiple championships and awards, and he is widely considered one of t …

Elon Musk has created plans for many futuristic enterprises, including a high-speed transportation system in California, solar power for private residences, and a human colony on Mars! He aims to cha …

Why does a curveball curve? Why is it sometimes better to slide into a base than to run to it? How can baseball players avoid common injuries? As readers discover the science behind baseball, they fi …

Traumatic brain injuries are dangerous, especially if they are not recognized and treated promptly. Readers discover that repeated brain injuries may result in effects such as changed personality, de …

Movies and TV shows have been predicting the rise of robot intelligence for years. In 2012, the US government finally revealed that the day is here. Militaries around the world have been experimentin …

Winning a coloring contest was the spark that got Beth Phoenix into wrestling. Detailing her rise as a WWE Superstar, this book is sure to spark interest in any young reader. With full-color photogra …

CM Punk started a revolution in the WWE with his unique style and rebel antics. Detailing his rise as a WWE Superstar, this book is sure to spark interest in any young reader. Featuring full-color ph …

Find out how a college football player became The Champ of the WWE. Detailing his rise as a WWE Superstar, this book is sure to spark interest in any young reader. Featuring full-color photographs, a …

Randy Orton has wrestling in his DNA. The son of a WWE legend has made a name for himself in the ring. Detailing his rise as a WWE Superstar, this book is sure to spark interest in any young reader. …

The Big Show is one of the largest athletes on the planet. Detailing his rise as a WWE Superstar, this book is sure to spark interest in any young reader. Featuring full-color photographs, a detailed …

The bright and colorful clownfish lives an exciting life in the coral reef. Through the use of accessible text, readers take an exciting look at the world clownfish call home. A picture glossary help …

Crabs can live all over the world, but many call the ocean home. Through the use of accessible text, readers take an exciting look at the wet world crabs call home. A picture glossary helps beginning …

A sea star is one of the most durable creatures in the world. Through the use of accessible text, readers take an exciting look at the wet world these curious creatures call home. A picture glossary …

The most dangerous swim of a sea turtle’s life is its first, a race from egg to ocean that very few survive. Through the use of accessible text, readers take an exciting look at the life cycle of the …

Whales are some of the largest creatures on the planet, yet they eat some of the smallest creatures in the ocean. Through the use of accessible text, readers take an exciting look at the life cycle o …

The bright and colorful clownfish lives an exciting life in the coral reef. Through the use of accessible text, presented in both English and standard Latin-American Spanish, readers take an exciting …

Crabs can live all over the world, but many call the ocean home. Through the use of accessible text presented in both English and standard Latin-American Spanish, readers take an exciting look at the …

A sea star is one of the most durable creatures in the world. Through the use of accessible text presented in both English and standard Latin-American Spanish, readers take an exciting look at the we …

The most dangerous swim of a sea turtle’s life is its first, a race from egg to ocean that very few survive. Through the use of accessible text presented in both English and standard Latin-American S …

Whales are some of the largest creatures on the planet, yet they eat some of the smallest creatures in the ocean. Through the use of accessible text presented in both English and standard Latin-Ameri …

Sharks are famous for their bite, but there’s plenty of variety in these dangerous creatures. Through the use of accessible text, readers take an exciting look at the wet world these toothy creatures …

Many US citizens know that the White House has been home to US presidents for over 200 years. But few people know that the "President’s Mansion" has experienced two large fires, or that eve …

Some of the most notorious criminals in US history were kept under lock and key on the foggy, craggy shores of Alcatraz Island. Al Capone, "Machine Gun" Kelly, and the "Birdman of Alca …

Deep within the ancient vaults of Edinburgh Castle, evidence of the chilling tales of battles, plague, and terrible torture remain, along with the restless spirits of those who lost their lives benea …

Ostriches are the biggest birds on Earth, and they’re also some of the strangest. Early readers will learn more about a herd of ostrich with the help of full-color photographs and easy-to-read text. …

Bison are huge animals, but that doesn’t mean they are slow! Some bison run up to 40 miles per hour, and with sharp horns on their head they can be dangerous, too. Filled with full-color photographs …

Why are elephants’ ears so big? Early readers will learn that and more in this exciting first concepts book filled with fun information and full-color photographs. Through easy-to-read text, readers …

Giraffes are the tallest animals on Earth. Through the use of bright photographs and easy-to-read text, early readers will be fascinated by the lives of these big mammals. They’ll discover how giraff …

A great big grizzly is much different than your ordinary teddy bear! Grizzlies are huge and hungry. With the help of full-color photographs and easy-to-read text, early readers will be fascinated by …

Hippos love to lie in the water, and they lounge for hours at a time! Through easy-to-read text and vivid full-color photographs, early readers will learn why these huge animals love to lounge as wel …

Hippos love to lie in the water, and they lounge for hours at a time! Through easy-to-read text and vivid full-color photographs, early readers will learn why these huge animals love to lounge as wel …

A great big grizzly is much different than your ordinary teddy bear! Grizzlies are huge and hungry. With the help of full-color photographs and easy-to-read text presented in both English and standar …

Giraffes are the tallest animals on Earth. Through the use of bright photographs and easy-to-read text presented in both English and standard Latin American Spanish, early readers will be fascinated …

Why are elephants’ ears so big? Early readers will learn that and more in this exciting first concepts book filled with fun information and full-color photographs. Through easy-to-read text presented …

Bison are huge animals, but that doesn’t mean they are slow! Some bison run up to 40 miles per hour, and with sharp horns on their head they can be dangerous, too. Filled with full-color photographs …

Ostriches are the biggest birds on Earth, and they’re also some of the strangest. Early readers will learn more about a herd of ostrich with the help of full-color photographs and easy-to-read text. …

Since the 1970s, conservation in the Chesapeake Bay watershed has been a major focus of local environmental groups as well as the federal government. The health of the estuary has been evaluated by t …

Natural gas can be found underground in more than two dozens states in the United States. While this clean-burning fossil fuel might be the answer to American dependence on overseas oil, the controve …

Christian went from playing hockey to battling the WWE’s fiercest grapplers. Detailing his rise as a WWE Superstar, this book is sure to spark interest in any young reader. With full-color photograph …

Sharks are famous for their bite, but there’s plenty of variety in these dangerous creatures. Through the use of accessible text presented in both English and standard Latin-American Spanish, readers …

Sponges are possibly the world’s oldest animals. Their ability to survive and adapt in their surroundings is truly astounding, as is the fact that they’ve been on Earth for over 700 million years. Th …

The Green Bay Packers are a fortunate football franchise. Two of the best quarterbacks of all time have played for them over the last decade. First it was Brett Favre, and now the NFL is dominated by …

2012 was a great year for young quarterbacks in the National Football League. Andrew Luck went from first overall draft pick to a playoff performer for the Indianapolis Colts. Readers learn about thi …

Every major college football team in America passed on Joe Flacco, but he’s a superstar in the NFL. In this book, readers learn how the Delaware quarterback set school records and worked his way to a …

Tom Brady went from a late pick in the NFL Draft to one of the most dominant quarterbacks in the history of the league. In this high-interest book, readers learn more about the career of this New Eng …

Peyton Manning has had one of the most colorful careers in NFL history. From a Super Bowl win with the Indianapolis Colts and four NFL most valuable player awards, Manning has had an amazing run on t …

Robert Griffin III is one of the most exciting quarterbacks to play in the NFL in years. In 2012, he took the league by storm with an exciting running style and amazing athletic ability. Readers find …

Baseball is a great sport for young readers to fall in love with. Beginning readers get in the game with this exciting book. Readers learn the basics of the game, like throwing and catching, and abou …

Basketball is the perfect sport for a young sports enthusiast to dive into. The fast-paced game makes for an exciting sport, and early readers will jump right in and experience a big game atmosphere …

Football is the most popular sport in America, and this first look at the sport shows why. Early readers will be taken into the huddle and into the end zone while developing basic literacy skills and …

Gymnastics are a great way for kids to get active at an early age. The rolling, tumbling, and flipping in a safe environment can one day lead to big moves and exciting Olympic performances. Starting …

The sights and sounds of ice hockey are unlike any other sport. From the playing surface to the big cheers from a goal, hockey is an easy sport to fall in love with. In this exhilarating book, reader …

Soccer is a fast and fun sport to read about and even more fun to play! From the big saves to the even bigger goals, taking the pitch with friends is a great way to get active and have fun. In this e …

Baseball is a great sport for young readers to fall in love with. Beginning readers get in the game with this exciting book. Readers learn the basics of the game, like throwing and catching, and abou …

Basketball is the perfect sport for a young sports enthusiast to dive into. The fast-paced game makes for an exciting sport, and early readers will jump right in and experience a big game atmosphere …

Football is the most popular sport in America, and this first look at the sport shows why. Early readers will be taken into the huddle and into the end zone while developing basic literacy skills and …

The sights and sounds of ice hockey are unlike any other sport. From the playing surface to the big cheers from a goal, hockey is an easy sport to fall in love with. In this exhilarating book present …

Soccer is a fast and fun sport to read about and even more fun to play! From the big saves to the even bigger goals, taking the pitch with friends is a great way to get active and have fun. In this e …

Gymnastics are a great way for kids to get active at an early age. The rolling, tumbling, and flipping in a safe environment can one day lead to big moves and exciting Olympic performances. Starting …

Global communication and travel are integral parts of culture today. Knowing the time of the places around the world makes interacting globally easier! The 24 time zones on Earth make this possible. …

With the help of some chemicals and a bit of hard work, bodies can have a long life well after a person’s death. Early embalming efforts in ancient Egypt were meant to preserve bodies for the afterli …

Native people have been living around the Great Lakes for thousands of years. As European settlers arrived, they soon learned that the land around the Great Lakes was an ideal place to settle. Reader …

As the easternmost tribe of the Iroquois Confederacy, the Mohawk people were called the "keepers of the eastern door." Their villages were sustained by hunting, fishing, and agriculture, an …

Aircraft carriers are gigantic ships that thousands of people call home. These huge floating cities have their own barbershops and are used to move people and planes all around the world. Readers wil …

Did you know that the President of the United States gets his own airplane? That’s Air Force One! It’s a custom-made plane with special areas few people have ever seen, but we can take a look inside …

Some of the most advanced airplanes in the world are called fighter planes. From early biplanes to supersonic jets, fighters are built to shoot planes out of the sky and move with ease at high speeds …

Helicopters are special machines that can hover in place and do many different tasks that most planes can’t handle. The military uses many different kinds of helicopters all over the world, and this …

Tanks have come a long way since they were first invented. These machines were named tanks because armies didn’t want enemy troops to know they existed. Instead, they were said to hold water, like wa …

Lightning can strike in the same place twice. It’s for this reason that readers need to learn how to avoid being in dangerous places during a storm with lightning! While a spectacular weather phenome …

The Hindenburg, the largest airship ever built and the pride of Nazi Germany, burst into flames over Lakehurst, New Jersey, in 1937. It swiftly fell from the sky and was incinerated. This incident is …

Lampreys aren’t just freaky because of their funnel-shaped mouth or many species’ appetite for blood. They’re an invasive species slowly entering North American waters and causing harm to native spec …

Baseball is known as America’s pastime, and it has plenty of history to explore. Readers will love learning wacky facts about baseball and discover who holds some of its most elusive records, like th …

From the drivers on the track to the fans packing the grandstands, auto racing is a thrilling sport that gets everyone’s adrenaline pumping. This book dives into the amazing facts that make up auto r …

The National Football League is America’s favorite sports league. Football is fast-paced and full of big hits and even bigger plays from its superstars. These players have set some impressive records …

Neil Armstrong, the first person to step on the moon, uttered the legendary statement: "That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." This thrilling book explains how a youn …

Abby Wambach is the all-time greatest American women’s soccer player in history. This book explores the life of a World Cup champion as well as her record-setting international career. From a youth s …

Aaron Rodgers went from a small college in California to being named most valuable player in the Super Bowl! This quarterback’s amazing rise to become one of the top quarterbacks in the National Foot …

Le Bron James joined the NBA out of high school and was immediately one of the most exciting players in basketball. His fascinating career has been full of titles and individual awards, from the NBA’ …

Lindsey Vonn is one of the most decorated modern American athletes. This skier has won World Cups in all five alpine skiing disciplines, one of only six women to accomplish the feat. That hasn’t come …

One of the greatest athletes alive, Serena Williams has taken the tennis world by storm in her spectacular career. From singles titles and career grand slams to doubles titles with her sister Venus, …

Sidney Crosby is a living hockey legend. A superstar for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Crosby is a Stanley Cup Champion and a Canadian Olympic hero. Sid the Kid’s career has featured big goals, serious in …

Natural gas may heat our homes and help us cook, but rarely do people consider where it comes from-or even what it’s made of. Incredibly, this gaseous mix of mostly methane and ethane didn’t become a …

Does Ivan Vasilyevich, also known as Ivan the Terrible, deserve his menacing moniker? The grand prince of Moscow built an empire in the 16th century to become the first tsar of Russia in 1547. Though …

Technology has made modern life as we know it possible, but there’s always a downside to technological advances. Some technology can be helpful, but some is downright freaky. From secret computer vir …

Concussions are serious and often misunderstood injuries. This important book explores concussions from every angle, including how they happen and what to do should a reader suffer one while on the f …

Baseball is a great sport full of weird words. Trying to play a game with friends might be hard if you don’t know what anyone is saying. Readers will get a look in the dugout, and even learn why they …

Basketball is a game of numbers. Scoring points is one thing, but readers might not know that each position in basketball has a number, too. It’s just one of the many fun facts about basketball a rea …

There’s a lot more to auto racing than just driving around in a circle. From engine maintenance to understanding wind physics while drafting, drivers and their crews are smart people making decisions …

From a distance, soccer may seem like a tough sport to understand. Once you get to the pitch and get running, though, it’s easy to see why it’s so much fun. Readers explore "the beautiful game&q …

Human impact on the environment is often difficult to track, but not when it comes to dams. These massive engineering projects create huge changes in our waterways and how we use them. Full-color pho …

Several myths swirl around George Washington. For example, many think he had wooden teeth. Actually, his teeth were constructed of materials including bone, hippopotamus ivory, human teeth, brass scr …

Great whites, hammerheads, and bull sharks are some of the fierce, hungry predators lurking in the pages of this book. Shark enthusiasts are invited to take the plunge and learn what’s involved in sh …

No discussion of the civil rights movement of the 1960s is complete without a close look at Martin Luther King Jr. This book is an invaluable source of biographical information that uses King’s own i …

There are some beaches that glow in the dark! Glowing waves are caused by plankton floating in the water, and these tiny animals can have a very bright light. Readers learn fun facts about these micr …

From running backs and quarterbacks to defensive players and special teams performers, football players each have their own records to chase. Readers discover the history behind these records, while …

Step out of the classroom and into the big leagues with this book, which explores the science, technology, engineering, and math that shapes America’s favorite pastime. Readers will see how STEM infl …

The Inca Empire was a complex, highly developed society that ruled ancient Peru for centuries. The civilization grew strong thanks to important advances in technology. This information-rich title cov …

Whether it’s a beaver dam or the Hoover Dam, all dams rely on science to function properly. People first began damming rivers to stop flooding and provide water for irrigation. These early dams were …

President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was much more than just a series of words on a page. It was a document that promised freedom for those living in the United States as slaves. The …

These robots are built for the fight. This volume introduces readers to the latest technology behind robots that are armored and armed to battle each other. Readers learn how fighting machines work, …

Space is the new frontier for robots! Readers learn all about the robots that have left Earth’s atmosphere to explore space and perform special missions. The book provides an overview of the history …

The world of insects is full of strange surprises, including beetles that eject boiling-hot liquid and moths that look like hummingbirds. This high-interest topic uncovers some really strange insects …

The interconnectivity of appliances, everyday objects, and people to the Web is called the "Internet of Things." Electric cars are being made smart and fast with software updates that are p …

Who is a Senator? What do they do? Learn about the responsibilities of Senators in government in this engaging book. …

Take a walk in a governor’s shoes in this exciting book. Learn about the daily duties of a governor and find out more about how government works! …

Astronauts have chosen one of the most extreme science careers imaginable! Readers explore the training necessary before astronauts can go into space, and they also discover the stories of real astro …

Joseph Brant is an important figure in the American Revolution and Native American history thanks to his role as a military and political leader of the Mohawk Nation. Brant’s education and abilities …

This book explores the life of Alan Turing, the man regarded as the father of computer science and artificial intelligence. Readers will discover the fascinating facts of Turing’s exciting code break …

President Abraham Lincoln”s Emancipation Proclamation was much more than just a series of words on a page. It was a document that promised freedom for those living in the United States as slaves. Th …

Michael Phelps, nicknamed the Flying Fish, is the most decorated Olympian of all time with a total of 28 medals. He has broken several world records in swimming and is now known as the greatest swimm …

One of the most exciting aspects of creating worlds in the popular game of Minecraft is constructing railroads to carry your character around the towns you build. Rails and carts can also be used to …

When building in Minecraft, the sky is the limit! You can construct a city with buildings that tower over Steve and the game’s other inhabitants. Using Minecraft constructions as a guide, this book t …

Today’s news headlines are plentifully peppered by the latest hacks into some of the world’s largest and most reputable companies. These malicious intrusions leave the personal, banking, and credit c …

Dwayne Johnson was a successful college football player and a superstar wrestler known as The Rock before becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest movie stars. The story behind his rise to fame is sure to …

Lacrosse has elements of other sports in its gameplay, but is a sport all its own. With a rich history and fun pace to the game, it’s a growing sport that’s easy to start playing. This book explores …

Taking the soccer pitch can be intimidating if you’re not sure where to go. It’s a big field and each position on the "starting 11" has a big responsibility. Whether exploring all the ways …

Nine is the magic number in baseball. It’s the number of innings in a standard game and the number of players each team fields when on defense. But every player on the field is different, and this bo …

Basketball is all about putting the ball in the hoop. To do that, though, players need to work together with their teammates. This book puts readers on the hardwood as they parse the different positi …

The game of football has many rules, and each position on the field is different. Whether lining up in the trenches to protect the quarterback or running the ball out of the backfield, the 11 players …

Hockey is a fast and fun game that kids can learn quickly. The concept is simple: put the puck in the net. But beyond that is a world of strategy. When should a defender pinch to keep the puck in the …

Donald Trump’s path to the presidency is unlike any other in the nation’s history. Before Trump’s stunning rise to the presidency, he was a businessman and hotelier. After a million-dollar loan from …

Drones, those radio-controlled flying machines that everyone’s abuzz about nowadays, provide many people with an exciting opportunity to navigate and modulate. The newly developed sport of drone raci …

If you’ve ever stood on the observation deck of the Empire State Building or viewed a photograph of the 163-storey-tall Burj Khalifa, you know what an extraordinary feat of engineering a skyscraper i …

Basketball is the perfect sport for a young sports enthusiast to dive into. The fast-paced game makes for an exciting sport, and early readers will jump right in and experience a big game atmosphere …

Gymnastics are a great way for kids to get active at an early age. The rolling, tumbling, and flipping in a safe environment can one day lead to big moves and exciting Olympic performances. Starting …

People have been building bridges for centuries. Many bridges allow people to cross rivers and ravines. Others were constructed to bring water from distant mountains to city centers. Today, people re …

In the real world, it really wouldn’t be a good idea to play with lava. It isn’t a great idea in Minecraft, either, but it’s a lot safer than it would be at home! This fascinating book shows young re …

While some scientists look to the stars, others look at the ground. Geologists are scientists who study the rocks under our feet, the soil in our gardens, and the many processes that make Earth conti …

Amphibious vehicles are known for their versatility in helping troops and supplies get from sea to land and back again. Starting out with boats with wheels, these machines are fast and full of techno …

When Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, the world mourned. Though just 39, King’s work in the civil rights movement had already transformed American and …

The story of how Death Valley was named is rather unexpected-the people who named it survived! The forbidding landscape surely supports the name, but is the Dead Sea as aptly named? Readers find lots …

The game of football has lots of odd language hidden in its history. Why is a field called a "gridiron?" Why are players called "quarterback" and "fullback?" Getting in …

Can you put the biscuit in the basket? If you don’t know your hockey lingo, that might be a hard question to answer. After reading this book full of colorful graphics and photos explaining the finer …

Whether young athletes aspire to be football, basketball, soccer, baseball, or some other kind of sports star, this guide to all things athletic can give them a true picture of the life of a supersta …