There are more incredibly pointless and delightfully entertaining things to discover in this new entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.You probably never knew…• Ronald Reagan is the only president who has been divorced.• It is estimated that half of the world’s spider species have yet to be discovered.• November 15 is National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day.And did you really ever have to know…• The whiskers on a harbor seal are known as “vibrissae”?• Modern scholars believe Isaac Newton may have had Asperger’s syndrome?• In the 1920s, Hollywood made twice as many films a year as it does today?

    Grab your umbrella—and make sure it's a big one!It's raining pigs and noodles,it's pouring frogs and hats,chrysanthemums and poodles,bananas, brooms, and cats.Assorted prunes and parrotsare dropping from the sky,here comes a bunch of carrots,some hippopotami.

    By the end of the book, thereader will know the testimony of Austin and other teens from aroundthe world who are committed to a life of sharing Christ’s love, andwill have begun to search for God’s voice in their own lives. The bookwill also equip and challenge readers with information on a variety ofministries and organizations around the world to help people, animals,and the environment.  “Austin is an outstandingyoung man! He inspires us to dream bigger, reach higher and love deeper. Hisstory deserves a wide hearing.” Max Lucado“I amvery impressed with Austin Gutwein’s story in Take Your Best Shot. This bookis filled with words of encouragement, inspiration, and hope. It’s guaranteedto motivate you into action.” Pat Williams, Senior Vice President, Orlando Magic“Ispent a day with Austin and his family and found them inspiring. His story, Ibelieve, challenges us all. The first thing I thought as I drove to the airportwas: What was I doing when I was twelve? Andthen, of course, the next thought: What,exactly, am I doing now?” John Larson, Former NBC NationalCorrespondent“Whenpeople ask me how they can possibly make a difference fighting a problem as bigas ‘global poverty’, I tell them about a boy named Austin who, like David, stared Goliath in theeye without flinching. This young man has done more to make a difference in thelives of children orphaned by AIDS than most American churches, let aloneindividuals. If you are older than 10 and you haven’t yet done your part tochange the world, read TakeYour Best Shot and beinspired. Austin Gutwein shows us the way”. RichardStearns, President, World Vision US, Author of TheHole in Our Gospel“Whenpeople ask who has most impacted me over the last year, without hesitation Ican say Austin Gutwein and the story of Hoops of Hope. I am around amazingleaders all the time, and Austin rivals all of them. Austinis my friend. And Austinis one of my heroes. You can’t be around Austinor the amazing work of Hoops of Hope without being deeply impacted andinspired. Trust me. Do yourself a favor and read this book and the incrediblestory. But once you do, be prepared to be changed and challenged. You’ll seethe world and your significant role in helping those less fortunate in anamazingly fresh way.” BradLomenick, Executive Director, Catalyst“Austin’sstory is one of modern day heroism. He represents a new generation that cancarry us all into the twenty-first century: a world of hope, peace and selflesslove. Austincompletely inspires me.” DanielBiro, Hawk Nelson

    The story of the Titanic right up to its rediscovery is told for more advanced, independent young readers by the man who discovered the great sunken ship.

    In the opening section, girls take a quiz to determine how they respond to change, then receive tips on how to cope with the big changes that they're getting ready to face as they start middle school- switching classes, getting up earlier, and having their own lockers, all while learning to manage a new school, new teachers, new friends, and LOTS more homework and activities! The secret to feeling more confident as she starts middle school is having a little insight into what to expect. This book provides that information as well as "Smart Girl's tips" from girls who have already made the grade in the big school.

    Illustrations and brief text present aspects of the lives of the many varied native peoples across North America.

    Lives of Extraordinary Women turns the spotlight on women who have wielded power, revealing their feats--and flaws--for all the world to see. Here you'll find twenty of the most influential women in history: queens, warriors, prime ministers, first ladies, revolutionary leaders. Some are revered. Others are notorious. What were they really like? In this grand addition to their highly praised series, Kathleen Krull and Kathryn Hewitt celebrate some of the world's most noteworthy women, ranging from the famous to those whose stories have rarely been told. Features twenty extraordinary women, including:CleopatraJoan of ArcElizabeth IHarriet TubmanEleanor RooseveltEva Perón

    This story, about how a young black soldier rescues a white soldier, opens young readers' eyes to the injustices of slavery and the senselessness of war. Highly charged emotionally, this masterful retelling of a true story is seen through the white soldier's eyes.

    It is also the best route to enjoying the landscape of Great Britain. Within these pages Vicki Pipe and Geoff Marshall from All the Stations (YouTube transport experts and survivors of a crowd-funded trip to visit all the stations in the UK) help you discover the hidden stories that lie behind branch lines, as well as meeting the people who fix the engines and put the trains to bed. Embark on unknown routes, disembark at unfamiliar stations, explore new places and get to know the communities who keep small stations and remote lines alive.

    Far larger than the much more famous domains of Alexander the Great and ancient Rome, it has since been surpassed in overall size and reach only by the British Empire. The Rise and Fall of the Second Largest Empire in the World recounts the spectacularly rapid expansion and dramatic decline of the Mongol realm, while examining its real, widespread, and enduring influence on countless communities from the DanubeRiver to the Pacific Ocean.

    From the drawing board to the ocean floor, from the captain to the crew, from the wealthiest to the poorest, the Titanic and her history is revealed with humorous drawings and text that is surprisingly sophisticated yet easy to understand."You Wouldn't Want to..." revels in the darker side of life in ancient times. The reader is on center stage as he or she gets a tour through life as a slave, warrior, explorer — even a mummy! Hilarious illustrations, captions, and sidebars leave no doubt that you simply wouldn't want to be there.This series meets National Curriculum Standards for: Science: History and Nature of Science Social Studies: Time, Continuity, & Change

    Introduce your little one to the types of bugs they’re likely to see during their day, then help them remember what they’ve learned with fun, on-the-page challenges.Go beyond other bug books for kids with: Bugs galore—Learn cool facts about familiar insects: ladybugs, grasshoppers, dragonflies, and more. Amazing pictures—See creepy crawlies up close with big and colorful photos. Exciting activities—Continue the learning with all kinds of bug-themed activities. Give your child a bug’s-eye view of the world with this must-have title for anyone interested in bug books for kids.

    Next comes ice like panes of glass. And eventually, skating ice! Take a literary skate over field ice and streambed, through sleeping orchards and beyond. The first ice, the second ice, the third ice . . . perfect ice . . . the last ice . . . Twelve kinds of ice are carved into twenty nostalgic vignettes, illustrated in elegantly scratched detail by the award-winning Barbara McClintock.

    He traced letters in sand, snow, and dust. He borrowed books and walked miles to bring them back. When he grew up, he became the sixteenth president of the United States. His name was Abraham Lincoln. He loved books. They changed his life. He changed the world.

    Just turning on a light switch was a new experience. In 58 tantalizing questions and answers, author Ann McGovern gives readers a fascinating look at life in New York City at the end of the 19th century-where the rich and poor lived, how they dressed, traveled, dined, and entertained themselves, what kind of work they did. Readers may be surprised to learn that many children had to work for a living in horrendous conditions, that school were often inadequate and overcrowded (there could be 100 or more students in a single classroom), and that bicycling was the most popular sport in the country. (Baseball, cowling, tennis, football, boxing, golf, archery, and skating were also popular. Basketball and volleyball were new.) Together, the text and art are filled with details that bring the era to life for young readers.