Non Fiction Books for Kids

Explains what magnets are and their properties; describes the scientific method; and includes experiments testing different magnet concepts.

Age Level: 6-9

Explains what simple machines are and what they do; describes the scientific method; and includes experiments testing different simple machine concepts.

Introduces the study of matter and the steps in the scientific method and outlines simple experiments that demonstrate the three main states of matter and how scientists work.

Introduces the study of soils and the steps in the scientific method and outlines simple experiments that demonstrate the basic principles of soil composition, the creatures that live in soil, and how scientists work.

Explains what electricity is and how it is conducted; describes the scientific method; and includes experiments testing different electricity concepts.

Ages: 6-9

Introduces the study of sound and the steps in the scientific method and outlines simple experiments that demonstrate the basic principles of sound waves, how they move, and how scientists work.

Engineers blend logic and precision with imagination, and science and math principles with vision and foresight, to create solutions for some of society's most pressing problems. From information technology to medicine, public transportation to space travel, engineers work to make innovation a reality. This inspiring book explores a variety of branches of engineering, discussing the opportunities available, typical work environments, and educational credentials needed to enter each field. Readers learn ways to enhance their background by participating in engineering organizations, science clubs, internships, research projects, and community service. Amazing full-color photos of real-life projects illustrate engineering processes in action.

Wilbur and Orville Wright are best known for their successful flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in 1903. This heavier-than-air, manned airplane changed the world. Through exciting text, captivating images, and informative sidebars, students will explore how the Wright brothers' use of aeronautical principles, trial and error, testing of components in a wind tunnel, and new approaches to the problems of flight blazed a trail for others to follow. They will discover how the brothers' ability to work together, respect one another's ideas, and support one another during times when nothing seemed to work made it possible for them to create one of the most significant inventions of modern time.

Born during a short-lived marriage between the Romantic poet Lord Byron and an educated mathematician, Lovelace felt the pull of both the creative and scientific worlds. As a lonely and sickly young girl, Lovelace spent her hours building a flying machine and other inventions. While her mother pushed the study of mathematics on her, Lovelace often applied poetic and intuitive thinking to scientific concepts. It was during her work with mathematician Charles Babbage that she pushed the boundaries of technology. Lovelace's detailed notes on Babbage's Analytical Machine include a calculation method that has earned her recognition as the first computer programmer.

Thanks to the popular misconception that girls are not good at math, careers in mathematics for women have historically been limited. Those who did work in the field were considered unfeminine and unappealing. All that is changing with concerted efforts to emphasize math education for girls and to expose girls to potential careers in mathematics. This resource suggests a variety of careers that rely on the study of mathematics and explains how to pursue them. Readers will also be advised about how to land their first job and how to advance up the career ladder.

By the end of the nineteenth century, physicists had developed working theories to explain most of the questions relating to the observable world. In 1900, Max Planck set out to answer a simple question related to light bulbs. He had no idea his work would open the door to a new branch of physics--Quantum Mechanics. This volume explains the exciting scientific discoveries made at the dawn of Quantum Mechanics. Students will be fascinated by the important work being done the world's most distinguished physicists--many of them contemporaries--including Planck, Albert Einstein, Niels Bohr, and Marie Curie.

Moving house is not fun, especially for a young girl that has to make new friends in her new middle school. Sammi faces this situation with all her natural cheerfulness and is excited to attend to a Homecoming Football Game. However, in the middle of it, Sammi suffers a seizure, and a series of unexpected circumstances arise. Join Sammi in her path to knowledge (and the power that knowledge bestows) on how to live a happy, healthy life with epilepsy.

First responders are typically the first on the scene to aid victims of serious and life-threatening incidents. Whether they are emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, or search-and-rescue (SAR) personnel, first responders must act quickly and skillfully in a variety of situations, helping people in danger or medical distress. This title gives an overview of this rewarding career, including various jobs within the field and the career training and credentials needed to perform them. Quotes from first responders and dramatic color photographs of many real-life events make this book an exciting resource for anyone interested in this essential career.

Were smartphones and video games used in the Indus Valley Civilization, the Maurya Empire, and the Gupta Empire? Maybe not, but just because they were ancient peoples does not mean they didn't have sophisticated technology for the time. This volume examines the developments that allowed the progression and improvement of ancient India and connects them to technological innovations throughout the ages and today. Featuring engaging text, rich and colorful illustrations, and an enhanced e-book option, this title is a valuable resource for researching school reports.

War has at some point touched every nation. Beginning with ancient history and following through to the present, this book addresses the question of why war exists, and explains the shapes in which it occurs. It will lead young readers on a journey through time by tracing weapons from the earliest stones and clubs to modern technological military warfare. Along with the evolution of weaponry through the ages, it also goes into the development of protective gear, transportation, communication, and military strategies.

Teens with a flair for art have not only a wonderful personal pursuit but also a way to make money. This title gives teens many creative ideas for using their artistic talents to generate a profit, such as running craft parties for kids, painting personalized murals, and selling their handiwork online. The author offers tips for launching and marketing a business and setting appropriate prices that will cover materials and other costs. Job search tips are provided for those who want to market their skills to employers such as art and community centers. Colorful photos, sidebars, and resources for more information make for an appealing and helpful read.

With her millions of passionate fans, Sarah Dessen is known as one of the "rock stars" of young adult fiction today. Her best-selling coming-of-age tales have gripped readers, especially teen girls, who relate to her realistic depictions of young love and other milestones of growing up. This lively biography traces Dessen's path to becoming a successful author of YA fiction, with details on how she developed her craft, the themes she likes to explore in her work, and her influences as a writer. Anecdotes, quotes, and photographs reveal the author as a person, and fact sheets and a timeline provide highlights of her publishing career.

The civilizations of ancient India had their own different governments. In the Indus Valley Civilization, priest kings were at the head of government. The Maurya Empire boasted a stable, centralized government that allowed the flourishing of trade and culture. That government had weakened by the time of the Gupta Empire, opening the gates to foreign invaders and civil wars. This informative volume charts the changes in leadership in ancient India and ends with a comparison to India’s government today. With engaging text, rich and colorful illustrations, and an enhanced e-book option, this title is a valuable resource for student reports.

Growing up with a step-parent or step-siblings is very common these days, but it isn't always easy. This honest book delivers the scoop on what it's like to learn to be part of a whole new family unit. Covering a range of scenarios, it provides advice for readers who may be moving away from a beloved parent, dealing with jealousy over a new sibling, coping with custody battles, or being abused by a step-parent. While every family's situation is different, this book teaches teens concrete strategies for improving communications with family members and working through their emotions.

With Web 2.0 tools, students have creative options for book reports that go beyond the traditional plot summaries and dioramas. Teens can use digital storytelling tools to share information about their books and generate enthusiasm for reading. The author discusses a variety of options for creating book reports with digital tools, including using movie-making programs to create exciting book trailers, crafting multimedia slide shows, making original animations starring an avatar, and more. Projects fulfill numerous Common Core Standards, including determining a text's theme and showing how it is conveyed through details, and incorporating multimedia components in presentations to clarify information.

Among other freedoms, the First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees a free press. This enlightening book examines the origins of freedom of the press in America and traces many of the important court battles that helped define that freedom. Further, the author explores the continuing evolution of the media today, including the ways in which technology may be changing the meaning of a free press. The text supports curricular requirements by looking at press freedom through the lenses of the law, history, and media literacy. Fascinating historical and recent news photographs enhance the narrative.