Most Popular Books by Bonnie Hinman

Most arches built today contain a single building block at the top that is the most important piece. This special piece can be found in the arches of soaring cathedrals, doorways in temples, and even simple buildings made out of wooden blocks. It is called a keystone, and it holds everything else together. Remove the keystone and the building or doorway is likely to collapse.The same thing is true in nature. Certain species of animals and plants are so important to their ecosystems, that if they disappear, the whole system may collapse. They are called keystone species.Some keystone species are large, like white rhinos, while others are quite small, like honey bees. But size doesn''t matter in an ecosystem. All living things rely on other species to survive. A keystone species plays an especially large role that affects many different species in an ecosystem. Some keystone species are at the top of a huge ecosystem like the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, while others may affect a tiny ecosystem in a river or forest. Whether the ecosystem is big or small, the result of a keystone species disappearing or being greatly reduced is the same. Just like one falling domino can cause many others to fall, the loss of a keystone species can lead to the extinction of many other species.Today scientists are focusing more attention on preserving the natural balance in ecosystems. Identifying and protecting keystone species is an important part of their work.

Come to Panama and see a small nation that acts like it is big. The Panama Canal transports ships from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean in less than a day. That feat alone makes Panama important to the rest of the world. But there is more to Panama than the canal. The Kuna Indians live on islands off the Caribbean coast, where they welcome vistors to observe their way of life. In the western highlands is the inactive Volcán Barú where quetzals fly. In Panama City is Casco Viejo, the old part of the city where panama declared its independence from Colombia in 1903. The mysterious and sometimes dangerous Darién calls visitors to experience rain forests, beaches, and a spectacular collection of wildlife. And the Panama Canal always beckons to travelers who want to see how the famous locks work. You may find yourself wanting to stay in Panama rather than head home at the end of your visit. Book jacket.

Ask a traveler about the wonders of Peru, and he will probably mention the ruins of “lost cities” that were thriving before the Europeans arrived, such as Machu Picchu, one of the homes of the Inca people. He might also mention the Moche pyramids and the Nazca Lines, evidence that the indigenous people of Peru had advanced civilizations. Peru’s geography allowed many different cultures to develop in isolation from the others. They began to mix when the Inca moved tribes they had conquered to different parts of their kingdom. After Spain conquered the area, other people from Europe and Asia moved to Peru as well. The combining of all these people and cultures underlies almost every aspect of Peruvian life. Come explore the vibrant country that Peru has become, from the historically rich capital of Lima to the traditional floating islands on Lake Titicaca. Find out how the people work, play, and celebrate in this colorful portrait of Peru.

Most arches built today contain a single building block at the top that is the most important piece. This special piece can be found in the arches of soaring cathedrals, doorways in temples, and even simple buildings made out of wooden blocks. It is called a keystone, and it holds everything else together. Remove the keystone and the building or doorway is likely to collapse.The same thing is true in nature. Certain species of animals and plants are so important to their ecosystems, that if they disappear, the whole system may collapse. They are called keystone species.Some keystone species are large, like white rhinos, while others are quite small, like honey bees. But size doesn''t matter in an ecosystem. All living things rely on other species to survive. A keystone species plays an especially large role that affects many different species in an ecosystem. Some keystone species are at the top of a huge ecosystem like the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, while others may affect a tiny ecosystem in a river or forest. Whether the ecosystem is big or small, the result of a keystone species disappearing or being greatly reduced is the same. Just like one falling domino can cause many others to fall, the loss of a keystone species can lead to the extinction of many other species.Today scientists are focusing more attention on preserving the natural balance in ecosystems. Identifying and protecting keystone species is an important part of their work.

John Winthrop''s plan for "the Citty upon a Hill" was grand and based on noble motives. He wanted a place where he and other Puritans could live and prosper without religious persecution. That place was the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Winthrop and his fellow Puritans landed in Massachusetts Bay in 1630. Soon they had organized a government, started towns, and were sending goods back to England. Decades later, Boston, Massachusetts, was a hotbed of radical activity during the years before the Revolutionary War. The war started with the battles of Lexington and Concord in the Massachusetts countryside not far from Boston. The freedom that came for America after that struggle went far toward achieving the dream of John Winthrop. The United States of America became a sort of "citty upon a hill," where all men and women had the right to live peacefully without persecution.

King Charles II of England gave Pennsylvania to Quaker William Penn in repayment for a loan that Penn’s father had made to the king. The king probably thought he was accomplishing more than just paying a debt when he made the land grant. It was a way to get rid of some Quakers, whom he considered troublesome. Quakers did flock to Pennsylvania to settle, but so did people from many other religious groups. All faiths were welcome in Penn’s colony. The new city of Philadelphia prospered. Settlers fanned out to the west to build farms and towns. They shipped their products to Philadelphia and England. By the time of the American Revolution, Pennsylvania was considered the heart of the colonies. Philadelphia hosted the First and Second Continental Congresses, where the Declaration of Independence was crafted. And from the Pennsylvania State House, the Liberty Bell rang out the news of declared independence.

Details the life and accomplishments of the British general who ordered 700 soldiers to march to Concord to destroy the patriots'' supplies and organized the British assault on Bunker Hull.

Tells the story of the convention including events that led up to the Second Continental Congress.

Offers readers a variety of activities they can do to get outside in summer. Filled with fun facts about the season, bonus sidebar activities, and a “Get Outside!” special feature, this book is sure to inspire kids to explore the great outdoors.

Baker Mayfield is a popular guy in Cleveland. He came off the bench in September 2018 to lead the Cleveland Browns to their first win in 635 days. He started as a walk-on player for both Texas Tech and the University of Oklahoma. Open this book and get to know this Heisman Trophy winner who dreams of playing in the Super Bowl.

Get closer to solving the mystery of the Nazca lines with this riveting title. Learn about leading theories, important clues, and study the evidence to develop your on conclusions on how and why the lines were made.

Offers readers a variety of activities they can do to get outside in fall. Filled with fun facts about the season, bonus sidebar activities, and a “Get Outside!” special feature, this book is sure to inspire kids to explore the great outdoors.

Examines the life of Tony Blair, from his childhood in Edinburgh, Scotland, through his career as prime minister of Great Britain.

Zendaya was very shy as a small child. That shyness vanished when she began to perform. Her first big break came when she got the part of Rocky Blue for Disney Channel’s Shake It Up. At age 16, Zendaya competed on Dancing with the Stars. In addition to singing and dancing, she uses her talents to support many charities by raising money. Open this book to read about this multi-talented singer, dancer, author, philanthropist, and actor.

Dale Holmes has always loved to ride a bike. He got his first one when he was four years old and hasn''t been far from a bicycle since. Over thirty years later, BMX racing is his life. BMX jumps and turns can take their toll physically, but Dale loves to compete, so he trains hard and takes any injuries in stride. Now that BMX racing is an Olympic sport, the number of boys and girls racing will increase. Dale feels it''s important to help teach young people safe ways to ride and win races. Find out how Dale got his start, how he trains for his sport, and about his Olympic dreams in this action-packed AUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY.

Born free when most blacks were slaves, Banneker was a successful land surveyor, astronomer, and author of almanacs.

Portuguese soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo left home at age eleven to play soccer. He was very homesick after he went to live at the Sporting CP Youth Soccer Academy. He later said, "Football kept me going." There''s more interesting information about one of the best soccer players in the world inside this book. Open it and get to know Cristiano Ronaldo.

The U.S. Constitution says very little about the duties and powers of the head of the nation’s executive branch. The Constitution’s authors were much more certain about what they didn’t want in a president than what they did want. When George Washington took the oath of office to become the first president of the United States, he governed the country with authority and a sense of what a president should be. Since then, U.S. presidents have used his example and Article II of the Constitution as a guide for running the country. Those who have challenged the Constitution, defied it, or ignored it have been defeated by it. The Constitution, with its system of checks and balances, remains the heart of the U.S. government.

Leatherbacks are sometimes called the last of the dinosaurs because their ancient ancestors lived when the dinosaurs did. Their ability to swim long distances may be one of the reasons they survived whatever killed most of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. In modern times, one leatherback swam from Indonesia to Oregon. It had traveled 12,774 miles in 647 days, u009dthe longest distance ever tracked for a marine animalThese sea turtles are also known for returning to the same nesting sites from which they hatched. Hatchling leatherbacks make a mad dash from the sand to the sea to avoid air and land predators. While gains have been made to improve the turtles'' chances against commercial fishing techniques, humans have continued building on nesting beaches and polluting the oceans. Find out what other threats the leatherbacks face, and what you can do to help protect these endangered reptiles of the sea.