Best Selling Books by Carla Mooney

A fun way for middle schoolers to learn about chemistry--through food! Includes hands-on science projects and graphic novel type illustrations. Why does tomato sauce taste different from fresh tomatoes? Why does pasta go limp when you cook it in boiling water? What makes ice cream melt? In The Chemistry of Food, middle school readers learn the science behind the food they love to eat as they explore the chemistry within the meal, how nutrition works, what creates flavor, and why texture is important. What better place to learn the fundamentals of chemistry than in the kitchen? This book offers detailed explanations of five ways chemistry is part of the food they eat. Hands-on, science-minded investigations, links to online resources and media, career connections, and text-to-world questions all create a delicious learning experience for ages 12 to 15. Plus recipes! Throughout The Chemistry of Food, kids encounter essential topics and questions to encourage critical thinking skills, hands-on STEAM activities that encourage creative thinking, graphic novel style illustrations, and more! Links to online resources provide a digital learning experience that integrates content with an interactive platform. Investigations include caramelizing sugar, baking the perfect chocolate chip cookie, experimenting with texture, and conducting a blind taste test. Essential questions guide readers'' investigations while hands-on activities promote critical and creative problem solving, and text-to-world connections highlight the way the past provides context for the present-day world. Aligns with Next Generation Science Standards for middle grade Matter and Its Interactions, Chemical Reactions, and Acids/Bases. About the Inquire & Investigate series and Nomad Press Nomad Press books in the Inquire & Investigate 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 Next Generation Science Standards. All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats.

Offers a general introduction to credit and loans, covering their advantages as well as the disadvantages of accumulating debt, and provides advice on using credit responsibly.

Rocketry: Investigate the Science and Technology of Rockets and Ballistics introduces students to the fascinating world of rocketry and ballistics. Readers discover the history of rocket development, from the earliest fire arrows in China to modern-day space shuttles, as well as the main concepts of rocketry, including how rockets are launched, move through the atmosphere, and return to earth safely. Exploring the science behind rocket flight, kids learn how the forces of thrust, gravity, lift, and drag interact to determine a rocket’s path, then imagine new uses and technologies in rocketry that are being developed today and for the future. Combining hands-on activities with physics, chemistry, and mathematics, Rocketry brings fun to learning about the world of rocket science. Entertaining illustrations and fascinating sidebars illuminate the topic, while Words to Know highlighted and defined within the text reinforce new vocabulary. Projects include building a pneumatic blast rocket and launcher, testing a rocket recovery system, and designing a rocket model of the future. Additional materials include a glossary, and a list of current reference works, websites, and Internet resources. This title meets Common Core State Standards for literacy in science and technology; Guided Reading Levels and Lexile measurements indicate grade level and text complexity.

Forensics: Uncover the Science and Technology of Crime Scene Investigation introduces students to the fascinating world of forensic science and shows them how to find clues, analyze evidence, and crack the case. Combining hands-on activities with forensic science, kids will have fun learning about the world of forensics, evidence collection, and crime lab analysis. Entertaining illustrations and fascinating sidebars illuminate the topic and bring it to life, reinforcing new vocabulary. Projects include documenting a crime scene, identifying fingerprints, analyzing blood spatter, and extracting DNA. Additional materials include a glossary and a list of current reference works, websites, museums, and science centers.

Where did the American democratic tradition begin? From ancient civilizations in Greece and Rome to the Enlightenment in Europe, democratic ideas throughout time have influenced the development of democracy in the United States. In The U.S. Constitution: Discover How Democracy Works, children ages 9 through 12 learn about the foundation of democracy and how the documents crafted hundreds of years ago still have an impact on our country today. They explore the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, among others. These documents provide a framework with which we make the laws and processes that help keep democracy a vital paradigm. Through hands-on projects, which include analyzing how the promises made in the Preamble of the Constitution were put into practice and investigating how to balance the freedom of speech in the digital age, students investigate how American democracy operates. With colorful illustrations, interesting sidebars, and links to online primary sources, this book asks readers to consider the effect of technology on democracy and make predictions about future documents that will be important to the preservation of democracy around the world.

Imagine a world without brand-name products! Before the Industrial Revolution it was not possible to produce enough of the same item to have a brand, but in 100 years the world changed from make-your-own everything to a society of manufactured goods. The Industrial Revolution: Investigate How Science and Technology Changed the World introduces the dynamic individuals who led this revolution and how their innovations impacted the lives of everyone, rich and poor, city-dwellers and farmers alike. Elements of history, biography, civics, science, and technology combine with activity-driven enrichment projects that kids can do with minimal supervision. Activities include creating a water-powered wheel, designing a steam ship, building a telegraph machine, and making a pinhole camera.

Imagine a peaceful voyage at sea, with puffy clouds overhead and the gentle rise and fall of the waves. Now imagine that you''re lost. There''s a hurricane looming on the horizon. Sharks begin to circle your boat. And you''re down to your last sip of fresh water. Accidents on the water can lead to life-and-death struggles. See how the strong survive.

George Washington: 25 Great Projects You Can Build Yourself offers a fascinating look into the life and times of our nation’s first president. Readers ages 9 and up can explore Washington’s years as a young Virginia gentleman, his military battles, and his political contributions to a fledgling nation. 25 hands-on activities help kids learn about this legendary figure in American history. George Washington: 25 Great Projects You Can Build Yourself includes biographical sidebars, illustrations, historical facts that allow kids to explore George Washington in a fun, hands-on way.

Why do we walk on two legs? How do our muscles know how to work together when we dance? How does our brain work with our hands to sink a basketball? In Human Movement: How the Body Walks, Runs, Jumps, and Kicks, readers ages 12 to 15 learn the basic anatomy and physiology of the human body and discover how bones, muscles, tendons, and nerves work together to make movement possible. Bones give the body structure and the ability to stay upright. Muscles make possible the movement of the bones. The brain tells the muscles what to do and when to do it. And your heart, lungs, and other organs provide the fuel that powers movement. Human Movement takes a look at all of the components of the human body and examines how they allow you to move and interact with the world around you. Readers also learn what they can do to keep their bodies healthy and fit and moving well. Combining hands-on activities with biology, chemistry, biomechanics, and nutrition, Human Movement offers entertaining graphic novel illustrations and fascinating sidebars to illuminate the topic and engage readers further. Human Movement integrates a digital learning component by providing links to primary sources, videos, and other relevant websites to deepen readers’ experiences and strengthen practical connections to the material. Projects include building a hand model with working muscles and tendons, testing what makes bones strong, examining how changing your center of gravity affects balance and motion, identifying how different types of joints work, and using yeast to investigate how the body metabolizes food into energy. Additional materials include a glossary, and a list of current reference works, websites, and Internet resources.

When Kendrick Lamar won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize in Music, the world took notice. This was no ordinary rapper. Lamar’s songwriting transcends the boundaries of music, exploring themes of race, identity, social justice, and more. He has something to say, and people stop to listen—and to reward his work with one of the most prestigious awards in the United States. From the release of his first mixtape in 2004 to his outspoken advocacy on social justice issues, including racial inequality, police violence, and the struggles of Black communities in America, Kendrick Lamar is anything but ordinary. His music reads like poetry, tackles pressing issues, and combines a variety of styles and genres to create his unique sound. He is not afraid to speak his mind, both in his lyrics and in the public forum. And he is dedicated to evolving as an artist as the world around him changes, making him a dynamic icon who has and will continue to make a lasting impact on hip-hop and the whole music industry.

Do you have what it takes to survive in some of the world''s coldest places? Imagine yourself stranded on a frigid mountain with no shelter and nothing but snow and rocks in every direction. Or think about dangling by a few thin strips of leather over a black Antarctic chasm. In icy situations like these, only the smartest and luckiest live to tell the tales.

While Africa is one continent it contains many diverse countries. Amazing Africa Projects You Can Build Yourself introduces readers ages 9 and up to the stunning landscapes, ancient civilizations and ethnic groups, unique traditions, and amazing wildlife of the vast African continent. With 25 fun projects that kids can complete using common household supplies and many recycled materials, kids learn about life in Africa. Step-by-step instructions show young readers how to make their own shields for an initiation ceremony, cook banana fritters and fufu cakes, and design animal masks to commemorate the seasons. Kids will celebrate Africa and its place in our world.

An up-close look at the battles of World War II for kids ages 8 to 12 Help kids learn all about World War II—right from the front lines. This fascinating guide focuses on the battles that decided the outcome of the war. Each entry puts kids directly in the general''s seat, walking them through the flow of battle as well as the strategies, tactics, and technology that made the difference between victory and defeat. Go beyond other World War 2 books for kids with: 15 key conflicts—Kids will dive deep into well-known and lesser-explored battles alike, from the Attack on Pearl Harbor to the Battle of Crete. Battlefield basics—Each chapter starts off a quick breakdown of the battle, including dates, objectives, and what was at stake. Closer looks—Young learners will find out even more with the help of technological explorations, battle maps, by-the-numbers sidebars, and more. Give kids an exciting new perspective on World War 2 history!

Stardom might have seemed like an impossible dream for most people born in rural Tennessee in the 1940s—but Dolly Parton wasn''t most people. From an early age, Parton knew she wanted to be on stage, and as she helped take care of her younger siblings, worked around her family''s home, and attended school in hand-me-down clothes, she set her mind on becoming a star. Parton started writing songs, playing music, and performing in front of an audience when she was still in elementary school, determined to make a living from her music. After she graduated from high school, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee, the country music capital, and began paving the way to what would become one of the most successful entertainment careers in music history. Dolly Parton is a renowned musician, actor, and philanthropist. From her many songs, music awards, and top recordings to leading roles in movies to the millions of dollars she has contributed to disaster relief, literacy, and medical research, Parton has become one of the world''s most recognized legends. And she did it all without forgetting her roots.

Once upon a time, artificial intelligence (AI) was the stuff of science fiction novels and hit movies. The average person could only imagine life with a robot companion helping complete tasks or offering problem-solving suggestions. But from virtual assistants to image generators, AI is becoming an increasingly common part of everyday life, including entertainment. A concept that was once a matter of fiction is now helping to create the very fiction that imagined it. The entertainment industry is a hotbed of AI-based tools that do everything from writing TV scripts to creating virtual film sets to generating video game characters. In the music industry, AI can compose scores, write lyrics, and perform in the style of human artists. It can suggest your next movie or show on streaming platforms or create a playlist in your favorite music app based on your listening habits. And AI can make gaming more realistic and even personalize your experience based on previous play. But while the time- and cost-saving benefits are clear, many people worry that AI might be threatening the authenticity of entertainment by reducing the role of people and the emotion, diversity, and originality they bring. Explore the pros and cons of using AI in entertainment.

Over 7 billion people live on the earth, and 84 percent of them describe themselves as being religious. Few topics incite such passion as religion. What does that mean? Why are humans invested in ideas that may never be proved? Why has religion played such an important role in history? In Comparative Religion: Investigate the World through Religious Tradition, readers seek answers to these questions by comparing and contrasting the cultural, spiritual, and geographical underpinnings of five different religions. By developing a better understanding of the similarities and differences among religions of the world, readers gain a strong foothold in a dialogue that has continued for thousands of years. Combining hands-on activities with theology, history, geography, world cultures, art, and architecture, Comparative Religions encourages deeper understanding of the world’s religions. Entertaining graphic art, fascinating sidebars, and links to primary sources bring the topic to life, while key questions reaffirm foundational concepts. Activities include conducting an interview with a rabbi, comparing the story of Abraham and Isaac in three sacred texts, studying the architecture of the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, studying the Hindu practice of yoga and meditation, and examining how religious doctrines shape the behavior of believers.

Teaching is one of the most challenging but critical professions. Education on every level, from primary school to college to vocational training, is key to moving society forward. Technology has become an integral part of education, and artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to take a more active role in making teaching and learning more personalized, efficient, and accessible. With the growth of AI in classrooms around the world comes not only a new set of tools and systems to make education better, but also a new set of challenges for teachers, students, and guardians. AI-based apps and programs can adapt the presentation of new information to fit every learning style, provide individualized tutoring, and assist teachers with time-consuming tasks such as lesson-planning and grading. AI can also analyze student progress and help both teachers and guardians provide the support necessary for a student''s success. But not all students have access to the tools necessary to take advantage of AI, AI can be biased and impersonal, and computerized teachers and tutors lack the empathy and emotional intelligence that only a human instructor can possess. Schools and families are faced with a new challenge as education continues to evolve: how to balance helpful technology with the traditional teaching methods to ensure that students succeed.

From puddles to lakes, streams to rivers, and bogs to swamps, each body of water contains an amazing treasure chest of life. There is an abundance of plant and animal life hiding in every freshwater habitat. But freshwater habitats are also fragile and valuable resources that need to be protected and conserved. Explore Rivers and Ponds! with 25 Great Projects, introduces kids to the fascinating world of freshwater habitats and the creatures they contain. Combining hands-on activities with ecology and science, kids will have fun learning about the freshwater biome, including lakes and ponds, streams and rivers, and wetlands. Entertaining illustrations and fascinating sidebars illuminate the topic and bring it to life, while Words to Know highlighted and defined within the text reinforce new vocabulary. Projects include assembling an ecologist’s field kit, creating a fishless aquarium, pouring casts of animal tracks, and building a watershed replica. Additional materials include a glossary, and a list of current reference works, websites, museums, and science centers.

Which version of Taylor Swift is your favorite? When she burst into the country music scene in the 2000s, Swift established a solid fan base with her big voice, her passion for music, and her songwriting skills. When she later made the switch from country to pop and indie folk, she revolutionized not only her own music, but also the music world. Taylor Swift: Queen of Reinvention chronicles Swift''s life and career, her rise to global stardom, and everything in between—from feuds and controversies to unparalleled fan support and Swift''s dedication to advocacy and social justice. Readers learn about Swift''s resilience during her fight to maintain the rights to her master recordings and the reinventions that took her from a popular artist to a global icon.