Most Popular Books by Marcia Amidon Lusted

This title examines an important historic event - the Three Mile Island nuclear disaster near Middletown, Pennsylvania. Easy-to-read, compelling text explores the history of nuclear power in the United States, how a nuclear plant works, details of the emergency at Metropolitan Edison Company''s nuclear power plant, handling of the disaster by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, President Jimmy Carter''s visit to Three Mile Island, the investigation into the disaster, and the effects of this event on society. Features include a table of contents, glossary, selected bibliography, Web links, source notes, and an index, plus a timeline and essential facts. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

This title examines an important historic event--the June 6, 1944, Allied landing in Normandy, France, during World War II. Easy-to-read, compelling text explores the planning and espionage prior to the invasion, the events of the Normandy landing, the military equipment used, and the battle''s aftermath. Also discussed is the military context of the invasion, including events in the war that made the landing possible and necessary and the mission''s significance in ending the war in Europe. Features include a table of contents, glossary, selected bibliography, Web sites, source notes, and an index, plus a timeline and essential facts. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

Most people have heard of Thomas Edison, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg, but how about Daniel Hale Williams, Mae Jemison, and Mary Anderson? The world owes a lot to the unsung heroes of innovation, names that many people don’t know, though we use their inventions and improvements on a daily basis. These are people who turned their ideas into ways to make the world a better place through advances in health, technology, food science, and discovery! In Innovators: The Stories Behind the People Who Shaped the World with 25 Projects, readers ages 9 to 12 learn about the products, processes, and improvements people have made to create the reality in which we live. For example, in 1938, Ruth Wakefield got the idea to add bits of chocolate to her cookies and invented Toll House chocolate chip cookies. Innovators also tackle many serious problems, such as Virginia Apgar who designed a test for newborns to determine how healthy they were. The Apgar test is still being used in hospitals today. And in 2012, at the age of just 15, Jack Andraka developed a speedy and cheap method to detect pancreatic cancer early, which has the potential to save thousands of people from several deadly cancers. Being innovative means thinking creatively and critically to solve problems and find improvements. People of any age can be innovators—all it takes is an open mind, curiosity, and a desire to come up with ideas! Hands-on activities provide practical applications for learning the engineering design process and include learning how to send messages in Morse Code, creating a homemade version of Silly Putty, and figuring out how to make a solar-powered oven. Innovators incorporates a digital learning experience by providing links to primary sources, videos, and relevant websites for deeper, independent learning and inspiration.

You may know that Booboo Stewart made a name for himself playing Seth Clearwater in the Twilight Saga films. But did you know that Booboo: • completed high school early and took part in GATE, a program for gifted students? • was obsessed with yo-yos as a kid and mastered all kinds of awesome tricks? • loves to do charity work for organizations such as the Los Angeles Mission and the Muscular Dystrophy Association? Want to know more about the life of this talented celebrity? Read on to learn all about Booboo''s childhood, family, career, personality, the story behind his first name, and more!

"People don''t usually remember Collins. He''s been called the "loneliest man in humanity" and the "forgotten astronaut." But Collins was an important part of the Apollo 11 mission. If something had happened to Armstrong or Aldrin, he would have had to rescue them. And he was the only one who could bring them all home"--

This title examines the remarkable life of Steve Jobs and his work building the groundbreaking company Apple. Readers will learn about Jobs''s background and education, as well as his early career and his time with NeXT Computer and Pixar. Also covered is a look at how Apple operates, its history, and its many innovations, including the iPod, the iPad, and the iPhone. Color photos and informative sidebars accompany easy-to-read, compelling text. Features include a timeline, facts, additional resources, Web sites, a glossary, a bibliography, and an Index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

Meet the monstrous Tasmanian Devil as it roams over Tasmania! This book introduces the unique features of this wild animal including habitat, life cycle, physical characteristics, diet, threats, and defenses. Also included are a range map and a food chain diagram. Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards. Checkerboard Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

As the first fighters into battle, U.S. Army Rangers are skilled in outdoor survival, leading raids against the enemy, and defending key territory. With extensive training, Rangers learn to drop into combat zones by rappelling down cliffs and parachuting from planes and helicopters. Find out how Rangers surprise enemy forces, sacrificing their safety to lead the way for larger U.S. Army forces to enter battle.

This title examines the fascinating life of Justin Timberlake. Readers will learn about Timberlake''s childhood, family, education, and rise to fame. Colorful graphics, oversize photos, and informative sidebars accompany easy-to-read, compelling text that explores Timberlake''s early interest in music and acting that led to an appearance on Star Search, his big break on the Disney Channel''s popular show The All New Mickey Mouse Club, and the creation of the boy band ''N Sync that released ''N Sync, No Strings Attached, and Celebrity. Timberlake''s solo career and the release of his albums Justified and FutureSex/Love Sounds, his acting career, which includes hosting Saturday Night Live and appearing in several movies, including Alpha Dog, Black Snake Moan, Shrek the Third, The Social Network, and Bad Teacher, his MTV Music Video Awards, his Grammy Awards, his collaborations with other singers, his clothing line William Rast, his record label Tennman Records, and his time spent raising money for charities are also described. Features include a table of contents, glossary, selected bibliography, Web links, source notes, and an index, plus a timeline and fun facts. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

Today''s cutting-edge cars use sensors and powerful computers to see their surroundings and safely drive from place to place. Read this book to learn how engineers design intelligent cars that drive themselves.

This book relays the factual details of the California Gold Rush. The narrative provides multiple accounts of the event, and readers learn details through the point of view of a builder working on Sutter''s Mill when gold was discovered, a ''49er who left New York for California, and a prospector from Chile who came by ship to California to find riches. The text offers opportunities to compare and contrast various perspectives in the text while gathering and analyzing information about a historical event.

Carefully leveled text coupled with primary-source images will encourage young readers to take a closer look at the U.S. Constitution''s first ten Amendments, known as the Bill of Rights. Citizens of the newly independent United States proposed several freedoms, including speech, assembly, and worship--many of which are still recognized and honored today. Curriculum-based content and fact-filled sidebars help define these rights, while allowing readers to draw connections between the Bill of Rights and their daily lives.

This title examines an important historic event - the Chernobyl disaster. Easy-to-read, compelling text explores the background of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, events leading up to the disaster, responses to the accident, key people involved, and the short-term and long-term effects of the incident on society and the environment. Features include a table of contents, a timeline, facts, additional resources, Web sites, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index. Essential Events is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

This title examines the life of Blake Shelton. Readers will learn about Shelton''s childhood, family, education, and rise to fame. Colorful graphics, oversize photos, and informative sidebars accompany easy-to-read, compelling text that explores Shelton''s early interest in music and talent in singing and songwriting that led to the release of his albums. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

This field guide has 100 entries highlighting a variety of fossils, rocks, and minerals. Readers will gain a greater understanding about these objects and will be able to identify them in the wild. Features include a helpful introduction to the topic, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Abdo Reference is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

In 1607, settlers from England established the Jamestown colony in North America. Unfamiliar with the land, they struggled to find food, and many fell victim to disease. As tension grew between the settlers and Powhatan American Indians who had lived on the land for generations, violence broke out. Would the Jamestown colony end in failure? To understand the impact of a disaster, you must understand its causes. How did the settlers'' attitude toward the Powhatan tribes result in violence? Did the settlers'' search for gold blind them to the need for other necessities? Investigate the disaster from a cause-and-effect perspective and find out!

How can medicine that tastes like bubble gum make you feel better so quickly? It has penicillin in it--an antibiotic that helps treat bacterial infections. But we wouldn''t have the drug without the work of Alexander Fleming. With historical images and details about key events before and after his discovery, this book will help kids understand the lifesaving impact of penicillin on the practice of medicine. Uncover the details of events that changed your world in this Pebble Explore series.

This book relays the factual details of the story of the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. The narrative provides multiple accounts of the event, and readers learn details through the point of view of a fireman fighting fires and rescuing others, a girl whose home is destroyed, and a resident of Chinatown. The text offers opportunities to compare and contrast various perspectives in the text while gathering and analyzing information about a historical event.

This title examines an important historic event - the March 11, 2011, earthquake that spawned a devastating tsunami in Japan. Easy-to-read, compelling text explores the dual disaster that resulted in thousands of deaths and left many people homeless. This book also details the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant near Japan''s northeast coast and the recovery efforts following the disasters. Features include a table of contents, a timeline, facts, additional resources, Web sites, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index. Essential Events is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

This biography of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. examines his career, his achievements, and the tragic accident that ended his life. Engaging text, informative sidebars, and vivid photographs convey Earnhardt''s legacy in the world of auto racing. Features include a timeline, glossary, websites, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.