Most Popular Books by Miriam Aronin

In the spring of 1843, nearly one thousand people gathered in Independence, Missouri. They came from all over the eastern United States, and many had to sell most of their possessions to afford the trip. Yet their journey was just beginning. The group set out for Oregon Country, a four- to six-month trek across plains, mountains, valleys, and rivers. Not everyone survived the difficult trip. Still, before the end of the 1800s, many more wagon trains would travel the Oregon Trail to reach what became the western United States. So why were Americans moving west? What hardships would they face on the journey? And who blazed the Oregon Trail? Discover the facts about this important trail west and how it affected U.S. history.

In Today''s Air Force Heroes, kids will meet real-life airmen and women who have displayed incredible courage in the face of danger as they served their country in Iraq and Afghanistan. Readers will meet heroes like Earl Covel, a Staff Sergeant who risked his own life during a battle in Iraq in order to protect his 19-man team. With his unit under attack and pinned down in a house, Sergeant Covel raced to an exposed rooftop to direct U.S. fighter jets sent to the scene to help. He remained on the roof, under intense enemy fire, for 36 hours. Thanks to his selfless act, his team remained safe and the Americans won the battle. This is just one of the many acts of courage recounted in this riveting look at our nation''s military heroes. Written in a narrative format, Today''s Air Force Heroes will keep kids turning the pages as they read about individual soldiers who''ve shown uncommon courage in the face of great danger. Large action photos, fact boxes, and maps enrich these true stories of bravery and valor.

Loyal subjects, watch out! Some of history''s royal leaders were just as vicious as they were powerful. These kings and queens stole, tortured, and murdered. Read on to discover the gruesome ways these rulers terrorized their enemies, their own people, and even their own blood.

"Welcome to the ant''s huge underground city. Here you''ll discover how the insects rest, take care of their queen, and raise their young. You''ll also find out how some ants grow their own food and carry out other surprising tasks as they go about their busy lives"--P. [4] of cover.

In Saving animals from volcanoes, readers will meet the courageous people and organizations that rush in to save animals when disasters strike.

Explore a prairie dog’s town, built entirely underground! Prairie dogs create elaborate burrows with a system of connected chambers, tunnels, and entrances. Using communication and teamwork, these social animals cooperate to build their homes, guard their territory, and stay safe from predators. Jaw-dropping photos, a habitat map, and fascinating information will captivate young readers as they learn about these truly spectacular animal towns.

Relates the experiences of ordinary people who survived deadly hurricanes, and discusses advances in disaster prevention and safety procedures.

Describes the devastating earthquake that occurred in Haiti on January 12, 2010.

Follows scientists Eleanor Sterling and Alison Jolly in Madigascar as they study the aye-aye, a lemur so rare it was once declared extinct.

Was it too late to save the black-footed ferret? Thousands of these furry creatures had once lived on the great plains of North America. Yet by the 1980s, millions of prairie dogs—the ferret’s main source of food—had been killed. Without them, the ferret was suddenly pushed to the brink of extinction. Would people find a way to help this endangered animal survive? In Black-footed Ferrets: Back from the Brink, children relive the inspiring and heroic efforts of people who stepped in to save this remarkable creature when all seemed lost. Through this true tale of wildlife survival, children discover the bold and creative ideas that Americans and their government have used to protect and care for the country’s endangered wildlife. Full-color photographs and a habitat map enrich this heartfelt story of conservationism and courage.

On December 26, 2004, carpenter Ari Afrizal was helping build a house on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Suddenly, he heard a loud whooshing sound and saw a wall of water heading directly toward him. The huge wave was a tsunami that destroyed the house he was working on and swept him out to sea. Alone in the ocean, Ari struggled to survive. Against all odds, would he live through this horrible ordeal? Eyewitness accounts and incredible photos bring to life the experiences of ordinary people who faced catastrophic danger—and lived to tell their stories. Kids will discover the causes and characteristics of tsunamis, and learn about scientific advances in warning systems. Safety tips show young readers what to do in case a tsunami occurs.

May 20, 2013, began as a normal day at Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Oklahoma. Just before 3:00 p.m., a loud siren went off—a tornado was coming! Students and teachers raced to find shelter from the massive twister. The storm violently shook the school. Its powerful, swirling winds tore the roof off the building and caused some of the school’s walls to collapse. Would the students and teachers inside survive the storm’s fury? Oklahoma’s Devastating May 2013 Tornado is a heart-stopping account of the tornado that hit Moore, Oklahoma, and nearby areas—from its origins as a thunderstorm to its transformation into a huge twister and, finally, to the people’s heroic efforts to rebuild after the destruction. Captivating, first-person accounts of survivors, including a teacher who risked her life to save her students and a couple who helped rescue people trapped by the monster storm, bring this dramatic tale to life. Large, color photos, maps, and fact boxes enrich the true stories of bravery and heroism. Written in narrative format, this book is sure to draw readers in and hold them tight.

In the 1700s, cities in Europe and North America were expanding quickly, and many people lived in tiny, cramped homes and tenement buildings. During this time, tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks were common—and deadly. Between 1700 and 1900, TB killed about 1 billion people around the world. Why? In the 1880s, a German doctor discovered that TB was caused by tiny germs that could spread whenever a person suffering from the illness coughed or sneezed—or even breathed! The crowded living conditions in cities made deadly TB outbreaks more likely. By the 1950s, effective antibiotics for tuberculosis had been created and the disease was considered treatable. So people don’t need to worry about contracting the illness anymore, right? Readers will learn otherwise when they meet Oswaldo Juarez, a nineteen-year-old student who lived in Florida. He was hospitalized and almost died from a new form of TB—in 2007! In Tuberculosis: The White Plague!, kids will learn all about the history of this contagious illness, how the disease continues to mutate and adapt, and the ways doctors are fighting back and developing new cures.

When Woodrow Wilson became president in 1913, the United States was a very different country from the one it is today. Women did not have the right to vote, and many children worked long hours in unsafe factories and mines. Wilson wanted to change things and work to help people who had few rights. In this fascinating introduction, young readers will learn about Wilson''s early life, his achievements as president, and the many ways he is remembered today. Each 24-page book in this series features controlled text with age-appropriate vocabulary and simple sentence construction. The lively text, colorful design, and rich photos and illustrations are sure to capture the interest of emergent readers.

"Learn how the Burmese Python is an invasive species in the state of Florida"--

Full of Life. Historic. Rugged. Welcome to Iraq! In this bright, exciting book, young readers will travel to this amazing country without ever leaving their homes or classrooms. During their journey, they will learn all about Iraq''s land, wildlife, history, cities, and food. They''ll even learn how to speak a few words in Arabic and Kurdish! This 32-page book features controlled text with age-appropriate vocabulary and simple sentence construction. The engaging text, bold design, and stunning photos are sure to capture children''s interest. Iraq is part of Bearport''s Countries We Come From series.

In 1944, Americans were fighting in World War II. As a general, Dwight D. Eisenhower planned a huge attack and helped win the war. How did Eisenhower''s experience in the military shape his two terms as president? In this fascinating introduction, young readers will learn about Eisenhower''s early life, his achievements as president, and the many ways he is remembered today. Each 24-page book in this series features controlled text with age-appropriate vocabulary and simple sentence construction. The lively text, colorful design, and rich photos and illustrations are sure to capture the interest of emergent readers.