New Releases by Natalie Lunis

What could cause a once-bustling city to fall quiet, or--even more shocking--an entire civilization to vanish? The eerie empty streets of ghost towns and fantastical stories of lost cities are truly mysterious. Travel the world, visiting real ghost towns and searching for lost cities with creepy legends and unbelievable paranormal events. Are the stories of strange figures and unexplained disturbances make-believe or signs of something more sinister? Decide for yourself . . . if you dare. Then, explore a map of dreadful dwellings around the world.

Places that are filled with history are also thought to be filled with ghosts. If that is true, then Washington, D.C.—a city that dates back to the earliest days of the United States of America—is surely one of the most haunted cities in the country. In A Haunted Capital, children visit eleven of the most haunted spots in Washington, D.C. and come across some of its most famous ghosts. Among them are a former president who never left the White House, a vice-president who still hurries to his office in the Capitol building, and a First Lady who has found a quiet and peaceful home—years after her death. The haunting photographs and chilling nonfiction text will keep children turning the pages to discover more spooky stories.

On the morning of July 15, 2012, the weather at Sant’Agostino Beach in Italy was clear and calm—just perfect for a swim. Shortly before noon, however, the wind picked up. Soon, it blew so hard that it pushed two swimmers dangerously far from shore. Fortunately, a lifeguard was on duty. She managed to swim out and help bring both swimmers back. Most of the time, such an event wouldn’t make headlines. This time, however, it did. That’s because the lifeguard was a yellow Labrador retriever named Ariel! Ariel is just one of hundreds of dogs that patrol beaches to keep people safe. Whether diving into dangerous waves from the decks of rescue boats or jumping from helicopters hovering above the water, these brave canines are willing to risk their lives to make sure no one drowns. With real-life stories and full-color photos of these courageous canines on the job, this book is sure to appeal to dog lovers everywhere.

Do some animals really have the power to transform themselves into something else? In fact, such creatures do exist. In this book, young readers will meet eight of these amazing, shape-shifting animals, including a sea creature that can pretend to be a rock, a caterpillar that can rise up like a snake that is about to strike, and a fish that can blow itself up into a big, spiky ball. These animals may take on very different shapes, but they do have one thing in common. They all use their shape-shifting abilities to scare off, escape from, or appear less tasty to their enemies. In other words, their special powers help them survive! Eye-popping photos and clear, simple text bring these one-of-a-kind creatures to vivid life.

Theaters are fun places to visit—most of the time. These beautiful buildings are usually filled with funny comedies, dramatic tragedies, and exciting musicals. Yet what happens when the most exciting and dramatic events aren’t happening on the stage? Many theaters have been the scenes of unusual deaths, tragic events, and are even said to be home to ghosts and spirits. Within the 11 tragic theaters in this book, children will discover the ghost of the man who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln, and the spirit of a beautiful showgirl who keeps reappearing on the stage where she became famous 100 years ago. The haunting photographs and chilling nonfiction text will keep children turning the pages to discover more spooky stories.

A brightly colored spider stretches silky threads between two tree branches. Then it lets more silk out of its body and moves back and forth to make a set of straight lines. Finally, the spider moves in a spiral path leading out from the center of its large, wheel-shaped home. Welcome to the spider''s web! Clear text, colorful photos, and diagrams will engage young readers as they explore the habitat, physical characteristics, diet, and behavior of these curious creatures. Age-appropriate activities and critical-thinking questions give readers an opportunity to make observations and gain valuable insights.

Readers will get a lesson in history in this title that looks at what happened in various schools and how these happenings are tied to tales of ghosts, poltergeists, and other unexplainable phenomena.

What mysteries are hidden within a dark, deserted cave? People have used caves for shelter and protection throughout history, but some of these places have been marked by tragedy. Could the caves be haunted by ghosts who wander through their shadowy chambers? Among the 11 spooky places featured in this book, readers will explore a cave of lost treasure hidden by Spanish conquistadors over 350 years ago; a cavern where a 13-year-old boy discovered the largest underground lake in the United States; and a cave where the mournful ghost of a young woman searches desperately for her lost love. The mysteries of these eerie places and the spirits said to still haunt them will keep readers turning the pages.

Explains how the U.S. Navy SEALs tracked down and defeated the terrorist, Osama bin Laden.

Describes how hippos communicate with each other and how the sounds they make help them survive, and discusses their habitat, diet, and behavior.

Young readers will meet coyotes and learn where these animals live, how they stay safe, and the different ways their howls help them communicate.

Describes how hyenas communicate with each other and how the sounds they make help them survive, and discusses their habitat, diet, and behavior.

Explains bioluminescence, introduces animals that produce their own light, and describes how it functions in creatures.

Learn how to make a weather station.

This book is about the evolution of the automobile from the horseless carriages to the hybrid cars of today.

Find out about the distinguishing characteristics of fruits and vegetables and how you can grow them in your own kitchen.

Find out about nature''s fiercest weather and explore how meteorologists predict when and where such weather will occur.

This book is about many of the holidays that are celebrated in the United States.

Find out about how to make greeting cards and gifts using various materials.

The California sea lion can swim at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. Its speed helps it escape from predators such as sharks and killer whales. Sea lions are not just fast; they’re also smart and playful. They can even learn to perform tricks at zoos and aquariums! These are some of the fascinating facts kids will discover as they learn all about these swift marine mammals. Eye-popping photos and clear, easy-to-read text will engage emergent readers as they discover the anatomical features that help California sea lions reach fast speeds. A "Speed-o-Meter" graphic compares the sea lion’s top speed to that of other animals.

The cheetah can run faster than any animal in the world. It races along at up to 70 miles per hour—that’s more than the speed limit on most highways! Plus, this sleek cat has faster acceleration than a sports car. A cheetah can go from 0 to 45 miles per hour in less than three seconds! These are some of the fascinating facts in store for kids as they learn all about these speedy creatures. Eye-popping photos and clear, easy-to-read text will engage emergent readers as they discover the anatomical features that help cheetahs reach fast speeds. A "Speed-o-Meter" graphic compares the cheetah''s top speed to that of humans and racehorses.

The mummy of King Tutankhamun, the Egyptian boy king, had not been disturbed for over 3,000 years. In 1922, archaeologist Howard Carter and his team discovered the ancient tomb and examined the dazzling treasures within its chambers. However, soon after the thrilling discovery, a member of Carter’s team became ill and died. Stories of other deaths connected to the tomb followed. Had an ancient curse doomed those who entered the pharaoh’s tomb? An exciting narrative format brings Egyptian history to life, while providing plenty of creepy details to satisfy young horror fans. Chilling photos and illustrations and clear, age-appropriate text will keep readers turning the pages to unlock the secrets of the mummy’s tomb.

The peregrine falcon is the fastest animal in the world. It can fly at a speed of 68 miles per hour, and it can dive through the air at an even more amazing speed: 200 miles per hour! The falcons make these high-speed dives in order to catch other birds for food. They attack their prey in midair! These are just some of the fascinating facts kids will discover in the thrilling world of these swift birds of prey. Eye-popping photos and clear, easy-to-read text will engage emergent readers as they discover the anatomical features that help peregrine falcons reach fast speeds. A "Speed-o-Meter" graphic compares the peregrine falcon’s top speed to that of fastballs and roller coasters.

The alarm sounds and Lyric bolts into action. Lyric knows just what to do in an emergency. She is a service dog who has been trained to help her owner out of danger. She knocks off the phone receiver and presses the key, calling 911--and saving her owner''s life! Lyric isn''t the only smart dog in the kennel. People are discovering why dogs really are man''s best friend. In Dogs, kids will read many exciting stories of dogs displaying their amazing intelligence. From saving lives, detecting cancer, and communicating using body language, dogs are surprising people with their intelligence and ingenuity. Full-color photographs, a diagram of animal intelligence features, and lively canine anecdotes will engage every smart child.

Describes green tree frogs, discussing their physical characteristics, habitat, life cycle, and ability to evade their predators by blending into their environment.

This book is about the co-dependent relationship, or partnership, between plants and animals.

Introduces tree frogs, describing their physical characteristics, life cycle, habitat, common predators, defense mechanism, and the dangers they face from pollution and climate change.