Father-son scientists Luis and Walter Alvarez piece together one of the greatest mysteries of all time: What really happened to the dinosaurs? Dive into this fun and informative middle grade nonfiction book, which outlines the many important scientific discoveries that aided the Alvarezes in their search for answers.

Cretaceous earth was known as the age of dinosaurs. But really, it was the age of LIFE--scaled and feathered, furry and leathered, budding, blooming, roaring, zooming, buzzing, glorious LIFE--until...

DOOMSDAY.

For 66 million years, the mystery of what happened to the dinosaurs lay hidden under layers of sand and silt, until scientists began to piece together the puzzle of what happened on the last day of the ancient world.

Follow the real-life adventures of father-son scientists Luis and Walter Alvarez--along with an army of science detectives--as they unlock the world's most intriguing mystery. Learn how the smallest particles in the universe helped explain what happened to the largest animals that ever walked the planet. Track the timelines of discoveries that had to happen in physics, paleontology, astronomy, and geology, before humans could understand how and why 75 percent of species suddenly went extinct.

This is the story of how scientists add to the sum total of human knowledge, one question at a time, and help us understand our beautiful, tragic, and magnificent world.

Mountain of Fire is the narrative nonfiction account of the violent volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980, the story of the people who died, those who survived, and the heroes who fought to raise an alarm.

For weeks, the ground around Mount St. Helens shuddered like a dynamite keg ready to explode. There were legends of previous eruptions: violent fire, treacherous floods, and heat that had scoured the area. But the shaking and swelling was unlike any volcanic activity ever seen before. Day and night, scientists tried to piece together the mountain's clues--yet nothing could prepare them for the destruction to come.

The long-dormant volcano seethed away, boiling rock far below the surface. Washington's governor, Dixie Lee Ray, understood the despair that would follow from people being forced from their homes. How and when should she give orders to evacuate the area? And would that be enough to save the people from the eruption of Mount St. Helens?

Includes a QR code for a website featuring eye-catching photos of the eruption.

When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House #23: Twister on Tuesday, they had lots of questions. How do tornadoes form? What kinds of tools can help predict bad storms? Where did the biggest snowfall on record happen? How fast are hurricane winds?

Did you know that there's a Magic Tree House book for every kid?

Magic Tree House: Adventures with Jack and Annie, perfect for readers who are just beginning chapter books
Merlin Missions: More challenging adventures for the experienced reader
Super Edition: A longer and more dangerous adventure
Fact Trackers: Nonfiction companions to your favorite Magic Tree House adventures

Have more fun with Jack and Annie at MagicTreeHouse.com

A tribute to the unsung heroes of firefighting that takes readers along on a high-stakes mission to battle one of the deadliest natural disasters.

A lone figure stands on a tower, watching and waiting. Lightning strikes. Tree bark sparks. A wisp of white smoke rises in the distance. It is time to act.

Frightening images of raging wildfires top the daily news. On the ground, smoke fills the air as people prepare to flee their homes ahead of encroaching flames. Who helps to get this crisis under control? And what do these heroes do? They hold the line.

They Hold the Line delivers a dramatic inside look at the work of the highly trained first responders who risk their lives to fight wildfires. From hotshot handcrews to those who support them, wildland firefighters serve as stewards of the land, managing the health of our forests and the safety of our communities.

Powerfully written by Dan Paley and brought vividly to life by Caldecott Honor-winning artist Molly Mendoza, this compelling and informative book explores wildland firefighters' complex jobs in a fascinating and approachable way. Thoroughly researched and packed with graphics, labels, sidebars, vocabulary, scientific concepts, historical facts, and so much more, They Hold the Line is an outstanding resource for young readers, families, communities, classrooms, and libraries.

A spectacular, up-close look at heroic firefighting.--Booklist, starred review

Energetic and engrossing.--Horn Book Magazine, starred review

REAL-LIFE INSPIRATION: The author was inspired to write this book by a question his sons asked as they watched fires rage from their Southern California home in August 2018: Who protects us from the fires? This book is an attempt to answer that question.

TIMELY NONFICTION PICTURE BOOK: As fires rage over a wider swath of the United States and countries across the globe, and as fire season lengthens year over year, this book will resonate with anyone who has been impacted. And as these fires make national and international news, there's an increasing need for resources even for kids who aren't affected directly.

IMPORTANT RESOURCE BOOK: For families and communities experiencing the aftermath of a fire or other natural disaster, this book provides incredible insight into firefighters' responsibilities. It can also encourage neighboring communities to empathize and help those in need.

FIREFIGHTER BOOK FOR KIDS: Firefighters are perennially popular with young kids as they visit fire trucks and stations, dress up as firefighters, and learn about public service professions. They Hold the Line introduces the roles that make up firefighting crews, explores firefighting techniques, and takes an engaging graphic nonfiction approach to the fascinating topics of fire, firefighting, and fire safety.

EXPERT AUTHOR: Dan Paley's background in public policy and planning, as well as science communication, makes him uniquely qualified to educate readers on this complex topic.

Perfect for:

• Young readers fascinated by firefighters, fire truck crews, and natural disasters
• Teachers, librarians, and parents seeking accessible nonfiction books for boys and girls
• Readers who enjoy graphic nonfiction books
• Anyone affected by wildfires/wildfire season

The facts about natural disasters are so big and devastating they could make your head explode! You hear about huge costs (like the $360,000,000,000 in damage caused by the 2011 tsunami in Japan), huge speeds (the fastest-moving tsunami waves have been recorded at 500 miles per hour), and even huger mysteries (where, exactly, the danger zones are for natural disasters).

How can all these big numbers and concepts make more sense? Infographics! The charts, maps, and illustrations in this book tell a visual story to help you better understand key concepts about natural disasters. Crack open this book to explore mind-boggling questions such as:
- How can scientists accurately predict natural disasters?
- What were some of Earth's biggest, freakiest, and deadliest disasters?
- How can you protect yourself in the event of a volcano, an earthquake, or a tsunami?

The answers are sure to shake you up!

Sibert Honor Medalist - Kirkus' Best of 2015 list - School Library Journal Best of 2015 - Publishers Weekly's Best of 2015 list - Horn Book Fanfare Book - Booklist Editor's Choice

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina's monstrous winds and surging water overwhelmed the protective levees around low-lying New Orleans, Louisiana. Eighty percent of the city flooded, in some places under twenty feet of water. Property damages across the Gulf Coast topped $100 billion. One thousand eight hundred and thirty-three people lost their lives. The riveting tale of this historic storm and the drowning of an American city is one of selflessness, heroism, and courage--and also of incompetence, racism, and criminality.
Don Brown's kinetic art and as-it-happens narrative capture both the tragedy and triumph of one of the worst natural disasters in American history. A portion of the proceeds from this book has been donated to Habitat for Humanity New Orleans.

An unusually warm winter day resulted in 2.3 million gallons of molasses flooding the North End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. The disaster killed twenty-one people and injured 150 others. Rescue missions were launched to save people from the sticky and deadly mess, led by the Red Cross, the Army, the Navy, and the Massachusetts Nautical School. With the help of hundreds of volunteers over the course of several weeks, the streets were cleaned up. But the smell of molasses and the horror of the preventable tragedy lingered for decades to come.

An NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12

Let's explore together how scientists, engineers, and lots of everyday people are working to make sure that the wildlife so essential to Earth's health and beauty continues to freely move through the landscapes, waterways, and skylines of this richly inhabited planet.

Combining first-person reporting with research and stunning two-color art from illustrator Jamie Green, Wildlife Crossings of Hope takes a personal, in-depth look at wildlife crossings, corridor projects, and dam removal efforts around the world, from an underpass for elephants in Kenya to the Un-Dam the Klamath movement in the U.S. to the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, which extends from southern Mexico to Panama.

Above all, this is a book that invites young people to think of themselves and wildlife as part of one community that urgently needs restoration and protection. Back matter includes actions for kids to take, a complete listing of the scientific names of all creatures discussed, source notes, a bibliography, an index, and more.

Books for a Better Earth(TM) are designed to inspire children to become active, knowledgeable participants in caring for the planet they live on.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
A CBC-NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book

On January 12, 1888, a surprise blizzard broke out in the middle of the day across the Midwest. In its path, hundreds of children and teachers found themselves stranded inside schoolhouses with no food, no heat, and very few options. Days passed, and over 235 people died as result of the harsh snow of the Schoolhouse Blizzard, but many were able to survive thanks to the bravery of others in their communities. Learn all about the disastrous weather conditions and the people who were affected by it in this book for young readers.

A KIRKUS REVIEWS AND BOOKLIST BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

Wildfires have been part of the American landscape for thousands of years. Forests need fire--it's as necessary to their well-being as soil and sunlight. But some fires burn out of control, destroying everything and everyone in their path.

In this book, you'll find out about:

• how and why wildfires happen
• how different groups, from Native Americans to colonists, from conservationists to modern industrialists, have managed forests and fire
• the biggest wildfires in American history--how they began and dramatic stories of both rescue and tragedy
• what we're doing today to fight forest fires

Takes young readers on an in-depth exploration of one of the most awe-inspiring and devastating events in nature: hurricanes.

This dramatic nonfiction picture book is intensified through arresting full-color photographs and satellite images.

Award-winning science writer Seymour Simon explains what hurricanes are and how they develop; what storm surges are; and the basics of forecasting and precautions that families should take.

Booklist commented: This is unsurpassed for kindling interest in a scientific subject and communicating an understanding of its scope and significance.

In the winter of 1846-47, a group of eighty-seven pioneers heading from the Midwest to California found themselves snowbound in the Sierra Nevada mountain range with no way forward and no food or supplies. While forty-eight of the group members survived, the others perished due to extreme weather, starvation, and illness. To survive, the remaining people resorted to extreme measures...including cannibalism. Learn about the many miscalculations, bad decisions, and extreme weather that led to the demise of nearly half of the Donner Party in this book for young readers about one of California's first major disasters.

From Caldecott Honor-winning author-illustrator Steve Jenkins comes an in-depth look at the world's natural disasters, broken down into four distinct categories: earth, weather, life, and space. From timelines of causes and outcomes of each disaster, graphs highlighting humans' effect on the earth, and a text teeming with fresh, unexpected, and accurate information ready for readers to easily devour, Disasters by the Numbers is unmatched and sure to wow fans old and new.

The #1 bestselling chapter book series of all time celebrates 25 years with new covers and a new, easy-to-use numbering system

When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House #28: High Tide in Hawaii, they had lots of questions. What causes tsunamis? Who studies earthquakes? How do volcanoes form? What should people do if an avalanche hits? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Jack and Annie track the facts. Filled with up-to-date information, photos, illustrations, and fun tidbits from Jack and Annie, the Magic Tree House Fact Trackers are the perfect way for kids to find out more about the topics they discovered in their favorite Magic Tree House adventures.

Did you know that there's a Magic Tree House book for every kid?

Magic Tree House: Adventures with Jack and Annie, perfect for readers who are just beginning chapter books
Merlin Missions: More challenging adventures for the experienced reader
Super Edition: A longer and more dangerous adventure
Fact Trackers: Nonfiction companions to your favorite Magic Tree House adventures

Have more fun with Jack and Annie at MagicTreeHouse.com

Twenty amazing stories of survival against the odds, focusing on the positive outcomes of both natural disasters and terrible accidents from recent history.

Disasters often make the headlines, but this book focuses on the survivors. Find out how these real-life heroes survived volcanic eruptions, floods, tsunamis, wildfires, plane crashes, shark attacks and much more, using only their wits, their determination and the most basic of tools.

Prepare to be amazed by these incredible tales of human strength and determination in the face of disaster. Let the exciting narrative text and dramatic illustrations drop you right into the action.

From the much-anticipated 2018 rescue of the 13 Thai boys who were trapped in a cave and Steve Callahan, who was adrift at sea for 76 days, to the Chilean miner rescue and the Hudson River plane landing, you will be astonished by these thrilling stories of survival.

An unusually warm winter day resulted in 2.3 million gallons of molasses flooding the North End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. The disaster killed twenty-one people and injured 150 others. Rescue missions were launched to save people from the sticky and deadly mess, led by the Red Cross, the Army, the Navy, and the Massachusetts Nautical School. With the help of hundreds of volunteers over the course of several weeks, the streets were cleaned up. But the smell of molasses and the horror of the preventable tragedy lingered for decades to come.

An atlas of the most extreme meteorological and geological disasters that nature has to offer!

''Dynamic illustrations paired with illuminating text will entice even a reluctant reader to revel in this selection; an excellent addition to any nonfiction library''. -- School Library journal, Starred Review

''An eye-opening, and -widening, early introduction to our restless planet''. -- Kirkus

''The introduction's warning--every so often, the planet reminds us who's boss--rings out again at the conclusion, which explains how climate change could amplify each of these terrible and fascinating natural events''. -- Publisher's Weekly

''Earth Shattering Events! is one of those books that perfectly balances both the needs of the child, and the wants of the adult; it's fun, educational and equally entertaining to people big and small''. -- The AOI

We humans take our domination of the planet for granted, but sometimes nature reminds us that this is an illusion. Tectonics rip open the earth, vast waves sweep away coastal towns, magma spews from volcanoes and hurricanes lay waste to entire countries.

This book explores nature at its most destructive. Clear, coherent explanations break down the science behind phenomena including hurricanes, tornadoes, avalanches, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes, alongside fascinating facts about the biggest and the worst. Informative, accessible illustrations by Sophie Williams make this so much more than your standard geography book.

Discover the extraordinary power of nature in this comprehensive visual encyclopedia with full-color illustrations.

Full of fascinating facts and dramatic photography from around the world, and based on the latest research, this is a definitive guide to natural disasters. You'll discover their causes, explore how they unfold, and see for yourself the incredible and inspirational ways in which scientists and rescue workers work together to protect the public.

Accessible, entertaining, and authoritative, this comprehensive visual encyclopedia is the perfect introduction to this dramatic and important area of geography. Ideal for readers aged 8+.

ABOUT THE SERIES Arcturus Children's Reference Library uses stunning photography, fabulous facts and useful diagrams to introduce a variety of subjects - from the animal kingdom to space. Great to dip into, these reference guides are a staple for any child's bookshelf.

A perfect book to teach kids what blizzards are, and how to prepare for them!

A blizzard is a storm with high winds that blow snow around. It lasts for more than three hours. Experts say climate change is making these storms even fiercer. Discover why blizzards happen, how they are measured, and how we can prepare for them in Blizzards, a perfect first introduction to the topic for young readers.

ABOUT THIS SERIES:

In the era of climate change, wild weather events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves, and blizzards are becoming more frequent and more destructive. Now more than ever, education around these topics is essential. Using age-appropriate language and easy-to-understand science, the books in this series will offer a first exploration of different wild weather events that can be unleashed on Earth: why they happen, how they are measured, and how we can prepare for them. Illustrated with arresting full-color photography and sprinkled with fascinating facts, these books will follow pioneering climate change curricula for early elementary grades across the United States.