Books with author Amie Jane Leavitt

When Taylor Lautner was younger, he never imagined he d end up a big Hollywood celebrity. He was just a kid from a small Michigan town who loved playing sports and hanging out with friends and family. After receiving encouragement from his karate instructor, though, he decided to move to Los Angeles with his family to pursue an acting career. He s never regretted it. Taylor had a number of small roles before he played Sharkboy in The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3D. Then he landed his biggest role yet: Jacob Black in the Twilight series. Taylor is a natural entertainer, and his friendly personality and winning smile make him a favorite among his fans.

Being the president of the United States is an enormous responsibility. Who takes on that job if the president leaves office unexpectedly? Using historical examples to illustrate key concepts, this informative book introduces readers to the line of succession. They'll learn about essential and interesting concepts, such as the "designated survivor." Photographs bring important points into focus, and fact boxes give fast facts on crucial topics. This historical approach to political science provides a clear explanation of the enormous responsibilities entrusted to our leaders, making it an important addition to any library and classroom.

Journey back to seventeenth-century Holland with Mariska. She'll walk along brick streets. She'll see lights flicker on the canals. She'll watch windmills spin in the breeze. Then, she'll take an art lesson from the famous artist Rembrandt. Along the way, she'll also get to fi nd out about Rembrandt's life and art. What would it have been like to know Rembrandt? This story will help you imagine just that!

The Bill of Rights is one of the most important documents of not only United States history, but also World History. These first ten amendments to the Constitution protect the rights of the people, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to bear arms, and the right to a quick and fair trial for the accused. Over the past 200 years, this crucial document has been the inspiration for freedom-loving people around the world to try to change and improve their own governments. It was also the driving force behind the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a Bill of Rights for all of humankind, which was adopted by the United Nations in 1948.

The Underground Railroad was not a transportation system with metal tracks and whistling trains that zipped along a grid of tracks through tunnels below the ground. Instead, this system was an organized network of people who--in utmost secrecy--helped others escape the bonds of slavery. The routes to freedom were filled with danger, but the risks were worth it. Climb aboard to travel back in time and find out how this system of "passengers," "conductors," and "stationmasters" saved thousands of lives and helped change the nation.

Deep in the Scottish Highlands resides the castle known as Balmoral. You may have heard of its owner, for she is none other than the Queen of England. Purchased by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in the 1840s, Balmoral became a magical retreat for the royal family to spend their holidays alone together, much like other families do. So, let the bagpipers begin to play and the Highland dancers begin to swirl and twirl - the Scottish culture and beautiful countryside surrounding Balmoral await you.

The urge to experiment and create has been strong in humankind since time immemorial. So, too, has the need to gather together for the greater good. Makerspaces, where innovators meet to advance technologies through physical computing, answer the call of both these motivating factors. Once a wave of the future, makerspaces are quickly becoming a fixture in the here and now. This books lets students discover where to find, and how to make the best use of, these creative spaces.

Digital portfolios allow students to showcase their work to potential employers, college admission boards, and scholarship and award committees. In this title, readers will get expert tips on how to create their own portfolio and how to incorporate collaborative projects, including those they've completed with their classmates, peers, and fellow learners around the country and world. Also included are tips on how to get involved in existing collaborative projects or how to design your own.