Books with author Michael Rajczak

Plains, deserts, mountains, and water cover the great state of Texas, giving it one of our country’s most unique geographical landscapes. This book teaches students how Texas’s geography contributed to settling the state. It also discusses its influence on ways of life in both the past and present. Standard-driven content is made accessible by age-appropriate text and engaging images. Readers have additional opportunities to learn about the state’s wonderful wilderness through visually appealing graphic organizers, informative sidebars, and more.

The 2015 drought in California continually made national news, but its not the only place thats battled a lack of water in recent years. Droughts disrupt the water cycle, crop production, and the everyday lives of people and animals living in the region. Can they be prevented? Readers are introduced to why droughts happen and how theyre dealt with when they do. An emphasis on conservation and drought-prone regions around the world encourages readers to think about this topic with a global view. Full-color photographs illustrate the devastation droughts can cause, and fascinating fact boxes complement the main content with even more science and social studies information.

"Have you ever heard the expression, "You had to be there?" When you visit a national landmark, you have the chance to experience history--and a primary source--firsthand. You can explore the fascinating history of the United States by visiting such landmarks as Independence Hall, the White House, Gettysburg Cemetery, and many more amazing places. Get a taste of our how our national landmarks act as exciting primary sources in this volume, full of accessible, interpretive text, and full-color photographs of landmarks today"--

"In this fan-pleasing volume, readers discover amazing facts about great hitters like Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron. Was old-timer Horus Wagner or recently retired Derek Jeter the best shortstop? Readers will decide. Position by position, this fascinating book, replete with action-packed photographs, highlights the best of the best"--Provided by publisher.

The terrible truth of slavery has been well-documented since its end following the Civil War. With the everyday reality of whippings, backbreaking labor, and constant prejudice, its no wonder many slaves tried to escape. Fortunately, a network of people and safe houses arose in the late 1770s to help these slaves reach freedom. Readers will learn about the beginning of the Underground Railroad and the many routes slaves traveled. The main content supports readers classroom learning with surprising fact boxes and historical images to draw them into the dangerous, terrifying journey many slaves took.

If you want to know where you are or where you are going, you can look at a map. Throughout American history, our nation's leaders and citizens were able to use maps for direction and learning. Sometimes these maps were not very accurate, and we can learn about how Americans viewed their world just by looking at the maps they had available. What would our nation look like without the 11 Confederate states? How can we reach the Pacific if there are no maps to guide us? Readers discover the story of our nation through primary sources in this intriguing volume.

Boaters on the Great Lakes often see clusters of small mussels stuck to docks, rocks, and even boats! Called zebra mussels, these organisms can cause people to cut their feet, filter out food for larval fish, and more. Through reading about how zebra mussels came to these freshwater lakes, readers learn what invasive species are and how they can cause great harm to native ecosystems. Facts about the spread of zebra mussels and efforts to stop this spread introduce readers to conservation and other science curriculum topics. Full-color photographs, fact boxes, and maps showing zebra mussel distribution augment readers understanding.

Like many gems, amber is used to make jewelry and other decorations. But its formed unlike any other gem. Amber is actually fossilized tree resin thats 40 million to 60 million years old! Readers learn how this unique gem forms through accessible science content, including fun fact boxes that add even more detail. Close-up photographs of amber in full color engage readers with the fossilization process, the discovery of amber, and what this beautiful, natural gem teaches scientists about Earths past.

The Great Lakes region offers so many places to visit, its hard to pare down the choices! From the natural wonders of Niagara Falls and the Michigan sand dunes to the big-city fun of Chicago and Toronto, theres a lot to see and do. Readers take a tour of the region, including the beaches, famous lighthouses, and the most populous cities around the Great Lakes. Colorful photographs transport them to each new sight while maps aid in geographical understanding of the Great Lakes watershed. Sidebars augment the main social studies content with further detail and interesting facts.