Books with author Rebecca Hirsch

See what a vampire bat has in common with a sperm whale. Find out what sets a vampire bat apart from a walrus or a groundhog. Readers will compare and contrast key traits of vampire bats―their appearance, behavior, habitat, and life cycle―to traits of other mammals. Charts and sidebars support key ideas and provide details. Through gathering information about similarities and differences, readers will make connections and draw conclusions about what makes this animal a mammal and how mammals are alike and different from each other.

"Takes readers through the life cycle of bees, their important role in pollination, and presents reasons for their decline... An important resource for all libraries." --Booklist, starred reviewApples, blueberries, peppers, cucumbers, coffee, and vanilla. Do you like to eat and drink? Then you might want to thank a bee.Bees pollinate 75 percent of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts grown in the United States. Around the world, bees pollinate $24 billion worth of crops each year. Without bees, humans would face a drastically reduced diet. We need bees to grow the foods that keep us healthy.But numbers of bees are falling, and that has scientists alarmed. What's causing the decline? Diseases, pesticides, climate change, and loss of habitat are all threatening bee populations. Some bee species are teetering on the brink of extinction."Accessible and concise" (Kirkus), this book will teach you about the many bee species on Earth -- their nests, their colonies, their life cycles, and their vital connection to flowering plants. Most importantly, you'll discover what you can do to help."If we had to try and do what bees do on a daily basis, if we had to come out here and hand pollinate all of our native plants and our agricultural plants, there is physically no way we could do it. . . . Our best bet is to conserve our native bees." --ecologist Rebecca Irwin, North Carolina State University

In the twenty-first century, because of climate change and other human activities, many animal species have become extinct, and many others are at risk of extinction. Once they are gone, we cannot bring them back―or can we? With techniques such as cloning, scientists want to reverse extinction and return lost species to the wild. Some scientists want to create clones of recently extinct animals, while others want to make new hybrid animals. Many people are opposed to de-extinction. Some critics say that the work diverts attention from efforts to save species that are endangered. Others say that de-extinction amounts to scientists "playing God." Explore the pros and cons of de-extinction and the cutting-edge science that makes it possible.

Learn what a Siberian tiger has in common with an elk. Discover what sets a Siberian tiger apart from a Tasmanian devil. Readers will compare and contrast key traits of Siberian tigers―their appearance, behavior, habitat, and life cycle―to traits of other mammals. Charts and sidebars support key ideas and provide details. Through gathering information about similarities and differences, readers will make connections and draw conclusions about what makes this animal a mammal and how mammals are alike and different from each other.

What's so great about Washington, DC? Find out the top ten sites to see or things to do in the nation's capital! We'll explore Washington, DC's lively parks, historic landmarks, fun-filled museums, and fascinating history. The Washington, DC, by Map feature shows where you'll find all the places covered in the book. A special section provides quick district facts such as the motto, population, tree, bird, and more. Take a fun-filled tour of all there is to discover in Washington, DC.

Find out what a leatherback sea turtle has in common with a pig-nosed turtle. Learn what sets a leatherback sea turtle apart from a Gila monster. Readers will compare and contrast key traits of leatherback sea turtles―their appearance, behavior, habitat, and life cycle―to similar and different reptiles. Charts and sidebars support key ideas and provide details. Through gathering information about similarities and differences, readers will make connections and draw conclusions about what makes this animal a reptile and how reptiles are alike and different from each other.

Save the Planet: Growing your own Garden, applies the NCTE/IRA Standards to science and social studies content. Each book sends the reader on a fact-finding mission, posing an initial challenge and concluding with questions and answers. Through engaging, interactive scenarios, learners can experiment with text prediction, purpose-driven research, and creative problem solving—all critical thinking skills—while learning about ways to care for our planet.

Find out what a Komodo dragon has in common with a Mexican mole lizard. Discover what sets a Komodo dragon apart from a yellow-bellied sea snake. Readers will compare and contrast key traits of Komodo dragons―their appearance, behavior, habitat, and life cycle―to similar and different reptiles. Charts and sidebars support key ideas and provide details. Through gathering information about similarities and differences, readers will make connections and draw conclusions about what makes this animal a reptile and how reptiles are alike and different from each other.