Books with author Rita Milios

The name Democratic Republic of the Congo is a misnomer: the country has never been truly democratic or a republic. For decades this country in central Africa, which was once known as Zaire, was ruled by a brutal and corrupt dictator, Mobutu Sese Seko. Since the mid-1990s, when Mobutu's government was overthrown, various groups within Congo have been fighting for power. Although a peace agreement was signed in 2003 and a new constitution adopted in 2006, fighting has continued in the eastern part of the country. Overall, the Second Congo War involved nine African nations and caused more than 5.4 million deaths, making it the deadliest conflict since World War II. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the second-largest country in Africa and possesses a wealth of natural resources. However, the government still has no control over large areas of the country, and the years of fighting have devastated the economy. Although the prospects for peace have improved, it will take years for Congo to fully recover from its devastating civil war.

Sound is everywhere! This book uses real-world examples to bring the concept of sound to life in an approachable way. Clearly-written text draws in readers with concrete examples involving familiar, everyday things, from a train whistle to a thunder clap. The book covers the history of and key figures in the understanding of sound, including Pythagoras and Galileo. Major concepts covered include sound waves, frequency, amplitude, ultrasound, sonar, echoes, the Doppler effect, sonic booms, cochlear implants, noise pollution, echolocation, and decibels. Full-color photos, a glossary, an index, sidebars, primary source documents, and other creative content enhance the book. It also includes prompts and activities that directly engage students in developing the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills promoted by the Common Core standards. This well-researched title has a credentialed content consultant and aligns with Common Core and state standards. Core Library is an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.