Books with author Roy A. Gallant

No one succeeds better than Roy A. Gallant in providing young readers with engaging explanations of sometimes difficult scientific concepts. In EarthWorks, this author described by School Library Journal as one of the deans of American science writers for children takes his readers through time in a marvelous exploration of planet Earth. From the sea of air to the ocean's depths, he eloquently speculates on the earth's beginnings, reflects on its evolution, and examines its current condition. Incorporating the latest scientific insights and discoveries, he details Earth's basic components and rich resources as well as the threats to its ultimate well-being. Full-color photographs and in-depth diagrams, detailed sidebars, glossary, further reading and website suggestions help shed light on a wide array of topics fascinating to would-be scientists of any age.

This ambitious and accomplished series explores the history of four integral fields in the discipline of science. Each volume takes the reader back in time to witness the formation of modern scientific theories -- from the earliest myths through all the years of experimentation, re-search and discovery that have led scientists to where they are today.

It was then that Marcus pulled himself up onto the top of the cliff and walked straight up to Ryxa and spoke as if he was talking to a friendly dog instead of a dragon. He had never seen a dragon this close, except for a dead one. “Hello.” When the dragon turned her head, she accidentally hit the boy and sent him flying. He had positioned himself beside her and she hadn’t noticed. The dragon’s eyes widened in disbelief as the boy got up and dusted himself off. He was uninjured, and that was a good thing. “A human child? How did you get up here?” “I climbed.” “That’s impossible.” “No, I climbed up.” Again, Kai exited the cave with another mouthful of gold and rubble. “What are you doing with that human? Put it back! You don’t know where it’s been. Do you want to get fleas?” Ryxa wasn’t sure what to say, so she opted for the truth. “Father, I didn’t bring him up here. He climbed. Dragons don’t get fleas.” Kai fixed his eyes on the boy as his face tightened. “Ryxa, don’t be foolish. No human can climb up that cliff. The only way up here is to fly or come up the back road, and that road is always full of dragons. You flew down there and picked him up. I want you to put him back now.” The dragon turned and went back into the dark cave with his fiery eyes lighting the way, and all he could think of was what next. Marcus walked to the edge of the cliff and stared down at the waves that were hitting the beach below. “Un oh.” It looked a lot more difficult going down than going up. It looked impossible. “I don’t think I can get down.” Ryxa sniffed the boy with such force that he had temporarily stuck to her nose and when she released him he fell on his bottom. She smiled as he got up. “You smell funny. It’s a bloody miracle that you didn’t break your neck getting up here. I guess you’ll just have to live up here and be my pet.” Prince Marcus was not impressed. “That is not gonna happen. Why don’t you be my pet? Better yet, just be my friend.” The boy stared at the dragonfly that had come up the side of the cliff and hovered, listening intently to the hum of its wings. He wanted to tie a rope to it and watch it fly around as his grandfather had shown him. He turned his attention back to the dragon as the dragonfly flew out of his reach. “You are so big. I could fit my head in one of your nose holes. My name is Marcus.” “I’m Ryxa and that’s my father Kai inside the cave. Marcus, how are you going to get back down?” She shook her big dragon head at the thought of the boy falling. Kai spat out another load of gold and snorted at the sight of the boy. “Ryxa, what did I tell you? Get him out of here! I can smell him from here.” “We’re just talking.” Kai snorted and fire shot out of his nose. “Don’t get attached to that thing because they’re all going to be dead soon.” Ryxa didn’t like the sound of that. What was her father talking about? He wasn’t usually one to exaggerate. “What do you mean?” “The Yurrosy are coming.” Ryxa stared at her father and blinked several times. “They have a wizard to protect them. They have a shield. Everyone knows that.” Kai laughed as he waddled back into his cave. “Some wizard. His light is nearly extinguished.”

This ambitious and accomplished series explores the history of four integral fields in the discipline of science. Each volume takes the reader back in time to witness the formation of modern scientific theories -- from the earliest myths through all the years of experimentation, re-search and discovery that have led scientists to where they are today.