Books with author Sarah Machajewski

Ancestors of horseshoe crabs date back over 450 million years. Thats before dinosaurs walked Earth! Readers will find out more about these intriguing arthropodswhich arent even crabs!and theories about why they survived while dinosaurs became extinct. Theyll learn about horseshoe crabs unique behaviors, how theyve adapted over the years, and gain an overall appreciation for these magnificent marine creatures.

In the early 17th century, all the world knew of North America came from reports of the earliest European explorers. By the end of the 18th century, the world knew America as the United States—a country whose earliest years were shaped by colonialism. This historical, non-fiction text examines life in Colonial America through the eyes of the kids who lived there. Age-appropriate language takes readers inside the clothes, toys, schools, and ways of life in the 17th and 18th centuries. Fact boxes provide opportunities for additional learning. A glossary and index round out the text, completing a comprehensive learning experience.

Take a step back in time and enter the world of Ancient Greece, the birthplace of western civilization. Today’s readers will walk through the streets of Athens and Sparta, learning about their unique culture through the eyes of children who lived there. The text covers food, clothing, housing, religious beliefs, and more. A mix of historical and modern images helps readers visualize this ancient society, while fact boxes supplement the thorough and engaging content. The text contains a glossary and index for reader reference, providing a breadth of information on one of the world’s most formative civilizations.

Since ancient times, many native peoples across America governed themselves with a tribal council or another system of government. Many developed constitutions to codify their laws as well. This important aspect of Native American history is carefully explained in this well-researched and accessible book, which focuses on the governments of several native peoples. Historical images, interesting fact boxes, and a colorful design make this significant subject even more appealing to young historians.

How do historians know what they know about the Thirteen Colonies? Readers will learn that and more in this thorough book about interpreting data. They'll investigate how data was collected during the colonial period, the manner in which it was recorded and preserved, and how historians have used that data to deduce what we understand about life in the colonies. Readers are urged to apply this knowledge to their own analysis of historical data.

The Middle Ages wasnt just a time for knights, lords, and castles. Kids lived during this time, too, and this volume introduces readers to all aspects of their daily lives. Fans of historical fiction will delight in exploring the Middle Ages through the eyes of a child who lived during that time. The text covers family life, what kids wore and ate, how they were educated, and what games they played. Beautiful illustrations and modern-day photos aid readers in visualizing this era, while a glossary, index, and reference websites provide opportunities for additional learning.

Weather has the ability to shape our planet. Floods may alter Earth's landscape suddenly and dramatically. Erosion causes subtle changes over a longer period of time. This book explores some of the most incredible forces on Earth, including extreme weather, erosion, and floods. Students will be amazed at how our planet has changed over billions of years, as well as how it has changed in an instant. Full-color photographs and primary sources highlight real-world examples of these forces and their impressive impact on our planet.

Many factors affect the development of cities including geography and natural resources, history, and culture. This book takes an in-depth look at some of Colorados most important cities, their histories, why they are located where they are, and how their economies, industries, and populations have changed over time. Informative text, full color photographs, and primary source documents lead students in understanding how Colorados major cities have grown and changed with the changing state.

American Indians have faced injustice from the moment Europeans came to the Americas to claim land and resources. This volume traces the history of injustice against American Indians, from losing their land, to moving to reservations, to having their culture stolen from them. Readers will learn how the movement for rights began, and the challenges and successes activists faced. Primary sources and photographs from the movement will bring readers back in time to fully grasp the importance of events. The book concludes by challenging readers to think about how they could help advance American Indian rights today.

When Darwin visited the Galapagos Islands, he found many kinds of finches there, each with a beak perfectly suited to the kind of food the bird commonly ate. The finches had adapted to their surroundings. Wing size, migration patterns, and more are all part of the fascinating bird adaptations included in this book. Readers explore all kinds of birds, bird behavior, and more in an entertaining format and colorful layout. Graphic organizers and full-color photographs complement the main content as readers fly from one fun fact to the next.

The Constitution of the United States is arguably the most influential document in our nation's history. In this illuminating text, readers will study sources of information about the Constitution. In doing so, readers learn how to identify reliable and unreliable sources, interpret primary sources, and consider how certain sources may be biased or interpret the same information differently. This book stimulates critical thinking by encouraging readers to draw their own conclusions about the information they're presented with.