Books with author Steven Otfinoski

Quicksand can be tricky to spot and survive.Quicksand is formed when too much water flows into an area of sand or soil, turning it into a thick muck. While wet dirt might not sound all that dangerous, it can actually be deadly. Find out where quicksand is most likely to form and follow the stories of people who have experienced firsthand what it is like to be trapped in a quicksand pit. Readers will also learn how scientists are studying quicksand today and how to safely avoid or escape from this dangerous mud.

Vivid storytelling brings American history to life and place readers in the shoes of ten people who experienced one of the most pivotal moments of the Civil Rights Movement - the marches from Selma to Montgomery. In March 1965 nonviolent activists, led by Martin Luther King Jr., began a series of marches in Alabama. They faced brutal resistance as they struggled for voting rights for African-Americans in the South and across the nation. Suspenseful, dramatic events unfold in chronological, interwoven stories from the different perspectives of people who experienced the event while it was happening. Narratives intertwine to create a breathless, "What's Next?" kind of read. Students gain a new perspective on historical figures as they learn about real people struggling to decide how best to act in a given moment.

A Step Into History series takes a step into some of the most important moments in history, and discovers how these moments helped shape the world we live in today.In the morning of Sunday, June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated by Serbian protestors. This one event sparked a conflict that would grow to involve all of Europe and even the United States. Readers will find out how each nation played a role in World War I, what life was like for soldiers in the trenches, how people around the world felt about the war, and much more.

From its very beginning, the United States has always been a nation of immigrants. For centuries, people from all around the world have traveled to America in search of a better life, bringing their customs and traditions along with them. Readers will find out what has drawn different immigrant groups to America, what they have contributed to American culture, what difficulties they have faced, and more.

It’s the 1800s, and you are a child from a poor family. You have to go to work to keep from starving. Will you: Work as a pauper apprentice in an English factory? Emigrate from Ireland in order to work in the New England cloth mills? Make your living on the streets of New York City selling newspapers? Everything in this book happened to real people. And YOU CHOOSE what you do next. The choices you make could lead you to opportunity, to wealth, to poverty, or even to death.

It’s 1915 and the Lusitania is set to sail from New York on its 202nd Atlantic crossing. But this will be a dangerous trip, as German U-boats lurk beneath the surface. Will you: Experience the journey as an American boy traveling in second class to England with his family? Travel first class as a young woman on her honeymoon? Work as an American sailor hired to serve on the ship? Everything in this book happened to real people. And YOU CHOOSE what you do next. The choices you make could lead you to opportunity, to adventure, or even to death.

Discover how today's innovators are finding ways to make 3D printers smaller, easier to use, and more affordable than ever.Calling All Innovators series introduces students to careers in science and technology. The complex text allows readers (Grades 5-8) to determine the main idea and explain how it is supported by key details. The idea of downloading and printing out a three-dimensional physical object using a personal computer might seem like something out of a science fiction story. However, the latest 3D printing technology is making this incredible dream into a reality. Readers will learn how 3D printing is changing the way we manufacture aircraft, treat injuries, and more.

A Step Into History series takes a step into some of the most important moments in history, and discovers how these moments helped shape the world we live in today.In the 1960s, as part of an effort to stop the spread of Communism, the United States entered into a conflict in the country of Vietnam. Though it was meant to be a fairly small operation, it soon turned into a long and costly war. Readers will learn about the motivations of U.S. and Vietnamese leaders, find out why so many people opposed the war, and much more as they explore the most important moments of this tumultuous time period.