Books published by publisher Nature Connections

Friends make life joyful! This book offers practical advice for meeting friends and creating close friendships. Readers in grades 4-9 will learn what makes a good friend, how to avoid common problems with friends, and how modern technology fits into friendship.This series is designed to help upper-elementary and middle school readers navigate common social/emotional issues they may face at home and in school, promoting positive relationship building, empathy, appreciation for diversity, bully resistance, informed decision-making, and emotion management. Each book includes short fictional stories that exemplify an issue, followed by a nonfiction analysis of the issue and age-appropriate best practices for handling it.

Certain fundamental rights—such as the rights to safety, freedom of movement, and freedom of expression—are human rights to which everyone is entitled. In this book, explore current conflicts involving human rights around the world. Then, decide where YOU stand on this important issue.The Shaping the Debate series is designed to help readers in grades 5-9 understand social issues from multiple viewpoints and to articulate their own opinions. Each book in this series explains the title issue and how it affects people and policy; introduces people and movements involved in bringing awareness to the issue; highlights applicable major U.S. laws, judicial decisions, and progressive to moderate to conservative viewpoints; and touches on global implications of activism, awareness, and policy change

“It’s a free country—I can say whatever I want!” Most Americans agree about the importance of free speech. But many don’t understand the scope and limitations of this treasured liberty. Learn about the history, complexities, and conflicts related to free speech rights, from flag-burning to the treatment of hate speech. Then, decide where YOU stand on this important issue. The Shaping the Debate series is designed to help readers in grades 5-9 understand social issues from multiple viewpoints and to articulate their own opinions. Each book in this series explains the title issue and how it affects people and policy; introduces people and movements involved in bringing awareness to the issue; highlights applicable major U.S. laws, judicial decisions, and progressive to moderate to conservative viewpoints; and touches on global implications of activism, awareness, and policy change

“It’s a free country―I can say whatever I want!” Most Americans agree about the importance of free speech. But many don’t understand the scope and limitations of this treasured liberty. Learn about the history, complexities, and conflicts related to free speech rights, from flag-burning to the treatment of hate speech. Then, decide where YOU stand on this important issue. The Shaping the Debate series is designed to help readers in grades 5-9 understand social issues from multiple viewpoints and to articulate their own opinions. Each book in this series explains the title issue and how it affects people and policy; introduces people and movements involved in bringing awareness to the issue; highlights applicable major U.S. laws, judicial decisions, and progressive to moderate to conservative viewpoints; and touches on global implications of activism, awareness, and policy change

Have you ever been so angry that you felt out of control? It’s difficult to remain calm and think rationally when you are really mad! In this book, readers in grades 4-9 will learn helpful techniques for controlling anger so it doesn’t control them.This series is designed to help upper-elementary and middle school readers navigate common social/emotional issues they may face at home and in school, promoting positive relationship building, empathy, appreciation for diversity, bully resistance, informed decision-making, and emotion management. Each book includes short fictional stories that exemplify an issue, followed by a nonfiction analysis of the issue and age-appropriate best practices for handling it.

Explore the facts and divergent points of view behind the headlines about immigration. Learn about border enforcement and security, sanctuary cities, proposals for immigration reform, and more. Then, decide where YOU stand on this important issue.The Shaping the Debate series is designed to help readers in grades 5-9 understand social issues from multiple viewpoints and to articulate their own opinions. Each book in this series explains the title issue and how it affects people and policy; introduces people and movements involved in bringing awareness to the issue; highlights applicable major U.S. laws, judicial decisions, and progressive to moderate to conservative viewpoints; and touches on global implications of activism, awareness, and policy change

Explore the evidence and opinions behind the headlines on climate change. Read scientific explanations about the causes and effects of Earth’s changing climate and understand the political context. Then, decide where YOU stand on this important issue. The Shaping the Debate series is designed to help readers in grades 5-9 understand social issues from multiple viewpoints and to articulate their own opinions. Each book in this series explains the title issue and how it affects people and policy; introduces people and movements involved in bringing awareness to the issue; highlights applicable major U.S. laws, judicial decisions, and progressive to moderate to conservative viewpoints; and touches on global implications of activism, awareness, and policy change

Explore the facts and divergent points of view behind the headlines about immigration. Learn about border enforcement and security, sanctuary cities, proposals for immigration reform, and more. Then, decide where YOU stand on this important issue.The Shaping the Debate series is designed to help readers in grades 5-9 understand social issues from multiple viewpoints and to articulate their own opinions. Each book in this series explains the title issue and how it affects people and policy; introduces people and movements involved in bringing awareness to the issue; highlights applicable major U.S. laws, judicial decisions, and progressive to moderate to conservative viewpoints; and touches on global implications of activism, awareness, and policy change

Squeak! Grrr! CRACK! Shhh! Our world is filled with sounds big and small, pleasant and annoying. But how is all that sound created and what can it do? In this book, readers in grades 4-9 will learn how sound travels and the many roles it plays in our world. Sound helps us communicate, but it can do so much more. You might be amazed at how powerful sound waves can be when they let us see into the human body, set off a massive avalanche, or discover an ancient sunken ship. This series features a variety of science topics aligned to NGSS standards. From mixing matter to the study of sound waves, each informative book includes a glossary, comprehension questions, and an activity for home or the classroom.

A crack of lightning. The blue glow of a phone screen. A blinking firefly. The blazing sun. A camera’s rapid flash. No matter the source, light travels in waves, and it does so at a speed faster than anything else in the universe. But what is light, anyway, and how do we study it? In this book, readers in grades 4-9 will learn about light waves and light’s properties and how people–and animals–manipulate light for their own purposes.This series features a variety of science topics aligned to NGSS standards. From mixing matter to the study of sound waves, each informative book includes a glossary, comprehension questions, and an activity for home or the classroom.

Certain fundamental rights―such as the rights to safety, freedom of movement, and freedom of expression―are human rights to which everyone is entitled. In this book, explore current conflicts involving human rights around the world. Then, decide where YOU stand on this important issue.The Shaping the Debate series is designed to help readers in grades 5-9 understand social issues from multiple viewpoints and to articulate their own opinions. Each book in this series explains the title issue and how it affects people and policy; introduces people and movements involved in bringing awareness to the issue; highlights applicable major U.S. laws, judicial decisions, and progressive to moderate to conservative viewpoints; and touches on global implications of activism, awareness, and policy change

Explore the facts and divergent points of view behind the headlines about immigration. Learn about border enforcement and security, sanctuary cities, proposals for immigration reform, and more. Then, decide where YOU stand on this important issue.The Shaping the Debate series is designed to help readers in grades 5-9 understand social issues from multiple viewpoints and to articulate their own opinions. Each book in this series explains the title issue and how it affects people and policy; introduces people and movements involved in bringing awareness to the issue; highlights applicable major U.S. laws, judicial decisions, and progressive to moderate to conservative viewpoints; and touches on global implications of activism, awareness, and policy change