Books published by publisher Mountain Press

Seargeant Patrick Gass was one of the few members of the Lewis and Clark expedition to keep a continuous log of the entire epic journey. His simple and direct wrting style, along with his emphasis on the daily activities of the trip, made Gass's journal more accessible to the general reader than other firsthand accounts and revealed the optimistic spirit of the expedition:The determined and resolute character...of the corps, and the confidence which pervaded all ranks dispelled every emotion of fear, and anxiety for the present; while a sense of duty, and of the honour, which would attend the completion of the object of the expedition; a wish to gratify the expectations of the government, and of our fellow citizens, with the feelings which novelty and discovery invariably inspire, seemed to insure to us ample support in our future toils, suffering, and dangers."In this new edition, Carol MacGregor's thorough annotation of the journal and the inclusion of Gass's recently discovered personal account ledger lend new insight into the life and work of Patirck Gass. The Journals of Patrick Gass represents a significant contribution to the study of the Lewis and Clark expedition, essential for everyone intersted in the history of Western expansion.

Why do a tree's leaves change color in autumn? How can mushrooms suddenly appear overnight? What made those tracks in the snow? You Can Be a Nature Detective helps you delve into these and other intriguing mysteries of the natural world. With the goal of getting kids outside and exploring, author Peggy Kochanoff uses breathtaking watercolors and informative text to spark readers' interest in investigating the wonders of Mother Nature.Learn which moth or butterfly a caterpillar will turn into. Use clues left behind on the bark of trees to figure out what animal has been there. Study tiny holes in the ground to discover which creatures have been burrowing in the soil. Part field guide and part whodunit, You Can Be a Nature Detective has something for naturalists of all ages.

Every product we use, every new invention we create, every single thing we surround ourselves with comes from this Earth, with one exception―meteorites. These exotic rocks have experienced journeys of cosmic proportions by the time we lay eyes on them. In the bitter cold temperatures of space, powerful collisions between asteroids scatter rocky debris in all directions, and some of it ends up on Earth. Authors Richard and Dorothy Norton explain where these mysterious rocks come from, what they’re made of, and what happens when asteroids strike Earth. Explore how radiant fireballs are cataclysmically related to impact craters, discover helpful hints that guide readers on the dos and don’ts of meteorite hunting, and learn how to properly distinguish meteorites from “meteorwrongs” with examples that are truly out of this world. This third book in the What’s So Cool About Geology series is sure to pique your interest as you learn what these extraterrestrial rocks tell us about the origins of our solar system.

In Camas and Sage: A Story of Bison Life on the Prairie, kids are invited to explore and discover the northern plains in a truly unique way: through the eyes and ears of a bison calf. From Camas�s first attempt to stand on wobbly legs, this tale of an adventure-filled first year will have young readers hooked. Full-color illustrations splash across the page, illuminating each of Camas�s firsts, including encounters with rascally prairie dogs, a crackling and booming thunderstorm, and irritable bulls. Kids won�t want to wait to turn the page to see what happens next!Seasoned writer Dorothy Patent doesn�t leave anyone out of the fun. Sidebars brimming with interesting historical and natural history tidbits about the plants, animals, and humans with which the bison shares the prairie will intrigue older kids and adults. Topics range from the usefulness of dewclaws to the threat of wolves to the answer to whether the animals are actually bison or buffalo. Part fun narrative, part natural history, Camas and Sage: A Story of Bison Life on the Prairie clearly illustrates why the bison is North America�s most iconic prairie animal.

Every child learns about the water cycle in school, and with the help of this book, they will come to love every aspect of it, from mighty rivers rushing downhill to the sea to rainbows formed by the sun shining on water droplets in the sky. Using pictures and language that children will understand and enjoy, author Catherine Weyerhaeuser combines her talents as a geologist, educator, and illustrator to describe how water moves around the Earth.Detailed illustrations of watery landscapes with lush ferns and aquatic creatures will thrill preschoolers, and straightforward explanations of the water cycle, such as where water goes when it soaks into the ground, will satisfy the curiousity of elementary-age children. The final pages tell the stories of several well-known rivers and aquifers and the challenges we face in providing clean water to future generations. Beyond a simple teaching tool, Where Do Rivers Go, Momma? inspires its readers to become stewards of the blue planet.

A savage pirate. Bounty hunters seeking revenge. A cyborg caught in the middle.When murderous pirates slaughter a crew of innocent civilians and Krys's captain is unjustly blamed for it, Krys must hunt down the real killers to clear his name or watch him die in the fighting pits.Krys strikes a deal with a team of bounty hunters who see her as a traitor for leaving bounty hunting to become a pirate. The only thing keeping them from sending her to the pits is her promise of justice for their murdered teammate, but they fear their cyborg ally will lead them into a trap. They might be right.

We think of them as ordinary objects, but rocks can do amazing things: there are rocks that glow and rocks that travel through space, rocks that float and rocks that burn. These are only some of the surprises in Weird Rocks, a must-have guide for young rock hounds. Author Michele Corriel introduces readers to sixteen unusual rocks and explains the science behind what each one does and how it does it. Youngsters will discover what makes one kind of rock smell like a rotten egg, what rock acts like a magnet, and what rock contains hidden treasure. High-quality photographs, colorful paintings, and hilarious cartoons add visual delight to this entertaining and informative book.

Can she melt his frozen heart?Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy arrived in Hertfordshire with his sister’s words ringing in his ears. “You have a heart of stone.” He had no reason to doubt Georgiana Darcy. Or so he thought—until he met Miss Elizabeth Bennet.Each time he was in her company, Miss Elizabeth’s impertinence chipped away at Darcy with her wit and kindness. By the time autumn turned into winter, he was captivated. In the springtime, Darcy felt stirrings of love. By summer, he would do whatever it took to convince her he was a worthy gentleman with a warm heart brimming with tender affection. This variation of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice is a 20,000-word glimpse into the Regency life of a man of means who learns to value the love of a good woman more than the wealth and position he was born into as the master of Pemberley.This story is appropriate for all readers who should be familiar with the original story by Jane Austen.

This follow-up to the disgustingly popular Nature�s Yucky! takes young naturalists and other lovers of foul facts and icky information on an expedition to the American Southwest. Nature�s Yucky! 2 introduces readers to sixteen desert creatures and vividly answers such scintillating scientific questions as: How does the regal horned lizard squirt blood from its eyes? Why do dung beetles eat poop? Why does the piglike javelina smell like stinky socks? Astonishingly detailed illustrations capture not just Mother Nature�s revolting qualities but her stunning beauty.With it�s �Eeewww!! That�s YUCKY!� refrain, the book is especially fun for reading aloud. Serious scholars will enjoy gathering further information about each animal in the �More Fun Facts� section. Those with an appetite for further yuckiness can use the kid-friendly recipe for raven-gut upside-down cake or sing the �Nature�s Yucky!�song. There is also a list of books and Web sites to encourage further scientific exploration.

Auras empowering the body to superhuman status. Invocations tearing the land asunder. The war has arrived.The necromantic armies are on the warpath and nowhere is safe—even the sanctuary of the flying dungeon has been threatened. The leadership of nearly all the sentient races has been wiped out, and only the people most suited to repelling the advancing darkness have an intact monarchy.Cal learns quickly that the primary threat is not the far-off war, but the actions of those entrusted with protecting the population. As it turns out, the idea of using a flying dungeon as a war machine is very tempting indeed.Dale has been facing his trials better than anyone could have hoped for, but when the war takes a turn for the worse, his role is forcibly relinquished. Since his only chance at survival is painful and rapid advancement, Dale must learn if his strength of will can develop into strength of flesh.The distance between the Heavens and the Earth might not be so far after all.

After a fire, you might think a burned area is as barren and lifeless as the moon. But take a closer look and you'll find that even before the last wisps of smoke have cleared, the newly burned forest is already teeming with life. Many plants and animals find fertile ground here to grow, eat, and have offspring; some species are dependent on fire and cannot thrive to reproduce without it. Unlike most books, which concentrate on the fire itself, The Charcoal Forest explores the new habitat created by the fire. Focusing on the Northern Rocky Mountains of the United States and Canada, the book describes twenty species of animals and plants that contribute to the reclamation and renewal of the charcoal forest. Why do some beetles fly toward a fire? Why will you almost never see a black-backed woodpecker outside of burned areas? How do fires help grow yummy treats like huckleberries and morel mushrooms? Kids and adults will delight in discovering the answers to these and other burning questions-and don't forget to find the black-backed woodpecker in every picture!