Books published by publisher PowerKids Press (2009-04-30)

Melinda Gates is known throughout the world for her intelligence, business sense, and philanthropic work. As readers explore facts about Gatess life, they learn the importance of developing strong values, such as generosity. A biographical timeline, detailed sidebars, and full-color photographs give readers a comprehensive look at why Gates has proven to be a good role model for young people. Motivational quotes from Gates are also included. Gates has positively affected the lives of many people around the world, and her story is one readers are sure to find inspiring.

The civil rights movement of the 1960s brought John Lewis out of anonymity. As one of the "Big Six" leaders of the civil rights movement, he participated in the March on Washington as the youngest speaker of the event. Even after the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act were passed, Lewis continued to fight for civil rights. Readers will learn that today he represents Georgia in the House of Representatives and has advocated for healthcare reform, improvements to education, and reducing poverty. This biography shows that Lewis serves as a role model for young people throughout the country by fighting equal rights for all.

Geological change is rarely as dramatic and stunning than it is in the Hawaiian Islands. Beginning millions of years ago, volcanoes burst from the ocean to create the islands. Today, lava flows and landslides continue to reshape the land and sea. Readers will learn about the volcanic hot spot and shifting tectonic plates that created the chain of tropical islands. Vivid images including photographs of recent eruptions of the Kilauea volcano illustrate the changes still taking place.

Electricity affects every part of our lives, but we don't always think about it. We turn the lights on every day without wondering how the electricity gets there. Electricians are the reason we don't always have to worry that the lights are going to stop working and the people we can help if they do. Electricians don't just have to use their intelligence, they also have to be good with their hands. They have to be able to work with many different people and know what to do in case of an electrical emergency. Electricians keep our world running. Instructive, colorful photographs and diagrams will give readers even more insights to this important career.

NASCAR is one of the most popular sports in the nation. To the untrained eye, it may look like there is nothing more to NASCAR than driving in an oval. However, readers will learn about distance, speed, the math behind pit stops, and so much more through the interesting text and bright design of this book. Readers who want to stretch their brains can try the Figure It Out! boxed insert challenges as well.

Busy city streets inevitably get dirty from litter and leaves that need to be swept up. In the past, this important job was done simply by people with brooms, but today the job is made easier by machines that help keep our sweets clean. Fun photographs and straightforward text highlight the different kinds of street sweepers and how they work to keep your streets clean and litter free.

Making a decision can sometimes be tough. Consider how difficult it is for people to make decisions as a group. It definitely is a skill that must be learned and exercised. This book uses age-appropriate text to explore how leadership and communication can help groups, from students to politicians, make decisions. The text also offers insight on how to deal with people in groups who aren't positively contributing to the decision-making process. Readers will enjoy learning about working with others to make decisions and other valuable civics concepts from the C3 Framework for Social Studies.