Books in Looking at history series

"Renaissance" means "rebirth" in French. The Renaissance period of European history is aptly named because people had a rebirth, or renewed, interest in the ideas of ancient Greeks and Romans. This led to a new age of science and art. Readers will learn about the many aspects of the Renaissance as well as the prominent figures of this era, including Nicolaus Copernicus, Leonardo da Vinci, and others. A timeline helps summarize the crucial dates of the Renaissance while stunning images bring the period into splendid detail.

The rights of a nation's citizens are civil rights. In the 1950s and 1960s, black Americans organized a movement to demand these rights, including equal education, the right to vote, and many other freedoms. This significant and accessible volume takes readers through the key events of the movement, including its victories and disappointments. Central figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X are featured, and a timeline helps readers understand the movement's progression.

The Panama Canal is only about 40 miles long, but this narrow channel connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It saves ocean vessels from going around South America, which would otherwise be a 9,000-mile journey. Readers will learn about the canal's creation, how the United States became involved, and about the 40,000 people who worked on it over 10 years. They'll especially appreciate the amazing photographs of construction from the early 1900s as well as fact boxes that delve more deeply into the details of how the canal functions.

A transcontinental railroad spanning the United States was once thought to be impossible. After a practical route was found, about 1,800 miles of track were laid from Nebraska to California in just 6 years. This railroad changed the nation, connecting the East and West Coast and making travel and communication easier than ever. Readers will be fascinated by the amazing tale of this railroad and the striking photographs that support this accessible narrative.

A war between Spain and the United States was waged in 1898 in the Caribbean and in the Philippines. It forced Spain out of Cuba and established the United States as a true world power. Young historians will learn the causes of the war, each side's military maneuvers, and the conflict's aftereffects, all clearly explained in comprehensible text especially for the struggling reader. Remarkable photographs and images of the war will help visual learners connect with the material.

The Panama Canal is only about 40 miles long, but this narrow channel connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It saves ocean vessels from going around South America, which would otherwise be a 9,000-mile journey. Readers will learn about the canal's creation, how the United States became involved, and about the 40,000 people who worked on it over 10 years. They'll especially appreciate the amazing photographs of construction from the early 1900s as well as fact boxes that delve more deeply into the details of how the canal functions.