Books published by publisher Mason Crest Publishers

"Justin Verlander's arrival for spring training with the Detroit Tigers in 2006 was accompanied with questions galore. His only previous major league appearances were his first two big league starts during the 2005 season, in which coughed up a combined nine runs and 15 hits in less than 12 innings of work while throwing a wild pitch and hitting a batter, too. The second overall pick in the 2004 draft had lots to prove when he stepped into the Lakeland, Florida, sunshine. And boy, did Verlander ever deliver in resounding fashion. Verlander seized a spot in Detroit's starting rotation when the 2006 regular season began. He went out and won his first start in Texas with a dominating seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits while whiffing seven. The 89 pitches he threw that evening provided a glimpse of his greatness and was the starting point of his hike through baseball's record books. Verlander won 17 games that season, tied for most on the Tigers' staff, and captured the American League's (AL) Rookie of the Year award. Those 17 wins were also the most by an AL Rookie of the Year pitcher since Mark "The Bird" Fidrych won 19 games back in 1976, also with the Tigers. During nearly 13 seasons in the Motor City, Verlander led Major League Baseball (MLB) in strikeouts and innings pitched three times and in wins twice. In 2011, he put up monster numbers rarely seen, going 24-5 with 250 strikeouts and a 2.40 earned run average to win the Cy Young Award. In fact, he was so good he won the American League's MVP award too, just the 10th time in major league history a pitcher has pulled off that double"--

"This series explores the meanings and celebrations of holidays across religions and cultures around the world. It groups the holidays into volumes according to theme or by their common human experience. Each volume introduces readers to the origins, history, and common practices associated with the holidays before embarking on a worldwide tour that shows the regional variations and distinctive celebrations within specific countries. The reader will learn how these holidays started, what they mean to the people who celebrate them, and how different cultures celebrate them"--

Grasslands are lands dominated by grasses, rather than large shrubs or trees. There are two main types of grasslandstropical and temperate. Grasslands are the most widespread biome on land, covering one-fifth of the land surface. Directly or indirectly, grasses provide a very large proportion of human foodeither through cultivated cereal grains such as wheat or oats, or by providing food for both wild and domestic animals that are eaten, such as deer or cattle. THE WORLDS BIOMES series provides information on five of the most important large ecological systems in the world today: deserts, grasslands, oceans, rainforests, and wetlands. Each book in the series describes the climate, geology, vegetation, and animal life found in a particular biome, as well as the modern threats and what people can do about them. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions--building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos are offered in chapters through the use of a QR code, that, when scanned, takes the student to

In some countries and U.S. states, recreational and/or medical marijuana has been legalized, although it is still illegal for children to use it (except for physician-recommended medical purposes). Marijuana has serious effects on the human brain and body, and it's important for teens to know what the side effects are and how marijuana will affect them if they choose to use at as adults. Marijuana's Harmful Effects on Youth provides information on the ways marijuana can negatively impact the human body. Topics include the differences between recreational marijuana and medical marijuana; how marijuana products (marijuana flower, oils, tinctures, edibles, etc.) affect each person differently; marijuana dependence and addiction; and much more. Marijuana's Harmful Effects on Youth is just one of five fascinating titles in the Marijuana Today series. Readers will learn about medical and recreational marijuana, the benefits and harmful effects of using marijuana, the various legal marijuana products that are now available, what supporters and opponents of marijuana legalization have to say, and much more. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions--building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos are offered in chapters through the use of a QR code, that, when scanned, takes the student to an online video showing a moment in sports' history, a speech, or an instructional video. This gives the readers additional content to supplement the text. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader's comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader's knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.

During the early 1960s, as a spokesperson for a black religious group known as the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X argued against the nonviolent tactics favored by most civil rights leaders. He proposed instead a revolutionary program to create a separate society for African Americans. Malcolm moderated his views after his religious conversion to a mainstream sect of Islam in 1964. Although Malcolm was assassinated the next year, his call for black self-determination remains alive. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions--building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos are offered in chapters through the use of a QR code, that, when scanned, takes the student to an online video showing a moment in sports' history, a speech, or an instructional video. This gives the readers additional content to supplement the text. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the readers comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text

Obeying the rules and regulations while hunting keeps you on good terms with the local Game Warden as well as protecting you in a wilderness environment. In Hunting Safety, Licensing, and Rules you can continue your education by learning the rules of tags, permits, and the Hunters Education Certificate. Discover the importance of the Unspoken Rules before you go tracking and hunting, as well as the Hunters Code of Honor that all true sports persons follow. Safety is the ultimate goal of the hunter, and nothing else is more important on a shooting range or in the wild. By learning and following the laws of hunting, you will become a good example to others as well as a better sportsperson. Outlined in Hunting Safety, Licensing, and Rules is lots of expert advice to help you understand why it is so important to follow the specific rules and regulations of your state. Learn the rules and you will know how to keep yourself safe as well as maintain the safety of your fellow hunters. Every book in the Guides to Responsible Hunting is packed with valuable information to make your hunting experience amazing and to help you make wise decisions out in the wilderness. Connecting with nature can be fun and exciting if you have the right knowledge. Anyone can shoot a gun or bow, but it takes a lot of practice and knowledge to become a skilled hunter. Find out what it takes to become a hunter and join the ranks of humankinds oldest sport. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich

Max Scherzer was the 10th selection of the 2008 amateur draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He is one of six pitchers who have been awarded with a Cy Young in both leagues and is a member of the exclusive 2,500-strikeouts club. Scherzer is also one of just six pitchers since 1990 to record 300 strikeouts in a single season. Max Scherzer will also look at the pitcher away from the diamond and tell you about his eye-popping unique physical characteristic that can make him seem even more intimidating than your average right-handed, strikeout-collecting, fastball-throwing pitcher. Each book in the Ballpark Greats: Pro Baseball's Best Players series gives you the reader a close-up look at some of the best of today's Major League Baseball stars. The statistical leaders and championship winners go under the spotlight in a fun-to-read and visually interesting examination of the player's outstanding career.

The term civil rights refers to the personal liberties and legal rights that all individuals enjoy as citizens or residents of a country. Unfortunately, throughout much of American history, African Americans were prevented from exercising the same rights and enjoying the same privileges as other Americans. Finally, in the middle of the twentieth century, the Civil Rights Movement began challenging the laws and social practices that left African American as second-class citizens. The books in the CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS series will provide readers with a greater understanding of several of the brave advocates for justice and fair treatment who helped blacks achieve greater freedom in American society. Each book is illustrated with numerous photographs. The up-to-date information in each book is supplemented with a glossary of key terms, guides to additional resources for more information, scan-able links to educational videos, text-dependent questions and report ideas.

When studying the indigenous peoples of North, Central, and South America, it is important to understand that Native American cultures are highly diverse. With more than 500 Native American nations and 300 different language groups, there are few universal characteristics that apply across tribal boundaries. Traditions, ceremonies, sports, games, dance, subsistence patterns, clothing, and religion often differed greatly from tribe to tribe. The Native American Life series has been written to dispel many of the myths and stereotypes about Native American history and traditions, and to provide a more accurate and encompassing journey into the world of Native Americans.