Books published by publisher Mason Crest

Prior to becoming a "melting pot" of many languages, the continents of North and South America were already home to a variety of Native American tribes, each with its own language. What's more, subsets of tribes often had their own dialects, sometimes making communication between two people nearly impossible, even if they lived near each other. This book discusses the major Native American languages used by tribes in various regions and how some of their words have been incorporated into the English language today.

Obesity—the state of being very overweight—is more than a problem in the world today; it's a crisis. One out of every three adults is obese. Childhood obesity is a major health concern as well. Experts agree that fast food is one of the most significant factors behind bigger bodies. For many people, fast food has become more than a quick way to grab a meal; it has become a way of life. Learn how fast food and the fast-food industry have shaped not only our bodies but also our lifestyles. Discover how to fight the fast-food industry's hold over the world's diet.

In 1498 Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama became the first European to set foot on the shores of Mozambique. By the next century, this region along the southeastern edge of Africa had become a colony of Portugal. For almost 500 years the region remained under Portuguese rule, until years of armed conflict and struggle brought independence in 1975. The warfare did not end, however, as the brutal civil war that followed lasted until the early 1990s. Although peace has come to Mozambique, its people continue to face many challenges, including severe droughts and devastating cyclones. However, the fledgling democracy has made economic progress. Today, the government is working to alleviate poverty and increase the standard of living for the people of Mozambique.

The farmers, workers, and pioneers of America in the 1800s were nourished by a tradition of hearty, down-home cooking that is still a part of our national cuisine—New England baked beans, roast beef, turkey, corn on the cob, and pumpkin pies. With roots in the British Isles, and with important contributions from Native American food plants and cooking techniques, American food and drink quality and seasonal variety was vastly improved during the 1800s by new technologies in transportation, food storage, hygiene, and preservation, growing national and world markets, and—not least—the delicious ethnic cuisines of new immigrant groups. Hungry for innovation, quality, and economy, Americans in the 1800s became the best-fed nation in the history of the world!

Emotions can be tricky things. Sometimes, a person has lots of negative emotions, and he doesn't know what to do with them. Kids with emotional disturbance often don't know how to deal with the overwhelming emotions they experience, and sometimes they react in inappropriate ways, disrupting their own lives and the lives of people around them. This can be scary for both the person dealing with emotional disturbance and for the other people. For all the people in the situation, understanding what is going on is important.

People around the world consume coffee, tea, energy drinks, soda, and pills that contain caffeine, without a thought for the consequences the caffeine may have on their lives. For young adults, these consequences are even more serious. With a vast industry targeting its marketing at young people, educating yourself is the essential first step to counter caffeine's possible effects on your life, from sleep problems to addiction. Discover the true effects of caffeine on your body. Learn about the downside of caffeine!

While Native American religious beliefs vary from tribe to tribe, the one thing they have in common is a belief in a higher power. This power has many names: Manitou, Wakanda, Sila, or even just the Great Spirit. This book discusses the various beliefs held by tribes in each region of the Americas. It also describes some of the important rituals practiced in each religion.

Maybe you've eaten fresh soybeans—but you probably eat a lot more soybeans than you think. Soybeans are found in a lot of foods. They're made into soy milk and tofu and vegetable oil. They're hidden in meat. Find out more about soybeans—how they're grown and how they're made into foods you eat every day. Discover the story of your food—where it was grown, who grows it, and how it gets to your plate.