Books published by publisher Mitchell Lane Publishers

The English colony of Georgia was the product of specific goals. First, England hoped to provide its most impoverished citizens opportunities for land and a new life. Second, the frontier needed a military buffer between Charles Town, the southernmost settlement, and the Spanish in Florida. Third, it certainly wouldn t hurt if the Georgia settlers produced raw materials and goods to export to England. It was one of the most auspicious and ambitious colonial plans. Unfortunately, the well-meaning and charitable Trustees didn t really know what they were doing. They chose crops that wouldn t grow in the Georgia climate and soil. They prohibited slaves, and while that decision was progressive for those times, it put the settlers at an economic disadvantage. They simply couldn t compete with the other colonies for new settlers and continued financing. Georgia wasn t a failure, but its settlers worked harder than any others to survive.

From ancient times, people have wanted to learn about the sky. The stars, planets, and other heavenly bodies have been observed for centuries, and theories have changed as the equipment used has improved. Though we now know that the Sun is the center of our solar system, and planets and other objects move around it, we still have a lot to learn. What is a comet made of? Why is Pluto now called a dwarf planet? What causes a solar eclipse? A lunar eclipse? This book will help you answer these questions and more. Whether you try the experiments and activities in this book for fun or for a school project, you ll discover why so many people are fascinated by our solar system.

Acclaimed as the most beautiful woman of her time, Eleanor of Aquitaine (c.1122 1204) uniquely shaped 12th-century Europe. As the wife of two kings and the mother of three others, her beauty, grace, style, and intellect captivated a continent. At a time when men regarded women as little more than personal property to be owned and exploited, Eleanor threw off the shackles of male dominance and scribed an indelible mark on the history of France and England. As France s queen, Eleanor accompanied Louis VII on the Second Crusade to the Holy Land and championed a burgeoning feminist movement. After divorcing Louis, she married Henry II of England. Her marriage to Henry upset the balance of power in Europe and led to 300 years of warfare before its restoration. Perhaps best remembered as a symbol of courtly love, Eleanor of Aquitaine also continues to personify the proud image of emancipated womanhood.

In the United States laws apply to everyone, they are written down, and they are not easily changed. It was not always like this. Over 3,000 years ago, a Middle Eastern king wanted to rule fairly. He had the laws of his kingdom written in stone, and then he shared the laws with his people. His name was Hammurabi and he ruled Babylon- where the country of Iraq is today- for over forty years. Although he expanded his country and won many wars, today he is best remembered for his code of laws. The way laws are written in the United States owes so much to Hammurabi that pictures of him can be seen in the House of Representatives.

As hard as it may be for some people to imagine a Mormon mother of three writing one of the bestselling vampire love stories in the world, it was even harder for Stephenie Meyer. After all, she had never really done any writing before, and although she knew something was missing in her life, she did not know what it was. It wasn t until she had an unusual, unexpected dream about a romantic young vampire who sparkled in the sunlight that her journey from small-town mother to worldwide author began. Today, Meyer is one of the most recognized writers across the globe. Her stories have not only created a series of bestselling novels, but also blockbuster movies that have earned millions at the box office. Find out how Meyer, like the heroines of countless fairy tales, went from rags to riches, thanks to a handsome vampire named Edward and a gentle human girl named Bella. Her adventure is almost as exciting as theirs but without the fangs!