Books in Footprint Reading Library: Level 4 series

At America's San Diego Zoo, they have a new special animal. It's a "red panda" named "Farley." Life hasn't been easy for Farley. He's had some big problems. He also has some big changes ahead! What kind problems did Farley have? What's going to happen to him?

In Argentina, there is a group of men who live a unique life; the life of a gaucho. This special type of cowboy has been continuing the old traditions for centuries. What type of lifestyle do these men have and what does it mean to be a gaucho?

Archaeologists study old cities and buildings to learn about cultures and people. An archaeologist in Guatemala has searched for one city for twenty years. He thinks the buildings there may tell him about one of the great cultures of the world: the Maya. Will he find the lost temples of the Maya?

Long ago, people in Hawaii, performed a special dance called the "hula". Then, for more than 60 years, the dance was not allowed. Finally, after many years, a new king returned the hula to the people. Why was the hula not allowed? What is special about the hula?

In windy places, some people catch the wind's power with special equipment and use it to make energy. The schools in one area are using wind power to save energy and money. How is this energy made? Where is it all used?

Sanaa is a beautiful old city in the Middle East. In Sanaa, it is a tradition to carry beautiful knives, or tools, called 'jambiya'. An unusual animal called a 'rhinoceros' is often killed to make these knives. How can people keep their tradition and save the rhinoceros?

Two explorers take an exciting and difficult trip to the Gobi Desert. When they finally get there, one explorer wants to take pictures of the desert in an interesting way. Why is it so difficult to cross the desert? How does the explorer take pictures of the Gobi?

People from around the world travel to Coober Pedy, Australia, with hopes of getting rich. This town is full of valuable stones called 'opals'. Some opals are worth millions, but they are extremely hard to find. What influences the value of an opal? What does it take to find them?

Most cities have local areas called "neighborhoods". The Mission District is one of San Francisco's oldest neighborhoods. Many people think it's very special because it's so multi-cultural. What makes the Mission District so multi-cultural? Why does that make it special?

In Brazil, a man has discovered a new way of saving, or rescuing, people from drowning in the ocean. This new rescue method involves a person using a motor-powered aircraft to work with lifeguards on the beach. How do these people work together? Is this an effective way of saving lives?

Horseback riding is a very important tradition in Mongolia. Each year the people there have a race to celebrate this tradition. However, the race is a little unusual. What kind of race is it? Why is it unusual?

A volcano is a mountain with a large hole at the top. Active volcanoes can be dangerous because they can erupt, or produce very hot, melted rock. In Sicily, there are several towns near a large volcano. Why do people live in such a dangerous place? Is it safe?