Books in Guide for Curious Minds series

Weather affects much more than how we dress, where we go, or whether or not we carry an umbrellaall life reacts and responds to weather in one way or another. Careful observation would show us that crickets are natures thermometers, garden ants swarm when summer thunderstorms approach, and sharks swim into deep water when air pressure drops. This fact-filled volume examines the fundamentals of atmospheric science as well as the cultural impact of weather, surveying historic record-breaking conditions across the world, the behavioral and physiological impact of weather on plant and animal life, and human responses to climate change.

Our universe is a vast and fascinating place. This volume takes readers on a sweeping tour, covering both our solar system and the vast reaches of space beyond it. Galaxies, quasars, white dwarfs, dark matter, supernovas, and more are introduced. The book delves into the histories of astronomy and space exploration. It even covers the universes history, starting with the big bang and discussing how scientists think it all might end. Charts, diagrams, drawings, and incredible photographs illustrate an array of incredibly distant objects. This book will satisfy space enthusiasts and might even captivate those who were not previously interested.

Teeming with facts and knowledgeable insights, this handbook explores key topics concerning human anatomy. From ancient Egyptian mummification to the use of nuclear medicine to visualize anatomical structures as they are actually working, readers explore the wonders of the human body and discover its remarkable characteristics (for example, the acidity inside the stomach, because parietal cells secrete hydrochloric acid to reach a pH of 1.8 to 3.5, is astounding [normal body pH is between 7.35 and 7.45, whereas a car battery acid has a pH of about 1]). Instructive charts and fact boxes highlight significant historical and biological concepts.

This is an in-depth examination of the human brain--its structure, functioning, evolution, and development, and the history of brain science and inquiry, from Hippocrates, Galen, and the Ancients to modern psychosurgery and neuroimaging. Also discussed are the nature of cognition and consciousness, the mind-body duality, human intelligence and how it is measured, personality, genetics, normal and abnormal cognitive development and brain functioning, and the nervous system. This lively and dynamic exploration of the brain and its powerful abilities also supports Common Core Standards for the reading of scientific accounts and texts.

This highly intricate, illuminating, and informative text contains nuggets of knowledge, brain-teasing trivia, and mind-blowing facts for even the most committed know-it-all. Readers are treated to a generously over-stuffed, one-stop collection of useful information about the universe and everything contained within itincluding galaxies, planets, stars, geology, climate, the human body, plants, animals, nations of the world, and the dazzling history of human endeavor. This compact compendium also supports Common Core Standards for the reading of scientific texts and accounts and the analyzing of how a text makes connections among and distinctions between individuals, ideas, or events.

"Packed with more than 3,000 indispensable facts about the flora and fauna of the world, this handy reference explains the formation of mountains, deserts, glaciers, forests, jungles, seas and rivers, fossils, rocks, gems, and minerals. The book will delight all readers who love natural history, whether they are animal, plant, bird, reptile enthusiasts with its clean design and rich photographs and illustrations"--Provided by publisher.

The world, as they say, is getting smaller all the time. Thanks to speed-of-light communications via the Internet, we are told about events happening all over the world in the blink of an eye. But learning takes longer than an eye blink. This fascinating reference book provides readers with essential facts about countries, cultures, and people in a learned, thoughtful, and engaging way, including big-picture facts such as the difference between a country and a nation, as well as data showing which country is the best place for a bookworm to live. (Hint: its in the Eastern Hemisphere.)

Ancient history covers a vast period from the first written records about five thousand years ago to the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 CE. During this period the world was richly varied in its social, political, economic, and cultural life. This handy reference book is organized around twelve great civilizations, including ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and China, as well as societies of Africa, South Asia, Australia, and the Americas. Each chapter focuses on a civilizations key social and technological developments and includes a timeline. Notable cultural achievements are highlighted with color photos of ancient art and artifacts.

These texts are loaded with fascinating information, fun facts, and intriguing insights. Not only do they satisfy the curious minds hungry for knowledge about anatomy, infinity, outer space, world cultures, and weather, they also truly convey upon the reader a depth of knowledge and breadth of understanding. Most important, these texts serve up a lively, entertaining, and accessible read that meets Common Core standards for integration of knowledge and ideas, exposure to a range of reading and text complexity, identifying key ideas, analyzing concepts, and citing textual evidence. • History/social studies and science & technology informational texts challenge students to analyze the interactions between individuals, events, and ideas • Explains complex topics in an engaging narrative with helpful diagrams • Domain-specific vocabulary words are used in a scientific context to help students understand their meaning and accelerate comprehension