Books in Middle School Reference series

Laugh along with troublemaker Rafe Khatchadorian and his quick-witted sister Georgia in this charming box set that includes the first four books of the Middle School series."Rafe Khatchadorian is the bad boy with a heart of gold," The New York Times said about the mischievous star of James Patterson's phenomenally successful Middle School series. Included in this paper-over-board boxed set is the #1 New York Times and #1 Indiebound bestseller that introduced the world to Rafe, along with his sparkplug sister Georgia's point-of-view on her brother's infamy. Rafe and Georgia's complete set of escapades will provide countless hours of laughs for fans as well as newcomers to the series. Titles included are:Middle School, The Worst Years of My LifeMiddle School: Get Me Out of Here!Middle School: My Brother is a Big, Fat LiarMiddle School: How I Survived Bullies, Broccoli and Snake Hill

Debatable Issues in U.S. History looks back in time and explores avenues taken by Americans who changed the course of history. From the early colonial days to 2003, this 5-volume set examines seminal events and challenges students to think critically about American history by presenting viewpoints of various groups and political leaders. Each entry includes a historical overview and analysis of the pro and con arguments surrounding the issue, as well as the outcome of the action taken. Fact boxes, sidebars, biographies, and excerpts from primary documents offer additional information and give students ideas for reports and projects.Volume 1: From Colonies to a Country, 1635-1790Volume 2: Building the Nation, 1791-1832Volume 3: A Country Divided, 1833-1868Volume 4: Entering the Industrial Age, 1869-1933Volume 5: A World Power, 1934 to the PresentGrades 6-8• 350 photographs, maps, charts, and graphs• Sidebars and fact boxes• Primary documents• Glossary• Cumulative Index in each volume

If someone dropped you on the moon without an astronaut's equipment, what would happen? You'd die, of course. The human body depends on its environment. This engaging four-volume set, written at the sixth- through eighth-grade reading level, examines our bodies' inseparable relationship with the environment. Each volume presents the parts of a particular body system and how they work, things that go wrong and how they're treated, how the environment affects the particular body system and impacts our health, controversial environmental issues (where applicable), and changes individuals and groups are making to fix environmental problems and restore health.The skeletal system is the body's frame, upon which the muscles, organs, and skin hang; muscles help us to walk, bend, blink, and breathe. Various kinds of pollution, including harmful radiation, can cause improper growth in muscles and bones or impair their functionality. This volume covers how these dynamic systems work properly, how the environment impacts their operation, and how doctors and therapists work to maintain and treat them.

If someone dropped you on the moon without an astronaut's equipment, what would happen? You'd die, of course. The human body depends on its environment. This engaging four-volume set, written at the sixth- through eighth-grade reading level, examines our bodies' inseparable relationship with the environment. Each volume presents the parts of a particular body system and how they work, things that go wrong and how they're treated, how the environment affects the particular body system and impacts our health, controversial environmental issues (where applicable), and changes individuals and groups are making to fix environmental problems and restore health.The circulatory system consists of the heart and miles of arteries and veins that distribute oxygen and nutrients to every cell in the body, helping them to grow and function properly; the respiratory system, which provides the necessary oxygen, works in unison. Yet air pollution, smoking, and industrial hazards can damage these sensitive systems. This volume covers how these dynamic systems work properly, how the environment impacts their operation, and how doctors and therapists work to maintain and treat them.

This two-volume set teaches students about the early days of the slave trade and the contributions made by Africans―both free and enslaved―to the greatest moments of American history. Students will learn about the fight against slavery, the laws that made African Americans less than equal even after slavery was abolished, and the continuing struggle for civil rights. The volumes also cover the many remarkable African-American achievements in science, the arts, business, and popular culture.The history of African Americans is rich, vast, and sometimes overwhelmingly complex for students approaching the subject for the first time. This two-volume set begins with an overview essay of the remarkable history of African Americans, from the earliest days of slavery to the stories, figures, achievements, and continued struggles of the present day. An integrated timeline and A-Z section of key events, issues, groups, and terms―including relevant court cases and legislation regarding African Americans―clearly present significant historical aspects for students. Important primary source documents are highlighted in sidebars throughout each volume. Special care is taken, particularly with older documents, to excerpt enough material to contextualize quotes and make them more understandable, but not so much material that young readers lose interest in a sea of daunting language. Unfamiliar terms are further explained in call out boxes that define each term, and the terms are also supplemented by a glossary.Volume 1: From Slavery to Freedom, 1492-1876Volume 2: From Reconstruction to Today, 1877-PresentSet Features:• 288 pages in 2 volumes• 7 x 10• 2-color interior• 100 Photographs• 40 Maps, Charts, and Graphs• Sidebars and Fact boxes• Timelines• Primary Documents• Glossary• IndexCurriculum Themes:• African peoples coming to America• History of slavery in the United States• Civil War and its impact on African Americans• Segregation & civil rights• African Americans today (struggles & contributions)Reading Level: 6th-8th Grades

If someone dropped you on the moon without an astronaut's equipment, what would happen? You'd die, of course. The human body depends on its environment. This engaging four-volume set examines our bodies' inseparable relationship with the environment. Each volume presents the parts of a particular body system and how they work, things that go wrong and how they're treated, how the environment affects the particular body system and impacts our health, controversial environmental issues (where applicable), and changes individuals and groups are making to fix environmental problems and restore health.Volume 1: The Muscular & Skeletal SystemsVolume 2: The Circulatory & Respiratory SystemsVolume 3: The Digestive & Urinary SystemsVolume 4: The Reproductive & Nervous Systems Set Features: • 576 pages in 4 volumes • 7 x 10 • 2-color interior • 175 Photographs • 50 Charts and Illustrations • Sidebars and Fact boxes • Glossary • Pronunciation key • Source list (books, Web sites, etc.) • Index. Curriculum Themes: • Anatomy • Body Systems (parts of each system and how they interact together) • Diseases • Common tests and treatments • Environmental impact on health • Wellness techniques. Reading Level: 6th-8th Grade

This set introduces 32 immigrant groups who are changing the face of America today. The immigration patterns of the groups are examined within the historical context of their respective countries, and the challenges they face in adapting to a new life are explored in detail.From its earliest days, America has symbolized freedom and opportunity for millions of people around the world. They are still arriving today, some optimistic about carving niches in a new homeland, others fleeing war and persecution in their native countries. But as immigrants settle in communities across America, many find that maintaining cultural traditions and values is difficult in the face learning a new language and working in unfamiliar settings. This set introduces 35 immigrant groups who are changing the face of America today. Their immigration patterns are examined within the historical context of their respective countries. Historical, social, political, and cultural information is included in extensive profiles of every group, along with key topics concerning specific groups and immigrants in general.Volume 1: A-D• Afghans• Cambodians• Chinese• Colombians• Cubans• DominicansVolume 2: E-H• Ecuadoreans• Ethiopians• Filipino• Ghanaians• Guatemalans• Guyanese• HaitiansVolume 3: I-L• Indians• Iranians• Iraqis• Jamaicans• Kenyans• Koreans• LaotiansVolume 4: M-P• Mexicans• Nicaraguans• Nigerians• Pakistanis• Poles• Puerto RicansVolume 5: R-V• Russians• Salvadorans• Serbs and Montenegrons• Somalis• South Africans• Sudanese• Taiwanese• VietnameseSet Features:• 720 pages in 5 volumes• 7 x 10• 2-color interior• 250 Photographs• 65 Maps (country of origin and where group settled in U.S.)• 100 Charts and Graphs• Sidebars and Fact boxes• Kid-friendly recipes• Glossary• Pronunciation key• Source list (books, Web sites, etc.)• IndexCurriculum Themes:• Reasons for immigration to United States• Patterns of immigration• Adaptation to new culture• Holidays, Religions, CuisinesReading Level: 6th-8th Grades

Gun control is one of the most hotly debated topics in America today. As the newsmedia reports stories of office rage, school shootings, sniper attacks, and other types of gun violence, many citizens are demanding stricter laws for firearms, if not an outright ban. Yet many other citizens are demanding protection for their Second Amendment rights, or the right to own a firearm for sports such as hunting, or for protection. This four-volume set discusses in detail the many different viewpoints Americans have about guns. Following an in-depth examination of the history of gun use and the Second Amendment, the set describes the most important Supreme Court cases and major gun control legislation. It devotes an entire volume to the firearms industry, its history and the current pressures to provide safe guns with safety locks and other smart features. Another volume focuses on children and their relationship with guns, both as victims and as users of guns. The final volume looks at public opinion, examining the gun culture in America, the NRA, the Brady Bill, and other efforts to regulate gun use.Volume 1: The Second AmendmentVolume 2: The Firearms IndustryVolume 3: Children and GunVolume 4: Public OpinionReading Level: Grades 6-8