A hilarious, high-stakes quest to redeem a family name! Bonus: there may be gold.Chris Dearing comes from a long line of losers and a history of bad luck that's plagued the Dearing family for generations. His only hope runs through the wild rivers of the forbidding North. What is up there other than moose snot and mosquitos the size of bats, you ask? Gold. More specifically, a gold claim won and then lost by Chris's grandfather, Wally Dearing.Reclaiming the old family gold ...

After almost drowning in a swollen creek, Wes wonders if what his friend Zach says is true: Wes owes a life debt to the old lady who rescued him. It doesn't help that Wes keeps hearing his dead father's voice saying things like, "A man pays his debts, Wes," and "A man always treats a woman with respect, Wes." But how does a guy go about paying back a life debt anyway? And what if it involves a transmission tower, an ice-cream truck and a few sticks of dynamite?

Eleven-year-old Ruth’s friend and neighbor, Bea, has just died — an accidental drowning. Or so they say.Ruth’s not so sure. Bea was sixty-four and knew the area better than anyone. She was much too careful to get swept away by the flooded Teeswater River. And now Bea’s godson, Saul, says his godmother had premonitions that she would be murdered. She even left behind a box of clues to help Ruth figure out what happened.Accident or murder? That’s the case Ruth, Saul, and Ruth...

Thrilling adventure and chilling terror unfold in the telling of three real-life events. Read about the decades-long obsession by many climbers to be the first to reach the top of Mount Everest; the exploration of the Arctic, from the search for the Northwest Passage to the battle to be the first to reach the North Pole; and a modern-day hijacking by dangerous pirates who committed a crime at sea on behalf of a large, criminal group. Features include detailed maps, educational front/back m...

We know that countries enter into alliances and make treaties and agreements--but why are these important and how do they affect our lives? From the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to the Paris Agreement, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and free trade agreements (FTAs), this comprehensive book explores the reasons for and impacts of alliances and treaties. Free downloadable Teacher's Notes.

India, the world's most populous country at over 1.4 billion people, is also known for its ancient history and rich heritage. Read all about the country's land and resources, its beginnings as one of the world's oldest civilizations, and the many different peoples and cultures who call India home. Downloadable Teacher Notes available.

New Zealand is the sixth largest island nation in the world. It is a country of many contrasts--from snow-capped mountains to deep fiords, sandy beaches, and vibrant cities and towns. Read all about New Zealand's wild topography, the geographic isolation that led to the amazing evolution in its plant and animal life, and the many diverse peoples and cultures that make the country their home. Downloadable Teacher Notes available.

The average person takes 17,000 breaths per day. This fascinating book examines the mechanisms that make breathing work and the diseases that make breathing difficult. Full-color illustrations help readers visualize the respiratory system at work. Free downloadable Teacher's Guide available.

The control and command center of the whole body, we wouldn't be able to breathe, have a heartbeat, avoid danger, or sleep without the nervous system. Find out what illnesses affect the nervous system and how medical research has advanced our knowledge. Full-color illustrations help readers visualize the nervous system at work. Free downloadable Teacher's Guide available.

South Africa's population lives among and within semi-arid deserts, elevated grasslands, steep mountains, fertile farmland, coastal cities, and more. From mining to agriculture, learn about South Africa's resources and landscapes, its colonial history and struggle to build an equitable society, and the daily life and diverse culture of South Africans today.

Nationalism is the support for a nation or group, deeply rooted in history and culture. It is about belonging--political and ethnic. It can create positive feelings of a shared identity and even spark change, or when taken too far, divide society and result in hate and violence. Emphasizing multiple viewpoints and examples, this thoughtful title examines the impact of nationalism around the world. Free downloadable Teacher's Notes.

As the fifth-largest country in the world, Brazil's landscapes range from the famous Amazon rain forest to biodiverse mangroves, flat grasslands, and mountain ranges. Read all about the country's land and resources, how Indigenous peoples live, and the impact of colonization by Europeans, as well as daily life and culture today for people across Brazil. Free downloadable Teacher's Notes.