Cassandra Schumacher – författare

The Taliban rose to power in the 1990s in Afghanistan and then in Pakistan. Taliban insurgents implement strict Islamic law, and any perceived transgressions are punished swiftly and brutally. Armed insurgents have attacked civilians and are notorious for limiting the rights of women and girls, including restricting access to education. This book tells the stories of teens who lived through the horrors of the Taliban occupation, surviving in the face of fear and resisting injustice.

The country of Papua New Guinea has a diverse landscape filled with incredible animals and plant life. With thick rain forests and beautiful mountains, it is a tropical paradise. The people are as varied as the lands. In fact, the country is home to the greatest language diversity in the world. Modern pressures on one of the last nations to maintain a tribal life lend to a complex culture trying to preserve the beauty of the land while growing and prospering as a nation. Allow readers to explore the incredible landscape, the vast diversity, and the rich culture of Papua New Guinea in this exciting, informative book.

The American Revolution was a war fought by soldiers and won by spies. The Continental Army did not stand a chance against the British superpower, but with accurate and fast intelligence, General George Washington was able to gain an advantage and win the war. From early intrigue in France to the Culper Spy Ring in New York, this book explores it all. Readers will learn how the first American spies turned the tides of the war and helped win independence.

Rhode Island may be just 48 miles long, but its influence is felt across the United States. Founded by Roger Williams in 1636, Rhode Island is known for its principles of separation of church and state and religious tolerance that shaped the Constitution. Today, the state continues to be a leader in politics. Beyond the big ideas that come from the Ocean State, tourists and residents enjoy its picturesque waterfronts, vibrant cities, lush forests, and Gilded Age architecture. Readers will explore the beauty and history of America''s smallest state and get a snapshot of all the state has to offer.

The United States is known as a nation of innovators, from the first colonists who endeavored to find religious freedom and economic opportunity in the New World to business tycoons like Andrew Carnegie to the cutting-edge inventors in Silicon Valley today. From its first days as a nation to the Industrial Revolution and beyond, America has focused on creating new businesses, technologies, labor systems, and trade patterns. In turn, this focus has fostered breakthroughs and widespread change in American society. This essential volume places American labor and innovation in context, examining how policy and cultural shifts are influenced by work and exchange.

Cornelius Vanderbilt was born for business. Though poorly educated, he built an empire on steam power and died a millionaire. Fueled by the spirit of competition and possessing a brilliant mind for business, Vanderbilt became the first true industrial tycoon. He dominated the shipping industry with steamboats and railroads. Vanderbilt changed the way business was done in America. Readers explore the life and triumphs of America''s first industrial titan through photographs, anecdotes, sidebars, and more.