Hannah Isbell – författare

In 2015, Misty Copeland was named principal ballerina of the American Ballet Theatre, the first African American to earn the title in the ballet company''s history. She has danced all over the country, on Broadway, and on television, but she had to break many barriers to do it, including racism and poverty. Through simple text and vivid photographs, readers will appreciate Copeland''s struggles and will learn about her dedication to promoting diversity in ballet. A Words to Know section helps readers with new vocabulary, and quotations by Copeland shed light on this talented woman.

Early in the morning on February 2, as many as thirty thousand people make their way to Gobbler’s Knob to see Punxsutawney Phil, the most famous groundhog in the United States. They watch and wait to see whether he will see his shadow and predict six more weeks of winter. Readers will learn how this strange tradition came to be and its significance, in addition to following a German apple brown bread recipe and making a groundhog shadow box.

Drake began his career as an actor, but his fame skyrocketed when he focused his talents on music. The multiple award-winning singer, songwriter, and rapper is one of the biggest names in hip-hop and rhythm and blues today. Young readers will learn about Drake''s career and life through highly accessible text accompanied by a variety of nonfiction text features, including eye-catching, full-color photographs, fact boxes, and direct quotes from Drake himself.

Rihanna is known world over as a music icon, but she is more than just a pop princess. Over the past ten years, Rihanna has worked hard to break stereotypes, develop a definitive style, and maintain creative control of her music. In the process, she''s won dozens of awards, including eight Grammys. Young readers will learn about the musician and businesswoman''s life through easy-to-follow text accompanied by dynamic full-color photographs, as well as direct quotes from Rihanna herself.

Young readers will make important text-to-world connections exploring engineering concepts through the familiar structures of bridges. Simple text and informative photographs engage readers as they learn about the many different kinds of bridges, their unique structures and functions, their history, and their use in the modern world. Follow-up activities will challenge students to use the mathematical and technological principles of real engineers in their own classrooms.

Through simple text and informative photographs, readers will delve into one of the most important, ubiquitous, and ever-changing technologies of the past two centuries: the train. Students will explore fundamental engineering principles through a look at unique rail networks from all over the world and will place that information in context as they learn about the important connection between technology and society. Follow-up activities will challenge students to put that knowledge to use.

Jim Henson created some of the most well-known and beloved characters, stories, and songs of the 20th century, making his name synonymous with children''s entertainment. From Kermit the Frog to The Dark Crystal, his creative legacy has impacted children for two generations with no sign of stopping. Through vibrant, full-color illustrations, easy-to-follow text, and direct quotes, students will learn how one man used his talent for art, music, and performance not only to entertain children and adults around the world, but also to change the way kids learn.

Squanto''s name is legend in American history, but behind the legend was a real man who lived an exciting life of kidnap, escape, exploration, and diplomacy. One of the last of his people and one of the first to travel the world, Squanto was so much more than just a translator to the Pilgrims. Through accessible text, full color illustrations, and direct quotes, young readers will learn about the fascinating man and his crucial role in American history.

The history of medicine is chock full of weird and wild remedies as well as brilliant breakthroughs. Through entertaining text, full-color images, and intriguing sidebars, readers will explore the most bizarre medical treatments of the past, including elixirs made of toxic metals, dressings of dung, corpse cures, and cupping. By examining the innovative ways different cultures around the world utilized the resources they had available to them to treat illness and injury, students will also learn the difference between weird science and quackery. They''ll discover how some monstrous medical missteps led to modern medical miracles.