Karen Romano Young – författare

Chérie Witkowski is twelve, and she doesn''t want to turn thirteen this year. This is the year, 1968, that everything -- absolutely everything-seems to be changing. At home her parents are expecting a new baby, her mother is fixing up the house so they can sell it and move who-knows-where, and everyone is starting to tease her about the boy next door. Meanwhile her newspaper route brings the changes of the outside world crashing in on her: the Vietnam War, the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and the disappearance of a girl from a few towns away -- a girl who more braids like Chérie, who was about the same age as Chérie, who could have been Chérie.Suddenly Chérie is scared; nothing seems safe and simple anymore. She longs for easier fears-for playing hide-and-seek in the dark, skipping school, daredevil bike tricks..She builds her own inside world: an elaborate elf house under a bush, complete with staircases, elevators, and carefully designed furniture.But you can''t keep the outside world away forever, especially when you''re delivering the daily paper. And maybe Chérie has the strength to deal with it after all, and even to change some of the bad to good...

Angels are everywhere. They have become a fascinating part of our culture and have been widely represented in TV shows, fine art, plays, and movies. Packed with fun facts (including the history of "angelology" -- the study of angels), anecdotes of angel encounters, and fantastic illustrations throughout, author Karen Romano Young gives readers an in-depth look at these winged creatures and the impact they have had on our culture and everyday lives.

Scientists have identified at least 100 million pieces of space debris—from paint chips to nonoperational zombie satellites—floating in Earth''s orbit. And over 100 tons of those pieces enter Earth''s atmosphere each year! Journey into outer space and learn about the dangers of space junk collisions, how scientists track them, and how space agencies are working to develop new technologies to clean up the space junk. Along the way, you''ll hear from the scientists who are working to ensure that outer space remains a safe place to travel and explore. If we don''t tackle the space junk problem, it might be impossible to travel into space; it could even trap us on Earth.

Decades of commercial whaling nearly decimated a variety of whales considered a keystone species. Keystone species are indicators of the overall health of Earth''s habitats. While whales have made a comeback through an international ban on commercial whaling, they are still threatened with extinction. Global warming, water and noise pollution, and commercial shipping and fishing are among the most serious threats to whale survival. Meet the scientists, citizen scientists, researchers, whale watching guides, and other concerned citizens who are working together to protect whale populations around the globe. Learn about whale biology, habitats, and behavior, and discover more about the high-technology tools that help researchers in their work.

Decades of commercial whaling nearly decimated a variety of whales considered a keystone species. Keystone species are indicators of the overall health of Earth''s habitats. While whales have made a comeback through an international ban on commercial whaling, they are still threatened with extinction. Global warming, water and noise pollution, and commercial shipping and fishing are among the most serious threats to whale survival. Meet the scientists, citizen scientists, researchers, whale watching guides, and other concerned citizens who are working together to protect whale populations around the globe. Learn about whale biology, habitats, and behavior, and discover more about the high-technology tools that help researchers in their work.

Sharks are in trouble.Fifty shark species are at high risk of extinction, and another sixty-three are threatened. These intelligent, mysterious—and sometimes scary—fish evolved about 420 million years ago. They have adapted to survive deep in the ocean and in shallow-water habitats. Commercial fishing and finning are threatening shark populations. So is water pollution. Marine biologists and others, including young people, are working together to save these fascinating predators.Discover the work of scientists and conservationists as they study shark biology and morphology; research migration, feeding, and mating patterns; delve into human, climate, and other threats to shark habitat; and develop sophisticated technologies to aid sharks and shark research. See how scientists also educate the public about real and imagined fear of sharks and encourage citizen participation in shark conservation efforts. Learn about high-tech tagging for tracking shark migration paths. Discover the autonomous underwater vehicles and drones that divers use to observe and photograph sharks up close. Visit shark sanctuaries in the South Pacific Ocean. You''ll even meet the Shark Lady, a.k.a. Eugenie Clark, a pioneer ichthyologist (shark scientist). Through research and advocacy, people around the world are working to protect—and admire—sharks."[A]n engaging, well-researched book about a much maligned species of fish that deserves our protection."—Booklist"A remarkably thorough tour of the world of sharks and marine scientists'' efforts to educate the public about our ocean''s apex predators."—Kirkus Reviews

Far off the coast of Ecuador lies a group of volcanic islands unlike any other. Home to species as diverse as giant tortoises, salt-snorting marine iguanas, and the birds that made Charles Darwin famous, the Galápagos are a living laboratory for scientists working on the most urgent problem of our times: How can humans exist in harmony with nature on the only planet we are ever likely to have? Karen Romano Young, author of Antarctica: The Melting Continent, again takes to the field, visiting the archipelago to observe its environments first-hand and to interview the people who are lighting the way for the rest of us. Illustrator Amy Grimes brings Karen’s experience into vivid visual life for those of us who haven’t been there – yet.

Antarctica – vast, cold and mysterious. This frozen continent is full of incredible stories. Here you can discover incredible wildlife, awe-inspiring landscapes and adventurous scientists and explorers.Join author Karen Romano Young on a trip across Antarctica, hanging out with people and animals and learning about how this special place is changing, and what it means for our planet. Hang out with some of the coolest creatures on earth above and below the ice as you meet emperor penguins, killer whales and elephant seals. Suit up for the cold and explore some of the harshest landscapes on earth, following in the footsteps of brave explorers. And learn about how scientists survive here today and what they do all day – from studying climate change to investigating ice cores almost a million years old to learn about the history – and future – of our planet.