Peter Castellano – författare

In 2012, a skateboarder riding a longboard traveled more than 80 miles (129 km) per hour downhill to break the world record for fastest longboard speed. On the other hand, the longboard skateboard is likely the best skateboard to ride for just getting around via skateboard! Readers are introduced to the many ways of riding a longboard, including in downhill competitions and freeriding. Full-color photographs highlight the fast action of the sport, while the main content encourages caution when beginning a new, daredevil sport. Safety tips and fact boxes add even more detail about this fun emerging sport.

Mixed martial arts, or MMA, has a long history since it includes techniques from older fighting styles like tae kwon do, muay thai, and Greco-Roman wrestling. But the popular sport is truly a modern invention that may result in blood, sweat, and tears. Readers learn about the fearless fighters who enter the cage for each bout, as well as MMA history and the formation of the UFC. MMA safety and rules are emphasized, including the need for specific training and great physical fitness. Full-color images highlight the intensity and drama of bouts for both the fighters and the crowd.

Likely the most physically difficult motorcycle sport, motocross challenges its riders with rough terrain and high-speed competition. With events taking place on courses 1 to 3 miles long, motocross riders need to have endurance as well as the fearlessness characteristic of daredevil athletes. Readers enter the fast-paced world of motocross through accessible language and exciting information that will appeal to even reluctant readers. A colorful layout and photographs showcase on-course action, while the main content introduces the rules of the sport as well as safety. Full of high-octane fact boxes, this volume is a ride readers can enjoy without a helmet.

Some say a fierce, hairless, doglike animal terrorizes livestock, draining them of their blood. Called the chupacabra, this animal is a legend derived from the sighting of a freaky creature in San Juan, Puerto Rico. But the original sighting and today’s reports don’t match up, and no conclusive evidence has ever been found about the chupacabra. Readers investigate the history of this creepy animal and learn how science has busted many myths about its existence. Full-color renderings of the chupacabra highlight the biggest fact conspiracy theorists overlook—there are no actual photographs of the chupacabra!

Many cultures have myths about dragons. From the Greek Chimera to the fire-breathing creature of medieval Europe, dragons have taken many forms throughout history. Readers learn all about these myths and legends and explore the significance to the cultures they come from. Fascinating fact boxes explore how the dragon myth came about, including the animals that likely influences their famous features. Full-color photographs and illustrations enhance the main text, introducing the colorful Chinese dragons and the fearsome creatures in fantasy literature.

It’s easy to imagine something lurking beneath the deep, dark waters of a loch, river, or sea. Since even today we don’t know every animal that lives deep underwater, historical accounts of fearful creatures swimming below the surface seem to have simple explanations. This book explores the many myths and legends about sea creatures, some of which are centuries old! Full-color illustrations, paintings, and more from cultures around the world showcase the extraordinary imaginations behind some of these stories. In addition, fact boxes offer readers a chance to debunk historical accounts and understand why these tales began at all.

There’s a very clear line from Bram Stoker’s Dracula to the glut of vampire stories available in bookstores today. However, tales of bloodsucking creatures predate Dracula and exist in the mythology of many cultures. Covering the history of the vampire myth as well as how it’s used today, the main content engages even reluctant readers with a high-interest topic. Full-color photographs and other images of vampires through the ages show how the depiction of this chilling creature has changed over time. Additional fact boxes add a dose of reality to a tale that’s so well known, it sometimes feels like it could be true!

Some say the legend of the werewolf may have come from a rare condition of abundant hair growth called hypertrichosis. However the stories began, they’ve persisted to present-day pop culture, continuously drawing in new audiences. Written in simple, clear language, all readers can explore the history of the werewolf myth. The main content includes all aspects of this high-interest topic, including how werewolves change from man to beast, why they change, and how one becomes a werewolf. Full-color images and fact boxes add elements of both fantasy and reality to help readers navigate the line between truth and legend.

Some of the most iconic pop-culture figures ever have been witches: the Wicked Witch of the West, the White Witch in The Chronicles of Narnia, Hermione in the Harry Potter books. But there’s a long history of witch legends from around the world, including historical events condemning them, such as the Salem witch trials. This high-interest topic will engage even the most reluctant readers with tales of good and bad magic, spells, and torture. Full-color photographs and historical images show witch stories throughout the ages as fact boxes investigate the truth behind the myths and the reason behind the history.

Many people know that about 70 percent of Earth’s surface is covered by water. But they may not know that the oceans hold nearly 97 percent of the water on Earth! From the Arctic to the Pacific, these huge bodies of water are important to the health of our planet. Readers learn the different boundaries and characteristics of each of Earth’s oceans, complemented by full-color photographs both above and below the surface. The main content and fun fact boxes include both the water cycle and geographic information and emphasize other science and social studies curriculum topics, such as conservation.

Droughts, acid rain, and pollution are all problems found around the world. Learning about how to conserve and care for the precious water on Earth should be an important part of every person’s science background. This book introduces readers to the fundamental water issues in both first and third world countries. The main content encourages them to think both locally and globally, including real-life examples of conservation efforts complete with full-color photographs to show readers the reality of droughts and pollution. Fact boxes and a graphic organizer help readers understand important science and social studies concepts.

Understanding the events of the American Revolution is key to learning more about the history of the United States. When readers encounter this important topic in social studies classes, they often must be able to explain the causes, main events, and results of the war. Through simple explanations and language, this book gives readers of all levels an overview of these aspects of the Revolutionary War in a format perfect for test review or quick reference. A timeline helps readers keep events in order, and fact boxes explain more difficult terms and subject matter.

The Civil War is a major part of the social studies curriculum. However, it can be overwhelming to cover the causes of the war, its main events, and the immediate results. This book summarizes the most important points of the Civil War in an accessible way appropriate for many reading levels. Fact boxes explain key terms and add crucial details to the main content. Historical images and a concluding timeline help both new readers and those reviewing the topic to better understand a complex sequence of events easily.

Not only did the Declaration of Independence help set U.S. history in motion, the document was influential to other revolutions around the world. Therefore, it''s crucial to understand the meaning of the Declaration of Independence in order to continue exploring the social studies curriculum. Readers are presented with the most important aspects of the document, including why it was written, the writing process, and its impact on American independence. Written in simple language, this volume will be useful in test review or as an introduction to the history of the Declaration of Independence.

Understanding the events of the American Revolution is key to learning more about the history of the United States. When readers encounter this important topic in social studies classes, they often must be able to explain the causes, main events, and results of the war. Through simple explanations and language, this book gives readers of all levels an overview of these aspects of the Revolutionary War in a format perfect for test review or quick reference. A timeline helps readers keep events in order, and fact boxes explain more difficult terms and subject matter.

The Civil War is a major part of the social studies curriculum. However, it can be overwhelming to cover the causes of the war, its main events, and the immediate results. This book summarizes the most important points of the Civil War in an accessible way appropriate for many reading levels. Fact boxes explain key terms and add crucial details to the main content. Historical images and a concluding timeline help both new readers and those reviewing the topic to better understand a complex sequence of events easily.

Not only did the Declaration of Independence help set U.S. history in motion, the document was influential to other revolutions around the world. Therefore, it''s crucial to understand the meaning of the Declaration of Independence in order to continue exploring the social studies curriculum. Readers are presented with the most important aspects of the document, including why it was written, the writing process, and its impact on American independence. Written in simple language, this volume will be useful in test review or as an introduction to the history of the Declaration of Independence.

Students often spend a long time learning about the early European settlements, such as Jamestown, and the founding the 13 British colonies that became the United States. Remembering and digesting so much information can be difficult, especially for struggling readers. Through accessible language and simple sentences, this book allows readers to review the history of the 13 colonies no matter the level at which they read. A concluding timeline helps readers chronologically order main events of the social studies curriculum while fact boxes offer explanations for important terms and more detail when needed.