Science Nonfiction History

This essay comes from the NPR series This I Believe, which features brief personal reflections from both famous and unknown Americans. The pieces that make up the series compel listeners to rethink not only what and how they have arrived at their beliefs, but also the extent to which they share them with others.

Any misunderstandings between Blacks and Whites in today's society tend to stem from the misconceptions about Blacks that have been allowed to thrive throughout the ages. The only way to help abolish stereotypes is to help present a more complete picture of the Black people throughout history. Black History for Beginners covers a rich but often ignored history and chronicles the Black struggle from capture and enslavement in Africa through the civil rights movement and up to today and the new and different kinds of struggles that Black people face today.

Imagine over three million square miles of sand dunes that are as tall as a ten-story building. That place is real—it's the Sahara Desert! Vast, yes! And home to fascinating creatures such as ostriches and fennec foxes as well as amazing plant life. The shallow roots of the mesquite tree can grow almost 200 feet across to absorb water.

Winner of the Caldecott Medal, this stunning audiobook depicts Louis Bleriot's historic first cross-Channel flight.

Discover eye-opening facts about a collection of go-getting women who have pioneered careers in a kaleidoscope of different industries. Prepare yourself for a celebration of women who opened doors and made it possible for more women to achieve amazing things today. List of women featured: Junko Tabei, Sophie Blanchard, Maria Merian, Elizabeth Magie, the London Matchgirls, Rosa May Billinghurst, Katherine Johnson, Annette Kellerman, Katia Krafft, Rosalind Franklin, James Barry, Madam C.J. Walker and Lotte Reiniger.

Meet the iguanodon, an herbivore dinosaur who weighed tons - literally! Learn about what life was like for these spiky-thumbed plant-eaters and become an iguanodon expert.

Flying dinosaurs? Well, kind of! Pterodactyls are one of the most fascinating ancient creatures. Because they flew and didn't walk on the ground, they're not technically dinosaurs - but they were still pretty cool! Listen to find out more fascinating facts about these fancy flyers.

Let's take a trip to India! What makes this Asian country unique? Find out as you immerse yourself in the country's food, culture, animals, and sports. Lively, carefully leveled text introduces critical thinking skills. Grab your bags!

Velociraptor was a scrappy scavenger. Did you know it was only about the size of a chicken? Learn about what scientists know about velociraptors in the 21st century. Other helpful features make this an interesting and informative look at a fascinating creature!

What if the neighborhood cat had teeth that measured a foot long? Saber-tooth cats have been extinct for thousands of years, but once upon a time they were the predators of their neighborhoods. Learn more about the different types of these ancient felines with critical thinking questions and more.

Flight. Loneliness. Fear. Danger. Courage. Charles Lindbergh considered all these things and more when he set out for Paris on the morning of May 20, 1927, with only two compasses and the stars for his guides. Experience all the drama of Lindbergh's history-making flight with startling intimacy as you travel along with the first pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic, and follow the courage and endurance of one man who dared to make his dream come true.

On January 31, 1961, a three-year-old chimpanzee named Ham made history. Strapped inside a Mercury capsule, the little chimp blasted off into the sky, becoming the first intelligent being to ride an American rocket into suborbital space. Ham made a vital contribution to the United States space program. Because there were so many unanswered questions about space travel, scientists could not risk sending humans on a journey into the unknown. Chimpanzees, however, are very similar to humans in the makeup of their skeletons and internal organs.

Did you know Toll House Cookies were created accidentally in an old Toll House in Massachusetts by a woman hurrying to make a tasty snack for her patrons? And did you know that Liquid Paper® (or white-out) was invented because of one small typing mistake? Often overshadowed by famous male inventors, women have also made many significant contributions to science and industry.

Following the events of September 11, 2001, the governor of New York gave the navy a steel beam that was once inside one of the World Trade Towers. Seven and a Half Tons of Steel tells the story of what the navy did with it.

Every country has its own awesome attractions. What makes China special? Explore China's amazing features, including the Great Wall, the many growing cities, and more.

What if elephants were covered with thick hair? Such a creature existed until about 4,000 years ago! Learn more about the giant, tusked woolly mammoth, which coexisted with humans until it went extinct.

Triceratops is one of the most iconic dinosaurs, but you might not know everything about this dinosaur...for example, did you know it had a birdlike beak? This book can help listeners become Triceratops experts! Lively, age-appropriate text helps young listeners build nonfiction skills, while other great features make this book informative and accessible.

In this chapter book biography by award-winning author Atia Abawi, listeners learn about the amazing life of Sally Ride - and how she persisted. As the first American woman in space, Sally Ride broke barriers and made her dreams come true. But she wanted to do even more! After leaving NASA, she created science and engineering programs that would help other girls and women make their dreams come true as well.

Pack your bags! We're headed to South Korea. On this whirlwind tour, you'll learn all about the country's landscape, culture, people, and more. We'll explore coastal islands and mountain ranges, enjoy traditional pansori music, and try a popular dish of pickled vegetables. A special section introduces South Korea's capital, language, and population. Hop on board and take a fun-filled look at your world.

Pack your bags! We're headed to Jamaica. On this whirlwind tour, you'll learn all about the country's landscape, culture, people, and more. We'll explore Jamaica from its bustling cities to its sandy beaches and jutting mountains. We'll also find out what kind of food people eat and learn about reggae music and dub poetry. A special section introduces Jamaica's capital, language, and population. Hop on board and take a fun-filled look at your world.