World Geography

Travel to Afghanistan. Find out the facts about this country in Asia.

Haunted places exist across the globe. From haunted prisons to castles and schools to houses, ghosts continue to make themselves known. Learn about some of the most haunted places on Earth, such as Winchester House and Alcatraz. Then turn out the lights if you dare.

Set in 1853 in Japan, this novel follows Yoshi, a Japanese boy who dreams of someday becoming a samurai. Unfortunately, as part of the serving class, Yoshi can never become a warrior. He is taken up by Manjiro, the protagonist of Preus' Heart of a Samurai, and becomes his servant and secret watchdog. Meanwhile, Commodore Matthew Perry and his USS Susquehanna squadron of steamships arrive in Edo Bay....

Postcolonialism explores the political, social, and cultural effects of decolonization, continuing the anti-colonial deconstruction of Western dominance. This Very Short Introduction discusses both the history and key debates of postcolonialism, and considers its importance as a means of changing the way we think about the world. Robert J. C. Young examines the key strategies that postcolonial thought has developed to engage with the impact of sometimes centuries of Western political and cultural domination.

If 17-year-old Kareena Thakkar is going to alienate herself from the entire Indian community, she might as well do it gloriously. She’s landed the chance of a lifetime, an invitation to the US Muay Thai Open, which could lead to a spot on the first-ever Olympic team. If only her sport weren’t seen as something too rough for girls, something she’s afraid to share with anyone outside of her family. Despite pleasing her parents, excelling at school, and making plans to get her family out of debt, Kareena’s never felt quite Indian enough, and her training is only making it worse.

Native American tribes from the Northwest Coast learned to use the wood of cedar trees for many of their daily needs. Tribes used recycling to conserve resources hundreds of years ago. Pounding bark until it was fluffy to make diapers and with special thin branches called withes, cedar trees were soaked and used to make rope. What special technique did tribes use to take down big cedar trees?

Tara is one of the lowest class, untouchable, and works as a maid in Kolkata, India. Her boss, a Brahmin, is the highest class, and Tara must accept her position in life inside India's caste system. After hearing encouraging words from her grandfather in his pottery shop, she learns to accept her reality. Will Tara accept the forgiveness from her boss for the prejudice during a deathly illness?

Amy has a hard time completing one of her school assignments when she’s tasked with creating a metaphor for herself. She struggles with her unique cultural heritage combination, so she must find a way to encompass both sides of her identity.

Every country may have different foods, but almost all of them have a dish with noodles. All around the world, kids share their favorite regional pasta dish. What is your favorite sauce and noodle recipe? Do you share the same favorite as other kids from your country?

A young boy takes a plane ride with his mother to visit the African country of Ghana, where his parents are from. This will be his first time seeing his grandparents. He learns about traditional Ghanaian clothing, foods, and the city market in Accra, Ghana's capital.

Two brothers, Heung Bu and Nol Bu, lived as neighbors. One spring day when the brothers were out planting, Heung Bu finds a wounded swallow. He nurses it back to health and is rewarded with a single pumpkinseed. Heung Bu plants the seed and is rewarded for his kindness. Nol Bu, jealous of his brother’s good fortune, seeks out a wounded swallow of his own. Will he be rewarded like his brother?

Smith Wilkinson was an actual 10-year-old factory worker when he started his first job at a Rhode Island cotton mill more than 200 years ago. It was common for children to work in factories during the Industrial Revolution. This is what Smith might have said about his life.

Hyun Mi travels with her family to witness a miracle of nature—a land pass between islands!

Two ancient Chinese rulers govern their kingdoms in very different ways. When Jen Fu attacks with brute force, Wu Ti fights back with cleverness. The battle is about to begin!

The mythic origin stories of the Grand Canyon and the Native American tribes who live in and near it.

The moon watches over the dark plains of South Africa. It watches all the jungle animals as they fall asleep.

Pu Yi, a spoiled but lonely child emperor, learns to ride a bicycle with the help of his tutor, hoping it will impress his aloof father.

Fluffy emperor penguin chicks. Playful Arctic fox kits. Learn how polar babies survive frigid temperatures and how many of them change color to blend in with their snowy environments.

See America without leaving your chair with this exciting series for beginning book explorers.

So you want to be a U.S. senator? Find out the requirements, the roles and responsibilities, and how you can put yourself on the path to becoming a member of Congress.