World Geography

Ukrainian Canadian author Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch tells a gripping story of how the Soviet Union starved the Ukrainian people in the 1930s -- and of their determination to overcome. Nyl is just trying to stay alive. Ever since the Soviet dictator, Stalin, started to take control of farms like the one Nyl's family lives on, there is less and less food to go around. On top of bad harvests and a harsh winter, conditions worsen until it's clear the lack of food is not just chance... but a murderous plan leading all the way to Stalin.

In Four Lost Cities, acclaimed science journalist Annalee Newitz takes listeners on an entertaining and mind-bending adventure into the deep history of urban life. Investigating across the centuries and around the world, Newitz explores the rise and fall of four ancient cities, each the center of a sophisticated civilization: the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük in Central Turkey, the Roman vacation town of Pompeii in Italy, the medieval megacity of Angkor in Cambodia, and the indigenous metropolis Cahokia, which stood beside the Mississippi River where East St. Louis is today.

"Ethiopia and the Origin of Civilization" by John G. Jackson is a seminal work that challenges traditional Eurocentric perspectives on the origins of civilization. Originally published in 1939, Jackson's book seeks to highlight the significant contributions of African civilizations, particularly Ethiopia, to the development of human culture and civilization.

Victoria Secord, a 14-year-old Alaskan dogsled racer, loses her way on a routine outing with her dogs. With food gone and temperatures dropping, her survival and that of her dogs and the mysterious boy she meets in the woods is entirely up to her. The author Terry Lynn Johnson is a musher herself, and her crackling writing puts listeners at the reins as Victoria and Chris experience setbacks, mistakes, and small triumphs in their wilderness adventure.

On July 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis was torpedoed in the South Pacific by a Japanese submarine. An estimated 300 men were killed upon impact; close to 900 sailors were cast into the Pacific Ocean, where they remained undetected by the navy for nearly four days and nights. Battered by a savage sea, they struggled to stay alive, fighting off sharks, hypothermia, and hallucinations.

Travel to Egypt. Find out the facts about this country in Africa.

A dazzling new history of the irrepressible demographic changes and mass migrations that have made and unmade nations, continents, and empires The rise and fall of the British Empire; the emergence of America as a superpower; the ebb and flow of global challenges from Nazi Germany, Imperial...

Twelve-year-old Ji-li Jiang has brains, friends, and a bright future. Then Mao Zedong launches China’s infamous Cultural Revolution. Soon school is suspended and students are getting caught up in the fervor of Mao’s extreme politics. When Ji-li’s family is accused of capitalist crimes, all of her beautiful dreams burst like soap bubbles. Because Ji-li’s grandfather was a landlord, her family is harassed and humiliated. Their home is searched, and they live in constant fear. Nonetheless, Ji-li remains loyal to her beloved Chairman Mao....

Coyote Peterson's Brave Adventures: Wild Animals in a Wild World chronicles some of the wildest encounters Coyote Peterson has had over the course of his travels.

Dylan is 12 years old and embarking on his first ocean kayaking trip with his parents. He has spent the last year convincing them that he is ready for the challenging - and very dangerous - adventure. In fact, he has been determined to go ever since he heard about the destination: Ireland’s Eye. The small island off the coast of Newfoundland is the easternmost settlement in Canada. Or it was. It is now hauntingly empty, a ghost town clinging to the edge of the unforgiving Atlantic.

On the last night of the Hungry Ghost Festival, Liang discovers something evil hiding in his family’s candle shop. It's a zombie! With her friend, Tong, she must banish him away before the festival ends at midnight! Will they succeed? Or will the zombie take their qi or life energy?

Lauren and Lee just moved to France. There’s only one problem— they can’t find any peanut butter! No matter what shops, bakeries, or restaurants they visit, they can’t find their favorite snack. According to their French friends, there is no peanut butter in France! Will the siblings ever find peanut butter?

King Ashoka was a fearsome conqueror in ancient India. After seeing the destruction and death from his battles, he decided to forgo war and institute peace and Buddhism in his kingdom. Learn about his peaceful reign and the lasting changes he created in India.

Hassan is a scam artist living in Africa. He sells people fake products at the market. After stealing a camel to ride home he realizes the camel has a special talent—it can write with its hoof in Arabic! Hassan thinks he can sell the camel or take the camel to festival where he can show the camel for money. Will Hassan take advantage of the talented camel? Or will the camel get the last word?

In India, stories spread about the magical powers in the songs of a young boy named Tansen. Years later while hunting in the forest, Emperor Akbar witnesses the magic of Tansen’s voice. Now a member of Akbar’s court, Tansen is challenged by the other musicians to perform the Deepak Raga, a song that could bring fire and death to the singer. Will Tansen be able to survive the dangers of this song?

Check out these famous countries and regions that owe their shapes to an important geographic feature. These features help dictate so much about the countries they border.

Sen, a young boy in Myanmar, begins the rite of passage called Shinbyu, where he receives training at a Buddhist monastery.

Greetings with kisses, shoes in hallways, and Sunday morning markets—the joys of living in Belgium!

The Viking named Erik the Red once left Norway for Greenland. He invited other Vikings to help establish a settlement in this new world.

Boasting some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, Thailand is located in Southeast Asia. It has many beaches that attract tourists from all parts of the globe. Kids will learn about the cultural traditions of Thailand, what everyday life is like for Thais, and much more in this informative book.