When Meri Beckley looks at the peaceful Chicago streets, she feels pride in the era of unprecedented hope and prosperity over which the governor presides. But when her mother is killed, Meri suddenly has questions that no one else seems to be asking. And when she tries to uncover her mother's state of mind in her last weeks, she finds herself drawn into a secret world with a history she didn't know existed. Faced with a choice between accepting the...

"This guide to droughts discusses the different kinds, how they happen, and what people can do to protect themselves and the Earth. Also includes resources"--Provided by publisher.

"Floods can be caused by other natural disasters, like hurricanes and tsunamis, but they are often a natural disaster themselves. When water overflows a river's banks, a storm surge crashes over a break wall, or prolonged heavy rains pound a city's streets, a flood may occur, and it may be deadly. In this volume, readers are introduced to the causes and effects of floods, as well as the science behind their occurence . . . Fact boxes, links, and graphic...

"Explores what happens before, during, and after a tsunami to give readers a comprehensive overview of this catastrophic event. Full-color photographs show the reality of a tsunami, and the accessible text encourages reluctant readers."--Provided by publisher.

"Once the snow starts falling in winter, the word 'blizzard' is often thrown around in conversation. But meteorologists will only use this term for specific weather conditions . . . snow doesn't even have to fall for a weather event to be correctly labeled a blizzard . . . facts and figures of blizzards that learners need to know, including information about historic blizzards, are clearly explained in . . . text complemented by . . . photographs"--...

"Homelessness pervades America's cities and rural areas. Multiple factors force people into a life on the street, including job loss, mental illness, and drug addiction. Homelessness can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, marital status, and race. While it's important for societies to provide shelter, food, and support for homeless people, it's even more necessary to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place. Struggling readers...