Downs, Mike

"In 1862, balloons were the only way to reach the sky. But 14-year-old Otto Lilienthal didn't want to fly balloons. He wanted to soar like a bird. Scientists, teachers, and news reporters everywhere said flying was impossible. Otto and his brother Gustav desperately wanted to prove them wrong, so they made their own wings and tried to take flight. The brothers quickly crashed, but this was just the beginning for Otto, who would spend the next 30 years of his life sketching, re-sketching and building gliders. Over time, Otto's flights got longer. His control got better. He learned the tricks and twists of the wind. His flights even began to draw crowds. By the time of his death at age 48, Otto had made more than 2,000 successful glider flights. He was the first person in history to spend this much time in the air, earning the title of the world's first pilot and paving the way for future aviation pioneers"--From the publisher's web site.

"Ancient civilizations imagined space as campfires or rivers of light. Today, we imagine spaceships and warp drives and aliens. But what about tomorrow? Would you ride an elevator up into space? In Reaching for the Stars: Imagining Space, you'll explore the amazing facts about past societies' views on space, how science has taken us to where we are today, and where we could possibly go in the future!"--Provided by the publisher.

"What do writing, surgery, glaciers, and fossils have in common? They all have histories in Africa, one of Earth's seven continents. Discover the great minds and finds of ancient and modern Africa in this learning adventure"--Provided by publisher.

"This title introduces fans to the STEM concepts in the Super Bowl, exploring how science, technology, engineering, and math are all at play in this exciting event. The title features informative sidebars and infographics, exciting photos, a glossary, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. SportsZone is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO."--.

"Gluten is found in wheat and some other grains. It's in foods people eat every day. Many people can eat it without problems. Others have a disease that makes gluten damage their bodies. Your Body on Gluten uncovers the nutritional benefits of foods containing gluten, how gluten interacts with the body, and how to include it as part of a balanced diet. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards"--From the publisher's web site.

"The invention of the combustion engine changed huge parts of daily life. It allowed people access to much more of the world, including the air and sea. These engines improved the food, clothes, and other everyday items that we use to live. It Changed the World: Invention of the Combustion Engine provides readers with a before-and-after look at the way the world has changed"--From the publisher's web site.

A young boy, who is a member of an acrobat family, describes the people and activities of his circus home.

A young boy, who is a member of an acrobat family, describes the people and activities of his circus home.