Joanne Mattern

Sold in trucks, restaurants, and markets around the world, tacos have extended far past their Mexican beginnings. Young readers can learn about the history of tacos, from their mining origins to the creation of the hard shell, as well as the preparation of the food. Features such as recipes, a topping chart, and a timeline add extra spice to this low-level title!

In this title, unwrap the lives of talented Milky Way bars and M&M's makers, Frank Mars and Forrest Mars Sr.! Readers will enjoy getting the scoop on this Food Dude family, beginning with Frank's childhood in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Students can follow his success story from making candy with his mother as a boy to his establishment of the Mar-O-Bar Company. Forrest Sr.'s childhood is also highlighted, from his childhood in Canada and college experience...

Pulleys help us lift and lower things with ease! This title uses simple text and diagrams to explain the functions of these simple machines, and an experiment lets readers try out their own pulleys! Beginning readers will be pulled into this title that explores the historical and modern uses of these helpful machines.

Extraordinary environments endure through the efforts of conservationists such as John Burroughs. In this engaging biography, readers will learn about Burroughs's farming childhood, his mother's influence on his early love of nature, his education at various schools in New York State, his teaching career, and his wife and family. Readers will discover Burroughs's friendship with the poet Walt Whitman, who inspired Burroughs to become the famous...

With age-appropriate text and large engaging photos young readers are shown how people go places on an airplane. "Good to Know" facts give higher-level details.

You may know that some animals play like they're dead to avoid predators. Did you know that one animal mimics the sound of the baby of its prey? Some animals are really tricky!

In this book, readers will learn about the unique and defining features of Iraq. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage young readers as they learn more about the key details of the country including geography, climate, culture, and resources. Compelling questions encourage further inquiry.

Biography of star pop singer Jason Derulo. Blue Banner Biographies are up-to-date, well-written, and colorful. Series titles include people in the news from sports, entertainment, movies, and music. Students read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension and read on-level text with purpose and understanding. Series titles have been developed to address many of the Common Core specific goals, higher level thinking skills, and progressive...

History recognizes the leadership and voice Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. brought to the civil rights movement in 1960s America. A 30-foot tall statue of Dr. King gazes into the future full of hope for all humanity. His words of peace are carved in the walls of the monument as a reminder to all Americans of the power of peaceful protest. Learn all about the first national memorial to an African American.

Wedges were some of the first tools humans ever created! Today, these simple machines are found all around, from doorstops to our own front teeth. Diagrams and simple text explain how wedges work, while experiments allow readers test the machines for themselves. Move through the history of wedges, from hand axes to handsaws, in this fascinating title for beginning readers.