Derek Miller

What's the difference between skin and scales? Why do some animals live inside a hard shell? Early readers will learn about the diverse body coverings that allow animals to survive in their various environments, from the jungle to the ocean. Using simple language and close text-to-image correlation, this book introduces children to the fascinating ways animals' bodies have evolved to thrive in different parts of the world.

Many important Americans, including W. E. B. Du Bois, Langston Hughes, and Frederick Douglass, had ties to newspapers that advocated for equal rights, discussed issues central to the lives of African Americans, and reported on stories the mainstream press refused to cover. The legacy of the African American press is one that carries on today. This essential volume reveals the black press's role in the abolition of slavery, the establishment of civil...

The issue of money looms large in American politics. A series of Supreme Court decisions have cleared the way for corporations and rich donors to pour money into the political system. Proponents of current campaign finance laws argue that it's their right to donate money. Opponents see unlimited corporate money as a threat to democracy itself. This important volume examines the role that money plays in politics and the arguments for and against the...

As young people spend more and more time online, cyberbullying is becoming an issue for many teens. A 2016 survey by the Cyberbullying Research Center found that 33.8 percent of students between the ages of twelve and seventeen reported that they had suffered cyberbullying. This must-have resource looks at how to prevent this growing problem and presents ideas for how teens can help themselves and others mitigate cyberbullying's effects.

Making crayons is a dramatic and captivating process. First, wax is heated in massive siloes until it is molten. After the wax is mixed with the pigment, the crayons are molded and cooled before their labels are added. This book guides readers as the fascinating process unfolds, explaining the function of each ingredient that gives us our fun crayons.

In 1849, Henry David Thoreau's essay "Civil Disobedience" was published. The ideas he set forth in the essay and in his other writings were so groundbreaking that they influenced towering figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi. Thoreau's ideas continue to influence peaceful activists today. This book explores the life of Thoreau, his beliefs, his strategies for protest, and the legacy he left behind.

The Korean War saw a huge shift in the way that American soldiers fought. During the war, troops became wholly desegregated for the first time in the country's history. Minorities Fighting in Korea traces the stories of brave minority troops, including profiles of Hispanic and African American Medal of Honor recipients. The book describes the lives of soldiers, provides an overview of the Korean War, and explains what happened in a rapidly changing...

The president's ability to issue executive orders is a process steeped in misconceptions. This must-have volume looks at the history of this important executive power, explains executive orders that have had wide-ranging effects, and demonstrates the legal limits of the president's power. With emphases on checks and balances put in place by the U.S. Constitution and responses from Congress and the Supreme Court to past executive orders, the book covers...

How do animals get around? This fun volume explores animal mobility and the interesting adaptations that allow animals to walk, fly, and swim in many different kinds of environments. This book considers how animals use movement to seek shelter, escape predators, and explore the world around them. Young readers will learn about these crucial components of animal bodies with simple language tailored to help them read on their own while discovering the...

From big, exciting cities to beautiful nature preserves to bay access, Maryland's diverse geography offers something for everyone. This book demonstrates that the Old Line State's diversity is not just limited to geography, though. One of Maryland's assets is the unique makeup of the people who call the state home. This book explores the history, industries, and government of Maryland. Readers will find interesting facts and interactive activities....