In our contemporary world, people are traveling more than ever before. Sometimes they bring species along with them—intentionally or by accident—and these non-native species become introduced to new environments. Some become invasive and harm, take over, or change native ecosystems.…
As current events affect people more and more, understanding these events is increasingly important. The media remains a vital source of information for making sense of the world, yet its own biases means that media literacy is also fundamental. In…
Human actions have had a profound impact on the world around us. Pollution is taking its toll on our land, water, and air. Meanwhile, animals are losing their natural habitats at an alarming rate. The situation is dire, but it…
All living things grow and mature. Young learners might see this process in their pets, backyard gardens, and new siblings. But the process looks different for each species. In Life Cycles, readers examine the life cycles of eight major categories…
With climate change being felt more than ever this year, people are increasingly looking for ways to help their planet Earth. Thankfully, there are many actions that people of all ages can take today. In Helping the Environment, young readers…
We live in a smart world. From smart speakers, to smartphones, to smart TVs, artificial intelligence is all around us. But are computers smarter than people? A 2020 Junior Library Guild Selection, Humans vs. Artificial Intelligence gives readers an introduction to…
Summer is a great time to go swimming in lakes or the ocean. But readers may not know that marine biomes are at risk from warming caused by climate change. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is one of the…
John Brown and the Harpers Ferry Raid is yet another Focus Readers 2020 Junior Library Guild Selection. This book walks through the planning, carrying out, and conclusion of the raid, which attempted to spur a slave uprising and is considered…
Wimbledon is normally the highlight of the summer for tennis fans. But with this year’s tournament wiped out due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the next Grand Slam tournament on the calendar is the US Open, scheduled for Aug. 31 to…