School Library Journal Best Books of 2011Eureka! Silver Honor Books—California Reading AssociationCapitol Choices 2012 list of Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens2012 Notable Children's Books—ALSCThe new National Geographic Treasury of Greek Mythology offers timeless stories of Greek myths in a beautiful new volume. Brought to life with lyrical text by award-winning author Donna Jo Napoli and stunning artwork by award-winning illustrator Christina Balit, the tales of gods and goddesses such as Zeus, Aphrodite, Apollo, and Athena and heroes and monsters such as Helen of Troy, Perseus, and Medusa will fascinate and engage children’s imaginations.   National Geographic completes the book with embellishments of each story: sidebars for each god, goddess, hero, and monster link the myths to constellations, geography, history, and culture to help young readers connect the stories to real life events, people, and places. A family tree and a “cast of characters” profile page help make relationships between the characters clear, and a mapping feature adds to the fun and fascination. Resource notes and ample back matter directing readers to more information round out this luminous book. Sure to dazzle all those intrigued with the fantastic tales of Greek mythology and enchant new readers, this vibrant book will soon become a family keepsake.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information. Read more

From the creators of National Geographic Kids’ wildly successful Greeking Out podcast, this New York Times best-selling tie-in book delivers a clever tongue-in-cheek retelling of 20 classic Greek myths.This kid-friendly collection of tales from Greek mythology showcases familiar favorites from the well-loved Greeking Out podcast as well as brand-new, never-before-aired stories. Join Persephone on her journey through the mystifying depths of the Underworld. Venture onwards with Heracles as he tackles his 12 death-defying labors. And join mythological figures you may not have heard of before, including scheming gods and goddesses, honorable—and not so honorable—heroes, and magnificent monsters.Dynamic, playful illustrations coupled with laugh-out-loud storytelling and real information about ancient Greece—delivered by the all-knowing Oracle of Wi-Fi—make this collection of fabulous fables a fresh addition to any history-lover's library. Read more

100+ Interesting facts about the Titanic for ages 8 to 12 Invite kids to step back in time with this big book of facts about the Titanic. Unlike other Titanic books for kids, Titanic Q&A reveals tons of little-known details about the maiden voyage of this doomed ship that struck an iceberg in 1912. From what it cost to be built to why it went down so quickly, this fascinating book answers all of kids' burning questions about the Titanic—its crew, its cargo, its passengers, and beyond. A Titanic timeline—Delve into a huge range of information, covering the time from the ship's construction and launch to its final disastrous moments.True facts—Kids can test their knowledge on interesting Titanic topics with true-or-false questions and plenty of mythbusting facts.Hours of exploration—Engaging content and a colorful, fact-packed layout will keep children entertained for hours. Discover an incredible story from the past with this extraordinary choice in Titanic books for kids! Read more

A “witty thriller” (The New York Times) for middle-grade readers about how the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre, how the robbery made the portrait the most famous artwork in the world—and how the painting by Leonardo da Vinci should never have existed at all.SIBERT MEDAL WINNER • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Publishers Weekly • School Library Journal • Booklist • Kirkus Reviews • NPR • The New York Public Library • The Chicago Public Library • The Bulletin of the Center for Children's BooksOn a hot August day in Paris, just over a century ago, a desperate guard burst into the office of the director of the Louvre and shouted, La Joconde, c’est partie! The Mona Lisa, she’s gone!No one knew who was behind the heist. Was it an international gang of thieves? Was it an art-hungry American millionaire? Was it the young Spanish painter Pablo Picasso, who was about to remake the very art of painting?Travel back to an extraordinary period of revolutionary change: turn-of-the-century Paris. Walk its backstreets. Meet the infamous thieves—and detectives—of the era. And then slip back further in time and follow Leonardo da Vinci, painter of the Mona Lisa, through his dazzling, wondrously weird life. Discover the secret at the heart of the Mona Lisa—the most famous painting in the world should never have existed at all.Here is a middle-grade nonfiction, with black-and-white illustrations by Brett Helquist throughout, written at the pace of a thriller, shot through with stories of crime and celebrity, genius and beauty. Read more

This compelling addition to the What Was? series covers what was supposed to be “the war to end all wars” but tragically wasn't.In 1914, the assassination of an Austrian archduke set off a disastrous four-year-long conflict involving dozens of countries with battles taking place in all parts of the world. World War I was the first to use planes and tanks as well as deadly gases that left soldiers blinded or “shell shocked” (a condition now called Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome). There were battles that lasted for months with opposing troops fighting from rat-infested trenches, battles that often ended in a hollow victory with only a small area of land retaken. The author of many successful Who HQ titles Nico Medina gives young readers a clear and compelling account of this long and tragic event, a war that left over 20 million dead and was the lead-up to World War II barely twenty years later. Read more

How did a little girl who loved horses become the longest reigning monarch in England? Find out in this addition to the #1 New York Times best-selling Who Was? series! In 1936, the life of ten-year-old Princess Elizabeth of York changed forever. Although she was a member of the British Royal Family, she never expected to become queen. But when her uncle Edward gave up the throne, suddenly her father was the new king, which meant young Elizabeth was next in line! Queen Elizabeth reigned for seventy years, and while there were palaces galore, the crown jewels, and trips around the world, her life was one of strict discipline and duty. This riveting chronicle follows the life of a woman who was both a public figure and an intensely private person and explores how she kept the monarchy together through good times and bad. Read more

In the early morning hours of June 6, 1944, an armada of 7,000 ships carrying 160,000 Allied troops stormed the beaches of Nazi-occupied France. Up until then the Allied forces had suffered serious defeats, yet D -Day, as the invasion was called, spelled the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany and the Third Reich. Readers will dive into the heart of the action and discover how it was planned and carried out and how it overwhelmed the Germans who had been tricked into thinking the attack would take place elsewhere. D-Day was a major turning point in World War II and hailed as one of the greatest military attacks of all time. Read more

Is your child obsessed with all things World War II?Does he or she keep wanting to know more and more about these historic events?Or maybe they are just always hungry for knowledge and obscure facts..Have you been wanting to give them the perfect book?Our big book of short stories has:More than 20 never-before-read short stories from WW2Stories of love, loss, bravery & kindness & other important moralsUnknown stories (everybody knows the story of Anne Frank already!)Stories from all parts of Europe and as far as America!Written by an experienced history-loving authorBeautifully hand-illustrated book cover by our designer, EvangelinaAvailable in Kindle & Paperback (Audiobook coming soon!)NOTE: These stories don't contain gruesome events, excessive violence or killing - perfect for young readers!So, if your little one can't get enough of WWII, this book is perfect for them to not only discover some new history - but they'll also learn the important morals of kindness, generosity, bravery, doing the right thing, and more!Scroll up & click "Add to Cart" to satisfy their WWII hunger now! Read more

Isaac Newton was always a loner, preferring to spend his time contemplating the mysteries of the universe. When the plague broke out in London in 1665 he was forced to return home from college. It was during this period of so much death, that Newton gave life to some of the most important theories in modern science, including gravity and the laws of motion. Read more

From award-winning author Candace Fleming, comes the powerful and fascinating story of the brave and dedicated young women who helped turn the tides of World War II for the Allies, with their hard work and determination at Bletchley Park.Scholastic Focus is the premier home of thoroughly researched, beautifully written, and thoughtfully designed works of narrative nonfiction aimed at middle-grade and young adult readers. These books help readers learn about the world in which they live and develop their critical thinking skills, so that they may become dynamic citizens who are able to analyze and understand our past, participate in essential discussions about our present, and work to grow and build our future."You are to report to Station X at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire, in four days time....That is all you need to know." This was the terse telegram hundreds of young women throughout the British Isles received in the spring of 1941, as World War II raged. As they arrived at Station X, a sprawling mansion in a state of disrepair surrounded by Spartan-looking huts with little chimneys coughing out thick smoke―these young people had no idea what kind of work they were stepping into. Who had recommended them? Why had they been chosen? Most would never learn all the answers to these questions.Bletchley Park was a well-kept secret during World War II, operating under the code name Station X. The critical work of code-cracking Nazi missives that went on behind its closed doors could determine a victory or loss against Hitler’s army. Amidst the brilliant cryptographers, flamboyant debutantes, and absent-minded professors working there, it was teenaged girls who kept Station X running. Some could do advanced math, while others spoke a second language. They ran the unwieldy bombe machines, made sense of wireless sound waves, and sorted the decoded messages. They were expected to excel in their fields and most importantly: know how to keep a secret.Candace Fleming is the award-winning and highly acclaimed author of Crash from Outer Space, The Curse of the Mummy, and many other nonfiction books for young readers. With her canny and compelling narrative voice she makes history come alive. Thick with tension and suspense, this is an extraordinary and relatively unknown story of World War II that will fascinate readers who will be thrilled to see young people playing such an important role in the wartime effort. Read more

Learn more about Napoleon Bonaparte, the decorated French military leader who conquered much of Europe in the early nineteenth century.Born in the Mediterranean island of Corsica, Napoleon Bonaparte felt like an outsider once his family moved to France. But he found his life's calling after graduating from military school. Napoleon went on to become a brilliant military strategist and the emperor of France. In addition to greatly expanding the French empire, Napoleon also created many laws, which are still encoded in legal systems around the world. Read more

A marvel of engineering that proclaimed the might of the Emperor of Ancient Rome.The Emperor Titus opened the enormous Colosseum in AD 80 to host 100 days of games, and it will astound readers to learn what the ancient Romans found entertaining. Over 50,000 screaming fans watched gladiators battling each other to the death, men fighting exotic wild beasts, and even mock sea battles with warships floating on an arena floor flooded with water. By AD 476 the Roman Empire had fallen, and yet the ruins of the Colosseum remain a world-famous landmark of an unforgettable time. Read more

The best gift for any kid who is about to go to Paris, has already been there, or is just curious about this extraordinary city!Let Leonardo - the cutest tour guide, take your kids on a fun journey through the city they'll never forget.Discover the most famous attractions in Paris: The iconic Eiffel Tower, the famous Arch of Triumph, the beautiful Champs-Elysees, and the many magnificent parks and gardens—plus all the other cool things for kids to do and see in Paris!With Kids' Travel Guide - Paris, your kids will learn through fun facts, challenging tasks, useful tips, coloring pages, and exciting quizzes.Watch your kids become the family experts about the relevant history of Paris, what the city looks like, the transportation system, and many fun and fascinating facts about the city!The Kids' Travel Guide series is easy, fun, and educational to explore other cities and places. Expands your kids' horizons and introduce them to the wide range of surprises that this world has to offer!More adventures with Kids' Travel Guides to Spain, Germany, Australia, Japan, China, Washington, DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, New York City, Italy, Rome, France, London, United Kingdom, Thailand, Bangkok, and many more destinations…Don't forget a perfect companion! Add one of the FlyingKids POSTER MAPS for kids! Choose the USA poster map, the world map, or a package of both. With the dry-erase pens (included), kids write their names, what countries and states they've been to, and which ones they want to visit. They answer quizzes and enjoy a special place to write about and capture their adventures.Grab a copy of the most fun, educational, and interesting travel guide for kids and enjoy a new family adventure!Join us on a journey in countries and cities around the world or on a personal journey of self-discovery. FlyingKids' interactive guides always take the young explorers on an exciting experience full of fun and memorable moments.Kid's Travel Guide series – For special journeys around the world (Cities and countries)You Can Be Whatever You Want, Girl! Series – For girls' journey to becoming a better version of themselves.Kids' Activity Book Series – For long hours on the roads.My Maps Series – For expanding your kids' horizons in the comfort of home.FlyingKids® designs and publishes unique guides for the special journeys in young readers' lives.www.theflyingkids.com Read more

School Library Journal Best Books of 2011Eureka! Silver Honor Books—California Reading AssociationCapitol Choices 2012 list of Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens2012 Notable Children's Books—ALSCThe new National Geographic Treasury of Greek Mythology offers timeless stories of Greek myths in a beautiful new volume. Brought to life with lyrical text by award-winning author Donna Jo Napoli and stunning artwork by award-winning illustrator Christina Balit, the tales of gods and goddesses such as Zeus, Aphrodite, Apollo, and Athena and heroes and monsters such as Helen of Troy, Perseus, and Medusa will fascinate and engage children’s imaginations.   National Geographic completes the book with embellishments of each story: sidebars for each god, goddess, hero, and monster link the myths to constellations, geography, history, and culture to help young readers connect the stories to real life events, people, and places. A family tree and a “cast of characters” profile page help make relationships between the characters clear, and a mapping feature adds to the fun and fascination. Resource notes and ample back matter directing readers to more information round out this luminous book. Sure to dazzle all those intrigued with the fantastic tales of Greek mythology and enchant new readers, this vibrant book will soon become a family keepsake.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources. Read more

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From the palaces of Austria to the mirrored halls of Versailles, Marie Antoinette led a charmed life. She was born into royalty in 1755 and married the future king of France at age 15. By 21 she ascended to the throne and enjoyed a lavish lifestyle of masquerade balls, sky-high wigs, and extravagant food. But her taste for excess ruffled many feathers. The poor people of France blamed Marie Antoinette for their poverty. Her spending helped incite the French Revolution. And after much public outcry, in 1793 she quite literally lost her head because of it. Whether she was blameless or guilty is debatable, but Marie Antoinette remains woven into the fabric of history and popular culture. Read more

The morning of August 24, AD 79, seemed like any other in the Roman city of Pompeii. So no one was prepared when the nearby volcano Mount Vesuvius suddenly erupted, spouting ash that buried the city and its inhabitants. The disaster left thousands dead, and Pompeii was no more than a memory for almost 1,700 years. In 1748, explorers rediscovered the port city with intact buildings and beautiful mosaics. This easy-to-read account is gripping and includes photos of the ruins. Read more