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Bad things happen to people. Often very bad things. Some happen through the workings of nature; others happen because of human error. Whether natural or manmade, disasters have long enthralled young readers. Examining Disasters, a new series of eight books from Clara House Books, an imprint of The Oliver Press, explores the science behind disasters. What, for example, causes airplanes to fall from the sky, or bridges to collapse, or ships to sink? For explanations, we must look to physics. It is through the study of geology that we learn how earthquakes occur. Pandemics, such as SARS or the outbreak of Ebola, affect the lives of millions. Biology, and microbiology in particular, holds the answers to how diseases are spread and how they may be prevented. Colorfully illustrated and attractively designed, Examining Disasters will grab the attention of young readers while providing the basis of scientific inquiry that the core curriculum demands.

All eight A World of Food titles:

  • 48 pages

  • full-color photos, graphs, diagrams and charts

  • 8 x 10

  • grades 4-8

  • glossary

  • index

  • bibliography

  • websites

  • $24.95 each

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Examining Airplane Crashes

ISBN: 978-1-934545-614

e-book ISBN: 978-1-934545-77-5

Did you know that passenger airline crashes are rare? There are many different forces that can factor into airplane crashes, including design, weather, and pilot error. American Airlines Flight 191 crashed just minutes after takeoff in 1979. It was later determined that improper maintenance was to blame for the crash, which killed 271 people. In this book, you'll examine airplane crashes and explore what they are, how they happen, and what is being done to prevent them in the future.

Andrew Hatch

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Examining Bridge Collapses

ISBN: 978-1-934545-621

e-book ISBN: 978-1-934545-78-2

Did you know there are more than 600,000 bridges in the United States? If not properly taken care of, these structures can collapse from too much pressure or from a natural disaster. Thirteen people died and more than 100 people were injured after the I-35W Bridge in Minnesota collapsed in 2007. In this book, you'll examine bridge collapses and explore what they are, how they happen, and how to prevent them from happening in the future.

Myles Barry

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Examining Earthquakes

ISBN: 978-1-934545-638

e-book ISBN: 978-1-934545-79-9

Did you know that earthquakes are made up of many smaller quakes? The violent movements of Earth's crust can damage and destroy whole cities. The 2011 Tohoku earthquake in Japan left more than 19,000 people dead. Millions more Japanese were injured or were without water, electricity, and food. In this book, you'll examine earthquakes and explore what they are, how they happen, and how to prepare for those in the future.

Jacob Yang

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Examining Hurricanes

ISBN: 978-1-934545-645

e-book ISBN: 978-1-934545-80-5

Did you know that the average hurricane is 300 miles (480 km) across? These storm systems can rip through cities and leave nothing in their paths but debris. Superstorm Sandy in 2012 caused approximately $65 billion in damages. Millions of people on the East Coast of the United States were left without power for days following the disaster. In this book, you'll examine hurricanes and explore what they are, how they happen, and what you can do to prepare for these massive storms.

Sabrina Kidd

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Examining Oil Spills

ISBN: 978-1-934545-652

e-book ISBN: 978-1-934545-81-2

Did you know that more than 100 countries produce crude oil? If workers are not careful, transporting this oil can cause spills. Oil spills can have long-lasting effects, such as the 2013 Lac-Mégantic derailment in Quebec. More than 1.6 million gallons (6 million L) of crude oil spilled into the land and water there, where it will remain for years. In this book, you'll examine oil spills and explore what they are, how they happen, and how to prevent them in the future.

Anna Dalton

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Examining Pandemics

ISBN: 978-1-934545-669

e-book ISBN: 978-1-934545-82-9

Did you know diseases are passed to humans many different ways? If proper care isn't followed or maintained, diseases can quickly spread, creating pandemics that affect thousands of people across the globe. The Ebola outbreak of 2014, which started in West Africa, spread rapidly to tens of thousands of people. Without proper care, thousands of infected people died. In this book, you'll examine pandemics and explore what they are, how they happen, and how to prevent them in the future.

Nina Rolfes

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Hayden Wedge

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Examining Shipwrecks*

ISBN: 978-1-934545-676

e-book ISBN: 978-1-934545-83-6

Did you know that ships have been around for more than 4,000 years? Over time, technology has improved significantly, causing the number of shipwrecks to decline. More than a century after the Titanic went down, the South Korean ferry Sewol sank in April 2014, claiming 304 lives. This disaster could have been prevented if the ship had not hit something underwater, as the Titanic had. In this book, you'll examine why ships sink and what experts are doing to prevent future shipwrecks.

*Starred Review in Booklist

Examining Volcanic Eruptions

ISBN: 978-1-934545-683

e-book ISBN: 978-1-934545-84-3

Did you know that roughly 1500 volcanoes around the world are still active? When they erupt, they can cause problems for people and cities nearby. Mount Saint Helens in Washington erupted in 1980, spewing a cloud of stone 17 miles (27 km) into the air. The eruption killed more than 50 people and changed the shape of the mountain. In this book, you'll examine volcanic eruptions and explore what they are, how they happen, and how to prepare for future eruptions that may occur.

Jen Melin

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