National Network for Equitable Library Service

Everyone wonders what it's really like in space, but very few of us have ever had the chance to experience it firsthand. This captivating illustrated collection brings together stories from dozens of international astronauts-men and women who've actually been there-who have returned with accounts of the sometimes weird, often funny, and awe-inspiring sensations and realities of being in space.

Math rocks! At least it does in the gifted hands of Sean Connolly, who blends middle school math with fantasy to create an exciting adventure in problem-solving. These word problems are perilous, do-or-die scenarios of blood-sucking vampires (How many months would it take a single vampire to completely take over a town of 500,000 people'), or a rowboat of 5 shipwrecked sailors with a single barrel of freshwater (How much can they drink, and for how long, before they go mad from thirst''').

"For those inclined to solve mysteries written into the landscape, this author's lead is one they'll want to follow."-The Wall Street Journal When most of us go for a walk, a single sense-sight-tends to dominate our experience. But when New York Times-bestselling author and expert navigator Tristan Gooley goes for a walk, he uses all 've senses to "read" everything nature has to offer.

"An effervescent work, brimming with tales and confounding ideas carried in the 'epic poem in our cells.'"-Guardian In our unique genomes, every one of us carries the story of our species-births, deaths, disease, war, famine, migration, and a lot of sex. But those stories have always been locked away-until now. Who are our ancestors' Where did they come from' Geneticists have suddenly become historians, and the hard evidence in our DNA has blown the lid off what we thought we knew.

Best-selling author Melissa Caughey knows that backyard chickens are like any favorite pet - fun to spend time with and fascinating to observe. Her hours among the flock have resulted in this quirky, irresistible guide packed with firsthand insights into how chickens communicate and interact, use their senses to understand the world around them, and establish pecking order and roles within the flock.

History, literature, and botany meet in this charming tour of how humans have relied on plants to nourish, shelter, heal, clothe, and even entertain us. Did you know that during World War II, the US Navy paid kids to collect milkweed's fluffy white floss, which was then used as filling for life preservers' And Native Americans in the deserts of the Southwest traditionally crafted tattoo needles from prickly pear cactus spines.

Did you know there are zombie bugs that not only eat other bugs but also inhabit and control their bodies' There's even a wasp that delivers a perfectly-placed sting in a cockroach's brain and then leads the roach around by its antennae - like a dog on a leash. Scorpions glow in ultraviolet light. Lots of bugs dine on corpses. And if you want to know how much it hurts to get stung by a bullet ant (hint: it really, really hurts), you can consult the Schmidt Sting Pain Index. It ranks the pain produced by ants and other stinging creatures. How does it work' Dr.

Birding in the Pacific Northwest has never been easier!Birds of the Pacific Northwest describes and illustrates more than 400 bird species commonly encountered in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia. This comprehensive, full-color guide is organized to follow the order in which groups and species are presented by the American Union. Range maps for each species provide valuable information for identification.

Here is a completely revised, full-color second edition of the established go-to source for equestrian information. This comprehensive A-to-Z guide covers "everything horse" and bridges gaps in the equestrian universe between English and Western styles. More than 1,700 entries explain wide-ranging topics such as breeds, tack, facilities, equine care and management, health and safety issues, riding styles and disciplines, shows, and much more.

50 Great Myths of Human Evolution uses common misconceptions to explore basic theory and research in human evolution and strengthen critical thinking skills for lay readers and students.