Ellen Rodger

Eight-year-old Etienne and his family live in The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Kidnapped by a rebel army and forced to be a child soldier, Etienne finally escapes and is sent to a camp for freed child soldiers. He is reunited with his family who then flee the country, arriving as refugees in Canada. Interspersed with facts about the DRC and its people, this narrative tells a story common to many refugees fleeing the country. Readers will...

"This important book explores the culture and achievements of ancient Mesopotamia through the examination of artifacts that have survived through the centuries. Each primary-source artifact offers the reader significant clues to the civilization's technologies, cultural traditions, foods, and conflicts"--Provided by publisher.

Miron's life in Ukraine is happy until a war breaks out in his city, Donetsk. Surrounded by political instability and increasing violence, Miron and his family decide to flee to find safety in a more stable part of Ukraine. But life as an internally displaced person is not stable. He and his family aren't sure if true safety lies ahead for them. Interspersed with facts about Ukraine and its people, this narrative tells a story common to many refugees...

Follow along as a fictional researcher observes and makes journal entries about their field trip down the Mississippi River ecosystem. Outstanding photographs highlight the animals, plants, and people that inhabit one of the world's major river systems. Simple graphs show facts about the river, and the final report describes efforts being made to preserve it.

What lies beneath your city or town? Underground City Systems uses cutaway illustrations to explore the world's great sewer and water systems. Readers will be amazed by such startling facts as the "fatberg" causing problems in London, England's sewer system, and toilet-swimming sewer rats that plague all sewage systems. Readers will also learn about other underground services and systems, including heating and cooling, power and cable, as well as...

"Paris, France has a population of 2.2 million people and 3.8 million rats. Toronto, Canada is the raccoon capital of the world. This intriguing book focuses on urban animals called "exploiters." These are animals such as squirrels, raccoons, skunks, opposums, rats, and crows who have turned living near humans to their advantage. An examination reveals the ways in which these animals have adapted to living alongside humans. Special feature boxes address...

Japan, one of the most densely-populated countries in the world, is a vibrant, modern nation with a rich heritage and respect for nature and tradition. Read all about Japan's many islands and maritime heritage and ecology, its deep history, and the ability of its people to survive, thrive, and reinvent through popular culture. Downloadable Teacher Notes available.

When the violence by militant terrorist group Boko Haram increases in her village in Nigeria, Baseema and her family make the difficult decision to seek refuge in another country. With limited places to go and few people who are able to help, Baseema is unsure of her future. She hopes to find safety in a country where she will be allowed to go to school, and live without constant fear. Interspersed with facts about Nigeria and its people, this narrative...

When you live in bear or cougar territory, you learn to lock your garbage cans indoors, keep your pets safe, and not feed wild animals. This exciting and highly illustrated book focuses on the "human avoiders," animals that are sometimes found on the fringes of urban developments, where humans are the new kids on the block. Readers will gain an understanding of human-wildlife conflict, as well as key concepts in wildlife conservation of animals such...

Never having faced such a challenge, governments were mostly slow to respond at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Then came groundbreaking science, historically swift vaccines, and economic stimulus packages to try to keep the virus under control and ease the burden of faltering economies. This detailed book examines the unprecedented challenges brought about by the pandemic, and how governments and people have coped.