Current Events - North Star Editions

This title introduces readers to the political career of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Concise text, thought-provoking discussion questions, and compelling photos give the reader an insightful look into the impacts Ocasio-Cortez has had on the urgent issues of today.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Introduces readers to the political career of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Engaging infographics, thought-provoking discussion questions, and eye-catching photos give the reader an invaluable look into Germany and the office of its current leader.

Angela Merkel: Chancellor of Germany

This insightful book explores bias in reporting on climate change, helping students think critically about where their news comes from. The book also includes a table of contents, two infographics, informative sidebars, two

Bias in Reporting on Climate Change

This insightful book explores bias in reporting on politics, helping students think critically about where their news comes from. The book also includes a table of contents, two infographics, informative sidebars, two

Bias in Reporting on Politics

This insightful book explores bias in reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic, helping students think critically about where their news comes from. The book also includes a table of contents, two infographics, informative sidebars, two

Bias in Reporting on the COVID-19 Pandemic

Most people today have cell phones. People rely on cell phones for communication. Cell phones also store a lot of personal data. Cell Phone Privacy explores how people can protect this data. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

Cell Phone Privacy

In late 2019, health officials noticed a new disease spreading in Wuhan, China. They named it COVID-19. Within a few months, it became a pandemic that dramatically changed life for nearly everyone on Earth. Millions of people became sick, and hundreds of thousands died. Leaders ordered whole states and countries to stay home to slow the disease’s spread. Companies closed or went out of business. Meanwhile, health-care workers on the front lines saved lives and raced to find treatments. In the Core Library Guide to COVID-19, readers will learn about the disease, how it spread across the globe, and the ways it has changed society.

Core Library Guide to COVID-19 (Set of 6)

Racism is a problem deeply rooted in American society. Slavery and segregation may no longer be legal, but their legacies still influence the way Black people and other people of color are treated today. Racism exists in the justice system, politics, and the media. Core Library Guide to Racism in Modern America introduces readers to some of the history of racism in the country, how it affects people today, and how some are working toward equal treatment for all people.

Core Library Guide to Racism in Modern America (Set of 6)

This book explores the topic of digital money, highlighting cryptocurrency's history, how it works, and its benefits and drawbacks. The book also includes a table of contents, two infographics, informative sidebars, two Case Study special features, quiz questions, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. This Focus Readers title is at the Voyager level, aligned to reading levels of grades 5-6 and interest levels of grades 5-9.

Cryptocurrency

Computer networks allow people to easily share information. Organizations and entire cities rely on computer networks. Hackers can break into networks to disrupt systems or steal data. Hacking and other cybercrimes are on the rise. Cybercrime explores common cybercrimes and how people can guard against these threats. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

Cybercrime

This book explores how electric vehicles work and are developed, highlighting their history, potential role in slowing climate change, as well as the debates and challenges related to electric vehicles that remain today. The book also includes a table of contents, two infographics, informative sidebars, two Case Study special features, quiz questions, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. This Focus Readers title is at the Voyager level, aligned to reading levels of grades 5-6 and interest levels of grades 5-9.

Electric Vehicles

Introduces readers to the political career of French President Emmanuel Macron. Engaging infographics, thought-provoking discussion questions, and eye-catching photos give the reader an invaluable look into France and the office of its current leader.

Emmanuel Macron: President of France

This insightful book explores the fake news phenomenon, helping students think critically about where their news comes from. The book also includes a table of contents, two infographics, informative sidebars, two

Fake News in Focus

As the COVID-19 pandemic spread, the phrase “flatten the curve” became widely known. It refers to the things people can do to space the total number of infections out over a longer period of time. This helps prevent the health-care system from being overloaded. Flattening the Curve examines social distancing and the other measures that people took to slow the spread of the disease. Features include a glossary, references, websites, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

Flattening the Curve

Focus on Current Events
(Multiple Sets)

This timely series investigates how the media report on several important issues, and how that reporting affects the information that people receive. Each book in the series examines a different aspect of media bias, enabling readers to think critically about where their news comes from. Each book includes a table of contents, two infographics, informative sidebars, two

Focus on Media Bias (Set of 4)

Health-care workers were on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic, saving lives and searching for effective treatments. Other workers, such as grocery clerks and delivery people, also found themselves on the front lines as the rest of society stayed home as much as possible to slow the disease’s spread. Front-Line Heroes examines these and other people who faced danger as they continued working to keep the rest of society safe. Features include a glossary, references, websites, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

Frontline Heroes

This series examines some of the most influential and groundbreaking women in US politics today. These books offer a timely look at contemporary issues and the women working to shape the policies that affect our lives.

Groundbreaking Women in Politics (Set of 4)

This book explores gun laws in America, highlighting the history of the topic, an analysis of the events that shaped it, and an overview of the debates surrounding the topic. The book also includes a table of contents, two infographics, informative sidebars, two Case Study special features, quiz questions, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. This Focus Readers title is at the Voyager level, aligned to reading levels of grades 5-6 and interest levels of grades 5-9.

Gun Laws in America

Every day throughout the world, people watch newscasts, read newspapers, and consume news online. But what goes into producing that news? How Journalists Work goes behind the scenes to give readers a glimpse at how reporters gather and synthesize information to produce the news reports that keep us informed. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.

How Journalists Work

Many people store and share personal information online. This information is part of a person’s identity. Identity thieves can find and steal this information. Identity Theft explores how people can protect themselves from identity theft. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

Identity Theft

This title introduces readers to the political career of Ilhan Omar. Concise text, thought-provoking discussion questions, and compelling photos give the reader an insightful look into the impacts Omar has had on the urgent issues of today.

Ilhan Omar

This book explores immigration in America, highlighting the history of the topic, an analysis of the events that shaped it, and an overview of the debates surrounding the topic. The book also includes a table of contents, two infographics, informative sidebars, two Case Study special features, quiz questions, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. This Focus Readers title is at the Voyager level, aligned to reading levels of grades 5-6 and interest levels of grades 5-9.

Immigration

Introduces readers to the political career of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Engaging infographics, thought-provoking discussion questions, and eye-catching photos give the reader an invaluable look into New Zealand and the office of its current leader.

Jacinda Ardern: Prime Minister of New Zealand

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd died while in the custody of four officers of Minnesota’s Minneapolis Police Department. One of the officers had knelt on Floyd’s neck for nearly ten minutes. Floyd’s death caused a wave of protests across the United States and around the world calling for an end to police violence. Justice for George Floyd explores who George Floyd was, what happened the day he died, and the protests that followed. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.

Justice for George Floyd

Introduces readers to the political career of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Engaging infographics, thought-provoking discussion questions, and eye-catching photos give the reader an invaluable look into Canada and the office of its current leader.

Justin Trudeau: Prime Minister of Canada

This title introduces readers to the political career of Kamala Harris. Concise text, thought-provoking discussion questions, and compelling photos give the reader an insightful look into the impacts Harris has had on the urgent issues of today.

Kamala Harris

Introduces readers to the political career of North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. Engaging infographics, thought-provoking discussion questions, and eye-catching photos give the reader an invaluable look into North Korea and the office of its current leader.

Kim Jong Un: Supreme Leader of North Korea

This book explores mass incarceration in America, highlighting the history of the topic, an analysis of the events that shaped it, and an overview of the debates surrounding the topic. The book also includes a table of contents, two infographics, informative sidebars, two Case Study special features, quiz questions, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. This Focus Readers title is at the Voyager level, aligned to reading levels of grades 5-6 and interest levels of grades 5-9.

Mass Incarceration

This book explores the topic of minimum wage, highlighting the legislative history, the debates surrounding that legislation, and the effects minimum wage has on workers and employers. The book also includes a table of contents, two infographics, informative sidebars, two Case Study special features, quiz questions, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. This Focus Readers title is at the Voyager level, aligned to reading levels of grades 5-6 and interest levels of grades 5-9.

Minimum Wage

Introduces readers to the political career of South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Engaging infographics, thought-provoking discussion questions, and eye-catching photos give the reader an invaluable look into South Korea and the office of its current leader.

Moon Jae-in: President of South Korea

In recent years, the news media and its function in US society have become major topics of conversation and debate. The News Literacy series examines several key issues in modern news and gives readers tips on how to view the media through a more informed and sophisticated lens. Topics include the importance of quality journalism, the encroachment of advertising in traditional news spaces, and how to determine whether sources are credible or truly are “fake news.” Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.

News Literacy (Set of 4)

This book explores the overturning of Roe v. Wade, highlighting the history of the topic, an analysis of the events that shaped it, and an overview of the debates surrounding the topic. The book also includes a table of contents, two infographics, informative sidebars, two Case Study special features, quiz questions, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. This Focus Readers title is at the Voyager level, aligned to reading levels of grades 5-6 and interest levels of grades 5-9.

Overturning Roe v. Wade

Personal data is data about people. Researchers collect personal data to learn more about populations. Companies collect personal data online to help sell their products. Personal Data Collection explores the debate about the collection and use of personal data. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

Personal Data Collection

Americans are fighting back against police violence, calling for police departments to be reformed and, in some cases, abolished. Politicians at local, state, and national levels have responded in a variety of ways to these calls to action. Politics and Civil Unrest in Modern America explores the government’s response to protests and policies introduced by legislators to combat police violence. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.

Politics and Civil Unrest in Modern America

Introduces readers to the life and work of Pope Francis. Engaging infographics, thought-provoking discussion questions, and eye-catching photos give the reader an invaluable look into Vatican City, the Catholic Church, and the office of its current leader.

Pope Francis: Leader of the Catholic Church

Digital technology has made life easier for people in many ways. The internet connects people all around the world. Computers help people store data. But digital technology can also be used to spy on people or commit crimes. Privacy in the Digital Age explores some of the key privacy and security issues facing computer and internet users today. Learn about the ways people can protect their identities and personal information in the digital age.

Privacy in the Digital Age
(Set of 6)

Pros and Cons takes readers through opposing sides of some of today’s most heated debates. Offering a short history of the issue, context of what’s at stake, and three major arguments on each side, these titles will prepare readers to make informed decisions about issues impacting their communities.

Pros and Cons (Set of 8)

From the Civil Rights Movement to the present day, Americans have protested against police brutality. Protesting Police Violence in Modern America explores the history of police violence in the United States and how Americans are calling for change. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.

Protesting Police Violence in Modern America

This book explores how people use boycotts, strikes, and other forms of collective action to call for change, highlighting examples from historic protests and the movements they helped fuel as well as the systems and policies people continue to challenge today. The book also includes a table of contents, two infographics, informative sidebars, two Case Study special features, quiz questions, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. This Focus Readers title is at the Voyager level, aligned to reading levels of grades 5-6 and interest levels of grades 5-9.

Protests

The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world, and there is great racial inequality in the criminal justice system. Race and Policing in Modern America explores how the US criminal justice system perpetuates inequality, from the police’s origins as slave patrols to the school-to-prison pipeline. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.

Race and Policing in Modern America

Racial bias, both implicit and explicit, is easy to see in American news media. Race and the Media in Modern America explores differences in reporting about people of different races, as well as why representation in all levels of media are important to combat systemic racism. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.

Race and the Media in Modern America

This book explores racism in America, highlighting the history of the topic, an analysis of the events that shaped it, and an overview of the debates surrounding the topic. The book also includes a table of contents, two infographics, informative sidebars, two Case Study special features, quiz questions, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. This Focus Readers title is at the Voyager level, aligned to reading levels of grades 5-6 and interest levels of grades 5-9.

Racism

Surveillance is the close observation of a person or a group of people. Governments and organizations surveil people. Surveillance may help find and protect people from threats. But it can also be used to target people. Surveillance explores issues related to surveillance and people’s right to privacy. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

Surveillance

This title introduces readers to the political career of Tammy Duckworth. Concise text, thought-provoking discussion questions, and compelling photos give the reader an insightful look into the impacts Duckworth has had on the urgent issues of today.

Tammy Duckworth

This book explores the crisis of climate change, highlighting its causes, effects, and solutions, as well as the debates and challenges related to climate change that remain today. The book also includes a table of contents, two infographics, informative sidebars, two Case Study special features, quiz questions, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. This Focus Readers title is at the Voyager level, aligned to reading levels of grades 5-6 and interest levels of grades 5-9.

The Climate Crisis

The Dark Web is a part of the internet that is hidden and hard to access. It allows users to remain anonymous. Some people use the Dark Web because they fear for their safety. Others use the Dark Web to sell illegal products or services. The Dark Web explores issues in policing the Dark Web. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

The Dark Web

Provides a thorough overview of the major pros and cons of animal testing. Readable text, interesting sidebars, and illuminating infographics invite readers to jump in and join the debate.

The Debate About Animal Testing

Provides a thorough overview of the major pros and cons of homework. Readable text, interesting sidebars, and illuminating infographics invite readers to jump in and join the debate.

The Debate About Homework

Provides a thorough overview of the major pros and cons of legalizing marijuana. Readable text, interesting sidebars, and illuminating infographics invite readers to jump in and join the debate.

The Debate About Legalizing Marijuana

Provides a thorough overview of the major pros and cons of paying college athletes. Readable text, interesting sidebars, and illuminating infographics invite readers to jump in and join the debate.

The Debate About Paying College Athletes

Provides a thorough overview of the major pros and cons of playing video games. Readable text, interesting sidebars, and illuminating infographics invite readers to jump in and join the debate.

The Debate About Playing Video Games

Provides a thorough overview of the major pros and cons of school uniforms. Readable text, interesting sidebars, and illuminating infographics invite readers to jump in and join the debate.

The Debate About School Uniforms

Provides a thorough overview of the major pros and cons of the electoral college. Readable text, interesting sidebars, and illuminating infographics invite readers to jump in and join the debate.

The Debate About the Electoral College

Provides a thorough overview of the major pros and cons of vaccines. Readable text, interesting sidebars, and illuminating infographics invite readers to jump in and join the debate.

The Debate About Vaccines

Many of the world’s largest economies shut down almost overnight as nations tried to slow the spread of COVID-19. These measures saved lives, but they also cost millions of jobs and shuttered many companies—some temporarily, others forever. The Economic Impact of COVID-19 studies how the pandemic and the fight against it affected every part of the economy, from individuals to huge corporations. Features include a glossary, references, websites, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

The Economic Impact of COVID-19

The 2016 US presidential election introduced a new term to the media lexicon. The Fake News Phenomenon examines the spread of bogus news sources, the reasons they exist, and the difference between media bias and “fake news.” Readers are also provided with tips for how to discern the credibility of a news source. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.

The Fake News Phenomenon

From slavery to Jim Crow segregation, racism has a long, deeply rooted history in the United States. The History of Racism in America explores this history and how these inequalities are still visible today. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.

The History of Racism in America

COVID-19 was first recognized in Wuhan, China, but within a few months it spread to every corner of the globe. The Spread of COVID-19 traces the pandemic during those perilous early months, as health officials and world leaders reacted to the new disease and the scope of its impact became clear. Features include a glossary, references, websites, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

The Spread of COVID-19

Media consumers rely on objectivity from their news sources, but that’s not always a realistic expectation. Uncovering Bias in the News looks at the ways in which multiple media outlets can cover the same story in vastly different ways, the reasons for these differences, and how to recognize bias in a news report. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.

Uncovering Bias in the News

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus called SARS-CoV2. Like all viruses, it is far too small to be seen by the naked eye. Yet this virus and the disease it caused had an enormous impact on the world. Understanding COVID-19 explores how the virus and the disease work, examining what made them so dangerous and what health officials learned about fighting them. Features include a glossary, references, websites, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

Understanding COVID-19

This book explores how vaccines work and are developed, highlighting examples of historic vaccines and the diseases they help prevent as well as the debates and challenges related to vaccination that remain today. The book also includes a table of contents, two infographics, informative sidebars, two Case Study special features, quiz questions, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. This Focus Readers title is at the Voyager level, aligned to reading levels of grades 5-6 and interest levels of grades 5-9.

Vaccines

Introduces readers to the political career of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Engaging infographics, thought-provoking discussion questions, and eye-catching photos give the reader an invaluable look into Russia and the office of its current leader.

Vladimir Putin: President of Russia

This book explores voting and elections in America, highlighting the history of the topic, an analysis of the events that shaped it, and an overview of the debates surrounding the topic. The book also includes a table of contents, two infographics, informative sidebars, two Case Study special features, quiz questions, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. This Focus Readers title is at the Voyager level, aligned to reading levels of grades 5-6 and interest levels of grades 5-9.

Voting and Elections

The right to a free press is guaranteed by the First Amendment, but it can be easy to take this freedom for granted. Why News Matters looks at the history of investigative journalism, including the scandals that reporters have uncovered and ways in which the world has changed for the better because of the efforts of these journalists. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.

Why News Matters

As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, political leaders and health officials worked to understand the disease, slow the infection rate, and lower the death toll. World Leaders during COVID-19 examines how different leaders reacted, how the messages to their citizens were received, and how effective their measures proved to be. Features include a glossary, references, websites, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

World Leaders during COVID-19

World Leaders introduces readers to eight of today's most powerful political figures. From the leaders' roles on the global stage to the history of the nations they lead, these informative narratives connect readers with current events by covering everything they need to know about the leaders impacting their world.

World Leaders Set 1 (Set of 6)

Introduces readers to the political career of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Engaging infographics, thought-provoking discussion questions, and eye-catching photos give the reader an invaluable look into China and the office of its current leader.

Xi Jinping: President of China