Grade 7

The Stanley Hotel in Colorado offers all the amenities for a comfortable stay: warm beds, fine dining, and the occasional visit by a ghost. Reluctant readers will be mystified by the… More →

From the White Mountains to the river valley forests, New Hampshire is a state of natural beauty. Five New England rivers begin in this small state, earning it the nickname, “Mother of… More →

Nevada is a state of contrasts, with its sparsely populated landscapes and lively cities. Thousands of fortune-seekers first came to Nevada after the discovery of the Comstock Lode, a large… More →

Rising from the center of the state, the Rocky Mountains can take credit for Colorado’s reputation as a hub for outdoor adventure. Skiers flock to resorts near snow-capped peaks, and… More →

The Eastern State Penitentiary was the first prison to use solitary confinement. This controversial form of punishment is said to have left many inmates mentally ill. A few were driven to… More →

As a border state between the North and South, Kentucky’s allegiances have long been divided. During the Civil War it remained part of the Union, but many citizens still fought for the South. More →

Some historians believe that Connecticut’s constitution, adopted in 1639, later influenced the Constitution of the United States. This earned Connecticut the prestigious official nickname of… More →

The sounds of prisoners clanging through the halls, sobbing in their cells, or even playing the banjo may be normal in most prisons. But when they come from walls that haven’t confined… More →

The F-15’s primary mission is air supremacy. A head-up display in the cockpit keeps the pilot attuned to all airspace action, and high maneuverability allows for tight turns at high speeds.… More →

Arkansas is full of hidden gems—literally! Beautiful rocks and minerals surface at Crater of Diamonds State Park, a diamond mine open to the public. But there’s much more to discover in this… More →

The Great Plains stretch across the length of North Dakota. These vast expanses were once filled with millions of buffalo. Today the North Dakota plains are an important agricultural site,… More →

The U-2 first flew in 1955, and the spy plane has changed little over the decades. Pilots must wear full space suits to withstand the pressures at 70,000 feet, and the extra long wingspan… More →