Grade 8

From the start, American Girl has cared about representing diversity with its dolls. Its original young girl dolls—Samantha, Kirsten, and Molly—were introduced at a time when it was difficult More →

Alien robots from the planet Cybertron, Transformers characters have a fascinating backstory. They also have the special ability to alter their form for battle, morphing into weapons and… More →

According to Mattel, eight Hot Wheels are sold every second. So what is the secret behind the toy cars’ appeal? In this biography of a brand, growing readers will learn why the production of… More →

Barbie is popular enough to be recognized by her first name alone. But does Barbie have a last name? In this book, fluent readers can find the answer to that question while discovering other… More →

Sea turtle hatchlings have a triathlon of sorts to complete immediately after hatching. First, they dig themselves out of the sand. Next, they race down the beach. Lastly, they swim as fast… More →

The leafy sea dragon and other masters of camouflage blend in so well with their surroundings that they become nearly invisible. Inflatable animals like the puffer fish blow up to the point… More →

Did you know that stoats are hypnotists? These weasels perform wild dance moves that make rabbits freeze and stare. The stoats leap and twist, moving closer to the dazed prey, until they can… More →

Animals must choose carefully when picking a place to call home. If they move into the wrong neighborhood, danger can be lurking next door. In this title, young readers will tour prairie dog… More →

Plows in the 1830s were not suitable for sticky sod, so John Deere invented a smooth, steel plow that worked for many farmers. He continued to press on by creating his own company and… More →

Google’s name today, originally “googol,” was a spelling mistake, but the company’s worldwide success is no error. Through the development of Google’s search engine and other online tools,… More →

Nearly fifty years ago, Reyn Guyer created the original Nerf ball. The lightweight toy appealed to many because it couldn't cause any damage! Since then, Nerf has blasted its way to becoming… More →

From the arcade to the home, Nintendo brings adventure and innovation to the gaming world. The plumber with overalls and a red hat is one of the brand’s most well-known characters. Eager… More →