Showing titles in Exploration & Discovery

You may have heard of the Mayflower. The ship set sail in 1620, carrying English pilgrims across the sea to Plymouth. But did you know that science played a big role in this voyage? Learn how the Mayflower was constructed. Find out how science helped sail the ship across the ocean. And discover how modern technology is being used to understand the journey and the people aboard.

Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton led an expedition across Antarctica in 1914. Did you know that science played a big role in this dangerous journey?

Find out how the Egyptian pyramids were engineered. Learn about the science behind King Tut's mummy. Discover how modern technology helps us learn more about King Tut's life and death.

This Deadly Expeditions tale transports listeners back in time to follow the Donner Party’s disastrous trek west and their struggle to survive.

In 1848, gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, California. Word quickly spread, and the California Gold Rush was on! Thousands of people went to California in hopes of finding gold and striking it rich. But did that really happen? What was the real impact of so many miners rushing to the state? Discover what’s real and what’s fiction about the California Gold Rush through primary sources and expertly leveled text.

Wild animals are beautiful creatures, but they can turn dangerous in a heartbeat. Follow along as survivors use their wit, strength, and sheer will to battle these deadly beasts.

When a pilots sends a "mayday" message, it means there is serious trouble. Discover the fascinating true tales of people who lived to tell about their own terrifying airplane disasters, and what they did to survive.

It’s a battle of the leader of gods versus the god of the sun. The Greek god Zeus controls the skies and can shapeshift as he wishes. With his connection to the sun, the Egyptian god Ra provides life, warmth, and growth. If these to gods were to go head-to-head, who would come out on top?

In May 1607, English settlers stepped off their ship in North America. They were about to start the first permanent English settlement in North America. They endured many hardships and made many tough choices in the new land. Now the choices are yours. Would you rather suffer from intestinal problems after becoming infected with dysentery or have bleeding gums after getting scurvy? Would you want to work as a blacksmith or tend the tobacco fields?

In September 1620, 102 brave travelers and their crew stepped upon a ship called the Mayflower in England. Most were members of a religious group now known as the Pilgrims. They were bound for North America to start a new life. They endured many hardships and made many tough choices. Now the choices are yours. Would you rather suffer from seasickness or from skin sores caused by scurvy? Would you rather have been a crew member navigating the ship in stormy seas or cramped into the living quarters just along for the tumultuous ride? It's your turn to pick this or that!

Thousands of American settlers endured the long trip of more than 2,000 miles between Missouri and Oregon in the mid-1800s. They were determined to make a better life for themselves. They faced many hardships and made tough choices. Now the choices are yours. Would you rather run out of food supplies or spare wagon parts? Would you ford the river and get across faster but risk your wagon overturning? Or would you take apart your wagon and float it across but risk delaying your time-sensitive journey? It's your turn to pick this or that!

In 1804, Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and their team set out on an exciting yet challenging expedition into the American West. They faced many difficult choices along the way. Now, the choices are yours.

In mid-1860s, two railroad companies had a huge job in front of them: building the transcontinental railroad. The railroad would run from east to west across the United States. As the grueling work began, there were many choices to make. Now, the choices are yours.

After gold was discovered in California in 1848, thousands of people rushed there to strike it rich. They faced tough choices at every turn. Now the choices are yours. Would you rather use the slower method of panning for gold or use a more dangerous method of hydraulic mining? Would you rather run a store or a hotel in a California boomtown? It's your turn to pick this or that!

Nikola Tesla was a scientist and inventor in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Among his many inventions and experiments, he helped create the modern electricity system. Learn more about Tesla's life as a famous inventor!

Whether it's being lost in a cave or caught in a collapsed mine, being trapped underground can be terrifying. You may be cold, wet, hungry, and stuck in absolute darkness. Even worse is not knowing if anyone will ever find you. Find out how people survived their ordeal in these true stories of those who were trapped underground in this book from the Fighting to Survive series.

Have you ever wondered, “Who were the Vikings?” The Vikings are legendary for their daring voyages, fierce warriors, and incredible culture that shaped history. In The Big Questions: Who Were the Vikings?, young listeners aged 5 and upwards are invited to embark on an exciting journey to discover the world of these extraordinary people in a way that is engaging, thoughtful, and awe-inspiring. Written by Ethan Solace, an Interdisciplinary Psychologist, this book explores the fascinating lives of the Vikings—their invasions, mythology, ships, gods, and daily life.

Dive into a whirlwind of mind-bending trivia and say hello to unforgettable conversations without ever leaving the comfort of your armchair! Are you constantly searching for facts that will astound your friends and family? Are you eager to explore the world's oddities yet overwhelmed by dull, dry, and jargon-filled resources? If any of these questions ring true, rest assured that your quest for a perfect treasure trove of mind candy and factoids is inside this crazy-fun book!

Four short, engaging biographies of some of America's most famous pioneers. Let these stories give you a front row seat to the draw, drama, and danger of Westward Expansion.

This is a true story of Oscar P. Dog, a puppy who was adopted by a Navy warship on deployment and found his way to America. It is designed to make you laugh and perhaps help military kids understand the concept of a deployment.