Has anyone ever told you gamers out there that your time would be better spent studying? Well, don't let go of that joystick just yet! Turns out, advancing to that next level of Super Mario Brothers has a similar effect on your brain as getting an A on your spelling test. Video games have been successful at training elite groups in the U.S. military and future doctors. Discover how they can help boost your brain power too!

Throbbing disco beats boom at the club. Crowds move to the lively beat of dance pop hits. Fans scream and cheer for teen idols. These are the sounds of pop. After Elvis hit the scene in the 1950s, a distinct youth taste in popular music began to emerge. The sound of pop music has varied greatly in the decades since Elvis, ranging from rock to disco to boy bands to dance pop. But all pop music is defined by catchy melodies and a broad appeal to teens....

Just how dedicated can gamers be? Video games inspire people to write fan fiction, draw characters, and even dress up in costume to act out video game scenes. Read this book and dive into gaming culture. Whether you like to read comics, write stories, perform in plays, make music, create movies, or dress up in wacky outfits, video gaming culture has got something for everyone!

Take a look at how video games have evolved over the years, and learn about the kinds of games we might be playing in the future.

In 1975 Saturday Night Live came out of the gate swinging, with a daring, bold, and rebellious vibe that was new to television back then. With a cast of comedic actors known as the Not Ready for Prime Time Players, television producer Lorne Michaels launched a style of live television comedy that appealed specifically to young viewers with a taste for questioning authority-and that style stood the test of time. From hilarious characters-the Conehead...

Struggling under cultural expectations regarding masculinity, pushed by peer pressure, pulled by parental authority, and buffeted by hormones, adolescence can be a fraught time for teenage boys. Striking an accepting, compassionate tone, this book explains to teen male readers why they may be experiencing so much confusion, frustration, anger, and sadness, why this is normal, and how it can be dealt with in a healthy and positive manner. Addressing...

Discover the stories of real-life pirates-from medieval Viking raiders and Caribbean buccaneers to modern-day pirates-and meet famous fictional characters such as Long John Silver. See why we thrill to tales of daring outlaw pirates.