Central Kansas Library System

Chicago teen Meri Beckley's pride of living in a land of peace, prosperity, and truth crumbles when questions following her mother's death reveal buried facts, especially that words can have great power. When Meri Beckley looks at the peaceful Chicago streets, she feels pride in the era of unprecedented hope and prosperity over which the governor presides. But when her mother is killed, Meri suddenly has questions that no one else seems to be asking....

There's been a lot of buzz lately about how some of the Founding Fathers' values were different from our own. So how exactly does a 200-year-old document relate to our contemporary society? This book discusses the origin of the Bill of Rights, details each of the first ten amendments, and helps readers connect these fundamental rights with present-day issues. Colorful graphics, photographs, informative fact boxes, and an accessible narrative make...

The president of the United States holds the most important office in the country. The person who is elected to fill this position represents the nation's highest commitment to the rule of law. The process by which this job is filled can be difficult for struggling readers to grasp, leaving them uninformed. With a focus on simple language and helpful graphics, this book makes the ins and outs of a presidential election easy to understand. Readers...

As news media has moved past the requirement of using established, trusted sources, and as the cry of "fake news" is used for both false sources and facts that people dislike, it has become more difficult to know what to trust. With this informative book, readers will learn what clues and signs to watch for when reading, watching, or listening to news media. Useful tips will help them figure out when to look deeper on social media. Intriguing facts...

Gun violence doesn't have to be an unapproachable topic. This high interest, low reading level resource utilizes easily comprehensible timelines, maps, and reflective photographs to deliver an approachable guide to the complex issue of gun violence. Teens will gain insight into the history of gun violence as the narrative delves into the various social, economic, and cultural factors that have built the current landscape. Ending with an overview of...

Immigration is one of the biggest issues facing the world today. In many areas of the world, significant numbers of immigrants and refugees attempt to leave their homes and make new homes in foreign countries. Not everyone is welcoming of these newcomers. Rifts between political parties expressing different points of view around this topic are dividing people more than ever. Written to engage high school students while also remaining accessible to...

The rule of law is a core component of any modern society, and the judges who interpret laws have a difficult job. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the Supreme Court, the highest judicial body in the United States. This book offers a discussion of one of America's most notable institutions, explaining what the court does and how justices are selected. Some of its most famous cases are highlighted. Guided by accessible text and vibrant full-color...

Once the snow starts falling in winter, the word “blizzard” is often thrown around in conversation. But meteorologists will only use this term for specific weather conditions. Readers of this accessible book, full of essential earth-science concepts, will

Earthquakes are far too real a danger for many Americans today. In 2019 and 2020, Puerto Rico was hit by a string of earthquakes, the largest of which reached a magnitude of 6.4. These earthquakes killed people and left many more injured or homeless. They

Hurricanes are one of Earth's most devastating natural disasters. The wind speeds alone are enough to tear apart buildings and destroy marinas and other locations. These winds come with driving rain and punishing waves. Hurricanes can even be seen from sp