In the News

Green has become a very hot color, but not just for its pleasant aesthetic qualities. As the shade most commonly seen in and associated with nature, green has achieved an elevated status in countries around the globe as the symbol of environmentally friendly products, practices, and lifestyle choices. People who make a conscious effort to protect the environment, therefore, are said to "live green." Living green involves seeking a balance that lets humans exist in harmony with nature, other living creatures, and each other, while still enjoying a decent quality of life. Humans work to become good enough stewards of the planet so that "Mother Earth" may continue to provide the things people need to survive, such as oxygen, shelter, healthy food, and clean water.

The United States is undergoing one of the worst recessions in recent memory. Although the state of the economy has a direct impact upon every citizen, the factors that caused it are seldom presented to young readers. This book examines the root causes of the crisis, as well as financial markets, economic regulation, economic theory, and the housing crisis.

Outsourcing has become a commonplace practice thanks to the growth of broadband Internet connections, improved shipping, open borders, increasing education, and the spread of English as a common language of business. It's hard to find a company that doesn't outsource at least some small part of their business. Companies that have moved jobs overseas include household names such as MCI, Verizon, Delta Airlines, Microsoft, Citigroup, Hewlett Packard, General Electric, Sprint, AT&T, and IBM. Outsourcing is not just for the private sector, however. Government agencies in forty states and Washington, DC, use foreign workers to handle their customer service needs. This can lead to job loss for many American workers and downturns in local economies. Outsourcing of U.S. jobs is not necessarily the problem, however, and other countries' hard workers are not the enemy. If the United States is to create jobs, services, and products that are so specialized, advanced, high quality, and unique that they can be supplied by no other nation, it must invest in its citizens. It is innovation, skill, and know-how that have allowed the United States to become a world leader over the past hundred years. If it hopes to stay in front of the global pack, its commitment to fostering an educated, intelligent, hard-working, and creative citizenry must not slacken, but in fact be strengthened.

One cannot open a college newspaper today without seeing ads offering young women money to donate eggs (ova). With the combination of two trends-the increasing financial pressure on young women and the increasing demand for donor eggs due to delayed marriage and childbearing-some experts see a potential problem. Do the young donors fully understand the physical and emotional health risks they face when donating eggs for money? This book explains the current controversy in a straightforward manner, explaining the basic science behind egg harvesting and in vitro fertilization and describing the process donors go through to help other women conceive. Potential health risks and ethical concerns are explored as well.

Hate is a universal human emotion. Everyone feels hatred at some point in their lives, but most of us choose not to lash out or are taught that it is wrong to use violence against others. Hate crimes arise when a person or a group decides to act on their hatred of another person or a group in a criminal way. Historically, the results have ranged from racial slurs and graffiti to lynching's, "ethnic cleansing," and genocide. Sadly, hate crimes are not a thing of the dark and vanished past but very much a part of our present, both worldwide and in our own nation's cities, suburbs, and small towns.

In the days following 9/11, the United States reevaluated its national security policies. A new office, the Department of Homeland Security, was established. A sweeping new law called the Patriot Act was enacted to strengthen the surveillance and law enforcement capabilities of the CIA, FBI, and other law enforcement and intelligence agencies. The government dramatically increased funding for security measures. Although most Americans supported strengthening national security, the broad range of new powers granted to intelligence and law enforcement organizations made some people uneasy. There was the potential that these measures could infringe on Americans' civil liberties, such as the freedom of speech, transparency of government, and a system of checks and balances within the government. How much freedom were Americans willing to sacrifice in the name of national security? After the initial panic caused by 9/11began to fade, lawmakers and citizens alike began to debate the ongoing security concerns as well the ramifications of increased security measures.

The election of President Barack Obama was a watershed moment in American politics. This book examines Obama's historic presidential victory while also looking back at the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, the transformation of race relations in the United States, and the achievements of prominent African American politicians. It explores the events of the Obama's life and examines the political realities that shaped him as a politician.

Health experts fear that some day, strains of bacteria will arise that no medicine can kill. This enlightening book presents the single-celled superbugs, which are notorious for causing the most hospital infections, and for being the most resistant to antibiotics. Students discover how "bugs" become superbugs and how they learn to evade the body's defenses. New treatments are covered, as well as some of the recent developments that scientists are researching.

Immigration, both legal and illegal, has been debated passionately for centuries. The terrorist attacks of September 11th focused more attention on illegal immigration, making the debate more highly charged and the need for a solution more urgent. This insightful book provides readers with the basics about illegal immigration and amnesty. Students learn about American attitudes toward immigrants, and about significant legislation that has been enacted to deal with issues and challenges. Readers also learn about the principal debates that center around illegal immigrants and amnesty, as well as other possible solutions.

Even in our "land of plenty," food insecurity and hunger are persistent problems. This book discusses the root causes of food insecurity in America, the groups most affected, and the best solutions for overcoming challenges, from community outreach to federal legislation.

Biofuels are a much-needed sustainable energy source. Readers are introduced to this great source, which is plant and animal waste. Biofuel options, including biogas, ethanol, and biodiesel are fully explored. Related issues are also discussed, such as social and economic costs.

The United States is the largest producer of food in the world. Agriculture is one of America's largest industries with more than 20 million people working in agriculture-related jobs. Our country produces so much food that we export more than $60 billion worth of agricultural products each year. Keeping this vast supply of food safe is very important. Food safety is about making sure that foods stay fresh while traveling from farms to supermarkets and, ultimately, to your kitchen table. It's about making sure foods are labeled so consumers know what ingredients are in products. Safe growing, manufacturing, preparing, and shipping practices ensure that foods are produced in clean environments, that foods don't contain additives that could cause illness, that they aren't tampered with at any point in the process, and that even the packaging the food comes in is safe. This is an enormous job, and this is the story of how it gets done-or doesn't get done-and who is responsible for it.

Most teenagers are familiar with the concept of slavery from studying history. However, many are unaware that slavery still flourishes around the world today, even within the borders of the United States. In fact, the modern slave trade is a lucrative criminal enterprise-the third most profitable in the world after drug trafficking and the illegal sale of arms and munitions. It affects millions of people who are forced to work by threat of mental and physical abuse, in inhuman conditions, for little or no pay. This book illuminates this modern-day tragedy for teen readers with clear explanations and examples drawn from around the world. Current efforts to combat the problem and to provide reparations are discussed, and the author includes practical suggestions to help teens act as modern-day abolitionists.

"Human trafficking" is the term that is used today for modern-day slavery. Like African slaves in past centuries, many people from around the world are being held captive and forced to work. Some people are physically beaten to make them work. A few others are sold into slavery. Some are kidnapped. But most people are tricked into becoming a slave. They are given false promises of money, new jobs, educations, and better lives. Then the promises are broken. The victims of human trafficking are trapped. Human trafficking is taking place in almost every country of the world. In fact, there is a good chance that modern-day slaves live not too far from where you live. According to a 2008 report from the U.S. State Department, human trafficking is one of the greatest human rights challenges of this century, both here and abroad.

Medical advances have made organ donation and organ transplant more important than ever, with the potential to save thousands of lives every year. This book discusses issues related to organ donation, donor registration, transplant surgery, and living with a donated organ. It also takes a close look at the practical, legal, and ethical aspects of modern organ donation.

With more than 2 million people behind bars, America's prison system is in crisis. Through this informative book, your readers will discover what happens when too many inmates are crowded into too few cells. Why is the system overburdened? What is being done to improve the situation? What more can be done future? Empower your students with the facts through this timely, relevant book.