In 1943 the Nazis war machine had subdued most of Western Europe. A very young Ted Norman joins the 448th Bomb Group based in Seething, England, as part of the Allies effort to win the war. Casualties are high with typically 1 in 20 aircraft missing every mission. As the bombing raids push ever further into enemy territory, Ted is forced to reach the very limit of his own endurance in order to become the Captain his men depend on. Nolan Lewis has based his book on his experiences of World War II.
Now in paperback: the runaway British bestseller that has cloudspotters everywhere looking up. Where do clouds come from? Why do they look the way they do? And why have they captured the imagination of timeless artists, Romantic poets, and every kid who's ever held a crayon? Veteran journalist and lifelong sky watcher Gavin Pretor-Pinney reveals everything there is to know about clouds, from history and science to art and pop culture. Cumulus, nimbostratus, and the dramatic and surfable Morning Glory cloud are just a few of the varieties explored in this smart, witty, and eclectic tour through the skies. Illustrated with striking photographs (including a new section in full-color) and line drawings featuring everything from classical paintings to lava lamps, The Cloudspotter's Guide will have enthusiasts, weather watchers, and the just plain curious floating on cloud nine.
We live in a world of optical marvels - from the commonplace but beautiful rainbow, to the rare and eerie superior mirage. But how many of us really understand how a rainbow is formed, why the setting sun is red and flattened, or even why the sky at night is not absolutely black? This beautiful and informative guide provides clear explanations to all naturally occurring optical phenomena seen with the naked eye, including shadows, halos, water optics, mirages and a host of other spectacles. Separating myth from reality, it outlines the basic principles involved, and supports them with many figures and references. A wealth of rare and spectacular photographs, many in full color, illustrate the phenomena throughout. In this new edition of the highly-acclaimed guide to seeing, photographing and understanding nature's optical delights, the authors have added over 50 new images and provided new material on experiments you can try yourself.
It's 1942: Tomi Itano, 12, is a second-generation Japanese American who lives in California with her family on their strawberry farm. Although her parents came from Japan and her grandparents still live there, Tomi considers herself an American. She doesn't speak Japanese and has never been to Japan. But after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, things change. No Japs Allowed signs hang in store windows and Tomi's family is ostracized. Things get much worse. Suspected as a spy, Tomi's father is taken away. The rest of the Itano family is sent to an internment camp in Colorado. Many other Japanese American families face a similar fate. Tomi becomes bitter, wondering how her country could treat her and her family like the enemy. What does she need to do to prove she is an honorable American? Sandra Dallas shines a light on a dark period of American history in this story of a young Japanese American girl caught up in the prejudices and World War II.
Ask Tom Why is a collection of articles originally written by Tom Skilling for his Chicago Tribune column of the same name. Skilling, who is WGN-TV's chief meteorologist, answers questions covering all topics pertaining to weather, the sky, and our environment. Split into three sections, the book covers storms and inclement weather; the sun, moon, and sky; and temperature — all expressed with the authority and accuracy of Chicago's favorite meteorologist. Skilling's nearly forty years in the meteorology field make him one of the most trusted voices in a city known for its erratic weather. From the mundane to the anomalous, Skilling explains all things weather in a way that is easy for readers of any age to understand. Ask Tom Why is the first collection of its kind, and a fantastic read for weather enthusiasts, and anyone who grew up reading, listening, and watching Tom Skilling.
A child’s joy on a snowy day finally helps her mother feel at home in their new country A little girl and her mother walk home from school on a snowy winter day. “So much snow,” says Ma. “So monochromatic.” “Mono crow what?” her daughter replies. Ma misses the sun, warmth and colors of their faraway homeland, but her daughter sees magic in everything — the clouds in the winter sky, the “firework” display when she throws an armful of snow into the air, making snow angels, tasting snowflakes. And in the end, her joy is contagious. Home is where family is, after all. This gently layered, beautifully illustrated story unfolds as a conversation between a mother and daughter and will resonate with readers across generations. Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.6 Acknowledge differences in the points of view of characters, including by speaking in a different voice for each character when reading dialogue aloud. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.6 Describe how a narrator's or speaker's point of view influences how events are described.
