Showing results by author "Blake Hoena" in All Categories

In 1786, the Massachusetts government was seizing farmers’ lands and throwing them in jail for unpaid debts and taxes. But many people couldn’t pay because they had not yet been paid for fighting in the Revolutionary War just a few years before. Frustrated by this treatment, Daniel Shays led upset citizens in an armed revolt. Although their rebellion was short lived, it made clear to America’s leaders that the young nation needed to change its laws, paving the way for the creation of the U.S. Constitution.

A headless horseman haunts Sleepy Hollow! At least that’s the legend in the tiny village of Tarrytown. But scary stories won’t stop the town’s new schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane, from crossing the hollow, especially when the beautiful Katrina lives on the other side.

In 1936, Adolf Hitler attempted to make the Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany, a showcase of Nazi superiority with a new stadium and the first television broadcast of the Games. He didn't account for African American sprinter and long jumper James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens, who smashed records throughout his track and field career.

Cell phones allowed people to connect on the go, and smartphones have transformed the way we share information. From the earliest landlines to the minicomputers that link people across the world, discover the shifts in phone technology that shaped modern communication—and the people who made them happen. This history also shows the big changes in design, size, and battery life that took place before mobile phones hit the center of popular culture.

For decades, the blasts and howls of the electric guitar have been some of the defining sounds of popular music. But more than a century of effort and innovation had to happen before this instrument went electric. Learn about the master craftspeople who created the guitar as we know it, the inventors who figured out how to send guitar notes through amplifiers and give the guitar a bigger sound, and the musicians whose legendary playing put it at the center of rock 'n' roll.

Sneakers grew out of efforts to make more durable, more comfortable shoes—and became a major link between sports and fashion. Their sales rose with the popularity of tennis and exploded along with basketball, leading to celebrity endorsements, big-name brands, and continued technological breakthroughs. In the twenty-first century, sneakers are still evolving, along with "sneaker influencer" social media, smart tech, and other hot new trends.

Most zombies are not very smart. However, Brian is different. He is a smart, book-loving zombie. When a zombie horde gathers, Brian knows nobody is safe. Can Brian stop the dangerous zombie horde? Better yet, can he stop them by using meatballs? Follow Brian through this crazy adventure in this funny early chapter book.

While zipping through space in their rocket-powered washing machine, Eek and Ack get sucked into a black hole. Moments later, they're spit out on the other side of space. The new universe has its own planet Earth, but it's a weird pink color. Of course, that won't stop this terrible twosome from trying to conquer it.

Mina is a vibrant, veggie-eating vampire who hates blood. As you can imagine, this is a problem. Mina's parents invite humans to dinner to test Mina's vampire skills. Find out if Mina is able to keep her secret in this early chapter book.

What's the best day for an alien invasion? Halloween, of course. When Eek and Ack visit Earth during the ghoulish holiday, they fit right in with the other trick-or-treaters. Unfortunately, so does Wolfy the Wolfman! Now, the terrible twosome must fight off this frightful furball or fail to conquer Earth once again.

When you have a problem, where can you go for answers? The library! When Codie and her friends join Ms. Gillian, the Specialist, on another Adventure in Makerspace, they find themselves face-to-face with dinosaurs! Are they stuck in a prehistoric world? Join them to complete A Stop-Motion Animation Mission!

When you have a problem, where can you go for answers? The library! When Cyrus and his friends join Ms. Gillian, the Specialist, on another Adventure in Makerspace, they find themselves on Mars. Can they build a Mars rover of their own? Join them to complete A Robotics Mission!

During World War II, U.S. forces had to keep battle plans and other top secret information out of the enemy's hands. Coded messages were often used, but secret codes could be broken. To solve this problem, the U.S. military turned to an unexpected source to create an unbreakable code. The Navajo people spoke a complex language that few outsiders knew how to speak. Several Navajo soldiers were recruited to develop a code based on the Navajo language.

Linda is a good witch. Sadly, most witches aren't like Linda, including her scheming sisters. They have created a new evil potion and are ready to use it on innocent pets. Can Linda and her friends stop her evil sisters? Find out in this bewitching early chapter book.

A headless horseman haunts Sleepy Hollow! At least that’s the legend in the tiny village of Tarrytown. But scary stories won’t stop the town’s new schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane, from crossing the hollow, especially when the beautiful Katrina lives on the other side.

When you have a problem, where can you go for answers? The library! When Matt has an assignment that he can't figure out, he and his friends join Ms. Gillian, the Specialist, on another Adventure in Makerspace. Will the famous artist Picasso help them make art out of junk? Join them to complete A Recycled-Art Mission!

When you have a problem, where can you go for answers? The library! When Eliza and her friends join Ms. Gillian, the Specialist, on another Adventure in Makerspace, they find themselves in ancient Scythia. Can they help Alexander the Great win the Battle of Jaxartes in 329 BCE? Join them to complete Mission: Low Tech!

When you have a problem, where can you go for answers? The library! When Cyrus needs inspiration for a project, he and his friends join Ms. Gillian, the Specialist, on another Adventure in Makerspace. Can two nineteenth-century illustrators help them solve a twenty-first-century challenge? Join them to complete A Photo Journal Mission!

When you have a problem, where can you go for answers? The library! When Codie and her friends join Ms. Gillian, the Specialist, on another Adventure in Makerspace, they find themselves lost in a maze, with a monster just around the corner! Can they code their way out? Join them to complete Mission: Coding!

When you have a problem, where can you go for answers? The library! When Eliza and her friends join Ms. Gillian, the Specialist, on another Adventure in Makerspace, they watch the Space Needle go from idea to icon. Can they build a tower of their own? Join them to complete A Building Mission!