Blastoff! readers. Level 3

Weighing in at more than 400 pounds, anacondas are the world's heaviest snakes! This book explores how these massive creatures look, where they live, and the way they stalk prey.

With threatening hoods and fangs full of venom, cobras are powerful predators able to paralyze their prey and swallow it whole. Find out how cobras look, where cobras live, and the way they fool predators.

Pythons can measure up to 30 feet long! Students will explore how pythons look, the environments in which they live, how they use senses to track prey, and how they can swallow large animals whole!

Sea snakes are skilled underwater breathers able to spit out stored saltwater with their tongues. Kids will learn what these ocean creatures look like, how they swim and thrive in water, and how they hunt near the ocean floor.

Known for its fierce attitude, the bull snake is very defensive when threatened. Its main method of defense is to move its tail quickly in leaves and flatten its head so it looks like a rattlesnake. Read more about the bull snake's amazing rattlesnake impression and other methods of intimidation in this exciting book!

Underwater, a large, lively community of unique animals thrives. Many of these animals belong to the fish class. There are colorful clownfish, lurking sharks, and silly sea horses. There are fish named after lions, tigers, elephants, and other wild animals. Swim your way through basic information about fish in this introductory title.

Did you know that a krait's venom is 16 times more dangerous than a cobra's? Found throughout Asia, kraits slither in grasslands and jungles, paralyzing prey with their venom. Eager readers will explore this deadly snake's physical characteristics, learn about how it eats other snakes, and discover much more in this fun title.

The planet Mercury has highs around 800 °F and lows around -280 °F. Students will learn about Mercury's discovery, physical characteristics, and the environment that supports these extreme temperatures.

"Introductory text and full-color images explore the physical characteristics of the sun in space. Intended for students in kindergarten through third grade"--Provided by publisher

Much of our understanding of ancient plants and animals comes from the fossil record. Big or small, fossils offer images of life on Earth from billions of years ago! Young paleontologists will solidify their interests by learning how to study fossils in this fascinating title.

Scientists categorize rocks into three different groups depending on how the rock was formed. Humans have used rocks from all groups as tools and in construction for thousands of years. Readers will be amazed to learn how heat, pressure, magma, and even water bring minerals together to form these useful compounds in this elementary title.

American bison used to number in the millions. Large herds roamed the plains of North America. Today, thousands can still be found grazing on protected lands. Find out more about the largest land animals in North America in this informative title for young readers.

Can you imagine sleeping for a whole season? During their winter dormancy, black bears do just that. They do not wake to eat, drink, or even use the bathroom! Learn more about the lives of these incredible creatures in this title for students.

In children's stories, gray wolves are often cast as villains. But these powerful predators are a vital part of North America's wilderness. Hunt down more information about these important animals in this title for young readers.

Despite their tough reputation and huge claws, grizzly bears would rather eat roots and berries than hunt for food. But that doesn't mean they won't attack when an animal's in their territory. Grab this title for young readers to learn more, but be careful you don't get too close!

Whether they are outsprinting a predator or completing the longest land-animal migration in North America, pronghorn show they were born to run. They can reach speeds of about 55 miles per hour! Learn more about these speedy animals in this educational title for young readers.

Red-tailed hawks have excellent eyesight. These birds of prey soar high in the air, scanning open fields for small prey. When they find their target, they go into a dive and ambush their prey. Elementary students will be all eyes when they grab this informative title on red-tailed hawks.

Imagine being able to swim without goggles because you have clear eyelids. For American Beavers, with water-resistant hair, fins for feet, and rudder tails, they have all the equipment needed to be pros in the water. Paddle along with these graceful swimmers in this interesting read for young students.

These heavy mammals carry up to 30-pound horns on their heads. Even the bones in their bodies do not weigh that much! Climb through the mountains with these agile animals in this informative title.

Coyotes often go unseen and unheard. Their nocturnal behavior and ability to tiptoe toward prey surprise any animal on the menu. Run along with these American mammals in this high-interest title for developing readers.

As the largest member of the deer family, the nimbleness of these mammals is impressive. A male's threatening antlers can span well over six feet in length. Find out more surprising facts about these solitary animals in this informative read for beginning readers.

Don't let their furry appearance fool you. Porcupines bear needle-like quills when threatened, and aren't afraid to use them. A single animal may have 30,000 or more quills! Read all about the quirks of this prickly rodent in this informative title for growing readers.

Walruses have big tusks under hairy mustaches. These animals use their long teeth to fight or lift themselves out of the water. Walruses have thick skin and a lot of blubber. They can weigh more than 3,000 pounds (1,361 kilograms)! Find out more about these massive creatures in this book for beginning readers.

Whipping wind blows snow into tall drifts across the road. Will cars be able to pass? This dilemma is just one effect of the powerful storms discussed in this low-level title. Engaging text and vibrant photos combine to tell readers how blizzards form, how they are forecast, and what damage they can cause. Special features such as a map, a formation diagram, a windchill chart, and a notable blizzard profile add to readers' understanding of this brutal...

Batten down the hatches! A hurricane is on the move. These powerful storms start in the ocean, but they quickly make their way to the coast. Their winds turn debris into dangerous projectiles. Their rains cause flooding in low-lying areas. But can this damage be prevented? This low-level title introduces readers to hurricanes, including how they form, how meteorologists predict them, and what damage they cause to affected areas. Special features such...

A tall wave speeds towards shore. As it approaches, it grows even bigger. A tsunami is near! These huge ocean waves cause immense destruction. But how do they form? Can they be prevented? This low-level text answers those questions and more using engaging text, vibrant photos, and descriptive photo labels. Additional features such as a map, a formation diagram, an intensity scale, and a tsunami profile give readers an even closer look at this natural...

Reaching speeds of more than 80 miles per hour, avalanches plow down mountain slopes and flatten everything in their paths! Discover major avalanche danger zones, how these disasters form, how they are rated, and a profile of a devastating past disaster in this title covering catastrophic avalanches!

When conditions are right, there is no stopping the power of ice storms! They leave roads slick and cause trees and power lines to snap. The engaging text and vivid images in this book are sure to interest readers in disastrous ice storms. Special features such as a map, a formation graphic, a profile, and a severity chart add even more information to this fact-filled title.

Colorful coral reefs are home to many animals! In this title, readers will learn how coral reefs form, who lives in them, and how humans impact reefs. Leveled text and crisp images combine with special features that profile famous reefs, diagram how reefs form, and highlight famous coral reef animals. Readers will be excited to dive into this colorful title!

How do humans use lakes? What animals live in them? These questions and more are answered in this informative title about Earth's lakes! Leveled text and bright photos combine to introduce lakes, the plants and animals that live in them, and how humans interact with them. Special features visually highlight lake animals, summarize the impact of humans, and profile well-known lakes. Dive in with this approachable title!