Whether it's due to divorce, job loss, natural disaster, or some other catastrophe, sometimes families find that they have nowhere to live. Meeting basic needs can be a struggle, especially for kids who still need to attend school. This book looks at the problem of homelessness: not only the challenges but also how families can meet and rise above them. "What is a family?" What used to seem like a simple question has grown ever more complex. ...

Humans spend about a third of their lives asleep. But every once in a while, anxious thoughts can keep us from dozing off. It happens to us all from time to time. But for some people, not being able to sleep is a constant problem. Other people, meanwhile, sleep way too much. Sleep disorders can be harmful both mentally and physically for the person who is suffering. Fortunately, there is treatment that can allow your body to return to a regularly...

The disorder known as schizophrenia, which roughly means "split mind," is one of the most misunderstood mental disorders. People with the condition experience hallucinations and delusions as their brains struggle to interpret various mixed-up signals. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatments of schizophrenia will help reduce the stigma surrounding this rare but frightening disorder. The lives of millions of kids are affected by mental...

Mental or physical challenges don't just affect the people who have them-they can impact entire families, too. This book looks at the many different types of challenges that exist and discusses how these situations can be a challenge for families but also a source of great strength. "What is a family?" What used to seem like a simple question has grown ever more complex. The set explores the different types of family structures that have become...

Although we each only get one birthday a year, on a cellular level we are being reborn all the time. But sometimes cell mutations can occur. These mutations can be harmless, or they can lead to a number of very serious illnesses. Cancer can begin in virtually any part of the body, while sickle cell disease is a particular blood disorder involving the growth of red blood cells. This book explains how these diseases occur and how they can be treated,...

Whether it's due to divorce, death, or simply choice, increasing numbers of unmarried people are also parents. In fact, about a third of American kids are being raised in single-parent families. From custody issues to visitation to childcare, this book discusses both the good and the bad of growing up in a single-parent household. "What is a family?" What used to seem like a simple question has grown ever more complex. The set explores the different...

Feeling sad sometimes is a normal part of being human. But for some people, the sad feelings overtake everything else, leaving them hopeless and empty. The things that used to make them feel happy don't make them feel that way anymore. Having depression is a very common and very serious mental disorder. However, there are ways to fight depression, get treatment, and feel better. The lives of millions of kids are affected by mental illness. And yet...

Ours is a dangerous world. Far-off countries are held in the grip of brutal dictators, while others undergo bloody civil wars or brutal gang violence. You can also find danger close to home, at your local amusement park or beach, at your school, or in even your bedroom. The Ultimate Book of Dangerous Places will take you from the bottom of the ocean to the top of a mountain and all the way out into the depths of space in search of danger. The Ultimate...

The word phobia is often used as a joke-a kid might say he has a phobia of spinach, when all he really means is that he dislikes the taste. But for people with genuine phobias, the condition is no laughing matter. Whether it's heights or crowds or plane travel, phobias can make life very difficult. This book introduces readers to the most common phobias and provides useful advice about how these fears can be conquered. Fear and anxiety are completely...

It's unavoidable: life is uncertain. None of us knows exactly what the future will bring. Learning to live with that uncertainty-to manage our fears rather than letting them manage us-is a vital skill that everyone must learn. This book explores why we feel anxiety and at how (believe it or not!) not all anxiety is bad. It also offers practical advice about what we can do when it feels like fear might be getting the best of us. Fear and anxiety are...