Nonfiction

Nonfiction genre

Capoeira: Game! Dance! Martial Art!

CAPOEIRA—it’s a game, a dance, a martial art! It’s a way of expressing oneself through movement and music. With action-packed photographs and accessible text, readers are introduced to this exciting, popular game. At Madinga Academy in Oakland, California, a group of girls and boys practice the acrobatic moves of capoeira. Then they begin to play games to the infectious, rhythmic beat of traditional music and singing. On to Brazil to experience capoeira in its historic birthplace, where it dates back four hundred years. Capoeira developed as a way of fighting among enslaved Africans, was outlawed the the government, and was permitted once again in 1930 as a martial art and game. Back in Oakland, at an end-of-year ceremony, students receive their colored ropes indicating their levels of accomplishment. They also look forward to next year, and the fun of expressing themselves through the game, dance and martial art of capoeira.

The Secret Of Priest’s Grotto: A Holocaust Survival Story (Holocaust)

According to legend, a group of Jewish families survived the Holocaust by hiding out for months in the 77 miles of caves in Ukraine known as Priest’s Grotto. Cavers Taylor and Nicola chronicle their trip to explore the caves and uncover the story of the survivors.

Iran (Global Hotspots)

Introduces Iran, discussing its history, the Islamic government which currently controls the country, and the turbulent relationship the country has with the Western powers over its support of terrorism and its development of nuclear power.

Sudan (Global Hotspots)

Always in the news — A divided nation — Rebellion against the Egyptians — Egyptian and British control — Independence — First civil war — Peace with the south — Second civil war — A base for terrorism — A new peace agreement — Violence in Darfur — Reign of terror — Prospects for peace.

Iraq (Global Hotspots)

Introduces Iraq, discussing its history, the wars and political conflicts of the twentieth century, invasion by foreign powers, and the ethnic and religious divisions that contribute to its current instability.

Hinduism (Religions Of The World)

Hinduism is at least five thousand years old. It is the oldest religion still practiced today. Hinduism began in India and is still India’s main religion. Hidus believe that people are reincarnated after they die. Hindus believe the way they behave in this life will affect the way they live in the next. The aim of Hinduism is to lead such a good lie that they can escape the cycle of reincarnation and go to heave.