Global Connections introduces middle school readers to the issues that affect today's global society. Tying together geography, history, science, social studies, and economics, these engaging titles examine key topics and their importance to the United States and to the world. Each title provides a balanced view of how the policies and actions of a particular group or region affect others, including such complex topics as world hunger, human rights, and terrorism. These timely books will be valuable resources for those interested in learning about the issues in the news or assigned reports on current events. Full-color maps and illustrations, plus informative charts, tables, and graphs, enhance each title. Special interactive 'Making Connections' boxed insets encourage students to engage in critical thinking about these complex issues. Titles in this new series were developed with the national social studies curriculum standards in mind.