Book excerpt: The family had no idea that adopting a prairie dog could result in contracting a life-threatening illness. Schyan Kautzer and her parents want a new pet, so they adopt a prarie dog. But one day Schyan gets a fever, and her body is suddenly covered with sores. The only clue to her illness is a bite from her pet prairie dog. High-interest topics, real stories, engaging design and astonishing photos are the building blocks of the XBooks, a new series of books designed to engage and motivate reluctant and enthusiastic readers alike. How can a bite from a pet prairie dog cause a life-threatening illness? Where does the guinea worm, a parasite that lives under human skin, come from? How can a virus that attacks the brain be related to birds dropping dead at the zoo? With topics based in science, these action-packed books will help students unlock the power and pleasure of reading... and always ask for more!