China is frequently in the news today. It may be presented as an exotic place to travel or as an economic juggernaut on the world stage. Few really understand how China''s history, discoveries, and inventions have shaped our world. If you drank tea, used a fork, or read a newspaper this morning, you can thank the Chinese. This absorbing volume will astonish readers as they uncover the many inventions and discoveries of the ancient Chinese. Assiduously researched text highlights important social studies concepts. Images, captions, fact boxes, sidebars, and graphic organizers enrich the narrative.