Maize, or corn, was the staple food of many early cultures in South America, Mesoamerica, and the Caribbean. The Biography of Corn will teach young readers how the farming of corn spread to the rest of the world and how corn may be one answer to today's problem of fossil fuel consumption. Interesting facts and full-color maps show where in the world corn is grown. Topics include - What is a commodity? - where corn originated - the different varieties of corn - early and present-day methods of growing corn - the many products made from corn - how corn is currently being used to create cleaner fuel - the impact of growing corn on the environment Teacher's guide available.