Takes readers through Selena Gomez's journey from a Disney Channel star to a popular singer and actress; discusses life and career highlights from birth to present day.
Not many baseball players are as legendary as Roberto Clemente. He broke color barriers. He gave back to his community. And through it all, he played great baseball. During his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he did some amazing things. Sadly, Clemente's life was cut short by a plane crash. Today, however, his memory lives on. Fans everywhere still think of the player from Puerto Rico as an inspiration to us all.
Free at last! Hopeful African Americans began the long journey to build their lives from scratch as U.S. law declared all slaves free in 1865. But many whites fought bitterly against change. Signs above water fountains, restrooms, and other public places clearly separated WHITES from COLOREDS, while the Ku Klux Klan terrorized the night. Leaders like Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, A. Philip Randolph, and Martin Luther King, Jr. stood up to the ugly reality of racism in America. Laws and hearts slowly changed to make the American Dream a possibility for all of its citizens. Today, the United States celebrates the rich history, music, and art of the black community. But with holdovers of hatred, pride, and prejudice, has the country achieved true equality?
Born of privilege and raised among the nation's political elite, Mary Todd was a highly intelligent and outspoken young woman with a love for hoop skirts and a disgust for slavery. Her passion for politics would set the stage for her to meet young Abraham Lincoln, who would one day become President of the United States, and she his driving force. On a fateful night in April, 1865, she would endure the unthinkable, and her life would be changed forever. Mary Todd Lincoln would join a nation in healing after the loss of its leader, and the effects of a brutal civil war. She would remain a First Lady to the end, and second to none.
Most of the people who worked on the Underground Railroad were not well-known, but many stood out and became famous. The workers came from different races, occupations, and all walks of life. Some spread the word about the injustice of slavery through writing or lectures. Some volunteered behind the scenes, sewing clothes and donating goods to help the runaways. Others risked their lives daily, leading fugitives through swamps and forests and past slave catchers to freedom. Those who were caught were fined, jailed, or even executed. But they did not give up until freedom was won for all.
From a shy and fearful child, Eleanor Roosevelt grew up to be not only First Lady of the United States, but one of the most influential women in U.S. history. Hers is a remarkable story of doing the thing you think you cannot do in order to work for change and to better the lives of others. Come learn about Eleanor, who challenges everyone - no matter his or her talents or gifts - to live a useful and fulfilling life.
Long before she decided to run for president of the United States, Hillary Rodham Clinton was a young woman with goals and dreams. Follow along as she tries to decide between becoming a journalist or an astronaut. Find out how she first gets involved in politics - while still a teenager. Learn about her dedication to helping the women and children of the world, and how she entered the world of law with those goals in mind. Finally, see the changes that becoming Mrs. Bill Clinton brought - and how they helped her achieve some of her greatest goals. Meet Hillary Rodham Clinton, who became First Lady of the United States and then presidential hopeful for 2016.
Dolley Madison was considered the first First Lady of the United States. Even before her husband James Madison took office, Dolley was White House hostess for the widowed Thomas Jefferson. Known for her personality and style, she hosted dinners and gatherings in a White House that she decorated. She held the nation's first Inaugural Ball. She convinced her husband to start inviting members of Congress from both political parties to social events. During the War of 1812, when the British advanced to burn Washington, she stayed long enough to rescue a portrait of George Washington. When the British left, she helped convince the nation to rebuild its capital in Washington. Find out how this first First Lady defined the role for future women to follow.
Abigail Smith Adams championed education for boys and girls alike. The second daughter of a Massachusetts pastor, Abigail longed to go to school like the boys of the Colonial days. Recognizing his daughter's inquisitive mind, Abigail's father instructed her at home using books from his large personal library. Smart and with strong opinions, Abigail was the constant confidante of her husband, President John Adams. The mother of five, she lived in France and England, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. She was the first president's wife to live in the White House, and the first woman to be the wife of a U.S. president and the mother of another U.S. president. For the cause of liberty, Abigail and John were frequently apart. Through the more than 1,100 letters they exchanged, history has an insightful look at the extraordinary people who crafted the Great American Experiment - the United States of America.
From the moment he picked up a guitar, Ed Sheeran knew what he wanted to do with his life. He wanted to create music, and nothing was going to stop him. The determined redhead left home to find success - but even he could not have dreamed of how much he would find. Follow his career from those first hungry days in London spent sleeping on the commuter train to playing in front of sold-out crowds at Wembley Stadium. Learn how this young musician manages to entertain thousands with nothing more than a guitar, his voice, and his incredible talent.
Angelina Jolie could have settled for becoming an Academy Award-winning actress. She could have been pleased enough portraying the villain-turned-heroine of Disney's smash film Maleficent. She could be quite happy being the mother of a large family she shares with her husband, actor Brad Pitt. But after a trip to Cambodia, Jolie was struck by the poverty she witnessed there, and decided to do something about it. For over a decade since, she has carried out dozens of field missions all around the globe. Jolie was named a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Goodwill Ambassador. She's funded schools, orphanages, and other centers dedicated to helping people in crisis. Discover how she encourages others to take action through web sites, newspaper ads, and charities, and see why this actor is even more magnificent than you might have imagined.
Mo'ne Davis did what most people thought couldn't be done. She dominated like no girl had done before, showing that girls could beat boys at their own Little League baseball game. At 13 years old, during a spectacular month in August 2014, Mo'ne became the most famous baseball player in the nation. She threw fastballs to rival the form of major league pitchers. She showed maturity and poise beyond her years. And perhaps the most amazing thing is, baseball is probably not her best sport. You might someday see her playing professional basketball. When it comes to Mo'ne Davis, all things are possible.
The seventh of eleven children, Edith Bolling grew up to become one of the most controversial women in American history. Early on, she became a successful businesswoman and the first female to own an automobile in Washington, D.C. It was love at first sight when widowed President Woodrow Wilson met Edith. Her husband's constant companion and confidante, Edit supported the President during World War I and accompanied him abroad and across the nation to campaign for world peace. Edith did not refer to herself as First Lady but as Mrs. Wilson. Ever at her husband's side, she screened all matters of state when a stroke left him bedridden. Her critics called her secret president, and first woman to run the government. Did Edith serve as President in an age when women were not even allowed to vote? The world may never know for certain.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, a young woman from Pakistan, was denied the privilege of attending school, shot by terrorists, and forced to leave her country. Her near assassination convinced Malala that God had kept her alive for a reason. She would continue to fight for children's rights to education. With 66 million children worldwide not attending school, Malala travels the world, inspiring politicians and other people to help them. "We should not lose hope," she said. "One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world."
He was a man who fought like no other inside the ring, yet outside the ring he fought for peace. "The Louisville Lip" went on to become a three-time champion, beating some of boxing's greatest fighters, including Joe Frazier and George Foreman. He stunned the world when he beat Sonny Liston for the title. He stunned the world even more when he joined the Nation of Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali. He was stripped of his title and banned from boxing for refusing to join the military because of his religious beliefs, then returned to become one of the most famous athletes in history. Not even Parkinson's disease could stop him. A fighter, poet, civil rights leader, humanitarian, and more, Ali remains, in his own words, the king of the world.
Ella-Yelich O'Connor wasn't your typical tween. At the age of 12, her performance in a school concert landed her a recording contract with Universal record label. Five years later, that same girl, now known as Lorde, celebrated her 17th birthday by signing another contract - this time it was worth $2.5 million! And only a few months later, she was topping the charts with her megahit "Royals" Life for this New Zealand native has been far from normal as she maintains a superstar status and travels the world selling out concerts to faithful fans.
Did astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson really kill the planet Pluto? Not exactly, although he admits he did "drive the getaway car." He was a teenager when some insisted that comet was going to destroy the world. He disagreed - it would simply be a great chance to take some cool photos - and he was right. When DC Comics needed someone to find Superman's home planet, they called him. See why people turn to Tyson, one of the world's most famous scientists, for his thoughts on the universe.
Minecraft - it's a game that everyone knows. Either they play it now, used to play it, or know someone who plays it. It is the kind of game that inspires worlds. Markus Persson was a quiet kid in school. He didn't play sports or go on dates, but instead spent time learning how to write computer code. His talent created one of the most popular games in history. Find out why in this story about a young man who had a brand new idea.
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, also known as "RG3," is not Superman, although he sometimes wears Superman socks. He has become one of the nation's most popular athletes. He set Texas state track records in high school when he wasn't dominating in football. Griffin won the Heisman Trophy while at Baylor University. He became the NFL's no. 2 overall draft pick by Washington, then won NFL offensive rookie of the year honors. In his spare time, Griffin does things for those less fortunate. He is a superstar in every sense of the word.
When sixteen-year-old Harry Styles appeared on The X Factor stage in 2010, he wowed the judges with his performance. But when the judges didn't think Harry could make it to the top of the competition alone, he joined Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson to create One Direction. They may have only taken third place on The X Factor, but they've topped the charts of the international music industry ever since. With two platinum-selling albums in 2012 and a world tour under his belt, Harry Styles is definitely moving in the right direction!
The first time Jennifer Lawrence read a script, she knew that she had found her life's profession. Here was something she was good at and enjoyed! A trip to New York turned into modeling jobs and then acting offers. Find out how winning one of the biggest awards in theatre came to be called the "worst moment of Jennifer's life," what famous role she wanted but did not get, how she convinced producers she could be unattractive, and what she wants to do with her future.
The pop music group Big Time Rush has recorded albums and given concerts around the world. Logan Henderson, James Maslow, Carlos Pena, Jr., and Kendall Schmidt also star in a top-rated TV show on Nickelodeon and have performed in concert at the White House! The members of Big Time Rush are more than funny actors and melodic singers. They treat people with respect and work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to meet fans. How did these four young men become one of the most popular music bands in the world? What are they like behind the scenes?
What do you do when Justin Bieber wants to sign you to his record label? You say 'yes,' of course. And that's exactly what Carly Rae Jepsen did in early 2012 after "The Biebs" discovered her on Canadian radio. Her life has been a whirlwind of amazing experiences ever since. She travels across continents, performing in front of massive audiences. She poses for magazine covers. She shakes hands with millions of her fans. But at the end of the day, Jepsen just loves writing music. With all her talent-and the support of her new superstar friend-she has a long musical career ahead of her.
American champion downhill skier Lindsey Vonn has won four World Cup titles as well as gold and silver in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. This intriguing book follows Lindsey's life and career from the very beginning through a variety of sports-related injuries and ultimately to the fulfillment of her dream. After her Olympic win, Lindsey became a fan favorite, appearing on talk shows and signing a number of product endorsement contracts. All eyes are on Lindsey now as she trains for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
Sidney Crosby skated into the limelight from the very start of his hockey career. In only his second season playing in the NHL, Sid the Kid became the youngest player ever to get over 100 points in a season. This book follows his amazing life story, from boyhood games on the ponds of Nova Scotia to captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Stanley Cup in 2008. Crosby remained a league leader until the 2010-2011 season when he suffered a concussiona head injury that still has consequences for him today.
