Trader Marco Polo was one of the first Europeans to travel to China, staying away from his homeland in Italy for 24 years before returning. After he came back to Italy, Marco wrote of his travels and adventures in East Asia in his book, Il Milione, sharing his tales with other Europeans. Polo changed the way Europeans saw the world by opening their eyes to the wonderful culture and people of China. Learn the story of one of the worlds most famous explorers and traders in Marco Polo: 13th-Century Italian Trader.
All of his life, Dwyane Wade has been meeting challenges. His parents separated when he was an infant. When he was six, he had to leave his mother's home because of her drug abuse. While living with his father, Dwyane learned basketball but not academics. Because of Dwyane's low test scores, only three colleges recruited him. But after starring for two seasons at Marquette University, Dwyane left college early to enter the NBA draft in 2003. Although Dwyane was overshadowed in the draft by superstars LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, the young star has put together an exceptional NBA career. He led Miami to an NBA championship in 2006, won a scoring title in 2009, and was a key player when the Heat won a second championship in 2012. But Dwyane also remembers his roots, giving back to the community through his charitable Wade's World Foundation.
Kevin Durant is a kid at heart when he's not busy being a basketball star. He is a 6-foot-9 forward with guard skills and a drive to be the best in whatever he does. That includes acting-Durrant starred in the movie Thunderstruck. He made such an impression in his one year at the University of Texas that he became the NBA's no. 2 draft pick. Before he was 25 years old, Durrant was a three-time NBA scoring champion and an Olympic gold medalist. He rates as one of the NBA's most popular players-you can catch him on Twitter-and goes out of his way to help those in need. Durrant is a superstar in every sense of the word.
A winner on and off the court, Dwyane Wade has combined his amazing hoops skills with powerful determination to become an NBA superstar.
This is a collection of biographies of Maria Mitchell, Harriet Tubman, Susan B. Anthony, Bethenia Owens-Adair, Linda Richards, Marian Anderson, Margaret Bourke-White, and Jackie Cochran.
This book presents the diary of Gertrud Schakat Tammen who grew up in Germany during World War II. This portion of her diary relates her experiences as World War II began.
Profiles the self-educated man who arose from poverty to become the sixteenth president of the United States.
Perhaps no two people in history exemplify the spirit of invention better than brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright. Born in the Midwest in the late 1800s, Orville was exceptionally good at creating mechanical devices, and Wilbur had a genius for ideas. The turn of the 20th century came during an age of invention and technological development. Inspired by a fierce worldwide competition to be the first to invent a machine that could fly and be controlled by a pilot, the Wright brothers tested and refined several prototypes. At last, on December 17, 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, they achieved their pioneering flight. The brothers went on to develop machines and controls that made possible powered, fixed-wing flights and laid the foundation for pilot-controlled aviation as we know it today. They also founded the Wright Company, which built airplanes for the rising new industry of commercial aviation. Had Wilbur not died at the early age of 45, who knows what else the innovative pair might have accomplished.
José Bautista solo ha pertenecido a las Ligas Mayores por unos cuantos años, pero ya ha tenido una carrera sorprendente en el béisbol. Ha sido parte del Juego de las Estrellas, ha ganado varios premios, y ha ganado millones de dólares. ¡Bautista ha logrado más de 50 home runs en una temporada! A sus seguidores les encanta ver como saca la pelota fuera del campo. Conozca como Bautista pasó años en las Ligas Menores antes de lograr llegar a las Mayores y su ascenso hasta llegar a ser uno de los más grandes bateadores del deporte de la pelota caliente. ¡Entérese de lo que se requiere para ser una superestrella del béisbol!
A thorough, illustrated biography discussing the childhood, career, family, and term of James Earl (Jimmy) Carter, thirty-ninth president of the United States.
This exciting book follows the travels of Portuguese explorer and navigator Ferdinand Magellan who led an expedition to the Spice Islands that ended up circumnavigating the Earth. Historical information and high-interest fact boxes are presented in a tabloid-news style that guides readers through major voyages, explorations, and discoveries. Topics include what led Magellan to sail west on behalf of Spain, life on board ship, the first-ever exploration of the Pacific Ocean, the completion of the voyage after Magellan's death in battle, and Magellan's legacy.
A thorough, illustrated biography discussing the childhood, career, family, and term of James A. Garfield, twentieth president of the United States.
A biography of Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh, examining his contributions to the Post-Impressionist style and his early death, as well as many of his greatest paintings.
A biography of Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo, examining his masterful commissions and papal relationships, as well as some of his most enduring works.
Combining biographical profiles with poetry selections, this revised and updated selection of Voices in Poetry highlights the extraordinary lives and talent of some of the world’s most influential poets. From Shakespeare’s classic love sonnets to Hughes’s songs of the African American experience, this series introduces readers to six unique poetic voices from multiple perspectives by featuring full-length poems or excerpts from larger works and examinations of the author’s style and thematic material. This title provides an exploration of the life and work of 20th-century American writer Langston Hughes, whose poetry is known for its accounts of the African American experience and its call to racial equality.
A German composer born in the 1700s, Ludwig van Beethoven has given the world some of the most well-known and long-lasting music of all time. From his Fr Elise to his 9th Symphony (in which a choir sings words from the poem Ode to Joy), Beethoven's music is still loved, almost 200 years after his death. Amazingly, Beethoven composed music while being unable to hear almost anything from the time he was 26, a feat which makes his brilliant compositions all the more wonderful. Few musicians have had the incredible impact on music that Beethoven had. Learn the story of one of the most important musical composers of all time in Ludwig van Beethoven: Great Composer.
Rene-Robert Cavelier, or Sieur de La Salle, grew up in France dreaming of adventures in distant lands! This exciting biography allows readers to explore new worlds with La Salle as they read about his fascinating life. Featuring plenty of bright images, easy-to-read text, constructive facts and sidebars, and an accessible index, table of contents, and glossary, readers will be excited to learn about the Mississippi River discovery, Ville-Marie, Fort Crevecoeur, and other impressive exploration details!
Is Peyton Manning the greatest quarterback who's ever lived? He has the awards to back it up, but his accomplishments and fame go beyond that. He made "Omaha" into a household name. He made people laugh as a Saturday Night Live host and in commercials. He won one Super Bowl, and played in two others. He donated lots of money for an Indianapolis children's hospital. And when everyone thought his career was over because of a herniated disc in his neck, he proved them wrong with yet another NFL MVP performance. Why has Peyton Manning been so good for so long? Let's take a look.
Hatshepsut was a young woman who became the first female pharaoh of Egypt and ruled for about 20 years! Readers will learn about Hatshepsut's amazing life as she made her way from regent to queen of Egypt in this captivating biography. The stunning images, intriguing facts, supportive text, glossary and index combine to create an enlightening and entertaining reading experience as children learn about kings, queens, pharoahs, and other aspects of Egyptian history.
Offers readers an inside look into the life of Jacqueline Kennedy and how she influenced the nation as First Lady. Learn all about her mission to promote arts and culture and to renovate the White House. Additional features include a Fast Facts spread, critical thinking questions, primary source quotes and accompanying source notes, a phonetic glossary, an index, an author introduction, and sources for further research.
Offers readers an inside look into the life of Martha Washington and how she influenced the nation as First Lady. Learn about how she established herself as the first First Lady, and how she set the stage for the women that followed her in the White House. Additional features include a Fast Facts spread, critical thinking questions, primary source quotes and accompanying source notes, a phonetic glossary, an index, an author introduction, and sources for further research.
Offers readers an inside look into the life of Nancy Reagan and how she influenced the nation as First Lady. Learn all about her focus on drug prevention and her unwavering support for her husband as his mental health declined. Additional features include a Fast Facts spread, critical thinking questions, primary source quotes and accompanying source notes, a phonetic glossary, an index, an author introduction, and sources for further research.
Offers readers an inside look into the life of Barbara Bush and how she influenced the nation as First Lady. Learn all about her work to improve literacy and her support for troops serving overseas. Additional features include a Fast Facts spread, critical thinking questions, primary source quotes and accompanying source notes, a phonetic glossary, an index, an author introduction, and sources for further research.
Offers readers an inside look into the life of Dolley Madison and how she influenced the nation as First Lady. Learn all about how she helped her husband win the presidency and the impact she had on the early nation. Additional features include a Fast Facts spread, critical thinking questions, primary source quotes and accompanying source notes, a phonetic glossary, an index, an author introduction, and sources for further research.
Offers readers an inside look into the life of Betty Ford and how she influenced the nation as First Lady. Learn all about how she encouraged women to look after their health and how she fought for equal rights. Additional features include a Fast Facts spread, critical thinking questions, primary source quotes and accompanying source notes, a phonetic glossary, an index, an author introduction, and sources for further research.