Imprisoned for 27 years, Nelson Mandela became a symbol in the fight against the oppression of the black majority by South Africa's apartheid government. The first in his family to attend school, Mandela was given the English name Nelson by his teacher on his first day. As Mandela moved up the educational ladder, he became more and more involved in social justice. When he became a lawyer, he joined the African National Congress (ANC), an organization whose purpose was to increase the rights of black South Africans. In 1961, Mandela helped found a military branch of the ANC that used guerrilla attacks against the government. His imprisonment became a rallying point for black South Africansand eventually the world. International pressure against the government helped bring about the end of apartheid and Mandela's release in 1990. Mandela was elected president, serving from 1994 to 1999, and remains a figure revered and loved by his grateful nation.
Born in Romania in 1928, Eliezer (Elie) Wiesel had a childhood steeped in the traditions of his Orthodox Jewish family. From the moment of his familys deportation to the death camp at Auschwitz and the horrors that awaited there, the teenaged Elie focused all his energies on staying alive. Elie has dedicated his life to the pursuit of peaceful, humanitarian goals as a writer and activist. He is a Holocaust survivor, Nobel Laureate and the author of 57 books, including the Night trilogy, based on his experiences as a prisoner. In 1986 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and called, a messenger to mankind.
Politician Al Gore has lent both his voice and his political influence in the fight against global warming. His work and creative energy have earned him numerous forms of public recognition, most notably the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.
David Suzuki is a prominent environmental activist. Throughout his adult life, he has been the creative force behind numerous television shows on science and the environment. He has used his voice to advocate for the environment and to take to task political leaders whose action and inaction have been part of the problem behind the global warming crisis.
Rachel Carson was a marine writer, biologist, and ecologist whose work inspired millions to take seriously the danger that human activity poses to the environment. She both revealed the wonders of the natural world and exposed the sinister threat to that world posed by DDT and other pesticides.
At a time when much of the United States was still racially segregated, Jackie Robinson smashed the color barrier to become the first African-American player in Major League Baseball. Born in 1919 to a family of sharecroppers, Robinson excelled in sports throughout his school years. After serving briefly in the army during WWII, he briefly played ball in the Negro Leagues. At about the same time, a handful of all-white Major League teams paid lip service to trying out black players. But it was when Robinson played his first game for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 that he became a part of what would be called "The Noble Experiment." Outspoken in the past when it came to racial injustice, Robinson endured racist jeers from fans and players, and even death threats, with dignity and composure. His historic feat of crossing baseball's "color line" became a symbol in the American civil rights movement in the decades that followed.
The movie is just starting, but what happened before that to get that movie in the theater? The Economics of Making a Movie takes an interesting look at the production process and financing of a big-budget film. Various links in the economic chain include finding someone to finance the film, casting and salaries, scouting locations, set design, contracting for laborers and technicians on the set, advertising costs, film distribution deals, and box office sales.
The video game is fresh out of the packaging, but what happened before that to get that game into your hands? The Economics of a Video Game takes a fascinating look at the production process and financing of a video game. Various links in the economic chain include development of a prototype, pitching the game to a publisher for funding, development of the software by designers and programmers, testing, advertising, trade shows demonstrations, packaging, and distribution.
What happens to your old phone or computer when you need an upgrade? What rights does the worker who built your phone have? This thought-provoking title helps readers discover the answers to these questions and many more. Find out about the links between supply, demand, and labor conditions, and the resources that are needed to build just one computer.
The concert is just starting, but what happened before that to get that concert on the stage? The Economics of a Rock Concert takes a fascinating look at the production process and financing of a stadium concert. Various links in the economic chain include ticket sales, management fees, advertising costs, and contracting for laborers to set up the stage, sound, and security.
In this interesting title, readers learn about the process of manufacturing toys and the materials that are used. Environmental issues and working conditions are revealed, shedding new light on where todays childrens favorite toys come from. Readers will also learn about new efforts companies are making to provide their workers with fair wages and safe working conditions around the world.
From sports to movies, video games to the news, violence is everywhere in pop culture. Asking Questions about Violence in Pop Culture looks at how we decide what is deemed "too violent" to show the public, how those standards have changed over time, and what our increasing tolerance of violence says about our culture. Case studies prompt inquiry, further thinking, and close examination of specific issues. Additional text features and search tools, including a glossary and an index, help students locate information and learn new words.
From news and sports to reality programming and sitcoms, television is a staple of most young people's lives. Asking Questions about What's on Television gives young readers a look at the technology behind the medium, the messages it sends, and how we are affected by it on a daily basis. Case studies prompt inquiry, further thinking, and close examination of specific issues. Additional text features and search tools, including a glossary and an index, help students locate information and learn new words.
What messages do advertisers send to encourage consumers to buy their products? Asking Questions about Body Image in Advertising will help readers discern the messages, both overt and implied, that tell consumers to change the way they look to help them change the way they feel. Case studies prompt inquiry, further thinking, and close examination of specific issues. Additional text features and search tools, including a glossary and an index, help students locate information and learn new words.
Where does the news that students hear--on television, the radio, and online--come from? And who decides what's news? Asking Questions about How the News is Created discusses how an event becomes a story, and how the biases of the gatekeepers of the news media can alter the messages being sent. Case studies prompt inquiry, further thinking, and close examination of specific issues. Additional text features and search tools, including a glossary and an index, help students locate information and learn new words.
Campaign ads are inescapable, especially in election years. Asking Questions about Political Campaigns shows what goes into those ads, how successful campaigns get their messages across, and how political campaigns and the media influence each other. Case studies prompt inquiry, further thinking, and close examination of specific issues. Additional text features and search tools, including a glossary and an index, help students locate information and learn new words.
The world of gaming has changed a lot since the days of Pong and PacMan. Asking Questions about Video Games gives young readers a look at the technology behind today's games, the messages they send, and what they say about our values as a culture. Case studies prompt inquiry, further thinking, and close examination of specific issues. Additional text features and search tools, including a glossary and an index, help students locate information and learn new words.
Hollywood has provided one of the most popular forms of entertainment for the past century. Asking Questions about How Hollywood Movies Get Made goes behind the scenes to show how a movie goes from concept to final product, discusses what makes for a successful movie, and looks at where the box office money goes. Case studies prompt inquiry, further thinking, and close examination of specific issues. Additional text features and search tools, including a glossary and an index, help students locate information and learn new words.
Food advertising is seemingly everywhere. But what messages are advertisers sending when they try to get consumers to purchase their products? Asking Questions about Food Advertising looks at who pays for ads, their intended targets, and the tricks of the trade used to influence consumers' decisions. Case studies prompt inquiry, further thinking, and close examination of specific issues. Additional text features and search tools, including a glossary and an index, help students locate information and learn new words.
Turn old fleece into something new and exciting with Hacking Fashion: Fleece. Students learn the art of innovation through detailed explanations and hands-on activities built to foster creativity and problem solving. Fun, engaging text introduces readers to new ideas and builds on maker-related concepts they may already know. Additional tools, including a glossary and an index, help students learn new vocabulary and locate information.
In this book, students see the NextGen Science process at work in a real-world situation. Readers practice close reading as they look for clues that will lead to a deeper understanding of compost and how it works. The NextGen Science process pushes students to apply critical thinking as they learn new methods of exploration and build on concepts they may already know. Additional tools, including a glossary and index, help students learn new vocabulary and locate information.
Oil is one of our most important natural resources. The searches for new sources - and options for alternative sources - are outlined here.
Long known as a potential power source, geothermal energy - heated water from within the Earth - is now being tapped. This book outlines those efforts and looks to the future.
For years, people have used water power to provide electricity. This study recaps that history and describes exciting new techniques.
Recent advances in harnessing energy from the wind, sun, and tides are explored. People are encouraged to seek resources beyond fossil fuels.
