Wayne Gretzky, known to millions of hockey fans as "The Great One," wasn't the biggest, fastest, or strongest hockey player ever, but he was without a doubt the best so far. When he retired from play in 1999, the National Hockey League retired his jersey number as well and inducted him into the NHL Hall of Fame immediately, without the customary waiting period. Wayne's great talent was his ability to read the game and consistently make the right moves, earning him records for scoring year after year. The Great One started playing hockey on an ice rink in his backyard as a little boy in Canada, practicing before and after school and even after eating dinner with his skates on! His life tells the story of how far hard work and smart thinking can take a kid from Brantford, Ontario.
When Hollywood stars get married, they call on Vera Wang to dress them for their big day, because Vera makes the most beautiful wedding gowns in the world! Jennifer Lopez, Kate Hudson, Mariah Carey, and Jessica Simpson are among the thousands of brides this American designer has dressed. Born and raised in New York City where her parents fled from the Chinese Revolution, Vera has been in the fashion industry her whole adult life. After working for Vogue magazine as a fashion editor, she opened her own store, where she sold the wedding dresses that have made her famous. Today her brand name is on perfumes, home goods, jewelry, shoes, and eyeglasses, and her delightful style is available to everyone through her lower-price line, called Simply Vera.
Throughout his life, basketball superstar Earvin “Magic” Johnson has met both challenges and opportunities with perseverance and leadership. Dubbed "Magic," Johnson blazed a spectacular career in basketball. His play with the Los Angeles Lakers as point guard alongside center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, as well as his epic rivalry with the Boston Celtics’ forward Larry Bird, marked a legendary era in the NBA. In 1991, Magic announced he had tested positive for HIV, a virus that can lead to the life-threatening disease AIDS, and was retiring from basketball. Little was known then about HIV/AIDS and its prevention. His declaration shocked the public but succeeded in putting a familiar and much-admired face on a disease that was shrouded in fear and prejudice. Magic Johnson's legacy includes his inspirational work as an advocate for the prevention of HIV and the still-incurable disease AIDS through his own foundation, which provides programs for HIV/AIDS education and prevention, including testing and safe sex practices.
John Muir spoke, wrote, and lived the wilderness, including taking President Theodore Roosevelt on an overnight trip to the Yosemite Valley. This trip led to Roosevelts signing into law a bill that placed Yosemite under federal control as a national park. Because of this and his founding of the Sierra Club, John Muir is credited as one of the key shapers of the modern environmental movement.
In 1974, an inventor named Victor Wouk became a man who could be described as ahead of his time. He had developed a prototype for the hybrid, a car that would become the most credible and commercially successful alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles.
Elena Delle Donne is an inspiration on and off the court. Her love for basketball has led her to play in the Olympics and the WNBA! Her love for her family has led her to advocate for special needs and support the Special Olympics. In Women in Sports: Elena Delle Donne, you'll discover what makes her one of the greatest women in sports!
Stephanie Gilmore surfed her way to a World Championship title when she was just 17 years old, and she shows no signs of stopping yet! With a total of seven world titles, she’s become known for her artistry and athleticism at competitions around the world. In Women in Sports: Stephanie Gilmore, you'll discover what makes her one of the greatest women in sports!
Two-time Women’s World Cup soccer champion and Olympic gold medalist Megan Rapinoe shines on the field and off! She wows fans with her brilliant skills and uses her fame to promote causes she’s passionate about. In Women in Sports: Megan Rapinoe, you'll discover what makes her one of the greatest women in sports!
Snowboarder Chloe Kim rode to Olympic fame in 2018 with her unmatched combination of style and skill. Soaring 10 to 15 feet above the pipe, she’s one of the best snowboarders in the world, if not the best! In Women in Sports: Naomi Osaka, you'll discover what makes her one of the greatest women in sports!
At 12 years old, Simone Biles was already giving her all to gymnastics. Her passion and drive for the sport pushed her to become the most decorated gymnast in the world. In Women in Sports: Simone Biles, you'll discover what makes her one of the greatest women in sports!
On the court, Naomi Osaka is known for her fierceness. Off the court, she’s known for her upbeat attitude and quirky sense of humor. The tennis star has defeated some of the toughest and best-known players in the world, and she plans to be around for many years to come! In Women in Sports: Naomi Osaka, you'll discover what makes her one of the greatest women in sports!
This biography highlights the life and accomplishments of J. Cole. Readers learn about J. Cole's early life, inspiration to pursue music, and successes as a hip-hop artist. With striking photographs and sidebars, the book explores J. Cole's academic drive, relationship with his mom, and charity work. Features include a timeline, glossary, references, websites, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.
Eleanor Roosevelt is well known for her time as First Lady of the United States, but she also made important contributions to women's rights before, during, and after her husband's presidency. Eleanor Roosevelt Champions Women's Rights examines her efforts from multiple perspectives, including those of Roosevelt herself, her husband, Franklin, and later feminist activists. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.
Albert Einstein rewrote the rules of physics and changed how scientists see space and time forever. Learn how a boy who struggled in school became one of history's most renowned scientists.
Nancy Pelosi is the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House—and she's done it twice. Learn how the most powerful woman in US politics is redefining leadership for future generations.
Decades after her death, Mexican artist Frida Kahlo remains an icon for Chicanos as well as for the feminist and LGBTQ+ movements. Read about her life as an artist and political activist.
Appalled by government apathy regarding climate change, 15-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg started a protest in front of the her country's parliament building in August 2018. She criticized leaders for not doing enough to reduce carbon emissions and stood outside with the sign Skolstrejk för klimatet (school strike for the climate). Within months, Thunberg's strikes and blunt speeches to world leaders and all adults ignited a global movement, inspiring millions of people to take action worldwide.
Stephen Hawking is one of the world's most celebrated and inspiring physicists, known for his theories on relativity, black holes, and quantum mechanics. He wrote the bestseller A Brief History of Time to explain a range of cosmology topics to the general public.
Graphic novels aren't just for superheroes! Abraham Lincoln has been plucked from history books and his life and accomplishments have been depicted in an informative nonfiction graphic novel. The subject's birth, childhood, education, and presidency have been skillfully told with detailed art. Further reading lists, timelines, glossaries, and indexes make these titles useful in classroom discussion.
Graphic novels aren't just for superheroes! Anne Frank has been plucked from history books and her life and accomplishments have been depicted in informative nonfiction graphic novels. The subject's birth, childhood, education, and holocaust experience have been skillfully told with detailed art. Further reading lists, timelines, glossaries, and indexes make these titles useful in classroom discussion.
Graphic novels aren't just for superheroes! Jackie Robinson has been plucked from history books and his life and accomplishments have been depicted in informative nonfiction graphic novels. The subject's birth, childhood, education, and baseball career have been skillfully told with detailed art. Further reading lists, timelines, glossaries, and indexes make these titles useful in classroom discussion.
Graphic novels aren't just for superheroes! Lewis and Clark have been plucked from history books and their lives and accomplishments have been depicted in informative nonfiction graphic novels. The subjects' education and exploration of the United States has been skillfully told with detailed art. Maps, further reading lists, timelines, glossaries, and indexes make these titles useful in classroom discussion.
Graphic novels aren't just for superheroes! Patrick Henry has been plucked from history books and his life and accomplishments have been depicted in informative nonfiction graphic novels. The subject's birth, childhood, education, and community service have been skillfully told with detailed art. Further reading lists, timelines, glossaries, and indexes make these titles useful in classroom discussion.
Graphic novels aren't just for superheroes! The Wright Brothers have been plucked from history books and their lives and accomplishments have been depicted in informative nonfiction graphic novels. The subjects' birth, childhood, education, and flights have been skillfully told with detailed art. Further reading lists, timelines, glossaries, and indexes make these titles useful in classroom discussion.
Graphic novels aren't just for superheroes! Clara Barton has been plucked from history books and her life and accomplishments have been depicted in an informative nonfiction graphic novel. The subject's birth, childhood, education, and humanitarian efforts have been skillfully told with detailed art. Further reading lists, timelines, glossaries, and indexes make these titles useful in classroom discussion.