Read about the men and women who have improved our lives through science including Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, astronaut Mae Jemison, inventor George Washington Carver, psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark, and many more.
Discover the courageous stories of elite Black athletes who battled prejudice and exclusion to become heroes and champions in their sport. Some have used their platform to bring attention to global, social, economic, and health issues. Others brought glory and fame to their countries. Read about such heroes in sports as boxer Muhammad Ali, tennis great Serena Williams, sprinter Usain Bolt, gymnast Simone Biles, and many more.
Stephen Hawking's stated his goal was "No less than a complete understanding of the universe." This fascinating biography details the life and achievements of Stephen Hawking, a scientist who made significant contributions to the field of physics. Hawking's theories always inspired and challenged colleagues, and his strength was building on older theories and revolutionizing them into new theories such as black hole radiation.
"If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." This fascinating biography details the life and achievements of Sir Isaac Newton, a scientist and mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of physics. Newton's groundbreaking theory of gravity and the Laws of Motion proved a great leap forward in science and changed the world's understanding of the forces at work on Earth and in space.
"All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered: the goal is to discover them." This fascinating biography details the life and achievements of Galileo Galilei, an artist and scientist who made significant contributions to so many fields of science that he is known as the "father of modern science." Galileo developed the process of investigation of the natural world, called the scientific method, that the world's scientists still follow today.
"The twentieth century was the only century in history when a single species, humans, had acquired significant power to change the nature of the whole world." This fascinating biography details the life and achievements of Rachel Carson, a scientist who made significant contributions to the field of biology. Carson's famous book called Silent Spring changed the world's understanding of the impact of human activities on the environment, helping to launch the modern environmental movement.
"Animals that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive and have more offspring." He named this idea natural selection. This fascinating biography details the life and achievements of Charles Darwin, a scientist who made significant contributions to the field of natural history. Darwin's groundbreaking Theory of Evolution changed the world's understanding of how animal species grow and change over generations.
"The important thing is to not stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing." This fascinating biography details the life and achievements of Albert Einstein, a scientist and mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of physics. Einstein's famous Theory of Relativity changed the world's understanding of space and created a whole new kind of science to study - cosmology.
At fifteen, Emma Stone convinced her parents - with a PowerPoint presentation - to let her move to Los Angeles, California, to pursue her dream of being an actress. This engaging book describes how, soon after, Emma became one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, landing leading roles and winning fans with her great sense of humor and incredible talent.
Calvin Klein, a boy from the Bronx, took his first clothing line of three dresses and six coats to an appointment at Bonwit Teller, New York's department store for the wealthy. Before long, he had designed a line of jeans that sold 200,000 in a week, and he was called the "King of Clothes" by People magazine. Along the way, he became known throughout the world for the beauty of his elegantly uncluttered clothing. In partnership with childhood friend Bernie Schwartz, he built an empire around his ideas that came to include fragrances, cosmetics, underwear, and home decor. Today his clothes are recognized as classics, and his style represents the best in American design.
This intriguing title combines the work of groundbreakers in science and the arts, with mini-biographies of the innovators behind them. Historic and contemporary images plus graphic timelines help show readers what inspired notable scientists, writers, and singers, such as Sir Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, and William Shakespeare.
At only seventeen, New Zealand-born singer-songwriter Ella Yelich-O'Connor, better known as Lorde, rocketed to international fame with her hit singles Royals and Team. This book follows her meteoric rise from being the youngest solo artist to ever achieve a number one hit in the United States to being one of the most influential teenagers in the world today.
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.
Meet the boys behind the new British Invasion! This exciting new biography tells the incredible story of pop group One Direction. From their start on the UK TV show X Factor to sold-out concerts, MTV Video Music Awards, and chart-topping hits, Harry, Niall, Liam, Louis, and Zayn show no signs of slowing down. The group's first album Up All Night made history as the first debut album by a British group to enter at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. Full-color photos and fascinating facts make this book a must for any Directioner.
From Michelangelo’s paintings to climbing the world’s highest mountains and breaking the sound barrier, this book offers a glimpse of the greatest achievements made by humans in history. Bite-sized bits of information combine with relevant images to make it easy to access useful facts and numbers.
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.
This fascinating book combines the work of groundbreakers in politics and social activism with mini-biographies of the innovators behind them. A useful resource for projects and posters, bite-sized text breaks down difficult concepts and provides detailed information on a diverse array of world-changers such as Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, and Mahatma Ghandi.
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.
For nearly two decades, Dian Fossey immersed herself in the study of mountain gorillas in Africa. She became known as a highly respected primatologist - a scientist who studies apes and other primates - and a fiercely devoted champion of their safety and preservation. Fossey had made powerful enemies because of her opposition to the gorilla-related tourism industry and her knowledge of animal trafficking among members of the government. In 1985, she was found murdered in her cabin in Rwanda. The case remains unsolved to this day, but her intense love for this endangered species helped create a legacy that survives in the work of others to this day.
As a girl, Amelia Earhart aspired to a future that would take her beyond the family and medical problems of her younger years, as well as the restrictions imposed on her because she was female. Widely celebrated for her long-distance flights, she also set records for altitude and speed, and helped develop passenger airline service. As a writer and magazine editor, Earhart also further advanced the cause of flight and of women in aviation. Her disappearance during a daring around-the-world flight in 1937 has been a source of intrigue for over 80 years. Earhart’s life and career have provided inspiration to generations of young people, particularly those whose paths have been beset with obstacles and barriers.
Singer and actor Miley Cyrus rose to superstardom playing a character with two names and two lives. In the hit TV series Hannah Montana, Cyrus starred as typical teenager Miley Stewart who also had a secret life as rock star Hannah Montana. In real life, Miley has far outdistanced Hannah with her success as a recording artist, concert performer, and movie actorwho has millions of adoring fans around the world.
Known for her sense of humor and quirky outfits, platinum-selling pop singer Katy Perry is a self-described "professional goofball." Born Katheryn Hudson, young Katy grew up singing gospel songs in the church where her parents were both pastors. At the age of 15, her journey to become a professional artist began when she was invited to Nashville, Tennessee, to do some recording and to learn about songwriting. The path to superstardom may have been a bit bumpy, but this talented artist showed such promise that people believed in her and supported her all the way to the top.
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.
