New Releases by Ellen Labrecque

The inspiring story of amputee Bethany Hamilton, who survived losing her arm in a shark attack and then went on to become a professional surfer! Bethany Hamilton grew up in a family full of surfers. She learned to surf at a very young age and earned her first sponsorship by the time she was nine. When Bethany was thirteen, her life was changed forever when a fourteen-foot-long tiger shark burst out of the water and bit off her left arm while she was surfing on the north shore of Kauai, Hawaii. Less than one month after the shark attack, Bethany returned to surfing. Fewer than three months after losing her arm, Bethany competed in her first major competition. She went on to have a successful surfing career, using a modified surfboard with a rope handle on it so that she could still compete with just one arm. Today, she has written nine books and hopes to inspire others to overcome their obstacles to pursue their dreams.

Learn all about the first American pope! Follow Pope Leo XIV from his childhood in Chicago to his election as the 267th pope! Filled with all the iconic hallmarks of a Who HQ biography, this illustrated book is a great place for young readers to learn more about this historic figure.

Discover more about the first pair of brothers to play against each other in the Super Bowl! Learn all about Jason and Travis Kelce's lives and careers in this illustrated book! Filled with all the iconic hallmarks of a Who HQ biography, sports fans will have a chance to learn new things about their favorite players or discover them for the first time!

How did a young girl from Vermont grow up to become an American rugby union superstar? Find out in this entertaining biography about Olympic medal winner Ilona Maher, who has championed body positivity in her funny and engaging social media posts. Ilona Maher has always been an athlete. From a young age, she played basketball, softball, and field hockey with her two sisters. It wasn't until her senior year of high school that she began playing rugby and discovered that she was quite talented at the intense sport. Ilona was able to play rugby in college, where she won three National Intercollegiate Rugby Association championships. In 2021, Ilona went to her first-ever Olympic Games in Tokyo. Though her team did not earn a medal at those games, Ilona got another chance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. There, she and her teammates earned the bronze medal. Ilona is now one of the most prominent athletes in the world and she has continued to use her platform to uplift other women in sports.

Take a trip in the Yellow Submarine in this illustrated book about one of the most famous bands of all time! Follow the journey of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, from their start in Liverpool to their extraordinary success worldwide. This book is highly illustrated and full of all the iconic nonfiction details the Who HQ series is known for.

Celebrate 50+ geniuses who broke barriers, took risks, and changed our world forever! While these scientists, engineers, and more came from different backgrounds and overcame unique struggles, they had one thing in common: they would not take "You can't" for an answer. With a don't-give-up attitude, these fearless firsts fought for what they believed in and created a better world for all of us. In this book, you'll read about people you might have heard of before, like George Washington Carver and Amelia Earhart. You'll also discover the first scientists to figure out how dinosaurs went extinct, the man who brought the yo-yo to the U.S., and the first blind person to use sound to study space. You'll meet the first American woman to program a computer, the first Black person to earn a patent, and the first Latina to be the U.S. Surgeon General. By the time you're done reading, you'll be inspired to stay curious, solve hard problems, and be fearless in whatever you do!

Meet Carlo: an Italian fifteen-year-old techie who loved coding, video games, animals, and especially Jesus!This fascinating, visually engaging biography of Saint Carlo Acutis unfolds the life and spirituality of the first millennial saint for children ages 8 to 11.This award-winning book features full-color photos; testimonies from Carlo’s friends and family; and informative sidebars that break open the historical, cultural, and religious contexts of Carlo’s life and holiness, including an overview of the canonization process.

Celebrate 50+ artists who broke barriers, took risks, and changed the world of entertainment forever! While these creatives came from different backgrounds and overcame unique struggles, they had one thing in common: they would not take "You can't" for an answer. With a don't-give-up attitude, these fearless firsts fought for what they believed in and created a better artistic world. In this book, you'll read about very famous entertainers, like Taylor Swift and Oprah Winfrey. You'll also discover the first Asian American comic book writer and the first runway model in a wheelchair. You'll meet the world's first modern graffiti artist, the first Black man to host a TV series, and the first Indigenous American Oscar winner. Beyond individuals, you'll learn about important groups, like the East West Players and the Hamilton cast. By the time you're done reading, whether you see yourself as an artist or not, you'll be inspired to stay optimistic, fight against injustice, and be fearless in whatever you set your mind to!

How did a young boy who played three sports become a two-time Super Bowl champion? Find out in this exciting Who HQ Now book about one of America's favorite football players. Travis Kelce was born an athlete -- he played football, basketball, and baseball in high school. He excelled at football, and served as Cleveland Heights High School's quarterback -- though he'd one day become a famous tight end because of his impressive skills on the field. Travis was offered a scholarship to play football at the University of Cincinnati. After being drafted in the NFL to play for the Kansas City Chiefs, Travis got his first Super Bowl win. Travis won his second Super Bowl in 2022, when the Chiefs defeated his brother's team, the Philadelphia Eagles. Although he is best known for his excellence in football, Travis is also the founder of the Eighty-Seven & Running Foundation, which provides children in need with opportunities in education, athletics, and the arts. He is also a podcaster and an avid car collector.

Celebrate over 50 athletes who broke barriers, took risks, and changed the rules! While these athletes came from different backgrounds and overcame unique struggles, they had one thing in common: they would not take "You can't" for an answer. With a don't-give-up attitude, these fearless firsts fought for what they believed in and created a better sports world. In this book, you'll read about very famous athletes, like Jackie Robinson and Simone Biles. You'll also discover the first female drag-racing champion and the first Latino American baseball superstar. You'll meet the first Olympian with an amputated leg, the first blind Ironman racer, the first transgender college champion, and the first Asian American Olympic gold medalists. Beyond individual athletes, you'll learn how Title IX impacted sports, why the Paralympics matters, and the history behind the Haudenosaunee lacrosse team. By the time you're done reading, whether you're an athlete or not, you'll be inspired to stay optimistic, fight against injustice, and be fearless in anything you set your mind to!

"Spend a day and night in the rain forest! Learn about this lush habitat through the diverse animals that call it home. Start the morning suspended high in the canopy with a colorful toucan. Curl around a branch and bask in afternoon sun with an emerald boa. At sunset, pace the forest floor for prey alongside a sleek jaguar. After dark, spy a nocturnal sloth slowly wake after a full day of slumber. What will tomorrow bring in the rain forest?"--

Vampires are made-up creatures that drink blood. But vampire bats are real! Do they really need to drink blood to survive? You have questions and this book has the answers. Find out about vampire bats, including what they eat and their behaviour.

How much do you know about Philo T. Farnsworth? Find out the facts you need to know about this inventor, scientist, and TV pioneer. You’ll learn about the early life, challenges, and major accomplishments of this important American.

Told in a new Who HQ Now format for trending topics, this Who Was? biography details NBA superstar Kobe Bryant's legendary career and the impact of his legacy on the sports world and beyond. Kobe Bryant was just an eighteen-year-old high-school basketball player when he decided to enter the National Basketball Association's draft. Though he was the thirteenth overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets, he would never play a single game for them. Instead, Kobe was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he would spend his entire twenty-season career, winning five championships and numerous awards. Author Ellen Labreque takes readers through each exciting moment, from his iconic dunks to his 81-point game--all the milestones that span Kobe Bryant's legendary career and legacy.

"What are asteroids, comets, and meteors made of? What can scientists do if an asteroid is headed toward Earth? Learn how astronomers prepare for space objects hitting Earth, from tracking them to building asteroid-hunting telescopes. Budding astronomers will learn all about meteors, asteroids, and comets, including the history of asteroids hitting Earth and the differences between space rocks"--

From wind and rain to tornadoes and hurricanes, weather is a powerful force in our world. Discover how weather changes the world we live in and how scientists learn about its impact on our daily lives.

Weather affects us every day. How do we know what the weather will be like where we live? How can we prepare for it? Find out the science behind weather observation and prediction.

The Amazons were some of the most mysterious and lauded women in Greek mythology. An all-female nation of brave fighters, they rode horseback and were expert archers. Although the stories about the Amazons were first told more than two thousand years ago, these powerful women still strike a chord with readers today. Indeed, they are the same Amazons that DC Comics' Wonder Woman calls her family. Using engaging images, facts, sidebars, and pop culture references, this exciting book tells the Amazon origin myth while weaving in true stories of ancient Greek life and highlighting the relevance of the Amazons in modern-day society.

"You are here: Universe - Milky Way Galaxy - Solar System - Third Planet from the Sun, Earth. Our place in the universe determines what we see in the night sky and the length of every day. Help students learn how the patterns they see fit into the grand scheme of the universe. Connect directly to the Next Generation Science Standards to answer this big question: What is the universe, and what is Earth''s place in it?"--

"You are here: Universe - Milky Way Galaxy - Solar System - Third Planet from the Sun, Earth. Our place in the universe determines what we see in the night sky and the length of every day. Help students learn how the patterns they see fit into the grand scheme of the universe. Connect directly to the Next Generation Science Standards to answer this big question: What is the universe, and what is Earth's place in it?"--

This book takes a simple look at what it means to live in a city. It examines what you can find in a city, why people choose to live there, and the risks people might have because of living in a city, such as pollution. The book also looks at how people adapt to living in cities and the different things people can do in their daily lives, from working in a skyscraper to visiting the zoo!

Using the new C3 Framework for Social Studies Standards, Curling in the Global Citizens: Olympic Sports series explores the sport through the lenses of History, Geography, Civics, and Economics. Text and photos look at the history, basic philosophies, and geography of curling. As they read, students will develop questions about the text, and use evidence from a variety of sources in order to form conclusions. Data-focused backmatter is included, as well as a bibliography, glossary, and index.

Using the new C3 Framework for Social Studies Standards, Skating in the Global Citizens: Olympic Sports series explores the sport through the lenses of History, Geography, Civics, and Economics. Text and photos look at the history, basic philosophies, and geography of speed skating. Content includes information on multiple Olympic events in the category. As they read, students will develop questions about the text, and use evidence from a variety of sources in order to form conclusions. Data-focused backmatter is included, as well as a bibliography, glossary, and index.

Using the new C3 Framework for Social Studies Standards, Alpine Skiing in the Global Citizens: Olympic Sports series explores the sport through the lenses of History, Geography, Civics, and Economics. Text and photos look at the history, basic philosophies, and geography of alpine skiing. Content includes information on multiple Olympic events in the category. As they read, students will develop questions about the text, and use evidence from a variety of sources in order to form conclusions. Data-focused backmatter is included, as well as a bibliography, glossary, and index.

Using the new C3 Framework for Social Studies Standards, Nordic Skiing in the Global Citizens: Olympic Sports series explores the sport through the lenses of History, Geography, Civics, and Economics. Text and photos look at the history, basic philosophies, and geography of nordic skiing. Content includes information on multiple Olympic events in the category. As they read, students will develop questions about the text, and use evidence from a variety of sources in order to form conclusions. Data-focused backmatter is included, as well as a bibliography, glossary, and index.

Read Along or Enhanced eBook: The 21st Century Junior Library Women Innovators series highlights the contributions of women to STEM fields. Mary Anderson and Windshield Wipers examines the life of this important woman and her contributions to automotive technology. Sidebars encourage readers to engage in the material by asking deeper questions or conducting individual research. Full color photos, a glossary, and a listing of additional resources all enhance the learning experience.

Using the new C3 Framework for Social Studies Standards, these books explore environmentalism through the lenses of History, Geography, Civics, and Economics. In Renewable Energy, the text and photos look at the history, basic philosophies, and geography of this environmental issue. As they read, students will develop questions about the text, and use evidence from a variety of sources in order to form conclusions. Data-focused backmatter is included, as well as a bibliography, glossary, and index.

Using the new C3 Framework for Social Studies Standards, these books explore environmentalism through the lenses of History, Geography, Civics, and Economics. In Climate Change, the text and photos look at the history, basic philosophies, and geography of this environmental issue. As they read, students will develop questions about the text, and use evidence from a variety of sources in order to form conclusions. Data-focused backmatter is included, as well as a bibliography, glossary, and index.

Using the new C3 Framework for Social Studies Standards, these books explore environmentalism through the lenses of History, Geography, Civics, and Economics. In Permaculture, the text and photos look at the history, basic philosophies, and geography of this environmental issue. As they read, students will develop questions about the text, and use evidence from a variety of sources in order to form conclusions. Data-focused backmatter is included, as well as a bibliography, glossary, and index.