Most Popular Books by Ellen Labrecque

An introduction to the geography, history, economy, culture, and people of Pakistan. Bright, colorful designs and hands on activities will keep children engaged as they learn about Pakistan and its people.

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!

Readers will learn what it takes to succeed as an auto technician. The book also explains the necessary educational steps, useful character traits, potential hazards, and daily job tasks related to this career. Sidebars include thought-provoking trivia. Questions in the backmatter ask for text-dependent analysis. Photos, a glossary, and additional resources are included.

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.

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.

Born in Missouri in 1928, Maya Angelou had a difficult childhood. Jim Crow laws segregated blacks and whites in the South. Her family life was unstable at times. But much like her poem, "Still I Rise," Angelou was able to lift herself out of her situation and flourish. She moved to California and became the first black—and first female—streetcar operator before following her interest in dance. She became a professional performer in her twenties and toured the U.S. and Europe as an opera star and calypso dancer. But Angelou''s writing became her defining talent. Her poems and books, including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, brought her international acclaim.

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 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 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!

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!

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!

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.

Readers will learn what it takes to succeed as a multimedia artist and animator. The book also explains the necessary educational steps, useful character traits, potential hazards, and daily job tasks related to this career. Sidebars include thought-provoking trivia. Questions in the backmatter ask for text-dependent analysis. Photos, a glossary, and additional resources are included.

This book discusses the science behind various elements of ice hockey, particularly a slap shot. The chapters examine case studies of famous sports moments, explain how the athletes perform these actions, and document the history of how scientists, doctors, and coaches have been working to make these sports safer. Sidebars include thought-provoking trivia. Questions in the backmatter ask for text-dependent analysis. A timeline provides history, key developments, and advancements associated with the sport.

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.

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.

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.

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.