Most Popular Books by Ellen Labrecque

Why is strength important? How can you stay healthy? What are some fun, simple exercises we can all do to stay fit? Answer these questions and more with this simple and engaging text in the Exercise! series. Leveled text and vivid images help teach readers about important health concepts, while step-by-step directions help readers practice exercises on their own.

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.

Everyone knows that fish swim. But are there fish that fly? You have questions and this book has the answers. Find out about the lives of certain fish and their unique abilities to move through the water.

Full moons in folklore and legends are said to have magic power. Does a full moon really affect our planet and people living on it? Get a closer look at the moons in our solar system, from the known moons to the ones that haven''t been discovered. Budding astronomers will learn all about moons, from Jupiter''s 63 moons to the features of Earth''s moon.

How was the moon formed? Do we always see the same side of it? How many moons are in our galaxy? Early readers will love getting the answers to all their questions about the Moon and other satellites. Includes sidebars and infographics that are worked seamlessly into the design for easy reading and better comprehension.

Why is flexibility important? How can you stay healthy? What are some fun, simple exercises we can all do to stay fit? Answer these questions and more with this simple and engaging text in the Exercise! series. Leveled text and vivid images help teach readers about important health concepts, while step-by-step directions help readers practice exercises on their own.

Spend a day and night in the forest! Learn about this wooded habitat through the fascinating animals that call it home. Leap from tree to tree with a squirrel searching for breakfast. Pounce with a fox on the forest floor. Soar with a red-tailed hawk as the sun sets. After dark, build a dam with a beaver. What will tomorrow bring in the forest?

Learn about the showstopping life of one of the most famous entertainers of all time in this book about Frank Sinatra from the #1 New York Times Bestselling Series! Before Frank Sinatra became the international superstar that we remember him as today, he was just a young boy singing for spare change in his family''s New Jersey tavern. Those small beginnings would be the start of an incredible career in which Frank became one of the best-selling musicians of all time -- selling over 150 million records worldwide. More than just a musician, Frank also went on to win an Academy Award and a Golden Globe during his career as an actor. With hundreds of songs from several genres such as big-band, swing, jazz, and pop, the "My Way" singer is considered one of the world''s most beloved entertainers.

Why is coordination important? How can you stay healthy? What are some fun, simple exercises we can all do to stay fit? Answer these questions and more with this simple and engaging text in the Exercise! series. Leveled text and vivid images help teach readers about important health concepts, while step-by-step directions help readers practice exercises on their own.

NBA champion, sports analyst, and successful businessman Shaquille O''Neal is a lively and entertaining addition to the #1 New York Times Bestselling Series! Shaquille O''Neal discovered his love of basketball while spending time in an afterschool program called the Boys & Girls Club of America. Standing over six feet tall by the time he turned eleven years old, Shaq--as he is affectionately known--continued to practice the game and stunned the country with his phenomenal skills. From leading his high-school team to its first-ever state title to becoming the first pick in the 1992 NBA draft and going on to win four NBA championships, Shaq proved that he could dominate almost any player. But the fifteen-time All Star who played for six teams throughout his nineteen-year NBA career isn''t just a force on the court, he is also an actor, television host, musician, and businessman who is always ready to crack a joke or bust a dance move. With such a welcoming personality and immense talent, it is easy to see why Shaquille O''Neal is often considered one of the greatest players in NBA history.

What is a black hole? What is dark matter and what is it made of? How do scientists discover black holes and dark matter if they can''t be seen? What do scientists know about these mysterious parts of the universe and what do they still hope to find out? Budding astronomers will learn the answers to these questions and more!

Born in Wisconsin in 1867, Frank Lloyd Wright became obsessed with a set of building blocks his mother had given to him on his ninth birthday. He grew up to become the father of organic architecture and the greatest American architect of all time, having designed more than 1,100 buildings during his lifetime. These included private homes – such as the stunning Fallingwater, churches, temples, a hotel, and the world-famous Guggenheim Museum in New York City. When asked how he could create so many designs, he answered, “I can’t get them out fast enough.” Frank Lloyd Wright was a man ahead of his time who could barely keep up with his own ideas!

Spend a day and night in the prairie! Learn about this grassy habitat through the exciting animals that call it home. Spot prairie dogs popping aboveground as morning sun floods a field. Join giant bison as they graze on grass. Stir up dust on a sunset sprint with antelope. After dark, stake out prey with a coyote in dense grass. What will tomorrow bring in the prairie?

Born into aristocracy, Churchill cut his teeth as a young army officer in British India, the Sudan, and the Second Boer War. He rose in the ranks to First Lord of the Admiralty and was a staunch opponent of the encroaching German Nazis. Churchill served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955. Widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the 20th century, Churchill was also a historian, a writer, and an artist. He is the only British Prime Minister to have won the Nobel Prize in Literature, and was the first person to be made an honorary citizen of the United States.

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!

The 21st Century Junior Library Women Innovators series highlights the contributions of women to STEM fields. Stephanie Kwolek and Bulletproof Material examines the life of this important woman and her contributions to the development of bulletproof material. 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.

The 21st Century Junior Library Women Innovators series highlights the contributions of women to STEM fields. Gertrude B. Elion and Pharmacology examines the life of this important woman and her contributions to the field of pharmacology. 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.

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.

Whether you call it football or soccer, there''s no disputing that David Beckham is one of the best players in the history of the game! Whenever a young David Beckham was asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, he''d always answer with the same response: I want to be a footballer. This English native got his wish when he joined the Manchester United team in 1991. Since then, he has been crossing, bending, and free-kicking his way to stardom. In his twenty-year career as a professional soccer player, he has won nineteen major trophies, and appeared at three FIFA World Cup tournaments. David Beckham has become an international cultural icon for his soccer skills, his charity work, and his fashionable wife and family. Young soccer fans are in for a treat with this Who HQ book.

The 21st Century Junior Library Women Innovators series highlights the contributions of women to STEM fields. Sarah Mather and Underwater Telescopes examines the life of this important woman and her contributions to underwater exploration. 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.

The 21st Century Junior Library Women Innovators series highlights the contributions of women to STEM fields. Yvonne Brill and Satellite Propulsion examines the life of this important woman and her contributions to rocket science. 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, Figure 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 figure 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.

Read Along or Enhanced eBook: The 21st Century Junior Library Women Innovators series highlights the contributions of women to STEM fields. Ada Lovelace and Computer Algorithms examines the life of this important woman and her contributions to computer science. 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.

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.

Weather is at work changing the Earth every day. Dramatic rainfall can cause devastating landslides. Wind can erode rocks over thousands of years. Discover the impact of wind, rain and sun on the habitats of the world.

Readers will learn what it takes to succeed as a commercial fisherman. 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.

Using the new C3 Framework for Social Studies Standards, these books explore environmentalism through the lenses of History, Geography, Civics, and Economics. In Land Trusts and National Parks, 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.

Viva la revolución! Find out how Che Guevara--a doctor turned communist leader and much more than a face on a T-shirt--ended up paying the ultimate price for his cause. His very image has become associated with a spirit of rebellion, but Ernesto Guevara--known around the world simply as Che--didn''t dream of becoming a revolutionary. Author Ellen Labrecque takes readers on a journey through Che''s life starting with his childhood in Argentina, to his travels through South and Central America as a young physician, and ending with his final years as a key player in the Cuban revolution. His legacy--as the author of The Motorcycle Diaries, a champion of the poor, and a force for change in Cuba--is both personal and political.

How did an immigrant who sold sewing supplies in New York City reinvent himself in the American West by creating the most iconic pair of pants in the world? Find out in this addition to the Who HQ library! As a young working-class German immigrant, Levi Strauss left his family''s dry goods business in New York City to journey out west for the California Gold Rush. Only Levi wasn''t looking for gold -- he wanted to provide the miners with sturdy clothes to wear while they worked in the dusty river beds. His solution? Blue jeans -- pants made of strong denim fabric -- which have become one of the most beloved and fashionable clothing items in the world. Who Was Levi Strauss? follows the remarkable journey of this American businessman, and takes a look at how one man and a pair of pants changed fashion and the world forever.

Readers will learn what it takes to succeed as a carpenter. 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.

Readers will learn what it takes to succeed as a green general contractor. 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.

Readers will learn what it takes to succeed as an air traffic controller. 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.

Readers will learn what it takes to succeed as a chef. 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.

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.