When a young African-American seamstress named Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus to a white passenger, she turned the smoldering civil rights movement into a firestorm. For years, blacks in the South had seen their civil liberties stolen through segregation laws that demanded the races be kept separate but equal except there was no equality about it. Parks s arrest was chosen to challenge the constitutionality of Montgomery s bus segregation laws. Soft-spoken and unassuming, Rosa Parks was an unlikely activist. But her sense of justice inspired her to speak out against racism and injustice, regardless of the personal price it exacted. In the process, she became an enduring symbol of the power of an individual to change the course of history....

For almost 3,000 years, The Iliad and The Odyssey have thrilled people with tales of adventure in ancient Greece. The stories of Helen and Paris, the Greek gods, the Trojan War, Achilles and of Odysseus' ten years quest to return home after the war are known all over the world among all cultures. But so much about the life of Homer, responsible for the epic poems, remains a mystery. Despite the controversies surrounding him, Homer is still honored as one of civilization's greatest poets. His poems were so vivid that 19th century archeologists used descriptions in The Iliad to locate the city of Troy....

Angelina Jolie has understandably created a mystique in the eyes of the public. A rare beauty and skilled actress, she has already earned an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Academy award. Her unconventional personal life, however, has consistently drawn as much attention as her acting skills. Over the past decade, fans have watched her evolve from Hollywood's rebellious wild child - infamous for her bold tattoos and shocking two-year marriage to actor Billy-Bob Thornton - to a mother and committed human rights advocate. Together she and Brad Pitt have adopted three international children, sparking an adoption trend among other celebrities. Best known for portraying strong, edgy women in film, Jolie exudes her own strength off-screen as she gracefully balances the pressures of family life, humanitarian efforts, and a flourishing career.

This detailed biography includes a chronology of significant events, illustrations, and a bibliography of print and electronic resources. Ideal for fans and general readers looking to learn more about one of today's most intriguing and sought-after celebrities.

...

All Ellen DeGeneres wanted to be was funny. She kept her humor clean and steered clear of politics and social agendas, instead honing a quirky, off-center, mistrustful view of the world.

I was coming home from kindergarten--well, they told me it was kindergarten. I found out later I had been working in a factory for ten years. It's good for a kid to know how to make gloves.

If ever there was a more unlikely comic to become a symbol of controversy, it was Ellen DeGeneres. Throughout her career, she balanced her ever-growing success with her desire to keep her sexuality private. How that struggle affected her life and career and ultimately inspired her to come out of the closet, putting her life in the spotlight and her career at considerable risk, forms the emotional core of this biography. And in a broader sense, the controversy caused by Ellen's acknowledged sexuality is a reflection of America's own struggle with tolerance and acceptance.

Ellen examines the repercussions still being felt by the comic as a direct result of her revelations and offers a glimpse of what her future may hold. It details:

Ellen's colorful family history, which includes a swashbuckling pirate ancestor

How her conservative father turned his back on Ellen when he learned she was gay

The personal tragedy that became her greatest inspiration

Her secret life in the gay bar scene during her stand-up days

The women Ellen has loved

Her life as a gay crusader...

While growing up in Tappahannock, Virginia, Chris Brown would spend hours listening to the R&B music his parents played on the radio. Inspired by multitalented artists such as Michael Jackson, Chris first dreamed of becoming a professional rapper. But a funny thing happened on the way to being his hometown s first MC. Chris discovered he could sing. Even better, he found out that his singing impressed the girls in his school. Seeing how people reacted to his voice convinced him to pursue music as a career. This is the story of how a sixteen-year-old from a small country town made it to the top of the music charts. Although it may seem as if he became an overnight sensation, Chris Brown would have to endure two years of uncertainty, loneliness, and sacrifice before achieving the international success that is making his dreams come true....

One of Hollywood's first openly Latin stars, Jennifer Lopez has held fast to her New York Bronx roots, while rising above them to become the highest paid Latina actress in history. Her expansive body of work-ranging from film, music, and dance to television production and fashion-has broken down long-standing racial barriers and earned her a place in Forbes' 2007 list of the Top 20 Richest Women in Entertainment. In spite of several box office and a dramatic personal life that has made her the frequent target of tabloid gossip, this determined artist has managed to retain her place at the top of her field and stands poised to make more significant contributions to the entertainment industry.

Since bursting into the spotlight with her portrayal of deceased Latin superstar Selena in 1997, Jennifer Lopez has captivated the public eye and carved a niche for herself among Hollywood's elite. One of Hollywood's first openly Latin stars, Jennifer Lopez has held fast to her New York Bronx roots, while rising above them to become the highest paid Latina actress in history. Her expansive body of work-ranging from film, music, and dance to television production and fashion-has broken down long-standing racial barriers and earned her a place in Forbes' 2007 list of the Top 20 Richest Women in Entertainment. Her dramatic personal life-highlighted by a relationship with bad-boy Sean Puffy Combs, two divorces, a highly-publicized broken engagement to Ben Affleck, and marriage to Latin singer Marc Anthony-has earned her as much attention as her career and made her a frequent subject of tabloid gossip. Negative press and several box office flops, however, have done little to diminish J.Lo's popularity. This determined artist has managed hold her place at the top of her field and stand poised to make more important contributions to the entertainment industry.

Hollywood journalist Kathleen Tracy explores Jennifer Lopez as both an individual and an entertainer, chronicling the triumphs and pitfalls of her groundbreaking career and intriguing personal life. Complete with a chronology of significant events, illustrations, and a bibliography of print and electronic resources, this detailed biography is ideal for general readers looking to learn more about their favorite star or for students researching the role of race in America's entertainment business.

...

Losing made Chris Daughtry a winner. The American Idol contestant s surprising elimination from the show initially left fans and Daughtry stunned and bitterly disappointed. He had begun to believe the fan sites that were predicting he would win it all. Finally, it had seemed, all those years of singing with local bands back in North Carolina were paying off. Then it was all snatched away when he was voted off the show three weeks from the finale. It wasn t long before Chris realized that being free from Idol was an opportunity to go back to his musical roots performing with a rock band. He turned down an offer to join Fuel as their lead singer and chose to form his own group, which he called, of course, Daughtry. Chris had one chance and was determined to make it or fail on his own talent. By betting on himself and his band, Chris Daughtry struck gold....

Just one look into Morgan Freeman's eyes and it is apparent that this is a man who has lived a full, sometimes hard, life. To better appreciate his achievements and successes, this book will equally show the triumphs and the struggles and failures he has overcome in his colorful life through an assortment of personal accounts and entertaining anecdotes....

Matt Christopher grew up with two passions baseball and writing. As a young man, he played semiprofessional ball but quickly realized that while talented, he wasn t good enough to be a professional player. So he channeled all his creative energies into being a writer. Every night when he got home from work he would sit in front of his typewriter and turn out stories. Eventually, he started getting published, but he wasn t selling enough to make a living at writing. And then he took the advice of his local librarian, who suggested he combine his love of sports with his love of writing. The result was The Lucky Baseball Bat, and Matt Christopher knew he had finally found his niche. He became known as the bestselling sportswriter for children, having written more than 100 books that have sold over six million copies. More than anything, Matt Christopher proved that if you try hard enough, your dreams really can come true....

Singer, actor, songwriter, and comedian Demi Lovato has taken Hollywood by storm. Born in Texas, she dreamed of being a performer ever since she was a little girl. She began her acting career at age ten on Barney & Friends, where she met her future BFF Selena Gomez. But her next attempts at acting failed, and for a while she considered giving up. After appearing in As the Bell Rings as Charlotte, Demi got her big break starring opposite the Jonas Brothers in Camp Rock. Since then her life has been a whirlwind. After touring with the Jonas Brothers, Demi released her first solo album and was given the chance to star in her own Disney Channel comedy, Sonny with a Chance. Find out what makes Demi so successful, and what dreams she still wants to achieve....

It was a beautiful late summer morning, the kind of day even busy New Yorkers took a moment to appreciate. The sky was spectacularly clear, tinted an azure blue, the air stirred by a gentle breeze. The mood of the city seemed optimistic as people hurried down the crowded streets on their way to work. Then the world as people knew it changed forever . . . The attack on the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and New York City s World Trade Center by three fuel-laden, hijacked airplanes was the worst attack ever on mainland American soil. The nation watched in horror as the events were captured by video and live news coverage. The attacks temporarily brought the nation to a stop, both emotionally and literally for the first time, all commercial flights were grounded. Ironically, the attacks intended to undercut America s way of life only served to reinforce its core values. And out of the carnage of that day came acts of unspeakable bravery, uncommon courage, and true heroism....

Hillary Rodham Clinton is one of the most polarizing figures in modern American politics. To critics, she is willful and ambitious a liberal more interested in promoting her agenda than uniting the country. To supporters, she s intelligent and committed an advocate of social causes such as universal health care that would benefit average citizens. Abhor or admire her, the importance of Hillary s historic run for the Democratic presidential nomination is indisputable. Before most people became acquainted with Hillary as First Lady, when her husband Bill Clinton was elected president in 1992, she was an accomplished attorney and activist, serving on several state and national boards promoting legal aid, health care, and education. After putting her personal ambitions aside during her husband s presidency, Hillary returned to public service in 2000 and was elected U.S. Senator from New York, becoming the first former First Lady to hold a Senate seat. Eight years later she announced her candidacy for president, initiating a race that would prove to be one of the most dramatic and suspenseful in American election history....

Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis-better known as Jackie O. to the tabloids, "the deb" to the Kennedy clan, and the 35th First Lady to historians-is easily one of the most recognizable Presidential wives. She remains the model of the proper American woman. But what was Jackie O. hiding behind those big, dark shades?

From her New York society upbringing to her time in the White House to her days spent as a Doubleday editor, this is the ultimate biography of a woman everyone recognized but few knew. Did you know that:

• Her first job was as the "Inquiring Camera Girl" for the Washington Times-Herald?
• Before she started dating Jack Kennedy, she hadn't even voted in a national election?
• She was the only family member strong enough to remove Robert Kennedy from life-support measures after he was shot?
• She asked Rose Kennedy for her blessing before she married Aristotle Onassis?

She was American royalty and is now an American icon. The Everything Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Book delivers everything you always wanted to know about this captivating woman....

Sophie Chien and the rest of her elementary school class can hardly wait. They are going on a class trip to San Diego! Before they go, they ll learn all about this historic city on the Pacific Coast. Founded in 1769 by Father Junípero Serra, who established the mission San Diego de Alcalá, San Diego became the first permanent Spanish settlement in California. Besides its history, the class will also learn about San Diego s climate, sports teams, universities, and huge Balboa Park, which has museums, a botanical garden, and Sophie s favorite, the San Diego Zoo. Finally the big day arrives, and Sophie is not disappointed. Follow her and her class as they take a trolley from Seaport Village to Old Town, enjoy tacos and tamales for lunch, and end their day at the zoo s butterfly exhibit. Find out what s exciting about California s oldest city in this vibrant book about a Class Trip to San Diego....

Odysseus is one of the greatest heroes of Greek culture. Known for his cunning and intelligence, he was instrumental in helping the Greeks emerge victorious in the Trojan War. But it was his adventures after the ten-year war ended that inspired Homer to immortalize him in The Odyssey. The ancient Greeks felt a special kinship with Odysseus. While they admired physical prowess and respected courage and determination, they revered cunning and intelligence above all. Find out how Odysseus uses his brains and his brawn to fight a flesh-eating Cyclops; ignore the Sirens, who lured sailors to their deaths; and outmaneuver deadly rocks that crushed ships trying to pass through them. Then see how he regains mastery in his kingdom when he returns to Ithaca and his queen, who has waited for him patiently for twenty years....