biographies

"Explores the life and career of actor, singer and fashion model Zendaya. Learn about Zendaya's childhood, family, and career, including how she got her start and her rise to fame"--Provided by publisher.

This biography of the controversial hip-hop star looks at how his alliance with a notorious street gang and how his story shines light on the long-running connection between rap, gangs, and police in New York City.

The author discusses the adversity he encountered growing up poor, fatherless, in a gang, incarcerated, dropped-out, and without hope. He reflects on his own personal transformation and discusses how his success of returning to school and acquiring a Ph. D. can be replicated by young people with the support of teachers, mentors, and parents.

"For David Goggins, childhood was a nightmare. Poverty, prejudice, and physical abuse colored his days and haunted his nights. But through self-discipline, mental toughness, and hard work, Goggins transformed himself from a depressed, overweight young man with no future into a U.S. Armed Forces icon and one of the world's top endurance athletes. The only man in history to complete elite training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller, he went on to set records in numerous endurance events, inspiring Outside magazine to name him 'The Fittest (Real) Man in America.'. In Can't Hurt Me, he shares his astonishing life story and reveals that most of us tap into only 40% of our capabilities. Goggins calls this The 40% Rule, and his story illuminates a path that anyone can follow to push past pain, demolish fear, and reach their full potential"--Publisher's description.

Before he became a first-round draft pick in the NFL, he had to survive middle school. Over one million boys play high school football every year. About 6.5% become collegiate players. Of those, only 1.5% reach the NFL. Those odds were daunting for a young Vontae Davis who endured many challenges as his parents battled addiction. At age 11, Vontae and his siblings faced living in separate foster homes, but Grandma Adaline refused to allow it--adopting and raising all seven children despite financial difficulties. With some guidance from his older brother Vernon (two-time Pro Bowl tight end) Vontae earned a college football scholarship, and after three years entered the NFL. The Middle School Rules of Vontae Davis features Vontae's defining childhood stories and lessons learned growing up in a rough Washington D.C. neighborhood. Young readers will see how Vontae thrived with the support of those around him--none more important than his grandmother. A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Vontae was named an NFL Players Association Community MVP during the 2015 season.

Looks at the life of astronomer and science writer Carl Sagan.

"Discover the "fascinating and outrageously readable" account of the roguish acts of the first pirates to raid the Pacific in a crusade that ended in a sensational trial back in England."--Amazon.

Drawing on an astonishing archive of letters, which revealed life during wartime, a true story follows a beautiful, young Dutch resistance fighter and underground war hero who spent two years in three concentration camps during World War II.

"[A]... portrait of Trayvon Martin shares previously untold insights into the movement he inspired from the perspectives of his parents, who also describe their efforts to bring meaning to his short life through the movement's pursuit of redemption and justice"--OCLC.

Chronicles the life of Justin Alexander Shetler and the events leading up to his disappearance in 2016. He was an adventure traveler who embarked on a "spiritual journey" to the Parvati Valley, a remote and sometimes dangerous area of the Indian Himalayas, from which he never returned.