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New Arrivals 2016 / 2017: Biographies- January

Leading Women series

Princess Diana

Princess Diana lived much of her life in the public eye and suffered for it. She should not be remembered only for her fashion choices and her uncomfortable celebrity, but for her activism and generosity. Students will learn more about this fascinating and inspiring leading lady in this text that explores Princess Diana's life and her social achievements.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is a young and influential pop star with the world at her fingertips. Fans of Swift can satisfy their curiosity about this intriguing leading woman by reading about her early life, her rise to fame, and the inspiration behind her record-breaking albums. Students will learn about her philanthropic work as well as her artistry.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey is not only a well-known media personality but a woman who has based her career on helping others. This book examines Winfrey's background and the foundational moments that made her into the media mogul she is today. Students learn about her influential work for women and girls in South Africa, as well as her inspiring journey from poverty to financial and professional success.

Serena Williams

Serena Williams is the number-one-ranked women's professional tennis star in the world, and was recently named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year. This powerful woman's rise to tennis stardom, spurred on by her work ethic and dedication to her sport, will prove inspirational for students, whether they are tennis fans or not. Students will learn about Serena Williams's life and the hard work it takes to rise to the top of one's sport or field.

Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres began her career as a comedian and is now a well-known talk show host and activist for gay rights. She has won numerous awards for both her roles on television and her activism. Her life and her work against discrimination will be explored in this text to help students better understand the power of this celebrity's voice.

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence is not just an Academy Award-winning actress, she is an outspoken critic of discrimination and pay disparity in the world of film. Lawrence's cinematic roles as well as her journey to stardom are examined in this book, as well as her apt criticisms against unequal pay for women in Hollywood. Students will find Lawrence's artistic ability, as well as her activism, inspiring, and understand the power of her role in the public eye.

Great Athletes

Kevin Durant: the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Greatest Small Forwards

Stephen Curry: the Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Sharpest Shooters

Gareth Bale

Wayne Rooney

The amazing story of Leo Messi: The Flea

The wizard Neymar

The rise of a winner Cristiano Ronaldo

Shaq Uncut

Influential Asians

Maya Lin

When she was just twenty-one, Maya Lin won a competition to design a memorial to US Vietnam veterans. Her winning design provoked impassioned reactions from politicians, veterans, and the general public. Through fascinating details about her personal and professional life, full-color photos, and inspiring quotations, students will learn how this daughter of Chinese immigrants persevered through the controversy until her vision was realized, and how the experience shaped the rest of her artistic and design career.

Ichiro Suzuki

Ichiro Suzuki has had a storied baseball career in Japan and the United States. Since signed to the major leagues in 2001, the right fielder has racked up batting records for the Yankees, Mariners, and Marlins. Through fascinating details about his personal and professional life, full-color photos, and direct quotations, baseball fans and report writers will be inspired by this biography of a top player driven by a strong work ethic and devotion to charity.

Haruki Murakami

A child of Japan's post-war baby boom, Haruki Murakami grew up, much to the chagrin of his parents, immersed in Western culture. The unhappy and unmotivated student didn't begin writing until he was twenty-nine years old. Through engaging narrative, full-color photos, and thoughtful direct quotations, readers will be inspired by the life story of this celebrated novelist, whose works have been translated into more than fifty languages.

Margaret Cho

Margaret Cho is known for her take-no-prisoners approach to comedy. The daughter of Korean immigrants, Cho experienced difficult teen years which led her to seek solace in the comedy clubs of her native San Francisco. Teeming with full-color photos and direct quotations, his fascinating biography tells Cho's story through the lens of what it means to be Korean in America.

Vera Wang

Born to wealthy and accomplished Chinese immigrants, Vera Wang was given nearly every opportunity in life. But when the budding skater failed to realize her dream of making the US Olympic team, she turned to a career in fashion. Wang has since become one of the world's most accomplished fashion designers, creating wedding gowns for celebrities and figure skating costumes for gold medal winners. Riveting text, full-color photos, and inspirational direct quotations will make it clear to readers exactly why Vera Wang is an influential Asian.

Yo-Yo Ma

The famed Chinese-American cellist Yo-Yo Ma was a music prodigy, performing for paying audiences at the tender age of five. Ma has built a career on the exploration of many types of music and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Through engaging narrative, full-color photos, and thoughtful direct quotations, readers of this biography will be inspired by Ma's never-ending drive to stretch the boundaries of his creativity.

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Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence is not just an Academy Award-winning actress, she is an outspoken critic of discrimination and pay disparity in the world of film. Lawrence's cinematic roles as well as her journey to stardom are examined in this book, as well as her apt criticisms against unequal pay for women in Hollywood. Students will find Lawrence's artistic ability, as well as her activism, inspiring, and understand the power of her role in the public eye.