Expecting Adam: A True Story of Birth, Rebirth and Everyday Magic

by Martha Beck

From the moment Martha and her husband, John, accidentally conceived their second child, all hell broke loose. They were a couple who had plotted out a future in the most vaunted ivory tower of academe. When their unborn son, Adam, was diagnosed with Down syndrome, doctors, advisers, and friends in the Harvard community warned them that if they decided to keep the baby, they would lose all hope of achieving their carefully crafted goals. Fortunately, that's exactly what happened. Expecting Adam is a poignant, challenging, and achingly funny chronicle of the extraordinary nine months of Martha's pregnancy. By the time Adam was born, Martha and John were propelled into a world in which they were forced to redefine everything of value to them.

Jane Addams: Champion of Democracy

by Judith Bloom Fradin and Dennis Brindell Fradin

Most people know Jane Addams (1860-1935) as the force behind Hull House, one of the first settlement houses in the United States. She was also an ardent suffragist and civil rights activist, co-founding the NAACP and the American Civil Liberties Union. But it was her work as a pacifist that put her in the international spotlight. Although many people labeled her "unpatriotic" for her pacifist activities, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931 and, at the time of her death, Jane Addams was one of the most respected and admired women in the world. This well-researched and inspiring account draws upon hundreds of historical documents and archival photographs to create a revealing portrait of the woman whose very way of life made her an American icon.

A Long Way Gone

by Ishmael Beah

Beah, now 25 years-old, is the first person to tell his riveting account of being a child soldier. Child soldiers, some as young as 8, are being used as human pawns in dozens of conflicts around the world. They are hopped-up on drugs and given AK-47s. Children have become the soldiers of choice by armies and rebels alike. In the more than fifty conflicts going on worldwide, it is estimated that there are some 300,000 child soldiers. Ishmael Beah used to be one of them. How does one become a killer? How does one stop? Beah's honesty is exacting, and a testament to the ability of children “to outlive their sufferings, if given a chance."

Catch Me Before I Fall

by Rosie Childs

A powerfully written memoir examines issues of race, class and mental health. Growing up in mid-1950s Liverpool, Clare Malone is a mixed race child who suffers social stigma, neglect and abuse. Following a breakdown, she moves through a series of psychiatric hospitals (as well as seven name changes) before coming to terms with her hellish childhood.

Anthony Horowitz

by Dennis Abrams

No stone is left unturned in this book about Horowitz. As the author of the popular Alex Rider middle-grade teen spy adventures, fans will find themselves entranced with all the detail in this book. Not only do readers have the great privilege of learning more about the series' hero, Rider, but also how Horowitz made his successful transition from television writer to book writer to virtual celebrity in a matter of a few short years. Horowitz had written one children's book a year for at least twenty years before finding success with his first Alex Rider book, Stormbreaker. With the success of this one book, Horowitz's recognition as a new force in the children's book world really took off.

Bob Marley

by Sherry Beck Paprocki

Bob Marley was the charismatic reggae rocker who took the music world by storm before his early death from cancer. Paprocki presents his chaotic life in the Jamaican slums of Kingston, filling the account with insights into both the violent Jamaican political scene of the period and the Rastafarian faith. For above all, Marley was a Rasta—part of the dreadlocked, vegetarian, pot-smoking group that consider the late Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia to have been an incarnation of the Messiah. Marley's short life is rounded off with accounts of his wife Rita's attempts to raise his twelve legitimate and illegitimate children while keeping alive Marley's flame through various charitable trusts.

Charlemagne

by Derek Wilson

In this new biography, the first major study of Charlemagne in more than twenty-five years, Wilson provides an absorbing and lively account of his life, character, and accomplishments. Charlemagne transcends every notion we have of the traditional historical hero. A military strategist of Julius Caesar's caliber, he had no knowledge of classical history. A ruler with the sagacity of Marcus Aurelius, he ordered summary executions more reminiscent of Caligula or Nero. A devout believer who ensured the survival of Christianity in the West, he considered himself above the Church, sired numerous bastard children, and generated accusations of incest.

Berenice Abbott, Photographer: An Independent Vision

by George Sullivan

One theme repeatedly crops up in the life and career of Berenice Abbott: her refusal to be defined by other people's expectations. Spurning traditional roles for women of her era, she lived a bohemian life among other artists in New York's Greenwich Village and Paris, and embarked upon a career in what was then a male-dominated field. Decades later, her photographs are celebrated as some of the most authentic images of a city ever captured on film, and she is remembered not only as a master American photographer but also as a teacher, writer, inventor, and photographic archivist.

James Dean: Dream as if You'll Live Forever

by Karen Clemens Warrick

The intense, brief life of James Dean is detailed in this book from the "American Rebels" series. Dean's early years in Indiana, and later Santa Monica, are described clearly and in terms that allow a modern reader to understand the world into which Dean was born. The death of his mother particularly affected Dean, after which he was sent to live with his aunt and uncle. As a high schooler, he began to exhibit an interest in acting, and this interest carried him through college and into early acting jobs. The remainder of the book focuses on Dean's rise to superstardom and his untimely death at the peak of his career. His relationships with both men and women are also examined.

Keep On Keeping On: How a Little Kid with Nothing to Lose Helped a Big Kid Find it All

by Timothy Wambach

Did Mike come into Tim's life or did Tim come into Mike's life? Either way, Mike, the intelligent, wheel-chair bound teenager, and Tim, the athletic, can-do young adult will never be the same! This is the true account of their uncommon friendship, offering stories that will keep you rolling on the floor in laughter, while your heart fills with new understanding and compassion.

The Glass Castle

by Jeanette Walls

Jeanette Walls dishes the dirt on her own troubled youth in this remarkable story of survival against overwhelming odds. The child of charismatic vagabonds who left their offspring to raise themselves, Walls spent decades hiding an excruciating childhood filled with poverty and shocking neglect. But this is no pity party. What shines through on every page of this beautifully written family memoir is Walls's love for her deeply flawed parents and her recollection of occasionally wonderful times.

Room Full of Mirrors: A Biography of Jimi Hendrix

by Charles R. Cross

Coinciding with the 35th anniversary of Jimi Hendrix's tragic death, this book is the definitive biography of rock 'n' roll's greatest guitarist. Meticulously researched and based on more than 300 interviews with those who knew him best, this landmark book recounts the entire arc of Hendrix's life, from his troubled childhood in Seattle's projects and the early loss of his mother to his struggles against racial prejudice as a young musician and his rapid ascent to the top amidst the swinging London scene, and finally to the apex of his career headlining Woodstock in 1969, with his death occurring a year later.

Teacher Man: A Memoir

by Frank McCourt

This final memoir in the trilogy that started with Angela's Ashes and continued in 'Tis, focuses almost exclusively on McCourt's 30-year teaching career in New York City's public high schools. His first day in class, a fight broke out and a sandwich was hurled in anger. McCourt immediately picked it up and ate it. He found ingenious ways to motivate the kids: have them write "excuse notes" from Adam and Eve to God; use parts of a pen to define parts of a sentence; use cookbook recipes to get the students to think creatively. McCourt throws down the gauntlet on education, asserting that teaching is more than achieving high test scores.

Bruce Lee: Artist of Life

Edited by John Little

A fascinating look at the man behind the myth, this book is a rare, never-before-seen collection of Lee's private letters and writing, offering insight into the many facets of his life, including his poetry, life philosophies, and his thoughts on martial arts, love, fatherhood, friendship. Lee's writings are inspired and inspirational, of interest to his fans and to the multitudes seeking the meaning of life. You don't have to be a martial arts fan to enjoy this new book.

When I Was a Soldier

by Valerie Zenatti

What is it like to be a young woman in a war? This story of one girl's experience in the Israeli national army is both topical and fascinating. Valerie begins her story as she finishes her exams, breaks up with her boyfriend, and leaves for service with the Israeli army. Nothing has prepared her for the strict routines, grueling marches, poor food, lack of sleep and privacy, or crushing of initiative that she now faces. But this harsh life has excitement, too, such as working in a spy center near Jerusalem and listening in on Jordanian pilots. Offering a glimpse into the life of a typical Israeli teen, even as it lays bare the relentless nature of war, Valerie's story is one young readers will have a hard time forgetting.

Venus and Serena Williams: A Biography

by Jacqueline Edmondson

The author shares the life stories of Venus and Serena Williams, who charged onto center court in professional tennis at the end of the 20th century with a force never before seen in the sport. No other women tennis players have matched their strength, their speed, or their overall athleticism, and none have achieved the status and celebrity they have gained on and off the court as they powered to the number one and two rankings in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA).

No End in Sight: My Life as a Blind Iditarod Racer

by Rick Steber and Rachael Scdoris

Born in Oregon, the daughter of a sled musher, Scdoris has a passion for sled dogs and racing. Athletic and hard-driven, she dreamed of racing the Iditarod. Legally blind since birth, Scdoris not only passed the qualifying races without any help, but was also able to run in the 2005 Iditarod using only a visual interpreter to caution her of obstacles ahead. Her story has a strong voice and a perfect mix of action and dialogue. In school, she was taunted and teased by bullies. Her athleticism helped her find a place on the junior high and high school track teams and her determination to find ways to overcome obstacles helped her become more independent. The author's desire to be normal was paramount the day she missed the school bus and, rather than tell her father, ran the 26 miles to school.

The Poet Slave of Cuba

by Margarita Engle

Born into the household of a wealthy slave owner in Cuba in 1797, Juan Francisco Manzano spent his early years by the side of a woman who made him call her Mama, even though he had a mama of his own. Denied an education, young Juan still showed an exceptional talent for poetry. His verses reflect the beauty of his world, but they also expose its hideous cruelty. Powerful, haunting poems and breathtaking illustrations create a portrait of a life in which even the pain of slavery could not extinguish the capacity for hope.

Ultra Marathon Man

by Dean Karnazes

As an athlete, ultrarunning legend Dean Karnazes has run 350 miles without rest and is probably the first person to eat an entire pizza while running. As an author, he has inspired countless couch potatoes to get off the couch, cancel the cable, and start running. Beginning September 17, 2006 Dean Karnazes ran toward a page in the Guinness Book of World Records as he embarked on his most superhuman feat yet: The North Face Enddurance 50: 50 Marathons in 50 states, in 50 consecutive days, beginning in St. Charles, MO, and ending in New York City on November 5. Read more about Dean at www.endurance50.com.

My Life

by Bill Clinton

In this hefty volume, the former president recounts his hardscrabble childhood in Hope, Arkansas; the illustrious academic career that took him to Oxford and Yale Law School; and his rise in politics. Offering a candid appraisal of his successes and setbacks, Clinton devotes plenty of space here to his White House years, paying particular attention to the policy initiatives he feels to be his true legacy. After unprecedented pre-publication media attention and build-up, My Life rewards our enduring fascination with this charismatic and controversial figure celebrated by some as his generation’s most brilliant politician and condemned by others for his personal excesses.

Robo World: The Story of Robot Designer Cynthia Breazel

by Jordan Brown

Cynthia Breazeal is a creature creator. Armed with electronic gadgets, software programs, and her endless imagination, she creates lifelike machines that can respond to the world around them. Cynthia is a roboticist, a scientist who designs, builds, and experiments with robots. Robo World is the captivating story of a scientist and her science. To tell this true tale of high-tech invention, author Jordan D. Brown drew on firsthand accounts from Cynthia and her friends, family, and colleagues. How did a curious, sports-loving girl become a world-class roboticist? The life story of Cynthia Breazeal will intrigue and inspire readers of all ages.

When I Was Elena: A Memoir

by Ellen Urbani Hiltebrand

Arriving in Guatemala in 1992 in clothes color-coordinated with her blueberry backpack and sleeping bag, Urbani, 22, was never expected to last in the Peace Corps. Other volunteers called her "the China Doll." However inexperienced and unprepared she might have been, she was sensible and sturdy, open and willing to learn, as this memoir demonstrates. Shortly after her arrival, she adopted a dog that repelled endless amorous overtures and probably saved her life. Hiltebrand finds an unexpected lode of humor that she mines to impressive effect, gently but not jeeringly and records events with unflinching precision.

Determined to Win: The Overcoming Spirit of Jean Driscoll

by Jean Driscoll

An eight-time winner of the Boston Maraton, Jean Driscoll is also a two-time Olympic silver medalist with nine medals from the Paralympics. A college coach and motivational speaker, she has appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show and Nightline.

A Dangerous Engine: Benjamin Franklin, from Scientist to Diplomat

by Joan Dash

For eighty-four years the mind of Benjamin Franklin operated like a vital engine continuously searching for information. A pioneering scientist, inventor, author, and diplomat Benjamin Franklin led an exceptionally productive life. Yet, despite the many accomplishments that Franklin achieved he also demonstrated human frailties in relationships and life. Joan Dash does a splendid job of chronicling the life and times of this brilliant and irreverent American.

Big Bam: The Life and Times of Babe Ruth

by Leigh Montville

To the world, he was the Sultan of Swat, the Caliph of Clout, the Wizard of Whack, the Great Bambino. To his teammates, Babe Ruth was simply the Big Bam. Montville's groundbreaking biography of New York Yankees home run king George Herman "Babe" Ruth offers new insights into a man who became a myth. Using newly discovered documents and interviews, The Big Bam presents views on controversial issues such as Ruth's weight and fitness; the reason Boston owner Harry Frazee sold him to the Yankees; and persistent rumors about his racial identity.

Johnny Cash: The Autobiography

by Johnny Cash with Patrick Carr

He was the "Man in Black", a country music legend, the "quintessential American troubadour." He was an icon of rugged individualism who had been to hell and back, telling the tale as never before. In his unforgettable autobiography, Johnny Cash tells the truth about the highs and lows, the Struggles and hard-won triumphs, and the people who shaped him.

Bad Girl: Confessions of a Teenage Delinquent

by Abigail Vona

Three years ago, fifteen year old Abigail Vona lived a life so far out of control (booze, boys, drugs, stealing, and runaway charges) that her father committed her to Peninsula Village, a controversial treatment facility for "behavior modification" in Louisville, Tennessee. She was kept inside this "level-three lockdown" and "wilderness boot camp" for nearly a year. And though it all started out as a nightmare, it eventually became her salvation.

Will's Choice

by Gail Griffith

In 2001, Griffith's promising yet unsettled son, Will, became one of the approximately 2000 American teens who attempt suicide every day. The author, an activist in international humanitarian and arts causes who has also served on an FDA advisory committee, explores the causes of Will's underlying depression and reveals his relationship with a sketchily described girlfriend who indulged in various forms of self-harm. Once stabilized, Will was enrolled in a therapeutic school, where he apparently thrived despite initial trepidation. Griffith's stirring prose is supplemented by Megan's and Will's own reflections on their trauma; statistics and research on teen suicide and depression are integrated into the text along with useful and possibly life-saving advice for parents.

Lincoln's Melancholy

by Joshua Wolf Shenk

Lincoln found the solace and tactics he needed to deal with the nation’s worst crisis in the "coping strategies" he had developed over a lifetime of persevering through depressive episodes and personal tragedies. Based on careful, intrepid research, Lincoln’s Melancholy unveils a wholly new perspective on how our sixteenth president brought America through its greatest turmoil. Shenk relates Lincoln’s symptoms, including mood swings and at least two major breakdowns, and offers compelling evidence of the evolution of his disease, from "major depression" in his twenties and thirties to "chronic depression" later on. Shenk includes a poem Lincoln published on suicide and his unpublished writings on the value of personal and national suffering.

I Feel Good: A Memoir of a Life of Soul

by James Brown

Though the legend of James Brown is well covered on the albums, on the Top Ten charts, and in the tabloids, there remains a story beyond the mere chronology of events that has yet to be told. It is the story of a man who grew up black in the segregated South and whose strength of conviction and force of will were matched only by the powerful demons he battled inside himself. From his childhood memories, to his musical triumphs, to his struggles with inner demons and his most recent troubles with the law, this is the story of James Brown the man, told as no one else ever could tell it, in his own words.

Ayn Rand

by Jeff Britting

Ayn Rand made a profound impact as both a philosopher who founded a school of social thought, Objectivism, and as a novelist of penetrating insight and vision. Her works are founded on heroic ideals, demonstrating the maxim that, “man's ego is the fountainhead of human progress.” The photos and illustrations in this volume have been hand selected from the Ayn Rand Archives, and most have never been published. They include personal mementos of a Petersburg childhood, her family and their home on Nevsky Prospect, photos from her early years in America, personal papers, original newspaper articles, film posters, notes, drawings, and much more.

Good Brother, Bad Brother

James Cross Giblin

In many ways, the Booth brothers were two of a kind. They were among America's finest actors, having inherited from their father, Junius Brutus Booth, a commanding stage presence and a rich, expressive voice. They also inherited Junius's penchant for alcohol and impulsive behavior. In other respects, the two brothers were very different. Edwin's introspective nature made him the perfect actor to play Hamlet, while John, with his dashing good looks and passionate intensity, excelled in romantic roles. They also stood at opposite poles politically. Edwin voted for Abraham Lincoln and would later be known as "the brother of the man who killed President Lincoln."

Isabel Allende: Award-Winning Latin American Author

by Mary Main

"Memory is the raw material for all my writing," says Isabel Allende. Her stories transport readers to another time and place but where does Allende's memory end and her imagination begin? Allende's enchanting blend of fact and fantasy has made her a best-selling author around the world. From journalist to writer of novels, short stories, memoirs, and children's fiction, Allende has lived a life as compelling as her work: complete with intrigue, love, adventure, and tragedy. This vivid portrait will delight Allende's fans and entice new readers to discover the magic of her writing.

The Children of Willesden Lane

by Mona Golabek and Lee Cohen

With raw emotion, Mona Golabek's powerful memoir is a poignant story of tragedy and triumph in a time of war. Famed concert pianist Mona Golabek shares the inspirational true story of her mother's escape from pre-World War II Vienna to an orphanage in London. "The music will give you strength. . . it will be your best friend in life." With these words, the last she would ever hear from her mother, ringing in her ears, young piano prodigy Lisa Jura boarded the Kindertransport and headed for safety. Amidst the dozens of Jewish refugees trying to make their way in war-torn London, Lisa forms indelible friendships, finds romance, and, against all odds, wins a scholarship to study piano at the Royal Academy of London.

Lisa Leslie: Slam Dunk Queen

by Jeff Savage

Lisa Leslie is one of the most talented women's basketball players of all time, having broken records and won titles at nearly every level, from high school to college to the pros. With her amazing combination of height and quickness, Leslie is virtually unstoppable on the court. She also remains the only player to have slam dunked in a WNBA game. From her early childhood, raised by a single mother, through dealing with feelings of resentment regarding her own height, Lisa Leslie persevered to become the most dominant player in the WNBA.

Yao Ming: Basketball's Big Man

by Jeff C. Young

Yao Ming is one of the biggest men to ever play in the NBA. Yet when he was drafted out of China in 2002, many scouts openly questioned whether the big center would ever develop the strength and tenacity to make it in the pros. From his early childhood in China, through his struggles with the Chinese government just to be allowed to play in the NBA, Yao Ming persevered to become one of the most exciting big men playing professional basketball today.

Uh Huh! The Story of Ray Charles

by John Duggleby

This timely biography does a credible job exploring the complex personality of musical legend Ray Charles. Using chronological structure and many color photographs, Duggleby gives equal time to Charles's impoverished Florida childhood, his early career imitating jazz and blues artists, and his later successes as a pianist, singer, composer, and as the father of the musical genre soul. Text boxes explore related topics such as Braille and the Grammies. The book is current through 2005, when Charles won posthumously eight Grammies for his album Genius Loves Company.