Tammy Gagne
1) John Cena
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This series introduces readers to eight popular contemporary wrestlers, covering their early lives, wrestling careers, skills, and signature moves. Each title features informative sidebars, engaging infographics, vivid photographs, and a glossary.
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Mario Molina knew at a young age that he wanted to grow up to become a scientist. He studied chemistry in his native Mexico before heading off to other countries to learn and prepare for the wondrous career that awaited him in the field. He soon put his curiosity and knowledge to work as a research chemist. In the early 1970s, he made a startling discovery which led him to an upsetting theory. Chemicals that industrial companies were releasing into...
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Kacey Musgraves knew she wanted to be a singer-songwriter when she was just a little girl. She penned her first song at the age of nine. After competing in talent shows in East Texas as a teen, she landed a spot on the televised singing competition Nashville Star in 2007. Although she didn't win, she went on to write and perform some of the most popular songs in country music today. She is known for her free spirit and her willingness to sing about...
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Juan Felipe Herrera had an unusual childhood traveling with his migrant parents from one farm to another. They did not speak much English, but they taught him much about the world around him. For this family it was a world that spanned two countries, Mexico and the United States. Young Juan learned early that his life had a lot in common with great literature. He loved stories from the time his mother first told them to him. Read more about Juan Felipe...
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Kickball is a fun game that is a lot like baseball. Two teams compete on a field with bases in a diamond pattern. But instead of hitting a baseball with a bat, they kick a large ball. Each kicker to make it around all four bases scores a run. After five innings, the team with the most runs wins. One of the most fun places to play kickball is summer day camp. Kids may not know one another when they arrive at summer day camp. But games like this are...
6) Buddha
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Buddha is known throughout the world today as one of the greatest spiritual leaders in history. But, at one time he was the prince of a small kingdom in India. However, Siddhartha, as he was once known, didn't fit into his royal world very well. Although he tried in many ways, Siddhartha just didn't care about wealth and power the way other young men his age would have. Instead, he dreamed of achieving enlightenment- and helping others to discover...
7) Shawn Mendes
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Some people might say that uploading videos of cover songs to social media sites is a waste of time. After all, what are the chances that a person could become famous this way? Just ask Shawn Mendes. After posting his versions of different songs to Vine in 2013, he was discovered. A short time later, the young singer and guitarist signed a record deal with Island Records. He now has two full-length albums under his belt, along with an EP that shot...
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Sylvia Mendez was just like any other third grader in 1946. She liked to learn. She enjoyed recess. But her school was in terrible shape. She wanted to go to the 17th Street School. This was the school that the white children in her city of Westminster attended. But it had a whites-only policy that kept Mexican American children like Sylvia out. Sylvia and her family did not think this policy was fair, so they decided to sue the school district. Their...
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Nydia Velázquez learned about politics while sitting around her family's dinner table each evening. Her father, who worked in Puerto Rico's sugarcane fields, talked to his nine children about the importance of worker's rights. He also taught them that they had a responsibility to help their community. Young Nydia took his words to heart. After earning two college degrees, she decided to put them to use helping the Puerto Rican people of New York...
10) Meghan Markle
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Meghan Markle was not born into a royal family-or even a wealthy one. Her father worked as a lighting director on a television show. Her mother was a yoga instructor and social worker. After graduating from college with a communications degree, Meghan decided to pursue an acting career. This took a lot of hard work and patience. But she was as determined as the character she would one day play on the television show Suits. Few people could have predicted...
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Dodgeball is a fun game that kids often play at summer camp. Some schools and community centers also have dodgeball teams that kids can join. There are several variations of this game. In all of them, the object is to eliminate players from the game one at a time. Players throw large, rubber balls at the other players. Once a player is hit, that person is tagged out of the game. When played safely, dodgeball is a fun and challenging sport.
12) Jake Owen
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Jake Owen did not grow up with dreams of becoming a country music star. Instead, he thought he would become a professional golfer. He started winning tournaments in the sport when he was just 15. But an injury to his shoulder changed the course of his life when it ruled out playing golf for a living. Jake dealt with this disappointment by picking up a guitar. In the process, he discovered that he had an equally abundant talent for writing songs and...
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Pickleball is a fun sport with a funny name. A U.S. Congressman invented the game one summer along with two of his friends in the 1960s. The sport combines parts of other games such as badminton, ping-pong, and tennis. Today, kids often play pickleball at summer camps. The USA Pickleball Association helps teach people about the sport both in the United States and beyond its borders.
14) Charlemagne
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The English called him Charles I. The Germans referred to him as Karl der Grosse. In Latin he was known as Carolus Magnus. Today he is best known by his French name-Charlemagne. It means Charles the Great, which is no surprise, for this Frankish king went down in history as the ruler who united the European continent. Charlemagne's passion for Christianity along with his skill as a military leader set him apart from the other leaders of his era. By...
15) Dierks Bentley
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Dierks Bentley spent his early years in Phoenix, Arizona- hundreds of miles from the Country Music Capital of Nashville, Tennessee. He discovered country music while attending boarding school on the East Coast. Although he was a rock music fan at the time, he quickly warmed to the sounds of legends such as Hank Williams, Jr. and George Jones. Soon the young guitarist would be writing his own country songs and playing them for thousands of his own...
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Introduces readers to the science behind artificial organs, including how and why the technology was created, current examples of the technology in action, and cutting-edge research advancing the technology. Eye-catching infographics, clear text, informative sidebars, and a "How It Works" special feature make this book an engaging introduction to this exciting technology.
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Few people would have thought that Ileana Ros-Lehtinen would grow up to become one of the longest serving members of the United States House of Representatives. Throughout her career, this groundbreaking congress woman has worked to advocate for women, education for all, veterans, LGBTQ rights, and marriage equality. She was the first Latina, the first female Florida Republican, and the first Cuban-born person to serve in the United States Congress....
18) Derek Hough
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Most people know Derek Hough from his numerous wins on Dancing with the Stars. But this talented performer also acts, choreographs, sings . . . It seems there is nothing he cannot do. After starting dance classes as a child in Utah, Derek moved to England with ballroom dance champions Corky and Shirley Ballas to study dance, music, and theater. After becoming a world champion himself, he performed the lead role in the musical Footloose in London before...
19) LA Galaxy
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The Los Angeles Galaxy has been around since the founding of Major Leagues soccer. This professional team from southern California has won the MLS Cup five times- more than any other team in this national league of the United States. From Cobi Jones to David Beckham, the Galaxy's roster has included some of the biggest names in the sport. Many players have come from faraway nations to play for this prestigious MLS club. Known for both its powerful...
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Not everyone was happy with the New York Knicks's 12th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Many even booed at the selection of Kristaps Porzingis. But he didn't let the jeers stop him from celebrating. The young Latvian player had played professional basketball in Spain before coming to the United States, where he would soon become one of the best known players in the sport. Kristaps knew he would have to work hard to win over his city. And he was...