Collection: Biography & Memoir

The mist in Charleston Inner Harbor was heavy, but not heavy enough to disguise the stolen Confederate steamship, the Planter, from Confederate soldiers. In the early hours of May 13, 1862, in the midst of the deadly U.S. Civil War, an enslaved man named Robert Smalls was about to carry out a perilous plan of escape. Standing at the helm of the ship, Smalls impersonated the captain as he and his crew passed heavily armed Confederate forts to enter Union territory, where escaped slaves were given shelter. The suspenseful escape of the determined crew is celebrated with beautiful artwork and insightful prose, detailing the true account of an unsung American hero.

From the former heir-apparent to white nationalism, The Klansman's Son is an astonishing memoir of a childhood built on fear, of breaking from a community of hate.

Derek Black was raised to take over the white nationalist movement in the United States. Their father, Don Black, was a former Grand Wizard in the Ku Klux Klan and started Stormfront, the internet's first white supremacist website--Derek built the kids' page. David Duke, was also their close family friend and mentor. Racist hatred, though often wrapped up in respectability, was all Derek knew.

Then, while in college in 2013, Derek publicly renounced white nationalism and apologized for their actions and the suffering that they had caused. The majority of their family stopped speaking to them, and they disappeared into academia, convinced that they had done so much harm that there was no place for them in public life. But in 2016, as they watched the rise of Donald Trump, they immediately recognized what they were hearing--the spread and mainstreaming of the hate they had helped cultivate--and they knew that they couldn't stay silent.

This is a thoughtful, insightful, and moving account of a singular life, with important lessons for our troubled times. Derek can trace a uniquely insider account of the rise of white nationalism, and how a child indoctrinated with hate can become an anti-racist adult. Few understand the ideology, motivations, or tactics of the white nationalist movement like Derek, and few have ever made so profound a change. When coded language and creeping authoritarianism spread the ideas of white nationalists, this is an essential book with a powerful voice.

This story of Native American History, told by a Native American, provides a new perspective on the iconic legend Sitting Bull.

Now in paperback, this is the only book on Sitting Bull written by a lineal descendant of the famous Hunkpapa Lakota chief. Ernie LaPointe is the great-grandson of Sitting Bull, and he presents the family tales and memories told to him about his great-grandfather in this compelling monograph. In many ways, the oral history differs from what has become the standard and widely accepted biography of Sitting Bull. LaPointe explains the discrepancies, how they occurred, and why he wants to tell his story of Tatanka Iyotake.

This book is powerful. It is a Native American voice, telling Native American History, for all people to better understand a culture, a leader, and a man.

The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising is one of history's most powerful acts of resistance. Here, author Joshua M. Greene (Signs of Survival) tells the true story of a young Jewish woman who was instrumental in the uprising as a smuggler of messages and weapons into and out of the Warsaw Ghetto.

Scholastic Focus is the premier home of thoroughly researched, beautifully written, and thoughtfully designed works of narrative nonfiction aimed at middle-grade and young adult readers. These books help readers learn about the world in which they live and develop their critical thinking skills so that they may become dynamic citizens who are able to analyze and understand our past, participate in essential discussions about our present, and work to grow and build our future.

Warsaw, Poland, 1940s: The Nazis are on the march, determined to wipe out the Jewish people of Europe. Teenage Vladka and her family are among the thousands of Jews forced to relocate behind the walls of the Warsaw Ghetto, a cramped, oppressive space full of starvation, suffering, and death.

When Vladka's family is deported to concentration camps, Vladka joins up with other young people in the ghetto who are part of the Jewish underground: a group determined to fight back against the Nazis, no matter the cost.

Vladka's role in the underground? To pass as a non-Jew, sneaking out of the ghetto to blend into Polish society while smuggling secret messages and weapons back over the ghetto wall. Every move she makes comes with the risk of being arrested or killed. But Vladka and her friends know that their missions are worth the danger--they are preparing for an uprising like no other, one that will challenge the Nazi war machine.

This astonishing true story of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, told through the lens of Holocaust survivor and educator Vladka Meed, introduces readers to a crucial piece of history while highlighting the persistence of bravery in the face of hate.

When Temple Grandin was born, her parents knew she was different. Years later she was diagnosed with autism. Temple's doctor recommended institutionalizing her, but her mother believed in her. Temple went to school instead. Today, Dr. Temple Grandin, a scientist and professor of animal science at Colorado State University, is an autism advocate and her world-changing career revolutionized the livestock industry. This compelling biography and Temple's personal photos take us inside her extraordinary mind and open the door to a broader understanding of autism.

A witty and warm memoir about growing up with the help of a very special cat - from Helen Brown, internationally bestselling author of Cleo and other tales of the beloved cats in her life...

Who was the first pet you ever loved?

The youngest daughter of an eccentric engineer and a musical theater fanatic, Helen Brown grew up in the New Zealand coastal town of New Plymouth in a crumbling castle overrun by nature, and overshadowed by nearby, beautiful Mount Taranaki. It's 1966, the Pacific islands are being used for atomic bomb testing, and her parents and siblings are swept up in their own lives. Twelve years old, struggling in school, and facing eye surgery--for the second time--Helen feels lonely and lost. . . .

Until her father gives her a three-month-old, gray-and-brown tiger-striped tabby with extra toes on each paw. Noticing an M design on the cat's forehead, Helen names her new companion Mickey. Inquisitive, rambunctious, clever, and skittish, Mickey disrupts the already quirky household with his mischief. But Helen finds love, joy--and herself--in learning what it means to care for a living creature who needs her as much as she needs him.

Discover how the electrical section of engineering is part of our daily lives with Everyday STEM -- Electrical Engineering.

Following on from Everyday STEM - Civil Engineering and Everyday STEM - Chemical Engineering comes another branch of engineering - electrical. Explore all about this fascinating side of engineering: what is involved, where we see it, and how it is used. Inventions in this realm can be instantly available to the entire world via our electronic devices - and can quickly make a difference. Electrical engineering is also found throughout our homes from our washing machines to our toothbrushes. Robotics and AI are also discussed. Plus, meet the engineers and scientists whose discoveries are changing our lives for the better. Readers can also carry out cool engineering experiments at home.

With easy-to-understand text written by Jenny Jacoby, and lots of colorful artworks, photos, and diagrams, readers can best explore where we encounter electrical engineering and why it's even important at all.

The Everyday STEM series makes science relevant to tweens. Instead of telling kids STEM is important and is the key to their future success, these books show readers how we use science, technology, engineering, and math in our everyday lives. While the topics sound high-level and complex, this series makes these concepts age-appropriate and accessible. So, while we can't promise to teach 9 to 11-year-olds quantum physics, we can explain in the simplest terms the practical applications of STEM.

Part memoir and part education (or lack thereof), The Know-It-All chronicles NPR contributor A.J. Jacobs's hilarious, enlightening, and seemingly impossible quest to read the Encyclopaedia Britannica from A to Z.

33,000 PAGES
44 MILLION WORDS
10 BILLION YEARS OF HISTORY
1 OBSESSED MAN

To fill the ever-widening gaps in his Ivy League education, A.J. Jacobs sets for himself the daunting task of reading all thirty-two volumes of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. His wife, Julie, tells him it's a waste of time, his friends believe he is losing his mind, and his father, a brilliant attorney who had once attempted the same feat and quit somewhere around Borneo, is encouraging but unconvinced.

With self-deprecating wit and a disarming frankness, The Know-It-All recounts the unexpected and comically disruptive effects Operation Encyclopedia has on every part of Jacobs's life -- from his newly minted marriage to his complicated relationship with his father and the rest of his charmingly eccentric New York family to his day job as an editor at Esquire. Jacobs's project tests the outer limits of his stamina and forces him to explore the real meaning of intelligence as he endeavors to join Mensa, win a spot on Jeopardy!, and absorb 33,000 pages of learning. On his journey he stumbles upon some of the strangest, funniest, and most profound facts about every topic under the sun, all while battling fatigue, ridicule, and the paralyzing fear that attends his first real-life responsibility -- the impending birth of his first child.

The Know-It-All is an ingenious, mightily entertaining memoir of one man's intellect, neuroses, and obsessions, and a struggle between the all-consuming quest for factual knowledge and the undeniable gift of hard-won wisdom.

Join award-winning science writer Seymour Simon in this completely updated edition of Our Solar System, as he takes young readers on a fascinating tour through space!

With beautiful full-color photographs and spacecraft images, including many taken by the Mars rovers and Hubble Space Telescope, this nonfiction picture book teaches young readers all about the solar system, including the sun, the eight planets, and their moons. Covering all the latest discoveries in space, young astronomers will be over the moon about the fun facts, fascinating science, and incredible photographs. A must-have for every child interested in outer space!

This book includes an author's note, a glossary, an index, and further reading suggestions. An excellent choice for classrooms and homeschooling, Our Solar System supports the Common Core State Standards.

Check out these other Seymour Simon books about the universe and space:

• Comets, Meteors, and Asteroids
• Destination: Jupiter
• Destination: Mars
• Destination: Space
• Exoplanets
• Galaxies
• Stars
• The Sun
• The Universe

The FIRST MICRODOSING GUIDEBOOK & JOURNAL by an award-winning mindfulness author and teacher that supports the entire process of preparation, actively microdosing, and integration through the lens of mindfulness. This book is for those who have never microdosed and seasoned microdosers alike; for those microdosing on their own and those microdosing with a microdosing coach. It can be used by coaches, guides, and facilitators to better support their clients, programs, or retreats. There are illustrations by a Mexican mural artist for adult coloring, journaling, and contemplation. Reference charts are included to help guide your decisions so you feel educated, safe, and empowered in your mindful microdosing process at every step. Mindful Microdosing: A Guidebook and Journal offers an essential tool whether ingesting psychedelics on a micro or macro level. It cultivates a spaciousness of mind and expansiveness of heart that comes from the author's years of mindfulness practice. Here mindfulness meets microdosing to offer you a unique experience and unfolding process.

The life and legacy of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, wife of John F. Kennedy Jr., are reexamined in this captivating and effervescent biography that is perfect for fans of My Travels with Mrs. Kennedy, What Remains, and Fairy Tale Interrupted.

A quarter of a century after the plane crash that claimed the lives of John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife Carolyn, and her sister Lauren, the magnitude of this tragedy remains fresh. Yet, Carolyn is still an enigmatic figure, a woman whose short life in the spotlight was besieged with misogyny and cruelty.

Amidst today's cultural reckoning about the way our media treats women, Elizabeth Beller explores the real person behind the tabloid headlines and media frenzy. When she began dating America's prince, Carolyn was increasingly thrust into an overwhelming spotlight filled with relentless paparazzi who reacted to her reserve with a campaign of harassment and vilification.

To this day, she is still depicted as a privileged princess--icy, vapid, and drug-addicted. She has even been accused of being responsible for their untimely death, allegedly delaying take-off until she finished her pedicure. But now, she is revealed as never before.

A fiercely independent woman devoted to her adopted city and career, Carolyn relied on her impeccable eye and drive to fly up the ranks at Calvin Klein in the glossy, high-stakes fashion world of the 1990s. When Carolyn met her future husband, John was immediately drawn to her strong-willed personality, effortless charm, and high intelligence. Their relationship would change her life and catapult her to dizzying fame, but it was her vibrant life before their marriage and then hidden afterwards, that is truly fascinating.

Based on in-depth research and exclusive interviews with friends, family members, teachers, roommates, and colleagues, and featuring never-before-seen family photos, this comprehensive biography reveals a multi-faceted woman worthy of our attention regardless of her husband and untimely death.

Chuck Gallagher and author Bruce H. Wolk present a provocative collection of 31 stories that test our ideas of morality and judgment in a world where convenience and self-interest frequently take precedence over integrity and character. The fan experience experts, consultants and trainers Gallagher and Wolk examine the lives of people whose decisions have had a lasting impact on their legacies, families, sports organizations, and companies.

Each chapter delves into a tale of dubious choices, some impulsive and some deliberate, and poses important queries about the inner workings of the human conscience. Did these athletes ever stop to think about the long-lasting effects of their decisions, or did they just expect they would get away with it? Did they go to bed at night, blissfully unaware of the chaos they had wrought upon themselves and those around them?

Readers are encouraged by Gallagher and Wolk to consider the causes of recent controversies in the sports industry. Were these intentional efforts to develop a "bad boy" reputation or did they come from a place of disobedience and unhappiness? Were these secrets meant to be kept in the closet for all time?

Gallagher and Wolk challenge us to reflect on our own lives and choices as we follow this compelling narrative, challenging us to see that our reputations are the outcome of daily decisions that demonstrate our morality, honesty, integrity, and reliability. Gallagher and Wolk remind us that we are our own publicists and are in charge of creating the image we want to present to the world in a world where our actions are constantly being watched.

The wisdom and insights in the book-crafted by Gallagher and strengthened by Wolk's viewpoints-serve as a beacon of hope, inspiring readers to manage their public image and lead a life marked by respect, integrity, and relevance. Bruce H. Wolk's knowledge of the sports and entertainment industries and Chuck Gallagher's own transparent and vulnerable path together provide priceless insights on second chances and the healing power of personal development.

Readers will get a deeper knowledge of the significance of character and integrity in every facet of life, particularly within the world of sports stars, through Gallagher's moving anecdotes and Wolk's insightful analysis. "Reflections on Integrity and Character" offers a road map to negotiate the treacherous terrain of ethics and morals in the world of sports and beyond, whether you're a sports enthusiast, a business professional, or someone looking to make a difference.

This isn't just a book-it's a catalyst for personal growth and ethical reflection. Dive in, challenge your perspectives, use these stories to provide insight, and take control of your narrative.

Lizabeth Scott reigned in Hollywood as the queen of film noir. By the time obsessed fan and gay filmmaker Todd Hughes sat down to lunch with her at Musso & Frank in Hollywood, she had largely outlived her fame. The two of them formed a unique bond and an enduring friendship that spanned twenty years. One of the very last vestiges of Hollywood's Golden Age, Lizabeth reveals to Hughes her ebullient personality and zest for life while shedding insight into her fabulously brief career as an international film star, recording artist and mistress to one of Hollywood's biggest producers. They stumble over homosexuality, art and politics but always manage to find a way to navigate the turn of the century.

The heartfelt memoir of Ray Raghunath Cappo, a legendary hardcore punk musician-turned-monk--and pioneer of the straight-edge movement--told with warmth, candor, and humor.

Ray Cappo was a hardcore punk singer and pioneer of the straight-edge movement living on the Lower East Side of New York City in the '80s, where his band Youth of Today played to packed clubs and touched thousands of people across the globe. But despite the accolades from fans, the popularity of his records, and the positivity he'd brought to the punk music scene, none of this success gave Ray joy. He felt stagnant, and he yearned for something more.

This, along with his father's untimely death, led him to abruptly quit the band and buy a one-way ticket to India in pursuit of the answers to life's great mysteries. Living as a monk in the sacred city of Vrindavan and traveling across the country on a series of train trips, Ray embraced the rich, spiritual culture he discovered there. As his unusual adventure unfolded, he encountered extraordinary characters, witnessed deep acts of devotion, and experienced profound moments of divine connection, leading to a radical transformation that was ego-crushing and blissful all at once.

Inspired to write music again, Ray returned to the US, where he and other monks founded Shelter, a band dedicated to spreading a message of faith, hope, and love.

Told with warmth, candor, and humor, this heartfelt memoir chronicles Ray's emotional and spiritual journey from punk to monk and beyond.

Inspiring stories of women who changed the course of science--for kids ages 8 to 12

Women have always been at the forefront of scientific discovery. This collection of biographies for kids explores 15 of these women and their extraordinary accomplishments--even in the face of huge challenges. See how they bravely followed their dreams and revolutionized what we know about technology, our bodies, and even the universe!

Explore talented women in history who helped us:

• Change medicine--Learn the stories of chemists like Alice Ball and Marie Daly, and how they helped cure disease and figure out the workings of the human heart.
• Understand the Earth--Discover botanists like Janaki Ammal and marine biologists like Sylvia Earle who created new species of plants and explored beneath the ocean.
• Advance technology--Find out how Ada Lovelace and Gladys West both made major advances in data science, even though they lived more than 100 years apart.

Go further than other history books and read about those who are often overlooked with Bold Women in Science.

Joel Gion's memoir tells the story of the first ten years of the Brian Jonestown Massacre.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre are one of the great contemporary cult American rock and roll bands. At the peak of their anarchic reign in the San Francisco underground of the late '90s their psychedelic output was almost as prodigious and impressive as their narcotic intake. Immortalized in one of the most unforgettable rock and roll documentaries of all time, DIG!, alongside their friends/rivals/nemeses, The Dandy Warhol's, in their early years when the US were obsessed with grunge, the BJM felt like a '60s anachronism.

But with albums like Their Satanic Majesties Second Request and Thank God for Mental Illness, and incendiary, often chaotic, live shows, they burnished their legend as true believers and custodians of the original west coast flame; a privilege and responsibility which continues to this day when the band have a bigger and more dedicated audience than ever. Joel Gion's memoir tells the story of the first ten years of the band from the Duke Seat.

A righteous account of the hazards and pleasures of life on and off the road, In the Jingle Jangle Jungle takes use behind the scenes of the supposed behind the scenes film that cemented the band's legend.

Funny as hell, shot through with the innocence and wonder of a 'percussionist' whose true role is that of the band's 'spirit animal', In the Jingle Jangle Jungle is destined to take its place alongside minor cult classics in the pantheon of rock and roll literature like Playing the Bass with Three Left Hands, Head On, and 45.