Biography

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

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Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor Southern tobacco farmer who worked the same land as her slave ancestors, yet her cells, taken without her knowledge, become one of the most important tools in medicine. The first immortal human cells grown in culture, they are still alive today, though she has been dead for more than 60 years.

Author:

Rebecca Skloot

Grade Level:

High

Lexile:

1140L

Length:

12:30

The Bronte Sisters: The Brief Lives of Charlotte, Emily, and Anne

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Copies: 7

The Bronte sisters were the most extraordinary of literary siblings. In the nineteenth century, when women were discouraged from writing and publishing books, all three produced one or more novels now considered masterpieces. In "The Bronte Sisters," award-winning author Catherine Reef explores the turbulent lives of Charlotte, Emily, and Anne and offers insights into their passionate and timeless work.

Author:

Catherine Reef

Lexile:

1080L

The Bronte Sisters: The Brief Lives of Charlotte, Emily, and Anne

Zora!

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Copies: 7

Even as a little girl, Zora Neale Hurston was confident, charismatic, and determined to be extraordinary. As a proud young girl who grew up in an all-black community in Eatonville, Florida, she didn't experience the prejudice that many African Americans felt at the time. In fact, she was so self-confident as a child that she thought the moon followed her wherever she went. She arrived in New York at the height of the Harlem Renaissance and quickly gained recognition for her work, making friends such as Langston Hughes and Alain Locke.

Author:

Dennis Brindell Fradin

Lexile:

1110L

Nelson Mandela

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This is the story of a young boy who grew up to become president of South Africa. His lifelong quest was to establish equality for people of all colors.

Author:

Kadir Nelson

Grade Level:

Elementary

Length:

00:10

Coretta Scott

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This extraordinary union of poetic text by Ntozake Shange and monumental artwork by Kadir Nelson captures the movement for civil rights in the United STates and honors its most elegant inspiration,

Author:

Ntozake Shange

Grade Level:

Elementary

Length:

00:07

Indian Captive, The Story of Mary Jemison

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Copies: 30

Twelve -year-old Mary Jemison took her peaceful days on her family's farm in eastern Pennsylvania for granted. But on a spring day in 1758, something happened that changed her life forever. A band of warriors invaded the house and took the Jemison family captive. Mary was separated from her parents and brothers and sister. She traveled with the Indians to southern Ohio and later to a Seneca village on the Genesee River in what is now western New York.

Author:

Lois Lenski

Lexile:

800L

Indian Captive, The Story of Mary Jemison

It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life

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After struggling to overcome obstacles in his childhood, Lance Armstrong finds fame in bicycle racing. His success is challenged when he is diagnosed with testicular cancer.

Author:

Lance Armstrong with Sally Jenkins

Grade Level:

High

Lexile:

890L

Length:

04:08

It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life

Giants of Science: Leonardo Da Vinci (Unabridged)

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As the illegitimate son of a notary from Vinci, Leonardo is banned from Italian universities and trade guilds. But he soon becomes the shining star in the studio of the acclaimed Florentine artist Verrocchio. After being investigated for alleged homosexual activities, Leonardo leaves Florence in 1482 to make weapons for the prince of Milan.

Author:

Kathleen Krull

Grade Level:

Middle

Lexile:

1010L

Length:

01:11

Giants of Science: Leonardo Da Vinci (Unabridged)

Lives of the Artists: Masterpieces, Messes (and What the Neighbors Thought)

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Whether visiting museums and galleries or taking Art History courses, we often marvel at the brilliant artwork, but learn little about the artists behind the creations. Kathleen Krull's acclaimed Lives of the Artists examines 20 brilliant artists and tells us why their neighbors had so much to whisper about.

Author:

Kathleen Krull

Grade Level:

Middle

Length:

02:02

Lives of the Artists: Masterpieces, Messes (and What the Neighbors Thought)

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought)

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Which president had feet bigger than his ego? Washington. Which barked like a seal? Kennedy. Which joked about dating mummies? Clinton. These fun and quirky facts bring to light the human side of the 42 men who have served as U.S. presidents.

Author:

Kathleen Krull

Grade Level:

Elementary

Middle

Lexile:

1240L

Length:

02:55

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought)

Biography

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