Adam Furgang – författare

The United States has often been described as a melting pot, and many people who have immigrated to the U.S. from other countries in search of the American dream have contributed not just their cultural histories and traditions, but their artistic spirit as well. This book covers important immigrant artists such as the naturalist painter John James Audubon, Superman co-creator Joe Shuster, multimedia artist Yoko Ono, cartoonist Art Spiegelman, and the street artist Thierry Guetta (Mr. Brainwash). Immigrant artists have collectively helped to make America great through their tremendous impact on the visual arts.

In June 2013, the news organization The Guardian first published articles revealing the shocking revelations that the National Security Agency (NSA) was conducting mass surveillance on all American citizens in secretive bulk-data collection programs. Hundreds of thousands of top-secret documents were leaked from the NSA by a computer programmer named Edward Snowden. This enlightening biography examines the life of Edward Snowden, his reasons for leaking classified documents, his ongoing controversy as a whistleblower, and the revelations and changes in data collection laws that resulted from the massive disclosure.

Since the late 1990s, Leonardo DiCaprio has been the most prominent celebrity environmental activist in the United States. This biography takes a close look at the events in DiCaprio''s life that led him to become to be an activist. Readers will examine his current environmental activities and his recent environmental film, The Eleventh Hour. This biography also looks ahead to future environment-related projects that this global star has lined up.

This title in the Your Carbon Footprint series discusses practical tips and strategies for students who want to minimize the negative environmental impact of transportation, The relevant science is explained, but real focus is on hands-on activities and practices that will help individuals make a difference.

Of all the diseases that humans have suffered throughout history, the biggest killer by far has been smallpox. It’s believed that as many as half a billion people died from this disease in the twentieth century alone. Today, the disease no longer exists as a threat to civilization. Modern medicine has helped to wipe this disease off the face of the earth. It only exists frozen in laboratories. It is no longer a threat to daily life and the way we live. The road to eradication is an interesting one. As it spread throughout the world, it affected families, communities, and entire civilizations. It caused more deaths in the last hundred years than all the wars fought during that period combined. The disease knew no economic, political, geographic, or social boundaries. It touched the lives of the rich and the poor, kings and peasants, chauffeured presidents and ordinary pedestrians. This is the heartbreaking, tragic, but ultimately triumphant story of the diseases rise, spread, and eventual eradication. Even more compelling is this book''s account of how society was shaped by the dread disease and the course of civilization permanently altered.

The Ocean State is the country''s smallest, only 48 miles long and 37 miles wide, yet it has assumed a large place in American history, often finding itself at the very center of momentous national events. Founded by Roger Williams as a bastion of religious freedom and tolerance, the colony very early developed a strong independent streak. Though sandwiched between the powerful and often domineering neighbors New York and Massachusetts, Rhode Island remained fiercely self-sufficient, relying on its maritime economy and local industries for sustenance. Though tiny, Rhode Island is a ferment of creative, historical, and cultural energy. This book reveals the riches contained within it and captures its vibrant and enduring spirit.

Whether you call it a soft drink, a soda pop, or just plain soda, carbonated beverages have been a favorite American drink since the 1800s. Since 1978, the consumption of carbonated beverages has tripled for boys ages 12 to 29, and doubled for girls in the same age group. According to the National Soft Drink Association, the average person now consumes 600 sodas per year, each at about 12 ounces per bottle. In the United States, carbonated beverages are often less expensive than other drinks such as juices. Yet these "soft drinks" are far from benign. They are one of the major culprits in the obesity epidemic. This engaging, explorative book exposes the dangers of carbonated beverages and promotes healthy and flavorful alternatives.

The traditional meals of the day, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, have a new partner: the sugary and salty snack. Our favorite junk foods are easier to find than ever before, and the snack industry is growing by leaps and bounds. As of 2003, the industry was taking in an estimated $66 billion annually. Increases in many serious diseases are on the rise due to this trend, and many are being seen in younger and younger people. While sugar and salt are both natural food substances, and something the human body requires, the body only requires them in limited quantities. This book teaches readers that what we put into our bodies can either help or hinder our weight, energy levels, mood, health, and lifestyle. Students will learn about all of the extreme health dangers hidden within seemingly innocuous snack foods. Fascinating sidebars and a thorough resource section support the narrative.

The frequency and severity of tornadoes, hurricanes, tropical storms, thunderstorms, blizzards, ice storms, dust storms, and cyclones have all increased around the globe. Scientists have found evidence that these storms are likely triggered by an overall warming of the planet, due largely to human activity, particularly the burning of heat-trapping fossil fuels. Readers will survey the scope of the problem, learn about the mechanisms at work behind storms of increasing frequency and intensity, see the outlined steps being taken to combat the global warming that promotes intense storms, and learn about the cutting-edge technologies being developed to secure our homes, offices, and other buildings and structures as well as protect the human lives they contain.

Through his wildly popular series Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Kane Chronicles, 39 Clues, and The Heroes of Olympus, Rick Riordan has sparked young readers'' interest in world mythology and literature, a renewed fascination that is reinforced by film adaptations, toys, games, and other "tie-ins." As a child, Riordan thought of books as too difficult to read and, in the end, not very interesting or worth the effort-in fact, he grew up as a reluctant reader who didn’t like books. While Riordan eventually grew to love both reading and writing, it was a long journey for him. He has now found enormous success as a writer and storyteller. When he noticed his own young son struggling with reading, Riordan was able to capture his attention in the same way that he had finally been hooked through an interest in the otherworldly appeal of mythology. It was from these bedtime stories that he told to his son that the Percy Jackson series was born. The series not only helped to capture his son''s imagination, but it started a very successful career for Riordan as a young adult writer. Today, not only do Percy Jackson fans eagerly await another movie installment of the bestselling books, but increasing hype surrounds the film adaptations of the Kane Chronicles and The 39 Clues, too. Behind all of these impressive tokens of fame and success lie very humble beginnings. The stories millions of children love today came from the mind of just one man. This is Riordan’s inspiring story, one that is every bit as intriguing, dramatic, motivational, and full of unexpected twists and turns as any of his beloved and fantastical works of fiction. This volume includes fact sheets on the author and his work, a timeline, and critical reviews.

In the wake of the Great Recession of 2007 to 2009 and the ensuing federal stimulus efforts, no economic subject has drawn as much attention or attracted as much controversy as the national debt and federal and state budget deficits. This book clearly explains how and why governments borrow money, how and why they engage in deficit spending, and the short-term and long-term effects such practices have on the economy. Even-handed and nonpartisan, this book allows readers to understand the actual economic mechanics at work beneath all the hype. As such, it is a welcome, calming corrective to a partisan debate that has obscured economic realities and muddled the effort to guarantee a sound economy for future generations of Americans.

For teens hoping for a career in music, an internship or volunteer opportunity is a great way to get a foot in the door. Serving as a valuable guide, music lovers are introduced to the wide variety of work experiences available to them, including positions in music performance, music publishing, music production, music education, music therapy, instrument tuning and repair, and more. Readers learn how to find and land an interesting internship or volunteer opportunity in their community, as well as how to make the most of the experience. A varied list of music-related organizations to contact supplements the creative ideas in the text.

An internship or volunteer opportunity in film or television can be an important stepping-stone to a career in the entertainment industry. In addition to gaining practical experience, interns and volunteers can make valuable professional contacts, experience different areas of the industry, and refine their career goals. Teens are introduced to a variety of exciting work experiences available for young TV and movie enthusiasts. Readers learn how to find and land the right position and how to make the most of their experience.

Middle school is the ultimate transitional time in a young person''s life. Amidst all the other changes, one''s friendships are also growing, evolving, expanding, and sometimes ending. Students from several different elementary schools are suddenly thrown together and new peer and friendship groups form. During a period of such momentous change and flux, the shifting and expanding of friendships and acquaintanceships can be unsettling and disorienting. This book provides a wise and reassuring guide to the seeming chaos, offering insightful and gentle advice on how to make new friends, maintain old friendships, and get along and work well with new classmates. Readers learn to confront the end of friendships that no longer work with compassion and empathy. Full of useful strategies for spotting and dealing potentially toxic friendships, "bad crowds," and bullies, this book provides all the tools a young person needs to surround him or herself with kind, dynamic, engaged, and mutually supportive and nurturing friends-for-life.

Close your eyes for a moment and think back to the last time your were in a stadium. The roar of the crowd. The swelling excitement as the team took the field. The massive Jumbotron and blaring sound system. The smell of hot dogs. For those who work in stadiums as well as other sports facilities, this adrenaline rush can be a daily experience. As explained in this detailed guide, the opportunities for work in this arena are vast. Find out what education and other life skills might be required to take on positions including office manager, event manager, business administrator, security guard, maintenance crew member, salesperson, IT specialist, and more.

Careers in the field of business vary widely and attract students with many different skill sets and interests. Through vo-tech programs, students can begin exploring business opportunities in high school and honing the skills they will need to one day succeed in the field. Office experience goes hand-in-hand with classroom learning in such programs, providing students with a thorough grounding in everything from accounting and finance basics to the latest technologies used in e-business. Readers will learn how a vo-tech business program can give them a leg up before pursuing a business career or further education.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. If that’s true, then what are a thousand pictures worth? Today, with the use of mobile smartphones and similar devices containing miniaturized cameras, snapping and sharing photos has never been easier—or more commonplace. Playing around with photo and video apps like Instagram, Vine, Flickr, and Snapchat has become a natural part of teenage life. But along with the fun comes responsibility. This volume guides readers through simple steps for using photo and video apps and offers ideas for unleashing creativity. It also addresses the potential risks of using these apps, such as cyberbullying, and suggests a code of conduct that should be enforced whenever anyone snaps and shares.

Soft drinks have been in the news a lot lately, with many cities around the United States trying to minimize the intake of soda among their citizens. Readers will learn why there is such a backlash against soda. These sugary drinks are a favorite among people of all ages, but drinking too much is unhealthy. The solution may seem to be to drink diet soda or sugar-free options, but even these have problems. Readers will be armed with the knowledge of what soft drinks do to the body, and the impact of what they are really drinking.

Makerspaces are public spaces located in schools, public libraries, and other community locations where people can meet up, share creative interests, tinker with new technologies, and learn as they go. The specialized resources in many makerspaces are perfectly suited for artists and other creative people. This easy-to-follow guide explores ten compelling art projects students can work on with friends at local makerspaces. 3D printers, graphic computer programs, creative mobile apps, traditional arts and crafts supplies, and even LEGOs are just some of the tools used in the projects described in this dynamic book.

We all know that eating too much sugar and too much salt isn''t good for us. It will surprise readers to learn just how dangerous eating too many sugary and salty snacks can be. Chips and candy are obvious culprits, but fruit snacks and other seemingly healthy snacks can also have high levels of sugar and salt. In this eye-opening book, readers will learn to look more critically at the snacks they eat and will learn about the serious, long-term health problems that are associated with a diet high in sugar and salt.

More than three-quarters of teens between the ages of fifteen and seventeen watch more videos on YouTube than they watch traditional TV, according to the BBC. The online video sharing service has videos about news and pop culture, TV shows, how-to videos, music videos, movie trailers, political and historic speeches, and sports events, among other videos. Celebrities promote their work and businesses advertise their products and services on YouTube. This resource offers teens tips on how they can use YouTube to help with their personal creative endeavors, artistic expression, school-related projects, college applications, job prospects, and personal development.

Written for passionate gamers hoping to turn their skills into a career immediately, this guidebook prepares students for the realities of this competitive industry. Covering all facets of the gaming industry, including production and sales, it looks into traditional gaming outside of the multimedia industry. With a particular focus on the practical challenges of breaking into the world of gaming, this book provides strategies to help students prepare for working in the field without needing a college education.

Gun violence can be a confusing and scary topic. Anyone who keeps current with the news will know that gun violence occurs in our society nearly every day. This book explores the history of guns as it applies to the Second Amendment and the effects of gun violence on society. Gun control and legislation in the United States on federal, state, and local levels are thoughtfully addressed without taking sides on this controversial issue. Sidebars highlight the NRA, the ongoing debate about gun control legislation, and what today’s youth can do to help.

Minecraft is one of the most popular video games of all time, but even avid Minecraft builders might not know the history, structure, and hidden advantages to playing their favorite game. One little-known fact about Minecraft is that it can be used to teach beginners how to code, all within the game''s world. In this edifying resource, readers will get hooked on getting behind-the-scenes access to Minecraft, with tips from the experts as well as advice on how to create masterpieces with the game''s building blocks.

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner come from wealthy and accomplished families. Trump is the daughter of the forty-fifth president of the United Sates. Kushner is the son of a real estate development billionaire. Before Ivanka and Jared met, married, and became a power couple, they were each successful in their own right. Trump had profitable fine jewelry and clothing lines besides working for the Trump Organization. Kushner took control of his father''s company and made major building acquisitions. Both became crucial advisers to Donald Trump. This enlightening biography examines the challenges and triumphs of a dynamic presidential power team.

An indispensable and essential how-to guide to the potentially bewildering world of multimedia research. This book accessibly guides your young reader through the process of searching for, obtaining, storing, and using multimedia sources of information. Images, audio, and video are examined for use in reports, essays, presentations, and other school-related projects. Your students will become savvy on copyrighted material usage and citation of sources. The book includes useful websites and information about online tutorials, myths and facts regarding multimedia research, ten great questions to ask a multimedia librarian, and an extensive reading list and collection of resources.

The majority of elements on the Periodic Table are able to mingle with other, thereby forming molecules, mixtures, compounds, and new substances. Some elements, however, are "unreactive" and don''t mix easily with other elements. In this latter category fall the Noble Gases, so-called because they show an almost aristocratic reserve, standing at a remove from other elements. Readers will learn that while aloof, the noble gases have many practical uses including in lasers, blimps, hot air balloons, colorful illuminated signage, incandescent light bulbs, fluorescent lights, arc welding, window insulation, flash bulbs, strobe lights, and cancer treatment.