Eileen Lucas – författare

In 1957, nine teenagers were chosen to be the first black students to attend all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. A small group of people in Little Rock, including the governor of Arkansas, wanted to keep them out. But those nine students knew they had a right to a good education. And they would do anything to crack the wall that had kept black people and white people apart.

Until 1957, two worlds existed in Little Rock, Arkansas: one for white Americans and another for African Americans. Whites and blacks went to separate schools, ate at separate restaurants, and even used separate drinking fountains. That year, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to end the laws that kept people apart. Nine black students agreed to attend Little Rock’s all-white Central High School. But could they face angry mobs, threats, and violence? Would they have the courage to stay at Central High? In the back of this book, you’ll find a script and instructions for putting on a reader’s theater performance of this adventure. At our companion website—www.lerneresource.com—you can download additional copies of the script plus sound effects, background images, and more ideas that will help make your reader’s theater performance a success.

This compelling biography traces the evolution of Mohandas K. Gandhi as he forged the philosophy of Satyagraha—from Indian words for "truth" and "firmness"—amid the brutal racism of South Africa and helped lead the struggle for Indian independence. But Satyagraha was a bigger concept even than the Indian subcontinent and the mighty British Empire. Readers will learn about the Mahatma—“Great soul in peasant’s garb”—often in his own words, as well as the philosophy of truth and nonviolence that would later inspire Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., and other rebels with a cause for ages to come. Students will be guided through their reading with a glossary of important words, a timeline, and references for further reading on the topic.

When politicians use their political power to privately benefit in an illegitimate manner, it is considered a fundamental threat to democracy. However, political corruption takes many forms, including bribery, extortion, influence peddling, and facilitating criminal enterprises. Additionally, there are certain cases that come across as ethically ambiguous: should campaign donations be considered a form of bribery? How can we prevent them from operating as a bribe? This volume looks at political corruption in the United States and beyond, exploring the factors that contribute to a culture of corruption and the possible means of combatting it.

Provide your readers with this essential guidebook about Islam and its role in society. As of 2015, approximately 1.8 billion people identified as Muslim, 24 percent of the global population. Islam''s adherents are found throughout the world, but some question whether its values and practices are at odds with those of Western nations, with particular concerns about Muslim extremism and its connection to terrorism. This has prompted attempts to control or even prevent Muslims from entering Western countries. As the global Muslim population continues to rise and immigration increases, questions about the role of Islam and its adherents in society have become increasingly urgent.

When Prudence Crandall opened a school for young girls in 1831, she didn''t expect trouble. But that is just what she got when she allowed African American girls to attend. A Quaker and abolitionist, Prudence defied the prejudiced attitudes and violent actions of those around her and fought to keep her school open when few others would have dared.

Vincent van Gogh is one of the most famous painters in the world. He is best known for his brightly colored paintings, but Vincent''s work wasn''t always so colorful. Following Vincent on his journey from Holland to France, author Eileen Lucas tells how Vincent developed his own special way of painting with bright, swirling colors. Rochellle Draper''s illustrations bring the artist''s story to life and evoke his unique style.

Charles Babbage and Ada Byron met in 1833. He was a widowed forty-two-year-old scientist and inventor, who was trying to figure out how to get his Difference Engine built. She was the eighteen-year-old daughter of the poet Lord Byron and Lady Annabella Byron, whose marriage had disintegrated in Ada''s youth. Through thoughtful narrative accompanied by direct quotes, readers will learn how in Babbage''s plans for the Analytical Engine and Lovelace''s algorithm lies the foundation of the computer hardware and software that would not be developed for another hundred plus years. Sidebars, a chronology, and a further reading list provide more information on this inspirational collaboration.

Shawn Carter, better known by his hip-hop name Jay-Z, rose from the world of poverty and drugs in the Marcy Projects of Brooklyn to become one of the most successful rappers ever. His net worth is measured in the hundreds of millions of dollars, and his business ventures include clothing, clubs, and sports. With high-interest material delivered in simple language and structure, and enhanced by colorful photographs, direct quotations, and informative sidebars, readers will have access to the life story of this award-winning songwriter and businessman.

Shawn Carter, better known as Jay-Z, overcame a life of poverty in the Marcy Projects of Brooklyn and became one of the most successful rappers in the world. He has received more than twenty Grammy Awards as well as other music honors, and he has also proven to be a savvy entrepreneur with his clothing, clubs, and sports business ventures. Drawing from the rapper''s own words, which are accompanied by detailed photographs and fascinating sidebars, this book provides readers with a straightforward look at the life of Jay-Z and the business empire he built.