Zoe Lowery – författare

In Rwanda, a small but populous country in Africa, a ghastly genocide started on April 6, 1994. Although it lasted only one hundred days, almost a million people were slaughtered by its end. This illuminating resource reviews one of the most horrible genocides in history, explaining the definition of genocide itself. Readers will learn about Rwanda''s history, with a focus on the events that led to those terrible days. The book is rounded out with a brief look at post-genocide Rwanda, as the country copes and the people take back their lives after such a terrible tragedy.

The appalling Cambodian genocide remains barely studied even to this day. Yet nearly two million Cambodians (around 20 percent of Cambodia’s population) died between 1975 and 1979 as a result of the dictator Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge Communist government. Innocent Cambodians were murdered, starved, and tortured. This fascinating book offers an overview of this tiny Asian country’s history, framing the events that led up to this tragic genocide. Readers will learn about the key players in the genocide, as well as the complications in obtaining justice in its aftermath.

Nazi Germany’s Holocaust has become something of a benchmark for all other genocides. This instructive volume offers readers insight into the background of its mastermind, Adolf Hitler, and sets the stage for the appalling fates of so many minorities, including Jews, Catholics, Gypsies, homosexuals, and other allegedly “inferior” groups of people in Germany, who were tortured, held captive, and slaughtered. Readers will also learn about their lives before the terrors began and the curious and terrifying views of Hitler and his followers, which changed the lives of Jews and other minorities in Germany forever.

This detailed volume tells the dark story of the Salem witchcraft trials with a lively narrative and primary source documents, such as transcripts and letters, that highlight the tales and voices of both the victims and the perpetrators. Readers will learn about the harsh living conditions as well as the religious and social views of the day and how they influenced society''s reactions to the unknown and difficult (or impossible) to explain. This text also meets the Common Core standards for history and social studies, such as evaluating various explanations for actions or events and determining which explanation best accords with textual evidence.

Although Oskar Schindler''s name is synonymous with Holocaust heroes, his life story is by no means black and white. Readers will be introduced to a man who, with the help of his wife and staff, protected more than 1,000 Jews from the Nazis during the Holocaust. At the same time, this hero was a known womanizer with an alcohol problem. This enlightening biography covers his upbringing, including his years in the Nazi Party, and his change of heart. Readers will find this volume to be educational, eye-opening, and inspiring.

The Bosnian War involved ferocious killing among a trio of the region''s major ethnic groups: Serbs, Croats, and Muslims. By the war''s end, as many as 26,000 Muslim civilians had been systematically murdered. This insightful resource offers a unique look at those terrifying events, including highlighting three possible perspectives on the war and the confusion these different perspectives can cause, even years later. Readers will also benefit from a review of Bosnia''s history and the events that culminated in this gruesome time.

This volume offers readers a history of the term “genocide” and then moves into what has been called perhaps the foulest humanitarian crisis of the early twenty-first century: the crisis in Darfur. This edifying resource offers a look into the country’s history and the events that led up to the violence of February 2002, when Africans staged a rebellion against the Arab-controlled government of Sudan. Readers will learn about the horrors of the terrifying Janjaweed militia, or “devils on horseback,” as the government endeavored to eradicate Africans from Darfur, the major players in the conflict, as well as the reaction around the world.

Around 1915, the Young Turks viewed Turkish Armenians as dangerous conspirators, so it endeavored to force thousands of them from their homes. They were massacred or marched to death. When all was said and done, between 600,000 and 1,500,000 Armenians died. This informative book offers a historical backdrop on the events that transpired to result in the Armenian genocide. Readers will learn about what happened during the genocide and in its aftermath, as well as get a closer look at how this period in Armenian history is viewed from a modern-day perspective.

Cleopatra is renowned as one of the most famous female leaders in all of history, but often her importance as the Macedonian dynasty’s last queen is obscured by her reputation for a lavish life and her tumultuous, high-profile romances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Countless books, movies, plays, and operas have highlighted the drama and downplayed her keen political acumen and dedication to increasing Egypt’s power. Cleopatra, who began ruling Egypt when she was only eighteen years old, was a witty, stimulating conversationalist who was able to use her charm and intelligence for the good of her country.

As the last descendant of the history-changing Julius Caesar, Nero more than made a name for himself. But his rule of ancient Rome, which lasted from 54 to 68 CE, is a story that is not so straightforward. His shocking and outright brutal behavior certainly stands out, whether it was the murder of his mother, his enjoyment of performance art at a time when such public performances were highly unusual, or his general disregard for his role as ruler when it came to running his government. But much of Nero’s nasty reputation was not so straightforward as history might make it seem.

Marcus Tullius Cicero, who lived from 106 BCE to 43 BCE, was a man who wore many hats: Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, and writer. He became the greatest orator in Rome’s history and penned countless books and letters throughout his life, including speeches, lectures, and philosophical and political pieces. He was also a poet, although little of his verse exists today. But Cicero’s life was far from the quiet, docile existence of a writer who kept to himself. His speeches often raised the hackles of his opponents and others with whom he disagreed, and he was exiled from Rome at one point.

Once Akhenaton came to power in fourteenth-century Egypt, life changed dramatically. He completely reformed the country’s religion, and he replaced the traditional gods with a single god: Aton the sun god. His religious fervor went so far that he changed his own name to Akhenaton, meaning “beneficial to the Aton,” from Amenhotep IV. His people were dissatisfied, and soon after his death, and with the rule of Tutankhamen, the country returned to its traditional deities. Although Tutankhamen is famously known for his lavish tombs, his short rule is also marked by the restoration of art and any temples damaged during Akhenaton’s rule.

The feminist movement encourages equal rights, self-respect, and self-confidence for women of all classes and races everywhere in the world; so, theoretically, females everywhere should be coming into their own at last. Yet the media and internet portray females in a different light. This resource highlights the propaganda and stereotypes faced by girls almost as soon as they are born. Readers will learn how girls’ toys, music, and more can influence their image of women. More importantly, readers can access support and inspiration to stand up for themselves and thwart the often-damaging messages they are forced to navigate.

Relationships are so common that it is easy to take them for granted, but successful relationships take some amount of work to keep them healthy and happy for both parties. Readers will learn what it takes to keep relationships going strong, as well as how to handle toxic or stressful relationships, long-distance relationships, family relationships, romances, and more. This edifying text also highlights important qualities to look for in any relationship and how to handle the struggle when people disagree or break up. It even discusses how to have a good and healthy relationship with yourself!

Reproductive health and their accompanying rights affect each and every woman. This crucial resource provides information to help women make informed, educated decisions. Readers will learn about navigating the often-murky waters of making choices about sex and their sexual health, as well as the additional choices they may face if they wish to forge ahead into motherhood, put a child up for adoption, or opt to terminate a pregnancy. as well as the physical and emotional ramifications of each. This text also offers an overview of the history of reproductive rights and the pro-life movement into the continuing modern-day struggle.

Domestic violence, or intimate partner violence, is an epic issue that is defined as a pattern of abusive behavior between people who are familiar, including family members, husbands, boyfriends, children, or caregivers. In a domestic violence situation, one partner procures power and control over the other through force. Readers will find a concise explanation of what constitutes domestic violence, so they can better recognize it when they see or experience it. This crucial resource also provides information about various forms of abuse and other nuances of violence as well as invaluable resources for domestic violence information and assistance.

Despite making up 47 percent of the US workforce, women still face tremendous challenges in nearly every place of employment. This insightful resource highlights some of these challenges, such as lower pay, fewer promotions, and sexual harassment, that women have faced in the past and present. Readers will also learn about the steps taken throughout history for and by working women. Clear explanations illuminate the laws that have been passed for their support and protection, pointing the way to a safer, healthier, and more equitable future for women in the workplace.