Ted Hammond – illustratör

What would you do with a billion dollars? This question gets a definitive answer from billionaire Richard Branson: do everything! Born into a wealthy family in London, Branson suffered from dyslexia and was a poor student. Still, his knack for business started early with a successful parakeet-breeding enterprise at age 11. The charismatic entrepreneur launched his first major business, Virgin Records, at age 22 and spent the next few decades building the Virgin group that now includes more than 400 companies. Known for his eccentric lifestyle and trillion-watt smile, Branson's hot air balloon flights, innovative leadership, and world record attempts have made him an instantly-recognizable global icon.

Readers adore Judy Blume for her personal stories about the journey from childhood to adolescence. She has always been an imaginative person and an avid reader. As a child, Judy spent time looking through library shelves for the perfect books, and if she couldn’t find the right ones, she entertained herself by making up stories in her head. When she got older, Judy started writing her stories down. Although readers fell in love with characters like Margaret Simon and Fudge Hatcher, some parents challenged some of her titles, including Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, for discussing sensitive issues. Despite all the controversy, this award-winning author and her books have remained popular among fans, both old and new.

After overthrowing Fuigencia Batista in 1959, Fidel Castro became the leader of an island country only ninety miles away from Florida. While in power, Castro outlasted ten US presidents and turned the small nation into a one-party state with influence over the entire world. Called a leader by some and a dictator by others, Castro defined not one but several eras in world politics.

Our solarsystem consists of eight planets, as well as numerous moons, comets, asteroids, and meteoroids. For thousands of years, humans believed that Earth was at the centre of the Universe, but all of that changed in the 17th century. Astronomers like Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler, and Isaac Newton proposed the unthinkable theory that Earth and the other planets actually revolved around the Sun. This engaging book chronicles the beginning of the modern age of astronomy, then follows later discoveries, including NASA's current missions in space.

Gooaal! Soccer fans, get your game on with this book about one of the biggest tournaments in women’s sports.

Cave City, Kentucky, 1925. Young Arly Dunbar loves exploring caves with his grown-up friend Floyd Collins. When Floyd, exploring by himself, becomes trapped in Sand Cave, the entire town comes to the rescue. Can Arly find a way to help his friend?

When fire breaks out at the factory . . . two friends must escape.New York, New York, 1911. Best friends Minnie and Tessa work together at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. Suddenly, a fire breaks out, and the workroom fills with smoke. But the doors are locked, the elevator is full, and fire blocks the stairway. Will Minnie and Tessa find their way to safety?

On an airfield in New Jersey . . . a boy witnesses disaster.Lakehurst, New Jersey, 1937. Stenny Green loves to build model airships. He’s excited to learn the Hindenburg will land in his town. He sneaks off to the airfield to catch a glimpse of it. The night turns to tragedy when the Hindenburg explodes in the sky. Can Stenny help the wreck’s survivors?

Captured at sea . . . a young man must choose between his country and his freedom.The Atlantic Ocean, 1781. James Forten is a free African American sailor on an American ship, the Royal Louis, during the Revolutionary War. After his ship is captured by the British, he becomes a prisoner on the Amphion. James worries that he will be sold as a slave. Will James ever see his home again?

The Connecticut countryside, 1777. A messenger arrives at Sybil Ludington’s farm with bad news. British soldiers are starting to burn villages in the area. Someone must alert the colonial militia, and the messenger is too tired. Sybil volunteers to ride from farm to farm through the dark forest. Can she rouse the soldiers in time?

During the biggest game of her life . . . a girl pitches to the world’s best slugger.Chattanooga, Tennessee, 1931. Jackie Mitchell is a girl pitcher on a minor-league baseball team, the Chattanooga Lookouts. In her day, few women played sports. But her skill earned her a spot on a men’s team. When the New York Yankees come to town, Jackie must face Babe Ruth at the plate. Can she strike out one of the greatest players in baseball?