America Ferrera Wins "Imagen Award" for "Ugly Betty" Role

Latina actress America Ferrera, the subject of an Enslow Publishers biography by Sheila Anderson, was recently awarded an "Imagen Award" for her portrayal of the lead character in the Ugly Betty television series.

The award, presented by the Imagen Foundation, is given to actors and actresses who encourage the positive portrayals of Latinos and Latinas in the entertainment industry.

This is Ferrera's fourth Imagen Award. As Anderson's biography notes, the 26-year-old Ferrera's career includes winning a Golden Globe award, a Primetime Emmy, and a Screen Actors Guild award for her acting performances.

Enslow Publishers' biography (Guided Reading Level "S"; Accelerated Reader 6.3) provides readers with fascinating details on Ferrera's career and inspiring life story. The 48-page title, best suited for students in grades five through nine, is available in paperback as well as in a library-bound edition.

America Ferrera is among the nine books that comprise Enslow's "Hot Celebrity Biography" series. Each book in the series focues on prominent, young entertainers or sports figures and is especially useful for reluctant reader classroom and library media center collections.

Biggest vs. Smallest Sea Creatures

Did you know that the blue whale, which is the largest animal to ever live on this planet, can grow to eighty feet long! This giant creature can weigh 240,000 pounds and its heart can be as big as a small car!

Perfect for your elementary student who is interested in animals, the other 5 books in the Biggest vs. Smallest Animals series include amazing mammals; creepy, crawly creatures; incredible insects; slimy, scaly creatures; and things with wings.

Happy Birthday Madonna

Madonna "Express Yourself"
Author: Carol Gnojewski
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-2442-7

Publication Year: 2007
Interest Level: Grades 9-12
Page Count: 160

At the peak of the disco era, a rebellious dancer arrived in New York with 35 dollars and big dreams. This girl was Michigan-born Madonna Ciccone, but she would become known to the world as Madonna. Read how this musical icon caught the world’s attention with her trend-setting style and rebellious performances that sent the '80s music scene spinning and changed pop music forever.

Happy Birthday Halle Berry

Halle Berry "Beauty Is Not Just Physical"
Author: Michael A. Schuman

ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-2467-0

Publication Year: 2006
Interest Level: Grades 6-up
Page Count: 112

"Being thought of as 'a beautiful woman' has spared me nothing in life," says Halle Berry. With her extraordinary beauty, wealth, and an Academy Award for Best Actress, it seems as if Berry has it all. Yet her life has been anything but a fairytale. From the pain of an abusive father to the sting of racism from her peers, Berry emerged as a high achiever, beauty queen, and model. As an actor, her beauty often kept her from being considered for meaningful roles, and it took a while for her to achieve the success she deserved. In 2002, Berry’s Academy Award–winning performance in the small-budget art film Monster's Ball made history, stirred controversy, and launched her into superstardom.

On this day in 2009

Guitar virtuoso Les Paul died at age 94.

On this day in 2008

Michael Phelps swam into history as the winningest Olympic athlete ever with his 10th and 11th career gold medals.

Need books for Banned Books Week (Sept 25 through Oct 2)?

Are your students looking for books about banned books? Enslow has five books in its Authors of Banned Books series. Featuring J.K. Rowling, John Steinbeck, Madeleine L'Engle, Mark Twain, and Robert Cormier, these titles inform students about free press issues and provides arguments for and against the books.

Race to NASCAR's Checkered Flag!

We're approaching the final laps of the 2010 NASCAR season, and an exciting race for overall points leader has developed between Kevin Harvick and Jeff Gordon. Many young NASCAR followers, who enjoy NASCAR amazing machines and the sport's competitive nature, will watch some upcoming key races, such as the event in Bristol, Tennessee on August 21st.

High-profile races such as Bristol often stimulate young fans to learn more about NASCAR, its hot racing cars, and its dynamic drivers. To answer that library collection need, start your engines now and acquire Enslow Publishers' Hottest NASCAR Machines. Author K.S. Kelley's 48-page title, part of Enslow's six-book "Wild Wheels" series, uses age-appropriate language, colorful photographs, and engaging design to encourage readers to discover the background and exciting detail of one of America's leading spectator sports.

The book is available in convenient paperback form as well as a library-bound, hardcover edition.

Puts your young patrons in the driver's seat for reading with Enslow's "Wild Wheels" series!

Happy Birthday to both Patricia and Fredrick McKissack

Yesterday (Aug. 9) was Patricia's birthday, and Aug. 12 is Fredrick's birthday.

Enslow has published a biography of these two amazing authors as part of its Authors Kids Love series. Based on a personal interview, this title was written by Michelle Parker-Rock.

Interview with author Patricia Murphy

The Louisville Courier interviewed Patricia Murphy about her book, Never Eat Soggy Waffles, which is about mnemonics.

Click here to read the interview.

Today would have been Matthew Henson's birthday

Amazing Arctic Explorer Matthew Henson
Author: Mary Dodson Wade
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-3286-6
Publication Year: 2009
Interest Level: Grades 1-3
Page Count: 24

Amazing Arctic Explorer Matthew Henson explores the life of the man who went with Robert Peary to the North Pole. Because he was African American, his contributions to the North Pole expeditions were largely ignored for a number of years. Young readers will be interested in this amazing American.

Today would have been Andy Warhol's birthday

Andy Warhol NEW!"Everyone Will be Famous for 15 Minutes"
Author: Edward Willett
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-3385-6
Publication Year: 2010
Interest Level: Grades 9-12
Page Count: 160

"Paintings are too hard. Machines have less problems…" In the 1960s, Andy Warhol became the most famous creator of a new style of art called pop art, which transformed mass-produced items of popular culture into fine works of art. From Campbell's Soup cans to photographs of Marilyn Monroe, Warhol's willingness to use anything and everything from the mass media in his work expanded the range of subject matter available to artists. His avant-garde films, artistic usage of American icons, and unconventional social life made him a controversial figure, both greatly admired and deeply reviled. A trendsetter rather than a trend-follower, a dispassionate observer of both the seamy and celebrity sides of life, Warhol was a true American rebel.

Phelps to compete in this week's US Championships

Michael Phelps, 14-time gold medalist, will be competing in this week's US Championships in Irvine, California, with a transition in swim suits! The Summer Olympics will be held in London in 2012. Click here for more information on the change, that Phelps is embracing.

Read more about Michael Phelps in the book Michael Phelps: Swimming for Olympic Gold in paperback and hardcover.

Today would have been Louis Armstrong's birthday

One of the greatest trumpet-playing, jazz musicians ever, Louis Armstrong's trademark "scat" singing and natural showmanship dazzled audiences for over fifty years. Patricia and Fredrick McKissack have authored an elementary biography about Louis Armstrong while Michael A. Schuman's biography is for the middle school reader.

Happy Birthday Mr. President!

Ever want to read a biography about the President? Enslow has two: one geared toward the elementary student and the other is for the middle school reader.

Enslow also has a pictorial series about the First Family entitled The Obama Family Photo Album, which includes photos of the First Family (and Bo!)

What's New at the Zoo?

At Zoo Atlanta, "what’s new" includes a six-foot tall baby female giraffe born in July. After a bonding period, mother and child were released into the zoo’s outdoor exhibit area. They are currently among the most popular Zoo Atlanta experiences for children.

Kids have a natural affinity with baby animals, and enjoy reading about them before and after zoo trips. Enslow Publishers offers a number of full-color books focusing on baby animals which children can read on their own, read with a family member, or read as part of an educational activity.

Among Enslow’s new animal-centric titles, Baby Zoo Animals is appropriate for pre-K readers. Author Jane Katirgis’ lively book features simple sentences and sight words alongside heartwarming photographs of popular zoo animals. An illustrated "words to know" section aids pre-reading activities.

The book is available in a convenient paperback edition or library-bound edition. For more details, visit http://www.enslowclassroom.com/ or http://www.enslow.com/!

Happy Birthday J. K. Rowling

Enslow Publishers has two titles for your middle school/high school student on Ms. Rowling. The first, written for the middle school student, is an unauthorized biography. The second, geared toward the high school student, discusses censorship, and the Harry Potter books in particular.

Today would have been Henry Ford's birthday

Henry Ford Genius Behind the Affordable Car
Author: Jeff C. Young
ISBN-13: 978-1-59845-053-8

Publication Year: 2007
Interest Level: Grades 5-up
Page Count: 128

In this addition to the Inventors Who Changed the World series, author Jeff C. Young chronicles the life of Henry Ford—inventor, businessman, and philanthropist. Most well-known for his Model T automobile and the assembly line, readers soon learn that Ford's antiwar efforts during WWII almost landed him on the ballot for president.

Today would have been Emily Bronte's birthday

A Student's Guide to The Brontë Sisters
Author: Naomi Pasachoff
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-3267-5

Publication Year: 2009
Interest Level: Grades 6-up
Page Count: 160

Although originally published nearly 200 years ago, the works of the Brontë sisters continue to be read and reread today. Twenty-first-century readers are engaged by such issues as the vulnerability of children, the role of education in civilizing members of society, the mysteries of love, and women’s independence. That Jane Eyre remains a beloved novel and Wuthering Heights an admired one today is due at least in part to the passionate intensity of their authors' writing. In short, these books convey basic truths about human experience that are as meaningful in our day as they were in the mid-nineteenth century.

Happy Birthday Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger From Superstar to Governor
Author: Sally Lee
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-2625-4
Publication Year: 2006
Interest Level: Grades 6-up
Page Count: 128

Arnold Schwarzenegger was only fifteen years old when he made up his mind: "I wanted to do something special," he said, "to be recognized as the best." Schwarzenegger set his sights on becoming the top bodybuilder in the world, and after that—a rich and famous movie star. He never doubted his ability to reach his goals. In 2003, the popular action hero aimed his ambition and energy in another direction: politics. As governor of the richest and most populous state in the country, Schwarzenegger has faced his biggest challenges yet.