Michael Phelps' 19 Medals + 1

Earlier this week at the London 2012 Games, Michael Phelps became the leading medal winner in Olympic history. The American swimmer won his 19th medal over his illustrious athletic career, breaking a record formerly held by legendary Russian gymnast Larisa Latynina. It's an astonishing feat, and a tribute to the 27-year-old Phelps' ambition, discipline, and talent. Wisely, Phelps understands his remarkable achivement exists to be broken. According to a BBC report, Phelps said "'Nothing's untouchable'" in relation to his record.

Phelps' life story and Olympic feats are terrific material for a timely, fascinating book, especially for young readers. Enslow Publishers' 48-page biography of the record-breaking swimmer delivers on this promise. Author David Torsiello's well-crafted narrative, exciting photos, and engaging sidebars form a gold-medal winning reading experience suitable for ages 9-12.

This Guided Reading Level "S" title, part of Enslow's "Hot Celebrity Biographies" series, is available in paperback for $7.95. A library-bound edition of Michael Phelps: Swimming for Olympic Gold, is also available for $17.95; that price represents a 25% school/library discount from Enslow's list price.

Happy Birthday Selena Gomez

Happy Birthday to Latina TV and movie star, Selena Gomez who turns 20 today! If you were Selena what would you wish for?

Johnny Depp Doesn't Dance

Johnny Depp, along with Michelle Pfeiffer, and Chloe Grace Moretz, appeared on the Ellen Show yesterday to talk about their experience making their new movie, "Dark Shadows" that opens in theaters this Friday.  Johnny also revealed his fear of dancing. You can watch the video here.

To learn more about Johnny Depp, check out our Johnny Depp: Movie Megastar biography from our Hot Celebrity Biographies series.

Library Edition ISBN: 978-0-7660-3567-6
School & Library Price: $17.95
Paperback ISBN: ISBN 978-0-7660-3631-4
Paperback Price: $7.95

London Olympics Will Be Swan Song for Michael Phelps' Swim Career

Michael Phelps, arguably the greatest swimmer in American sports history, has announced that the 2012 London Olympics will be his final competitive venue. The story, as reported by CNN, notes that Phelps has re-committed himself to the arduous training typically required of medal-level Olympic athletes. For American aspirations for Olympic gold, Phelps' entry is a promising omen. He has won 16 Olympic medals over the years, fourteen of which were gold medals.

Young readers can learn more about Phelps' interesting life story in Enslow Publishers' biography of the swimmer. Author David Torsiello's Guided Reading Level "S" work explores highlights of Phelps' career as well as his background growing up in suburban Baltimore, Maryland. This 48-page book, part of Enslow's "Hot Celebrity Biographies" series, is available in paperback for $7.95 (a free dowloadable teacher's guide is also available for this book.) The book may also be purchased in a library-bound edition for $17.95. That price, available to schools and public libraries, represents a 25% discount from Enslow's list price for the library-bound edition.

Shaun White -- Enslow Biography Subject -- Makes History at Winter X Games

Paperback ISBN: 978-0-7660-3627-7
Library ISBN: 978-0-7660-3212-5 

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White added to his remarkable career achievements with a stunning, perfect score at the recent Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado. In doing so, he bested his closest competitor in the Men's Snowboard SuperPipe finals, Swiss rider Iouri Podladtchikov.

The triumph was something of a character test for White, who had sprained his ankle in the days prior to snowboard competition. The ailment forced White to skip a competitive event in which he had strongly desired to compete and win. White's perfect score more than soothed his disappointment.

"I've been wanting that 100 forever," White said after overcoming Podladtchikov's strong challenge.

Young readers who have an affinity or attraction to White's competitive spirit and athletic excellence will enjoy Enslow's biography, part of the "Hot Celebrity Biography" series, on the snowboard wizard. Author Marty Gitlin's engaging, 48-page work explores White's career and his driven personality. Filled with action photos and useful sidebars, the biography is fun for independent readers and a "way in" to books for reluctant readers.

Shaun White: Snow and Skateboard Champion is available in paperback for $7.95; a teacher's guide for this Guided Reading Level "S" book is available with purchase. A library-bound edition is also available for the school/library price of $17.95, which represents a 25% discount from Enslow's list price for the title.

Shaun White Scores at X Games, Has Cameo in New Justin Timberlake Movie

Shaun White, the 24-year-old Olympic gold medalist, struck gold again at this past weekend's summer X Games. He put on a dazzling show to win against world-class competition; GrindTV's story and accompanying videos detail his remarkable, winning performance. White's athletic triumph caps a busy summer for him. His cameo in Justin Timberlake's new movie Friends with Benefits gives White's fans an opportunity to see him on the big screen.

White's life and career make the stuff of compelling summer reading. Shaun White: Snow and Skateboard Champion, Enslow Publishers' biography of the sports superstar, provides a fascinating window into White's exciting life. Author Marty Gitlin's 48-page work depicts White's love of challenge and desire for success as positive forces in his life. The Guided Reading Level "S" book's age-appropriate vocabulary and contemporary design make it appealing to young readers. The book also provides reliable sources for further reading about this intriguing athlete and media star.

Enslow Publishers offers Shaun White: Snow and Skateboard Champion in a backpack-friendly, easily-shared paperback edition for $7.95. (A free teacher's guide to this book is available for educators and librarians.) A library-bound version is also available.

PS. Justin Timberlake fans: Enslow also offers a 48-page biography of the music and film star. The paperback edition is $7.95 and is available directly from Enslow Publishers. Discounted six-packs of the paperback edition of this Guided Reading Level "S" title are exclusively available from Enslow Publishers.

The Justin Timberlake and Shaun White biographies are among the titles in Enslow's "Hot Celebrity Biographies" series. Look for new additions to the series this fall!

Another title in the Hot Celebrity Biographies series

Jeff Burlingame adds another title to the series in his biography of Taylor Swift.

This reluctant reader title offers personal stories and quotes. Available in both library and paperback versions, this title will be available soon!

New Michael Phelps Video Game Released

Have you heard? Olympic medalist, Michael Phelps is now part of the virtual pool. His new video game, Michael Phelps: Push the Limit, was released earlier this week. The game was developed by Blitz Games and published by 505 Games for use with the Kinect system for Microsoft's Xbox 360. My kids love the Kinect games and I can see this one being both fun and challenging. It's also a great way to bring more attention to the sport of swimming.

Young readers can learn more about Michael Phelps in our book, Michael Phelps: Swimming for Olympic Gold for grades 5–9 available in both library binding and paperback. A free educator's guide is also available through our web site.

Kanye West To Perform During Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Hip-hop star Kanye West, the subject of an Enslow Publishers biography, will be a featured performer during Macy's 84th annual Thanksgiving Day parade.

For young readers curious about West, Enslow's Kanye West: Hip-Hop Star provides an interesting, accurate narrative about the performer's life and career. Author Gretchen Weicker's 48-page, Guided Reading Level "T" book features a reader-friendly design, fun sidebars, a timeline, and a list of rewards. Reading teachers and literacy coaches will find Enslow's free, downloadable teacher's guide for the title a useful resource. The guide contains curriculum-based activities, background about West, and a reproducible activity.

The teacher's guide for Kanye West: Hip-Hop Star is available on the Enslow Classroom website. Enslow Classroom features paperback books suitable for supplemental classroom use and for classroom libraries. Each Enslow Classroom title includes a teacher's guide, reading level information, and in most cases, correlations to state and national curricular standards.

The Kanye West biography is also available in a library-bound edition via http://www.enslow.com/.

Justin Timberlake Discusses "The Social Network"

Singer Justin Timberlake, the subject of an Enslow Publishers biography, recently spoke about his experience acting in the new movie The Social Network. His comments, during the New York Press Day for the film, note Timberlake's preparation for his role, his working relationship with The Social Network's director David Fincher, and the actor's surprising perspective on the social networking phenomenon.

The movie offers teachers and librarians a strong opportunity to encourage students to read about Timberlake's life and career. Author Tony Napoli's 48-page biography provides a reliable, interesting "way in" for young readers to learn more about the entertainer's background. Enslow also provides a free, downloadable teacher's guide for the Timberlake book. You'll find it, along with other contemporary biographies in Enslow's "Hot Celebrity Biographies" series, at http://www.enslowclassroom.com/. The site features Enslow paperback books suitable for use as classroom supplemental materials, classroom libraries, or recreational reading.

The paperback edition of Justin Timberlake: Breakout Music Superstar costs $7.95; the book is also available in a library-bound version.

America Ferrera is one of the recipients of the Children's Choices for 2010 award

Children’s Choices, a joint project of the International Reading Association (IRA) and the Children’s Book Council (CBC), is an annual list of favorite new books chosen by 12,500 school children.

America Ferrera, part of the Hot Celebrity Biographies series, is available in both library bound and paperback.

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.