Meg Belviso

Best known for his epic Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien was born in British-occupied South Africa. His early life was full of action and adventure. Tolkien spent his childhood roaming the British countryside with his family and could read and write by age four. He was naturally gifted with languages and used this skill as a signals officers in World War II as well as in his fantasy writing. By creating alternate universes and inventing languages in his work he demonstrated that imaginary realms were not just for children. Fondly remembered as the "Father of High Fantasy," Tolkien's books have inspired blockbuster movies and legions of fans.

As a child, Charles Dickens worked in a shoe polish factory where his gritty surroundings inspired some of the most memorable characters and settings in literary history. Known for his masterful storytelling in books like Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, and A Christmas Carol, Dickens toured the globe as one of the most famous people of his era. Widely considered the greatest writer of the Victorian age, Dickens’s literary masterpieces continue to amuse and inspire writers and readers alike.

Zombies - the undead - have long been a subject of fascination. But can the dead really be brought back to life? When explorer William Seabrook first recorded details of his travels in Haiti in 1929, he explained witnessing undead people working in the sugarcane fields there. He also wrote about Haitian stories that explained zombies as undead people who had been forced into labor. Since then, zombie lore has expanded and changed based on location and culture, and zombies have become a hot topic in Hollywood and popular media. They gained widespread Western interest when the movie Night of the Living Dead premiered in 1968. In this book, readers will learn about the folklore of zombies and all manner of the living dead, including how zombies continue to strike fear into the hearts of countless people.

The What Do We Know About? series explores the mysterious, the unknown, and the unexplained. Are zombies real, myth, or legend? Find out all we know about the history of zombies. Zombies--the undead--have long been a subject of fascination. But can the dead really be brought back to life? When explorer William Seabrook first recorded details of his travels in Haiti in 1929, he explained witnessing undead people working in the sugarcane fields there. He also wrote about Haitian stories that explained zombies as undead people who had been forced into labor. Since then, zombie lore has expanded and changed based on location and culture, and zombies have become a hot topic in Hollywood and popular media. They gained widespread Western interest when the movie Night of the Living Dead premiered in 1968. In this book, readers will learn about the folklore of zombies and all manner of the living dead, including how zombies continue to strike fear into the hearts of countless people.

La serie "¿Qué sabemos sobre?" explora lo misterioso, lo desconocido y lo inexplicable. ¿Realmente existe una misteriosa criatura chupasangre llamada el Chupacabras?The What Do We Know About? series explores the mysterious, the unknown, and the unexplained. Is there really a mysterious, blood-sucking creature called the Chupcabra?Una mañana temprano en 1995, un granjero en Humacao, Puerto Rico, encontró tres de sus cabras muertas. La sangre parecía haber sido drenada de sus cuerpos. A medida que se encontraban docenas de animales de granja muertos en toda la isla, fue creciendo el miedo al llamado Chupacabras. Pero, ¿era realmente una criatura misteriosa la responsable de todas estas muertes? Y si es así, ¿adónde iría luego? Sigue la pista del Chupacabras en este emocionante libro.Early one morning in 1995, a rancher in Humacao, Puerto Rico, found three of his goats dead. The blood seemed to have been drained from their bodies. As dozens more farm animals were found dead across the island, the fear of the so-called Chupacabra -- the "goat sucker" -- grew. But was a mysterious cryptid really responsible for all of these deaths? And if so, where would it go next? Follow the trail of the Chupacabra in this exciting book.

How did a working-class girl from Cuba become a symbol of artistic freedom for Cuban Americans and the "Queen of Salsa"? Find out in this addition to the Who HQ library C mo una ni a de clase trabajadora de Cuba se convirti en un s mbolo de libertad art stica para los cubanoamericanos y en la "Reina de la Salsa"? Desc brelo en este nuevo libro para la bibliotheca de Who HQ Although her family and friends know her as rsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso, the world refers to her simply as Celia Cruz. Starting her career in 1950, Celia grew increasingly popular as the new lead singer of the Cuban band Sonora Matancera. Her exceptional vocal range and flashy costumes made fans fall in love with her. Celia's talent took her all around the world, including the United States. After Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba, she wasn't allowed to return to her native country. She and other Cubans who were exiled used their music to express their love for their homeland. Celia rose to the top of the charts in a genre that was dominated by men. She become an award-winning singer and the most popular Latin artist of the twentieth century. Azucar indeed Auntie su familia y amigos la conocen como rsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso, el mundo se refiere a ella simplemente como Celia Cruz. Trap comenzar su carrera en 1950, Celia se hizo cada vez m s popular como la nueva cantante principal de la banda cubana Sonora Matancera. Su exceptional rango vocal y sus llamativos vestuarios hicieron que los fan ticos se enamoraran de ella. El talento de Celia la llev por todo el mundo, incluido Estados Unidos. Despu s de que Fidel Castro lleg al poder en Cuba, no se le permiti regresar a su pa s natal. Ella y otros cubanos exiliados usaron su m sica para expresar su amor por la patria. Celia subi a lo m s alto de las listas musicales en un g nero dominado por hombres. Se convirti en una cantante galardonada y en la artista latina m s popular del siglo XX. Az car Por supuesto

Learn the story of Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Le n and how he shaped the history of both Florida and Puerto Rico during the Age of Exploration. Conoce la historia del conquistador espa ol Juan Ponce de Le n y c mo influy en la historia de Florida y Puerto Rico durante la Era de las Exploraciones. In the early 1500s, Ponce de Leon was was one of the most important Spanish military figures in the Caribbean. He made his first voyage across the Atlantic with Christopher Columbus and then, after years of battle with the native Taino, became the first governor of Puerto Rico. Although the story of his search for the Fountain of Youth is entirely fictional, his noteworthy expedition to - and naming of - Florida is one of his greatest legacies. A principios del siglo XVI, Ponce de Le n era una de las figuras militares espa olas m s importantes del Caribe. Realiz su primer viaje a trav s del Atl ntico con Crist bal Col n y luego, tras a os de lucha con los nativos ta nos, se convirti en el primer gobernador de Puerto Rico. Aunque la historia de su b squeda de la Fuente de la Juventud es totalmente ficticia, su notable expedici n a Florida (y su nombramiento) es uno de sus mayores legados.

Clue: A former journalist who became the beloved host of America's favorite game show and quiz competition. Answer: Who Was Alex Trebek?, the latest title in the #1 New York Times Best-Selling series. Born in Ontario, Canada, in 1940, Alex Trebek grew up listening to the radio and hoping to one day become a broadcaster. His dream became a reality when he was hired as a reporter for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 1961. Alex's composed nature and ability to skillfully improvise while on television eventually led to his role as the host of Jeopardy , the biggest quiz game show in the United States. Alex not only earned numerous awards over the course of his thirty-six-year-long hosting career, but he also earned the admiration of the contestants on the show and dedicated viewers watching at home.

Clue: A former journalist who became the beloved host of America's favorite game show and quiz competition. Answer: Who Was Alex Trebek?, the latest title in the #1 New York Times Best-Selling series. Born in Ontario, Canada, in 1940, Alex Trebek grew up listening to the radio and hoping to one day become a broadcaster. His dream became a reality when he was hired as a reporter for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 1961. Alex's composed nature and ability to skillfully improvise while on television eventually led to his role as the host of Jeopardy , the biggest quiz game show in the United States. Alex not only earned numerous awards over the course of his thirty-six-year-long hosting career, but he also earned the admiration of the contestants on the show and dedicated viewers watching at home.

Learn the story of Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León and how he shaped the history of both Florida and Puerto Rico during the Age of Exploration in this new book from the #1 New York Times bestselling series.In the early 1500s, Ponce de Leon was one of the most important Spanish military figures in the Caribbean. He made his first voyage across the Atlantic with Christopher Columbus and then, after years of battle with the native Taino, became the first governor of Puerto Rico. Although the story of his search for the Fountain of Youth is entirely fictional, his noteworthy expedition to - and naming of - Florida is one of his greatest legacies.

Learn the story of Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Le n and how he shaped the history of both Florida and Puerto Rico during the Age of Exploration in this new book from the #1 New York Times bestselling series. In the early 1500s, Ponce de Leon was one of the most important Spanish military figures in the Caribbean. He made his first voyage across the Atlantic with Christopher Columbus and then, after years of battle with the native Taino, became the first governor of Puerto Rico. Although the story of his search for the Fountain of Youth is entirely fictional, his noteworthy expedition to - and naming of - Florida is one of his greatest legacies.

Discover how Neil deGrasse Tyson became one of the world’s most successful and well-known scientists in this new addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling series.When he was nine years old, Neil deGrasse Tyson went on a trip that would change his life. While visiting the Hayden Planetarium at the Museum of Natural History in New York City, he discovered the world of astronomy and felt like the universe was calling to him. He answered that call by diving deep into astronomy courses. After graduating from the Bronx High School of Science, he went on to earn a doctorate in astrophysics and eventually found his way back to the Hayden Planetarium as a staff scientist and, later, as its director. Neil has not only found an exciting way to share his love and knowledge of space through his documentaries and podcasts, he’s also broken barriers for Black scientists and become one of the most famous astrophysicists ever. He is a published author, television host, and winner of the prestigious Public Welfare Medal for the role he has played in exciting the public about the wonders of science.

Born in 1729, Princess Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbs was never supposed to come to power. But at age sixteen, she married the heir to the Russian throne. By 1762, Sophie, known now as Catherine, overthrew her immature and incompetent husband, Peter III, to lead the nation. Catherine became the sole ruler of Russia. This exciting Who Was? title explores how Catherine was able to turn Russia into one of the great powers of Europe by expanding its borders, helping improve its educational system, and advocating for the arts. Her three-decade reign is considered the Golden Age of Russia, and she is called Catherine the Great.

How did a working-class girl from Cuba become a symbol of artistic freedom for Cuban Americans and the "Queen of Salsa"? Find out in this addition to the Who HQ library!Although her family and friends know her as Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso, the world refers to her simply as Celia Cruz. Starting her career in 1950, Celia grew increasingly popular as the new lead singer of the Cuban band Sonora Matancera. Her exceptional vocal range and flashy costumes made fans fall in love with her. Celia's talent took her all around the world, including the United States. After Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba, she wasn't allowed to return to her native country. She and other Cubans who were exiled used their music to express their love for their homeland. Celia rose to the top of the charts in a genre that was dominated by men. She become an award-winning singer and the most popular Latin artist of the twentieth century. Azucar! indeed!

By age 16, Paul David Hewson was such a good singer that he had earned the nickname “Bono Vox,” a Latin phrase that translates to “good voice.” When he became the frontman of the newly formed rock band U2 in 1976, he adopted part of the nickname and “Bono” was introduced to the world. Today, U2 have sold over 157 million albums and won numerous awards, including 22 Grammys. In addition to having stellar vocals and a compelling stage presence, Bono is also recognized for his commitment to social justice. This book shares the story of this charitable rock star who has been named a “Person of the Year” by TIME magazine and who is recognised as a global icon of goodwill.

Lewis Carroll is the pen name of Charles L. Dodgson, a mathematician and church deacon, who taught at Oxford University. He was inspired to write his best known works, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, by one of the Dean's daughters, Alice Liddell. The books were hugely successful and brought Carroll wide acclaim, especiallyforthe nonsense poems "Jabberwocky" and The Hunting of the Snark. Children and adults continue to be delighted by the fantasy of the Alice stories, which have been the basis of plays and movies since their publication in Victorian England during the 1860s and 1870s.

Who doesn't love Lucy? The legendary actress, producer, and comedian steps into the Who Was? spotlight. Much like her hit TV show, "I Love Lucy, "Americans in the 1950s fell in love with Lucy. Born in New York in 1911, Lucille Ball was always a natural performer. She danced in the chorus of Broadway shows and acted in small parts in Hollywood movies. But Ball's true gift was comedy. She found a way to showcase her gifts in 1951 when CBS gave her the chance to star in a sitcom. She based the show on her life and called it"I Love Lucy."Over sixty years later, it is still one of the most loved television shows of all time. Lucille Ball became the first woman to run a major television studio, Desilu, and her comedic genius has kept people laughing for generations."

Joan of Arc was born in a small French village during the worst period of the Hundred Years' War. For generations, France had been besieged by the British. At age 11, Joan began to see religious visions telling her to join forces with the King of France. By the time she was a teenager, she was leading troops into battle in the name of her country. Though she was captured and executed for her beliefs, Joan of Arc became a Catholic saint and has since captured the world's imagination.