Examines the life and career of the pop singer who rose to fame as a contestant on the television series "American Idol."

Clay Aiken: From Second Place to the Top of the Charts

Children's Books

Tracy, Kathleen

Biographies

Mitchell Lane Publishers

Constantine is considered one of the most influential leaders of the Roman Empire. He spent his childhood in humble surroundings raised by a single mother before reuniting with his father, Constantius, a powerful military leader who eventually co-governed the Empire. Known as a brave soldier, Constantine followed in his father’s military footsteps and earned a reputation as a natural leader. His victory at Milvian Bridge against Emperor Licinius in 312 a.d. changed the course of not just Roman history but of the world. Constantine united Rome under one rule, moved the capital of the Empire to Byzantium, and legalized Christianity, proclaiming it the official religion of Rome. His other legacies include introducing a new currency that would be used for several centuries and instituting a system of having workers pay rent to landowners in exchange for growing crops, which set the foundation for the serf system in medieval European society.

The Life & Times Of Constantine (Biography from Ancient Civilizations)

Kathleen Tracy

Charles the Great, or Charlemagne, was one of the world’s greatest military leaders. He became the leader of the Franks (who lived in modern-day France) in 768. Under his command, Frankish armies conquered most of Western Europe in the following decades. In 800, he was crowned emperor by Pope Leo XII. His greatness rested on more than military prowess. He was always interested in education, both for himself and for his subjects. He assembled many of the most noted scholars in Europe at his capital in Aachen, Germany and began the Carolingian Renaissance. This was a period of heightened learning, innovations in architecture, and the preservation of many priceless books from earlier centuries.

The Life & Times Of Charlemagne (Biography from Ancient Civilizations)

Jim Whiting

She was a sweet little rag doll named Raggedy Ann. Her rag doll brother was a cute little fellow named Raggedy Andy. They became the leading characters in some of the best-loved children's books, and they have remained well-loved for almost a hundred years. But where did such successful and happy dolls begin? The answer lies in the story of Johnny Gruelle. He didn't think of writing children's books at first. Johnny started out drawing sports pictures and cartoons. He and his wife, Myrtle, had a little girl. Johnny told her stories about her rag doll. Pretty soon, the doll was named Raggedy Ann. But no one knew that there would be great sorrow ahead. No one knew that the little rag doll would help Johnny and his family when they needed it most.

Johnny Gruelle (Robbie Readers)

Sherman, Josepha

As a young man in England, Charles Darwin had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. Then he was asked to go on a long ocean voyage. Boarding the ship Beagle in 1831, he spent nearly five years sailing around the world. He returned with one of the most important ideas in the history of science: the theory of evolution. It took him more than 20 years to publish a book about his theory. When his book, The Origin of Species, appeared in 1859, it aroused a great deal of controversy. It directly challenged many of the beliefs in the Bible. Darwin’s theory of evolution remains controversial today in the United States. Many Americans believe that what is in the Bible is true. There are numerous challenges to teaching evolution in schools.

Charles Darwin and The Origin of the Species (Uncharted, Unexplored, and Unexplained)

Teen & Young Adult

He was a grade school dropout who grew up in a small country town. But Henry Bessemer would become one of the richest men in London and would help lay the foundation for the Industrial Revolution. As a youth, Henry discovered a natural talent for making things out of metal, including machines of all kinds. In all, Bessemer was credited with over 100 inventions. None was as important as the Bessemer process, a method to cheaply produce steel out of iron. Steel's light weight and strength made it the perfect building material for everything from buildings to railroad tracks. This is the story of how a quiet, unschooled young man became one of the greatest inventors of the 19th century.

Henry Bessemer: Making Steel From Iron (Uncharted, Unexplored, and Unexplained)

He loved to laugh. He loved to make up silly songs to make his students laugh, too. But he also loved to think, and find out the answers to scientific puzzles. It didn’t matter if the questions were asked by a seven year old boy or a famous scientist. J. J. Thomson thought that they were all worth answering. Of course, there was one little problem with his research: J. J. was brilliant, but he was also clumsy. Test tubes broke in his hands and experiments refused to work. Once a beaker even exploded in his face, nearly blinding him. But all those accidents didn’t stop him. He was a terrific professor. All his students loved him, and learned from him. And if J. J. had to build his own equipment so that he could examine the atom, then he would do it. And when he did, he would discover something about the atom that no one else had ever expected.

J. J. Thomson & The Discovery Of Electrons (Uncharted, Unexplored, & Unexplained) (Uncharted, Unexplored, and Unexplained)

Josepha Sherman

Edgar Allen Poe is one of the most famous American writers of all time. Yet he was almost ignored while he was alive. He spent much of his life in desperate struggle trying to earn enough money to support himself. As a child, he was an excellent athlete. As he grew older, he was subject to fits of depression and became an alcoholic. He was thrown out of the U.S. Military Academy. He had a hard time holding a steady job. He married his 13-year-old cousin. His problems may have been a result of losing both his parents when he was very young. Poe's turmoil is reflected in his stories and poems. They show the horror and anguish that he almost always felt.

Edgar Allan Poe (Classic Storytellers)

Sometimes all it takes is one person who really believes in you. For Ashanti Douglas, that person was her mother Tina. It was her mothers strong faith in her daughters talent that led Ashanti Douglas down a hard and often frustrating road to finally find success as a singer. Coming from a family of talented performers, Ashanti was always comfortable in the spotlight. Her parents often found her singing and dancing around the house and one day her mother realized Ashanti had a real talent. With the support of her driven mother, Ashanti made the decision to try and make the big time. But several set backs almost made the young entertainer give up her dream forever. But Ashanti wasnt raised to be a quitter. Now with three albums under her belt and a slew of music awards, Ashanti is thankful her family taught her never to give up on her dreams.

Ashanti (Blue Banner Biographies)

Jennifer Torres

Ashton Kutcher was born in a small farming town and ended up among the bright lights of Hollywood. The path he took to get there is one filled with challenge and uncertainty. Dealing with his twin brother’s illness, his parents’ divorce, and a move to a brand new town as a teenager left Ashton wondering what to do with his life. His plan to pursue a medical career was fueled by his desire to find a cure for his brother but his dreams of fame began to overtake him. First though, he’d have to grow up a little. His knack for getting into trouble had already cost him the lead in his high school play. But a chance win in a modeling contest started Ashton down another road and soon his face was a familiar site on fashion runways and magazine covers. A career as an actor was within his grasp. He just had to reach out and grab it.

Ashton Kutcher (Blue Banner Biographies)

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