People in the News

Series · 60

books · 1998-2013

By Karen Brandon, Dan Woog, Karen M. Graves, and more

Books in series

Eminem

2004

Book by Lane, Stephanie

Johnny Depp

2004

Describes the life and career of the critically acclaimed actor, Johnny Depp.

John Grisham

1999

Discusses the life, career, and influence of the popular writer of legal thrillers.

Stephen King

1999

From the time he was seven, Stephen King dreamed of writing horror stories. This biography follows King from his humble childhood to famous adulthood.

Michael Jackson

2000

Michael Jackson, considered by many to be the "King of Pop," burst onto the music scene as the lead singer of The Jackson Five when he was ten. Now, more than 30 years later, he holds many world records, including the largest selling album in history and the most Grammy awards in one year. As one of the most talented, one of the wealthiest and one of the most reclusive men in the world, Michael Jackson remains an enigmatic and fascinating figure.

Beyonce

2006

Presents the life and accomplishments of the popular singer and actress who started her success as a member of the group Destiny's Child.

Michael Crichton

2002

Profiles the life of Michael Crichton, revealing how his childhood interests helped him to become a best-selling author of technothriller books and films, as well as creator of the television series, ER.

#12

David Beckham

2008

Profiles the British soccer star who is nearly as well known for his marriage and celebrity personal life as for his accomplishments on the field.

#13

Elijah Wood

2003

The "People in the News series profiles the lives and careers of some of today's most prominent newsmakers. Whether covering contributions and achievements or notorious deeds, books in this series examine why these well-known personages garnered public attention.

#14

Princess Diana

2000

The life and legacy of Princess Diana Spencer of Great Britain who married and then was divorced from Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, are explored. Both the public and private sides of "The People's Princess" are reviewed, revealing a life that was like a fairy tale without a happy ending, but that had great meaning for millions of people around the world. A biography of the beloved British "Peoples' Princess," from her girlhood and teenage years to becoming a fairy tale princess and wife of Britain's Prince Charles. Then their troubled marriage leading to divorce, her last years as an humanitarian and tragic death in a Paris auto accident, and her legacy. Published 2000 by Lucent Books, San Diego, in hardcover, 6x9 inches, 112 pages.

#15

Mel Gibson

2001

Bursting on the scene in the "Mad Max" films in the early '80s, American-born, Australian-raised Gibson became a stateside star in "Lethal Weapon "and other flicks. In 1995 he won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director for the epic "Braveheart," and today he is the highest paid actor in films.

#16

People in the News - Arnold Schwarzenegger

2004

Arnold Schwarzenegger rose from humble beginnings in an Austrian village to worldwide fame as a champion bodybuilder and motion picture sensation. But his most important and dramatic role began when California voters elected him as their governor in October 2003.

#17

Orlando Bloom

2005

Bursting onto the movie scene with a role as an elf-archer in "The Lord of the Rings" movie trilogy, Orlando Bloom has become a sought-after Hollywood heartthrob. The classically trained actor capitalized on his fame with roles in big-budget productions, but hasn't embraced his pretty boy image. Keeping a low-key profile, he tries to keep his personal life quiet while choosing interesting and diverse roles that will lay the foundation for a long acting career.

#18

Celine Dion

2003

Book by Mattern, Joanne

#19

People in the News - Bono

2003

As the lead singer and principal songwriter for U2, one of the world's most successful musical acts, Bono is a bona fide entertainment superstar. He has also been widely hailed for his advocacy and activity on behalf of people throughout the world who have been victimized by a wide variety of misfortunes, including war, famine and poverty, and political persecution.

#20

Robin Williams

2003

Profiles comedian and actor Robin Williams, whose award-winning career includes stand-up comedy work, the television series "Mork and Mindy," and movies such as "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Aladdin."

#23

People in the News - Oprah Winfrey

1998

After becoming the nation's most watched daytime talk show host, Oprah Winfrey went on to reach other goals. She has begun an acting career and revamped the subject matter of her talk show from sensationalist to inspirational.

#24

Matt Damon

2001

Matt Damon achieved the highest honor of any person's acting career—an Academy Award—at a young age, but he did not fulfill this dream overnight. Damon experienced a decade of obscurity and disappointment before his breakthrough, while attending Harvard and dedicating himself to the improvement of his craft by taking only quality roles—rather than popular or highly paid ones—and studying techniques used by acting masters.

#25

Jesse Jackson

1999

Discusses the life of Jesse Jackson, including his involvement in the civil rights movement, his presidential campaigns, and his role as freelance diplomat and world humanitarian.

#27

Britney Spears

2003

Britney Spears laughed off her "One Hit Wonder" status when she went from teen pop star to multimedia superpower in a few short years. But the path from girl to woman is never easy, especially under the watchful eye of the media.

#28

Jane Lynch

2013

"This series profiles the lives and careers of some of today's most prominent newsmakers. Whether covering contributions and achievements or notorious deeds, books in this series examine why these well-known personages garnered public attention"—

#29

Christopher Reeve

1999

Christopher Reeve leaped to movie stardom as Superman, then became active in environmental and other causes. At the height of his career, he fell from a horse and became a quadriplegic. His story is one of courage in overcoming adversity as he has resumed his career from a wheelchair, become a leading spokesman for other paralysis victims, and is determined to walk again.

#30

Colin Powell

1999

A Bronze Star recipient for bravery under fire during the Vietnam War and a highly respected government adviser, Colin Powell so impressed associates at each step in his career that his name has been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate. Eventually rising to the rank of four-star general and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Powell coordinated the successful American attempt to counter Iraqi forces in the Middle East in 1990 and 1991 (Operation Desert Storm).

#31

Tiger Woods

1999

Tiger Woods has captured the hearts of millions of people around the world. This new title traces his single-minded quest to conquer his sport.

#33

Michael J. Fox

2002

Profiles the life of Michael J. Fox through his career in film and television.

#34

The Osbournes

2003

Fulfills the standard: "Individual, Groups, and Institutions" from the National Council for the Social Studies Curriculum Standards for Middle School.

#35

Jamie Foxx

2006

People in the News profiles the lives and careers of some of today's most prominent newsmakers. Whether covering contributions and achievements or notorious deeds, books in this series examine why these well-known individuals garnered public attention.

#37

George Lucas

2005

The life of George Lucas, from his modest beginnings in small-town California to his present status as celebrity, creative genius and media mogul is explored. Lucas is responsible for some of the most popular and enduring films in movie history.

#38

Julia Roberts

2002

With a winning smile and drive to succeed, Julia Roberts has become a powerful force in Hollywood. Fame hasn't always brought happiness to the Oscar-winning actress, but she's learned to run her career with self-confidence and has found contentment in her personal life.

#39

Ashton Kutcher

2006

The That '70s Show actor and Punk'd producer has achieved success in Hollywood, but as a kid growing up in Iowa he never imagined it would happen. His life has taken many surprising turns, including marriage to actress Demi Moore that made him an instant dad.

#40

Sting

2002

Although known for his musical talents as lead singer of The Police and as a solo artist, Sting is more than just an entertainer. His dedication to work on behalf of human rights and the environment has also won him praise.

#42

Jesse Ventura

2000

Navy seal, professional wrestler, movie star, talk show host, governor of Minnesota—Jesse Ventura has held all those titles in a lifetime packed with fame and accomplishment. Ventura has also earned the right to have his name linked with all those positions, especially that of governor.

#43

Nicolas Cage

2003

For years known as a talented but oddball actor in unconventional films. Oscar-winning Nicolas Cage is still unconventional but today is regarded as one of Hollywood's leading men.

#44

Reese Witherspoon

2003

Not even out of her twenties, Reese Witherspoon has managed to successfully combine marriage, motherhood, and an acting career that includes roles in the hits "Cruel Intentions", "Legally Blonde," and "Sweet Home Alabama."

#45

Drew Barrymore

2001

Explores the life and career of the young actress and director who, having struggled with alchohol and drug addiction, has starred in several blockbuster movies and met the man of her dreams, comedian Tom Green.

#46

Lance Armstrong

2005

Lance Armstrong has won the grueling Tour de France more times than any other cyclist in history. His greatest victory of all, however, was defeating testicular cancer, which threatened to cut him down in the prime of his life.

#47

Tom Cruise

2000

The star of Risky Business, Rain Man, Top Gun, and other popular movies overcame dyslexia and a broken home with hard work and a fierce determination to succeed.

#49

Brad Pitt

2001

Brad Pitt left Missouri just before graduating from college to take a chance in Hollywood, a move that paid off with fame, fortune and a marriage to actress Jennifer Aniston. His sparkling blue eyes and taught abdominal muscles have helped him earn the title of Sexiest Man Alive, but throughout his career he's worked hard to rise above his good looks and prove himself as a credible actor.

#50

Roger Federer

2011

#51

John Travolta

2002

John Travolta dazzled audiences in "Saturday Night Fever" in 1977. Over the next decade, he faded from the screen until a triumphant return in "Pulp Fiction" in 1994. Today, Travolta has transformed his rock 'n roll image to become one of the most respected and versatile actors of his time.

#52

Tim Tebow

2013

This contemporary biography series profiles the lives of some of today's most prominent newsmakers; whether covering contributions and achievements or notorious deeds, books in this series examine why these well-known people garner public attention.; This is a biography of football player Tim Tebow. Born to Evangelical missionaries, Tebow grew up in a religious family. He was raised on a Florida farm with two older brothers who gave him no breaks in their backyard football games. This taught him to be; Offering insight into the lives of people who have made an impact in the modern era, People in the News volumes are sure to be of interest to students researching current topics and popular culture. Through quotations from the individual profiled as well

#53

Jennifer Lopez

2004

Jennifer Lopez broke all boundaries in her rise to fame. Conquering the dancing, acting and music worlds, the Bronx-born woman known as "J.Lo" has taken Hollywood by storm. But as her professional life flourishes with hit albums and films, her personal life is the real drama.

#55

Nancy Pelosi

2008

Describes the life and career of Nancy Pelosi, from her childhood in Baltimore and early political career to her rise as the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives.

#56

Sandra Bullock

2011

#57

Jet Li

2011

This volume explores the life and career of film and martial arts star Jet Li. The book describes Li's childhood and later career; reveals his reasons for becoming an actor; and talks about his philanthropic efforts, which were motivated at least in part by a first-hand experience with a tsunami in the Maldives. The breadth of biographical information on Li makes this an especially interesting volume.

#62

Tobey Maguire

2006

#64

Prince William

2001

Britain's Prince William lives in a world of luxury, yet his privileged life has been marred by the public breakup of his parents' marriage and the tragic death of his mother. As he grows into a young man, the handsome prince carries the future of the monarchy on his shoulders.

#65

Will Smith

2002

Will Smith is a prince, and not just because he first became famous for his humorous rap music and his TV sitcom under the name "Fresh Prince." Although this African American is now a mega-star of the big screen, he's still a thoroughly decent person.

#67

Kelly Slater

2012

#68

Halle Berry

2012

This contemporary biography series profiles the lives of some of today's most prominent newsmakers; whether covering contributions and achievements or notorious deeds, books in this series examine why these well-known people garner public attention.; This volume of Lucent's People in the News series provides a balanced biographical overview of actress Halle Berry. Chapters discuss her early life experiences as a biracial child, her first acting roles and her rise to stardom as an Oscar winner, and her; Offering insight into the lives of people who have made an impact in the modern era, People in the News volumes are sure to be of interest to students researching current topics and popular culture. Through quotations from the individual profiled as well

#69

Kobe Bryant

2011

#72

George Lopez

2011

#74

Justin Bieber

2013

This contemporary biography series profiles the lives of some of today’s most prominent newsmakers; whether covering contributions and achievements or notorious deeds, books in this series examine why these well-known people garner public attention.; In this new biography for the People in the News series, author Christine Wilcox traces the childhood and career of teen idol Justin Bieber and provides special insight on his popularity, powerful fan base, and how his rise to fame changed the music industry. Bieber is undeniably talented—by the age of twelve, he had taught himself to play four instruments and had performed with a professional jazz band. He sings about idealized, romantic love, a preoccupation of tween and teen girls. He has charisma and star presence but is not so practiced that his “cool” seems fake; even after being in the spotlight for three years, Justin can sound a little awkward in an interview. And he has an inspiring born into poverty to an unwed teen mother, young Justin had no real aspirations to be famous until a promoter stumbled across a video of him singing in a local talent show.; Offering insight into the lives of people who have made an impact in the modern era, People in the News volumes are sure to be of interest to students researching current topics and popular culture. Through quotations from the individual profiled as well as from friends, supporters, and critics, readers learn how these men and women view themselves as well as how other regard them. Each book in this series includes sidebars, photographs, annotated bibliographies, timelines, and comprehensive indexes.

#75

Tim Allen

2002

Tim Allen is a successful actor and stand-up comedian who enjoys poking fun at masculinity. But while he plays humorously flawed macho dads on television and in movies, there is as much drama as comedy in his real life. He has overcome the loss of a parent in childhood, a prison term, and troubles with drugs and alcohol to build a thriving career.

#76

Kirsten Dunst

2005

#77

John Roberts

2009

Whether covering contributions and achievements or notorious deeds, this contemporary biography series profiles the lives and careers of some of today's most prominent newsmakers, examining why these well-known personages garnered public attention.

#78

Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey

2005

#80

Nicki Minaj

2012

This contemporary biography series profiles the lives of some of today's most prominent newsmakers; whether covering contributions and achievements or notorious deeds, books in this series examine why these well-known people garner public attention.; This book covers the life and career of rapper Nicki Minaj. Minaj is a slew of personalities and musical styles crammed into a small package. On the one hand she is a foul-mouthed, fast-spitting rapper prone to switching accents and dropping creative, fun; Offering insight into the lives of people who have made an impact in the modern era, People in the News volumes are sure to be of interest to students researching current topics and popular culture. Through quotations from the individual profiled as well

#85

Adele

2012

This contemporary biography series profiles the lives of some of today's most prominent newsmakers; whether covering contributions and achievements or notorious deeds, books in this series examine why these well-known people garner public attention.; In this latest biography for the People in the News series, author Katherine Krohn traces the life and career of music sensation Adele. Adele's talent as a singer and songwriter has earned her six Grammys, and she has also won the hearts of fans all over ; Offering insight into the lives of people who have made an impact in the modern era, People in the News volumes are sure to be of interest to students researching current topics and popular culture. Through quotations from the individual profiled as well

#87

Serena Williams

2011

Authors

Dwayne Epstein is the author of a number of young adult biographies, covering such celebrity personalities as Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, Hilary Swank, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, and Denzel Washington for Lucent Books' "People in the News" series. Epstein also contributed to Bill Krohn's bestselling books "Hitchcock at Work" and "Joe Dante and the Gremlins of Hollywood." Prior to writing biographies, Epstein contributed to film chronicles on a regular basis. He wrote for Filmfax Magazine on subjects such as Bobby Darin, the Rat Pack, television pioneer Steve Allen, film director Sam Fuller, comic book artist Neal Adams, "Invasion of the Body Snatcher's" Kevin McCarthy, John Belushi, and comedy legend Sid Caesar. Epstein later contributed to Cahiers Du Cinema's "Serious Pleasures" which had a high profile in Europe. He wrote on American films chosen for rediscovery by directors Oliver Stone, Francis Ford Coppola, Woody Allen, and Clint Eastwood. His N.Y. Times bestselling biography, "Lee Marvin: Point Blank," will soon be followed by 'Killin' Generals: The Making of The Dirty Dozen, The Most Iconic World War II Film of All Time," to be published on April 25, 2023, by Citadel Press.

Adam Woog, a native Seattleite and lifelong visitor to the locks, has written dozens of books for children, young adults, and adults. He has a special interest in biography and history, and several of his books focus on Pacific Northwest topics.

Sandy Gade Algra

Author · 1 books

Judith Janda Presnall

Andy is the author of sixteen non-fiction titles, including histories of the Leopold & Loeb trial, the Harlem Renaissance, and the Blues, and biographies of figures including Bruce Lee, Charles Manson, Pol Pot, and Nelson Mandela. He is also the editor of a volume of essays, Examining Pop Culture: Crime and Criminals. Andy is also a fiction writer, essayist, and poet with publications in journals and anthologies including Black Scat Noir, Black Scat Review, Sunshine Noir II, Fiction International, Central Park, The Southern Anthology, Collage & Bricolage, The Journal of Experimental Fiction, Conceptions Southwest, Heaven Bone, and others. He is the author of two fiction collections: Narrative Cult Visions (1997 MFA thesis) and The Veronicas of Our Own Perversions (2024).

Mattern is the author of many books for children. Her favorite topics include animals, biography, and history. She lives in the Hudson Valley of New York State.