Books by Ellen Labrecque

Who Was Che Guevara?

by Who HQ, Ellen Labrecque

Viva la revolución!

Find out how Che Guevara--a doctor turned communist leader and much more than a face on a T-shirt--ended up paying the ultimate price for his cause.

His very image has become associated with a spirit of rebellion, but Ernesto Guevara--known around the world simply as Che--didn't dream of becoming a revolutionary. Author Ellen Labrecque takes readers on a journey through Che's life starting with his childhood in Argentina, to his travels through South and Central America as a young physician, and ending with his final years as a key player in the Cuban revolution. His legacy--as the author of The Motorcycle Diaries, a champion of the poor, and a force for change in Cuba--is both personal and political.

Who Is David Beckham? (Who Was?)

by Who HQ, Ellen Labrecque

Whether you call it football or soccer, there's no disputing that David Beckham is one of the best players in the history of the game!

Whenever a young David Beckham was asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, he'd always answer with the same response: I want to be a footballer. This English native got his wish when he joined the Manchester United team in 1991. Since then, he has been crossing, bending, and free-kicking his way to stardom. In his twenty-year career as a professional soccer player, he has won nineteen major trophies, and appeared at three FIFA World Cup tournaments.

David Beckham has become an international cultural icon for his soccer skills, his charity work, and his fashionable wife and family. Young soccer fans are in for a treat with this Who HQ book.

Who Is Shaquille O'Neal? (Who Was?)

by Who HQ, Ellen Labrecque

NBA champion, sports analyst, and successful businessman Shaquille O'Neal is a lively and entertaining addition to the #1 New York Times Bestselling Series!

Shaquille O'Neal discovered his love of basketball while spending time in an afterschool program called the Boys & Girls Club of America. Standing over six feet tall by the time he turned eleven years old, Shaq--as he is affectionately known--continued to practice the game and stunned the country with his phenomenal skills. From leading his high-school team to its first-ever state title to becoming the first pick in the 1992 NBA draft and going on to win four NBA championships, Shaq proved that he could dominate almost any player.

But the fifteen-time All Star who played for six teams throughout his nineteen-year NBA career isn't just a force on the court, he is also an actor, television host, musician, and businessman who is always ready to crack a joke or bust a dance move.

With such a welcoming personality and immense talent, it is easy to see why Shaquille O'Neal is often considered one of the greatest players in NBA history.

Who Was Frank Sinatra?

by Who HQ, Ellen Labrecque

Learn about the showstopping life of one of the most famous entertainers of all time in this book about Frank Sinatra from the #1 New York Times Bestselling Series!

Before Frank Sinatra became the international superstar that we remember him as today, he was just a young boy singing for spare change in his family's New Jersey tavern. Those small beginnings would be the start of an incredible career in which Frank became one of the best-selling musicians of all time -- selling over 150 million records worldwide. More than just a musician, Frank also went on to win an Academy Award and a Golden Globe during his career as an actor. With hundreds of songs from several genres such as big-band, swing, jazz, and pop, the "My Way" singer is considered one of the world's most beloved entertainers.

Who Was Levi Strauss?

by Who HQ, Ellen Labrecque

How did an immigrant who sold sewing supplies in New York City reinvent himself in the American West by creating the most iconic pair of pants in the world? Find out in this addition to the Who HQ library!

As a young working-class German immigrant, Levi Strauss left his family's dry goods business in New York City to journey out west for the California Gold Rush. Only Levi wasn't looking for gold -- he wanted to provide the miners with sturdy clothes to wear while they worked in the dusty river beds. His solution? Blue jeans -- pants made of strong denim fabric -- which have become one of the most beloved and fashionable clothing items in the world. Who Was Levi Strauss? follows the remarkable journey of this American businessman, and takes a look at how one man and a pair of pants changed fashion and the world forever.

Who Was Henry VIII?

by Who HQ, Ellen Labrecque

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Travel to the age of the Renaissance and learn why Henry VIII is one of the most famous kings in English history.

Mainly remembered for his six marriages and his self-appointment as the "Supreme Head of the Church of England," Henry VIII was also attractive, educated, and athletic. When Henry Tudor ascended to the English thrown at the age of 17, his reign looked promising. But by the time of his death in 1547, King Henry VIII was characterized as an extremely egotistical, harsh, and insecure king. Though Henry VIII's legacy isn't free from scandal, his monarchy thrived due to the achievements of his daughter Queen Elizabeth I.

Who Was Maya Angelou?

by Who HQ, Ellen Labrecque

Born in Missouri in 1928, Maya Angelou had a difficult childhood. Jim Crow laws segregated blacks and whites in the South. Her family life was unstable at times. But much like her poem, "Still I Rise," Angelou was able to lift herself out of her situation and flourish. She moved to California and became the first black—and first female—streetcar operator before following her interest in dance. She became a professional performer in her twenties and toured the U.S. and Europe as an opera star and calypso dancer. But Angelou's writing became her defining talent. Her poems and books, including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, brought her international acclaim.

Who Was Princess Diana?

by Who HQ, Ellen Labrecque

Learn how Lady Diana Spencer became the People's Princess as she takes her place in the ranks of the Who Was? series.

A shy twenty-year-old girl stepped out of a horse-drawn coach and into the world spotlight, capturing the imagination of millions as a real life fairytale princess. Although the storybook marriage didn't have a happy ending, Diana learned to use her fame as a way to champion charitable causes near to her heart. She became the People's Princess by humanizing the image of the royal family and showing care and concern for all people, including the homeless, the sick, and others in need.

Who Was Frank Lloyd Wright?

by Who HQ, Ellen Labrecque

Born in Wisconsin in 1867, Frank Lloyd Wright became obsessed with a set of building blocks his mother had given to him on his ninth birthday. He grew up to become the father of organic architecture and the greatest American architect of all time, having designed more than 1,100 buildings during his lifetime. These included private homes – such as the stunning Fallingwater, churches, temples, a hotel, and the world-famous Guggenheim Museum in New York City. When asked how he could create so many designs, he answered, “I can’t get them out fast enough.” Frank Lloyd Wright was a man ahead of his time who could barely keep up with his own ideas!

Who Was Winston Churchill?

by Who HQ, Ellen Labrecque

Born into aristocracy, Churchill cut his teeth as a young army officer in British India, the Sudan, and the Second Boer War. He rose in the ranks to First Lord of the Admiralty and was a staunch opponent of the encroaching German Nazis. Churchill served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955. Widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the 20th century, Churchill was also a historian, a writer, and an artist. He is the only British Prime Minister to have won the Nobel Prize in Literature, and was the first person to be made an honorary citizen of the United States.

Who Was Kobe Bryant? (Who HQ Now)

by Who HQ, Ellen Labrecque

Told in a new Who HQ Now format for trending topics, this Who Was? biography details NBA superstar Kobe Bryant's legendary career and the impact of his legacy on the sports world and beyond.

Kobe Bryant was just an eighteen-year-old high-school basketball player when he decided to enter the National Basketball Association's draft. Though he was the thirteenth overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets, he would never play a single game for them. Instead, Kobe was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he would spend his entire twenty-season career, winning five championships and numerous awards. Author Ellen Labreque takes readers through each exciting moment, from his iconic dunks to his 81-point game--all the milestones that span Kobe Bryant's legendary career and legacy.

Who Is Travis Kelce? (Who HQ Now)

by Who HQ, Ellen Labrecque

How did a young boy who played three sports become a two-time Super Bowl champion? Find out in this exciting Who HQ Now book about one of America's favorite football players.

Travis Kelce was born an athlete -- he played football, basketball, and baseball in high school. He excelled at football, and served as Cleveland Heights High School's quarterback -- though he'd one day become a famous tight end because of his impressive skills on the field. Travis was offered a scholarship to play football at the University of Cincinnati. After being drafted in the NFL to play for the Kansas City Chiefs, Travis got his first Super Bowl win. Travis won his second Super Bowl in 2022, when the Chiefs defeated his brother's team, the Philadelphia Eagles. Although he is best known for his excellence in football, Travis is also the founder of the Eighty-Seven & Running Foundation, which provides children in need with opportunities in education, athletics, and the arts. He is also a podcaster and an avid car collector.

Jim Thorpe: An Athlete for the Ages (Sterling Biographies)

by Ellen Labrecque

Simply the best: those words perfectly describe the multitalented Native American athlete Jim Thorpe. Not only did he excel at baseball and football, but he also won gold medals in the pentathlon and the decathlon—the only person in Olympic history to do so. This fascinating biography discusses:
Thorpe’s many family tragedies—including the childhood death of his twin brother
Why he was temporarily stripped of his gold medals (which were restored posthumously)
How he helped establish the sport of major league football
His selection as Greatest Athlete of the 20th century in an Internet poll conducted by ABC’s Wide World of Sports

Kids will enjoy meeting this amazing sports star whose Indian name aptly meant “Bright Path.”

Michael Jordan: A Who Was? Illustrated Biography (Who Was? Illustrated Biographies)

by Who HQ, Ellen Labrecque

Follow the life of one of the greatest basketball players of all time!

Learn all about Michael Jordan’s life and career in this illustrated book! Filled with all the iconic hallmarks of a Who HQ title, sports fans will have a chance to learn new things about their favorite player or discover him for the first time!

DK Super Readers Level 3 Caitlin Clark

by Ellen Labrecque

Help your child power up their reading skills and learn all about basketball superstar Caitlin Clark with this fun-filled nonfiction reader carefully leveled to help children progress.

DK Super Readers Level 3: Caitlin Clark is a beautifully designed reader which will teach children all about this sporting superstar. It is a motivating introduction to using essential nonfiction reading skills, proving ideal for children ready to enter the riveting world of reading.

DK Super Readers take children on a journey through the wonderful world of nonfiction: traveling back to the time of dinosaurs, learning more about animals, exploring natural wonders and more, all while developing vital nonfiction reading skills and progressing from first words to reading confidently.

The DK Super Readers series can help your child practice reading by:

• Covering engaging, motivating, curriculum-aligned topics.
• Building knowledge while progressing Grades 3 and 4 reading skills.
• Developing subject vocabulary on topics such as the life and incredible achievements of Caitlin Clark.
• Boosting understanding and retention through comprehension quizzes.

Each title, which has been leveled using MetaMetrics®: The Lexile Framework for Reading, integrates science, geography, history, and nature topics so there's something for all children's interests. The books and online content perfectly supplement core literacy programs and are mapped to the Common Core Standards. Children will love powering up their nonfiction reading skills and becoming reading heroes.

DK Super Readers Level 3 titles are visually engaging, full of fun facts about exciting topics, and motivate children to improve their nonfiction reading skills. Perfect for children ages 8 to 10 (Grades 3 and 4) who are newly independent readers ready to advance.

Fearless Firsts: Artists Who Changed Entertainment

by James Buckley Jr., Ellen Labrecque

Celebrate 50+ artists who broke barriers, took risks, and changed the world of entertainment forever!

While these creatives came from different backgrounds and overcame unique struggles, they had one thing in common- they would not take "You can't" for an answer. With a don't-give-up attitude, these fearless firsts fought for what they believed in and created a better artistic world.

In this book, you'll read about very famous entertainers, like Taylor Swift and Oprah Winfrey. You'll also discover the first Asian American comic book writer and the first runway model in a wheelchair. You'll meet the world's first modern graffiti artist, the first Black man to host a TV series, and the first Indigenous American Oscar winner. Beyond individuals, you'll learn about important groups, like the East West Players and the Hamilton cast.

By the time you're done reading, whether you see yourself as an artist or not, you'll be inspired to stay optimistic, fight against injustice, and be fearless in whatever you set your mind to!

What Is the Story of Anne of Green Gables?

by Who HQ, Ellen Labrecque

Journey to Avonlea and meet Anne Shirley -- the imaginative and bold star of the beloved Anne of Green Gables series -- in this addition to the What Is the Story Of? series.

Author L. M. Montgomery first brought Anne Shirley onto the page in 1908, and this independent and inspiring character has been capturing readers' hearts ever since. The story of an orphaned girl who is sent to Avonlea on Prince Edward Island to live with the Cuthbert family includes adventure, romance, and an ensemble of iconic characters like Diana Barry and Gilbert Blythe. Today, fans enjoy Anne on page, on screen, and even on stage as the popular series continues to draw audiences. Learn about the history of this iconic literary character, Anne with an “e” – in this exciting biography.

The Beatles: A Who Was? Illustrated Biography

by Who HQ, Ellen Labrecque

Take a trip in the Yellow Submarine in this illustrated book about one of the most famous bands of all time!

Follow the journey of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, from their start in Liverpool to their extraordinary success worldwide. This book is highly illustrated and full of all the iconic nonfiction details the Who HQ series is known for.

Who Is Ilona Maher?

by Who HQ, Ellen Labrecque

How did a young girl from Vermont grow up to become an American rugby union superstar? Find out in this entertaining biography about Olympic medal winner Ilona Maher, who has championed body positivity in her funny and engaging social media posts.

Ilona Maher has always been an athlete. From a young age, she played basketball, softball, and field hockey with her two sisters. It wasn't until her senior year of high school that she began playing rugby and discovered that she was quite talented at the intense sport. Ilona was able to play rugby in college, where she won three National Intercollegiate Rugby Association championships. In 2021, Ilona went to her first-ever Olympic Games in Tokyo. Though her team did not earn a medal at those games, Ilona got another chance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. There, she and her teammates earned the bronze medal. Ilona is now one of the most prominent athletes in the world and she has continued to use her platform to uplift other women in sports.