DOCUMENT RESUME SO 022 551 ED 351 257 Ed. AUTHOR Harris, Laurie Lanzen, Interest to Biography Today:Profiles of People of TITLE 1, January 1992. Young Readers,Volume 1, Issue ISSN-1058-2347 REPORT NO ISBN-1-55888-761-X; PUB DATE Jan 92 177p. NOTE Penobscot Building,,Detroit, MI AVAILABLE FROMOmnigraphics Inc., 48226 ($42 per year,3-4 issues). Serials (022) Reference PUB TYPE Collected Works Materials General (130) nl Jan 1992 JOURNAL CIT Biography Today; vl MFOI/PC08 Plus Postage. EDRS PRICE Literature; CurrentEvents; DESCRIPTORS *Biographies; *Childrens *Youth ABSTRACT quarterly periodical This is the firstissue of a new above) with designed to provide youngstudents (9 and well-known people in astory-telling format biographies/profiles of interesting than thosefound in more that are moreappealing and dictionaries. The first encyclopedic biographical comprehensive and Paula Abdul, Larry profiles of thefollowing persons: issue features Bush, Bill Berke Breathed,Barbara Bush, George Bird, Judy Blume, Matt Groening, Gorbachev, SteffiGraf, Wayne Gretzky, Cosby, Mikhail Bo Jackson, StevenJobs, Hammer, MartinHandford, Lee Iacocca, Nelson Mandela,Thurgood Marshall, Michael Jordan,Madeleine L'Engle, Powell Sally Ride,Pete Rose, H. Ann M. Martin,Luke Perry, Colin Waterson. Dr. Seuss, ClarenceThomas, and Bill Norman Schwarzkopf, categories of information:birth, include the following The profiles influences, memories, education,iirst job, major youth, early and family,writings, choosing a career, careerhighlights, marriage address. (DB) honors and awards,further reading, and best that can bemade Reproductions suppliedby EDRS are the from the originaldocument. *********************************************************************** to II In C\1 t,- 71" 1 r; 4 4* ,.,,,:,,----rn A-:-...e.,-, ., --`2.T.. 1 . , . I , 7 1 rINTI: _ a.- U S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office or Educational Research andImprovement EDUCATIONAL PESOURCESINFORMATION Featured in CENTER (ERIC) 'this document has been reProduDeAl As this issue... received from the person ororganisation Paula AbduL originating It O Minor changes have beenmad* to improve reproduction quality stated in this doCu. l Points ol view or opinions rnent do not necessarilyrepresent 4:alkali OEFI1 position or policy e list "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS back cover) MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY t-41 144\6 TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES muiplate INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)" '1 Hammer 4111rN: ;EST COPY AVAILABLE 2 Mlkhall Gorbachev - Letter from the publisher The concept ofBiography Todayis unique in that the subjects profiled here are not necessarily people of great or lasting stature. Many are, of course, noted writers or public figures who have made important contributions to the world we live in, but a goodly number of entries are biographies of modern sports heroes and entertainment personalities. These we have included in direct response to the interests of the young. They want to read about the athletes and actors and musicians whose names are familiar to them, and whose fame and talents are the current rage. The one element we have kept in mind in launching this publication is that youthful readers have youthful interests. We have tried to give each biography a light and very personal touch without sacrificing the content. Certain terms and concepts that might have no meaning to this new generation are explained, often in detail, since we cannot assume that readers so young have the background knowledge that we take for granted. Even the page size and the typeface were evaluated for their appeal to young readers. Biographical dictionaries and encyclopedias aboundgood reference works that our children will turn to and depend upon throughout their adult years. But we feel thatBiography Todayanswers their existing needs with an appealing, story-telling approach. If a class assignment can also be a "good read," then we have met that challenge. Frederick G. Ruffner, Jr. 3 (f % iography Profiles lb day of People of Interest to Young Volume 1 Readers Issue 1 January 1992 Laurie Lanzen Harris Editor 4. Ornnv.rarkcs,g-nc. Penobscot Building Detroit, Michigan 48226 4 Laurie Lanzen Harris, Editor Cherie D. Abbey and Margaret W. Young, Contributing Editors Barry Puckett, Research Associate Omnigraphics, Inc. * * * Frank R. Abate, Vice President, Dictionaries Laurie Lanzen Harris, Vice President, Editorial Director Peter E. Ruffner, Vice President, Administration James A. Sellgren, Vice President, Operations and Finance Eric F. Berger, Production Manager * * * Frederick G. Ruffner, Jr., Publisher Copyright © 1992 Omnigraphics, Inc. ISBN 1-55888-761-X ISSN 1058-2347 The information in this publicatinr was compiled from the sources cited and from other sources considered reliable. While every possible effort has been made to ensure reliability, the publisher will not assume liability for damages caused by inaccuracies in the data, and makes no warranty, express or implied, on the accuracy of the information containedherein. coo This book is printed on acid-free paper meeting the ANSI 239.48 Standard. The infinity symbol that appears above indicates that the paper in this book meets that standard. Printed in the United States of America (3 E Contents Preface Paula Abdul 1962- 1 American Singer, Dancer, and Choreographer Larry Bird1956- 6 American Professional Basketball Player withthe Boston Celtics Judy Blume1938- 12 American Writer and Author of Deenie andForever Berke Breathed1957- 18 American Cartoonist and Creator of "BloomCounty" and "Outland" Barbara Bush1925- 22 American First Lady George Bush1924- .27 American President Bill Cosby1937- 33 American Comedian and Television Star Mikhail Gorbachev1931- 39 Russian Former President of the Soviet Union Steffi Graf1969- 45 German Professional Tennis Player Wayne Gretzky1961- 50 Canadian Professional Hockey Player with the LosAngeles Kings Matt Groening1954- 5' American Cartoonist and Creator of "The Simpsons" Hammer 1963- 61 American Rap Singer Martin Handford (Autobiography)1956- 66 English Writer and Illustrator of the Where's Waldo? Series Lee A. Iacocca (Autobiography)1924- 69 American Business Leader and Chairman of Chrysler Corporation iii Bo Jackson1962- 73 American Professional Baseball Player with the Chicago White Sox Steven Jobs1955- 79 American Business Leader and Co-Founder of Apple Computer Michael Jordan1963- 84 American Professional Basketball Player with the Chicago Bulls Madeleine L'Engle (Autobiography)1918- 89 American Writer and Author of A Wrinkle in Time Nelson Mandela 1918- 93 South African Political Leader Thurgood Marshall1908- 99 American Former Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court Ann M. Martin1955- 105 American Writer and Author of the "Baby-sitters Club" Series Luke Perry1964?- 110 American Actor and Star of "Beverly Hills, 90210" Colin Powell1937- 115 American Army General and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Sally Ride1951- 120 American Astronaut and First American Woman in Space Pete Rose1941- 125 American Athlete H. Norman Schwarzkopf 1934- 131 American Army General and Commander of Armed Forces during the Persian Gulf War Dr. Seuss (Obituary)1904-1991 137 American Writer and Illustrator Clarence Thomas 1948- 143 American Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court Bill Watterson 1958- 148 American Cartoonist and Creator of "Calvin and Hobbes" Appendix 153 Photo and Illustration Credits 157 Name Index 159 Subject Index 161 Places of Birth Index 165 iv Preface Biography Todayis a new quarterly magazine designed and written for the young readeraged 9 and aboveand covers individuals that librarians tell us that young people want to know about most: entertainers, athletes, writers, illustrators, cartoonists, and political leaders. The Plan of the Work The publication was especially created to appeal to young readers in a format they can enjoy reading and readily understand. Each issue con- tains between twenty-five and thirty sketches arranged alphabetically. The list of individuals to be profiled in each issue is carefully balanced to provide both well-known and lesser-known figures, to cover individuals from a variety of occupations, and to reflect the cultural and ethnic diversity of the modern world. Each entry features at least one picture of the individual profiled, and bold-faced rubrics lead the reader to information on birth, youth, early memories, education, first jobs, major influences, marriage and family, career highlights, memorable experiences, hobbies, and honors and awards. This format has been designed so that each pro- file contains information relevant to that individual, and thus rubrics have been arranged or omitted to best fit his or her life. Each entry ends with a list of easily accessible sources designed to lead the student to further reading and concludes with a current address for the individual profiled. Obituary entries are also included, written to provide a perspective on the individual's entire career. The famous people profiled have been offered the option of writing an autobiography for first publication inBiography Today,or having a biographical sketch prepared by Omni staff. This first issue presents an autobiography prepared by world-renowned children's author Madeleine L'Engle, one by English writer and illustrator Martin Handford (creator ofWhere's Waldo?),and one by Chrysler Chairman Lee Iacocca. An obituary of Dr. Seuss is also included in this issue. All autobiographies and obituaries are clearly marked, both in the table of contents and at the begin- ning of the entries themselves.