Books with author Chuck Bednar

From the earliest moments of her childhood in Houston, Texas, it was clear that Beyoncé, of mixed African-American and Louisiana Creole descent, had a special gift when it came to performing in front of a crowd. At the age of seven, she dominated much older kids in a local talent show, and appeared on national television before she was even a teenager. She went on to become a part of the super group Destiny's Child and was one of the key reasons they eventually became one of the most popular female musical groups of all time. The road to success wasn't always easy, however, as Beyoncé managed to overcome many obstacles on the road to superstardom, and go on to find both success and happiness in her professional and private lives. Beyoncé is a multiple Grammy-award winning superstar, an incredibly talented and successful singer-songwriter, an accomplished actress, and a successful businesswoman. In short, Beyoncé is an extraordinary achiever.

David Blaine is one of the world's premiere magicians and escape artists. He has survived being buried alive for an entire week, being frozen in a block of ice for 63 hours, and being submerged for seven days and seven nights. David has also dazzled both live and television audiences with his card tricks and other feats of prestidigitation, while also using his fame and his talents to give back to those in need. Things haven't always been easy for this biracial achiever, though. The son of a father of Puerto Rican and Italian descent and a mother of Russian Jewish descent, David was raised in a single-parent family for much of his childhood. In this book, you'll learn how performing magic helped him deal with the early death of his mother, as well as how he overcame critics and hecklers during some of his recent feats of endurance. His story isn't just inspiring; it's downright magical!

Derek Jeter's career with the New York Yankees started in style. In his first full season in Major League Baseball, Derek Jeter was named Rookie of the Year and helped his team win the World Series. Things only got better from there. From 1996 through 2008, he made nine All-Star Games, won a total of four World Series Championships, and received countless honors for both his offensive and defensive plays. He has also become one of the Big Apple's biggest celebrities, all while giving back to the community through his Take 2 Foundation. However, the road to baseball stardom wasn't always easy for a biracial man who was raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan. There were times he played poorly, times where he shouldered the blame for team failures, and even times when he struggled with sportsmanship. Through it all, though, Derek worked hard to improve, both on the field and off. His story is one that proves that dedication pays off, as he has met all of his challenges head on, emerging as one of the best ballplayers of his era.

On December 1, 1955, 42-year-old Rosa Parks became the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement" in America by refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger. On that day, Rosa, of mixed African-American, Muscogee Indian, and Scots-Irish ancestry, helped launch one of the most important movements of the 20th century. Born Rosa Louise McCauley in Tuskegee, Alabama, in 1913, Rosa attended the Montgomery Industrial School for Girls at the age of 11. Thanks in part to the education she received there, Rosa went from small-town seamstress to the driving force behind the Montgomery Bus Boycotts. A true biracial achiever, Rosa was honored with both a Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal prior to her death in 2005. Her story of trials, tribulations, and success inspires all readers with her strength and courage.