Books with author Shaina C. Indovino

In the last few decades, more and more people are going to college to further their education. It's hard to become a scientist, a professor, or a businessperson without getting some sort of college degree--but college isn't always necessary to achieve success. Some people are ready to enter the workforce right after high school. Michael Dell was one of those people. At an early age, Michael was making money using his above-average intellect. The computer company founder began his high-tech career in his college dorm room, selling upgrades for personal computers. Today, Dell Computers is one of the biggest PC manufacturers in the world, selling computers to people around the world. And what's most amazing about his story is that the computer magnate has done it all without a college degree!

In the last few decades, more and more people are going to college to further their education. It's hard to become a scientist, a professor, or a businessperson without getting some sort of college degree--but college isn't always necessary to achieve success. Some people are ready to enter the workforce right after high school. Rachael Ray was one of those people. The cooking television and talk show star began her career working in restaurants and, for a little while, at the candy counter at Macy's in New York City. After becoming the chef at a prestigious hotel restaurant, Rachael worked her way from sous-chef to superstar! Today, shows like "30 Minute Meals", "Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels", and, of course, "Rachael Ray", have made Rachael one of the most successful people in television. And what's most amazing about Rachael's story is that she's done it all without a college degree!

Gloomy old castles, desecrated tombs in the crypts of ruined churches, battlefields strewn with corpses, and the moon rising over the moors—Old Europe was the perfect setting for the myths and legends of the undead and the beast that howls in the night. It is from the folklore of Europe that much of our tradition of vampires and werewolves originates. Living with the bloody realities of ethnic and religious warfare and the terror of death by plague and starvation, Old Europeans saw the world around them as a battleground of good and evil, where beings under the control of Satan threatened them on all sides. Some of the best-known vampire lore, like the tale of the nightmarish Count Dracula, was based on the lives of actual Europeans who were so brutal and so violent that they can only be described as human monsters. From the deep recesses of Old Europe come many of the stories that still thrill and frighten us in the twenty-first century.

In the last few decades, more and more people are going to college to further their education. It's hard to become a scientist, a professor, or a businessperson without getting some sort of college degree--but college isn't always necessary to achieve success. Some people are ready to enter the workforce right after high school. Simon Cowell was one of those people. The son of a British music executive, Cowell--instead of asking for help from his father--worked his way up through the music industry, starting from the mailroom. Though Simon found huge success in the music business, today the sarcastic star is most famous for his part in television shows like "American Idol", "America's Got Talent", and "The X Factor". Simon's known on screen as a short-tempered, sharp-tongued judge, but he's also had a role to play behind the scenes, creating and producing television shows in the United States and Britain. And what's most amazing about his story is that the music and television mogul has done it all without a college degree!

From Bram Stoker's mysterious Transylvanian count, to Larry Talbot howling at the moon in The Wolf Man, Anne Rice's Lestat wandering the gloomy cemeteries of New Orleans, and Edward Cullen's courtship of Bella in modern-day Forks, Washington, vampires and werewolves have long been portrayed in books and film to the great delight and shivering terror of millions. With a strong presence in the Gothic novels of the 1800s, the undead and the man-beast were the "stars" of some of the first silent films. The "Golden Age of Hollywood" produced the classic images of Bela Lugosi's Dracula and Lon Chaney, Jr.'s Wolf Man. Revived again with tremendous force in the 1970s and '80s, the vampire genre of books and film—and a growing interest in werewolves—continue to thrive in the twenty-first century. You can't keep a good monster down!

In the last few decades, more and more people are going to college to further their education. It's hard to become a scientist, a professor, or a businessperson without getting some sort of college degree--but college isn't always necessary to achieve success. Some people are ready to enter the workforce right after high school. Russell Simmons was one of those people. The music mogul began his career promoting parties and concerts for rappers and DJs few people outside of New York City had ever heard of. Today, he's helped to spread hip-hop music and culture around the globe. Few people have changed music and business as much as Russell Simmons. And what's most amazing about his story is that the music business mogul has done it all without a college degree!

Women have made major contributions to science throughout history, including by creating new and incredible inventions. Learn about the lives of some of the most amazing women inventors, from Margaret Knight to Rachel Zimmerman, as well as their exciting and important work. Discover what it takes to be an inventor. Find out about the opportunities women inventors have today. Read Women Inventors to see if following in the footsteps of the many brilliant women whose inventions have made their mark is something you want to do.

In just a few years, Blake Griffin has become one of the NBAs most exciting stars. After spending his first season in the NBA sitting courtside with an injury, Blake became a star in 2010, when he was chosen as Rookie of the Year. He then went on to play in the NBA All-Star Games three years in a row. Whether playing with the Los Angeles Clippers or appearing in television commercials, Blake seems to become more popular all the time.

Kevin Durant may be a young player, but he's already done amazing things in his NBA career. After joining the league in 2007, Kevin was chosen as Rookie of the Year. He led the league in scoring for three years in a row and has been chosen to play in the NBA All-Star Game four times. In 2012, he was chosen as the All-Star Game MVP, a huge honor for any player but even more incredible for a young player. Learn more about how Kevin became the NBA star fans know today. Find out about his childhood in Washington, D.C., and how he learned to love basketball. Discover what makes Kevin the success he is today!

Around the world, fans know Kobe Bryant is one of the best players in basketball. Playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe has become one of the sport's biggest stars. In fact, he has joined basketball legends like Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, and Magic Johnson as one of the best players to ever shoot hoops. Not many players can say they've done as much for their sport as Kobe Bryant. Find out how Kobe became the superstar we know today. Discover how he came to love basketball and how his favorite players inspired him to become better at the game. Learn how Kobe went from playing basketball in high school to become one of basketball's biggest names!

Few sports stars can say they've reached the heights LeBron James has reached. First with the Cleveland Cavaliers and then with the Miami Heat, and now returning to Cleveland, LeBron has become one of the most exciting players on the court. Fans around the world know LeBron has truly earned his nickname—"King James." Learn the true story behind LeBron's amazing rise to success. Find out how he pushed himself to become a better basketball player, even when life at home was tough. Discover how LeBron became the superstar he is today!