Books published by publisher Zest Books, 2012

Girls Against Girls is a must-read for today’s strong, smart, and capable generation of young women. Now more than ever young women need to stand together and not tear each other down, and Girls Against Girls provides guidance on how to break the cycle. It is filled with advice from female artists and athletes, provides inspiring movie quotes, gives girls an excellent resource section of empowering organizations to discover.

Each year, we spend hours shopping and getting dressed, but do we ever think about what we’re wearing? What’s the name of the style of your shirt? Who invented your favorite jeans cut? Who made your baby-doll nightie famous? There is a story behind every piece of clothing and with Fashion 101 you’ll learn those stories and more: Where did the miniskirt come from? Why has the military had a stronger influence on fashion than Audrey Hepburn? How do denim makers work those perfect "whiskers" into your "worn-out" jeans? Filled with tons of intriguing factoids about designers and celebrities, and more than 300 illustrations, Fashion 101 offers the total scoop on underwear, outerwear, accessories, and everything in between. With this crash course, you’ll learn not only how to put together smarter looks, but also how to become a fashion expert in the process.

Middle school friendships can be a source of great joy one day, then pain and anxiety the next. Friends and Frenemies examines the complexities of friendship and helps readers start building communication tools that will last a lifetime. The book tackles big questions such as: "How can I make friends?" and "What if I feel like I need to end a friendship?" Friends and Frenemies includes not just advice, but also comments from real kids, advice from older teens who have been there and done that, quizzes, polls, and other interactive elements that encourage readers to engage with the book, adding their own thoughts and experiences.

We are always hearing about the Next Big Thing. Whether it is a new iPhone or the New World, the freshest and newest inventions, discoveries, and fads always loom large in the public mind. The impact that everyone thinks these "next big things" will have is often more important than the actual impact it generates. After all, if it fails, it will be almost immediately forgotten. The Next Big Thing searches through 3,000 years of Western culture to find the colorful and key steps (and missteps) that led us to where we are today.

Do you love a good scandal? This book includes 50 juicy pop culture, political, and entertainment-related scandals complete with photos, event synopses, and a look at why it went down in history and how it continues to influence us today. Other features include famous quotes and a section on where the players are now. Teens will get the dish on:Milli Vanilli’s lip-syncingthe Clinton-Lewinsky affairthe Biggie and Tupac murdersthe Kent State shootingthe OJ Simpson Murder trialPatty Hearst’s kidnappingAnd more!

We live in an era of misinformation, much of it spread by authority figures, including politicians, religious leaders, broadcasters, and, of course, apps and websites. In this second edition, author John Grant uses ripped-from-the-headlines examples to clearly explain how to identify bad evidence and poor arguments. He also points out the rhetorical tricks people use when attempting to pull the wool over our eyes, and offers advice about how to take these unscrupulous pundits down. Updated to include a chapter on fake news, Debunk It serves as a guide to critical thinking for young readers looking to find some clarity in a confusing world.

The twentieth century ushered in a new world filled with a dazzling array of consumer goods. Even the poorest immigrant girls could afford a blouse or two. But these same immigrant teens toiled away in factories in appalling working conditions. Their hard work and sacrifice lined the pockets of greedy factory owners who were almost exclusively white men. The tragic Triangle Waist Factory fire in 1911 resulted in the deaths of over a hundred young people, mostly immigrant girls, who were locked in the factory. Told from the perspective of six young women who lived the story, this book reminds us why what we buy and how we vote really matter.

Heroes are superhuman. Or at least it's easy to assume that when you read ripped-from-the-news stories of derring-do. But in reality, almost anyone who's motivated can be a hero, and the heroes who make the biggest impact aren't always the ones who make headlines. This approachable, research-backed guide will equip kids with the tools they need to become everyday heroes. Along the way, you'll hear from real heroes living out the truth of psychologist Phil Zimbardo's words: "Most heroes are ordinary. It's the act of heroism that's extraordinary."

In a complicated political era when the United States feels divided, this book celebrates feminism and female contributions to politics, activism, and communities. Each of the forty-four women profiled in this illustrated book has demonstrated her capabilities and strengths in political and community leadership and activism, both in the United States and around the world. Written in an approachable, journalistic tone and rounded out by beautiful color portraits, history, key political processes, terminology, and thought-provoking quotes, this book will inspire and encourage women everywhere to enact change in their own communities and to pursue opportunities in public affairs.

College is about way more than just frats and finals. It's a time to learn new skills, encounter different cultures, test out potential careers, and take a stab at something new just because it sounds cool. To leave college a better, smarter, and more interesting person than you were when you started, all you need is an open mind, a willing spirit, and (of course) this book! These 77 entries cover everything from negotiating the terms of an apartment rental to attending a school-sponsored lecture event to hosting a movie marathon―and supplemental sidebars provide tips for doing everything cheaply and well. (But remember: The most important thing to do? Graduate!)

It's not always easy to try out a new recipe, but sticking to what you know and love can get pretty boring. After a discussion of what food storage areas typically have (and what they ought to have), Hack Your Cupboard provides age-specific guidance to help you move on to more ambitious meals. This makes it the perfect book to take from the family pantry to a dorm room fridge, a first apartment, and beyond. With dozens of photographs as well as dream dinners for every skill level, this is the cookbook for anyone who wants to break out of a kitchen rut without breaking too much of a sweat.

Heroes are superhuman. Or at least it's easy to assume that when you read ripped-from-the-news stories of derring-do. But in reality, almost anyone who's motivated can be a hero, and the heroes who make the biggest impact aren't always the ones who make headlines. This approachable, research-backed guide will equip kids with the tools they need to become everyday heroes. Along the way, you'll hear from real heroes living out the truth of psychologist Phil Zimbardo's words: "Most heroes are ordinary. It's the act of heroism that's extraordinary."