Books published by publisher Lucent Press

Few celebrities have had a journey like Jennifer Hudson. Although Hudson rose to fame after her seventh-place finish on American Idol, it was her turn as Effie White in the blockbuster film Dreamgirls that put her on the map as a vocal powerhouse. In the years since, Hudson has suffered unimaginable tragedy and achieved dizzying success, both personally and professionally, and become a powerful voice for change. Readers follow the incredible peaks and valleys of Hudson's life with the help of fact-filled sidebars, a detailed timeline, full-color photographs, and annotated quotes from Hudson and those who know her best.

Just as athletes from the NFL and NBA have gained fame and fortune, professional gamers who compete in esports are attracting loyal fans. Esports encompass any competitive, organized gaming endeavor. This competitive activity is becoming a billion-dollar industry. However, some people still argue that playing video games has many negative effects. The ever-evolving world of video games is explained through engaging text that delves into the details so readers gain a full understanding. Full-color photographs, annotated quotes, sidebars, and informative charts highlight the many debates surrounding the popularity of video games.

The black arts movement was led by African Americans between the 1960s and 1970s, and included artists of all kinds, such as poets, writers, actors, musicians, painters, and dancers. The main goal was to encourage black artists to make art that would tell the meaningful stories of black people and their experiences and struggles throughout history. Readers dive deep into this movement as they explore the main text that features annotated quotes from artists and historians. Sidebars and a timeline provide additional information. Historical images including primary sources give readers an up-close look at this pivotal cultural period.

Personality disorders are so widely misunderstood that most people who live with them never receive help. This book explores the age-old question of "What is 'normal'?" to help young adults understand where the line is drawn between healthy and disordered personalities. Mental health experts' current understanding of personality disorders, including causes and treatments, is explained in this engaging text, supplemented with informative sidebars and full-color photographs. Readers will develop an understanding of what it is like to live with a personality disorder or be close to someone who does, gaining a sense of hope as they read.

A large part of a person's day often involves deciding what and where to eat, so it is important to understand what food can do to the body. As readers learn the benefits of nutrients they get from certain foods, they are able to better understand the ways in which a balanced meal can provide protection from disease. They also learn the connection between an unhealthy diet and dangerous diseases. The engaging narrative, supplemented with detailed charts, fact boxes, annotated quotes, and in-depth sidebars, encourages readers to live a healthy life.

Before Barack Obama became the 44th president of the United States, he was a community organizer, civil rights lawyer, and senator. Readers trace his groundbreaking path to the White House and his unique position as the first African American president as they explore main text enhanced with annotated quotes from Obama and those closest to him. Full-color photographs, sidebars, and a comprehensive timeline chronicle the legacy of this American newsmaker. Much is known about who Obama was before and during his presidency, but what has his life been like since leaving the White House? Curious readers learn the answer.

Political action committees, campaign finance reform, and Super PACs are often discussed on the news, but the reasons why they are important are often difficult to understand. Through accessible language and relevant examples and photographs, readers discover the history of political action committees and how they continue to influence American politics. Discussion questions are included to strengthen critical-thinking skills, and sidebars encourage readers to see how individual citizens can continue to play a part in the political process even though they don't have the financial influence of political action committees.

Filibusters are often covered by the news media, but what is their purpose? How long can they last, and what are the rules that must be followed during a filibuster? Readers discover the answers to these and other common questions about this unique part of American politics as they explore some of the most famous filibusters in U.S. history, including recent filibusters by Wendy Davis and Nancy Pelosi. Sidebars encourage readers to become more active citizens, and discussion questions allow young people to examine their own opinions about the American political process.

For many Americans, the Vietnam War was particularly painful because, for the first time, the battles and bombs, the danger and death, and the POWs and protesters were all right in front of them on television. This international conflict had a lasting impact on the entire world, and readers discover both the roots and the reach of the Vietnam War as they explore objective main text, fascinating sidebars, and annotated quotes from those with firsthand knowledge of this controversial conflict. Maps and photographs from the front lines help young readers gain a deeper understanding of this major historical event.

The Nazi campaign against Jewish people living in their territories began slowly, with the gradual erosion of their rights to own property, hold a job, or marry non-Jews. These indignities intensified over time, eventually culminating in the establishment of work campsalso known as concentration or death campssuch as Auschwitz. Full-color photographs, a detailed timeline, and excerpts from primary sources offer an in-depth look at the Nazis rise to power, allowing readers to think critically about the warning signs of a society on the brink of crisis.

Lobbyists have a lot of political power, and they're often in the news. However, the role of lobbyists is not a focus of many social studies or civics classes, so students don't often get a full picture of who these people are and how they influence policies that affect Americans' daily lives. Readers are invited to learn more about lobbyists as they explore informative text on this important political topic. Full-color photographs and sidebars enhance the reading experience, and discussion questions help readers sharpen their critical-thinking skills as they closely examine different points of view about lobbyists.

Although the U.S. Constitution set up a system of checks and balances, the president can sometimes act without the approval of Congress. When the president issues an executive order, they act on their own to manage the federal government, and this can affect many parts of life in the United States-from immigration policies to the military. How much power does the president actually have? Readers explore the answer to this question as they learn about the history of executive orders. Sidebars and discussion questions are included to encourage readers to think critically about this essential current events topic.