Laura La Bella

Maintaining the nation's infrastructure is vital to everyone's safety, convenience, and ability to travel and pursue their livelihoods. Few jobs in infrastructure are as necessary, demanding, and important as those in paving and road surfacing. This volume provides youth a methodical chapter-by-chapter approach, from general information about this job sector, to early classes to take, to interviewing for and starting work on a road crew. With an emphasis on concrete steps, this book paves a straight path for teens hoping to break into this stable, productive, and important career.

With simple examples that are easy to relate to, this basic review of some of the building blocks of economics will help readers easily grasp the concepts. With language that is conversational without being too casual, readers are engaged throughout as they learn about not only these basic concepts but how they fit into the whole economic scheme of things, such as where goods come from. Readers will learn about the three factors of production, as well as what happens when resources are lacking and how that influences the entire economy.

This volume offers a concise overview that's perfect for young readers who are just learning about economics. A basic overview of supply and demand breaks down the concept with simple explanations of each aspect, using concrete examples to which readers of the focus age group can relate and understand. Vibrant illustrations help reinforce the text, and pertinent vocabulary is highlighted in bold boxes or in the glossary. Questions throughout help readers put the ideas into context. This lively text keeps readers engaged and turning the pages.

In many ways, Kanye West breaks the mold of the hip-hop superstar. Initially a much sought-after producer of other artists' albums (Jay-Z, Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, Mobb Deep, Cam'ron, John Legend), West had great difficulty getting a record contract for his own work. His father was a Black Panther-turned photojournalist and born again Christian counselor, and his mother was a university English professor. West was thought to lack the "street cred" necessary to be a serious and popular rapper. Yet once given his chance, West electrified the world of hip-hop, releasing two albums in two years, both of which went triple platinum. His third album won four Grammy Awards in 2008 and sampled songs by artists far outside the hip-hop universe, such as Steely Dan and Laura Nyro. Viewing his role as an educator, West claims to rap about historical subjects in a way that gets his young listeners interested in learning more. Yet he also courts controversy, such as his live, on-air criticism of President Bush during a Hurricane Katrina telethon and his criticism of rap lyrics' often homophobic bent. Outspoken, egotistical, unconventional, inventive, and ingenious, Kanye West is one of the hip-hop world's most fascinating and unpredictable artists.

Maintaining the nation's infrastructure is vital to everyone's safety, convenience, and ability to travel and pursue their livelihoods. Few jobs in infrastructure are as necessary, demanding, and important as those in paving and road surfacing. This volume provides youth a methodical chapter-by-chapter approach, from general information about this job sector, to early classes to take, to interviewing for and starting work on a road crew. With an emphasis on concrete steps, this book paves a straight path for teens hoping to break into this stable, productive, and important career.

Many women have broke the glass ceiling of sports, including tennis star Serena Williams, race car driver Danica Patrick, and soccer player Abby Wambach. These women have fought hard to reach the summit of their sports, and many women in sports continue to fight to be taken seriously or to be paid the same as men. This text examines female athletes, their struggles, as well as representations of women in sports. It includes a glossary, a list of organizations for women in sports, and additional suggestions for research.

Sexism undermines a woman's value. Unfortunately, it is a common experience many women share. Studies show that sexism can shape how women think, feel, and behave. It can also influence a woman's self-esteem and lead to feelings of shame and insecurity. This important resource will help young people recognize sexism and sexist language, learn how to respond when they find themselves on the receiving end of sexist comments, and where they can go to report sexist behaviors or to get help. This text features a list of suggested questions to ask an expert and myths and facts about discrimination.

The world of IT is ever changing, with new operating systems, software packages, and hardware equipment introduced at a breakneck speed. Technical analysts provide the computer database support for organizations and their users. They implement upgrades, perform computing system maintenance and testing, develop IT solutions to improve quality, and design interfaces that help users access information in a timely, efficient manner. This title explores the technical analyst career path, an exciting position with a leading role in coordination and management of all IT design and development systems for an organization.

This volume offers a concise overview that's perfect for young readers who are just learning about economics. A basic overview of supply and demand breaks down the concept with simple explanations of each aspect, using concrete examples to which readers of the focus age group can relate and understand. Vibrant illustrations help reinforce the text, and pertinent vocabulary is highlighted in bold boxes or in the glossary. Questions throughout help readers put the ideas into context. This lively text keeps readers engaged and turning the pages.

We often think of ancient times as simpler and more basic, but the ancient Mesopotamians were a complex society, in which people used their geography to their advantage. This informative resource explores the rise of the city-state as well as what led to their development, including the heights and densities of the buildings and levels of government. Readers will also learn how city-states differ from simple settlements. This thoroughly researched volume also delves into Mesopotamian empires and how the ancient Mesopotamians governed, such as by using a set of laws called the Code of Hammurabi.

A growing service economy in the United States has made retail a major growth industry. This book details the preparation and training or schooling involved in securing a job in retail, depending on the position and one's career goals, both short and long term. From clerks and cashiers to secret shoppers, working in online marketplaces and brick and mortar stores, retail work includes positions in many different kinds of stores. This includes apparel, electronics, hardware, domestic appliances, and accessories. This book outlines possible schedules, job search and interview skills, the road to advancement, and many other facets of the retail job market.

Using explanatory text, photos, and graphics, this book makes it easier for readers to understand the complicated and often controversial topic of globalization by discussing the different types of globalization, how and why it occurs, its effect on people, and what it means in the Internet Age.

The lives and careers of the two founders of Apple, Inc., are explored in this entrepreneurial biographic account. From humble beginnings, their lives as individuals and as a team tie together the narrative of the maverick company that brought the public the Apple I and II computers in the 1970s and the Macintosh in the 1980s. The book details the later comeback of both Jobs and Apple itself, giving readers the historical context behind the iPod, iPhone, iTunes, the iPad, and Apple's many other innovative computer products and services that have forever impacted our society.

Women between the ages of sixteen and twenty-four experience the highest rate of dating violence--almost triple the national average. Understanding what dating violence is can help would-be victims--whether male or female--avoid getting involved with someone who could become violent, or provide readers much-needed guidance if they are already in a potentially violent relationship. Resources are provided to help victims end an unhealthy relationship and recover both emotionally and physically. Warning signs, causes, statistics, and options for legal recourse are also included.

Unfortunately, news headlines frequently present frightening accounts of women and girls who suffer at the hands of those who live right in their homes. Readers can expect a thoughtful overview of the different kinds of household abuse, whether it's at the hands of partners, parents, or siblings. This approachable volume will help those who are suffering and looking for help as well as those who know someone living in an abusive home. Readers can find tips for safely dealing with these sensitive situations as well as important organizations that offer assistance and safety.

For students seeking an exciting career in a financial field, bookkeeping and accounting can be an ideal choice. This resource provides students an overview of a career in bookkeeping and accounting, and shows them exactly how they can tailor their education to ensure the best possible chance of professional success. Readers are introduced to some little-known aspects of the career, including how to work with the budgets of both small businesses and Fortune 500 companies. They'll learn about fascinating work, such as conducting forensic investigations. This guidebook will help them identify the best places in the United States to find bookkeeping and accounting jobs.

The push is on for students to embrace STEM disciplines, first in school and then in the workplace. This series highlights the career possibilities within each subject area under the STEM umbrella. The focus of this book lands squarely on career fields such as computing, engineering technology, medicine, environmental sustainability, packaging science, and automotive service. Jobs that make use of advanced technologies in the course of the workday, such as nursing and land surveying, are included as well. Completing the coverage are chapters on landing a first tech job and advancing one's career.

With the passage of Title IX legislation in the 1970s, women and girls have encountered fewer barriers to their participation in sports at all levels, be it community, high school, college, or professional. Some women have successfully lobbied to play traditionally male sports such as football, ice hockey, and boxing. Women athletes still face discrimination and double-standards, and their teams and programs suffer from underfunding and lack of exposure. Women athletes also face unique challenges, such as rigid gender expectations, eating disorders, and body image problems. Readers are offered a thorough and ultimately inspiring survey of the complex history of female athletes, and the hopeful but by no means assured future of women's participation in sports. Readers may be inspired to participate in the ongoing fight for women's full access and right to participation in sports at every level.