A veteran journalist discovers an ancient system of speech techniques for overcoming the fear of public speaking—and reveals how they can profoundly change our lives. In 2010, award-winning journalist John Bowe learned that his cousin Bill, a longtime extreme recluse living in his parents’ basement, had, at the age of fifty-nine, overcome a lifetime of shyness and isolation—and gotten happily married. Bill credited his turnaround to Toastmasters, the world's largest organization devoted to teaching the art of public speaking. Fascinated by the possibility that speech training could foster the kind of psychological well-being more commonly sought through psychiatric treatment, and intrigued by the notion that words can serve as medicine, Bowe set out to discover the origins of speech training—and to learn for himself how to speak better in public. From the birth of democracy in Ancient Greece until two centuries ago, education meant, in addition to reading and writing, years of learning specific, easily taught language techniques for interacting with others. Nowadays, absent such education, the average American speaks 16,000 to 20,000 words every day, but 74 percent of us suffer from speech anxiety. As he joins Toastmasters and learns, step-by-step, to successfully overcome his own speech anxiety, Bowe muses upon our record levels of loneliness, social isolation, and political divisiveness. What would it mean for Americans to learn once again the simple art of talking to one another? Bowe shows that learning to speak in public means more than giving a decent speech without nervousness (or a total meltdown). Learning to connect with others bestows upon us an enhanced sense of freedom, power, and belonging.

Jenny Barajas would usually rather blend in with the back row of her class, but this year, things change when the school's most contemporary teacher, Ms. Morgan, becomes her science teacher. Ms. Morgan introduces an environmental spin on traditional topics, inspiring Jenny to watch a documentary on plastics in the ocean. Jenny is now on a mission to end single-use plastics! However, blind passion reveals her limited knowledge of ocean life and environmental justice, challenging her to call upon the help of the community. She must mend old friendships, reconcile her insecurities with her condescending but brilliant and outspoken older sister, and lean on Ms. Morgan for guidance, all the while leveraging these relationships to find the courage to use her voice. Learning to lobby around the complexities of plastic pollution, Jenny embarks on an advocacy campaign by documenting her class in the hopes to motivate others in joining her mission. Can student documentation be the spark to fuel a movement for future generations? We Have Something to Say! by Sonia Myers is a journey of community and discovering your voice. It reminds us that no matter where we begin, we have the power to take action and make change.

From the author of A Good Kind of Trouble, a Walter Dean Myers Honor Book, comes another unforgettable story about finding your voice—and finding your people. Perfect for fans of Sharon Draper, Meg Medina, and Jason Reynolds. Eleven-year-old Jenae doesn’t have any friends—and she’s just fine with that. She’s so good at being invisible in school, it’s almost like she has a superpower, like her idol, Astrid Dane. At home, Jenae has plenty of company, like her no-nonsense mama; her older brother, Malcolm, who is home from college after a basketball injury; and her beloved grandpa, Gee. Then a new student shows up at school—a boy named Aubrey with fiery red hair and a smile that won’t quit. Jenae can’t figure out why he keeps popping up everywhere she goes. The more she tries to push him away, the more he seems determined to be her friend. Despite herself, Jenae starts getting used to having him around. But when the two are paired up for a class debate about the proposed name change for their school, Jenae knows this new friendship has an expiration date. Aubrey is desperate to win and earn a coveted spot on the debate team. There’s just one problem: Jenae would do almost anything to avoid speaking up in front of an audience—including risking the first real friendship she’s ever had.

Dainin Katagiri (1928–1990) was a central figure in the transmission of Zen in America. His first book, Returning to Silence, emphasized the need to return to our original, enlightened state of being, and became one of the classics of Zen in America. In You Have to Say Something, selections from his talks have been collected to address another key theme of Katagiri's teaching: that of bringing Zen insight to bear on our everyday experience. "To live life fully," Katagiri says, "means to take care of your life day by day, moment to moment, right here, right now." To do this, he teaches, we must plunge into our life completely, bringing to it the same wholeheartedness that is required in Zen meditation. When we approach life in this way, every activity—everything we do, everything we say—becomes an opportunity for manifesting our own innate wisdom. With extraordinary freshness and immediacy, Katagiri shows the reader how this wisdom not only enlivens our spiritual practice but can help make our life a rich, seamless whole.

IF YOU REALLY WANT TO INDULGE IN DEF LEPPARD, THEN THIS BOOK IS DEFINITELY FOR YOU! This book includes 37 chapters all about Def Leppard, featuring in-depth write-ups on the band's studio albums and select single releases **PLUS** never-before-told personal stories **AND** never-before-seen pictures! Includes: * IN-DEPTH write-ups spotlighting the band's original studio albums (plus the Retro Active compilation) and select single releases. This compendium is completely refreshed from the original versions that were written for The Lep Report. Also, a brand new, rare, from-the-inside look at the Vault greatest hits release ("Peeks Inside Vault's Vault & More")! * BRAND NEW write-ups spotlighting the Hysteria singles WOMEN, LOVE BITES, and ROCKET (And A Personal One At That!). * Numerous chapters featuring NEVER-BEFORE-TOLD personal stories (along with NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN pictures) from my time working at the band's record label in the mid-'90s, with some of my favorite memories and interactions involving the band. Chapters include "Stumping Sav," "Meet. Greet. Repeat.," "Poor Sav...And, Go Joe!," "Definitely Not A Wardrobe Malfunction," and much more! * Tribute chapters spotlighting JOE ELLIOTT ("The Ballad of Joe: Reflections & An Appreciation"), "MUTT" LANGE ("The Magical Mysteria Of "Mutt" Lange"), and STEVE CLARK ("A Tribute") * Song By Song: Ranking And Reviewing Def Leppard Songs Chapter Breakdown: Introduction: How It All Started Personal Story: Stumping Sav Personal Story: A Special Radio Request Album Spotlight: On Through The Night Album Spotlight: High 'n' Dry Album Spotlight: Pyromania Album Spotlight: Hysteria Steve Clark: A Tribute Album Spotlight: Adrenalize Album Spotlight: Retro Active Peeks Inside Vault's Vault & More! Album Spotlight: Slang Album Spotlight: Euphoria Album Spotlight: X Album Spotlight: Songs from the Sparkle Lounge Album Spotlight: Def Leppard Personal Story: If It Pleases You, It Pleases...Them Personal Story: An 'Ugly' Situation With A Concert On The Side Personal Story: Definitely Not a Wardrobe Malfunction Personal Story: Where Does Love Go When It Dies? Right Here! Single Spotlight: "Women" Single Spotlight: "Hysteria" Single Spotlight: "Pour Some Sugar On Me" Single Spotlight: "Love Bites" Single Spotlight (And A Personal One At That!): "Rocket" Single Spotlight: "Let's Get Rocked" Single Spotlight: "Make Love Like A Man" Single Spotlight: "Tonight" Single Spotlight: "Promises" Single Spotlight: "Long Long Way To Go" Single Spotlight: "Nine Lives" The Magical Mysteria Of "Mutt" Lange Personal Story: Poor Sav...And, Go Joe! Personal Story: And Now A Quick Break For The Scent Of Glitter Personal Story: The Ballad of Joe (Reflections & An Appreciation) Personal Story: Meet. Greet. Repeat. Song By Song: Ranking And Reviewing Def Leppard's Songs So rise up and gather round -- better yet, get really comfortable and get ready -- to indulge in A LOT of Def Leppard with this must-read, definitive book! From the creator of the Def Leppard fansite The Def Leppard Report (aka The Lep Report). ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

From the creator of the New York Times bestseller The Word Collector comes an empowering story about finding your voice, and using it to make the world a better place. The world needs your voice. If you have a brilliant idea... say something! If you see an injustice... say something!In this empowering new picture book, beloved author Peter H. Reynolds explores the many ways that a single voice can make a difference. Each of us, each and every day, have the chance to say something: with our actions, our words, and our voices. Perfect for kid activists everywhere, this timely story reminds readers of the undeniable importance and power of their voice. There are so many ways to tell the world who you are... what you are thinking... and what you believe. And how you'll make it better. The time is now: SAY SOMETHING!

What do millennial rappers in the United States say in their music? This timely and compelling book answers this question by decoding the lyrics of over 700 songs from contemporary rap artists. Using innovative research techniques, Matthew Oware reveals how emcees perpetuate and challenge gendered and racialized constructions of masculinity, femininity, and sexuality. Male and female artists litter their rhymes with misogynistic and violent imagery. However, men also express a full range of emotions, from arrogance to vulnerability, conveying a more complex manhood than previously acknowledged. Women emphatically state their desires while embracing a more feminist approach. Even LGBTQ artists stake their claim and express their sexuality without fear. Finally, in the age of Black Lives Matter and the presidency of Donald J. Trump, emcees forcefully politicize their music. Although complicated and contradictory in many ways, rap remains a powerful medium for social commentary.

Oliver shows children how good it feels to find your voice.

“This book will help you own your calendar, block time for what matters most and reclaim your life.” —Paula Rizzo, author of Listful Living: A List-Making Journey to a Less Stressed You You want more time to spend with family, to achieve big goals, and to simply enjoy life. Yet, there seem to be more and more things competing for your time, and more distractions interrupting your day. Craig Jarrow has spent many years testing time management tactics, tools, and systems and written hundreds of articles on productivity, goals, and organization, Through it all he’s learned a simple truth: Time management should be easy, not complicated and unwieldy. And it shouldn’t take up more of your precious time than it gives back! Time Management Ninja offers 21 rules that will show you an easier and more effective way to take control of your time and manage your busy life. Follow these simple principles and get more done with less effort. It’s no-stress, uncomplicated time management that works. “Read this book, apply its rules, and you’ll find freedom.” —Hyrum Smith, bestselling author of Purposeful Retirement

A sweet middle-grade novel by award-winning illustrator Angela Dominguez about a shy Mexican-American girl who makes a new friend.