Miles Unger's biography of this complex figure draws on primary research in Italian sources and on his intimate knowledge of Florence, where he lived for several years."--BOOK JACKET.

A vividly colorful portrait of one of the greatest and most fascinating figures of the Renaissance, Lorenzo de' Medici, focusing on his role as a brilliant—sometimes ruthless—statesman who was responsible for the artistic flowering of Florence, the city where the Renaissance first blossomed. Lorenzo de' Medici—a leading statesman, the uncrowned ruler of Florence during its golden age, a true Renaissance man known to history as Il Magnifico (the Magnificent). Lorenzo was not only the foremost patron of his day but also a renowned poet, equally adept at composing philosophical verses and obscene rhymes to be sung at Carnival. He befriended the greatest artists and writers of the time—Leonardo, Botticelli, Poliziano, and, especially, Michelangelo, whom he discovered as a young boy and invited to live at his palace—and, in the process, turned Florence into the cultural capital of Europe. Though Lorenzo's grandfather Cosimo had converted the vast wealth of the family bank into political power, Lorenzo's position was precarious. Bitter rivalries among the leading Florentine families and competition among the squabbling Italian states meant that Lorenzo's life was under constant threat. Those who plotted his death included a pope, a king, and a duke, but Lorenzo used his legendary charm and diplomatic skill—as well as occasional acts of violence—to navigate the murderous labyrinth of Italian politics. Florence in the age of Lorenzo was a city of contrasts, of unparalleled artistic brilliance and unimaginable squalor in the city's crowded tenements; of both pagan excess and the fire-and-brimstone sermons of the Dominican preacher Savonarola. Florence gave birth to both the otherworldly perfection of Botticelli's Primavera and the gritty realism of Machiavelli's The Prince. Nowhere was this world of contrasts more perfectly embodied than in the life and character of the man who ruled this most fascinating city.

Adventure jumps off every page in this esteem-building children's novel. Cecil's Magnifico Adventure is a triumphant tale about a tortoise named Cecil who is burdened with a cracked shell and low self-esteem. An injured bluebird comes into his life and changes it forever with her infectious positive attitude and loyal friendship. Throughout this inspirational story, Cecil and a band of critters find themselves facing all sorts of challenging situations. Embracing these situations help each of the critters grow stronger as individuals and closer together as a group. The story is interwoven with social and emotional learning (SEL) including making a plan to achieve a goal, recognizing that bullying is wrong, developing compassion for others, accepting yourself and others as unique, and much more!

Leo is amazing at magic! Card tricks, levitating objects, making things disappear—he can do it all. Before he became a superstar magician, Leo performed with his best friend Amanda. But then he made a wish on a glowing green conch and now millions of people are watching him wave his wand on TV, and soon they'll be tuning in to see the epic trick he promised. Except . . . Leo doesn't have an epic trick. And Amanda won't even talk to him. And that glowing green conch that's been granting his wishes—well, it stopped working. Is fame going poof right before his eyes?