Vin Diesel is everywhere -- the newly crowned king of the box office and the newsstand. But who is he really? The world's hottest star is also its most mysterious. Few fans realize that this so-called overnight success is actually the product of a lifetime of planning and struggle. This book follows every step of Vin Diesel's rise from his days as a poor but happy mischief-maker in New York's Greenwich Village -- where an act of vandalism led to his stage debut at the age of seven -- through the long years spent toiling as a bouncer in Manhattan's trendiest clubs while trying to break into Hollywood -- to his first "big break" from Steven Spielberg. Take a look behind the scenes of each of Vin's films -- the roles he fought for, the role he walked away from after filming had begun, and the leading ladies he continued to see off-screen. VIN DIESEL: XXXPOSED takes on the rumors about his background and his ego and reveals how fame has taken its toll on the intensely private star. This is the unlikely and inspiring story of how an outsider who wouldn't give up transformed himself into the action hero of the new millennium.

Vin Diesel is everywhere -- the newly crowned king of the box office and the newsstand. But who is he really? The world's hottest star is also its most mysterious. Few fans realize that this so-called overnight success is actually the product of a lifetime of planning and struggle. This book follows every step of Vin Diesel's rise from his days as a poor but happy mischief-maker in New York's Greenwich Village -- where an act of vandalism led to his stage debut at the age of seven -- through the long years spent toiling as a bouncer in Manhattan's trendiest clubs while trying to break into Hollywood -- to his first "big break" from Steven Spielberg. Take a look behind the scenes of each of Vin's films -- the roles he fought for, the role he walked away from after filming had begun, and the leading ladies he continued to see off-screen. VIN DIESEL: XXXPOSED takes on the rumors about his background and his ego and reveals how fame has taken its toll on the intensely private star. This is the unlikely and inspiring story of how an outsider who wouldn't give up transformed himself into the action hero of the new millennium.

This is the first book to place the self-fashioning of mixed-race individuals in the context of a Black Atlantic. Drawing on a wide range of sources and a diverse cast of characters – from the diaries, letters, novels and plays of femme fatales in Congo and the United States to the advertisements, dissertations, oral histories and political speeches of Black Power activists in Canada and the United Kingdom – it gives particular attention to the construction of mixed-race femininity and masculinity during the twentieth century. Its broad scope and historical approach provides readers with a timely rejoinder to academics, artists, journalists and politicians who only use the mixed-race label to depict prophets or delinquents as "new" national icons for the twenty-first century.

This book of readers theatre scripts for low-achieving middle grade readers is meant to inspire. Written at readability levels of grades 2 and 3, students who struggle with reading will enjoy learning about the lives of people both current (Bob Woodruff) and historical (Franklin Roosevelt) who are inspirational because of their perseverance and ability to overcome adversity in their daily lives. By reading, performing, and discussing these plays about people who possess the important character trait of perseverance, students will not only practice their oral reading skills, thus building the important skill of fluency, they will also build their own models for good character. Grades 3-8. Readability Levels: Grades 2-3.

Stolen Snapshots: I am NOT a Poet is a quirky, sexy, sappy and highly illustrated book of performance poetry aimed at the people that hate poetry, yet have some poems hidden inside themselves. And, because it doesnt suck, famous foo-foo poets are fans of it too. No rhyming poetry has been allowed. You will actually understand it all.

"Introduction to XXX" is a 2002 film directed by Richard Willett. The movie follows the life of Jimmy (Bryan Greenberg), a young man who moves to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams of becoming an actor. He quickly becomes acquainted with the fast-paced lifestyle of the city and meets a cast of characters who influence his journey into the entertainment industry. Along the way, Jimmy must navigate the challenges of love, identity, and self-discovery. The film explores themes of masculinity, fame, and the cost of pursuing our dreams. The characters are flawed but relatable, each striving for their own version of success. The film received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising its authenticity while others criticized its lack of depth. Overall, "Introduction to XXX" is an entertaining look at the behind-the-scenes workings of Hollywood and the struggles that come with pursuing our passions.