While this is primarily Pedro Martinez's biography, it is equally a celebration of the relationship he shared with his talented baseball-player brother, Ramon. A humble upbringing challenged them both to creatively pursue their love of baseball, and eventually dedicated practice and big dreams gave way to major-league contracts, friendly rivalry on national stages, and a championship win. Gorgeous ...

Large watercolor illustrations warmly portray Helen Keller—overcomer, speaker, and briefly, actress. This reading experience highlights Annie Sullivan's belief in Helen's potential, and Helen's increasing connections that strengthened her mind and ambition. Readers sense the importance of pushing beyond difficult limits. Large-print quotes give voice to Helen's dogged determination that hig ...

This engrossing and thorough biography of an American legend reads like a great story. The author, a black woman who passed away in the 1990's, uses the term "Negro" throughout the book (originally published in 1955), so young readers may need instruction regarding the term's background and use. While many books relate Harriet Tubman's story, this one may retell it the best.

Rich descriptors establish this memoir’s compelling setting so that readers feel the African heat , the desperation of starving families seeking sustenance from dry, barren farmland, and the wind’s power to help a helpless community. Against this backdrop a small, young boy with an insatiable appetite for knowledge lets curiosity drive his desire to help his family and his village. T ...

During a trip to secure funding for the struggling revolution, Benjamin Franklin gets pulled into a scientific quandary involving a Dr. Mesmer, the human mind, and the first use of a "blind study" in scientific research. This unforgettable story is complemented by intriguing and intricate illustrations, creating a truly mesmerizing reading experience. Highly recommended!

“Unlike my parents, I had no concept of what war was actually like.” With these words, 10-year-old Leon Leyson foreshadows his shattered innocence. Deft writing presents horrific injustices of war, grievous loss, and unfathomable disdain for humanity with an authentic voice that acknowledges such evil but chooses to more significantly highlight every scrap of hope and celebrate every s ...

A thorough but accessible biography that includes interesting graphic representations of some concepts.

An amazing story of a clever and courageous canine and the man (one among many) that she saved. The gritty and harrowing story of survival as Japanese POWs always maintains a hopeful tone. Recommended for young adult readers.

While his early schooling suggested a lack of potential, Einstein kept learning, and his thinking changed the world. A remarkable biography scaled for newly independent readers.

It seems like Alexander Hamilton faced challenges from the very start of his life. This early biography relates the many times and ways Hamilton overcame barriers to become an early visionary for the young USA.

Learn about the abolitionist Frederick Douglass and his fight for freedom in this Step 3 Biography Reader! Frederick Douglass was a keystone figure in the abolitionist movement, and his story has impacted generations of people fighting for civil rights in America. He was born to an enslaved mother and grew up with the horrors of slavery. In the course of his childhood, he was able to learn to read ...

Driven by an overwhelming sense of faith, direction, and conviction, Harriet Tubman risked her life repeatedly for the causes of freedom and equality. An amazing life beautifully captured in this biography for developing readers.

A brilliant mathematician who worked at NASA in the early 1950s until retiring in 1986, Johnson's unparalleled calculations (done by hand) helped plan the trajectories for NASA's Mercury and Apollo missions. A special section includes extras on subjects like history and math, plus inspiring careers for math lovers. Full color.

A childhood dream finally comes true in this biography of the first African-American female astronaut. This is an excellent biography presented in an easy-to-read format.

"Achievement is one thing. Achieving while overcoming challenges that would defeat most others is something else, and that's what comes through in Misty Copeland's story."

The biography emphasizes Edison's grit in improving or inventing new products.

A captivating look at the players, coaches, and others and their experiences in the league that preceded Jackie Robinson's breakthrough of MLB's color barrier. Interesting enough to engage even readers who lack an interest in baseball.

A time of extraordinary changes in almost every realm, the 1920's roared nothing less than cultural transformation. Following the major areas that influenced and were influenced by the era, the book introduces young readers to an era of seismic shifts that ended with a spectacular crash.