A competitive swimmer in Syria, Yusra Mardini never let go of her Olympic dream, even when civil war made it too difficult to train in her country. In 2016, she was allowed to compete in the Rio Olympics as part of a special team for refugees. This was only months after making a daring crossing of the Mediterranean Sea in a sinking boat that she helped tow to shore. Dozens of lives were saved on the voyage. Still training, Mardini also acts as a spokesperson and educator for the United Nations High Commission on Refugees.
American gymnast Simone Biles wowed the world at the 2016 Rio Olympics by winning four gold medals. The first female gymnast to earn three consecutive all-around titles, Biles has been listed on TIME magazine's list of 100 Most Influential People, authored a book on her life, and won an ESPY award for best female athlete in 2017. Her determination carried her through an unstable home life as a young child to become someone who wants to inspire others to lead a healthy and happy lifestyle.
American teenager Zuriel Oduwole tries to live by the quote: “If your dreams don’t scare you, then they’re not big enough.” A filmmaker, public speaker, and writer, Zuriel has interviewed dozens of world leaders and pushed them to promote the education of girls around the world. Founder of the Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up organization, Zuriel teaches citizen filmmaking to kids around the world, speaks out on gender equality at major world forums, and makes world leaders accountable for supporting girls’ education initiatives.
Known as the Kid President, American teenager Robby Novak thinks it’s cool to be kind, and that compassion and curiosity can help change the world. A YouTube sensation and author of two books before he was 12 years old, Robby promotes his belief that everyone matters and has a purpose. Despite his ongoing struggle with a difficult disease that makes his bones brittle, Robby’s mission is to dance the world toward happiness and show people that everyone can be a superhero to somebody.
Trailblazing Xiuhtezcatl Martinez speaks and performs around the world to inspire and empower people to protect and preserve the environment. A leader of the youth-led climate change movement and an activist for Indigenous rights, the 15-year-old Aztec change-maker is a commanding example to all youth to get involved in social change. Using the powerful medium of music, Xiuhtezcatl inspires people around the world to be environmental stewards in order to secure a better future for today’s youth.
This inspiring book examines the life and work of Craig Kielburger, co-founder of the worldwide Me to We and Free the Children organizations. An important children’s rights activist, Craig works to empower youth around the world to make a difference in their communities and take action to solve global issues. With his brother, Marc, Craig actively works to stop child labor and promote social involvement across borders—educating, inspiring, and motivating people to make a difference every day.
Championing equal rights for all people regardless of gender, race, and economic class, Dolores Huerta is a globally recognized icon in the fight for social justice. This book explores Huerta’s inspiring story, focusing on her courage and perseverance as an advocate for the working poor, women’s rights, and rights for immigrant communities. As a co-founder of the United Farm Workers union and president of the Dolores Huerta Foundation, she continues to make positive strides for equal rights and inspire people everywhere to stand up for what they believe.
China, with over one billion people, is the most populated country in the world. China's most famous tourist attraction is the Great Wall, which runs across about 5,000 miles of northern China. Rich with Chinese culture, this title explores Chinese food, holidays, and daily life. Eager readers will also get to challenge their tongues with a few common words from one of the many Chinese languages! Blastoff! Series
There are many different kinds of extra-sensory perception. Some people claim they can see future events. Other people claim they can see far-off events in their mind. Students will judge for themselves in this introduction that provides information on the evidence and skepticism about ESP.
In 1967, two men caught a strange creature on film in the woods of Northern California. It looked like an ape, but it was very tall and walked upright like a man. Was this creature Bigfoot, or was it a man in costume? Readers will judge for themselves in this introduction to Bigfoot, learning about both the evidence and doubts surrounding the existence of this hairy creature.
Though a disability stunted his growth and left him with a hunched back, William Henry "Chick" Webb did not let that get in the way of his musical pursuits. Even as a young child, Chick saw the world as one big drum, pounding out rhythms on everything from stair railings to pots and pans. His love of percussion brought him to the big time as an influential big band leader. This picture-book biography details the life of black American jazz drummer Chick Webb, who in the 1930s led one of the big bands of the swing era, earning him the nickname the "King of the Savoy."
Millions of Americans have marched and protested to fight inequality and to bring about social change. These large gatherings, filled with powerful and courageous voices, have shined a light on important issues and resulted in new laws. This book covers some of the most famous marches in U.S. history--and encourages readers to stand up for the things they believe in.
Hallie Morse Daggett loved spending time outdoors, hiking among the tall trees of the forests in California's Siskiyou Mountains. She wasn't afraid of the bears, coyotes, and wildcats. But Hallie was afraid of fire and understood the threat it posed to the forests, wildlife, and people. And more than anything, she wanted to devote her life to protecting her beloved outdoors; she decided she would work for the US Forest Service. But in the 1880s the Forest Service didn't hire women, thinking they couldn't handle the physical challenges of the work or the isolation. But the Forest Service didn't know Hallie or how determined she could be. This picture-book biography tells the story of Hallie Morse Daggett, the first woman "fire guard" hired by the US Forest Service, whose hard work and dedication led the way for other women to join the Forest Service.
Throughout her life, Mary McLeod Bethune worked tirelessly to increase women's opportunities, from education to the military to the right to vote. Learn about how her activism led her to the White House as a consultant for several presidents. Additional features include detailed captions and sidebars, critical-thinking questions, a phonetic glossary, an index, and sources for further research.
Examines the life of enslaved African-American Nat Turner and the events leading up to the slave rebellion he led in 1831. Additional features include detailed captions and sidebars, critical-thinking questions, a phonetic glossary, an index, and sources for further research.
Through engaging text and gripping images, readers will learn about the system of slavery in the United States. Additional features include detailed captions and sidebars, critical-thinking questions, a phonetic glossary, an index, and sources for further research.
In 1839, African slaves who rebelled against their Spanish owners on the Amistad schooner were charged with murder in the United States. This book details the famous U.S. Supreme Court case that ultimately ruled in favor of the black captives. Additional features include detailed captions and sidebars, critical-thinking questions, a phonetic glossary, an index, and sources for further research.
A brief introduction into the violent Tulsa Race Massacre that occurred on May 31-June 1 1921. Additional features include detailed captions and sidebars, critical-thinking questions, a phonetic glossary, an index, and sources for further research.
The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, declared all Confederate slaves to be free. Because the order only applied to Southern states that the Union did not control, few slaves benefited immediately. Learn more about this historic document that served as a key turning point in the U.S. Civil War and in the movement to abolish slavery. Additional features include detailed captions and sidebars, critical-thinking questions, a phonetic glossary, an index, and sources for further research.
The Civil Rights Movement was a time of drastic change in America. From the end of Reconstruction, when blacks were denied their rights in the South, through the Montgomery bus boycott and Dr. Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech, to the election of the first black president of the United States, witness the events that forever changed the way we look at race. Additional features include detailed captions and sidebars, critical-thinking questions, a phonetic glossary, an index, and sources for further research.
In a time when the U.S. military was segregated, the Tuskegee Airmen proved that blacks could fight as well and with as much courage as anyone. Learn about this group of exceptional pilots, whose outstanding flying and performances paved the way for the integration of the military. Additional features include detailed captions and sidebars, critical-thinking questions, a phonetic glossary, an index, and sources for further research.
Eighteenth-century mathematician and astronomer Benjamin Banneker was widely known and respected in his time. Most of what he knew, he taught himself. His letter to Thomas Jefferson asked the future president to reconsider his racial prejudices. Learn about Banneker, who abolitionists would use as proof that people of any race can be equally intelligent. Additional features include detailed captions and sidebars, critical-thinking questions, a phonetic glossary, an index, and sources for further research.
Madam C. J. Walker's skill as a businesswoman and desire to create products for black women drove her to become the first black female millionaire. Learn about this amazing woman who, while improving women's lives with her products, employed women as sales agents and hair culturists--all while giving back to her community. Additional features include detailed captions and sidebars, critical-thinking questions, a phonetic glossary, an index, and sources for further research.
This title introduces readers to Sacagawea and how she became a shero for one of America's most famous expeditions. Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards.
Winicker Wallace's best friend, Roxanne, is coming to spend Christmas in Paris! Winicker is thrilled. But she is worried when Roxanne doesn't want to do their traditional Christmas activities. Instead, Roxanne wants to sightsee in Paris! But when Winicker and Roxanne celebrate Christmas in a way neither of them expected, Winicker sees they haven't grown apart after all.
