Biographies

Different sports. Different backgrounds. Different barriers to break. One thing in common: they got there first … fearlessly. Hear about more than 50 athletes who took risks, overcame the odds, and changed the rules. From historical figures to modern trailblazers, these athletes never gave up, wouldn’t take no for an answer, and transformed the world of sports forever.

Everyone knows Benjamin Franklin as part of American history. As one of the founding fathers, he is a fundamental part of our history—but he was once a kid, just like you! Learn what he was like as a child and how his childhood included hard work, listening to others, writing and reading—all helped him become one of the most influential men we learn about in school.

Can you name a real spy from history? Meet Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, who were communist spies for the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Learn about their work on the Manhattan Project to build an atomic bomb for the US, and their eventual trial for espionage. Do you think these historical spies were guilty for sharing secrets with the Soviets?

Did you know that NASA uses mathematics for space travel? Meet Katherine Johnson, one of the first African-American and female mathematicians who worked for NASA. Learn about her life growing up in segregated America and her journey to pursue her education and dreams. Her mathematical calculations helped American astronauts to go to space, land on the moon, and return to earth safely in 1969!

Have you ever heard of the newsboys? They were the young boys who sold newspapers on the streets during the 19th century. Every day, they stand on the streets shouting out headlines so they could sell their newspapers. Learn about their history and how they striked against newspaper moguls to improve their job conditions.

Did you know that a woman fought in the Revolutionary War? Learn about Deborah Sampson, the first woman soldier to officially serve and fight in battles for the United States' military. To gain entry she disguised herself as a man which was discovered later during the war. She overcame many obstacles in order to fight in the Continental Army for America's freedom.

"Houston, We have a problem"! During the Apollo 11 moon landing, as many as 400,000 people had jobs that were essential to the successful mission. Learn about aeronautics and the different jobs in the field that helped man take the first steps on the moon and expand our understanding of the solar system. Who was one of the first women to work at NASA and what role did she have?

The idea that physical exercise is good for men and women alike is something we take for granted today, but people didn’t always believe this was true. There was a time when exercise was not considered proper or healthy for women. Thanks to athletes like Annette Kellerman, women have come a long way since then.

Although her name and story might be familiar, much of what we know about Cleopatra is shrouded in mystery. Her life was one of politics, murder, war, marriage and passion – but it was also one of pride, bravery, love and strength. Cleopatra may have lived as a goddess, but, beneath her magnificent exterior, she was just a woman who fought tirelessly for what she felt was rightfully hers. With a gripping, expertly researched and fact-checked text, this is the story of the woman behind the stories.

Today, there are lots of different facial hair styles that people can have, but a long time ago, beards were illegal! Thanks to a beard-sporting man named Joseph Palmer, we can all wear proudly wear beards. Palmer faced years of prejudice and persecution for his beard until he was able to change laws—and eventually, history!

Before the Internet, there was only one place where you could always find the exact time—the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England, where people calculated the time by studying astronomy. This was a long distance away from London, though, so someone had to go there and collect the time for the shopkeepers who sold clocks. Learn about Maria Bellville, the woman who sold time!

Inspiring, relatable, and totally true biographies tell the childhood stories of a diverse group of musicians, including Taylor Swift, Louis Armstrong, Harry Styles, Mariah Carey, Yo-Yo Ma, Paul McCartney, and 10 other influential performers.

Minds That Move the World: ADHD-Fueled Extraordinary Lives. Discover the incredible stories of brilliant minds who saw the world differently and changed it forever. "Minds That Move the World" is a collection of biographies for children aged 8-12, especially those with ADHD, their parents, and educators.

Lorsque Kylian M'Bappé entre dans le stade Loujniki de Moscou ce soir du 15 juillet 2018, il est sur le point de réaliser son rêve : devenir champion du monde. Voici le parcours hors norme d'un surdoué du football : depuis ses premiers matchs à l'AS Bondy jusqu'à son but victorieux en finale du mondial 2018 face à la Croatie.

How does a kid grow up to become a scientist? This enthralling nonfiction book from New York Times bestselling author Kate Messner explores the unexpected beginnings behind some of the most fascinating discoveries in scientific history. This book of unexpected beginnings powerfully shows that the great scientists of the future could be practically anyone . . . including you.