9 best books for new readers

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Jane loved animals from an early age

Jane was born with a love of nature, especially animals. When she was just one and a half, Jane took a handful of earthworms to bed with her. As soon as Jane’s mom explained that worms need soil to live, Jane ran outside and returned the worms to their garden. Jane’s dad also saw her love of animals. He bought her a stuffed chimpanzee named Jubilee. Jane loved Jubilee and took him nearly everywhere she went.

She pursued her passion of working with animals

When she grew up, Jane was told about a group of chimpanzees living on the shores of a lake in Tanzania. Nobody had ever studied chimps in the wild up close before. She would have to take notes and spend hours in the rain forest where the chimps lived, watching their behavior. Jane was excited to see how they lived, played, ate, and made friends.

Jane helped save the chimps

Loggers were destroying the chimps’ habitat. She knew she had to protect them. The best way to help was to keep researching and reporting on the chimps so more people around the world would care about saving their habitats. She also worked on behalf of the chimps by speaking and marching in order to get the government to protect them.

She’s making the world a better place for chimps and all living things

The world is more aware of how similar humans and chimps are. Jane’s discoveries led to people protecting these animals. At age 85, Jane still travels to share their story and raise money to protect them and other endangered animals.

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Simone was a ball of energy as a kid

Simone’s training began before anyone realized it. As a child, she did backflips off mailboxes and swings. She scrambled up her big brothers’ backs and did pull-ups on their outstretched arms.

She discovered her dream early on

When she was six years old, she went on a field trip to a gymnastics center. She loved it! Simone soon joined the junior elite program, which trains young gymnasts to move up through 10 levels of difficulty.

Simone was determined to achieve her dream

She worked hard and got better and better at gymnastics. She won many medals. Simone eventually earned her role on the Olympic team!

She wowed the world at the Olympics

When Simone got to the Olympics, she won gold medals for the individual all-around competition and vault. Then, the whole world watched as she performed a near-perfect floor routine, winning her fourth gold medal and setting new Olympic records!

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Getting an education was not easy for Malala

Malala was just 11 years old when going to school became unsafe. Girls over the age of 10 could not go to school anymore because of new laws. Malala was horrified. She loved to read and learn. Her dream was to be a doctor.

She was determined to learn

Malala went to school secretly. She hid her books under her shawl. She kept her head down and hurried to class, hoping she wouldn’t be noticed on the way. At night, Malala hid her books under her bed. She worried about what might happen next.

Malala spoke out against inequality

She spoke to reporters about education for girls and called for an end to child labor, which forced children to work. People noticed Malala’s activism. In 2011, she was given an important award: Pakistan’s first National Peace Prize. It came to be known as the Malala Prize.

She was recognized around the world for her bravery

Malala knows there is more work to do, but she believes that with many voices joining hers, change will happen. She hopes that one day all girls will have choices about how to live their lives.

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Alexander believed he was born to lead

Though Alexander grew up on a small island in difficult conditions, he knew he would do great things. He loved writing and learning as much as he could. In 1773, Alexander arrived in New York City to go to King’s College, where he became known as a gifted speaker and writer. His writings and public speeches about the American revolt against England made many people want to help America gain independence.

He became an advisor to George Washington

Senior officers in the American army saw that people listened to Alexander. Because of this, several officers wanted him to be their personal assistant. One very important person was also watching Alexander: General George Washington, who asked Alexander to advise him. It was such a great opportunity that Alexander agreed to it. Together, they helped win the American Revolution.

Alexander earned his role as a Founding Father

Alexander was chosen to be part of the new government of the now independent nation. New York City was the first capital of the United States. There, George Washington became the nation’s first president on April 30, 1789. Alexander was asked to be secretary of the treasury, whose job it was to set up America’s money systems. The rest was history!

America wouldn’t be the same today without Alexander

From the work he did during the Revolutionary War to setting up the nation’s first bank and currency, Alexander helped make America the strong country it is today. He dedicated his life to leading and fighting for what he believed in.

Other inspiring chapter books in The Story of... biography series for new readers include: