Search Results: 136 books from 1 publisher. Learn more

Magic Johnson

Diane Dakers (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427181022

Throughout his life, basketball superstar Earvin “Magic” Johnson has met both challenges and opportunities with perseverance and leadership. Dubbed "Magic," Johnson blazed a spectacular career in basketball. His play with the Los Angeles Lakers as point guard alongside center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, as well as his epic rivalry with the Boston Celtics’ forward Larry Bird, marked a legendary era in the NBA. In 1991, Magic announced he had tested positive for HIV, a virus that can lead to the life-threatening disease AIDS, and was retiring from basketball. Little was known then about HIV/AIDS and its prevention. His declaration shocked the public but succeeded in putting a familiar and much-admired face on a disease that was shrouded in fear and prejudice. Magic Johnson's legacy includes his inspirational work as an advocate for the prevention of HIV and the still-incurable disease AIDS through his own foundation, which provides programs for HIV/AIDS education and prevention, including testing and safe sex practices.

People Who Changed the World: Politics and Social Activism

Grace Jones (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427122407

This fascinating book combines the work of groundbreakers in politics and social activism with mini-biographies of the innovators behind them. A useful resource for projects and posters, bite-sized text breaks down difficult concepts and provides detailed information on a diverse array of world-changers such as Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, and Mahatma Ghandi.

Buffy Sainte-Marie: Musician, Indigenous Icon, and Social Activist

Linda Barghoorn (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427120779

Inspiring people for decades, Buffy Saint-Marie is a singer-songwriter, visual artist, activist, educator, public speaker, and philanthropist. Beginning life as an orphan on a reserve in Saskatchewan, Sainte-Marie grew to become an international icon. This award-winning songwriter has experienced censorship at times because of her vocal activism against war and on behalf of native peoples. She continues to create music and art, speak out, and support life-long learning through educational and scholarship programs.

John Muir: Protecting and Preserving the Environment

Henry Elliot (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9780778790549

John Muir spoke, wrote, and lived the wilderness, including taking President Theodore Roosevelt on an overnight trip to the Yosemite Valley. This trip led to Roosevelts signing into law a bill that placed Yosemite under federal control as a national park. Because of this and his founding of the Sierra Club, John Muir is credited as one of the key shapers of the modern environmental movement.

Victor Wouk: The Father of the Hybrid Car

Sean Callery (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9780778790563

In 1974, an inventor named Victor Wouk became a man who could be described as ahead of his time. He had developed a prototype for the hybrid, a car that would become the most credible and commercially successful alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles.

Joshua Wong

Linda Barghoorn (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427121004

Joshua Wong was born in Hong Kong less than one year before China took back control of the city from the United Kingdom. While the handover was peaceful, Hong Kong’s citizens lost their right to fully democratic elections. Joshua's leadership as an activist came to international attention in 2014, during pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. The protest became known as the Umbrella Movement. Although Joshua and his student organization called Scholarism promoted peaceful protest, he was jailed for his participation. Undiscouraged, Joshua continues to advocate for full and free elections in Hong Kong. He has been the subject of a documentary called Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower, and has been recognized for his work with many awards including TIME magazine’s 25 Most Influential Teens.

Yusra Mardini

Kelly Spence (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427120793

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.

Simone Biles

Kylie Burns (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427120748

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.

Zuriel Oduwole

Linda Barghoorn (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427120762

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.

Robby Novak

Linda Barghoorn (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427120755

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.

Xiuhtezcatl Martinez

Linda Barghoorn (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427119209

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.

Craig Kielburger

Linda Barghoorn (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427119193

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.

Dolores Huerta

Linda Barghoorn (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427119179

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.

Malala Yousafzai

Kelly Spence (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427118127

Courageous Malala Yousafzai survived an assassination attempt for advocating for the education of girls in her home country of Pakistan. This book describes her incredible story, including her advocacy work on behalf of women and girls on an international scale following her attack, and how she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize - all while she was still in her teens. Young readers will discover how important her parents' support has been to the young activist and gain an understanding of the culture in which Yousafzai was raised. The world can always use more positive female role models, and Yousafzai's youth and forthrightness make it easy for young readers to relate to her.

Rick Hansen

Adrianna Morganelli (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427118134

An important advocate for people with physical disabilities, Canadian Paralympic athlete Rick Hansen circled the world in his wheelchair, proving that, with perseverance and courage, anything is possible! Hansen's Man in Motion tour took him around the world, raising money for research to improve the lives of those who have disabilities. This inspiring book describes his remarkable story as an athlete, activist, and philanthropist. An example of determination for many people around the world, his commitment to making a difference continues today.

Temple Grandin

Linda Barghoorn (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427118097

American Temple Grandin is a renowned scientist, champion for animal rights, and an advocate for people with autism. This book highlights the achievements of this inspirational woman who lives with high-functioning autism. Grandin overcame language and social challenges to become one of the world’s most influential minds in animal welfare and in autism education, exposing the incredible, and sometimes unacknowledged, potential of people who have special needs. Primary sources, sidebars, and discussion and writing prompts highlight her remarkable story.

Mae Jemison

Linda Barghoorn (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427118141

The first African American woman to travel in space, Mae Jemison has broken barriers in science and medicine to become one of the most admired women worldwide. This fascinating book describes how Jemison refused to let anyone stand in the way of her dreams. She became a doctor and worked in the Peace Corps until NASA invited her to join the astronaut program. Today, she is an important advocate for science in education - especially for girls and women. Jemison also continues to push scientific research to improve life in developing countries.

Wilma Rudolph

Adrianna Morganelli (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427118103

When doctors told her parents that she may never walk again, no one could have imagined that Wilma Rudolph would grow up to become the world’s fastest woman. This awe-inspiring book shows how, with grace, perseverance, and dedication, young Wilma used her inner strength to overcome physical disabilities caused by polio to win three gold medals for the USA in track and field at the 1960 Olympics. A sports superstar and an icon worldwide, her legacy continues to inspire youth and African-American communities today.

William Kamkwamba

Kylie Burns (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427118110

Imagine your family had to choose between sending you to school or having enough food to eat. This book tells how William Kamkwamba was forced to drop out of his school in Wimbe, Malawi, when a famine struck his village and his family, who relied on farming, could no longer afford his tuition fee. Instead of giving up on his education, William visited his local library often. It was here that he read a book about wind power. At the age of 14, William used what he learned from the book to build a windmill that brought power to his family’s home. He has since built his village’s first drinking water pump. William’s ingenuity, perseverance, and initiative are an inspiration to many people around the world.

Go West with Famous Trailblazers

Rachel Stuckey (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427117335

Travel with some of the most famous pioneers who opened up the West, from the explorers Daniel Boone and Lewis and Clark to John C. Frémont and the trappers of Canada. This fascinating history features the explorers and entrepreneurs who made their marks - and their fortunes - by venturing west. News stories also highlight the development of communications such as the Pony Express and the invention of the telegraph, and the eventual building of the railroads.

Gridiron Greats: Heroes of Football

Jennifer Rivkin (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427117304

From all-time greats such as Joe Montana and Jerry Rice to current superstars like Aaron Rodgers, readers will enjoying learning all about their favorite football players. Record-breaking stats, famous quotes, history-making plays, and more celebrate the best football stars on both the offensive and defensive ends of the field.

Dian Fossey

Diane Dakers (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427180933

For nearly two decades, Dian Fossey immersed herself in the study of mountain gorillas in Africa. She became known as a highly respected primatologist - a scientist who studies apes and other primates - and a fiercely devoted champion of their safety and preservation. Fossey had made powerful enemies because of her opposition to the gorilla-related tourism industry and her knowledge of animal trafficking among members of the government. In 1985, she was found murdered in her cabin in Rwanda. The case remains unsolved to this day, but her intense love for this endangered species helped create a legacy that survives in the work of others to this day.

Amelia Earhart

Diane Dakers (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427180926

As a girl, Amelia Earhart aspired to a future that would take her beyond the family and medical problems of her younger years, as well as the restrictions imposed on her because she was female. Widely celebrated for her long-distance flights, she also set records for altitude and speed, and helped develop passenger airline service. As a writer and magazine editor, Earhart also further advanced the cause of flight and of women in aviation. Her disappearance during a daring around-the-world flight in 1937 has been a source of intrigue for over 80 years. Earhart’s life and career have provided inspiration to generations of young people, particularly those whose paths have been beset with obstacles and barriers.

All Ball: Basketball's Greatest Players

Jennifer Rivkin (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427177483

From all-time greats such as Larry Bird and Michael Jordan to current superstars like LeBron James, readers will enjoy learning all about their favorite hoopsters. Record-breaking stats, famous quotes, history-making shots, and more celebrate the best basketball stars since the game began in 1891.

Baseball’s Best: All-time Greats

Jennifer Rivkin (author)

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427176127

From all-time greats such as Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson to current superstars like Miguel Cabrera, readers will enjoying learning all about their favorite ball players. Record-breaking stats, famous quotes, history-making plays, and more celebrate the best baseball stars of the past 150 years.