Launched in 2020, the “Story of” book series was designed to help make biographies of important and famous figures accessible and enjoyable for readers between the ages of 6 and 9. Complete with illustrations, timelines, and word definitions to help kids read and comprehend, these books span modern celebrities to historical figures such as George Washington and Marie Curie.
Written in accessible language and illustrated throughout, they help young readers to understand history, biography, and the ways in which the subject of each book changed the world through science, art, leadership, and beyond.
One thing that the “Story of” books brings to the table that has been neglected by too many other biographies – especially for younger readers – is to include the many contributions of people of color throughout history. And it makes sense that a series dedicated in part to bringing to light the important role that people of color have played in our world would also be committed to letting people of color tell these important stories, as the authors behind the “Story of” series are overwhelming people of color themselves.
Want to learn more? Check out 10 of our favorite “Story of” titles below!
The Story of Sojourner Truth
We know her as one of the most important voices in the antislavery movement of 19th century America, but before she became a champion for freedom, Sojourner Truth was a young woman who was enslaved herself.
This story about bravery and compassion is an important one for young people to understand, rendered in a way that makes it approachable and compelling for young readers in this page-turning book.
The Story of Harriet Tubman
The inspiring story of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad has stirred many of us, but often we only come at it through dry schoolbooks.
This exciting book chronicles Harriet Tubman’s life and contributions in ways that kids will understand, while also rendering these important historical moments in comprehensible and entertaining terms that will keep them reading as they learn about a pivotal moment in American history.
The Story of Martin Luther King, Jr
Almost everyone knows at least some part of the story of Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most important figures in the American civil rights campaign. However, we all have to first learn about this vital and dynamic figure somewhere.
This approachable biography helps introduce new readers to King’s thrilling and inspiring life from his childhood in Atlanta, Georgia to his famous marches and speeches that still resonate for us today.
The Story of Ruby Bridges
Though she may not be as well-remembered as some other heroes of the civil rights era, the story of young Ruby Bridges is perhaps particularly important – and resonant – for young readers, who can easily see themselves in Ruby’s shoes.
As she was chosen to be the first Black student to attend a newly desegregated public school, she went from a regular kid to a figure on the national stage, and this book tells her complex and powerful story.
The Story of John Lewis
Prior to his death in 2020, John Lewis was an important member of the United States Congress and a civil rights activist who marched with Martin Luther King.
His contributions continued until the present day, and his story represents a bridge between the early civil rights movement and the contemporary world in which young readers live, rendered here in a way that they can easily read and understand.
The Story of Michelle Obama
When Barack Obama became the first Black President of the United States, Michelle Obama made an equally important contribution to history as the first Black First Lady.
Working for change and hope both from within the White House and afterward, this book tells of her inspiring story, from growing up on Chicago’s South Side to her work as a lawyer and her continuing contributions in the years since Obama’s two-term presidency.
The Story of Jackie Robinson
There are plenty of biographies out there about great baseball players – but Jackie Robinson was more than just a great baseball player.
As the first Black person to play Major League Baseball, he helped to break down barriers and make history, one at-bat at a time. Besides his contributions on the field, this biography for young readers explores his childhood and his work as a civil rights activist.
The Story of Jane Goodall
Jane Goodall is best remembered for her contributions to the study and preservation of chimpanzees, but she was also a pioneer for women in scientific fields.
From a young girl who loved nature growing up in England, this book traces her journey to become a preeminent researcher and a champion for animals and preservation, as she follows her dream of working with wild chimpanzees in the field, and encourages young readers to follow their own dreams, too.
The Story of Frida Kahlo
The book that launched the “Story of” series, this approachable biography of the famous Mexican artist explores her childhood, the bus accident at 18 years old that left her in lifelong pain, and the contributions that she made to the world of art.
By rendering the complexities of art and history into something understandable for readers aged 6 to 9, The Story of Frida Kahlo helped to turn this series into a landmark in biography for young readers.
The Story of Amelia Earhart
On July 2, 1937, Amelia Earhart disappeared over the Pacific Ocean. Neither she nor her plane were ever heard from again. While her mysterious disappearance may be the most dramatic aspect of Earhart’s life, however, it was far from the only time that the brave pilot made history.
As the first woman to fly solo over the Atlantic Ocean, she set numerous flight records and was considered a pioneer in aviation. This exciting and accessible book tells of her many accomplishments, and shows young readers what may be possible if they dare to be different.
