Activists

Jean Vanier is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language or adult basic education students. Jean Vanier (1928- ) is the founder of L'Arche, an international organization which creates communities where people with developmental disabilities and those who assist them share life together. Vanier believes that ..".being human is to be a friend to the weak person."

June Callwood is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language or adult basic education students. June Callwood's career was marked by a strong concern for social justice, especially on issues affecting children and women. She became one of Canada's most famous social justice activists, founding or co-founding over 50 Canadian social action organizations including youth and women's hostels. In 1978, she was made a member of the Order of Canada. June died on April 14, 2007, after a battle with cancer. Lexile level: 390L

Harriet Tubman is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language or adult basic education students. Harriet Tubman was born into slavery around 1822. Between 1850 to 1860, Harriet helped about 70 slaves escape to freedom. She relied on the Underground Railroad, a secret network of people and safe houses that helped runaway slaves. Harriet risked her life many times and became known as the "Moses of her people." She died in 1913 at the age of 91. Lexile level: 450L

The Famous Five is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language or adult basic education students. Many people have not heard of The Famous Five. Yet, these five women fought for women's rights in the early 1900s. They helped women win the right to vote and serve in Canada's Senate. The Famous Five also worked to change the property rights law, so that women could own property. Lexile level: 420L

Louis Riel is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language or adult basic education students. Riel (1844-1885) was born into a French MÉtis family. As English settlers began arriving to Red River, the home of the MÉtis, Riel, acting as leader, fought for and won some rights for the MÉtis, who were worried that they were going to lose their farmland to the settlers. As leader of the Red River Resistance and later the North-West Rebellion, Riel was found guilty of treason against Canada and hanged, in spite of turning himself in. Today, many people think of Louis Riel as a hero. Some think he was a traitor. Lexile level: 370L

Dalai Lama is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language or adult basic education students. The Dalai Lama is the spiritual and political leader of the Tibetan people. His Holiness often says, "I am just a simple Buddhist monk-no more, no less." Lexile level: 480L

Eleanor Roosevelt is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language or adult basic education students. Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) was First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She was a shy, awkward child who became an orphan at the age of ten. Eleanor was sent to school in England, an experience that helped draw Eleanor out of her shell. Eleanor grew into a woman with great sensitivity to the underprivileged. She was a humanitarian who dedicated much of her life to fighting for her beliefs. Lexile level: 330L

Cesar Chavez is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language or adult basic education students. Cesar Chavez quit school after Grade 8 to help support his family. He laboured in the fields as a migrant farm worker. In 1962, Cesar founded and led the first successful farm workers' union in U.S. history. Lexile level: 410L

Martin Luther King Jr. is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language or adult basic education students. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) was the dominant force in the civil rights movement during its decade of greatest achievement, from 1957 to 1968. He believed in changing the world through nonviolence. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968.

Mother Teresa is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language or adult basic education students. Mother Teresa (1910-1997) spent her life working with the poorest of the poor. In 1948, she left her convent and started a school in the slums. By 1950, Mother Teresa received permission to start her own order, "The Missionaries of Charity." This charity, which has opened homes all over the world, serves the poorest of the poor. Lexile level: 420L

Rosa Parks is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language or adult basic education students. Rosa Parks (1913-2005), as a young black woman back in 1995, refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. This act of courage sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Today, people remember Rosa Parks as the Mother of the civil rights movement. Lexile level: 430L

David Suzuki is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language or adult basic education students. David Suzuki has become a household name in Canada and much of North America. He has spent the past 40 years educating the public about environmental issues, both in the classroom and over the airwaves. In 2004, Canadians voted David Suzuki as one of the top ten Great Canadians. Lexile level: 340L

Nelson Mandela is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language or adult basic education students. Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) is the most widely-known figure in the struggle against South African apartheid. He spent 27 years in prison for his beliefs. He was released from prison in 1990. Four years later, Mandela became the first black president of South Africa. Lexile level: 390L

Mahatma Gandhi is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language or adult basic education students. Gandhi (1869-1948) became one of the most respected political and spiritual leaders of the 1900s. He lived a spiritual and simple life of prayer, fasting, and meditation. Gandhi helped free the Indian people from British rule through nonviolent resistance. The Indian people called Gandhi "Mahatma," meaning Great Soul. Lexile level: 490L

Elizabeth Fry is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language or adult basic education students. Elizabeth Fry (1780-1845) visited Newgate prison in 1812. She was horrified by the crowded and dirty prison conditions. The women did their own cooking and washing in the small cells in which they slept. She returned the following day with food and clothes for some of the prisoners. Fry was a major driving force behind new legislation to make the treatment of prisoners more humane. Lexile level: 410L

Jane Goodall is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language or adult basic education students. As a young girl, Jane Goodall (1934- ) dreamed of going to Africa to live with animals. Her dream came true and she spent over 25 years studying chimpanzees in the Gombe game reserve. Today, Jane Goodall is the world's foremost authority on chimpanzees. She has made a significant impact on how zoos and laboratories treat animals.