Exceptional African Americans

Through simple, informational text supported by black-and-white and color illustrations, readers will learn about Crispus Attucks, who had an exciting life at sea before going down in history as the first casualty of the Boston Massacre. A Words to Know section at the beginning of the book prepares students to understand the vocabulary they encounter in the text, and quotations about Attucks demonstrate how he inspired generations of Americans long after his death.

Astrophysicist, cosmologist, and author, Neil deGrasse Tyson has devoted his life to understanding the universe and helping others do the same. He is an activist, an educator, and a television personality. Let his passion for making science fun inspire the scientist in you.

Abolitionist, author, and human rights activist Sojourner Truth was born a slave and fought her whole life to abolish slavery. Readers will learn about one of the first feminists through intriguing narrative, easy-to-comprehend information, black-and-white and color images, and direct quotations.

LeBron James is a living basketball legend. He is the youngest player in the history of the NBA to score 20,000 career points. He represented the United States in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, and he is one of the most influential athletes in the world. Readers learn more about his rise to superstardom and his life on and off the court.

The daughter of famous boxing legend Muhammad Ali, Laila Ali is a boxing icon in her own right. But she is also a television personality and an advocate for health and fitness for women. Learn all about this inspiring woman and her amazing life.

Rapper, producer, and entrepreneur Jay Z is one of the most successful hip-hop artists in the world. Full-color photos and engrossing text detail his career and personal life, while a Words to Know section primes readers for new terminology.