Books in Story of... series

This compelling entry in the Story of line of chapter-book biographies features Sammy Lee, a Korean American diver who became the first Asian American to win an Olympic gold medal. On a hot summer day in 1932, twelve-year-old Sammy Lee watched enviously as divers catapulted into the public swimming pool. Sammy desperately wanted to try diving himself, but the Korean American boy -- like any person of color -- was only allowed to use the pool one day a week.This discrimination did not weaken Sammy's newfound passion for diving, and soon he began a struggle between his dream of becoming an Olympic champion and his father's wish for him to become a doctor. Over sixteen years Sammy faced numerous challenges, but he overcame them all and fulfilled both his dream and his father's. In 1948 Dr. Sammy Lee dove into Olympic history. A matter of seconds after his final platform dive, the scores appeared and Sammy Lee became the first Asian American to win an Olympic gold medal.Sammy Lee's story of determination and triumph sets an extraordinary example for anyone striving to fulfill a dream and will inspire all who read it. This chapter book edition includes black-and-white illustrations as well as sidebars on related subjects, a timeline, a glossary, and recommended reading.

The Story chapter-book line debuts with this beautiful celebration of the life of Irena Sendler, a social worker who helped save nearly 2500 Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto during the Nazi occupation of Poland. Irena Sendler, born in 1910 to a Polish Catholic family, was raised to respect all people regardless of their race or religion. As an adult she became a social worker, and after the Germans occupied Poland during World War II, Irena knew she had to help the Jews who were packed into the Warsaw Ghetto. She began by smuggling food, clothing, and medicine into the ghetto, then turned to smuggling children out of the ghetto. Using false papers and creative means of escape, Irena risked her own life to rescue Jewish children and hide them safely in orphanages, convents, and foster homes. Hoping to reunite the families after the war, Irena kept secret lists of the children's identities, which were buried in jars under an apple tree. Motivated by her humanity and armed with compassion and a belief in human dignity, Irena Sendler proved to the world that an ordinary person can accomplish extraordinary deeds. This new chapter book format includes illustrations as well as sidebars on related subjects, a timeline, a glossary, and recommended reading.

These are the stories that have been told from the dawn of humanity and handed down, over millennia, to the present day. From the ancient indigenous narratives of "The Dreaming" in Australia to the classical founding tales of some of the greatest empires of Western antiquity, these accounts are at once creative works of art as well as valuable sources of early history and sociology.Terri-ann White has brought together a range of fascinating stories from around the world. Each reflects familiar and universal themes such as joy, fear, lust, familial love, romantic love, mortality, a reverence for the divine, and a preoccupation with the meaning of life. With beautiful illustrations of ancient gods, heroes, tricksters, and monsters, this is an impressively visual mythological resource to be admired and treasured.

This new entry in the innovative "Story" line of chapter-book biographies focuses on Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, who revolutionized global antipoverty efforts by developing the innovative economic concept of micro-lending.Growing up in Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus witnessed extreme poverty all around him and was determined to eradicate it. In 1976, as an economics professor, Muhammad met a young craftswoman who needed to borrow five taka (twenty-two cents) to buy materials. No bank would lend such a small amount to an uneducated woman, so she was forced to borrow from corrupt lenders who charged an unfair interest rate, and left her without enough profit to buy food. Muhammad realized that what stood in the way of her financial security was just a few cents. Inspired, Muhammad founded Grameen Bank, where people could borrow small amounts of money to invest in themselves or their own businesses, and then pay back the bank without exorbitant interest charges. Over the next few years, Muhammad's compassion and determination changed the lives of millions of people by loaning the equivalent of more than ten billion US dollars in micro-credit. He received the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for establishing Grameen Bank and championing microfinance. The Story of Banker to the People Muhammad Yunus is an inspiring account of economic innovation and a celebration of how one person--like one small loan--can make a positive difference in the lives of many. This chapter book includes black-and-white illustrations as well as sidebars on related subjects, a timeline, a glossary, and recommended reading.

Great savings on four little holiday board books. This boxed set includes: The Story of Christmas, The Story of Thanksgiving, The Story of Easter, and The Story of Valentine's Day. Authors Patricia A. Pingry and Nancy J. Skarmeas use only about 200 words in each of these four board books to tell the story behind the holiday. Parents can use this boxed set to introduce children to the history and meaning of these favorite holidays, while helping children connect the origins of the day to today's traditions and celebrations. Ages 2-5.