Books in Step-Up Biographies series

“No gun can ever kill you.” Those are the magical words Geronimo heard whispered in the air, and that he believed true. Although his name is often linked with violence and even savagery, Geronimo's early life was actually peaceful. What transformed him into one of the most renowned warriors in the Apache nation, a man whom the U.S. government wished captured or killed at any cost? This gripping biography captures the often-tragic experiences that defined the life of this fearless leader.

“I wish it to be remembered that I was the last man of my tribe to surrender my rifle.” Sitting Bull lived and died for his people, the Sioux of the Great Plains. Renowned author George Edward Stanley traces Sitting Bull's lifelong fight for justice and struggle to retain his tribe's ancestral lands, as well as the battle at Little Bighorn and the terrible massacre at Wounded Knee that occurred in the wake of his death.

Davy Crockett was a child of the frontier, where violence and danger were everywhere. A hunter, soldier, and backwoods politician, he helped settle large swaths of the still-growing United States. In the process, he became an American legend, with his life and exploits dramatized—and often fictionalized—in film and TV. Renowned author George Edward Stanley tells the true story: his difficult childhood; his time in the militia fighting the Indians and the British; his decision to become a Justice of the Peace and eventually run for the Tennessee State Legislature; and his final stand, and death, at the famous battle of the Alamo.

From humble beginnings and a childhood marked by disease and poverty, Jesse Owens sprinted to Olympic gold. His success in the 1936 Berlin games was a victory for equality--and an affront to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler’s view of Aryan supremacy. The story of this exceptional athlete will fascinate kids.- Learn about his near-death experience at only 5 years old- Relive the perfect day when Jesse broke three world records—and equaled another- See how an act of kindness to an opponent cost him a race, but won fans’ hearts.- Follow his entire amazing Olympic triumph

At least as far back as the ancient myth of Icarus, humans longed to fly—but it wasn’t until December 17, 1903, on the windy dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, that the dream finally came true. And it was all thanks to Orville and Wilbur Wright, two former bicycle mechanics who built their first toy plane—a rubber-band powered rotary—when they were just children. Find out how the two brothers, working quietly and persistently, ultimately solved the “flying problem” that had grounded so many others; what setbacks they experienced as they developed and improved their machine (including a tragic crash); and what additional “firsts” followed after they triumphantly took to the skies.

Making legends and leaving people awestruck: that’s what Babe Ruth was all about. More than 70 years after he swung his bat for the final time, “the Sultan of Swat” remains baseball’s greatest player. Find out about:- His troubled childhood—including a period in reform school- How he got his legendary nickname- How he always tried to be an inspiration to children- His record-breaking plays- The curse of the Babe that haunted the Boston Red Sox for so many years This biography really hits one home!