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Books in You Should Meet series

  • Women Who Launched the Computer Age

    Laurie Calkhoven, Alyssa Petersen

    Paperback (Simon Spotlight, Sept. 6, 2016)
    This book was chosen by the Children’s Book Council as a best STEM book of 2017! Meet the women who programmed the first all-electronic computer and built the technological language kids today can’t live without in this fascinating, nonfiction Level 3 Ready-to-Read, part of a new series of biographies about people “you should meet!”In 1946, six brilliant young women programmed the first all-electronic, programmable computer, the ENIAC, part of a secret World War II project. They learned to program without any programming languages or tools, and by the time they were finished, the ENIAC could run a complicated calculus equation in seconds. But when the ENIAC was presented to the press and public, the women were never introduced or given credit for their work. Learn all about what they did and how their invention still matters today in this story of six amazing young women everyone should meet! A special section at the back of the book includes extras on subjects like history and math, plus interesting trivia facts about how computers have changed over time. With the You Should Meet series, learning about historical figures has never been so much fun!
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  • Duke Kahanamoku

    Laurie Calkhoven, Stevie Lewis

    Paperback (Simon Spotlight, May 16, 2017)
    Get to know the father of modern surfing in this fascinating, nonfiction Level 3 Ready-to-Read, part of a new series of biographies about people “you should meet.”Meet Duke Kahanamoku, three-time Olympic gold medalist and the father of modern surfing. Duke gained international fame for participating in four Olympics and won five medals in total. Fans began calling Duke “the human fish.” Wherever he went, Duke would demonstrate his surfing skills and in 1915, Duke introduced board surfing to Australia. Ten years later, he found another use for a surfboard—as a lifesaving device—using it to save eight people from a capsized boat in California! A special section at the back of the book includes extras like how to speak Hawaiian and a brief history of Hawaii and its culture. With the You Should Meet series, learning about historical figures has never been so fascinating!
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  • Roberta Gibb

    Laurie Calkhoven, Monique Dong

    Paperback (Simon Spotlight, March 13, 2018)
    Get to know the first woman to ever run in the Boston Marathon in this fascinating nonfiction Level 3 Ready-to-Read, part of a series of biographies about people “you should meet!”Meet Roberta Gibb. In 1966, Roberta was the first woman ever to run in the Boston Marathon. When Roberta applied for the event she received a letter saying women were not physically able to run marathons and therefore her request was denied. Roberta decided to run anyway, and told her mom, “This is really going to change things for women.” She disguised her appearance with a blue hooded sweatshirt pulled up over her head and her brother’s Bermuda shorts. Instead of being ridiculed, when the men running realized she was a woman, they cheered her on as she became the first woman to ever complete the Boston marathon! A special section at the back of the book includes extras on subjects like history and math, plus exercise and nutrition tips for kids. With the You Should Meet series, learning about historical figures has never been so much fun!
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  • Women Who Launched the Computer Age

    Laurie Calkhoven, Alyssa Petersen

    Hardcover (Simon Spotlight, Sept. 6, 2016)
    This book was chosen by the Children’s Book Council as a best STEM book of 2017! Meet the women who programmed the first all-electronic computer and built the technological language kids today can’t live without in this fascinating, nonfiction Level 3 Ready-to-Read, part of a new series of biographies about people “you should meet!”In 1946, six brilliant young women programmed the first all-electronic, programmable computer, the ENIAC, part of a secret World War II project. They learned to program without any programming languages or tools, and by the time they were finished, the ENIAC could run a complicated calculus equation in seconds. But when the ENIAC was presented to the press and public, the women were never introduced or given credit for their work. Learn all about what they did and how their invention still matters today in this story of six amazing young women everyone should meet! A special section at the back of the book includes extras on subjects like history and math, plus interesting trivia facts about how computers have changed over time. With the You Should Meet series, learning about historical figures has never been so much fun!
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  • Mae Jemison

    Laurie Calkhoven, Monique Dong

    Hardcover (Simon Spotlight, Sept. 6, 2016)
    Blast off into space and get to know Mae Jemison—the first African-American woman to ever go to space—with this fascinating, nonfiction Level 3 Ready-to-Read, part of a new series of biographies about people “you should meet.”Meet Mae Jemison, the first African-American female astronaut! Did you know before Mae was an astronaut, she went to medical school and joined the Peace Corps? But she never forgot her childhood dream to travel to outer space. So in 1985 she applied to NASA’s astronaut training program. On September 12, 1992, Mae flew into space with six other astronauts aboard the space shuttle Endeavour and made history—just like you can if you follow your dreams! A special section at the back of the book includes extras on subjects like history and math, plus a fun timeline filled with interesting trivia facts about space! With the You Should Meet series, learning about historical figures has never been so much fun!
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  • Kids Who Are Saving the Planet

    Laurie Calkhoven, Monique Dong

    Paperback (Simon Spotlight, March 3, 2020)
    Meet the environmentally-minded kids who are coming up with ways to save the planet in this fascinating nonfiction Level 3 Ready-to-Read, part of a series of biographies about people “you should meet!”Have you ever wondered what you could do to help the planet? Find out how kids are helping the environment by selling lemonade to save the honeybees, starting a petition to bring attention to climate change, raising awareness through an original comic book hero, and more! Learn all about how their ideas are preserving the environment in this story of five amazing kids everyone should meet! A special section at the back of the book includes extras such as biographies of famous young environmental activists plus interesting ideas for other ways that kids can save the environment. With the You Should Meet series, learning about amazing people has never been so much fun!
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  • Lin-Manuel Miranda

    Laurie Calkhoven, Alyssa Petersen

    Hardcover (Simon Spotlight, Aug. 28, 2018)
    Get to know Lin-Manuel Miranda, the award-winning creator of Hamilton: An American Musical, in this fascinating nonfiction Level 3 Ready-to-Read, part of a series of biographies about people “you should meet!”Meet Lin-Manuel Miranda! Lin-Manuel is a writer, singer, actor, songwriter, and rapper who created the hit Broadway musicals In the Heights and Hamilton: An American Musical. He was also the cocomposer of Disney’s Moana and is the star of the upcoming film, Mary Poppins Returns, with Emily Blunt. His creativity appeals to children and adults alike and he has already won a Tony, Emmy, Grammy, and a Pulitzer Prize for his work. Learn all about how he grew up and the things he’s accomplished so far in this Level 3 Ready-to-Read that’s perfect for beginning readers. A special section at the back of the book includes extras like the history of Puerto Rico and how to write a play. With the You Should Meet series, learning about historical figures has never been so much fun!
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  • Kids Who Are Changing the World

    Sheila Sweeny Higginson, Alyssa Petersen

    Hardcover (Simon Spotlight, Feb. 12, 2019)
    Meet the inventive kids who are coming up with ways to save the world in this fascinating, nonfiction Level 3 Ready-to-Read, part of a series of biographies about people “you should meet!”Have you ever wondered what you could do to change the world? Find out how kids are helping the environment, inventing incredible medical devices, aiding the homeless, designing apps so other kids won’t ever have to eat alone in the cafeteria, and more! Learn all about what they’ve come up with and how their ideas are changing lives in this story of four amazing kids everyone should meet! A special section at the back of the book includes extras such as biographies of famous young inventors and contemporary activists plus interesting ideas for other ways that kids can change the world. With the You Should Meet series, learning about amazing people has never been so much fun!
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  • Duke Kahanamoku

    Laurie Calkhoven, Stevie Lewis

    Hardcover (Simon Spotlight, May 16, 2017)
    Get to know the father of modern surfing in this fascinating, nonfiction Level 3 Ready-to-Read, part of a new series of biographies about people “you should meet.”Meet Duke Kahanamoku, three-time Olympic gold medalist and the father of modern surfing. Duke gained international fame for participating in four Olympics and won five medals in total. Fans began calling Duke “the human fish.” Wherever he went, Duke would demonstrate his surfing skills and in 1915, Duke introduced board surfing to Australia. Ten years later, he found another use for a surfboard—as a lifesaving device—using it to save eight people from a capsized boat in California! A special section at the back of the book includes extras like how to speak Hawaiian and a brief history of Hawaii and its culture. With the You Should Meet series, learning about historical figures has never been so fascinating!
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  • Shirley Chisholm

    Laurie Calkhoven, Kaitlyn Shea O'Connor

    Hardcover (Simon Spotlight, June 16, 2020)
    Get to know Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman to enter the Democratic presidential race, in this fascinating nonfiction Level 3 Ready-to-Read, part of a series of biographies about people “you should meet!”Meet Shirley Chisholm. In 1968, Shirley Chisholm made history as the first African American woman elected to Congress. That same year, Shirley was voted one of the ten most admired women in the world. She also ran for president in 1972, the first African American woman to do so for one of the two big political parties. Shirley showed people it shouldn’t matter if you’re male or female or what the color of your skin is, everyone should be able to pursue their dreams. She lived out her life determined to be “unbossed and unbought” and remained a spokesperson for change. To this day she is still an inspiration to everyone who dreams of breaking boundaries. A special section at the back of the book includes extras like an article on how voting works and a brief lesson on the three branches of US government.
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  • Jesse Owens

    Laurie Calkhoven, Elizabet Vukovic

    Hardcover (Simon Spotlight, Jan. 17, 2017)
    Sprint around the track and get to know Jesse Owens in this fascinating, nonfiction Level 3 Ready-to-Read, part of a new series of biographies about people “you should meet.”Meet Jesse Owens, an African American runner who won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin! What made his achievement even more memorable was that Adolph Hitler expected the Olympic Games to be a German showcase. In fact, he criticized the United States for even including black athletes on its Olympic roster. According to many reports, after Owens won his fourth gold medal, Hitler stormed out of the stadium. In 1936 Jesse Owens took a stand against racism and made history. A special section at the back of the book includes extras on subjects like history and math, plus a short article filled with interesting facts about the Olympics. With the You Should Meet series, learning about historical figures has never been so fascinating!
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  • Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Ready-to-Read Level 3

    Laurie Calkhoven, Elizabet Vukovic

    Hardcover (Simon Spotlight, Aug. 27, 2019)
    Get to know Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the inspiring Supreme Court justice, in this fascinating nonfiction Level 3 Ready-to-Read, part of a series of biographies about people “you should meet!”Meet Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Also known as the notorious RBG, Ginsburg is only the second female Supreme Court justice in America’s history. She has spent her entire life fighting for equal rights for all, especially women. RBG is a true superhero and young readers are sure to love getting to know her. A special section at the back of the book includes extras like the history of the Supreme Court and how to become a lawyer. With the You Should Meet series, learning about amazing people has never been so much fun!
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