Book picks similar to
Gabby Douglas: Going for Gold by Tori Kosara


non-fiction
gymnastics
biography-autobiography-memoir
kids

Wild Card


Tiki Barber - 2009
    Everything is off to a strong start—until one of the key players on the team is benched for academic probation. Without good grades there is no playing time. No exceptions. Ever. Will the team’s hopes for the season be demolished, or can they find a way to help their teammate get his grades up? Fortunately for the Barber brothers, it turns out that the team that plays together can study together too.

Grace, Gold, and Glory: My Leap of Faith


Gabrielle Douglas - 2012
    In this personal autobiography, Gabby tells her story of faith, perseverance, and determination, demonstrating you can reach your dreams if you let yourself soar.

Who Is Malala Yousafzai?


Dinah Brown - 2015
    She wrote a blog that called attention to what was happening in her beautiful corner of Pakistan and realized that words can bring about change. She has continued to speak out for the right of all children to have an education. In 2014 she won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Who Was Rosa Parks?


Yona Zeldis McDonough - 2010
    This seemingly small act triggered civil rights protests across America and earned Rosa Parks the title "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement." This biography has black-and-white illustrations throughout.

The 25 Weirdest Animals in the World! Amazing facts, photos and video links to the strangest creatures on the planet. (Amazing Animals Series)


I.P. Factly - 2012
    Using video links, IP Factly's Amazing Animal series has been designed to encourage and bolster independent reading. The animals are accompanied by pictures and facts plus video links so children can see the animals and how they behave.

Who Was Babe Ruth?


Joan Holub - 2012
    It was at a reform school that Babe discovered his talent for baseball, and by the age of nineteen, he was on his way to becoming a sports legend. Babe was often out of shape and even more often out on the town, but he had a big heart and an even bigger swing! Kids will learn all about the Home Run King in this rags-to- riches sports biography. With black-and-white illustrations throughout, a true sports legend is brought to life.

I am Jackie Robinson


Brad Meltzer - 2015
    But he lived at a time before the Civil Rights Movement, when the rules weren't fair to African Americans. Even though Jackie was a great athlete, he wasn't allowed on the best teams just because of the color of his skin. Jackie knew that sports were best when everyone, of every color, played together. He became the first black player in Major League Baseball, and his bravery changed African-American history and led the way to equality in all sports in America.This engaging series is the perfect way to bring American history to life for young children, providing them with the right role models, supplemementing Common Core learning in the classroom, and best of all, inspiring them to strive and dream.

Take Your Best Shot: Do Something Bigger Than Yourself


Austin Gutwein - 2000
    By the end of the book, thereader will know the testimony of Austin and other teens from aroundthe world who are committed to a life of sharing Christ’s love, andwill have begun to search for God’s voice in their own lives. The bookwill also equip and challenge readers with information on a variety ofministries and organizations around the world to help people, animals,and the environment.  “Austin is an outstandingyoung man! He inspires us to dream bigger, reach higher and love deeper. Hisstory deserves a wide hearing.” Max Lucado“I amvery impressed with Austin Gutwein’s story in Take Your Best Shot. This bookis filled with words of encouragement, inspiration, and hope. It’s guaranteedto motivate you into action.” Pat Williams, Senior Vice President, Orlando Magic“Ispent a day with Austin and his family and found them inspiring. His story, Ibelieve, challenges us all. The first thing I thought as I drove to the airportwas: What was I doing when I was twelve? Andthen, of course, the next thought: What,exactly, am I doing now?” John Larson, Former NBC NationalCorrespondent“Whenpeople ask me how they can possibly make a difference fighting a problem as bigas ‘global poverty’, I tell them about a boy named Austin who, like David, stared Goliath in theeye without flinching. This young man has done more to make a difference in thelives of children orphaned by AIDS than most American churches, let aloneindividuals. If you are older than 10 and you haven’t yet done your part tochange the world, read TakeYour Best Shot and beinspired. Austin Gutwein shows us the way”. RichardStearns, President, World Vision US, Author of TheHole in Our Gospel“Whenpeople ask who has most impacted me over the last year, without hesitation Ican say Austin Gutwein and the story of Hoops of Hope. I am around amazingleaders all the time, and Austin rivals all of them. Austinis my friend. And Austinis one of my heroes. You can’t be around Austinor the amazing work of Hoops of Hope without being deeply impacted andinspired. Trust me. Do yourself a favor and read this book and the incrediblestory. But once you do, be prepared to be changed and challenged. You’ll seethe world and your significant role in helping those less fortunate in anamazingly fresh way.” BradLomenick, Executive Director, Catalyst“Austin’sstory is one of modern day heroism. He represents a new generation that cancarry us all into the twenty-first century: a world of hope, peace and selflesslove. Austincompletely inspires me.” DanielBiro, Hawk Nelson

Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.?


Bonnie Bader - 2007
    Martin Luther King, Jr. was only 25 when he helped organize the Montgomery Bus Boycott and was soon organizing black people across the country in support of the right to vote, desegregation, and other basic civil rights. Maintaining nonviolent and peaceful tactics even when his life was threatened, King was also an advocate for the poor and spoke out against racial and economic injustice until his death from an assassin's bullet in 1968. With clearly written text that explains this tumultuous time in history and 80 black-and-white illustrations, this Who Was?? celebrates the vision and the legacy of a remarkable man.

Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice


Nikki Grimes - 2020
    From fighting for the use of a soccer field in middle school to fighting for the people of her home state in Congress, Senator Harris used her voice to speak up for what she believed in and for those who were otherwise unheard. And now this dedication has led her all the way to being elected Vice President of the United States.

Stranger to the Game: 2the Autobiography of Bob Gibson


Bob Gibson - 1994
    From Gibson's early days in the Jim Crow South to his glory days as a World Series-winning pitcher, Stranger to the Game is the candid memoir of one of the game's greatest pitchers and most outspoken black players.

26 Fairmount Avenue


Tomie dePaola - 1999
    Tomie has many adventures all his own, including eating chocolate with his Nana Upstairs, only to find out--the hard way--that they have eaten chocolate laxative. He tries to skip kindergarten when he finds out he won't learn to read until first grade. "I'll be back next year," he says. When Tomie goes to see Snow White, he creates another sensation.

Wilma Rudolph


Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara - 2019
     Wilma was born into a family with 22 brothers and sisters, in the segregated South. She contracted polio in her early years and her doctors said she would never walk again. But Wilma persisted with treatment, and she recovered her strength by the age of 12. At school, Wilma showed a talent for basketball and sprinting, earning the nickname "Skeeter" (mosquito) as she ran so fast. Wilma was in college when she went to the 1960 Olympics. She not only won gold in sprint events, but also broke world records with her sprinting skill. She had beaten polio to become an Olympic champion. She is a huge inspiration to many women in sports around the world. This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the athlete's life.Little People, BIG DREAMS is a best-selling series of books and educational games that explore the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream. This empowering series offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats. The board books are told in simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to babies and toddlers. The hardcover versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. Boxed gift sets allow you to collect a selection of the books by theme. Paper dolls, learning cards, matching games, and other fun learning tools provide even more ways to make the lives of these role models accessible to children.Inspire the next generation of outstanding people who will change the world with Little People, BIG DREAMS!

Touchdown for Tommy (Sports Classics)


Matt Christopher - 1959
    The recently orphaned Tommy is delighted to discover that his foster father, Mr. Powell, coaches Midget League football. By playing well, Tommy hopes that he will make Mr. Powell want to adopt him, and then he will have a real family again. But will things work out the way he plans!

Lemony Snicket


Jill C. Wheeler - 2006
    Readers will learn what inspired the authors to write and how they came up with story ideas. Clearly-written text and amusing anecdotes provide readers with easy access to the lives of these beloved authors. Each engaging biography examines the author's: - Childhood - Education - Writing career- Full-color Photographs- B/W Photographs- Index- Bolded Glossary Terms in Text