James Buckley

Meet the father of science fiction, Jule Verne. Born in France in 1829, Jules Verne always dreamed of adventure. At age 11, he snuck onboard a ship headed for the Indies only to be discovered by his father and have his dreams dashed. After his father made him swear to only travel in his imagination, Verne kept his promise for the rest of his life. He began writing adventure stories as a young man and became a popular writer throughout France. Known for mixing scientific discovery and literature in his books like Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Around the World in 80 Days, Verne is often called The Father of Science Fiction.

Check out the moon—in all its phases—in this new Level 4 Penguin-Smithsonian nonfiction reader. There are myths about it. Men have landed on it. Just about everybody has gazed at it in wonder. But what is the moon? Where did it come from? What’s it made of? Find out in this lively reader about the celestial body that’s so familiar and yet so mysterious.

As young boys, Orville and Wilbur Wright loved all things mechanical. As young men, they gained invaluable skills essential for their success by working with printing presses, bicycles, motors, and any sort of machinery they could get their hands on. As adults, the brothers worked together to invent, build, and fly the world's first successful airplane. This is the fascinating story of the two inventors and aviation pioneers who never lost sight of their dream: to fly, and to soar higher

Though much of his early life remains a mystery, Blackbeard most likely began his life as Edward Teach in the sailing port of Bristol, England. He began his career as a hired British sailor during Queen Anne's War. He eventually settled in the Bahamas under Captain Benjamin Hornigold who taught the young sailor to go "a-pirating." Soon enough, Blackbeard was commanding his own fleet and stealing ships around the Caribbean and up and down the Eastern seaboard. Known for his thick, black beard and fearsome reputation, the legend of Blackbeard has influenced pirate legend and lore for over 300 years. Series Overview: A series of illustrated biographies for young readers featuring significant historical figures, including artists, scientists, and world leaders

In the middle of the worst depression in U. S. history, one young racehorse lifted a nation's spirits. Seabiscuit was born in 1933 on a farm in Kentucky. Though bred for racing, he was weak and undersized. He slept too long and ate too much. Against the odds, he began to win local races. He was given a new coach who trained him to race in larger circuits. Soon enough, this scrappy horse began beating the best racehorses in the country. He became a media darling and won national competitions. In 1938 he was voted U. S. Horse of the Year. Seabiscuit's undying spirit and come-from-behind story made him a celebrity and hero for millions.

Home is a long way from home There are no refrigerators in space--think about it Life on the International Space Station is well, another, way of life: you wake up in a sleeping bag tied to the wall; open a food package which keeps your meals from floating away, and then maybe go to work . . . walking in space (And the toilet? That's a story ) A lively reader about daily life on the ISS.

At the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics, track and field star Jesse Owens ran himself straight into international glory by winning four gold medals. But the life of Jesse Owens is much more than a sports story. Born in rural Alabama under the oppressive Jim Crow laws, Owens's family suffered many hardships. As a boy he worked several jobs like delivering groceries and working in a shoe repair shop to make ends meet. But Owens defied the odds to become a sensational student athlete, eventually running track for Ohio State. He was chosen to compete in the Summer Olympics in Nazi Germany where Adolf Hitler was promoting the idea of "Aryan superiority." Owens's winning streak at the games humiliated Hitler and crushed the myth of racial supremacy once and for all.

Born the eighth of seventeen children in Philadelphia, Betsy Ross lived in a time when the American colonies were yearning for independence from British rule. Ross worked as a seamstress and was eager to contribute to the cause, making tents and repairing uniforms when the colonies declared war. By 1779 she was filling cartridges for the Continental Army. Did she sew the first flag? That’s up for debate, but Who Was Betsy Ross? tells the story of a fierce patriot who certainly helped create the flag of a new nation.

Growing up the youngest of seven children in Puerto Rico, Roberto Clemente had a talent for baseball. His incredible skill soon got him drafted into the big leagues where he spent 18 seasons playing right field for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Who Was Roberto Clemente? tells the story of this remarkable athlete: a twelve-time All-Star, World Series MVP, and the first Latin American inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Growing up the youngest of seven children in Puerto Rico, Roberto Clemente had a talent for baseball. His incredible skill soon got him drafted into the big leagues where he spent 18 seasons playing right field for the Pittsburgh Pirates. "Who Was Roberto Clemente?" tells the story of this remarkable athlete: a twelve-time All-Star, World Series MVP, and the first Latin American inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

He would go on to become the first and only three-time (in succession) World Heavyweight Champion. Nicknamed "The Greatest," Ali was as well known for his unique boxing style, consisting of the Ali Shuffle and the rope-a-dope, as he was for the catchphrase "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." He was an uncompromising athlete who brought beauty and grace to a very rough sport and became one of the world's most famous cultural icons. Read Who Is Muhammad Ali? And discover "The Greatest.".

As young boys, Orville and Wilbur Wright loved all things mechanical. As young men, they gained invaluable skills essential for their success by working with printing presses, bicycles, motors, and any sort of machinery they could get their hands on. As adults, the brothers worked together to invent, build, and fly the world s first successful airplane. This is the fascinating story of the two inventors and aviation pioneers who never lost sight of their dream: to fly, and to soar higher "

As young boys, Orville and Wilbur Wright loved all things mechanical. As young men, they gained invaluable skills essential for their success by working with printing presses, bicycles, motors, and any sort of machinery they could get their hands on. As adults, the brothers worked together to invent, build, and fly the world's first successful airplane. This is the fascinating story of the two inventors and aviation pioneers who never lost sight of their dream: to fly, and to soar higher

Discover the man behind the chocolate bar Milton Hershey's life was filled with invention and innovation. As a young man, he was not afraid to dream big and work hard. Eventually, he learned the secret to mass-producing milk chocolate and the recipe that gave it a longer, more stable shelf life. He founded a school for those who didn't have access to a good education and an entire town for his employees. Both his chocolate empire and his great personal legacy live on today.

The ultimate book for young sports fans is back with the past year''s top sports stories. So Many Sports . . . So Little Time! We know you’re pretty busy with school, friends, family, and much more. So we’re here to help. Inside, you can catch up on a whole year of the best things in sports! You’re welcome. Find out who won the World Series (hint: the wining team had the best hitter in the baseball!) See who “flew” home with the Super Bowl trophy. Who struck gold in Paris at the Paralympics? We’ve got the champs in the WNBA, plus the pro debut of the biggest name in women’s sports in 2024. Discover who won NBA, NHL, and NWHL championships. See who finished first in Formula 1, NASCAR, and IndyCar. Soccer is the world’s favorite sport, and there were champions from all over, starting with Major League Soccer and the National Women’s Soccer League in North America and flying over the pond to the best leagues in Europe. When you have a few minutes, find a nice spot to curl up and dive in. Whether you’re enjoying the sports moments again or discovering them here, you’re already a winner just by reading!