Advanced
Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.
Title details for The Story of Environmentalist Wangari Maathai by Jen Cullerton Johnson - Available

The Story of Environmentalist Wangari Maathai

by Jen Cullerton Johnson
Sonia Lynn Sadler
ebook
1 of 1 copy available
Borrow Read a sample Read a sample
1 of 1 copy available

This inspiring entry in the "Story of" line of chapter-book biographies features Wangari Maathai, the first African woman, and environmentalist, to win a Nobel Peace Prize.

As a young girl in Kenya, Wangari was taught to respect nature. She grew up loving the land, plants, and animals that surrounded her — from the giant mugumo trees her people, the Kikuyu, revered to the tiny tadpoles that swam in the river.

Although most Kenyan girls were not educated, Wangari, curious and hardworking, was allowed to go to school. There, her mind sprouted like a seed. She excelled at science and went on to study in the United States. After returning home, Wangari blazed a trail across Kenya, using her knowledge and compassion to promote the rights of her countrywomen and to help save the land, one tree at a time.

The Story of Environmentalist Wangari Maathai brings to life the empowering story of Wangari Maathai, the first African woman, and environmentalist, to win a Nobel Peace Prize. This chapter-book edition includes black-and-white illustrations as well as sidebars on related subjects, a timeline, a glossary, and recommended reading.

Check out the other titles in this series:

THE STORY OF ALL-STAR ATHLETE JIM THORPE 

  •  THE STORY OF BANKER OF THE PEOPLE MUHAMMAD YUNUS 
  •  THE STORY OF CAR ENGINEER SOICHIRO HONDA 
  •  THE STORY OF CIVIL RIGHTS HERO JOHN LEWIS 
  •  THE STORY OF MOVIE STAR ANNA MAY WONG 
  •  THE STORY OF OLYMPIC SWIMMER DUKE KAHANAMOKU 
  •  THE STORY OF CIVIL WAR HERO ROBERT SMALLS 
  •  THE STORY OF OLYMPIC DIVER SAMMY LEE 
  •  THE STORY OF TENNIS CHAMPION ARTHUR ASHE 
  •  THE STORY OF TRAILBLAZING ACTOR IRA ALDRIDGE 
  •  THE STORY OF ENVIRONMENTALIST WANGARI MAATHAI 
  •  THE STORY OF WORLD WAR II HERO IRENA SENDLER

    • Creators

    • Series

      The Story of

    • Publisher

    • Release date

      February 25, 2020

    • Formats

      • OverDrive Read

        • ISBN: 9781643790138

    • Languages

      • English

    • Reviews

      • Booklist

        March 15, 2020
        Grades 3-6 The Story of . . . series (3 new titles) takes the narrative text from each author's well-regarded picture book on the biographee, incorporates facts previously appended, and inserts five multi-page presentations on related topics, effectively refashioning the original biographies for an old audience. These sections offer well-organized information as well as insights into the social and political challenges faced by the person profiled. Forest ecosystems, how to plant a tree, and the changing role of women in Kenya are among the new sections in Environmentalist Wangari Maathai (based on Johnson's Seeds of Change, 2010). Appearing throughout the books, the black-and-white illustrations reproduce certain images from the picture-books and add well-chosen visuals such as period photos, drawings, prints, and/or maps. While the original picture books were intended for older primary-grade and younger middle-grade students, the new, smaller books are better designed to attract and inform middle-grade readers. These well-crafted, insightful biographies provide a useful historical context for each person's story.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

      • School Library Journal

        April 10, 2020

        Gr 2-6-Born in Nyeri, Kenya, in 1940, Maathai followed an unusual path for a girl raised in her culture. Her parents allowed her to go to school, and she eventually won a scholarship to attend college in the United States. After earning her doctorate, she returned to Kenya to work as a professor at the University of Nairobi. She became a leader in the Green Belt Movement, an organization of women working to plant trees across the country to fight the harmful effects of deforestation. She served in the country's parliament and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. Johnson and Sadler originally published Maathai's biography in a colorful picture book format in 2010. This book's trim size is meant to appeal to an older audience, and factual sections have been added to provide scientific and historical context. In addition to Maathai's life, information is presented about the forest ecosystem, deforestation, instructions for planting a tree, and education and the role of women in Kenya. Black-and-white scratchboard, oil illustrations, and photographs are included. VERDICT There are several picture book biographies available about Maathai as well as biographies for older readers. This combination title targets a specific audience of young readers who need information, but whose comprehension will be supported by the format and visual elements.-Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

        Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    Formats

    • OverDrive Read

    subjects

    Languages

    • English

    Loading