Heroes are all around us. They can be your parents, your friends, your teachers, or even a stranger who helps you when you’re in trouble. Heroes can also be people from history or people who stand up for what is right, even when it’s hard for them to do it. Explore a selection of heroes that have been featured on MY HERO across the years below.
Dame Jane Goodall
Dame Jane Goodall is an anthropologist and the world's leading expert in chimpanzees. She has dedicated her life to researching and protecting animals.
Dame Jane Goodall (Reading level 5-8 years)
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about Dame Jane Goodall. This version is suitable for a reading level of 5-8 years.
Dame Jane Goodall: World Expert in Chimpanzees (Early-Reader Edition)
By: Naomi Gledhill
Dame Jane Goodall is the world's leading expert in chimpanzees. Read this early-reader edition to learn more about this incredible hero.
How One Environmentalist Changed Our World: Jane Goodall
By: Saba Azimipour
Jane Goodall is an anthropologist and the leading researcher of chimpanzees.
Dream Jane Dream
A song for Jane Goodall by Lori Henriques Grammy®-Nominated Singer/Songwriter/Producer.
William Kamkwamba
William Kamkwamba is an engineer who gained recognition after building a windmill from junkyard scraps to help his community.
William Kamkwamba
By: Wendy Jewell & David Kemker
William Kamkwamba
designed and built a windmill, at the age of 14, for his family in Malawi, Africa. (8/5/1987)
William Kamkwamba: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this short, early reader friendly story about William Kamkwamba.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader's Edition
By: William Kamkwamba
"A powerful, gorgeously illustrated children's picture book." — The Boston Globe
Wangari Maathai
Wangari Maathai was an environmental activist. She founded the Green Belt movement, a program which paid communities, especially women and girls, to plant trees.
Wangari Maathai (Reading level 5-8 years)
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about Wangari Maathai. This version is suitable for a reading level of 5-8 years.
Wangari Maathai: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about environmental and political activist Wangari Maathai. This version is suitable for early readers.
Wangari Maathai
By: Frances Moore Lappe
Wangari Maathai was an environmental activist and Nobel laureate who founded the Green Belt movement.
NOBELITY: Wangari Maathai [Excerpt]
By: Turk Pipkin
An Excerpt from the Feature Doc "Nobelity" produced by Turk Pipkin.
Sylvia Earle
Sylvia Earle is a marine biologist who has spent her life protecting, and teaching others how to protect, the oceans.
Sylvia Earle is a marine biologist, author, and explorer of the sea. Read this early-reader edition to learn more about her life and achievements.
Sylvia Earle, Oceanographer
By: Sofia Garcia
The View Through My Mask
By: Richard Morris
Experience the Ocean through the mask of Dr. Sylvia Earle
MY BLUE HEART for Sylvia Earle
By: Wendy Milette
Original Song tribute for her deepness Sylvia Earle. Written and Performed by Whitney Winefordner.
John Lewis
John Lewis was an American politician and leader in the Civil Rights Movement.
John Lewis: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about leader of the Civil Rights Movement, John Lewis. The version is suitable for early readers.
John Lewis
By: Kathy Crockett, MY HERO
No one had to tell John to stand up for what he believed was right; it just came naturally.
Citizenship
By: Anson Schloat and John G. Young
A film about John Lewis on citizenship and character: "To be a good citizen is to obey the rules...the laws. Unless those laws conflict with your conscience.
John Lewis by Robert Shetterly, AWTT.org
By: Robert Shetterly
Civil Rights hero John Lewis as painted by Robert Shetterly
Ellen Ochoa
Ellen Ochoa is an American engineer, who made history as the first Hispanic female astronaut.
Ellen Ochoa: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Ellen Ochoa enjoyed learning about math, science, physics and engineering. In 1985, Ellen decided that she wanted to become an astronaut and fly to space.
Ellen Ochoa
By: Daniel Chavez
As the first Hispanic female astronaut and a co-inventor of three patents, Ellen Ochoa is a shining example of female empowerment.
Katherine Johnson
Katherine Johnson was an American mathematician, whose long-unrecognized work at NASA was key to the success of several space flights.
Katherine Johnson: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this early-reader-friendly story about American mathematician, Katherine Johnson.
Katherine Johnson
By: Kyra from Ankara, Turkey
Her story was hidden for decades: Katherine Johnson plotted multiple flight courses for NASA, including the Apollo 11 spacecraft, the first spaceship to reach the moon.
Katherine Johnson
By: Victoria Mercado
This film about Katherine Johnson was made by Ascot Avenue Elementary student Victoria Mercado.
Katherine Johnson
By: Saint George
Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson is an African-American physicist and mathematician who made contributions to the United States' aeronautics and space programs with the early application of digital electronic computers at NASA
Organizer created on 8/24/2025 1:42:55 PM by Naomi Gledhill
Last edited 7/20/2026 10:50:16 AM by Naomi Gledhill
