Celebrate the best of humanity as students develop their reading skills. These stories are appropriate for early readers including Grade 3 to 5 students, students aged 8 to 11 years old, or people of any age who are English Language Learners. Additional Listen and Read stories from our library are included.
Stories for Early Readers
Credit: MY HERO
The following stories have been curated by MY HERO staff
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.
Katherine Johnson: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this early-reader-friendly story about American mathematician, Katherine Johnson.
Mae C. Jemison: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Mae C. Jemison was accepted to Stanford University with a scholarship aged 16. In 1987, Mae decided that she wanted to become an astronaut and fly to space.
William Kamkwamba: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this short, early reader friendly story about William Kamkwamba.
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.
Nelly Cheboi: CNN’s Hero of the Year 2022 (Early Reader Edition)
By: Naomi Gledhill
Nelly Cheboi's work to help give children a better education meant she was voted Hero of the Year 2022 at CNN.
Esme Tran (Early Reader Edition)
By: Naomi Gledhill
Esme Tran won the MY HERO Robert Shetterly Portrait Contest in 2022 with a painting she did of her and her brother, Hugo.
Read about Ruthie D. Lyle, PhD, one of IBM's Master Inventors. This version is suitable for early readers.
Gregory L. Robinson: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about Gregory L. Robinson, a NASA engineer famous for his work on the James Webb Space Telescope. This edition is suitable for early readers.
Dr. Jessica Wade: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about scientist and activist Dr. Jessica Wade. This edition is suitable for early readers.
Tim Peake: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about Tim Peake, a British astronaut and STEM advocate. This edition is suitable for early readers.
Wangari Maathai: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about environmental and political activist Wangari Maathai. This version is suitable for early readers.
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.
The following stories have text and audio, meaning you can listen along as you read.
Paco, My Dyslexic Hero
By: Skye Malik
Have you ever felt a connection with one of your grandparents? I have had that connection with my grandfather Leo Corey, otherwise known as Paco in my family.
Jeremy Glick
By: Emmy from Saddle River
Jeremy Glick
was a hero of Flight 93 and Emmy's beloved father.
Baje Whitethorne
By: Olin Smith
Baje Whitethorne is a celebrated Navajo painter and author.
Katherine Johnson
By: Kyra from Ankara, Turkey
Katherine Johnson plotted multiple flight courses for NASA, including the Apollo 11 spacecraft, the first spaceship to reach the moon.
Joneice
By: Kia
Joneice proved how strong a young girl can be to her sister, Kia.
These stories were written by younger students from across the globe
Mae Jemison
By: Chase, Robert, Logan and Kyleigh from Reeds Spring
Viola Desmond
By: Julia Sawyshyn
Sally Ride
By: Georgia Rowan
Malala Yousafzai
By: Avery
Roberta Lynn Bondar
By: Adianna from Cochrane
John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed)
By: Jacob from Westerville
John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed)
is a much loved American hero and legend.
Bill Belsey
By: Jesse from Calgary
Bill Belsey
teaches his students and others how to stand up to bullying.
Hannah Taylor
By: Madison from Canada
Hannah Taylor
started the Ladybug Foundation to help the homeless in her community.
Susan B. Anthony
By: Libby Huxley
An elementary student talks about her hero, women's suffragist Susan B. Anthony.
Christine Quintasket
By: Catherine from Trumbull
Christine Quintasket
was the first published Native American woman author.
Poetry by an Elementary Student
The Exquisite Pearls
By: Madhulika Manoharan
Organizer created on 4/17/2023 11:39:41 AM by Naomi Gledhill
Last edited 3/13/2025 10:03:38 AM by Naomi Gledhill
