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.
Stories for a reading level of 5 to 8 years old
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.
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.
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 4/16/2025 8:18:42 AM by Naomi Gledhill
