Book 1

Martin's Big Words

by Doreen Rappaport

Published 1 October 2001

Book 4

Helen's Big World

by Doreen Rappaport

Published 16 October 2012

Book 6

John's Secret Dreams

by Doreen Rappaport

Published 16 November 2010

Book 8

Frederick's Journey

by Doreen Rappaport

Published 3 November 2015
Traces Frederick Douglass's journey from slavery to international renown as writer and lecturer.

Book 12

Ellen Takes Flight

by Doreen Rappaport

Published 21 September 2023

Celebrate the groundbreaking life of astronaut and Johnson Space Center director Ellen Ochoa, the first Latina in space, in this latest book in the award-winning Big Words biography series.

Young Ellen loved to learn. Encouraged by her mother, she graduated at the top of her high school and college classes, and studied electrical engineering in graduate school. An accomplished engineer by age 30, with three patents to her name, she kept learning and trying new things. When NASA began accepting women and people of color to the astronaut program, Ellen found herself drawn to this exciting and demanding career. On her first mission, she was the only woman aboard the shuttle Discovery and the first Latina to reach outer space. After four space flights, she became the first Latina director of the Johnson Space Center and has received numerous distinctions and awards.

This addition to the award-winning Big Words biography series celebrates a STEM pioneer known for her brilliance, persistence, and an intellectual curiosity as infinite as the stars. With dynamic illustrations by Oliver Dominguez, Doreen Rappaport's richly detailed narrative-punctuated with standout quotes from Ellen herself-will inspire a new generation to unravel the mysteries of the universe.


Wilma's Way Home

by Doreen Rappaport

Published 12 February 2019