Martin Luther King, Jr

by Kitson Jazynka

Published 26 December 2012

National Geographic Primary Readers is a high-interest series of beginning reading books that have been developed in consultation with education experts. The books pair magnificent National Geographic photographs with lively text by skilled children’s book authors across four reading levels.

In this title, readers will learn about the fascinating life and legacy civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Level 4: Independent reader
Perfect for kids who are reading on their own with ease and are ready for more challenging vocabulary with varied sentence structures. They are ideal for readers of White and Lime books


Find out about the life of Rosa Parks and how her actions in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955 helped end racial segregation in America. 

This book follows the same standards as other National Geographic Readers with the same careful text, brilliant photographs, and fun approach that kids love. The life story of Rosa Parks has enduring lessons to teach us and this biography should appeal to kids, parents, and teachers.

Take a bite into the fascinating history of peanut butter and the man who invented it. Through leveled text and engaging photos, kids meet George Washington Carver and learn about his important work with peanuts and other plants. This level 1 reader is carefully leveled for an early independent reading or read aloud experience, perfect to encourage the scientists and explorers of tomorrow!

Explore one of the most recognized figures in American history with this biography of Sacagawea. Kids will learn about her crucial role in the Lewis and Clark expedition and her influential legacy.  The level 3 text provides accessible, yet wide-ranging, information for independent readers.

Sonia Sotomayor (L3, Spanish)

by Barbara Kramer

Published 3 September 2019
Conoce a una de las personas más reconocidas en Norteamérica hoy en día con esta biografía de la jueza de la Corte Suprema, Sonia Sotomayor. Los niños aprenderán acerca de comó llegó a ser la primera Jueza Latina de la Corte Suprema y los obstáculos que tuvo que enfrentar en el camino. Este texto de nivel 3 proporciona información accesible pero a la vez amplia para lectores independientes.

The most effective method used to influence children to read is to incorporate the information that interests them the most. National Geographic Readers are educational, high-interest, and comprehensive for children. In this title, readers will learn about the fascinating life and legacy civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In this level three biography, difficult concepts are made understandable and transitioned into a more approachable manner. This includes the use of sidebars, timetables, diagrams and fun facts to hold the interest of the young reader. The colorful design and educational illustrations round out this text as an exemplary book for their young minds to explore.

National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.
Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

Helen Keller

by Kitson Jazynka

Published 17 January 2017

National Geographic Primary Readers is a high-interest series of beginning reading books that have been developed in consultation with education experts. The books pair magnificent National Geographic photographs with lively text by skilled children’s book authors across four reading levels.

Readers will be inspired by the amazing story of Helen Keller in this informative biography. They will learn all about her life, her achievements, and the challenges she faced along the way.

Level 3: Becoming independent
Best suited to kids who are ready for complex sentences and more challenging vocabulary, but still draw on occasional support from adults. They are ideal for readers of Purple and Gold books.


Readers will be inspired by the amazing story of Helen Keller in this informative biography. They will learn all about her life, her achievements, and the challenges she faced along the way.  The Level 2 text provides accessible, yet wide-ranging, information for independent readers.

Learn about the lives and accomplishments of four inspiring figures from American history all in one book: George Washington Carver, Rosa Parks, Frederick Douglass, and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Meet civil rights leaders who were inspiring individuals as well as leaders in their fields: inventor, activist, orator, scientist. Learn about their childhoods, achievements, and contributions that made the world a better place. Biographies feature fascinating facts and archival photography that vividly illustrate the amazing lives of each hero.

The National Geographic Kids Leveled Readers series has proved to be a winning formula with kids, parents, and educators. All books feature expert-vetted text along with brilliant images to make learning fun. Level 1 books reinforce the content of the book with a kinesthetic learning activity. Level 2 Readers feature slightly higer level text and additional vocabulary words. Level 3 Readers have more layers of information to challenge more proficient readers. Each reader includes text written by an experienced, skilled children's books author, a photo glossary, and interactive features in which kids get to reinforce what they've learned in the book.