Michael Phelps
From the Series Amazing Americans: Olympians
Michael Phelps is one of the most accomplished athletes in history. So how did this incredible swimmer rise to the top? In this fascinating introduction, young readers will learn about Phelps's life and his many amazing achievements. Each 24-page book in this series of introductory biographies features controlled text with age-appropriate vocabulary and simple sentence construction. The narrative text, clean design, and colorful photos will speak to even the most reluctant of readers.
| Interest Level | Preschool - Grade 3 |
|---|---|
| Reading Level | Grade 2 |
| Category | Nonfiction |
| Subject | Biographies, Social Studies, Sports |
| Copyright | 2018 |
| Publisher | Bearport Publishing |
| Imprint | Bearport Books |
| Language | English |
| Publication Date | 2017-07-19 |
| BISACS | JNF007100 |
|---|---|
| Dewey | 797.2'1092 |
| Graphics | Full-color photographs |
| Lexile | 560 |
| Guided Reading Level | K |
| ATOS Reading Level | 3.6 |
| Accelerated Reader® Quiz | 191300 |
| Accelerated Reader® Points | 0.5 |
Awards
- 2010 Teachers' Choice Award for Children's Books
- 2010 Children's Choices Award
Reviews
School Library Journal Review of Amazing Americans: Olympians
Gr 1-3–The layouts in each of these titles are colorful and image heavy, and the text blocks are short and simple, an appealing combination for younger or reluctant readers. Small gold medallions punctuate the text with bits of trivia—Katie Ledecky enjoys playing piano and traditional Irish dance, Simone Biles was adopted by her grandparents when she was six. Though some additional details find their way into the texts (Michael Phelps’s mother says he “never sat still” as a boy, Kevin Durant was already six feet tall in middle school), the narratives are typically short on biographical details and focus instead on athletic accomplishments. Throughout, the photos almost exclusively depict the athletes in competition. Each entry concludes with some sparse “read more” suggestions. VERDICT: Engaging and highly visual, these may serve as simple introductions for early readers or an enticement to struggling students.
