The Story of Environmentalist Wangari Maathai

By Jen Cullerton Johnson, Sonia Lynn Sadler

This inspiring entry in the “Story of” line of chapter-book biographies features Wangari Maathai, the first African woman, and environmentalist, to win a Nobel Peace Prize.

Front covernull for Seeds of Change by Jen Cullerton Johnson and Sonia Lynn Sadler
This book is also available in English
Seeds of Change
By Jen Cullerton Johnson, Sonia Lynn Sadler
Front cover for La historia de la ambientalista Wangari Maathai (The Story of Environmentalist Wangari Maathai) by Jen Cullerton Johnson; Rita E. Urquijo-Ruiz and Sonia Lynn Sadler
This book is also available in Spanish
La historia de la ambientalista Wangari Maathai (The Story of Environmentalist Wangari Maathai)
By Jen Cullerton Johnson, Sonia Lynn Sadler, Rita E. Urquijo-Ruiz
Front cover for Semillas de cambio by Jen Cullerton Johnson and Sonia Lynn Sadler
This book is also available in Spanish
Semillas de cambio
By Jen Cullerton Johnson, Sonia Lynn Sadler

Description

As a young girl in Kenya, Wangari was taught to respect nature. She grew up loving the land, plants, and animals that surrounded her — from the giant mugumo trees her people, the Kikuyu, revered to the tiny tadpoles that swam in the river.

Although most Kenyan girls were not educated, Wangari, curious and hardworking, was allowed to go to school. There, her mind sprouted like a seed. She excelled at science and went on to study in the United States. After returning home, Wangari blazed a trail across Kenya, using her knowledge and compassion to promote the rights of her countrywomen and to help save the land, one tree at a time.

The Story of Environmentalist Wangari Maathai brings to life the empowering story of Wangari Maathai, the first African woman, and environmentalist, to win a Nobel Peace Prize. This chapter-book edition includes black-and-white illustrations as well as sidebars on related subjects, a timeline, a glossary, and recommended reading.

About the Creators

Jen Cullerton Johnson

Jen Cullerton Johnson is a writer, an educator, and an environmentalist with master's degrees in nonfiction writing and curriculum development. She teaches at both the elementary and college levels in Chicago, where she also conducts writing workshops. Johnson can be found online at jencullertonjohnson.com.

Sonia Lynn Sadler
Sonia Lynn Sadler

Sonia Sadler was an illustrator and a fine artist who focused on depicting the cultures, lives, and stories of peoples of African descent. Her book, Seeds of Change, earned her a Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent. Her unique style drew inspiration from quilts and employed a variety of techniques and mediums--from watercolor to scratchboard. She passed away in September 2013.

Reviews

  • "Forest ecosystems, how to plant a tree, and the changing role of women in Kenya are among the new sections. . . . Better designed to attract and inform middle-grade readers. These well-crafted, insightful biographies provide a useful historical context for each person's story."

    - Booklist
  • "This book's trim size is meant to appeal to an older audience, and factual sections have been added to provide scientific and historical context. . . . This combination title targets a specific audience of young readers who need information, but whose comprehension will be supported by the format and visual elements."

    - School Library Journal

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781643790121
  • Price $9.95
  • Publication Date Feb 25, 2020
  • Trim Size 8.25 × 5.5 in
  • Weight 0.25 lbs
  • Page Count 64
  • Word Count 4076
  • Interests

  • Imprint Lee & Low Books
  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JNF / Biography & Autobiography / Science & Technology
  • BISAC Category 2 JNF / Places / Africa
  • BISAC Category 3 JNF / Science & Nature / Environmental Conservation& Protection
  • Themes African / African American / Black / Afro Caribbean, Biodiversity / Plant Adaptations, Biography / Memoir, Empathy / Compassion, Environment / Nature, Human Impact On Environment / Environmental Sustainability, Informational / Expository Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Occupations / Community Helpers, Respect, STEM / STEAM, Women's History
  • Languages English
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 8 - 12
  • Grade Range Grades 3 - 7
  • Guided Reading V
  • ATOS Book Level 5.9
  • DRA 50
  • Lexile Level 1020
  • Lexile Measurement 1020L
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
  • This Book is Included in These Collections: