New Extraordinary Biographies - KS2

Collect all the  'Extraordinary Lives ' books. This series of beautifully illustrated biographies, for kids aged 7 and up, will help you to explore significant historical and cultural moments, from International Women's Day to the moon landing anniversary, with your class. Inspire today’s young readers to be extraordinary too and check out the KS2: Biography Writing Resource Pack.

The Extraordinary Life of Alan Turing by Michael Lee Richardson

The man whose maths saved millions of lives. Alan Turing was a mathematician, scientist and codebreaker who helped defeat the Nazis in the Second World War with his incredible decoding of secret messages from enemy soldiers. Discover his life story in this beautifully illustrated book, from his childhood as a quiet boy who loved maths, to becoming one of the most important scientists and codebreakers in history.

The Extraordinary Life of Anne Frank

Her words have become some of the most important in modern history: discover the incredible life story of Anne Frank, whose bravery has inspired so many.

Her incredible story comes to life in this beautifully illustrated book, with narrative biography, timelines, facts and quotes.

The Extraordinary Life of Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart broke flying records, wrote best-selling books, launched a fashion label and fought for the rights of female pilots everywhere. Her disappearance, in the midst of her attempt to circumnavigate the globe, is one of history's greatest unsolved mysteries, and today she is remembered as not only the first female pilot to cross the Atlantic Ocean, but for being a bold, brace and adventurous woman who fought tirelessly for what she believed.

The Extraordinary Life of Freddie Mercury by Michael Lee Richardson

Farrokh Bulsara was a young boy who loved music and was known for being quiet and kind, even when people made fun of his unusual teeth. Farrokh grew up to be Freddie Mercury, an incredible musician who could command audiences with his charisma and talent, and who would one day say that those teeth were the very reason he was able to sing with such amazing range. From his childhood in Zanzibar to the formation of rock band Queen, to their record-breaking Live Aid performance, discover the journey Freddie Mercury took to becoming one of the world's most influential musicians.

The Extraordinary Life of Greta Thunberg by Devika Jina

Greta Thunberg is an activist best known for calling attention to the devastating effects of climate change on our planet. A bold voice even against people that want to silence her, Greta has become a source of inspiration for millions of people who want to work towards tackling the climate crisis. From taking part in school strikes and owning that her Asperger syndrome is her superpower, to crossing the Atlantic Ocean in a powerful stand against carbon emissions, this is the incredible story of a schoolgirl who is changing the world.

The Extraordinary Life of Katherine Johnson

In 1969 history was made when the first humans stepped on the moon. Back on earth, one woman was running the numbers that ensured they got there and back in one piece.

As a child, Katherine Johnson loved maths. She went on to be one of the most important people in the history of space travel. Discover her incredible life story in this beautifully illustrated book complete with narrative biography, timelines and facts.

The Extraordinary Life of Mahatma Gandhi by Chitra Soundar, Dàlia Adillon (Illustrator)

From growing up in India and studying in London to becoming a political activist in South Africa and taking on the battle for independence in India, Mahatma Gandhi's legacy has lived on well beyond his years. Read the life story of this brilliant, strong-willed and influential man in this beautifully illustrated biography, complete with timelines and facts.

The Extraordinary Life of Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai is:

A student
A campaigner
An inspiration

Discover what it took for one incredible girl to become the voice of so many, in this beautifully illustrated book that brings Malala's extraordinary story to life.

The Extraordinary Life of Mary Seacole by Naida Redgrave

Mary Seacole is now known for her medical work in the Crimean war, and as a brilliant woman who combated the racial prejudice she experienced in her lifetime. But for a long time her story was lost. From growing up in Kingston, Jamaica as the daughter of a doctress to helping soldiers in the war, discover the details of the amazing life that Mary Seacole led in this beautifully illustrated biography filled with real-life stories, timelines and facts.

The Extraordinary Life of Michelle Obama

She is a role model and feminist icon. Born and raised in Chicago, she studied and worked hard to become a lawyer, and then took to the international stage as First Lady. This beautifully illustrated biography tells the extraordinary story of Michelle Obama's life, perfect for young readers everywhere.

The Extraordinary Life of Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela is known for dedicating his life to fighting for equality in South Africa and overthrowing racial segregation. He grew up hearing the elders' stories of his ancestors' fighting in the wars of resistance, and he dreamed of fighting for the freedom of his people. His childhood wish was granted when he became the first black president of South Africa, and an icon for hope, change and equality.

The Extraordinary Life of Neil Armstrong

One little boy who loved the idea of flying became the first person to set foot on the moon.

On 20 July 1969 Neil Armstrong made history, his 'giant leap for mankind'. From his childhood playing with model planes to becoming one of the most famous astronauts of all time, discover the incredible story of Neil Armstrong's life in this beautifully illustrated book, complete with narrative biography, facts and timelines.

The Extraordinary Life of Rosa Parks by Sheila Kanani

Rosa Parks, the woman known for refusing to give up her seat on the bus, triggered a great shift in the fight for civil rights. Raised in Alabama, Rosa Parks knew all about the racism of her society from an early age. Discover how she became the brilliant activist we know today, in this beautifully illustrated biography which includes timelines  and facts to bring her extraordinary story to life

The Extraordinary Life of Serena Williams by Shelina Janmohamed

Serena Williams began playing tennis when she was just a child, and is now an Olympic champion who's won more Grand Slam singles titles than anyone else. Throughout her life she's battled many things, from life-threatening illnesses and sports injuries to sexism and racism in the tennis world. Now she's an icon in sport, fashion and activism, an inspiration to every young person who has dared to dream big.

The Extraordinary Life of Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking was:

A physicist
A cosmologist
An author
One of the cleverest people who ever lived.

Discover more about the life of a man who is known for his incredible contribution to science in this beautifully illustrated book.

The Extraordinary Life of Steve Jobs

The story of a modern creative genius. Ever heard of the iPhone? Steve Jobs, raised in California, was the co-founder of Apple, creator of the iPhone. He also played a major role in making Pixar what it is today. His technology transformed the way we live, and gave us objects we now cannot imagine living without. Get ready to discover his incredible story and the secrets of his success in this real-life account of his life and work.