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The Story of the Wright Brothers: A Biography Book for New Readers: An Inspiring Biography for Young Readers
Discover the lives of Wilbur and Orville Wright
A story about making ideas take flight
The Wright brothers were the first people ever to build and fly an airplane, doing what many people at the time didn’t think was possible. Before they made history with their airplane, Wilbur and Orville were curious kids who loved learning about the world around them and how it worked. They fell in love with the idea of flying and taught themselves everything they needed to know to make their dream come true.
Explore how the Wright brothers went from young boys growing up in Ohio to world-famous inventors, aviators, and businessmen. How will their hard work and big imaginations inspire you?
The Story of the Wright Brothers includes:
**Lasting change—Learn about how the Wright brothers’ inventions changed how we live today.
**Helpful Glossary—Find definitions for some of the more advanced words and ideas in the book.
**Visual timeline—Watch the Wright brothers progress from curious kids to famous flyers.
Explore how Wilbur and Orville brought their dreams to life in this fun and colourful biography for kids.
A story about making ideas take flight
The Wright brothers were the first people ever to build and fly an airplane, doing what many people at the time didn’t think was possible. Before they made history with their airplane, Wilbur and Orville were curious kids who loved learning about the world around them and how it worked. They fell in love with the idea of flying and taught themselves everything they needed to know to make their dream come true.
Explore how the Wright brothers went from young boys growing up in Ohio to world-famous inventors, aviators, and businessmen. How will their hard work and big imaginations inspire you?
The Story of the Wright Brothers includes:
**Lasting change—Learn about how the Wright brothers’ inventions changed how we live today.
**Helpful Glossary—Find definitions for some of the more advanced words and ideas in the book.
**Visual timeline—Watch the Wright brothers progress from curious kids to famous flyers.
Explore how Wilbur and Orville brought their dreams to life in this fun and colourful biography for kids.
68 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 14, 2020
About the author
Annette Whipple
79 books41 followersAnnette Whipple learned to love science and nature during her years as an environmental educator and classroom teacher. Now she teaches through her science books for children. She lives with her family in southeastern Pennsylvania. Annette enjoys reading a good book and snacking on warm chocolate chip cookies. Learn more about Annette, her books, and her presentations at www.AnnetteWhipple.com.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 27, 2020
I've read several books in the Biography Book for New Readers series so I was happy to see the release of a version about the Wright Brothers. This book provides an illustrated, approachable way to teach my boys about the Wright Brothers and how they invented the airplane.
The book talks about the Wright's childhood as the son of a church leader living and moving about the midwest in the late 1800s. Orville and Wilbur weren't just brothers, they were best friends. They had a love of reading and of figuring things out. From an early age that had entrepreneurial, inventive spirit. As young adults they owned various businesses like a printer and a bicycle business. They created several models of bikes that they sold.
In the early 1900's the Wrights turned their attention to trying to invent a flying machine. They had success with one of their flight tests in Kitty Hawk, NC. From there, they improved on their designs and achieved more successful flights.
This book is a great way for kids to learn more about history and would be a great addition to a child's STEM library. Airplanes are just taken for granted today so it is cool for kids to learn how they were invented.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
The book talks about the Wright's childhood as the son of a church leader living and moving about the midwest in the late 1800s. Orville and Wilbur weren't just brothers, they were best friends. They had a love of reading and of figuring things out. From an early age that had entrepreneurial, inventive spirit. As young adults they owned various businesses like a printer and a bicycle business. They created several models of bikes that they sold.
In the early 1900's the Wrights turned their attention to trying to invent a flying machine. They had success with one of their flight tests in Kitty Hawk, NC. From there, they improved on their designs and achieved more successful flights.
This book is a great way for kids to learn more about history and would be a great addition to a child's STEM library. Airplanes are just taken for granted today so it is cool for kids to learn how they were invented.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
September 15, 2020
Do you have children that are curious about how things work? The perseverance to keep trying? The story of the Wright Brothers will encourage those curious minds to go farther and appreciate those that came before them. It shares the Wright Brothers upbringing by a supportive family and their curious nature. The closeness of the brothers and their parents. I particularly liked how they determined what made an airplane fly and the many mistakes they made to make it happen.
Each chapter is in chronicle order and ends with a time line. A quiz to test your knowledge is at the end. I truly enjoyed learning more about the Wright Brothers and their achievements.
A special thank you to Callisto Media and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
Each chapter is in chronicle order and ends with a time line. A quiz to test your knowledge is at the end. I truly enjoyed learning more about the Wright Brothers and their achievements.
A special thank you to Callisto Media and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
July 22, 2020
I loved this biography! It includes the right amount of detail to keep the story engaging. It includes just enough explanation of the culture of the times and connects the Wright Brother's story to when they lived in American history. I thought it was interesting that they weren't instantly famous here in the US, but they were in France! Why France? Now I'm curious!
My 10 year old daughter read this book,too, and she said it was really good. She liked that there was good character development and it wasn't just a dry listing of what the Wright Brothers had done.
My 10 year old daughter read this book,too, and she said it was really good. She liked that there was good character development and it wasn't just a dry listing of what the Wright Brothers had done.
July 29, 2020
First sentence: Most people thought a flying machine would never work. For hundreds of years, people had been trying to figure out how to fly. Even the brilliant inventor Leonardo da Vinci had ideas about flight all the way back in the 1400s! That was more than 400 years before Wilbur and Orville Wright did the “impossible.”
Premise/plot: Annette Whipple has written a chapter book biography of Wilbur and Orville Wright.
My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this biography! When I was growing up, I had two things I looked for in a nonfiction book--keep in mind this was for school reports and presentations. Did I say two things? I meant three. (Math was never my best subject). Does it have pictures? Does it have big print? And is it short? As an adult, I look for a lot more in books I read! But this one passes the childhood-me test and the adult-me test!
I enjoyed the narrative. I found it an interesting/captivating tale of two brothers working together, working hard, following their dreams, motivated by curiosity and wonder. I loved the perseverance. It had an age-appropriate amount of detail and information. It was neither too simple or simplistic or too complex and weighty.
I loved the timelines for each chapter!!! There is substantive back matter as well! Overall, I find this very well written.
Premise/plot: Annette Whipple has written a chapter book biography of Wilbur and Orville Wright.
My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this biography! When I was growing up, I had two things I looked for in a nonfiction book--keep in mind this was for school reports and presentations. Did I say two things? I meant three. (Math was never my best subject). Does it have pictures? Does it have big print? And is it short? As an adult, I look for a lot more in books I read! But this one passes the childhood-me test and the adult-me test!
I enjoyed the narrative. I found it an interesting/captivating tale of two brothers working together, working hard, following their dreams, motivated by curiosity and wonder. I loved the perseverance. It had an age-appropriate amount of detail and information. It was neither too simple or simplistic or too complex and weighty.
I loved the timelines for each chapter!!! There is substantive back matter as well! Overall, I find this very well written.
August 4, 2020
Review Title: Flying With The Wright Brothers (Review of The Story of the Wright Brothers by Annette Whipple)
Reviewer: Janice S. Garey
***** 5 Stars
This biography of the Wright Brothers for new readers showcases Wilber and Orville's curiosity, love for learning, persistence, and resilience despite hardships of illness and injury. Readers will be inspired to dream big and never give up. The marvelous illustrations and timelines give increased appeal and value as a learning resource for new readers. An older sibling could read this to a younger sibling as a homeschool lesson for both of them.
Although this book by necessity is about boys, it is not solely for them. Anyone who reads this, including people of all ages, will enjoy learning details about the lives of these young inventors. The book promotes a desire to be inventive, creative, productive, and persistent.
At the end of the book, another resource for learning awaits. A clever and engaging review quiz can be used to reinforce what was read and encourage comprehension and retention. This part is ideal for homeschool teachers using the book as part of their curriculum. Also, a well presented glossary at the end would be ideal for use in spelling and defining words type quizzes.
I received an e-copy of this book before it hit the market so I could do an unbiased review of the book. I thank the publisher and author for the advance reader/reviewer copy of the book. The e-book text and illustrations worked well on an Android phone. I think many people will gain value for time spent engaging with this book. It would be good to give as a gift and also perfect for school and public libraries.
Reviewer: Janice S. Garey
***** 5 Stars
This biography of the Wright Brothers for new readers showcases Wilber and Orville's curiosity, love for learning, persistence, and resilience despite hardships of illness and injury. Readers will be inspired to dream big and never give up. The marvelous illustrations and timelines give increased appeal and value as a learning resource for new readers. An older sibling could read this to a younger sibling as a homeschool lesson for both of them.
Although this book by necessity is about boys, it is not solely for them. Anyone who reads this, including people of all ages, will enjoy learning details about the lives of these young inventors. The book promotes a desire to be inventive, creative, productive, and persistent.
At the end of the book, another resource for learning awaits. A clever and engaging review quiz can be used to reinforce what was read and encourage comprehension and retention. This part is ideal for homeschool teachers using the book as part of their curriculum. Also, a well presented glossary at the end would be ideal for use in spelling and defining words type quizzes.
I received an e-copy of this book before it hit the market so I could do an unbiased review of the book. I thank the publisher and author for the advance reader/reviewer copy of the book. The e-book text and illustrations worked well on an Android phone. I think many people will gain value for time spent engaging with this book. It would be good to give as a gift and also perfect for school and public libraries.
July 15, 2020
THE STORY OF THE WRIGHT BROTHERS is an informative and interesting account of how the Wright brothers came to invent and fly the first airplane. Lots of specific details about the boys' childhoods will especially appeal to child readers. Chapters are short, with kid-friendly and colorful illustrations. Enticing sidebars like Jump in the Think Tank (questions to make the reader think more deeply), timelines, maps, Myth & Fact, and a quiz at the end enhance the text. This book provides a great introduction to the Wright brothers for kids--but parents will learn a lot, too!
July 29, 2020
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Story of the Wright Brothers is part of a new biography series for young readers. Released 28th July 2020 from Callisto on their Rockridge Press imprint, it's 66 pages (for the print copy) and available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.
This is a well illustrated, colorful, and engaging biography. The material is presented chronologically and includes lots of quotes from the brothers and people who knew them. The art supports and illustrates the story very well. There are included time lines with bullet entries which provide a concise look at when important events in the brothers' lives happened and how they were affected.
This would make a superlative choice for classroom or home library (or public library, when we can use them again). There are text box guided questions throughout called "Jump in the think tank" which ask the readers salient points to expand on during their reading. They invite the reader to think about how things which impacted the Wrights are also relevant to kids today.
There is also an included glossary and comprehensive bibliography/resource list for further reading. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to educators.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Story of the Wright Brothers is part of a new biography series for young readers. Released 28th July 2020 from Callisto on their Rockridge Press imprint, it's 66 pages (for the print copy) and available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.
This is a well illustrated, colorful, and engaging biography. The material is presented chronologically and includes lots of quotes from the brothers and people who knew them. The art supports and illustrates the story very well. There are included time lines with bullet entries which provide a concise look at when important events in the brothers' lives happened and how they were affected.
This would make a superlative choice for classroom or home library (or public library, when we can use them again). There are text box guided questions throughout called "Jump in the think tank" which ask the readers salient points to expand on during their reading. They invite the reader to think about how things which impacted the Wrights are also relevant to kids today.
There is also an included glossary and comprehensive bibliography/resource list for further reading. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to educators.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
August 13, 2020
As a former homeschooling mom and public school educator with a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education, I heartily recommend this biography on Wright brothers Wilbur and Orville. Not only is the book educationally sound with facts and dates and accomplishments, The Story of the Wright Brothers very pointedly instills the idea that persistence and curiosity and hard work have the potential to lead to great accomplishments. The chapter book reminds kids that the Wright brothers never gave up. Both men dreamed of flying and pursued that dream. Despite crashes, failed motors, illnesses, and weather-related delays, Wilbur and Orville continued to work hard. They used their curiosity and imagination and problem-solving skills to accomplish greatness in the aviation field.
Sidebars and graphics list facts, timelines, quotes, and more, and a glossary and quiz at the back of the book also add value to this educational book. I especially love the "Jump into the Think Tank" questions scattered throughout the chapters, encouraging children to ponder personal questions related to what's going on in the story at that point, like "How would your life be different if you lived in the 1800s without phones, cars, or even electricity?"
An excellent compliment to history lessons or a fun book to encourage a child to dream big, The Story of the Wright Brothers is a must-read!
As a side note to my comments, I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the publisher for my honest opinion, but I plan to order a copy for my personal library that I hope will encourage my little grandson to follow his dreams and never give up!
Sidebars and graphics list facts, timelines, quotes, and more, and a glossary and quiz at the back of the book also add value to this educational book. I especially love the "Jump into the Think Tank" questions scattered throughout the chapters, encouraging children to ponder personal questions related to what's going on in the story at that point, like "How would your life be different if you lived in the 1800s without phones, cars, or even electricity?"
An excellent compliment to history lessons or a fun book to encourage a child to dream big, The Story of the Wright Brothers is a must-read!
As a side note to my comments, I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the publisher for my honest opinion, but I plan to order a copy for my personal library that I hope will encourage my little grandson to follow his dreams and never give up!
July 16, 2020
I wish I’d had books like this when we homeschooled our sons. I’ve already ordered two copies for grandchildren. Love the art work and graphics!
Annette Whipple tells the story of the Wright brothers (from childhood up) and their invention of the airplane, emphasizing the importance of perseverance. The book would interest either boys or girls, probably appealing most to young readers ages 6-9.
Colorful sidebars and infographics-type images present facts in an engaging format. The illustrations are charming and appropriate for this age group.
Special Features (most in sidebars or pullouts):
• Jump in the Think Tank: Asks questions designed to connect with readers and motivate them to think about their future
• Where? and When?: Maps and timelines appropriate to the story
• Quotations: Short quotes from Wilbur and Orville Wright
• Myth & Fact: Myths debunked
• Vocabulary words in bold print: Defined in simple glossary at the end
• Challenge: Multiple choice quiz at end to test retention; answers included at bottom
What I liked: Everything! This is a well-told story that demonstrates it’s ok to fail—that’s how we learn.
What I didn’t like: It needed a little more editing—repeated one word and one graphic—but didn't keep me from enjoying.
Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy from the publisher but was not required to write a review. These are my honest opinions.
Annette Whipple tells the story of the Wright brothers (from childhood up) and their invention of the airplane, emphasizing the importance of perseverance. The book would interest either boys or girls, probably appealing most to young readers ages 6-9.
Colorful sidebars and infographics-type images present facts in an engaging format. The illustrations are charming and appropriate for this age group.
Special Features (most in sidebars or pullouts):
• Jump in the Think Tank: Asks questions designed to connect with readers and motivate them to think about their future
• Where? and When?: Maps and timelines appropriate to the story
• Quotations: Short quotes from Wilbur and Orville Wright
• Myth & Fact: Myths debunked
• Vocabulary words in bold print: Defined in simple glossary at the end
• Challenge: Multiple choice quiz at end to test retention; answers included at bottom
What I liked: Everything! This is a well-told story that demonstrates it’s ok to fail—that’s how we learn.
What I didn’t like: It needed a little more editing—repeated one word and one graphic—but didn't keep me from enjoying.
Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy from the publisher but was not required to write a review. These are my honest opinions.
August 30, 2020
Interesting, informative, inspiring
This book is one of my favorite young reader's biographies. The text is interesting and easy to read. It includes many details about the brothers' lives that will appeal to kids while also illuminating how they came to invent the airplane. From their desire to recreate a favorite broken toy to their attraction to someone else's invention, the bicycle, to their determined efforts to make a plane, kids can see not only what they did but why. Timelines and historical facts put their lives on context, and critical thinking questions help kids to imagine themselves in the lives and times of the Wrights while also inviting them to consider their own dreams and goals. I read this as a Kindle Unlimited title and liked it so much I've ordered a paper copy for my library. I recommend this for children with an interest in flight and those who enjoy stories of persistence and overcoming obstacles.
This book is one of my favorite young reader's biographies. The text is interesting and easy to read. It includes many details about the brothers' lives that will appeal to kids while also illuminating how they came to invent the airplane. From their desire to recreate a favorite broken toy to their attraction to someone else's invention, the bicycle, to their determined efforts to make a plane, kids can see not only what they did but why. Timelines and historical facts put their lives on context, and critical thinking questions help kids to imagine themselves in the lives and times of the Wrights while also inviting them to consider their own dreams and goals. I read this as a Kindle Unlimited title and liked it so much I've ordered a paper copy for my library. I recommend this for children with an interest in flight and those who enjoy stories of persistence and overcoming obstacles.
August 3, 2020
An engaging account of the lives of Wilber and Orville Wright, from childhood to the end of their lives. Not only does the book cover the difficulties the Wright brothers faced in their quest to invent a flying machine, it depicts the challenges they faced living in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The book does a nice job of describing how different life was for the Wright brothers compared to today. Children will be fascinated to learn how many conveniences had yet to be invented! It also skillfully conveys how Wilber and Orville persisted in trying to achieve a dream many believed was impossible.
The illustrations are vibrant and the layout of the book helps to capture the attention of new readers while sharing a good amount of factual information. Teachers will also find the back matter helpful for creating lesson plans or encouraging discussion of the book.
The book does a nice job of describing how different life was for the Wright brothers compared to today. Children will be fascinated to learn how many conveniences had yet to be invented! It also skillfully conveys how Wilber and Orville persisted in trying to achieve a dream many believed was impossible.
The illustrations are vibrant and the layout of the book helps to capture the attention of new readers while sharing a good amount of factual information. Teachers will also find the back matter helpful for creating lesson plans or encouraging discussion of the book.
July 9, 2020
Newly independent readers will love learning about how Orville and Wilbur Wright’s lifelong collaboration lead to the invention of the airplane. Encouraged by their parents to use their imagination and experiment, as children Orville and Wilbur deconstructed and reconstructed their toys to understand just how they worked. These early creative endeavors lead them to other pursuits, including printmaking and cycle engineering and design, which served as stepping stones to their becoming aviators and inventors of the airplane. The Story of The Wright Brothers is fact-filled with super-fun details to engage curious new readers, and includes a glossary of defined terms and time-line summaries of important events. Highly recommended!
July 15, 2020
This is such an accessible, engaging biography of the Wright Brothers for young readers. I love how Whipple explains how the Wrights were able to make their discoveries, "...Wilbur and Orville had big imaginations, and they knew how to solve problems. Wilbur and Orville were curious kids. They wanted to know more...about everything." Then throughout the text, there are questions for readers to reflect on (called, "Jump In the Think Tank"). These challenge students to engage their own curiosity and problem-solving, helping them understand they have the capacity to be inventors and engineers too. I'm looking forward to more books in this series.
October 30, 2020
Engaging biography that takes readers on an exciting journey from the early life of these two brothers through death. It highlights their thirst for knowledge and love of inventing. Readers are challenged to apply the beliefs of the brothers to their own lives and encouraged not to give up. Colorful illustrations accompany the insightful text, making this fun to read. The author provides timelines and quick facts as well as a quiz to test comprehension. Highly recommended!
February 16, 2023
Very informative microbiography of the Wright brothers. I knew very little about them beyond Kitty Hawk, so getting some background was really fascinating. While many people separately came up with so many components of what ended up being an airplane, you can't deny their dedication to the study of the science of flight, and why their craft made that giant leap forward to spur on the era of flight.
November 15, 2020
The “A Biography Book for New Readers” series greatly resembles the very popular “Who Was/Who Were” series with its larger font, frequent illustrations, and chronologically arranged narrative style text. The reading level is not quite as challenging as the “Who Was/Who Were” Books, but it is not, as the name states, a biography for beginning readers. The reading level is clearly designed for third-fifth graders, and with its colorful sidebars, timelines, a quiz, glossary, outstanding “Jump into the think tank” prompts, and bibliography, this is an excellent choice for that age group. Illustrations by Alessandra Santelli are realistic and augment the text well. Facts about Orville and Wilber Wright are a terrific blend of the well-known and those that will be new to even the adults who read this book. I am very likely to purchase many from this series to offer my students who are just not quite ready for the “Who Was/What Was” and for advanced 1st and 2nd grade readers.
Thanks for a preview copy, Amazon Vine.
Thanks for a preview copy, Amazon Vine.
October 14, 2025
What is the book about? The story of 2 big minds that created airplanes and live with big imaginations
What's your opinion on the book? What did you like about it? What did you not like? I love that they were little boys when they like science and how to fly
Who would you recommend this book to? Why? I recommend this book to people who like history and science
What's your opinion on the book? What did you like about it? What did you not like? I love that they were little boys when they like science and how to fly
Who would you recommend this book to? Why? I recommend this book to people who like history and science
August 16, 2026
I really liked this book. It is a easy to read book - but it packed with knowledge about the Wright Brothers.
What I especially liked was that at the end of the book there are a series to questions to answer. That really challenges someone to really think about what one has just read.
The illustrations are by Alessandra Santelli.
What I especially liked was that at the end of the book there are a series to questions to answer. That really challenges someone to really think about what one has just read.
The illustrations are by Alessandra Santelli.
September 23, 2021
Very inspiring
It's so motivated to learn about the Wright Brothers. Their passion to quench their curiosity led them to believe they could the impossible, every kid should read this.
It's so motivated to learn about the Wright Brothers. Their passion to quench their curiosity led them to believe they could the impossible, every kid should read this.
July 24, 2020
This is a fantastic book for young readers that brings out the determination and motivation of Wilbur and Orville Wright. I read this book with my 10-year-old son and we both loved it!
June 9, 2021
I kind of liked it. And it was also kind of boring.
January 13, 2024
Love the North Carolina connection! I've been to the Wright Memorial in Kitty Hawk, NC, and enjoyed this book sharing the details of the Wright Brothers!
April 14, 2021
This book is biographical nonfiction, middle grades. I really loved this book! I think boys would really have a fascination with this book. I love how much I learned from reading this book, and even though I knew who they were I still learned more about who they were and what they accomplished.
July 15, 2020
We have been studying the Wright brothers in our History curriculum so this was the perfect little book to read after we were finished with our unit to sort of refresh our memories and gather a little bit more information on them. It was very kid friendly and engaging. My older kids loved the visual timeline and how it progressed from the Wright brothers as curious kids to famous flyers. They also loved the maps that were throughout the book and the think tank questions at the end of each chapter. As a mom I was grateful the vocabulary words were bolded as it helped my youngest son pick them out easier. The beautiful, colorful illustrations and the family tree were also a great addition to this book. As a mama I definitely appreciated the quiz at the end to aid with comprehension skills.
We live in North Carolina so my boys are enthralled with the Wright brothers and we hope to one day be able to visit Kitty Hawk where they made their first flight. After reading this my oldest son decided to read it on his own. So this is definitely a great book for kids from ages 6-12. As a family we definitely recommend it!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the publisher for my honest opinion. All views expressed are only my honest opinion
We live in North Carolina so my boys are enthralled with the Wright brothers and we hope to one day be able to visit Kitty Hawk where they made their first flight. After reading this my oldest son decided to read it on his own. So this is definitely a great book for kids from ages 6-12. As a family we definitely recommend it!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the publisher for my honest opinion. All views expressed are only my honest opinion
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews