People You Gotta Meet Before You Grow Up Get to Know the Movers and Shakers, Heroes and Hotshots in Your Hometown

It doesn’t have to be a celebrity, it doesn’t have to be a big-name athlete: some of the most important and exciting people a kid can meet live right nearby, in his or her own hometown! These are the folks who quietly help keep us safe, grow our food, and motivate us with their success. And this engaging book explains who these world-changers are, what they do, why they’re important, and how to make contact. Using a fun and appealing notebook-style format filled with lighthearted illustrations, it identifies individuals who might be cool to meet—from farmers and travelers to local entrepreneurs, politicians, and artists. Plus, it gives inquisitive strategies, interview questions, and research ideas, along with plenty of interesting tidbits, great quotes, intriguing profiles, blogs to check out, and Q&As. Every child will find something life-changing in these pages as they explore the lives of animal rescuers, scientists, writers, crafters, chefs, engineers, and so many more. They’ll even learn about the teens and tweens who take an active role in making their communities better places—like Maya Shea Penn, a thirteen-year-old entrepreneur, philanthropist, designer, artist, animator, illustrator, and writer who started her own company when she was only eight! Who knows where it will inspire a kid to go?

Joe Rhatigan has authored more than twenty books for children and adults, including Bizarre History, Bizarre Crimes, Don’t Unravel When You Travel, and Out-of-This-World Astronomy. He has also produced several best-selling books and series, including 101 Places You Gotta See Before You're 12!, The Boo Boo Book, and the My Very Favorite Art Book series. Joe has been a poet, a teacher, a marketing manager, and a newspaper boy. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with his wife and three children.