What This Book Is About
Have you ever wondered why humans—who can't outrun a lion or outswim a shark—became the most dominant species on Earth? This book takes you back millions of years to uncover how we took over the world. From learning to make fire and navigating by stars to inventing microwaves and landing on the moon, this is a true story about humanity's superpowers.
Author Yuval Noah Harari is one of the world's most influential historians, whose adult book Sapiens has sold over 45 million copies. This is his version specially crafted for young readers, with vivid full-color illustrations, maps, and timelines that make serious history fun and impossible to put down.
Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.
Why We Recommend This Book
For B1-level students (G6-G8), this book is an excellent choice for three reasons.
First, it's non-fiction—and international school curricula are heavily loaded with non-fiction reading across history, science, and social studies. Many students are comfortable with fiction but noticeably weaker in non-fiction reading; this book bridges that gap beautifully.
Second, the language sits at the perfect "i+1" difficulty for B1 readers—mostly comprehensible but constantly introducing new academic vocabulary and expressions, so reading it naturally builds English proficiency.
Third, the topics (human history, origins of civilization) frequently appear in international school social studies and history classes, making this book both enjoyable and academically useful preparation.
Reading Level Guide
Too challenging at A2. Start with Magic Tree House or Roald Dahl's shorter works first.
Perfect difficulty. Challenging enough to grow, accessible enough to enjoy.
Comfortable read at B2. Consider the adult version, Sapiens, for a greater challenge.
Other UWC Recommended Books for This Grade
Not sure if this book is right for your child? Take our free English assessment to find their CEFR level, then choose books that match.