What This Book Is About
Why did humans, who cannot outrun a lion or outswim a shark, end up running the planet? That is the question this book sets out to answer, and Harari's case is that our advantage was never physical: it was the ability to tell stories and to co-operate in very large numbers.
Along the way it covers the other human species that once shared the earth with us, what life was actually like for hunter-gatherers, and the animal extinctions humans left behind. This is Volume 1 of three: Volume 2 (Why the World Isn't Fair) and Volume 3 carry the story onward.
Yuval Noah Harari is one of the world's most influential historians and the author of the adult book Sapiens. This is his history written for young readers, with full-color illustrations by Ricard Zaplana Ruiz.
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 Harari’s adult book 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.