People We Should Know (Second)

From the early days of his political career to his time as U.S. Vice President, Al Gore has always been concerned with the environment. His work has won such prestigious honors as the Nobel Peace Prize and an Academy Award for his film An Inconvenient Truth. Gore's passion for activism continues today, as he speaks and writes about such issues as global warming and energy use. Inspire your young readers with this compelling biography about Al Gore.

Michael Phelps began swimming when he was seven years old. By the time he was 24, he had won 14 Olympic gold medals and shattered more than 30 world records. His performances in the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics have turned him into an international superstar. Will he achieve new personal bests in the years to come? The world waits to find out.

Although her husband is president of the United States, Michelle Obama is more than just the wife of a powerful man. She is a success in her own right. An accomplished lawyer and public servant, she is a highly educated, independent woman. Now, as first lady, Obama is using her experience and skills in one of the most important roles in the country.

She may have started out hosting a simple cooking show, but today Rachael Ray is one of the most recognizable faces in the media. She hosts a popular talk show and multiple programs on the Food Network. She also has a series of cookbooks and her own magazine, Every Day with Rachael Ray. Whether on TV or at the newsstands, Rachael Ray touches the lives of people everywhere.

In all of skateboarding, no one is more famous than superstar Tony Hawk. He helped change skateboarding from an activity for young people into a widely recognized sporting event. Tricks such as the 900 helped make Tony Hawk the biggest name in skateboarding. Now retired from the sport, Hawk is recognized as a smart businessman and an extreme sports legend.

For almost 40 years, Joe Biden served as a U.S. senator from Delaware. From his early days as a young lawyer to his current position as U.S. vice president, he has always been known as a forward-thinking politician and a strong voice in Congress. Now, after all his years in office, Biden is using his knowledge and experience in one of the top positions in the U.S. government.