Age rating and parents' guide:Who Is Serena Williams?
by Who HQ
Ages 9–11
Who Is Serena Williams? by Who HQ is best for children aged 9–11. It has no violence, nothing scary, no romance and no bad language.
Follow the journey of Serena Williams, from practising on public courts in Compton with her sister Venus to becoming one of the greatest tennis champions in history. Packed with black-and-white illustrations, timelines, and interesting sidebars, this biography shows the hard work, dedication, and resilience required to succeed on the world stage. Offers an encouraging look at practice, persistence, and following interests.
Content ratings
How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.
- Violence
- None
- Scary moments
- None
- Romance
- None
- Bad language
- None
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on .
At a glance
- Non-fiction
- Part of the Who Was? series
- Easy to get into from the first page
- Some illustrations
- Emotionally light
- A good pick for reluctant readers
Great for kids who like
- Sports
- Non-Fiction
Reading mood
- Informative
- Inspiring
Good to talk about
- Sports
- Non-Fiction
Books like Who Is Serena Williams?
Similar stories for the same ages, none more intense than this one should be for its youngest readers.
Ages 6–11
Ultimate Football Heroes (series, 20+ players)
by Matt & Tom Oldfield
This popular series introduces young sports fans to the world's greatest footballers, including icons like Messi, Ronaldo, and Mbappé. Each book traces a player's journey from their childhood kickabouts and early trials to stadium glory and international trophies. A lively choice for readers who enjoy movement, teamwork, and determination.
Ages 6–11
Ultimate Football Heroes: Messi
by Matt & Tom Oldfield
This engaging sports biography follows Lionel Messi from his childhood in Rosario, Argentina, to international stardom. Readers see how he overcame a growth hormone deficiency with the support of his family and FC Barcelona, gradually rising through the ranks to become a global legend.
Ages 9–14
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls
by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
This inspiring collection features one hundred bedtime-style profiles of remarkable women throughout history, from scientists and activists to artists and athletes. Written in the style of modern fairy tales, each one-page biography is accompanied by a vibrant, full-page portrait created by female artists from around the world. Invites thoughtful questions about the past and the world today.
Ages 9–14
Kid Authors
by David Stabler
Before they wrote beloved classics, famous writers were ordinary children dealing with strict teachers, bullies, and big dreams. This lively collection tells the childhood stories of authors like J.K. Invites children to imagine, create, and share ideas of their own.
Ages 9–14
Writing Magic
by Gail Carson Levine
Newbery Honor author Gail Carson Levine shares her secrets, techniques, and advice for crafting great stories in this accessible guide. Covering everything from generating fresh ideas and building vivid characters to writing dialogue and working through writer's block, the book is packed with fun, hands-on prompts. A playful spark for creativity and storytelling beyond the page.
Ages 6–11
Ada's Violin
by Susan Hood
Ada lives in Cateura, a town in Paraguay built on a vast landfill where families survive by recycling trash. When an environmental engineer offers free music lessons, there aren't enough real instruments to go around. Invites children to imagine, create, and share ideas of their own.
A good book is the start. A mentor makes it stick.
In a free 1:1 session, a trained Bookstaken mentor reads with your child, asks what they think and helps the reading habit last.