Middle School
Worksheets
Isaac Asimov
What kinds of stories do you prefer to read? Some people like historical novels, while some would rather read romance or adventure stories. For some people, though, nothing beats a good science fiction story, especially stories written by Isaac Asimov.
Isaac Asimov was born in the town of Petrovichi, Russia, somewhere between October 1919 and January 2, 1920. For official purposes, the date of January 2, 1920, was chosen. It was the date Asimov himself celebrated. His Jewish parents, Judah and Anna Asimov, decided to leave Russia with their son when Isaac was three years old. The family arrived in New York City on February 3, 1923.
Judah Asimov worked hard and saved his money. By the time Isaac was six, the family owned a candy store in Brooklyn, where they also sold newspapers and magazines. When he was nine years old, he started working there. It was at this time he learned the steady work habits that he utilized his whole life. Perhaps most importantly, the store also gave Isaac a bountiful supply of reading materials. He especially liked reading science fiction stories. By the time he was eleven, he started writing his own stories.
Isaac was extremely bright. He graduated from high school when he was fifteen and went on to college. He earned his B.S. degree in chemistry in 1939 when he was nineteen and earned his M.A. in chemistry in 1941. World War II interrupted his studies. In 1942, he took a wartime job as a research scientist at the Philadelphia Navy Yard's Naval Air Experimental Station.
On Valentine's Day, 1942, Isaac met Gertrude Blugerman on a blind date. They were married five months later.
