Biographies or historical fiction about real people
Published: 2018 Theme: Women in Math Best for: 7 and up "Sophie discovered that mathematicians use numbers as poets use letters-as a language to question, explore, and solve the secrets of the universe." Wonderful and inspiring illustrated biography of a woman mathematician from the 18th century.
Published: 2018 Theme: Biography; Science Best for: 9 and up "At the age of thirteen, Maria had watched, waited, and witnessed with her own eyes. And she had created a record of study, just as scholars did at universities." This is a visually beautifully and factually rich children's book about an important young woman who pursued art and science on her own.
Published: 2013 Theme: Biography Best for: 10 and up "We must melt the hearts of the Government with love... Remember, we can only win the opponent over by love, never by hate. Hate is the subtlest form of violence. Hatred injures the hater, never the hated." This very thorough biography of Gandhi in graphic novel form is a pleasure to read.
Published: 2015 Theme: Historical Fiction Coming of Age Best for: 12 - 14 "I have escaped! I have achieved the first stage of my emancipation! In a little while I will go on to Baltimore--and from thence I will begin my new life." This beautifully written historical fiction children's book is quite hard to put down.
Published: 1939 Theme: Historical Fiction Biography Best for: 8 - 11 "All of these ill-informed scribblers seemed astonished at Ben's great fund of information, at his brilliant decisions, at his seeming knowledge of all that went on about him. I could have told them, It was ME." A biography like this is perhaps the best way to bring history to children without bringing tears of boredom..
Published: 2013-2016 Theme: Civil Rights Movement Best for: 8 and up "Lawson taught us how to protect each other, how to survive. But the hardest part to learn--to truly understand, deep in your heart-- was how to find love for your attacker." This excellent trilogy of graphic novel is a first-hand account by John Lewis of the civil rights movement as he lived it...
Published: 2016 Theme: Biography Best for: 5 to 8 "John loved to tell the chicks the Good News. When he fed and watered them, he spoke about the value of hard work and patience..." The illustrations alone could make this an important book, but the subject matter is what we really want to read...
Published: 2016 Theme: Biography, Equality Best for: 6 and up "Boys were expected to grow up, go out in the world, and do big things. Girls? Girls were expected to find husbands." This very appealing illustrated children's book is perfect because it can spark important family conversations about justice...
Published: 1987 Theme: Historical Fiction Best for: 9 - 12 "The title 'Joint Reign' is a foolishment and emphasizes what I have always contended: that men are more fortunate than women. Joint reign! It is I who inspects, examines, weighs and wrings her brain ..." Coming on the heels of an historic election, it is interesting to go back in history and understand more about the obstacles women faced hundreds of years ago.
Re-Published: 1993 Theme: Dealing with Obstacles Best for: 5 to 8 "Ming Lo and his wife lived in a house at the bottom of a large mountain. They loved their house, but they did not love the mountain." This story reads like a classic Chinese folktale. It's filled with lovely Asian artwork, and it offers a simple life lesson...
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