Biographies

Rise! ~ Bethany Hegedus

What a wonderful, kid-friendly biography about the amazing life of poet, performer, writer, activist, humanitarian, Maya Angelou.

A Poem for Peter ~ Andrea Davis Pinkney

This book is a beautiful poem about the life of author, illustrator Ezra Jack Keats and how his renowned book, The Snowy Day, came to be.

Hey, Charleston! ~ Anne Rockwell

This book tells the true story of the Jenkins Orphanage Band. The band, consisting of orphans, was started by Reverend Daniel Joseph Jenkins, who had a knack for turning bad to good.

Faith Ringgold ~ Sharna Jackson

Learn more about the life of artist and activist, Faith Ringgold. From being bedridden as a child with severe asthma, painting on a small easel while propped up on pillows to having her artwork displayed in hundreds of exhibits across the world.

Jazz for Lunch ~ Jarrett Dapier

What a fun toe-tapping rhythmic story about a young boy and his auntie. "Struttin' with Auntie Nina down to a club. We're gonna hear some music and then eat some grub."

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind ~ William Kamkwamba & Bryan Mealer

This book is based on a true story of a 14-year-old boy living in Malawi, Africa. Riddled by drought, William's family began eating only one meal per day in hopes of prolonging the dwindling food supply. Curious about how mechanical things work, William utilized the library to learn about windmills.

Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free ~ Alice Faye Duncan

"Freedom hope, and Joy Devine! Juneteenth means it's Freedom Time!" This book features Opal Lee, the Grandmother of Juneteenth as she tells a group of children the story of Juneteenth and how it came to be.

Like a Girl ~ Lori Degman

This is a wonderful book that empowers girls through the celebration of 24 inspiring women who affected change through history.

Ellington Was Not a Street ~ Ntozake Shange

Poet Ntozake Shange recounts her childhood memories of the many great African Americans who gathered in her home.

Before There Was Mozart ~ Lesa Cline-Ransome

This illustrated biography is about the life of Joseph Boulogne Chevalier de Saint-George, the son of a slave and her master, who became an accomplished violinist and composer.

The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath ~ Julia Finley Mosca

From the Amazing Scientist.com collection, this book showcases Dr. Patricia Bath, an ophthalmologist who "never lost sight of her dreams!"

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read ~ Rita Lorraine Hubbard

You are never too old to learn to read. Mary Walker is the ultimate example of this truth! Mary Walker learned to read at the age of 116!

The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver ~ Gene Baretta

Beautifully illustrated, the book tells of the secret garden George Washington Carver had as a child and how his love for nature paved the way for his many noteworthy accomplishments as an adult.

Before She Was Harriet ~ Lesa Cline-Ransome

Many know the name Harriet Tubman. But, do you know of General Tubman, Moses, Minty or Araminta? Each of these names represent the many roles of the heroine, Harriet Tubman.

Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library ~ Carole Boston Weatherford

Wow! What an inspiring, eye-opening book about the life of bibliophile, Arturo Schomburg! As a child in Puerto Rico he questioned why "Africa's sons and daughters had no history, no heroes worth noting."

Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa ~ Andrea Davis Pinkney

The story of Ella Fitzgerald's musical career is told from the perspective of Scat Cat Monroe. The unlikely story-teller (a cat) tells how Fitzgerald started out as an aspiring dancer, but went on to sing at the Savoy with artists like Dizzy Gillespie.