Non-Fiction
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These books are unbelievably captivating for young readers right from the start. Each biography begins when the person, Usain Bolt in this particular book, is a young child. Slowly, the stories unfold as the person becomes older and is often met by a setback or defining moment on their path to fame.
Studies have shown that storytelling reduces stress, and in these books, readers will be able to be fully present as they become engaged by these child-friendly biographies.
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This series, Ordinary People Change the World, includes over 40 biographies ranging from industries and time periods. For instance, a reader can read about the Beatles, Rosa Parks, Benjamin Franklin and so many more.
Each book begins in the hero’s childhood, and similar to the Little People, Big Dreams biographies, there is often a setback that requires some form of determination and grit. The illustrator, Christopher Eliopoulos, began his career at Marvel Comics and you can see the resemblance shine through on each page. The end of each book includes an interesting timeline with real photographs of each hero.
Visit Brad Meltzer’s website, where he holds story time and has activities which extend thinking from his books.
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Compared to the series’ Ordinary People Change the World and Little People Big Dreams, these books are slightly longer and include more challenging text. The wonderful vocabulary is printed in bold and then included in the glossary at the end of each book. The books also include engaging diagrams, illustrations, timelines and maps.
For deeper thinking, readers can try to answer the comprehension questions within the last chapter.
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Each biography offers actual quotes from the person as well as key words that are explained in captions. Young readers will especially love seeing and reading about what life was like when the person lived. For instance, what did cars look like when Amelia Earhart was around? Was there television or radio? In Amelia’s time, a nice stuffed bear costed only 98 cents.
The books offer more fun facts, a wonderful timeline of key events, and maps.
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(These bios are part of the wonderful National Geographic Kids Readers series, nearly 50 books on topics like the natural world, famous trailblazers and transportation.)
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Each book in the Scholastic Easy Readers Biographies set is about sixteen pages long with key words bolded throughout and explained in a glossary at the end. The books are chronological, straightforward and have a sort of reference-book feel to them.
Interestingly, the important figures sometimes overlap in these books. For instance, Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks not only lived at the same time but were extremely important to each other and the pursuit of equal rights.
This set is from a teacher supply resource that works well in the classroom and at home.
Includes bios of:
Johnny Appleseed
Squanto
George Washington
Betsy Ross
Abraham Lincoln
Harriet Tubman
Susan B. Anthony
Alexander Graham Bell
Helen Keller
Rosa Parks
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Cesar Chavez
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These book teach rules and vocabulary, but also integrate a lot of humor.
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Parents and educators will love that along the way readers learn amazing facts about each animal in the lead-up to the final battle. The data and attributes will engross young readers who want to better understand the animals of the natural world, past and present.
The book encourages readers to form predictions about which animal will prevail and why at the end-of-book conflict. Readers are will be so enthralled by these competitions that they’ll often sneak a peak at the end just to see which animal will emerge victorious!
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Complete Who Would Win series (30 books)
Sets & compilations:
Who Would Win? (10 book box set)
Who Would Win? Colossal Competitions! (10 book box set)
Who Would Win: Ultimate Dinosaur Rumble
Who Would Win: Ultimate Showdown
Some individual favorites:
Who Would Win: Alligator vs. Python
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As readers learn about each topic, in this case storms, they will learn facts which are then thoughtfully put into context in each book. Key vocabulary words are explained each page.
Readers will also love the jokes throughout the books. What is a tornado’s favorite game? Twister!
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Each book in the series includes a combination of real-world photographs, illustrations and diagrams. In the visuals as well as the text, readers will be swept away in to different worlds where people or animals are often affected by their surroundings and environment.
The books are sure to inspire empathy from young readers particularly when young children and animals are affected. They will also have a chance to literally see new places and situations and have the opportunity to consider varying perspectives.
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