The books in this category tell the life stories of real people, some famous and others less well known. In many of these books the focus of the biography is the person's contribution to making a better world; in many there is also the theme of obstacles that had to be overcome in order for the person to succeed.
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All Books in the Biography Category
Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl's Baseball Dream Crystal Hubbard (Author), Randy Duburke (Illustrator) Marcenia Lyle wants to be a professional baseball player, but her parents make clear that the only jobs available to African American women in that time (the 1930s) are teacher, nurse and maid. When the St. Louis Cardinals manager forms a baseball camp, he denies admission to Marcenia because of her gender. However, Marcenia dazzles him with her skill until he agrees to let her join. An afterword reveals that Marcenia, under the name Toni Stone, became the first female member of an all-male baseball team, filling the spot vacated by Hank Aaron when he joined the Major Leagues. [Grade Level: 1 - 4]
Cesar Chavez Ruth Franchere (Author), Earl Thollander (Illustrator) The biography of the Mexican American who led the nationwide boycott of grapes as part of his movement to organize farm laborers in the United States. [Grade Level: 4 - 6]
Dear Mrs. Parks: A Dialogue with Today's Youth Rosa Parks (Author), Gregory J. Reed (Author) Correspondence between Rosa Parks and various children in which the "Mother of the Modern Day Civil Rights Movement" answers questions and encourages young people to reach their highest potential. [Grade Level: 5 & Up]
Dinner at Aunt Connie's House Written by Faith Ringgold Melody meets her newly adopted cousin, Lonnie, at her Aunt Connie's house one summer. While playing, the youngsters discover 12 paintings in the attic, each of which depicts a famous African-American woman. [Grade Level: K - 3]
El Chino Written and Illustrated by Allen Say Billy, the son of immigrants from China, was always told by his father that "In America, you can be anything you want to be." Billy's dreams of being a famous basketball player, however, are met with laughs and comments like, "Who's ever heard of a Chinese athlete!" Billy gives up his hopes of being a great athlete and studies engineering. Years later, while visiting Spain, Billy's dreams are reawakened when he falls in love with bullfighting and defies expectations to become the first Asian matador. [Grade Level: 2 - 6]
Eleanor Roosevelt: An Inspiring Life Written by Elizabeth MacLeod In fourteen brief chapters with short blocks of text and many photographs, the author describes Roosevelt’s privileged but sad childhood, her marriage, political and family life, and post-FDR humanitarian work. The importance of Roosevelt’s contributions to the world are emphasized, including her work on civil rights, women’s rights, and her role in creating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. [Grade Level: 3 - 6]
Elegy on the Death of Cesar Chavez Rudolfo A. Anaya (Adapter), Gaspar Enriquez (Illustrator) Chicano novelist Rudolfo Anaya was greatly influenced by the heroic life of labor and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez. This poem eulogizes Cesar and his work, expressing the grief of la gente and calling all peoples together to continue the nonviolent struggle for freedom and justice. Includes a chronology of Cesar's life. [Grade Level: 4 - 6]
