Give readers crucial context for current events with must-have biographies. Dive into the stories behind important leaders and the experiences that defined them, from politicians making headlines today to under-celebrated historical figures.
Gateway Biographies
- Interest Level: Grade 4 – Grade 8
- Reading Level: Grade 5
Discover the human side of key newsworthy and historical figures. Each biography in this easy-reading series is peppered with quotes and childhood stories, accounts of successes and failures, and descriptions of the inspirational sources and experiences that influenced the person’s achievements. Detailed timelines and indexes make these valuable reference resources. New books this season cover Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Billie Eilish, Greta Thunberg, and an updated title on Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
Sports All-Stars (Lerner™ Sports)
- Interest Level: Grade 2 – Grade 5
- Reading Level: Grade 3
This high-interest series is sure to score with sports fans, reluctant readers, and report writers. Action-packed titles cover high-profile sports superstars and explain how the athletes got to the top, how they maintain their bodies and their skills, what they like to do for fun, and much more. More interesting than cradle-to-grave bios, these titles focus on the biggest games, the most defining moments, and the intriguing facts and fun aspects that make these superstar athletes who they are.
Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer
- Interest Level: Grade 2 – Grade 5
- Reading Level: Grade 3
On pre-order until 03/02/2021
Mary Golda Ross designed classified airplanes and spacecraft as Lockheed Aircraft Corporation’s first female engineer. Find out how her passion for math and the Cherokee values she was raised with shaped her life and work.
Cherokee author Traci Sorell and Métis illustrator Natasha Donovan trace Ross’s journey from being the only girl in a high school math class to becoming a teacher to pursuing an engineering degree, joining the top-secret Skunk Works division of Lockheed, and being a mentor for Native Americans and young women interested in engineering. In addition, the narrative highlights Cherokee values including education, working cooperatively, remaining humble, and helping ensure equal opportunity and education for all.
No Way, They Were Gay?: Hidden Lives and Secret Loves
On pre-order until 04/06/2021
- Interest Level: Grade 6 – Grade 12
- Reading Level: Grade 6
“History” sounds really official. Like it’s all fact. Like it’s definitely what happened.But that’s not necessarily true. History was crafted by the people who recorded it. And sometimes, those historians were biased against, didn’t see, or couldn’t even imagine anyone different from themselves.
That means that history has often left out the stories of LGBTQIA+ people: men who loved men, women who loved women, people who loved without regard to gender, and people who lived outside gender boundaries. Historians have even censored the lives and loves of some of the world’s most famous people, from William Shakespeare and Pharaoh Hatshepsut to Cary Grant and Eleanor Roosevelt.
Join author Lee Wind for this fascinating journey through primary sources—poetry, memoir, news clippings, and images of ancient artwork—to explore the hidden (and often surprising) Queer lives and loves of two dozen historical figures.
When Dogs Heal: Powerful Stories of People Living with HIV and the Dogs That Saved Them
On pre-order until 03/02/2021
- Interest Level: Grade 8 – Grade 12
- Reading Level: Grade 8
The best medicine may not always be found at a pharmacy or in a doctor’s office. Sometimes it comes in the form of a four-legged friend.
Three well-known leaders in their fields—award-winning dog photographer Jesse Freidin, adolescent HIV+ specialist Dr. Robert Garofalo, and LGBTQ advocate and journalist Zach Stafford—offer a refreshing, beautiful, and unique portrait of HIV infused with a deep message of hope. Each extraordinary profile shows the power of the incredible bonds between humans and their canine companions, whether that means combating loneliness and stigma, discovering the importance of unconditional love, overcoming addiction, or simply having a best friend in a time of need.
When Dogs Heal shares the stories of a diverse set of people who are thriving and celebrating life thanks to the compassion and unconditional love of their dogs.
A portion of the proceeds from this book benefits Fred Says, an organization dedicated to financially supporting HIV+ teen health care.
Billie Eilish, The Unofficial Biography: From E-Girl to Icon
On pre-order until 02/02/2021
- Interest Level: Grade 8 – Grade 12
- Reading Level: Grade 8
With number one albums in multiple countries and five Grammys under her belt, Billie Eilish has become a pop sensation. Billie was a promising young dancer until musical success came literally overnight in 2015. A song she uploaded to SoundCloud received a thousand plays in twenty-four hours. The thirteen-year-old’s voice intoxicated listeners and the track went viral. Billie and her brother, Finneas, produced a series of eclectic but equally bewitching tracks, which drew fans from around the world. Follow her journey from singing in her bedroom to performing at huge arenas, and find out what makes Billie Eilish the most extraordinary teenage star in the world.
Joseph
I loves Biographies. Thank you for sharing!