Biographical Books

Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball. This is the story of his life as told by his daughter, Sharon. Sharon remembers 1955 World Series when the Brooklyn Dodgers beat the New York Yankees. She tells of how her father came to be in the major leagues because of his courage. She also recalls her father as a family man and growing up on a lake in Connecticut.

Interest Level K-3

Reading Level 2.5

Reviewed by Janet Sager

A true story of Annette Kellerman who founded water ballet. Both of Annette's parents were music teachers and Annette loved to watch dancers twirl and move so freely to the sound. In a time when it was unacceptable for girls to be athletic or show bare skin, Annette defies societal rules and make waves.
Interest Level K-3
Reading Level 2.2
Reviewed by Trisha Sabel

This is a beautiful book written by Barack Obama to his daughters. It is a tribute to thirteen amazing Americans, and it even gives a great narration of each person at the end of book. This is a must, and a great story to read to any child to show them the wonderful people who have shaped our nation.

Interest Level- Ages 4-9
Reading Level- 3.1

Reviewed by Abbie Thill

How are you like your parents? How are you different? This book looks to answer these questions about five families that make picture books a family affair. Learn how each came to be a picture book writer or illustrator and what it took to get to where they are now.

Interest Level: 3-6

Reading Level: 6.1

Reviewed by Susan Queiser

This is a story of a young man, Ishmael Baeh. At age twelve war broke out in his homeland, Sierra Leone. This story tells of his survival, courage, and wisdom. He lost his whole family, was forced to fight with the army, rehabilitated when brought to back to civilization, and faced with war again. His childhood was filled with horror. After war broke out Ishmael was with two brothers and three friends. The six boys had lost their families and forced to run through the countryside to survive. The RPF rebels were attacking villages and killing anyone in their way. While finding safety in a village the army recruited boys to fight for their country. During the next few years killing became a part of his life. He was brainwashed to think of it as getting back at those that killed his family. Eventuarlly UNICEF took him from the army and sent him to a rehabilitation center in Freeport, the countries capital. Rehab took awhile with nightmares of his past returning to haunt him. Soon war broke out in Freeport and Ishmael new he needed to leave or he would eventually join the army again. Ishmael the makes dangerous trek from his homeland to Guinea to find safety. He eventually ends up in New York City where he now lives and is a member of the Human Rights Watch Children's Rights Division Advisory Committee.

Suggested Reading Level: 9th grade

Reading Level: 9th grade

Reviewed by: Janet Sager

Of great interest to young and old who have grown up reading Beverly Cleary and her many books. This is a memoir of the life of Beverly Cleary from her childhood to a young adult.

Interest Level 5-8
Reading Level 7.1
Reviewed by Trisha Sabel

This shares the life story of George Washington Carver, and the huge contributions he made to the world of agriculture.

Interest Level- Ages 11-13
Reading Level- 3.6

Reviewed by Abbie Thill

Charles M. Schulz is an interesting person in many ways including that he was from the Midwest and influenced many lives through his cartoon Peanuts with Charlie Brown, Linus and Snoopy. This book takes you into his life and gives you details to better know this great cartoonist. You will see what influenced his work and in turn influenced us as we read his cartoons. Some of his cartoons are found in this book also.

Interest Level: YA

Reading Level: YA

Reviewed by Susan Queiser