Biography is a genre of literature that tells the true story of a particular person. Biographies can be about just one person or about a group of people. Biographies tell facts and stories about a person's/people's life.
Kubla Khan
by Kathleen Krull
Kubla Khan was the Emperor of China in the 13th Century. At the time he ruled the largest empire in the world. He was far ahead of the Western World in arts and sciences. He was well educated and a brilliant military leader. He was known for being unusually fair. His Mother and his second wife, Chabi, were powerful and ambitious as well. He built the capital city which is now Beijing. He held lavish birthday, New Years and holiday parties for up to 40,000 people. Kubla Khan supported artisans, and also increased literacy by founding a government printing press to make books more available to all citizens. Above all Kubla Kahn spent his life working to find practical ways of building the quality of life for his people.
Interest Level: 3-6
Reading Level: 6.8
Lexile: 1080
John Beargrease
by Daniel Lancaster
John Beargrease was a Anishinabe Ojibwe who lived on the North Shore of Lake Superior from 1812-1910. He was a legendary mail carrier who reliably delivered the mail during all seasons regardless of the harsh weather and unpredictable storms of Lake Superior. This biography is also a historical account of various aspects of the culture of the North Shore, including Ojibwe and White Settler relationships, government treaties, trapping, logging, shipping, sled dogs, mining, medicine, fishing, and hunting. There are many fascinating tales of the struggle to survive and make a living in the harsh and unforgiving land and climate on the North Shore of Lake Superior.
Interest Level: Young Adult/Adult
The Hidden Girl: A True Story of the Holocaust by Lola Rein Kaufman with Lois Metzger The author shares her story about her World War II experience as a Jewish girl during the Holocaust. She was forced into hiding after witnessing the death of her mother. She lived in a hole under a barn, with another family. Reading level: 4.7 Reviewed by Arlette Leyva
Suggested grade level: 3-6
Jimi: sounds like a rainbow: a story of the young Jimi Hendrix
by Gary Golio
A unique look at the life and music of Jimi Hendrix, Golio focuses on the inspiration a young Jimmy and how as a kid he found music in the sounds he heard. These sounds became colors in his mind andeventually he found a way to transfer all this color and sound into music through his guitar. Colorful illustrations are included by Javaka Steptoe.
Suggested grade level: K-3
Reading level: 5.8
Lexile: 900
Jessica Schmitz
Barack Obama
by Stephen Krensky
This book about the President is full of photographs that makes it very accessible for young readers. It highlights moments in his life and career to show how he has become the man he is today. It has a nice set up for young readers, that inlcude boxes on pages to highlight terms and people referenced that students may not be completely familiar with.
Suggested grade level: 5-8
Reading level: 7.0
Lexile: 1010
Jessica Schmitz
¡Azúcar!
by Ivar Da Coll
¡Azúcar! highlights the story of Cuban-born salsa singer, the Great Celia Cruz from her birth in Havana, Cuba to her funeral in Miami, Florida. The author captures her playfulness and her love of Caribean music. A must read for any music lover.
Suggested grade level: 2-4
Reading level: 2.1
Lexile: 550
Review by Arlette Leyva
With author Lois Metzger, she tells her powerful story in the book The Hidden Girl. In this Holocaust Remembrance Day event, Ms. Kaufman and Ms. Metzger will speak about the Holocaust experience and the process of transforming memory into writing.