The lines are often blurry between biographies, memoirs, and historical fiction. However it's classified, biographies should be told in the form of a story, not just a collection of facts and dates. Students enjoy reading biographies because they can say, "This really happened!" They can also make personal connections with the subject of the biography. One kind of a biography is an authentic biography. Authentic biographies need to be well-researched using primary resources, and need to be well-documented. Every detail must be true. For example, only statements actually made by the subject are included. On the other hand, in a fictionalized biography, statements made by a well-informed author can be included. After careful research, the author can imagine what the subject might have said. Different kinds of biographies make them difficult to classify at times.
Before John was a Jazz Giant by Carole Boston Weatherford
Interest Level: K-3
Reading Level: 3.8
This children’s book gives the reader a glimpse into the childhood of jazz legend John Coltrane. “Before John was a Jazz Giant, he heard steam engines whistling past, Cousin Mary giggling at jitterbugs, and Bojangles tap-dancing in the picture show.” It goes on to tell the reader all the things John Coltrane used for jazz music inspiration that he heard in his youth. The illustrations are like none other and help capture all of the musical elements of life that John treasured as a child. After reading this book it is very clear that, “Before John was a jazz giant…he was all ears.”
I thought this book was very well done and the illustrations are beautiful. The end of the book features an in-depth biography of John Coltrane’s later life and cultural significance. The book also gives titles for further reading and (something new!) “Selected Listening” which suggests some of Coltrane’s music for children to lend an ear to. I think this is a great book that can be used to show children that even famous musicians, actors, sports players, etc. were once just children like they are now.
Reviewed by: Tiffany L. Braunel
The Wall Living Behind
the Iron Curtain by Peter Sis
Interest Level: 3-6
Reading Level: 5.2
What was it like to grow up on the communist side of the iron curtain? The author of this book knows exactly what it was like because he was there. Through pictures and words in third person, he shows what it was like with freedoms revoked and certain actions deemed compulsory. The excitement after the barriers are lifted and the disappointment and hopelessness after they come smashing down again can be felt through his beautiful drawings.
Reviewed by: Julie Weideman
Derek Jeter and the New York Yankees: 2000 World Series by Michael Sandler
Interest Level: 3-6
Reading Level: 2.4
From the time Derek Jeter was very young, he wanted to play for the New York Yankees. His grandparents lived near New York City and took him to games. He became a fan, and was determined to make the team someday. Once he set his mind to it, he worked hard for many years. He not only worked his way up to becoming a player for the team, but in the year 2000, he even got to play in the World Series!
This book was not only exciting, but factual and easy to read and understand.
Reviewed by Polly J. LaMontagne
Claudette Colvin Twice
Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose
Interest Level: Young Adult
Reading Level: 6.8
Rosa Parks was not the first person to resist moving from her seat on the bus during a time when they were required to be segregated. While Rosa’s act may have been the act used to initiate the Montgomery Bus Boycott, it was the act of another that actually got the NAACP to challenge segregation. Nine months earlier, a teenager, Claudette Colvin, was tired of the injustice and wanted her constitutional rights. She refused to move when a white woman needed a seat on the bus, so began the movement that led to Browder vs. Gayle, the trial that led to the decision that “separate but equal” did not apply to buses.
Reviewed by: Julie Weideman
John Brown: "We Came to Save the Slaves" by Anne Schraff
Interest Level: 5-8
Reading Level: 6.3
John Brown was a white man who took a stand against slavery in the mid-1800's. This biography chronicles his life from childhood to his death by execution. John Brown lived a life of tragedy, losing his first wife and many of his children. Devoted to ending slavery, John Brown spent his time thinking up schemes and stopping at nothing. He even instigated a raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia. If his plan would have worked, it would have been brilliant. Even though John Brown wasn't successful in this last mission, and lost his life for it, he raised awareness of the issue of slavery in America.
This biography is indexed and includes bibliographical references. An enthralling story of a man who gave his life to bring an end to slavery.
Reviewed by Polly J. LaMontagne
Knucklehead by Jon Scieszka
Interest Level: 3-6
Reading Level: 4.6
Jon Scieszka grew up in Flint, Michigan with his parents and FIVE brothers. This memoir includes all of the crazy things that he and his brothers did or claimed not to do while growing up and turning their parents’ hair gray. Each chapter discusses different mischief Jon and/or his brother attempted in their youth; from Jon’s Catholic School nun escapades (one of which involved writing his teacher a note full of swear words!), to charging his brothers money for privileges while he was babysitting them, to playing their made up game of “slaughter ball”, to almost starting their basement on fire, and much, much more. I gathered there was never a dull moment in the Scieszka household and all I could think of while I was reading was, “that poor mother!”
A funny coming-of-age tale that boys everywhere could relate to. A great way to hook those reluctant male readers in our classrooms.
Reviewed by: Tiffany L. Braunel