A biography book is classified as a non-fiction book because it is written about the true events about a person or persons' lives. These may include autobiographies, official authorized biographies, or unauthorized biographies. Some are written in a story format that often draws students into the reading more than just a book filled with facts about a person's life.
Dwight Howard: gifted and giving basketball star
By: Ryan Basen
Reviewer: Christopher Schiemann
Grade Level: 5-8
Reading Level: 5.6
This book, written for the fans of Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, discussed the life and current career of this famous basketball player. It discusses Howard as a young player growing up, his decision to forego college to enter the NBA draft, and his first several years of his professional career. It is written by Basen with the knowledge that many young fans will be reading the book, and he takes great care to discuss the strong family upbringing that helped Dwight to his success on and off the basketball court. The book also discusses the ups and downs of his career to help young readers understand that one must set goals, accept challenges, and push through tough times in order to achieve greatness. The book is mostly a positive examination of Dwight Howard's years.
A Girl Named Faithful Plum: the true story of a dancer from China and how she achieved her dream
By: Richard Bernstein
Grade Level: 5-8
Reading Level: 6.0
From the Publisher: In 1977, when Zhongmei Lei was eleven years old, she learned that the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy was having open auditions. She'd already taken dance lessons, but everyone said a poor country girl would never get into the academy, especially without any connections in the Communist Party of the 1970s. But Zhongmei, whose name means Faithful Plum, persisted, even going on a hunger strike, until her parents agreed to allow her to go. She traveled for three days and two nights to get to Beijing and eventually beat out 60,000 other girls for one of 12 coveted spots. But getting in was easy compared to staying in, as Zhongmei soon learned. Without those all-important connections she was just a little girl on her own, far away from family. But her determination, talent, and sheer force of will were not something the teachers or other students expected, and soon it was apparent that Zhongmei was not to be underestimated. Zhongmei became a famous dancer, and founded her own dance company, which made its New York debut when she was in just her late 20s. In A Girl Named Faithful Plum, her husband and renowned journalist, Richard Bernstein, has written a fascinating account of one girl's struggle to go from the remote farmlands of China to the world's stages, and the lengths she went to in order to follow her dream.
Spin: the story of Michael Jackson
By: Sherry O'Keefe
Grade Level: 5-8
Reading Level: 8.0
From the Publisher: From an early age, Michael Jackson showed remarkable musical talent. Born the seventh of nine children into a performing family, his electrifying voice set him apart from his brothers. By age eleven, Michael was a Motown child star, both with his brothers and as a solo act. Then in the 1980s, he rose to megastardom, thanks to a series of hits: "Beat It," "Billie Jean," and "Thriller." Michael sold records in the millions, and his groundbreaking music and dance moves earned him the nickname the "King of Pop." Known for his signature moonwalk, red jacket, and single glove, he pioneered music videos, broke down racial barriers in the pop world, and bridged the gap between rhythm and blues and popular music. Yet, his private life often overshadowed his musical appeal. A series of legal proceedings, plastic surgeries, and questionable relationships tarnished his image. Despite it all, Michael Jackson remains one of the world's most successful musicians, winning thirteen Grammy Awards and selling millions of albums worldwide. Both in the way that he lived and in the way that he died, the story of Michael Jackson is complicated and compelling. Book jacket.
Through My Eyes: a quarterback's journey
By: Tim Tebow
Grade Level: 3-6
Reading Level: 6.9
From the Publisher: Over the course of the last five years, Tim Tebow established himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of college football and a top prospect in the NFL. During that time he amassed an unparalleled resume'"winning two BCS national championships, becoming the first sophomore in NCAA history to win the Heisman trophy, and in the face of massive public scrutiny, being drafted in the first round of the NFL draft by the Denver Broncos. Now, in Through My Eyes, Tebow brings readers everywhere an inspirational memoir about life as he chose to live it, revealing how his faith and family values, combined with his relentless will to succeed, have molded him into the person that he is today. As the son of Christian missionaries, Tebow has a unique story to tell'"from the circumstances of his birth, to his home-schooled roots, to his record-setting collegiate football career with the Florida Gators and everything else that took place in between. At every step, Tebow's life has defied convention and expectation. While aspects of his life have been well-documented, the stories have always been filtered through the opinions and words of others. Through My Eyesis his passionate, firsthand, never-before-told account of how it all really happened.