In an everchanging world, the often-difficult concept of understanding different perspectives is more important than ever. The well-rounded selection of biographies depicted in this blog post provides insight and offers simplicity while also answering difficult questions for younger readers learning how to put themselves into somebody else’s shoes.
Best Believe
Meet the Tres Hermanas: Evelina Antonetty, Lillian López, and Elba Cabrera.
Interest Level: Grade 1 – Grade 4
Rhythmic verse presents three sisters who moved from Puerto Rico to New York City as children and grew up to be pioneering activists in their Bronx community, focusing on schools, libraries, and the arts.
“The sisters’ fiery spirit runs through the text, which frankly calls out disparities and celebrates the Tres Hermanas’ many victories as they passionately defended the rights of Puerto Rican Americans and lifted up their culture” — starred, Booklist
Mami king
How Ma Mon Luk Found Love, Riches, and the Perfect Bowl of Soup
Interest Level: Grade 2 – Grade 5
The true story of an intrepid young man, Ma Mon Luk, who leaves China for the Philippines, desperate to earn a living—and the approval of the parents of the woman he loves.
“A savory success story.” — Booklist
Stokes
The Brief Career of the NBA’s First Black Superstar
Interest Level: Grade 2 – Grade 5
Maurice Stokes was 6’7″ and could play offense and defense like no one else his size in the NBA in 1958. After experiencing a career-ending injury during a game, other players rallied to support Stokes.
Telling a moving story, Chapman and Coy introduce Stokes’ unusual combination of size, skills, quickness, and understanding of the game and then explain how differently Black players were treated on NBA teams in the 1950s. From action scenes to quiet moments, Ollivierre’s art illustrates the narrative with empathy and style.” — Booklist
The Story of Althea Gibson and Angela Buxton
Interest Level: Grade 1 – Grade 5
When Althea Gibson first dreamed of joining the big American tennis leagues, she was denied because she was Black. Angela Buxton dreamed of joining the best tennis clubs in Britain, but she was rejected because she was Jewish. When Angela heard that Althea was coming to Britain to compete, she skipped school to see the match. If Althea didn’t let hatred stop her from playing the game she loved, Angela wouldn’t either.
At the French Championships in 1956, Angela told Althea about her dream of winning Wimbledon with a doubles partner. To win as a team, they would have to stick to their strengths—together.
★ Never Give Up
Dr. Kati Karikó and the Race for the Future of Vaccines
Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 4
This picture book biography introduces Hungarian American biochemist Katalin Kariko, who played a critical role in developing the mRNA vaccine for COVID-19. Follow the journey of Katalin (Kati) Kariko from her childhood in rural Hungary.
Informative as well as inspiring, this book shows how Karikó’s tenacity is proof to never give up. A first purchase for all biography collections.” — starred, School Library Journal
★ Small Shoes, Great Strides
How Three Brave Girls Opened Doors to School Equality
Interest Level: Grade 2 – Grade 5
A powerful true story about three Black girls—Leona Tate, Gail Etienne, and Tessie Prevost—who courageously integrated a New Orleans school on November 14, 1960. Award-winning author Vaunda Micheaux Nelson brings this little-known event in the Civil Rights Movement to light.
An important addition to civil rights movement literature with which readers can connect on a human level.” — starred, The Horn Book Magazine
★ Space Torah
Astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman’s Cosmic Mitzvah
Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 3
As a child, Jeff’s head was often in the clouds. As an astronaut, he journeyed far beyond them. On his final mission, Jeff brought a miniature Torah into orbit for an out-of-this-world Shabbat celebration!
“A beautiful and meaningful juxtaposition of ancient Jewish tradition with modern space exploration.” — starred, Booklist
Food for Hope
How John van Hengel Invented Food Banks for the Hungry
Interest Level: Grade 2 – Grade 5
Hungry himself, John van Hengel finds a way to feed thousands with free donations of food that would otherwise be wasted. This true story of how one ordinary person did something extraordinary shows how everyone can do something to make a difference.
“An inspiring profile warmed by its (not undeserved) sentimental glow.” — Kirkus Reviews
Her Eyes on the Stars
Maria Mitchell, Astronomer
Interest Level: Grade 3 – Grade 6
Maria Mitchell’s curiosity about the night sky led her to spend hours studying the stars. When she was still a young woman, she became the first American to discover a comet and went on to become a professional astronomer, an unheard of achievement for a woman in the 19th century. Maria taught young women to set their sights on the sky, training new generations of female astronomers as a professor at Vassar.
Will guarantee this trailblazing scientist her place among the stars.” — Kirkus Reviews
Gateway Biographies (Series)
Interest Level: Grade 4 – Grade 8
Discover the human side of newsworthy, historical, and pop culture figures, and learn about people leading key social movements or handling crises. Each biography in this easy-reading series is peppered with quotations and stories, accounts of successes and failures, and descriptions of the inspirational sources and experiences that influenced the subject’s achievements. Detailed timelines and indexes make these titles valuable reference resources.
The Future Is Female (Series)
Interest Level: Grade 3 – Grade 6
Women have always made their voices heard. From historic to present-day women, young readers uncover changemakers who fought for civil rights, took a stand for the environment, and much more.
Musicians and Their Inspirations (Series)
Interest Level: Grade 3 – Grade 6
Singers keep up with new trends in music daily, but they also take influence from their idols. Young readers learn how their favorite singers inspire each other across generations. Each title in this series explores the performers’ rise to fame, their artistic process, greatest performances, and more with eye-catching photos and energetic text.
Athletes Who Made a Difference (Series)
Interest Level: Grade 3 – Grade 6
This graphic nonfiction series presents true sports stories of grit, leadership, and resistance. Dynamic visuals highlight impactful events on and off the field, as legendary athletes inspire social change. With a lively tone and colorful artwork, each book in the Athletes Who Make a Difference series follows a different sports hero’s early years, journey to the pros, and ability to change the world around them.
