Biography/autobiography is the literature that presents the lives of men and women, boys and girls. The essential components of a good biography are historical research, a person's impact in society and that it be written well. The information must be authentic, documented, and properly interpreted to present as accurate a reflection of the individual as possible within an understandable context. (Zena Sutherland, Children and Books)
Adler, D. A Picture Book of Frederick Douglas After escaping slavery, Douglas became a writer and leader in the abolitionist movement in the 19th century.
Adler, D. A Picture Book of Jesse Owens The noted black track star who competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Adler, D. A Picture Book of Thomas Alva Edison A genius with a curious mind who loved to experiment and went on to invent the phonograph, light bulb, movie camera and numerous other items.
Berg, J. The Berenstains A tribute to the Berenstains and their book series.
Berg, J. Tomie de Paola Presents the life of the author/illustrator dePaola who has won numerous awards and prizes for his outstanding collection of children's books.
Berg, J. E. B. White A tribute to the author of "Charlotte's Web".
Brandt, K. Rosa Parks Her actions led to the desegregation of buses in Montgomery, Alabama.
Brennan, K. Crazy Horse Chief of the Oglala Sioux Indians, he led the Battle of Little Bighorn against Colonel George Custer.
Bridges, R. Through My Eyes Recounts the life of Ruby Bridges and her involvement as a six-year-old in the integration of her school in New Orleans in 1960.
Burby, L. Kristi Yamaguchi Covers the life and achievements of the Japanese Olympic champion figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi.
Chin, C. China's Bravest Girl Story of Hua Mu Lan who goes to war disguised as a man to save the family honor and becomes a great general.
Dexter, R. Young Arthur Ashe An African American tennis champion who died of Aids in 1993.
Engel, D. and Freedman, F. Ezra Jack Keats Presents the life and career of award-winning children's author and illustrator, Ezra Jack Keats.
Ferris, J. What are You Figuring Now A self-taught mathematician, astronomer, and surveyor for the new capital city in 1791.
Fisher, L. Gandhi Presents the life and works of Mohandas K. Gandhi who became one of the world's leading civil rights leaders.
Fraser, L. Conversations with J. K. Rowling Learn about the author of the "Harry Potter" books.
Giff, P. Mother Teresa Renowned for her work with the poor.
Greene, C. Katherine Dunham Presents the personal experiences and professional achievements of the black dancer, choreographer, and founder of the Dunham Dance Company.
Greene, C. Phillis Wheatley First African-American poet.
Greene, C. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart The life of the eighteenth-century Austrian composer from his musical life as a child prodigy through his prolific musical career.
Gutman, B. Frank Thomas The power-hitting baseball player from his early days in Georgia to his professional career with the Chicago White Sox.
Hoyt-Goldsmith, D. Hoang Anh Describes the daily activities of Joang Anh, a Vietnamese American boy and his family and the traditional culture and customs that shape their lives.
Hurwitz, J. Anne Frank A young Jewish girl made famous after her death in the Holocaust by the publishing of her diary.
Joseph, L. Fly, Bessie, Fly The first woman African American to earn a pilot's license.
Keegan, M. Pueblo Boy Text and photos depict the home, school, and cultural life of a young Pueblo boy in New Mexico.
King, S. Maya Angelou Examines the life of Maya Angelou, the poet.
Lynch, W. Janet and Allan Ahlberg An introduction to the lives and work of the English husband and wife team who, as author and illustrator, created "The Jolly Postman".
McCully, E. The Ballot Box Battle Elizabeth Cady Stanton was heroic in her determination for women's rights.
Medearis, A. Little Louis and the Jazz Band The story of Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong.
Miller, W. Zora Hurston and the Chinaberry Tree Describes the early years of this African American girl who would later go on to become a famous author.
Mosher, K. George Washington Learning about leadership from the life of George Washington.
Myers, W. Young Martin's Promise Events of Martin Luther King Jr.'s childhood which sowed the seeds for his activism for equal rights for all, regardless of their color.
O'connor, J. The Story of Roberto Clemente A Pittsburg Pirate All-Star, well known for his humanitarian efforts and inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame in 1973.
Raimondo, L. The Little Lama of Tibet An illustrated biography of Ling Rinpochey, the young Buddhist monk who will be the next leader of the Tibetan people.
Rockwell, A. Only Passing Through The story of Sojourner Truth, abolitionist, and the first African American to speak out against slavery.
Romero, M. Jaime Escalante The story of the Bolivian born teacher who immigrated to the U.S. where he has become successful in motivating his students to excel in science and math.
Ryan, P. Chasing the Alphabet Presents the life and career of Jerry Pallota, author of many picture books.
Sabin, L. Willie Mays Record-setting baseball player who is one of three in the game's history to hit 600 home runs.
Sabuda, R. Tutankhamen's Gift King of Egypt.
Savage, J. Ichiro Suzuki Introduces the life and accomplishments of champion baseball player Ichiro Suzuki, the first Japanese position player to switch from the Japanese League to the Major Leagues.
Say, A. El Chino A biography of Bill Wong, a Chinese American who became a famous bullfighter in Spain.
Shaughnessy, D. and Carpenter, J. Sacajawea A Shoshoni girl who served as interpreter, peacemaker, and guide for the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the Northwest in 1805-1806.
Shaughnessy, D. Chief Joseph: Nez Perce Peacekeeper The great Nez Perce chief who led his tribe on a flight to Canada.
Shaughnessy, D. Pocahontas, Powhatan Princess The life story and accomplishments of Pocahontas who married the English settler John Rolfe.
Sherrow, V. Wilma Rudolph An Olympic star who overcame extraordinary adversity, including polio. Wilma became the fastest woman runner in the world by 1960.
Shuter, J. Henry Ford The man whose Model T automobile made the gasoline powered car affordable to Americans.
Towle, W. The Real McCoy The life of an African-American inventor.
Venezia, M. Diego Rivera A biography of the Mexican artist who wanted to bring art to the masses through the medium of murals.
Wallner, A. Beatrix Potter The life of Beatrix Potter who wrote "Peter Rabbit" and many more classic animal tales.
Wallner, J. Gertrude Chandler Warner Discusses the life and career of the writer famous for having created the "Boxcar Children".
Wheeler, J. R. L. Stine Biography of the American author who likes to have kids turn to reading for entertainment, who keeps his books funny, and who loves to scare others through his writing.
Wheeler, J. Laura Ingalls Wilder Discusses the life and works of the woman whose childhood provided the material to create her "Little House" books.
Wheeler, J. Mark Twain A great American humorist who had also been a printer, steamboat captain, news reporter, gold miner, and lecturer in a white linen suit.
Winter, J. Frida Story of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.
Woods, A. Young Reggie Jackson A Yankee batter who broke Babe Ruth's record by hitting three home runs in a row in the 1977 World Series.
