Many times, adults tend to only share cute, colorful, rhyming pictures books with young readers. As much as I love those types of books, it often is the non-fiction books that become the most memorable. Many of the non-fiction books I read this summer focused on perseverance, a critical skill that all students (and adults) need to develop. Here are a few of the most memorable ones:
Emmanuel's Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson
Accelerated Reading Level: 4.4
Emmanuel was born with a deformed leg and rejected and ridiculed by many in his country of Ghana. If he wanted to go to school, he would have to hop the 2 miles each way. He also learned to play soccer on crutches he made and finally ride a bike. Emmanuel's mother helped him realize that despite his disability he could do whatever he dreamed of. After his mother's death, Emmanuel biked across Ghana to raise funds and change laws for the disabled in in country.
Dorothea's Eyes by Barb Rosenstock
Accelerated Reading Level: 3.3
In this book you meet the observant Dorothea Lange who had a limp caused by polio. Others are cruel and tease her because of the limp, so she develops a coping mechanism of trying to be invisible all the while intently watching those around her and focusing on their faces. In the early 1900's, Dorothea decides to become a photographer, an unheard of career for females. Dorothea decides to make it a point to take pictures of others that the world may not notice --- the homeless, the migrant workers, the disabled. Many of these stunning and memorable pictures were taken during the Great Depression. Her work inspired others including John Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath."
Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton by Don Tate
Accelerated Reading Level: 4.5
George was born a slave in the South. He was a boy who loved words more than anything and despite the dangers, taught himself how to read and write. If that were not remarkable enough, George would go on to become the first published slave in the North Carolina. He would compose poems while he worked in the fields. On Sundays, he would travel into town and sell fruits and vegetables to students at the University of North Carolina. Eventually, they started paying him to write romantic poetry. Eventually, his work was published in papers and he was earning enough money to pay his master for his time so he could write full-time. This made George happy, but he still dreamed of his freedom. Pre Civil War events made it impossible for George to continue writing. Many people tried to buy his freedom, but his owner would not accept their offers. Finally, with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, at the age of 66, George was a free man, free to continue his love of words and poetry.
Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle
Accelerated Reading Level: 4.2
Guided Reading Level: L
This true story of a Chinese-African-Cuban girl living in Cuba who wants to learn to drum on conga drums. This is not something girls are allowed to do in the 1930s. Despite the continual "no" from her father whenever she requested lessons, the girl finds a way to get lessons from a music teacher and then after lots of practicing she creates an all girl band. Eventually, they go on to be famous. I liked this book, but wished that the author had included the musician's name, Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, before the after note at the end of the book. This book might pair well with a writing assignment where students explain what they are passionate about and how they are working to improve their skills.
Accelerated Reading Level: 4.5
George was born a slave in the South. He was a boy who loved words more than anything and despite the dangers, taught himself how to read and write. If that were not remarkable enough, George would go on to become the first published slave in the North Carolina. He would compose poems while he worked in the fields. On Sundays, he would travel into town and sell fruits and vegetables to students at the University of North Carolina. Eventually, they started paying him to write romantic poetry. Eventually, his work was published in papers and he was earning enough money to pay his master for his time so he could write full-time. This made George happy, but he still dreamed of his freedom. Pre Civil War events made it impossible for George to continue writing. Many people tried to buy his freedom, but his owner would not accept their offers. Finally, with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, at the age of 66, George was a free man, free to continue his love of words and poetry.
Accelerated Reading Level: 4.2
Guided Reading Level: L
This true story of a Chinese-African-Cuban girl living in Cuba who wants to learn to drum on conga drums. This is not something girls are allowed to do in the 1930s. Despite the continual "no" from her father whenever she requested lessons, the girl finds a way to get lessons from a music teacher and then after lots of practicing she creates an all girl band. Eventually, they go on to be famous. I liked this book, but wished that the author had included the musician's name, Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, before the after note at the end of the book. This book might pair well with a writing assignment where students explain what they are passionate about and how they are working to improve their skills.
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