Britannica Beginner Bios
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(1)
William Shakespeare
Playwright and Poet
by Daniel E. Harmon
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
The "bard of Avon," as he is remembered, earned popularity and fortune during his lifetime more than four hundred years ago. Today, William Shakespeare is more famous than ever. He wrote or cowrote thirty-eight stage comedies, tragedies, and historical dramas. He also penned many romantic poems. Some of the world's best-known literary quotations come from his writings. Young readers will discover why many historians consider him the greatest playwright of all time.
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(4)
Hillary Clinton
America's Most Influential Female Politician
by Jeff Mapua
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
Influential lawyer, first lady of Arkansas and then the United States, senator for New York, and U.S. secretary of state-Hillary Clinton has been an influential figure in American politics for over three decades. This biography aimed at the lower elementary market presents Hillary's achievements and policies in a simple, easy-to-grasp manner. If her history proves anything, she'll remain a key political figure in the years to come. Hillary Clinton just released her memoir Hard Choices, and many consider her to be the frontrunner for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination-making a biography that explains her platform to lower elementary readers key in the coming years.
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(4)
Nelson Mandela
Nobel Peace Prize-Winning Champion for Hope and Harmony
by Tracey Baptiste
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
Imprisoned for twenty-seven years for protesting against South Africa's system of apartheid, Nelson Mandela was elected the nation's first black president and became known as one of the greatest world leaders in recent memory. His work to end apartheid and unify the people of South Africa has influenced campaigns for human rights around the world. This biography profiles his long, remarkable life, beginning with his boyhood, education, and early involvement with the African National Congress. Young readers will be inspired by Mandela's extraordinary courage, leadership, and capacity for forgiveness.
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(0)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Musical Prodigy and Composer
by Laura Loria
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
Introduce young readers to one of history's greatest composers. They will enjoy tracing Mozart's life from his childhood touring Europe as a musical prodigy through his years in Italy, Salzburg, and Vienna. They'll learn about his struggles for independence and his musical innovation. The title touches on the composition of operas, liturgical music, symphonies, concertos, and more. Mozart's enduring popularity and the significant influence he had on the composers who followed him are also discussed. A timeline helps readers understand the chronology of events discussed in the book.
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(0)
Malala Yousafzai
by Heather Moore Niver
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
The courageous, determined Malala Yousafzai, who became an internationally recognized advocate for the education of women and girls, survived an assassination attempt and won the Nobel Peace Prize, all while she was still in her teens. Young readers will be engaged by Yousafzai's incredible story. They'll also learn how important her parents' support has been to the young activist and will develop a better understanding of the culture in which Yousafzai was raised. The world can always use more positive female role models, and Yousafzai's youth and forthrightness make her especially accessible to young readers. A real asset to any collection.
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(0)
Kate DiCamillo
Newbery Medal-Winning Author
by Therese Shea
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
Afflicted with chronic pneumonia as a child, Kate DiCamillo found solace in books and dreamed of becoming a writer. Her first book, Because of Winn-Dixie, the story of a lonely girl and her dog, resonated with audiences and earned DiCamillo a Newbery Honor. A later book, The Tale of Despereaux, won her the Newbery Medal. DiCamillo has written many more stories, some of which have been adapted to film, and has won many more major awards for her work. Readers will learn about a cherished author and about the value of perseverance.
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(5)
Steve Jobs
Visionary of the Digital Revolution
by Christine Honders
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
Apple is a famous brand name, and the imagination and forward thinking behind its success owes a large debt to Steve Jobs. This informational biography offers insight into the life of Steve Jobs, beginning with his early curiosity about electronics and moving through his various innovations to his state-of-the-art technologies like iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers. Readers will learn about his rise to fame in the world of computers and technology, but this book also covers some of his less successful projects. Many readers will be inspired by Jobs's creativity and unwavering determination to develop exciting and striking, but easy-to-use, products.
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(1)
Vincent van Gogh
Master of Post-Impressionist Painting
by Jennifer Landau
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
This absorbing biography conveys the same passion and energy with which van Gogh painted his masterworks. From his birth in Zundert, the Netherlands and his work in his uncle's art gallery, to his art studies in The Hague and his first important work The Potato Eaters, readers experience the challenges that van Gogh encountered in his life and work. Most importantly, they are immersed in his vibrant, dynamic, and boldly colored masterpieces that are roiling with movement and emotion. Vocabulary and fact boxes provide readers with additional opportunities to engage their minds and satisfy their curiosity.
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(1)
Sitting Bull
by Jeff Mapua
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
Sitting Bull is an iconic figure in the history of Native American resistance to white settlement. This thorough lower-elementary-level biography paints the story of the famous Lakota chief's life. Sitting Bull's chronicle is presented in clear language, highlighting special terminology in pop-out Vocabulary Boxes. The text covers Sitting Bull's rise from a typical Lakota child to a fierce warrior chief and then contextualizes Sitting Bull's leadership within the history of U.S. advances on indigenous territories. Quick Fact sidebars reinforce the skill of connecting related information in two side-by-side texts. This fascinating biography will spur young readers to learn more.
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(2)
Thomas Alva Edison
Inventor and Entrepreneur
by Greg Roza
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
Most readers will recognize the name, but their information might be limited to Thomas Alva Edison's most famous inventions, including the light bulb, phonograph, and motion picture camera. This brief introductory biography introduces young readers to Edison's extraordinary life and brilliant mind. Beginning with his younger years, this book guides readers through his school and work experiences, highlighting his inspirations and other talents, such as salesmanship. An overview of his many later inventions make clear why he was called the "Wizard of Menlo Park" and has such a prominent place in history.
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(4)
Amelia Earhart
Aviation Pioneer
by Daniel E. Harmon
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
Amelia Earhart was queen of the skies at a time when airplanes dazzled the imagination. She was adventurous and daring. Earhart became the first woman pilot to cross the Atlantic Ocean, and she did it solo. She flew across the United States and returned, alone. She soloed halfway across the Pacific. She set many flying records but none of that satisfied Earhart. In May 1937, she and her navigator took off from California on her final, epic flight. Their destination: around the world. This action-packed biography for young readers includes Vocabulary and Quick Fact boxes.
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(0)
Susan B. Anthony
Pioneering Leader of the Women's Rights Movement
by Barbra Penn
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
This biography takes a look at Anthony's upbringing in the Quaker church, her father's unusual stance for women's equality, and the historical events that molded her into one of the best-known suffragists. Though Anthonyﾒs life is portrayed in simple details geared toward younger readers, this book also shows her enthusiasm for womenﾒs rights and human rights, and her dedication to making the world a better place. The biography ends with Anthonyﾒs success in helping to win womenﾒs suffrage and her enduring legacy in the modern feminist movement.
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(14)
Rosa Parks
Heroine of the Civil Rights Movement
by Therese Shea
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
Young readers who may be unfamiliar with Rosa Parks will be inspired by this biography of the American hero and her part in sparking the Civil Rights Movement. Valuable historical information is provided as context for understanding the conditions African Americans were forced to endure before Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus. Parks continued to serve as a civil rights leader for the rest of her life, making sure her struggles were not forgotten, and today she is seen as a symbol for civil disobedience.
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(2)
Frederick Douglass
Abolitionist and Fighter for Equality
by Jason Porterfield
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
Frederick Douglass was one of the most pivotal figures in the abolitionist movement leading up to the Civil War and the end of slavery in the United States. Today, the self-taught author, speaker, publisher, and activist is revered as a pioneering African American civil rights leader. This engaging book for young readers follows the major events in Douglass's life, from his birth in slavery and escape to his involvement in the abolitionist movement and post, Civil War activist causes. Readers learn about his influence on later civil rights leaders and movements. Vocabulary and Quick Fact boxes present the reader with important terms and information.
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(12)
Mo Willems
Award-Winning Children's Author and Animator
by Paula Morrow
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
Few author-illustrators share Mo Willems' keen insight into the minds of young children. Dubbed the "master of the doodle, Willems inspires his readers to laugh and think, and perhaps most importantly, to express themselves creatively. Chronicling Willems' life and development as an illustrator and storyteller, this lively volume provides insight into his whimsical sensibility and demonstrates that hard work can be fun if you love what you do. In line with Common Core Standards, text features, including quick fact and vocabulary boxes, help readers quickly locate important information and allow them to approach Willems' works with new understanding and appreciation.
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(2)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Composer of the Classical and Romantic Eras
by Jeff Mapua
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
This comprehensive biography of one of history's greatest composers will bring Beethoven back to life for contemporary young readers. In addition to a biographical treatment of his life, a thorough assessment is made of Beethoven's musical stylings and developments-all in language suitable for upper-elementary-level readers. Eighteenth-century drawings coupled with modern photographs show readers Beethoven's world as it was during his lifetime and as it is today. Vocabulary boxes reinforce select on-topic words that may be unfamiliar to readers, while Quick Fact sidebars add interesting tidbits, encouraging readers to think beyond the text.
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(1)
Ada Lovelace
Mathematician and First Programmer
by Kristi Lew
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
Nearly one hundred years before the advent of the computer age, Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, published the first set of instructions intended to extract data from a machine. This accessible, engaging biography will introduce readers to the mathematician who is considered by many to be the world's first computer programmer. Readers follow Lovelace, the daughter of renowned romantic poet Lord Byron and his highly educated, analytical wife, Annabella, from her sickly childhood to her untimely death at age thirty-six. What emerges is a compelling portrait of a woman who overcame Victorian conventions to become a pioneer in computer science.
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(9)
Anne Frank
by Hope Killcoyne
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
The haunting account of the young Anne Frank and her tragically short life as a hidden Jewish fugitive during the Holocaust continues to deeply move and inspire readers, decades after she wrote what became The Diary of a Young Girl. This title, geared toward an upper-elementary-level readership, follows her early life before the outbreak of World War II, with an emphasis on her writings and experiences in hiding. Anne Frank's attempt to live and document a normal life in the face of great danger and adversity makes this an especially compelling title for young readers.
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(0)
Charles Darwin
Naturalist
by Alexandra Hanson-Harding
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
Charles Darwin lived in the Victorian era, a time of great change. Many people were debating how life on Earth began. In his twenties, Darwin went on a five-year sea voyage around the world. It shook up his ideas about how life evolved. His radical new insight, natural selection, was so controversial that he feared revealing it for more than twenty years. His classic, "On the Origin of Species," has been called the best science book ever written; it revolutionized biology. This book for young readers reveals the struggles that Darwin faced as he presented his powerful ideas to the world.
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(5)
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Children's Author
by Corona Brezina
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
Laura Ingalls Wilder's stories about growing up on the frontier have inspired and enthralled young readers for generations. "Little House on the Prairie," and her other books chronicled her experiences surviving on the nineteenth-century American frontier. This accessible biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder follows the real events of her life from her early childhood spent in a log cabin to her later years as an acclaimed author. Readers will be captivated by Wilder's determination and staunch spirit in overcoming obstacles in that bygone era. Vocabulary and fact boxes provide readers with additional opportunities to engage their minds and satisfy their curiosity.
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(2)
Leonardo da Vinci
Genius of the Italian Renaissance
by Justine Ciovacco
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
Young readers may have seen reproductions of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa and even some of his inventions, but there was much more to his genius. Leonardo was also a scientist and a sculptor. He loved the outdoors. This biography allows young readers to get to know Leonardo from his youth in the Italian countryside and then witness how his work as an adult won over noblemen and royalty who paid him for his art. Readers will be introduced to some of Leonardo's most famous and influential work and discover how it continues to influence today's art and science.
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(5)
Albert Einstein
by Alexandra Hanson-Harding
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
Albert Einstein's studies and findings are world renowned, and this beginner biography walks elementary readers through the life of one of history's most amazing scientists. With many color photos, the book details his early life and struggles in Germany. Readers will learn about Einstein's personal life in Germany and Italy. His major scientific achievements are clearly and simply explained, as are general physics terms. Readers will enjoy this lively life story and are apt to be inspired by Einstein's achievements and determination.
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(2)
Alexander Hamilton
America's First Treasury Secretary
by Susanna Keller
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
Although Alexander Hamilton recently recaptured the spotlight as the subject of a hit Broadway show, his role as one of the first and foremost interpreters of the U.S. Constitution means that his importance was never in doubt. This biography introduces readers to the exciting life, and dramatic death, of the man whose accomplishments include (though are hardly limited to) working as Washington's aide during the American Revolution, writing the majority of the Federalist Papers, serving as the first Secretary of the Treasury, and influencing the establishment of the two-party political system. Sidebars highlight key vocabulary terms or offer informative quick facts, which is a great resource for report-writing.
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(16)
Walt Disney
by Joseph Kampff
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
Everyone is familiar with Mickey Mouse, Mary Poppins, and Frozen, but do they know the man behind the mouse? Born to a humble family, young Walt loved drawing pictures and entertaining people. After an early career as an advertising illustrator, he opened his own animation production company. That set him on the path to creating trailblazing animation and live-action movies and creating the studio-not to mention theme parks-that would continue to entertain children and adults alike long after his death. Filled with interesting facts and authentic photographs, this beginner biography will inspire young readers to dream big and work hard.
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(4)
Dr. Seuss
by Jennifer Landau
Part of the Britannica Beginner Bios series
Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, is one of the most highly regarded children's book authors of all time. In this delightful biography, readers learn how Dr. Seuss created a world of imagination that entertained and educated children through books, rhymes, and hysterical drawings of strange creatures. His Green Eggs and Ham, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! and The Cat in the Hat are among the most popular, best-selling books internationally. Geisel won three Caldecott Honor Awards, and he was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for his contribution to the "education and enjoyment of America's children and their parents."
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