Biographies of Leaders in Black History

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport

The author mixes her retelling of Dr. King's life with quotes from Dr. King.  Dr. King lived a life of courage, and his words are an inspiration to people even today. Add the amazing artwork of Bryan Collier and you have one of the best picture book biographies available about Dr. King.  This book brings Dr. King's life and story alive for children of today. Recommended by Rachel and Sarah.

For more biographies on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., go to the Book Nuts Martin Luther King Day page.

Medicine and Science

Ben Carson: A Today's Heroes Biography by Gregg and Deborah Shaw Lewis.

When he was a kid, Ben Carson was called "Dummy" and almost killed a friend with a knife.  He is now one of the best neurosurgeons in the world. (A neurosurgeon is a doctor who operates on people's brains.)  Find out how Ben went from being the class dummy and using a knife as a weapon to being a world famous neurosurgeon who uses a knife to save lives in this fascinating and exciting book.

Dr. Carson has a website where you can find out more about his Carson Scholar's program and his Think Big philosophy.  Check it out and remember to THINK BIG! A note to parents, Dr. Carson's story is an inspiring one for all ages.   His autobiography Gifted Hands is an excellent read for adults and older students.  If you have a younger child reading Ben Carson: A Today's Heroes Biography, read Gifted Hands along with him/her and discuss what you read together.

Find Where the Wind Goes by Dr. Mae Jemison

Mae Jemison is an amazing woman.  She has a degree in chemical engineering.  She is a medical doctor and has been a member of the Peace Corps Medical Officer.  She also was the first woman of color to become an astronaut and fly in space.  In this book, Dr. Jemison tells her life story, the struggles she had to go through as a black woman to succeed in professions dominated by men.  A must read for any girl!

Civil Rights

A Picture Book of Rosa Parks by David A. Adler. Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white patron on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama.   When you read this book,  you learn that ordinary people can change the world.  Mrs, Rosa's simple act of defiance helped to launch the Civil Rights Movement in America, and she is remembered today as the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement.

If  a Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks by Faith Ringgold Celebrated author and artist Faith Ringgold tells the story of Rosa Parks and the birth of the Civil Rights Movement in this unique picture book biography.  In this book, the bus tells how Mrs.Rosa courageously stood up for her rights as a human being in spite of laws that tried to deny her those rights.  This book shows that one person can make a difference in the world.