Showing titles in Biographical Fiction

Abraham Lincoln had to run the country, win the war and look after his family. When he was asked to honor the soldiers who died in the great battle of Gettysburg, he made time to say a few words about them too.

This is a most fitting tribute to a great man who proudly celebrated the history of African-Americans, from slavery to civil rights struggles.

The award-winning author/illustrator team of Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney - creators of the popular picture book "Alvin Ailey" - now present a swinging, vibrant audiobook about the jazz composer Edward Kennedy Ellington, better known as "Duke".

What if Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony sat down over tea to reminisce about their extraordinary lives? What would they recall of their triumphs and struggles as they fought to achieve civil rights for African Americans and equal rights for women? And what other historical figures played parts in their stories?

When Zora Neale Hurston and her best friend, Carrie Brown, discover that the town mute can speak after all, they think they’ve uncovered a big secret. But Mr. Polk’s silence is just one piece of a larger puzzle that stretches back half a century to the tragic story of an enslaved girl named Lucia. As Zora’s curiosity leads a reluctant Carrie deeper into the mystery, the story unfolds through alternating narratives.

Inspired by the life and lyrics of David Bowie, author-illustrator Jami Gigot imagines the story of a lonely young boy enchanted by the music of the stars - yet no one else can hear the shimmy-shake rhythm that moves through his body. At first misunderstood and ignored, David ultimately finds the courage to be true to himself, sparking a dazzling revolution.

In her debut book, Misty Copeland tells the story of a young girl - an every girl - whose confidence is fragile and who is questioning her own ability to reach the heights that Misty has reached. Misty encourages this young girl's faith in herself and shows her exactly how, through hard work and dedication, she, too, can become Firebird.

Listen to this fantastic coming-of-age graphic novel, "Words Tangled," which delves into the life of Sophie, a young girl dealing with the complexity of dyslexia and bilingualism. The story will carry you from the wymsical world of Germany to the incredible landscapes of America. Here, the desperate battle with words that turn Sophie to her love of numbers and patterns, and art creating a feeling of safety and control.

With a foreword by Dred Scott's great-grandson, Shelia P. Moses' stunning story chronicles Dred Scott's experiences as a slave, as a plaintiff in one of the most important legal cases in American history, and, at last, as a free man. Dred Scott's story is one of tremendous courage and fierce determination. His is a life that should be known by, and should inspire, all Americans.

There is a stranger in the hospital compound - his pockets brimming with money; his clothes brighter than the sunset…and Maradadi is as full of trouble as a scorpion. Will the staff be deceived by his charm and his smooth words of fame and fortune? As the Jungle Doctor fights an epidemic, that is sweeping the East African countryside like a whirlwind, he finds he must also fight the destructive influence of this evil intruder. Another thrilling adventure from Paul White based in Mvumi Hospital, Tanzania.

After Japanese planes bombed Pearl Harbor, over 100,000 Japanese Americans were ordered to leave their homes. The government was afraid that because they looked like “the enemy,” they might be spies. One American, librarian Clara Breed, was heartbroken and outraged. As the San Diego Public Library’s Children’s Librarian, Miss Breed was close to many of the children who were evacuated. She went to the train station the day they left, handing out postcards and telling them to send her letters.

Lotta ha quattro anni (e qualcosa). Ha un fratello, Jonas, e una sorella, Mia-Maria. E due genitori molto pazienti. Poi ha Orso, il maiale di pezza da cui non si separa mai, e una vicina di casa gentilissima, la signora Berg. E non basta, perché la piccola Lotta ha anche un mucchio di idee balzane: un giorno, per esempio, sparisce e va a casa della vicina, perché ormai è grande abbastanza per vivere da sola e la sua mamma è troppo cattiva.

From the world of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls comes the historical fiction novel about the exciting life and adventures of Ada Lovelace. In Ada Lovelace Cracks the Code, Ada uses her incredible imagination to dream up technology that could have jump-started the digital age nearly 200 years ago. In fact, she writes what will become the world's first programming language.

Petra Luna escaped the terror of the Mexican Revolution to come to America. Now that they are safe, Petra and her family can begin again in this country that promises so much. Still, twelve-year-old Petra knows that her abuelita, little sister, and baby brother depend on her to survive. She leads her family from a smallpox stricken refugee camp on the Texas border to the buzzing city of San Antonio, where they work hard to build a new life. And for the first time ever, Petra has a chance to learn to read and write.

Wangari lives in a magical place in rural Kenya where the soil is rich for planting, the trees abundant, and the nearby pond full of mysterious creatures. She drinks from cool, clean streams and plays beneath her favorite fig tree under her mother's watchful gaze. Then Wangari grows up and goes away to school, and things start changing at home. Farmers chop down the trees.

Ben Franklin loved to swim and, at the age of 11, he was determined to swim like a fish - fins and all! This fascinating and lively account of young Ben's earliest invention follows the budding scientist's journey as he tests and retests his swim fins. That first big splash led Ben to even more innovations and inventions.

In 1939 the Nazis invade Lodz, Poland, forcing four-year-old Syvia Perlmutter and 270,000 other Jews into a ghetto surrounded by barbed wire and guarded by armed men. Scared and confused, Syvia and the others have no idea how terrible their lives will soon be.

Did you know that Amelia Earhart built her own roller coaster before she was 10 years old? And what do you suppose happened to her while she was exploring a spooky cave and sledding down a steep, icy hill? Find the answers and share all of Amelia Earhart's childhood adventures in this volume of the Young Patriots Series.

Joy, a twelve-year-old trans girl, just moved to Texas with her mother and older brother. Her family has accepted Joy as the girl she is early in her transition, with little fuss, leaving Joy to explore her love of sports, competition, teamwork, school spirit, and worship. But when she is told she’s off the cheerleading team, Joy wants to fight for her right to cheer. As her battle with the school board picks up momentum, Joy attracts support from kids all around the country . . . she even gets the attention of her hero, trans activist Kai Shappley.

Since it first appeared in 1913, Pollyanna has become an enduring favorite with children. The tale of an orphan who maintains a strongly positive view of the world despite adversity has a strong affect on listeners of all ages, even in the 21st century - and especially when read with such warmth by Laura Lefkow.

George Rogers Clark was a famous general in the Revolutionary War, and his explorations served as the inspiration for his younger brother William, the leader of the famous Lewis and Clark expedition. Now you can read about the boyhood of Roger and share in the first adventures of this lifelong hero.