Challenge with History

I must confess that when I was in middle and high school, I didn’t love history. In fact, I clearly remember one teacher telling my parents that I was there only to visit with my friends. (Sorry, Mr. Squires.) I realize now that if our content had consisted of picture books, I would have excelled.

Charlotte Mason, a renowned 19th-century educator, believed children should learn history by lingering over the story of a single person, and that a really good story about someone from the past informs the mind, captures the imagination, and helps us become more empathetic.

I thought about that as I added Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks by Suzanne Slade to my Goodreads account. I had never heard of Gwendolyn before I got the book from the library, but now she feels as real and as important as my neighbors.

If you want your students to be challenged, moved, and inspired by people in history, the following will get you started. This list comprises the titles from my Goodreads biographies shelf that I liked most. If you have a great library system, put them on hold to see which ones best match the age and interests of your students. Then let the illustrations enrich their eyes and the beautiful language satisfy their minds and souls.

Get the list of Biographies to Challenge and Inspire!

And if that isn’t enough, wait until you see this amazing free resource! Read Aloud Revival has gathered a huge list of picture book biographies, and they are organized by time period and category! In addition to centuries, you’ll find fascinating people under

• Artists,
• Athletes,
• Inventors and Explorers,
• Musicians,
• Scientists and Mathematicians,
• U.S. History, and
• Writers

View them online or print the list, which includes tips and open-ended questions. Happy reading!