White Bear Montessori School

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Biographies in Contemporary Children’s Literature

Marnie McPherson

Biography books for children have come a long way from the dull accounts of people’s lives that many of us read when we were young. Today’s young readers are captivated by learning about other people, whether they be major historical figures or not. The art of the memoir has changed how we tell the story of a life, and that style of writing has slipped itself beyond just autobiographies and is also found in mainstream biographies.

 It would be impossible to list all the amazing books we would like to in this brief article, but please consider the list below to be a tiny slice of what is available. We have provided links for you to learn more about each title and sorted the books into distinct categories making it easier to find something suitable for readers of all ages.

 Picture Books (primary and lower elementary children)

Picture book biographies are incredible works of art. The illustrations are gorgeous, and the writing grabs the attention and wonder of young children and the adults who read to them. In these books, children can learn about important human perspectives at a developmentally appropriate level. This includes the tragedy of the Holocaust, thriving with a disability, working hard to achieve one’s goals, preservation of native culture, dedication to social justice, and more. There are countless beautiful books out there; here are just a few titles that have been recently published.

 Children’s Biographies (elementary and middle school children)

The first two books in this section of our list are appropriate for lower elementary-aged children, while the rest are middle grade fiction best suited to upper elementary and middle school.

 Just as with the picture books above, these cover a wide variety of important and interesting topics. They explore the lives of artists and their inspirations, living with a disability, how animals can make a profound impact on our lives, the complicated experience of living between two cultures, and life as a black child in the Jim Crow South.

 Graphic Novels (these titles are suitable for elementary children)

Graphic novels are appealing to children and may open doors for readers who may not be drawn to traditional books. Pictures help increase our understanding of context within a story, and graphic novels present literature in easier-to-consume “bites.” Accessibility is important, and getting kids to read, in whatever way works for them, is a wonderful thing.

 These three books happen to be about famous figures, but they have an enjoyable way of presenting biographical information to children in an interesting and memorable way.

 Young Adult Biographies (high school)

High school students are typically ready to consider heavier topics. They have a deep sense of justice and the motivation to make change. This makes it the perfect time to introduce them to how life is sometimes messy, complicated, and unfair.

 Themes include growing up black in America, immigration, war, surviving sexual assault, and being falsely accused and imprisoned. One of the books - Passport - is a graphic novel that details the author’s life growing up with parents who work for the CIA.