Staff Picks Youth Biographies
January 2022
Who was the Girl Warrior of France?: Joan of Arc
by Sarah Winifred Searle
A new Who HQ Graphic Novels series tells the story of Joan of Arc. The set-up of this series are dialogue-driven panel art interspersed with short historical informational pages. Joan of Arc’s faith and determination are needed in her challenging journey to help end the Hundred Years War between England and France.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Biographies
August 2021
A Girl Named Rosita: The Story of Rita Moreno: Actor, Singer, Dancer, Trailblazer!
by Anika Aldamuy Denise
Rosita Dolores Alverio, a girl who loves to sing and dance for anyone who will watch her. This is the story of Rita Moreno, from her childhood days in Puerto Rico to her rise to stardom. An inspiring picture book biography that portrays her experiences from migration to perseverance, belonging, talent, and triumph. Rita Moreno is a Latina trailblazer and one of only six women with four awards for the arts known as EGOT (an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony). She continues to be an influential voice that sparks determination and activism. Leo Espinosa’s beautiful illustrations are vibrant and captivating. Rita’s iconic lilac dress in this book will be as memorable for the young readers as for those who have seen her unforgettable Oscar-winning performance in “West Side Story”. This is a great choice for a read-aloud that can be paired with video clips of Rita’s “West Side Story” performance and her Oscar acceptance moment.
Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Biographies
Becoming RBG
by Debbie Levy
This graphic novel biography clearly outlines the outstanding life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Beginning with her birth, the author details her rise, through law school and various jobs, to the Supreme Court of the United States of America.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Biographies
June 2021
Out of School and Into Nature: The Anna Comstock Story
by Suzanne Slade
This is a beautiful picture book biography about Anna Comstock. Not many people have heard of her but she was a nature lover, scientist, artist, educational reformer, and author who produced amazing works of art. She revolutionized how students learn about nature insisting on students going outside and having hands on experience. She was also Cornell University’s first female professor. She did her work during a time period when women weren’t taken seriously, but through hard work and determination she took major steps in advancing women’s rights and careers. This picture book is perfect for little nature lovers and their parents.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Youth Biographies
March 2021
It’s Trevor Noah: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood
by Trevor Noah
Comedian, Trevor Noah, describes his childhood in shocking detail. From having to distance himself from his white father to an abusive stepfather to the fierce love provided by his mother, Noah tells his story with both humor and pathos. This book is available in the library and on OverDrive as an ebook.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Biographies
February 2021
Song in a Rainstorm: The Story of Musical Prodigy Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins
by Glenda Armand
When Thomas was born blind to slaves, his mother was not going to let that determine his fate. She and others soon found out that he had an affinity for music and could recreate the sounds of rainstorms or trains on the piano. He gave his first concert at six years old and was the first black person to play for a president. His abilities were amazing as he wowed crowds in America and Europe by playing any song, sometime even sitting backwards at the piano and using opposite hands to play the song.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Youth Biographies
One Step Further: My Story of Math, the Moon, and a Lifelong Mission
by Katherine Johnson
An empowering narrative about a young girl who counted everything, even her steps, as her lifelong love of mathematics led her to become part of the team that helped John Glenn circle the Earth and land men on the moon, one step for mankind. Her perseverance and abilities enabled her to overcome the prejudices of the 1960’s against African-Americans and women in the work force and be part of the civil rights movement for herself and her daughters.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Biographies
Kate’s light: Kate Walker at Robbins Reef Lighthouse
by Kate Kaird
A biography of one of the first women lighthouse keepers on the Eastern seaboard. Immigrating from Germany, Kate met and married a man who became the lighthouse keeper on Robbins Reef in New York Harbor. She became the assistant lighthouse keeper as she helped keep the light burning at night and rescuing people from floundering ships. After her husband’s death she convinced the Lighthouse Board that she could do the job alone, which she did for 34 years.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Biographies
December 2020
Infinite Hope: A Black Artist’s Journey from World War II to Peace
by Ashley Bryan
Ashley Bryan, an artist, storyteller and writer, tells the story of his service in World War II. This autobiography includes many of his letters home and much of his art produced during those years.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Biographies
Breaking the Ice: The True Story of the First Woman to Play in the National Hockey League
by Angie Bullaro
At the age of 5, Manon played goalie for her father’s team in Canada. She went on to become the first woman to play in the Pee-Wee tournament, Junior hockey league, and on an NHL team, the Tampa Bay Lightning. As times changed from the 1970s and more women played hockey, she was also a member of the 1998 first women’s hockey team in the Olympics playing for Team Canada.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Biographies
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