Showing titles in Biographical Fiction

It’s a hot summer day and New York City is buzzing like a hive of eager honeybees. From Riis Beach to the Flower District, into the West Village and over to the Brooklyn Museum, folks young and old embrace the resolute and love-filled spirit of icon activist Marsha P. Johnson in all that they do.

Tomie invites listeners to share in his childhood memories as he prays for his brand-new baby sister to get over pneumonia and finally learns to read.

Who is your hero? Isabella's include US astronaut Sally Ride, activist Rosa Parks, and sharpshooter Annie Oakley - but there's no bigger hero than Isabella's own mommy! Join Isabella on an adventure of discovery - and find out how imagining to be these extraordinary women teaches her the importance of being her extraordinary self.

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.

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.

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.

The author of over 200 books, Caldecott Medal winner Jane Yolen is beloved for her delightful children's stories. This Junior Library Guild Selection chronicles the life of Danish poet Hans Christian Andersen. Growing up poor, Hans struggles to bring his artistic vision to the world. In time, he became world-renowned, most especially for the wondrous fairy tales he so vividly imagined.

Grace Darling nearly drowned when she was eight years old, leaving her with a fear of boats and the sea. But it’s a fear she has to overcome as the daughter of a lighthouse keeper, living on the Longstone Rock with her parents, four brothers, three sisters and her beloved dog, Happy. Losses at sea bring shadows to an otherwise idyllic childhood, but everything Grace learns growing up on the coast is put to the test in 1838, when The Forfarshire is wrecked on the Harcar Rock, and she has to row out through the storm to the rescue.

A 10-year-old girl discovers she has a learning disability. Walk with her as she begins to notice her peers can do things she can't. Will this new information send her spiraling? Cheer her on, as she reaches for her dreams no matter how far away they now seem. Diary of a Dyslexic Homeschooler promotes empathy through understanding and strives to remind all of us of the person behind the label.

The story of Miss Honey Bunny is inspired by the true-life adventures of a very real and beloved dog. She will steal your heart and leave your child wanting to hear or read more. Book One of this adventure series lets the listener get lost in the woods alongside Miss Honey Bunny. It follows her story of being found by a friendly stranger, then adopted to a new family with plenty of mischief along the way.

When she grew up, she became Harriet Tubman, the courageous and heroic woman who helped hundreds of slaves escape to freedom through the Underground Railroad. But she was just a little girl for a while - and this is her story. Minty, short for Araminta, was a feisty and headstrong young slave whose rebellious spirit often got her into trouble. She told stories to her doll, released animals from traps, and above all, dreamed of running away. When her father began to teach her the skills necessary for escape, she listened carefully and learned....

Italy, the late 80s. Leda is a bookish 10-year-old tomboy. Her life turns upside down when shady Nico moves to the North from Sicily. Determined not to let the bully ruin her life, Leda is dragged through a tornado of adventures that will transform both kids in the face of first crushes, weird adults, and family drama... This humorous and insightful coming of age tale will show you the Italy you never imagined, an exhilarating mix of sensuality, religion, and superstition set against the gorgeous backdrop of the serene countryside, the Alps, and the enchanting Island of Sardinia.

Meg Pickel’s older brother, Orion, has disappeared. One night, Meg steals out to look for him and makes two surprising discoveries: She stumbles upon a séance that she suspects involves Orion, and she meets the author Charles Dickens, also unable to sleep and roaming the London streets.

He won't let the children play in his garden. What can give him a change of heart?

This Splash Read collection includes three historical fiction short stories about Ulysses S. Grant. While Splash Read stories are enjoyed by kids of all ages, they were written to facilitate a conversation between a child and parent, or student and teacher. Each story introduces an influential person from history. Stories discuss life skills, challenges, problem-solving, and important issues.

Let’s learn from the story of Sir Frederick Banting, who was never satisfied with knowledge. It was Sir Frederick who first mentioned a bodily substance that might be the cure for diabetes. He spent years looking for an answer until he, together with his lab partners, discovered insulin. Sir Frederick’s story is that of an unrelenting pursuit for knowledge. Listen to his story today.

Itzhak is a young teen in Hungary when the Nazis barge into his home one day and force him and his family to leave everything behind and get on a train to a concentration camp. When Itzhak is separated from his entire family, he is left feeling scared and alone. With no one to talk to and no one to look after him, Itzhak knows that he will have to be strong—and very brave—to survive the war and be reunited with his family. But can he manage to do it on his own?

King Lear has decided to retire from his royal duties. He calls his three daughters and asks each to tell him how much they love him. The eldest two, Goneril and Regan, flatter him with their words. Cordelia the youngest, only says that she loves him as a daughter must love her father. Furious, he disinherits her and divides his kingdom between her two sisters. But Goneril and Regan soon turn against Lear.

Alicia Alonso was born to dance. Her first big role came when she was only 10 years old, and she knew right then that she was going to be a ballerina one day. Only a few years later, she moved from Cuba to the United States to fulfill her dreams. As she danced, however, Alicia began to have trouble seeing. She was quickly going blind. How could a ballerina dance on stage if she couldn't see where she was going? Alicia worried. But she wouldn't let it stop her.

It isn't how fast you get someplace, but what you do along the way: That's the philosophy behind the is story, inspired by Thoreau's Walden, about two friends who agree to meet thirty miles away in Fitchburg. Henry elects to take a very long nature walk while his friend chooses to work to earn his train fare.