Helen Keller by Libby Romero

 This DK Life Stories series is for middle grade, and brings inspiring story of Helen Keller who was the first blind and deaf person to graduate from college. 

Helen was born on June 27, 1880 in Tuscumbia, Alabama. She was eighteen months when she got sick and lost her sight and hearing. She made up her own signs to communicate but besides that it was very frustrating for her to communicate. She was miserable and throwing tantrums every day. 

The parents hired a private teacher, Anne Sullivan, who graduated as the best student at Perkins Institute for the Blind in Boston. It was challenging to teach words to someone who was blind and deaf, but one day Anne took Helen to water pump. As Helen held mug in one hand under the pump, the cold water rushed down. At the same time, Anne spelled water in Helen’s other hand. That day, Helen learned 30 new words.

Anne taught Helen how to use braille, a code with raised letters. So she could read with her fingers. Her education progressed to studying different subjects and languages. She also practiced speech which was very challenging for her. 

Further, she continued her education at different schools. It was her dream to attend Radcliffe, and she did, where she also was encouraged to write an autobiography. After graduating, and the book becoming an international bestseller, she decided to become a professional author.

But her following books didn’t do as well. When she was tight on money, she decided to travel the country and give lectures, which became a huge success. 

Then, came a movie offer about her life. Then, a new opportunity to become fundraiser for the blind organization. She won many awards. She died at the age of eighty-seven.

This biography demonstrates a woman who defied the odds; her adversity strengthened her determination to go to college. As a result she is remembered as an inspirational symbol of strength.

This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences and enriched with insightful inserts.

The illustrations are very peculiar with distorted bodies. The book carries also real photographs, which I prefer over illustrations.

Published in 2019 by DK Children

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Adversity is to Strengthen Your Determination

 

Traits:

·         She didn’t let her disadvantage stop her from following her dream

·         She persisted in everything she did even if it was a struggle

·         She proved that even with being disadvantaged you can achieve great things

 

“Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” – Helen Keller

Who Was Charlie Chaplin? by Patricia Brennan Demuth

 Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade brings incredible man – Charlie Chaplin - a stage performer who rose to the top in the movie industry becoming the highest paid actor of his time.

Charles Spencer Chaplin (1889-1977) was born in London. Both of his parents were entertainers and performed in music halls. At five, Charlie had his first chance of performing on stage.

Charlie and his brother Sydney went through workhouse due to their father abandoning them and mother being hospitalized.

Charlie went through street dancing, clog dancing, then acting in theater. In theater, he did so well that in 1910, he got an offer to go to America on a tour.

He did so well in America that in 1913, he got an offer to make movies. Charlie always acted on stage, being in front of a camera was something new.

He took his chance. In California, at the costume room, he picked everything that was a contradiction: baggy pants, tight coat, small hat, and the large shoes. The final touch was a small black mustache and a cane. He was natural at creating funny scenes: tripping over a lady’s foot and apologizing to a hat. He crafted one of the most famous characters after just 5 days in the movies.

With his popularity growing, he got a deal to both direct and star in his films which gave him freedom to create characters he was interested in.

In 1916, he became the highest paid person in America, and probably the world. He’d gone from rags to riches, and above all remained a humble human being to the very end.

Charlie continued to break the rules by following his instincts. Building his own studio and joining United Artists gave him the freedom to create what he wanted, which was to make longer, more dramatic films. He created masterpieces and was called a genius.

In 1975, he was knighted. He went from being the street waif to Sir Charlie Chaplin.

This biography exemplifies a man who used his talent to purse it and became very successful at it; even at the top of his game, he continuously learned his business. And with following his instincts, he created “motion pictures the art form of the century.

This is one of my favorite biographies which is touching and tear-dropping.

This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences and enriched with insightful inserts.

Published in 2016 by Penguin Workshop

 

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Break Rules in Positive Impactful Way  

 

Traits:

·         He took risks

·         He created unforgettable character

·         He followed his heart in creating characters that resonated with him but weren’t popular at the time (this is part of industries putting limitations on what to create, which continues to be done in present time)

·         He broke rules in positive impactful way

·         He never stopped learning his trade

·         He was humble to the very end

 

“You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.” - Aristotle

Who Was Alexander the Great? by Robin Waterfield

 Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade brings the fearless man - Alexander the Great - who conquered most of the known world, and became known as one of the greatest generals ever.

Alexander was born in 356 BC in Macedon, north of ancient Greece. He received a fine education, and grew up with a belief that he could conquer the world.

At the time, the Persians had the greatest empire in the world. They conquered many Greek cities. It was Alexander’s goal to free those Greeks from Persian rule.

Alexander was twenty when his father was killed. He became King Alexander III of Macedon.

Now, as a king, he carried his goal of conquering Persia. After the fights, he visited the hospital tent where he visited the wounded soldiers and thanked them for their bravery. The soldiers loved him for his caring nature.

After conquering Persia, the soldiers thought of going back home, but Alexander wanted to conquer more lands. And he did, but it all came to an end on June 10, 323 BC. He was thirty-two when he died. It is not known if it was poisoning as some officers were plotting against him as there was no end to his conquests or if it was possibly due to complications from previous wound.

He fought for twelve years, became known as Alexander the Great, because he did so much and so quickly. But after his death there was no one to lead all the lands he conquered. His generals began to fight for power. At the end, three leaders became kings.

This biography demonstrates a man who was a true victor, who from young age knew that he wanted to conquer the world.

Most of the story is about his conquests. He was such a smart man. One of his teachers was Aristotle. It would be interesting to learn more about his schooling time and how it shaped him.

This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences and enriched with insightful inserts.

Published in 2016 by Penguin Workshop

TRENDING INSPIRATION: He Was Ambitious and Driven

Traits:

·          He was very ambitious and driven

·         He had goals

·         He was caring and mindful of others (at least at first, later it's questionable)

·         He was constantly conquering and not listening to others, possibly led to his poisoning  

 

"The cave you fear to enter, holds the treasure you seek." - Joseph Campbell

“There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” – Alexander the Great

“Remember upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all.” – Alexander the Great

“For my own part, I would rather excel in knowledge of the highest secrets of philosophy than in arms.” – Alexander the Great

A Stroll with Mr. Gaudi by Pau Estrada

 This biography brings a fascinating character namely Antoni Gaudi, one of the most renowned architects.

Antoni Gaudi i Cornet (1852-1926) was born in a coastal city south of Barcelona. He was a good student but he said that nature was his best teacher. At school, he quickly distinguished himself with his original designs. The dean of the faculty of architecture said: “I don’t know if we have before us a genius or a madman.”

Shortly after beginning his professional career, he received an offer to continue the work of a church – the Sagrada Familia. The project is still under construction many years after his death. He created many other structures as well as furniture and interiors.

He never married and had no interest in fame or fortune. His life was dedicated to his work. He was said to be stubborn but he was considerate to his collaborators and workers. He always encouraged them to do their best.

In 1878, Gaudi met Eusebi Guell, a young entrepreneur and the son of one of the richest families in Spain. Guell became Gaudi’s patron and friend.

The story of Gaudi illustrates a man who believed in his creations even when no one else did. People complained about curved walls and ceilings which were unpractical. They couldn’t furnish such place or hang a picture. Guell respected Gaudi’s architecture but he himself wasn’t sure if he liked this strange architecture. It seems as all others felt the same way, they respected Gaudi but didn’t truly like his creations during his lifetime. Now, his architecture is a major attraction of Barcelona.

Guell commissioned Gaudi to design Park Guell which was supposed to be a garden city. This residential estate to be was a failure. Later, the park was donated to the city, and became a big success.

Gaudi was unconventional with his projects which he didn’t sketch on paper. He related it with three dimensional structures. He would often change his project on the spur of the moment.

This story also portrays a man who didn’t care about his own exterior appearance but had deep appreciation for interior and exterior of buildings. When he strolled the streets of Barcelona, deep in his thought, some people moved away from him as they thought he might be a beggar.

He was careless with other things, too. When he rushed from one place to another while crossing the streets, he didn’t pay attention to his surroundings. He died after being run over by a tram.

This touching story demonstrates a man who was authentic and stood by what he believed in even when others didn’t. It’s puzzling and intriguing to think that he was careless with his own appearance but very detail-oriented when it came to his creations. Nevertheless, he is certainly someone to admire. He created one of the most amazing if not the most amazing architecture ever.

The audience for this book is 6 years old and up.

Published in 2013 by Editorial Juventud

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Let Nature Inspire You

 

Traits:

·         Nature was his greatest teacher

·         He was said to be stubborn but at the same time considerate with his collaborators which is possible

·         He encouraged others to do their best

·         His architecture was seen as strange during his lifetime; despite that he still believed in it and dedicated his life to his unique work

·         He continuously improved his designs even while they were built

 

 

“No wealth can ever make a bad man at peace with himself.” – Plato

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” – T.S. Eliot

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill

 

Who Was Mother Teresa? by Jim Gigliotti

 Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade brings incredible woman – Mother Teresa, a Roman Catholic religious sister who tended to the poor of India and became the beloved missionary by millions.

Agnes Bojaxhiu was born on August 26, 1910 in Skopje, now capital of Macedonia, north of Greece. The family was Albanian. She grew up in atmosphere where father told stories from his travels at a table where other people sat; people that Agnes didn’t know. Later, she discovered they were the poorest people in Skopje. Agnes learned early on to help the needy.

At Sacred Heart, Agnes helped the priests, and that’s where she learned about Catholic Missions. She loved the stories of people traveling to faraway places to help people in need.

At eighteen, she made up her mind to become a missionary nun. She received her mother’s support, but her brother Lazar, military officer, wasn’t as understanding. He claimed – how could she give up everything.

Agnes responded, “Lazar, you say that you are important because you are an officer serving the king of two million people. But I am serving the King of the whole world!”

Agnes was accepted to Loreto Order in Calcutta, India. When she took her first vows, she became Sister Teresa, known for simplicity and practicality.

For the next sixteen years, she taught the girls at St. Mary’s. Then, she took over the Mother Superior’s duties and became Mother Teresa.

She loved teaching but Loreto was a place of cloistered nuns, and she knew what was going on outside the convent walls. Then, she heard her next calling to live and work among the poor.

After receiving permission from the Catholic Church, in 1948, she walked out of Loreto Convent into the slums of Motijhil. Then, more nuns followed in her footsteps.

While helping the poor, she encountered many obstacles but she refused to take no for an answer. The word about her work spread outside India.

She received many awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. It was for her work “in bringing help to suffering humanity.”

She worked until her last days. She said, “She had all eternity to rest.” She died at the age of eighty-seven.

She was an ordinary woman who with her great love and compassion for another human being became an extraordinary saint.

This biography is a touching and tear-dropping story of an incredible woman who never sought fame. Instead, others started seeking her story due to her charitable work.

This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences and enriched with insightful inserts.

Published in 2015 by Penguin Workshop

 

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Give a Helping Hand

 

Traits:

·         She followed her heart’s calling

·         She didn’t chase fame and status

·         She chased love and compassion for another human being

 

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” – Mother Teresa

 

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” – Mother Teresa

 

“Peace begins with a smile.” – Mother Teresa

 

“We fear the future because we are wasting today.” – Mother Teresa

 

“Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” – Mother Teresa

 

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” – Mother Teresa

 

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” – Mother Teresa

 

“A life not lived for others is not a life.” – Mother Teresa

 

“I prefer you to make mistakes in kindness than work miracles in unkindness.” – Mother Teresa

 

“If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.” – Mother Teresa

Chopin: Prince of the Romantics by Adam Zamoyski

 This biography of Fryderyk Chopin reveals a man of many layers who above all stayed authentic to his style and didn’t follow the crowd.

Chopin’s life (1810-1849) was shaped by wars, and with his native country being partitioned. In order not to lose the Polish identity, some people became very patriotic and that influenced Chopin and what he composed. His music reflected the love for his country, despite spending almost half of his life in France, his father’s country.

This biography reveals many interesting things about Chopin, some even surprising. Chopin was of weak health and delicate stature. Despite that whatever he did in his life he did it with gusto, full of energy. He wasn’t someone who wanted to lie in bed unless he wasn’t able to walk. Otherwise, he was a very social person, who enjoyed his evenings out. But those were meaningful evenings. They were filled with music and conversations on different topics involving literature, politics, philosophy, and more.

This most enjoyable biography is written with details, but not overwhelming the beautiful flow of Chopin’s story. This book is a very pleasant journey in which we get to know a man who was allowed to develop his own style in his early age, and followed his natural instinct. To the end, he stayed true to his own style. The style of delicate key touching, and not key pounding. Even when he tried to disguise himself with a different name, once he started playing, people knew right away what his real name was. It is a remarkable story of an extraordinary man who was forced into exile, but continued to introduce his genius to the world. Truly impressive and inspiring story.

Published in 2011 by HarperPress

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Be Inspired by Nature

Traits:

·         Be authentic

·         Create your own style

·         Create from the heart

·         Follow your instincts

·         Connect with nature which inspired many including Chopin. He was most creative in nature, then rushed home to write down the composition that came to him.

·         Whatever you do, do it with energy, passion, gusto

·         Socialize with meaningful purpose

"We become what we give our attention to." - Epictetus

Who Was Salvador Dali? by Paula K. Manzanero

 Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade brings the flamboyant figure of Salvador Dali who was an influential surrealist artist, a fashionable man known for his iconic mustache and unique sense of style.

Salvador Dali was born on May 11, 1904 in Figueres, Spain, close to French border. He didn’t have interest in school. Instead, he daydreamed of creating something artistic. He dressed in blue sailor suits to school. From young age, he liked being different and creating his own image.

When he was eight, his family moved to a big house where Salvador created his art studio in the attic. A family friend Ramon Pichot, an impressionist painter, became his mentor.

In 1922, he began Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid. Salvador experimented with different styles. Yet, he had a great appreciation for the old masters. He spent a lot of time at Prado Museum, studying the paintings.

Steadily his work became recognized. After an exhibit in the US, he became very popular in New York.

Salvador continued to experiment with his art style, and never stopped learning the art history. In Italy, he studied the great masters of Renaissance.

At the age of thirty-four, he became one of the wealthiest painters in the world.

When WWII broke out, he moved to the US for eight years. After the war, he returned to Spain. By then, he already parted with surrealism. Then, his paintings became more spiritual and religious. He also became interested in science and history, and began painting large paintings of historical scenes.

In early 1960s, Salvador along with Pablo Picasso were the best known painters in the world. “His quest to be different allowed him to become one of the most recognizable people in the world – and one of the greatest artists of all time.”

This biography exemplifies a man who never stopped learning his own art, continuously experimented, and evolved as an artist with his unique style and personification.

This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences and enriched with insightful inserts.

Published in 2023 by Penguin Workshop

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Be Creative and Never Stop Learning

Traits:

·         Be unique

·         Be creative

·         Search for mentors to help you better yourself

·         Despite his artistic talent and new approach, he studied old masters

·         Never stop learning

·         Continue to experiment in your creativity

"Logic will get you from A to Z. Imagination will get you anywhere." - Albert Einstein