Who Was Louis Braille? by Margaret Frith

 Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade brings the inspiring figure of Louis Braille who invented the reading code for the blind that is still used today. His system of raised dots is called braille.

Louis Braille was born on January 4, 1809 in Coupvray, France. It was a small village north of Paris. Louis loved working with his father in the workshop. One day, while his father stepped away for a moment, Louis accidently pierced his eye with a sharp tool while trying to make a hole in a piece of leather. The infection spread to the second eye. By the age of four, he was completely blind.

His parents were determined for Louis to learn how to be useful. His father made an alphabet with nails attached to a board for Louis to learn all the letters.

At ten, Louis arrived at the school in Paris, which was the only school for blind children in France. He quickly made the use of the books at the library, which were written with raised letters. The problem was that they were large letters. So it was a tedious process to read a book.

When a new director was hired, he introduced a new reading system called “night writing.” The dots punched into heavy paper represented sounds that could form words, which formed sentences. The system of using sounds was hard to learn, but Louis persisted and found a new method which was easier and became implemented in classes.

In 1828, at nineteen, he graduated from the Institute. He was asked to stay as a student teacher. He gladly accepted and quickly became a beloved teacher.

Louis died at forty-three from tuberculosis. Two years after his death, his raised dot code became the official system in France for teaching the blind.

This biography is beautifully written, shedding light on a kind-hearted man who didn’t receive a credit for his invention during his lifetime. But that probably wasn’t his concern. What he cared about deeply were his students and how to improve their lives. He was a true hero for humanity.

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 2014 by Penguin Workshop

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Look for Solutions rather than Accept the Limits

Traits:

·         Be persistent in creating what you believe may serve the humanity

·         Be kind

·         Teach from the heart, so others benefit from your knowledge

·         Look for a way to improve someone else’s life

·         Look for solutions

·         Don’t accept limits 

"Powerful people impress and intimidate by saying less." - Robert Greene

Copernicus' Secret: How the Scientific Revolution Began by Jack Repcheck

  Copernicus’ approach to life is a great example for young readers to shape their minds, to think for themselves, instead of just following. He was good at navigating between what was given to him and how at the same time he still followed his dreams. Copernicus didn’t follow the path of advancement for higher positions within the church as his uncle was leading him in that direction. Instead, he created his own path, which led to one of the greatest advancements for humanity.

Copernicus’ Secret brings a brief biography of Copernicus, a man who revolutionized astronomy. He wasn’t the first one to observe that the Earth moves, but he was the first one to support the heliocentric theory with mathematical calculations.

He lived during a time, when it was a heresy to claim such thing that the Earth moves, when it was believed that the God created the Earth which was still at the center of the universe. Some claim that he was reluctant to publish his work as he was afraid of being prosecuted by Church. But others point that it was more of him being afraid of being ridiculed by some scholars who were staunched supporters of geocentric theory. Among them Martin Luther.

As Copernicus lived during the Renaissance, his story is flavored briefly with the time period of the great artists, voyages and discoveries. As well as the ruthless Teutonic Knights, who occupied the northern territory of Poland and caused many revolts. And there was also Martin Luther and the Reformation.

There are a few pages dedicated to other scholars, who took integral part in bringing the famous manuscript to publication. And it was also very interesting to read about those scholars.

It is a fascinating and quick read, which has a feel of a novel. No dry moments here.

Published in 2007 by Simon & Schuster

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Don't Follow the Path. Instead Create Your Own Trail.

Traits:

·         Think for yourself

·         Take what is given to you but find the way to use it to further your goal

·         Don’t follow the path chosen for you by someone else

·         Create your own path

·         Use your knowledge and skills for advancement of humanity

"What you DO speaks so loudly that I cannot hear a word of what you SAY." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Who Was Steve Jobs? by Pam Pollack and Meg Belviso

 Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade brings the intriguing figure of Steve Jobs who who changed the way the world communicates.

Steve Jobs was born on February 24, 1955. From childhood he liked putting things together. His curiosity led him to Hewlett-Packard’s Explorer Club where he took lectures in electronics; where he also met Steve Wozniak.

After High School, he convinced the dean of Reed College to attend the classes for free since he didn’t have money for tuition, but at the end he wouldn’t receive the degree. He stayed there for eighteen months.

In Steve’s parent’s garage, he worked with Wozniak on the Apple computer. They didn’t have the money for the parts to build the ordered computers. Steve was so good at persuading people that he got a credit for the parts.

Steve’s new company grew quickly, but he was a perfectionist, and a little thing off would send him into rage. He became known as difficult to work with. As he worked on Macintosh, it turned out people weren’t as interested in personal computers as Steve hoped. With some arguments with the board members his position declined and later he left the company.

He started a new company NeXT. Steve admired anyone who did something new and different. He became a huge fan of George Lucas, director of Star Wars. Steve invested in Pixar, but the games were too expensive. With his power of convincing, he did it again and convinced Walt Disney to invest in Steve’s next three movies.

In 1995, Toy Story became the most popular movie of the year.

At the same time, Apple was struggling. Their computers weren’t up to speed with new applications. He agreed to return temporarily, but stayed permanently.

His next product was iMac which became the bestselling computer in the world. Then, came iPod. His last product was iPad.

After having cancer, in his speech to the graduating class at Stanford University, he said that “time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life… have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”

He left us with very powerful words. He was a man who didn’t care much about money. With his billions he lived in a modest house. What he truly cared about was to be useful, to continually reinvent himself. He used his power of convincing to create something he had a strong vision for and something he strongly believed in.

This story enforces the dimensions of a man who pursed something he strongly believed in, and used his skill of convincing to help him get closer to his goal.

This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 8-11, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences and enriched with insightful inserts.

Published in 2012 by Penguin Workshop

TRENDING INSPIRATION: “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”

Traits:

·         Be curious

·         Question things if something is not right

·         Use the power of honest convincing to help you in achieving a meaningful goal

·         Get knowledge, not necessarily a degree, to bring you closer to your goal

·         Do something new and different

·         Study the traits of a person who inspires you

·         “Time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life…”

·         “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”

·         Money is important, but you don’t need millions or billions to be happy

·         Continually reinvent yourself

·         Have a strong vision of your goal

·         Be useful

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life." - Steve Jobs

Jose Speaks Out by Jose Mujica

 On September 24, 2013, Jose Mujica spoke at the UN meeting in NY. At the time, he was the president of Uruguay and was seventy-eight.

In the South, as he puts it, he is known for saying what he thinks. In his country, he’s been very dedicated to social justice and his struggle for equality and freedom. He lives very simply, and his words align with his actions.

On that day, he delivered a powerful speech. He stated that he’d rather stand up for the right thing rather than look for favoritism or applaud.

There is so much junk produced for us to buy, and with all this junk we pollute the planet. Our behaviors are careless. There is so much unnecessary consumption.

His speech is honest, deep and touching. He criticizes the contemporary economy which makes people absorbed by mass consumption and endless accumulation. The constant accumulations of goods make people only attached to paying the bills constantly, which at the end take the freedom away. We have less and less time for contemplation and for experiences. He says, “if everyone consumed like the average person in the United States, we would need three planets to survive.” We became so addicted to consumerism that we don’t know how to be free. The more you have, the less freedom you have.

He also advocates for the inequalities of the world. We need to implement practical rules for a fair economy to end the miserable condition of poverty. “We need to create useful things, without frivolity, to help the world’s poorest. Yes, useful things to end world poverty.”

Our lives became very dependent on consumerism. We need to go back to simplicity, and “together with science, we can find solutions for humanity as a whole, instead of trying to make ourselves wealthier. (…) we make life – not accumulation – the driving force.”

Due to weak international politics, we’re unable to regulate globalization. “We lack organized political leadership, conscious direction and the instinct to lead.”

Hierarchies were abolished and republics established in order to bring equality, but we still hold to old beliefs.

The humankind is capable of achieving equality, but we lack solidarity. We need strong and fair global leadership.

The first part of the book brings the speech at the UN, and the second part features biographical information with historical context pertaining to the speech.

I enjoyed reading the speech and the further information about Jose Mujica who is a former revolutionary, past president and climate activist. His words are honest and cut through to the core of the problem. He gives good examples for solutions but the problem is the lack of true leadership in the world.

This book is intended for middle-grade audience which I’m not sure about if they can grasp this context. 
Nevertheless, for the adult audience, I think it is a phenomenal and quick read that is to the point and gives a lot to think about.

Published in April 2024 by Groundwood Books 

Source: Groundwood Books

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Simplicity Means More Freedom

 

Traits:

·         He lives very simply, and his words align with his actions

·         He stands up for the right thing rather than look for favoritism or applaud

·         He stands up against the unnecessary mass consumption

·         He speaks up for living simple, thus, having freedom, instead of being chained by debt caused by consumption

·         He advocates for the inequalities of the world which are caused by lack of global leadership

·         He advocates for solidarity in order to achieve equality

 

 

“World with a better humanity is possible.” – Jose Mujica 

“Let’s not waste this time on useless things.” – Jose Mujica

“They say that I am a poor president. No, I am not a poor president. Poor are those who have more and yet, do not have enough. Those people are poo, because they get into an endless rat race and do not have time left for life nor anything else.” – Jose Mujica

Mami King: How Ma Mon Luk Found Love, Riches, and the Perfect Bowl of Soup by Jacqueline Chio-Lauri

 Mami King is a wonderful and inspiring story for children based on a real person.

China, 1918: Ma Mon Luk’s story begins with him leaving Canton for Philippines to make money as the girl he wanted to marry - her parents refused as he was poor.

In Manila, he searches for a way to earn a living. After seeing many vendors selling food, it gives him an idea for a dish. He makes noodles, cooks chicken, which he cuts and adds stock. He creates a bowl that is nourishing and comforting.

With a bamboo pole and two buckets, he travels as far as his legs would carry him. With time, his mee dish becomes so popular that he is able to open a restaurant, and he names his famous dish mami. He gives out many free bowls of mami. With his generous heart, the more he gives out, the more he receives.

With success in his hand, he returns to Canton, where the parents agree to marriage.

This story has a wonderful message of being generous, creating a space where people of all walks of life can gather, and above all the true fortune is the love of two people.

The illustrations are warm and support the words that not every child could be familiar with.

It’s presented in fairly accessible way for the target audience of 7-11 years.

It’s truly a heartwarming story, presented in beautiful way, and supported by lovely illustrations.

Published in April 2024 by Millbrook Press

Source: Millbrook Press

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Be Generous. The More You Give, the More You Receive.

 Traits:

·         He crossed the ocean to make money in order to marry the woman he loved and in the process achieved much more

·         He was courageous

·         He looked around for an idea that was close to his heart and would make him money

·         He created something that brought people together

·         He was generous

·         He shared his meal

·         The more he gave, the more he received

 

 

"A goal without a plan is just a wish." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery