Who Was Confucius? by Michael Burgan

 Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade brings fascinating character namely Confucius –who is considered one of the greatest thinkers and teachers ever.

Confucius lived almost 2,600 years ago in an independent state that is now part of China. His real name was Kong Qiu.

During his time, children learned about the religious practices and songs which some shared moral lessons. From early age, he was drawn to behaving in the most respectable way. He was a smart student who used his knowledge to help those in need. When he became a teacher, he didn’t care how much a student could pay him. He cared how eager the student was to learn.

Even as he taught others, he always continued learning new things.

His fame spread. At forty, he was offered a job by a powerful ruler. He took part in diplomatic talks. He was good at illustrating the best way to find solution: to do things the right way. His general advice was to create a place where people would like to stay and others would like to move there. There had to be rules set by government but no total control over its subjects and respect toward each other.

Confucian ideas shaped China for centuries to come.

This biography illuminates a man who cared deeply about doing the right thing and how to live a good life.

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 2020 by Penguin Workshop

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Have Courage to Do the Right Thing

 

Traits:

·         From childhood, he had a natural instinct to act justly

·         He used his knowledge to help those in need

·         As a teacher he cared how eager his student was, not how much he could pay him

·         He always continued learning new things

 

 

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but rising every time we fall.” – Confucius

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” – Confucius

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” – Confucius

“Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.” – Confucius

“Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” – Confucius

“When anger rises, think of the consequences.” – Confucius

“If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed, if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.” – Confucius

“To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.” – Confucius

“We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.” – Confucius

“Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.” – Confucius

“The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.” – Confucius

“Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.” – Confucius

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