Who Was Che Guevara? by Ellen Labrecque

 Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade brings rebellious figure of Che Guevara who was a leader of the Cuban Revolution and became a symbol of youthful rebellion.

Ernesto Guevara (1928-1967) was born in the port city of Rosario, Argentina. From young age, he craved adventure. While in school, he still traveled whenever he had a chance. While traveling, he began to write in his journal every day. 

He still had two semesters of medical school to finish when his friend asked him to join him on a trip on his motorcycle to Venezuela. On this trip, they met people of different backgrounds and saw how they lived. It left a lasting consequence on Ernesto. 

After graduating from medical school, he traveled to Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador. 

Then, while in Guatemala, he learned about communist and how the current president of Guatemala was taking the land owned by rich people and corporations, then redistributing it to the poor. Ernesto became passionate about this idea of helping the poor. While on his travels, he met many poor people who worked hard and hardly got paid. 

In Mexico City, he began his work as a doctor. There he met lots of Cubans who began calling him Che meaning friend. Through them, he met Fidel Castro, who told him about Cuba’s situation of being controlled by a small group of wealthy people, and he wanted to overthrow the government. He asked Che for help, and they succeeded. Afterwards, Castro asked Che to help him govern Cuba. 

In 1964, Che spoke at UN in NYC criticizing the US and other countries for taking advantage of the land and the people of the poorer nations. 

After coming back to Cuba, he decided to go to Bolivia which was run by a dictator and to try to overthrow the government. On October 8, 1967, he was captured and killed the following day.

This biography embodies true nature of a man who rebelled against injustice. As a young man, he looked for adventure and found the truth and tragedy of his country. 

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 2019 by Penguin Workshop

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Take Action When You See Injustice

 

Traits:

·         He craved adventure and to see what was beyond what he knew

·         He wrote his experiences in his journal every day

·         He witnessed human injustice and wanted to make a difference

·         He took action in making poor people’s lives better

 

 

“Above all, try always to be able to feel deeply any injustice committed against any person in any part of the world. It is the most beautiful quality of a revolutionary.” Che Guevara

 

“We were…two young men-boys, really-who went looking for adventure and found the truth and tragedy of our homeland.” – Alberto Granado (trip with Che through South America)

Ferdinand Magellan by Candy Gourlay

 This First Names biography series for middle grade brings one of the greatest explorers of the fifteenth century - Ferdinand Magellan who was the first man to sail around the world.

Ferdinand was born to a noble family in 1480 in Sabrosa, Portugal, among rolling hills with vineyards. When he was about eight his family moved to Porto by the sea where he admired the ships of explorers, and dreamed of being a captain and travel to mysterious places.

After losing both parents in 1490, he was sent to school for Pages in Lisbon. As a page he watched all the explorers approach the king for funds.

In 1493, when he was thirteen, Christopher Columbus received funds from Spain for his voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. Ferdinand dreamed of exciting travels, but instead he was given a clerical position.

After ten boring years, there was hope on the horizon for Ferdinand when Vasco da Gama traveled beyond the southern tip of Africa to India. King Manuel of Portugal wanted to conquer the new lands for its riches. Twenty two worships were assembled, but he didn’t have enough men. This was Ferdinand’s chance at his dream. As a noble, he couldn’t sign up as a working crew member. He had to sign up as a “gentleman adventurer,” who came for adventure, not money.

Ferdinand distinguished himself and got praised by the captain who promoted him as his assistant. After conquering the west coast of India, they pushed farther east. After conquering Malacca, at thirty-three, after eight years, he returned to Portugal.

Meanwhile, there were some new discoveries in South America, and Ferdinand saw his chance to discover something new. After securing the funds, his expedition took him west, toward southern tip of South America. Afterwards, they persisted west and arrived at Philippines. They were getting close to the Spice Islands, when Ferdinand lost his life in a battle at Mactan Island.

Even though he didn’t actually make it to the Spice Islands, he is still credited to be the first one to circumnavigate the world as his fleet finished the journey.

This biography embodies true nature of an explorer, a man who was curious about the world and craved to discover something new.

This biography series for young readers, 8-12 years, is written with a fun language. Some of the illustrations are in a form of comic book, which carry amusing dialogue.

Published in 2020 by Harry N. Abrams

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Be Observant and Open to New Experiences

 

Traits:

·         As a child, he observed ships at port which led him to dream of being a captain in order to travel to mysterious places.

·         As a page at king’s court, he watched all the explorers approach the king for funds.

·         After ten boring years at king’s court, he acted when opportunity presented and signed up for an unknown adventure with Vasco da Gama who was conquering new lands.

·         He distinguished himself quickly and got promoted as captain’s assistant.

·         After returning from his adventure, he signed up for his own expedition. He already knew how to secure funds.

·         He is credited to be the first one to circumnavigate the world.

 

“I am not afraid of darkness. Real death is preferable to a life without living.” – Vasco da Gama

“Travel teaches us that we have ability to adapt.” – Ferdinand Magellan