Who Was Milton Hershey? by James Buckley Jr

 Who Was...? biography series for middle grade brings an inspiring man – Milton Hershey - who created the first American chocolate company, and also turned out to be one of the greatest philanthropists. 

Milton Hershey’s (1857-1945) father was a dreamer trying different ventures that left the family in dire conditions. His mother couldn’t take it anymore and left her husband taking Milton with her. Milton wasn’t a good student and his mother needed his help. So his education ended at twelve. He could barely read and write. 

He didn’t like his first job working for a printer, but his second job working at ice-cream parlor was a different story. He observed how different kinds of ingredients were mixed to create new candies. He began experimenting on his own. 

At nineteen, he opened his own shop in Philadelphia. It was a hit from the start, but he didn’t know how to manage a business and it failed. He, then, joined his father in Colorado where the gold rush was drying out. Instead, Milton got a job at a candy store where he learned how to make caramel. Then, he moved back to the East Coast and in New York opened his candy shop which did well. But due to his father’s insistence, Milton tried to make cough-drops which were expensive and ruined his business. He went back to Pennsylvania where he didn’t give up on his passion. 

During his failed ventures, he learned that he could make more money by selling in large quantities. Instead of opening another shop, he borrowed money from the bank and opened a small caramel factory. A man from England visiting Lancaster loved Milton’s caramel and placed a big order which allowed Milton to pay off a bank loan and invest in more equipment. 

Lancaster turned out to be a very good location for his business. The cows from the nearby farms provided all the milk. Lancaster itself was near one of the new electric plants, so he had all the power he needed. The railroad brought all the ingredients he needed and transported his candies to other cities. 

He continued to experiment with new ways to make caramel. He did so well that by the early 1890s, he was one of the richest men in Lancaster. 

He took a trip to Europe where he learned about chocolate being a new big thing. Milton became so obsessed with making chocolate that he sold his caramel business in order to focus on chocolate. 

Before making one chocolate bar, he invested in building a huge chocolate factory and a town for all its workers. He also tried a new way of making chocolate on an assembly line, and he continued to experiment with chocolate. 

By 1905, the factory was making a hundred thousand pounds of chocolate a day.

Milton was generous. He continued to improve the town he built for workers, adding post office, library, bank, and zoo. 

In 1907, he opened a park for all residents. He was one of a kind, believing that giving back to community was as important as making money. He shared his success with his workers, giving them a bonus each year from company’s profits. 

Milton and his wife couldn’t have children. Instead, he started a school for orphan boys. After the passing of his wife, he spent a lot of time with the boys and treated them like his own sons. He became beloved by those boys.

In memory of his wife, he gave all his stock in Hershey to the school. Till today, the school is richer than most universities in America.

This biography illuminates an incredible man who from his father’s experiences knew that finding what he was looking for could take many trials and errors before succeeding. His mother instilled the principles of hard work in him which carried him through his search for the success. When achieving his goal, his natural instinct, was to share his success with those who worked for him and support community he lived in. His generosity continues to make legacy for him. A man who barely knew how to read and write turned to be a great success story and above all one of the most generous people ever. 

This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 7-10, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences, and insightful inserts. 

Published in 2013 by Penguin Workshop 

 

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: The More You Give the More You Receive

 

  

Traits:

 

·         He could barely read or write but that didn’t stop his curiosity

·         His father was a dreamer, investing in different ventures. Despite all of them failing, he gave Milton a good example of trying new things even if they failed. It’s better to try new things even if you fail, rather than stand still to be safe.

·         When he found what he liked to do, he started experimenting in that field.

·         He succeeded in creating a good product but failed at managing business as he lacked education and experience but that didn’t stop him from continuing his passion.

·         Along his failures, he learned that selling in large quantities was the key to success, thus, instead of opening another shop, he opened a small factory and used assembly line.

·         After creating a good product (caramel), he didn’t stop there. When he learned about chocolate, he believed that it was the future. And continued to pursue what he believed in.

·         While he was building his chocolate business, at the same time, he built a town for his workers. He believed in investing in people.

·         He shared his profits as he instinctively knew that his success had to be shared with his workers.

·         He couldn’t have children, so he built a school for orphan boys and gave all his stock in Hershey to the school, which till today is richer than most universities in America. (That’s the power of generosity).

·         One of the traits that stands out for the successful people is that they never stop learning and improving a good product.

 

 

 

“One is only happy in proportion as he makes others feel happy and only useful as he contributes his influences for the finer callings in life.” – Milton Hershey 

“Give them quality. That’s the best kind of advertising.” – Milton Hershey 

“The value of our good is not measured by what it does, but by the amount of good it does to the one concerned.” – Milton Hershey

“Business is a matter of human service.” – Milton Hershey

“Be honest; train yourself for useful work.” – Milton Hershey

 

 

 

 

SEEK DAILY INSPIRATION AND THINGS TO BE GRATEFUL FOR:

 

·         Giving back to community doesn't necessarily mean money. It could be giving a smile or an encouraging word, sharing your talent for example singing or playing an instrument or using your strong muscles to give a helping hand.

 

Further inspiration/reading:

 “Happy Money: The Japanese Art of Making Peace with Your Money” by Ken Honda

 

Many podcasters have interviews with Ken Honda about his latest book. One of them is Lewis Howes, host of The School of Greatness.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG2E8UrkAHo

https://kenhonda.com/join-arigato-living-community/

“Community is one of the primary pillars of Happy money.”

The Story of Fannie Lou Hamer by Margeaux Weston

 This biography series for Young Readers, ages 6-9, brings an inspiring character – Fannie Lou Hamer – who dedicated her life to civil rights movement. She is an inspirational symbol of strength and persistence.

Fannie Lou grew up during segregation in the US. She also grew up in a large family. She was the youngest of twenty siblings. Thus, she learned how to speak up for herself early on.

Fannie loved going to school and learning, but she also had to help her parents pick cotton. Thus, during the summer time, she worked in the fields and during the winter time, she went to school. While at school, the division between white and “colored” was the first injustice she experienced. But at thirteen, she had to help her aging parents full time, and stopped going to school at all.

In 1944, she got married and with her husband continued to work as sharecroppers. Fannie was the timekeeper as she was the only worker who could read and write. Soon, she noticed that the plantation owner was paying less than what the time card showed. That was another injustice she recognized.

In 1961, she went to hospital to have a surgery and the doctors removed an organ without her permission. That was another injustice she experienced.

In 1962, she learned about the right to vote, but it was very challenging for black people. She became active in helping black people register. Later, joining an activist group and becoming its leader, speaking up or even singing at the meetings.

She became known for her powerful songs, strong faith, and leadership.

Her protest with other activists put her in jail in 1963 where she was beaten and mistreated. She lost some of her eyesight and had other health issues after the beating. But she didn’t give up.

She continued to fight for equal voting rights in Mississippi.

She shared her efforts with Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.

There were many people who supported her activism, but others thought she was not educated enough to lead a movement. This didn’t stop her as she knew how to connect with people. She used her Southern style of storytelling, singing, and even comedy to fight for voting rights.

This biography brings truly an inspiring character who wasn’t held back by anything as she knew how to connect with a large number of people. She understood their problems as she shared the same problems and injustices. Her life was dedicated to making her state a fair state for all. She became an important voice for equality and justice.

The book is divided into short chapters and written with simple language to make it accessible for young readers. The issues and what Fannie stood up for are presented in accessible way for the target audience.

Published in January 2025 by Callisto Kids

Source: Sourcebooks

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Know How to Connect with People - today's humanity is lacking it. Despite lack of education she achieved great things because she knew how to connect with people.

 

Traits:

·             She grew up in poverty and faced inequality all her life. This caused her to fight for the right of others. – Her adversity strengthened her determination.

·             She concentrated on her community (state of Mississippi) to improve the lives of the people.

·             She encouraged her friends, family, and neighbors to use their voices to elect people who would treat them fairly.

·             Her strong faith helped her when people treated her unfairly.

·             She kept fighting for fair treatment until she died.

·             Her lack of education didn’t hold her back as she knew how to connect with people.

“I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.” – Fannie Lou Hamer (was fed up with racial injustice and made a difference with her persistence) 

“You don’t run away from problems – you just face them.” – Fannie Lou Hamer

“I feel sorry for anybody that could let hate wrap them up.” – Fannie Lou Hamer

“Never to forget where we came from and always praise the bridges that carried us over.” – Fannie Lou Hamer

FURTHER INSPIRATION AND RECOMMENDATION:

 Dr. Wayne Dyer explores the subject of Grief As a Blessing in his book “Wisdom of the Ages.”

“Every sinking into despair has within it an energy to move us higher.”

We all went through some kind of dark times, such as illness, financial disaster, breakup, loss of something or someone. Those propelled us into the stages of anguish, anger, denial, then grief. But after a period of time, we rise above it and reach the state of acceptance. The question is what is the period of time for each of us? How much time do we need to rise up?

Who Was Thomas Alva Edison? by Margaret Frith

 Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade brings inspiring character of Thomas Alva Edison– a man who lit up the world. 

Thomas Alva Edison (1847–1931) was born in Milan, Ohio. He was a very curious child. He loved reading. When he became interested in science, he started simple experiments. When he read about Morse’s telegraphic alphabet, he became fascinated with telegraph.

At twelve, he got a job as a newsboy on the train. At his stop in Detroit before heading back home, he noticed a newspaper getting rid of ink, paper, and old pieces of type. This led him to starting his own newspaper. 

Then, he got an offer to learn how to become a telegraph operator, which led him to work for Western Union. At night, he worked as an operator, and during the day he worked on his inventions. He slept very little and this habit stayed with him. He always had a notebook with him to write down ideas. 

He created electric machine for much faster voting, but the politicians preferred the slower count. So there was no interest in this machine. Despite this disappointment, he quickly became known as someone with original ideas. He worked on developing new machines. The most successful became the universal stock printer which he sold to Western Union. 

Tom liked working with a team. Thus, he hired people to work in teams on different projects. They worked on as many as forty projects at a time. 

Meanwhile, Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. Tom was disappointed that it wasn’t his invention, but his carbon transmitter made telephones work better. 

Soon after, with his team, he invented a phonograph. He was thirty. Two years later, he invented an electric lightbulb. It took him another two and a half years to build the infrastructure for the electric light in one part of Manhattan but he did it on September 4, 1882.

He also became a pioneer in developing a system for filming and showing movie pictures. The storage battery became his biggest moneymaker. 

Many of his ideas failed, but he never gave up until he had tried every possibility. 

This biography embodies the true nature of an inventor, a man who was curious about the science and was crafting experiments from childhood to satisfy his curiosity, which led him to many successful inventions.

This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 7-10, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences and enriched with insightful inserts. 

Published in 2005 by Penguin Workshop

 

TREDNING INSPIRATION: Explore what Interests You.

 

Traits:

·         Whatever interested him, he explored more of it.

·         As he was learning a trade, he continued to pursue his experiments at the same time.

·         He always had a notebook with him to write down ideas. Leonardo da Vinci did the same thing. Ideas were constantly coming to him and he didn’t want to miss anything. So he always had a pen and paper with him to write everything that came to him.

·         He preferred to work in teams as more minds put together meant more chances for success.

·         He had many failed projects but that didn’t discourage him from continuing to pursue what he loved.

 

 

“A man who doesn’t make up his mind to cultivate the habit of thinking cannot make the most of himself. All progress, all success, spring from thinking.” – Thomas Alva Edison 

“Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.” – Thomas Alva Edison 

“There’s better way to do – find it.” – Thomas Alva Edison 

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” – Thomas Alva Edison

“If we all did the things we are really capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” – Thomas Alva Edison

Albert Einstein by Kathleen Krull

 The Giants of Science biography series for middle-grade brings Albert Einstein, a man who changed notions of space and time.

 

Albert Einstein was born on March 14, 1879 in Ulm, Germany, to Jewish family. He was a temperamental child, throwing things. He started talking much later than most children. He preferred to play alone with toys and puzzles. At school, he didn’t like the rigid system. At young age, he already recognized that “Blind respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.”

He dropped out of German school and found a progressive, freethinking school in Switzerland. His rebel ways persisted at Polytechnic. He hated exams. He exasperated his teachers. After finishing school and alienating teachers, he had a hard time finding a job. 

In 1905, at twenty-six, he published four papers in the most important of the science journals, but most of the physics community ignored them.

At age forty, he became the most famous scientist in the world, but with the growing antisemitism came fierce attacks against him. Eventually, because of WWII, he was forced to leave Germany for the US. 

The story also delves into his two marriages, his children, and at the end, his anxiety of developing atomic bomb. The bomb was the opposite of the purpose of science. After the war, he advocated for strict controls on nuclear technology. 

Despite his theories being quite complicated, his perseverance in working for years on each theory is something to admire. In 1922, he received the Nobel Prize for Physics, but he himself knew that his work was quite complicated and said, “I will be dead for quite some time before my current work is appreciated.” 

His advice is precious, “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” 

Einstein was rebellious in his own way which had merit, but he was also careless and condescending which complicated his early goal of working at University. He learned it hard way. Nevertheless, he inspires to be curious and question everything and anything.  

The book goes into explaining his theories which is explained in the most possible simple way. Despite that I’m not sure if it all would be understood by young readers.

Published by Blackstone Publishing in 2020

 

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Be Curious and Keep Asking Questions

 

Trends:

 

·         At school, he didn’t like the rigid system.

·         At young age, he already recognized that “Blind respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.”

·         He dropped out of German school and found a progressive, freethinking school in Switzerland.

·         At age forty, he became the most famous scientist in the world. As many geniuses, they’re not always easy to get along with.

·         He persevered in working for years on each theory.

·         He was curious and questioned everything and anything.

 

“Thinking is hard work. That’s why so few do it.” – Albert Einstein

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” – Albert Einstein

“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.” – Albert Einstein 

FURTHER INSPIRATION AND RECOMMENDATION:

 Albert Einstein already at young age questioned authority which aligns with the words of Buddha: “Do not believe in authority or teachers or elders. But after careful observation and analysis, when it agrees with reason and it will benefit one and all, then accept it and live by it.”

This subject is further explained by Dr. Wayne Dyer in his book “Wisdom of the Ages” under chapter two – Knowing.

Siddhartha Gautama left behind the princely life at twenty-nine and sought religious understanding after seeing the unhappiness, sickness, and death that even the wealthiest and most powerful were subject to in life.

“Just because you have heard it, and it is a long-surviving tradition, and it is recorded over the centuries, and the world’s greatest teachers have endorsed it, those are still not reasons to accept a belief.”

“’Knowing about’ is another term for believing. ‘Knowing’ is a term reserved exclusively for direct experience, which means an absence of doubt.”

Who Was Norman Rockwell? by Sarah Fabiny

Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade presents talented artist – Norman Rockwell who was an artist best known for covers of the Saturday Evening Post and for portraying an ideal version of American culture. 

Norman Perceval Rockwell (1894-1978) was born in NYC. Norman’s father liked sketching while Norman would watch him. And when his father read, Norman would imagine the characters and draw them. 

His mother was often sick and while his father took care of her, Norman was left to fend for himself. He filled the time with sketching. He was good at it and wondered if he could do it for a living.

His teacher noticed his talent and encouraged him to do drawings along his school reports and on the chalk board at school. The other students were impressed by his work and Norman felt appreciated. 

When time came to pick a school, he chose art school. At school, he had very good mentors. The teachers challenged their students with their projects. One of the teacher’s recognized Norman’s talent and encourage him to submit his portfolio to a publishing company. 

He was asked to create illustrations for children’s book. Afterwards, he started acquiring also projects for magazines. 

His illustrations were relatable with reader’s situations. Thus, people loved them. 

On January 6, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave the “Four Freedoms” speech. He wanted people to understand that the US had a responsibility to help its allies fight for democracy. 

Norman was excited about relating Four Freedoms in drawings to help Americans understand the importance of this. His paintings of Four Freedoms became so popular; they raised a lot of money for the war effort. 

He remains to be a beloved American artist; an artist who looked inside every day American’s soul and brought the emotions and memories to the surface and presented it in pictures. That’s why his work resonated with people so much. This biography captures the spirit of an artist who knew how to communicate with people through his art.

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: Develop Habits

 

Traits:

·         He had very strict habits

·         He used his talent to enhance his reports and got noticed

·         He had good mentors who challenged him

·         He used his creativity to paint pictures in order to find bridge between words and what they meant

·         His painted words resonated with the people

 

“When I go to farms or little towns, I am always surprised at the discontent I find.” – Norman Rockwell

Harry Houdini by Kjartan Poskitt

 This First Names biography series for middle grade brings the greatest magician in the world namely Harry Houdini. 

Ehrich Weisz was born on March 24, 1874 in Budapest, Hungary. He later named himself Harry Houdini. When he was four, the family moved to the US. The family settled in Appleton, Wisconsin. They were always short on money, and due to the financial hardship Harry tried to cheer his mom up from early age. And that’s when he discovered that he liked to entertain people. 

Since he was very athletic, he started practicing acrobatics to entertain people. 

At elven, he got fascinated with locks and figured out how to open them with buttonhook. 

When his father took him to a magician show, Harry knew right away what he wanted to do. He wanted to put people on the edge of their seat. 

When he was fourteen, the family moved to New York. There with a friend, they formed an act and called it the Brothers Houdini. Besides it, Harry picked up any act he could where he also learned valuable skills from other people. 

He constantly worked on new skills to satisfy audience. He figured out a new entertainment to be handcuffed and since he figured out locks as a child it was very easy for him to un-cuff himself. It became a big hit. 

After eight tough years, he got his break when he got an offer to appear in some of the biggest and best theaters in America. His stunts took him to Europe and even Russia. 

He continued to develop new stunts. His success took him into starring in movies. 

He died at fifty-two from health complications. 

This biography exemplifies a man who continuously kept himself busy with training, improving himself, hungry for new tricks, new places to visit and the latest inventions to explore. He became known for his death-defying escapes. His complicated tricks and the secrets turned him into the greatest magician in the world.

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 by Harry N. Abrams in 2019

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Never Stop Learning

 

Trends:

 

·         He liked cheering his mother up from childhood and that’s when he discovered his talent.

·         He was athletic and combined it with his first talent of entertaining people.

·         When he saw a magician show, he knew right away who he wanted to be. He wanted to put people on the edge of their seat.

·         He picked up any act he could while learning valuable skills from other people.

·         He constantly worked on new skills to satisfy audience.

·         He got his break after 8 years of hard work.

·         He continuously kept himself busy with training, improving himself, hungry for new tricks, new places to visit and the latest inventions to explore.

 

 

“My brain is the key that sets me free.” – Harry Houdini

“Keep up your enthusiasm! There is nothing more contagious than exuberant enthusiasm.” – Harry Houdini 

“Never try to fool children, they expect nothing and therefore see everything.” – Harry Houdini

FURTHER INSPIRATION AND RECOMMENDATION:

 Dr. Wayne Dyer explores the subject of Triumph in his book “Wisdom of the Ages” where he quotes Cicero’s words and explores their meaning:

“Mistake #3: ”Insisting that a thing is impossible because we cannot accomplish it.

Mistake #5: Neglecting development and refinement of the mind, and not acquiring the habit of reading and study.”

In 1 BC, Marcus Tullius Cicero outlined the six mistakes of man as he saw them evidenced in ancient Rome. Twenty centuries later, the same words still ring the truth.

If we cannot see the solution, it doesn’t mean it can’t be achieved. Harry Houdini proved it.

Our education doesn’t stop with formal schooling. The mind development is a continuous journey throughout our lives. When Harry Houdini achieved his success, he continued to improve his mind, searching for new ideas to continuously reinvent himself. That’s the kind of journey every one of us should be taking with our minds. It’s a never ending lesson.