New booklist!

Musician picture books

50 Favorite Historical Biographies

History is made up of people, and these biographies help kids meet them. From famous heroes to lesser-known changemakers, this list of 50 living history biographies introduces kids to the real individuals behind the events. These narrative-driven books are full of heart, grit, and inspiration.

Confucius: The Golden Rule

Biography of the Zhou Dynasty philsopher

The Librarian Who Measured the Earth

Introduction to an ancient Greek polymath and his work

What’s Your Angle, Pythagoras?

Engaging adventure starring a young Greek Pythagoras

Alexander The Great

Great picture book great for introducing to Alexander

Ashoka the Fierce

Gorgeous picture-book biography of a Mauryan emperor

Hildegard of Bingen

Inspiring picture biography of a polymath medieval nun

Muhammad

Gorgeous picture-book biography of Muhammad

Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci

Fibonacci’s journey from curious daydreamer to mathematician

William the Conqueror

Classic biography of Norman ruler William the Conqueror

Saladin: Noble Prince of Islam

Picture book introduction to Crusade leader Saladin

Queen Eleanor: Independent Spirit of the Medieval World

Biography of Queen Eleanor for middle- to upper-grade readers

William Wallace: The Battle to Free Scotland

Gripping story about William Wallace's most famous battle, suitable for younger readers

Sundiata: Lion King of Mali

Inspiring, beautifully-illustrated story of Sundiata, king of Mali

Kubla Khan: The Emperor of Everything

Engaging picture biography of Mongol ruler Kubla Khan

Leonardo da Vinci

Gorgeous introduction to da Vinci for young readers

Michelangelo

Gorgeous introduction to Michelangelo for young readers

Pippo the Fool

Award-winning story of an architect and his design of Florence’s famous dome

Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare

Excellent introduction to Shakespeare for young readers

The Life and Times of Martin Luther

Engaging introduction to Martin Luther, his ideas, and his world

All in a Drop

Lively story of a Dutch scientist and his microscope

Sir Walter Ralegh and the Quest for El Dorado

Biography of Sir Walter Ralegh's achievements, failures, and quest for El Dorado

Pocahontas

Excellent biography of Pocahontas based on John Smith’s journal

The Adventurous Life of Myles Standish

Outstanding biography of Myles Standish, with tons of context about the Mayflower and Plymouth Colony

Karl, Get Out of the Garden! Carolus Linnaeus and the Naming of Everything

Fun introduction to Linnaeus and his classification system

Starry Messenger: Galileo Galilei

Excellent introduction to Galileo

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave

Outstanding picture book about an enslaved artist

Never Caught, the Story of Ona Judge

Story of an enslaved woman who served, then escaped from, the Washingtons

The Sea King: Sir Francis Drake and His Times

Life of Sir Francis Drake, including his naval exploits and explorations

Lives of the Pirates

Lively but historically accurate biographies of 19 real pirates

Peter the Great

Excellent picture book biography of Peter the Great

Thomas Paine: Crusader for Liberty

Excellent introduction to Paine and the impact of his ideas, for older readers

Can’t You Make Them Behave, King George?

Fun biography of King George, including Americans’ changing view of him

Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library

Delightful biography of Jefferson through the lens of his library

Farmer George Plants a Nation

Story of Washington as a farmer, with excerpts from his letters and diaries

Ben Franklin’s Almanac: Being a True Account of the Good Gentleman’s Life

Unique portrait of Franklin modeled on Poor Richard’s Almanack

Worst of Friends

Humorous story of the friendship and political rivalry between Jefferson and Adams, illuminating the tensions within the young nation

Jean Laffite: The Pirate Who Saved America

Exciting picture biography of a pirate who helped America win the War of 1812

Pirate Queen: A Story of Zheng Yi Sao

Exciting true story of a Qing dynasty pirate queen, for younger readers

Lincoln: A Photobiography

Award-winning, photo-rich biography of Lincoln

Gregor Mendel: The Friar Who Grew Peas

Lovely picture book about a German father of genetics and his garden

The Tragic Tale of Narcissa Whitman and a Faithful History of the Oregon Trail

Compelling biography of an early Oregon pioneer

The Man Who Loved Libraries: The Story of Andrew Carnegie

Introduction to Carnegie’s life and libraries in their context of the Industrial Revolution

Terrible Typhoid Mary: A True Story of the Deadliest Cook in America

Riveting biography of the infamous cook and her world

The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane

Excellent photo biography of the Wright brothers and their accomplishments

Kids at Work

Photobiography of Lewis Hine, whose photography galvanized the child labor reform movement

Strongman: The Rise of Five Dictators and the Fall of Democracy

Award-winning book about the rise of dictators, including Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini

The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh

Introduction to the complicated man behind the famous aviation record

FDR and the American Crisis

Thorough biography of FDR’s life and times, for older readers

The Voice That Challenged a Nation

Engrossing story of an artist overcoming discrimination

It’s Trevor Noah: Born a Crime

Young readers’ version of Trevor Noah’s experiences growing up mixed-race in South Africa during and after Apartheid

Google Sites

Report abuse