Annotated Bibliography- Biographies




Caravantes, P. (2006). Deep Woods: The Story of Robert Frost. Greensboro, NC: Morgan Reynolds Publishing. Reading level: Grades 6-8
Themes: Family, Nature, the road not taken. 
Summary: Caravantes chronicles the life of famed New England poet, Robert Frost. Frost, who was born in California, moved to the East coast after his father died. "Robbie" loved the New England landscape as a youngster and would go on to use the setting in his poetry. Frost barely provided for his family by farming and teaching until his poetry took off. He attended Darmouth and Harvard, but didn't graduate, and would go on to teach at the college level and be awarded 26 honorary degrees. He won four Pultizer Prizes, but his family life was not as glamorous. His mother, sister, and one of his daughters suffered from mental illness and were sent to asylums. Frost's depression was evident, even more so when his only son committed suicide. Frost, who read at the inauguration of John F. Kennedy, is one of the most famous poets, but Caravantes tells readers why that status never seemed to suit him. 

Carlson Berne, E. (2009). Helen Keller: Courage in Darkness.. New York, NY: Sterling Publishing. 
Reading level: Grades 6-8
Themes: Courage, Perseverance, Survival, The Overlooked.
Summary: When Helen Keller contracted a childhood sickness that left her blind and deaf when she was 19 months old, she could've given up. Instead, Helen showed the world that people suffering from disabilities should not and could not be ostracized from society. Helen overcame a childhood of frustration, but thanks to her teacher Annie Sullivan, Helene learned to express herself and communicate. She became an author, political activist, lecturer, performer, advocate, and fundraiser while bringing attention to blind and deaf people. Helen showed others that no dream is out of reach. 

Jacobson, S. and Colon, E. (2010). Anne Frank: The Anne Frank House Authorized Graphic Biography. New York, NY: Hill and Wang. 
Reading level: Grades 6-8
Themes: Family, Innocence, Justice, Corruption, Manipulation, Secrecy, Security/Safety, War.
Summary: Jacobson and Colon utilized historical sites, archives, experts, and Amsterdam's Anne Frank House to retell Anne Frank's story in a graphic biography format. Anne's parents, Edith and Otto, are covered in depth, and Anne's early life in Germany and Amsterdam is chronicled as well. The complete account of the Franks hiding, the years in the Secret Annex, the betrayal and arrest, as well as Anne's deportation and eventual death at the hands of the Nazis in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp are all covered at length. Otto, who was the lone survivor, plays a vital role at the end of the book that describes his later life and process to get Anne's diary published. 

Pinkerton Josephson, J. (2006). Walt Disney: Genius of Entertainment. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow Publishers.
Reading level: Grades 6-8.
Themes: the road not taken, perseverance, coming of age.
Summary: From loving art and drawing cartoons at a young age, to invented Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney's creativity made an impact on generations. In Hollywood, he and his staff were responsible for characters that will withstand the test of time like Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald Duck. A 32-time Oscar winner, Walt Disney made people laugh and sing. His drive and love for children made him a genius of entertainment. His lives on through his movies, story lines, television shows, and theme parks. 

Wilker, J. (1999). Confucius: Philosopher and Teacher. New York, NY: Grolier Publishing. 
Reading level: Grades 6-8. 
Themes: Heritage, the road not taken, price of progress, quest for knowledge, power of the mind vs. authority. 
Summary: Confucius may be well-known today, but he was not during a turbulent era in Chinese history. Confucius, China's greatest sage, stressed moral character and responsibility for individuals and the government, but did not succeed to reform Chinese society. Dying a relative unknown in 479 B.C.E., Confucius has lived on thanks to his message spreading through Chinese culture and the world. 

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