Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery by Eric Metaxas
Wilberforce dedicated many, many, many decades of his life and rallied many others (who dubbed themselves the Clapham Sect) to work for the abolition of slavery in England as well as several other needed social reforms. Metaxas’ biography stands out for his depths of research and outstanding writing.
Target Readers:
- Biography Fans, Inspirational History Fans, History Buffs, Young Adult & Adult Readers
Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome, ill. by James E. Ransome
Told in free verse poems, a biography of Harriet Tubman, that looks back in time from her elderly years through the various roles she held in her life. A very lyrical and succinct biography of an amazing woman that manages to communicate so very much. The illustrations are amazing too.
Target Readers:
- Poetry Fans, Picture Book Biography Fans, History Studiers, Inspirational History Fans, Art Lovers, Lower Grade & Middle Grade Readers
How Sweet the Sound: the Story of Amazing Grace by Carole Boston Weatherford, ill. by Frank Morrison
A picture book biography of John Newton and how his song "Amazing Grace" grew and affected many people all over the world. Told in just a few lines of rhyme per page, the powerful story of John Newton's life from child to adult through many turbulent experiences and a drastic life change when he turned from rough sea captain of a slave ship to eventually a Christian preacher who spoke out against the slave trade and penned the original lines of "Amazing Grace." The illustrations in this are stunning and help convey the turbulent times of Newton's life and then his change. I learned several things about the history of times when "Amazing Grace" has been instrumental. I also didn't know before that lines have been added over time to the song we know today. I liked that there were further notes in the back of the book on Newton's life and the history of the song. They were helpful in clarifying and elaborating on things briefly mentioned in the text of the book.
Target Readers:
- Music Lovers, Picture Book Biography Fans, History Buffs, Inspirational History Fans, Middle Grade Readers on up
The Life of Frederick Douglass: a Graphic Narrative of an Extraordinary Life by David F. Walker, ill. by Damon Smyth & Marissa Louise
A graphic novel biography of Frederick Douglass from his childhood in slavery, to his escape, his entry as a voice in US politics, through the US Civil War, and on to his death. A well-researched and very informative book, excellently done! I learned so much from this graphic novel.
Target Readers:
- Biography Fans, Graphic Novel Fans, History Buffs, Inspirational History Fans, High School US History Teachers & Students, Young Adult Readers on up
So Tall Within: Sojourner Truth’s Long Walk Toward Freedom by Gary D. Schmidt, ill. by Daniel Minter
A picture book biography of Isabella, a slave in New York, who gained freedom, fought for freedom for her family, took on the name of Sojourner Truth, and walked all over the US to talk about freedom and human rights. Sojourner Truth was one plucky, brave, smart woman. Schmidt tells her story in lyrical ways, and Minter brings the poetic text to life with dream-like illustrations that fit the text perfectly.
Target Readers:
- Picture Book Biography Fans, History Buffs, Poetry Fans, Art Lovers, Inspirational History Fans, Lower Grade Readers on up
The Underground Abductor (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales, #5) by Nathan Hale
Nathan Hale tells us all about this amazing woman who overcame personal hardship, escaped slavery, didn't rest in her safety but helped dozens of other slaves obtain freedom, and as if that weren't enough, also helped serve as a spy for the North in the American Civil War. The artist/author Nathan Hale does such an amazing job with this series that is both highly educational and extremely entertaining.
Target Readers:
- Biography Fans, Graphic Novel Fans, Reluctant History Readers, History Buffs, Middle Grade US History Teachers & Students, Middle Grade Readers on up
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