Biography

What is a Biography?
A specialized variety of ___________ writing focuses on the lives on the lives of
human beings.
Usually about people who are famous
NOT written by the person who the book is about -- written by someone else
bio = __________, graphy = ___________
Why are biographies important to read to our students?
__________ __________ may also present only a fragment of life; but, even then,
they often give a sense of wholeness or continuity within a context in their
presentations of a life.
Typical Personalities in Biographies
________ and ________ (i.e. Thomas Edison); _________ leaders (i.e. presidents);
_________, ________, Actors, Authors (i.e. The Beatles); __________ personalities
(i.e. Babe Ruth); __________ and adventurers (i.e. Christopher Columbus);
__________ (i.e. Jane Addams); People who overcome tremendous odds (i.e.______
_________); Villains (i.e. Hitler); Other interesting people
Different Types of Biographies
___________ - until 1960s, juvenile biographies were fictionalized
___________ - written as true nonfiction
___________ - when people write about their own lives
__________ ______ - brief, heavily illustrated; provide an overview
__________ - aimed at newly independent readers, frequent illustrations
________ - spans entire life of a subject; simplified, picture book, chapter book
_________ - focused purpose, cover only a segment of subjects life
_________ - short biographical pieces about subjects who have a common trait
Kathleen Krull
Was fired when she was fifteen because she would read all the time. Books are her
life.
Married to childrens book illustrator and writing partner Paul Brewer
Author of the Lives Of Series
Writes biographies because she says that she is nosey and enjoys digging around in
people's lives. She says that the best biographers are those who peek into the heart
and soul of their subjects.
Winner of many awards

Brad Meltzer
Author of the new childrens biography series, Ordinary People Change the World.
He originally created the series based on his childrens heroes.
He wanted to inspire children to think about their heroes and be inspired

Doreen Rappaport
Born in New York city to a family surrounded by music
Father was a musical arranger and mother was a singer
Graduated from Brandeis University and became a junior high school music teacher.
In 1965, went to McComb University and taught at a Freedom School where she met
extraordinarily ordinary people and developed her passion to write about American
heroes.
Known for approach to multicultural history
Known for her Big Words Series
Received numerous awards from Caldecott Honor Book to the Jane Addams Childrens
Book Award

Activity
Pick a book from your table and look through it.
Name/Author of the book:

Do you like this book? Why or why not?

Is it a potential read aloud book, or would it be better as an option in the classroom

library?

How could you use this book in your future classroom?