Heroes and Superheroes

Dawson has been collecting and reusing everything ever since he was a baby but he must rescue the world from his robotic creation, the Vacu-Maniac! Recycling is gently imbedded in Dawson's outrageous adventure detailed in intricate (and labeled) illustrations.

Get to know the everyday heroes in your community! From firefighters to teachers, mail carriers to crossing guards, neighborhood helpers are all around. Young readers learn about the importance of cooperation and the people who lead the way in our communities. 

More than anything else, young Booker T. Washington wanted to read. This fictionalized account of Washington's early life working in a West Virginia salt mine, and his quest to reach his goal despite great obstacles, is eloquently depicted in text and luminous, dramatic watercolors.

Uriko is small but brave, determined, and smart. In fact, she saves the town’s children when they are kidnapped by hungry oni, the ogres of Japanese lore whose favorite food is baby belly buttons. This lively retelling of a traditional Japanese folktale reads aloud well and is complemented by the illustrations, which call to mind the tale's Asian origin.

Jesse Owens was a breakthrough athlete — an African American who captured the world stage (and four gold medals!) at the 11th Olympiad in Nazi Germany. In this book, readers will learn about his life through brief text and watercolor illustrations.

A straightforward overview of Lincoln's life is punctuated by Lincoln's words and commanding images. Additional resources for further reading and research are included as are sources used in this unforgettable book.

Formerly enslaved in the 19th century, Bass Reeves escaped Texas and lived with Indians. It was in Indian Territory that he gained the skills he most needed when he became a lawman, known for his talent and integrity. Lively language and stylized illustrations provide a memorable portrait of this real western hero.

Jim Thorpe's childhood was a mix of hard work in the outdoors and a succession of military-strict "Indian Schools" that relentlessly imposed white culture on Native American children. Then in 1907, wearing overalls and a work shirt, he effortlessly broke his school high-jump record – a feat that launched a remarkable athletic career in track, football, and baseball, culminating at the 1912 Olympics, where Thorpe won the decathlon with a world record score that would stand for almost 20 years and the pentathlon with a points total that would never be beaten.

During World War II, Chester was recruited by the US Marines to use the Navajo language to create an unbreakable military code. The language he had been told to forget as a young Navajo boy at boarding school was suddenly needed to fight a war. This powerful picture book biography contains backmatter including a timeline and a portion of the Navajo code, and also depicts the life of an original Navajo code talker while capturing the importance of heritage.

Spare, poetic text and luminous, realistic illustrations chronicle the Apollo missions. Comprehensive back matter with photographs adds depth to the presentation. The author, a trained engineer, also presented Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon [64] illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez for readers 9 to 12. The subtitle of this memorable book is the time it took from President John F. Kennedy’s challenge to Neil Armstrong’s first step on the moon.

Six beautifully illustrated full-page spreads, each including a dramatic paper-sculpture centerpiece and additional fold-out booklets, showcase gods and heroes from around the world, including the gods of ancient Egypt, Greek gods and mortal heroes, Norse gods and goddesses, Asian and Polynesian gods, and the "Great Spirits of the New World."

Martin shares the remarkable life story of former professional basketball player Will Allen, urban farmer and food educator. Straightforward prose and colorful illustrations done in muscular ink lines express the energy and confidence of the book’s subject as he works alongside smiling grownups and kids. Abundant back matter includes information about Allen’s work. [School Library Journal]

Charles Lindbergh was only 25 years old when he made his historic non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Through Burleigh's vivid retelling and Wimmer's bold paintings, the reader soars with Lindbergh as he follows his dream.

A girl and her mom want to have a sweet treat on a hot day but cannot sit at the soda fountain simply because they are "colored." Impressionistic paintings soften the harshness of the story of segregation in the South during a turbulent time.

Zazi and Ziwelene’s great-grandad is called Nelson Mandela. Once day, they ask their grandmother 15 questions about him and his life. As their conversation unfolds, Zazi and Ziwelene learn that Nelson Mandela was a freedom fighter, a President, and a Nobel Peace Prize–winner, and that they can carry on his work today.

As a young boy, César Chávez grew up on a an 80-acre ranch in Arizona in the midst of joyous family reunions. When his family had to leave Arizona, however, to work as migrant laborers in California, their lives were turned upside down. During these excruciating days and nights, César struggled — but then found the resolve to one day help his fellow workers. Yuyi Morales brings César's childhood and early days as an organizer to life with stunning illustrations.

Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has spent a lifetime disagreeing: disagreeing with inequality, arguing against unfair treatment, and standing up for what’s right for people everywhere. This biographical picture book about the Notorious RBG, tells the justice’s story through the lens of her many famous dissents, or disagreements.

Ida B. Wells worked bravely as an activist, educator, writer, journalist, suffragette, and pioneering voice against the horror of lynching. An inspiration for generations of civil rights crusaders, Wells's own words are used throughout this picture book biography to introduce young readers to this leader.

Brief sketches of the lives of both well-known (for example, Harriet Tubman) and lesser known African American women (for example, Biddy Mason) and their impact on civil rights are presented in the lively language of a storyteller sure to read aloud well. Vibrant, stylized illustrations enhance the evocative text to complete the thought-provoking portraits.

Sophisticated readers will appreciate the over-the-top adventures of a cryogenic pickle that emerges with superhero skills through the bedroom floor of Jo Jo Wigman. This full-color comic is distinguished by funny puns and wordplay as well as the combination of familiar school problems and Magic Pickle's fantastic dilemmas.

Malala’s story is one of the resilience that comes from strong conviction. It is told through a present tense narrative and dramatic, vivid, stylized illustrations. The early life of the girl and her supportive family, her struggle against the Taliban and her ultimate recovery from a murder attempt is further enhanced by extensive back matter which includes photographs and additional information and resources.

The comics have produced many heroes with very special powers. Male and female superheroes, an easy to read brief bit about their background, and their special talents are arranged alphabetically with a cartoon "portrait" of each.

This beautifully written book, illustrated by four-time Caldecott Honor recipient Jerry Pinkney, makes the story of Harriet Tubman's childhood accessible to very young readers. As a young slave nicknamed Minty, Harriet Tubman was a feisty and stubborn girl with a dream of escape, and a rebellious spirit that often got her into trouble. Pinkney's expressive illustrations bring every emotion to brilliant life — from troubled sorrow to spirited hope for freedom.

Isabella Baumfree was born into slavery but she would not remain enslaved. Instead, she took the name Sojourner Truth and a famous orator for the abolition of slavery and for women’s rights. Sojourner’s words swirl throughout deeply colored pages of expressive illustrations.

The life story of Georgia Gilmore, a woman whose pies and delicious homemade cooking helped sustain the Montgomery bus boycott. Nicknamed "the Club from Nowhere," Gilmore along with a team of women risked their jobs to build a network wherein people from the community could financially aid the boycott through the purchase of her pies. he text emphasizes for young readers how important Gilmore's contributions were to the civil rights movement, including her work with Martin Luther King Jr. and her testimony in court on discrimination on buses.

Rachel Carson was a shy child, always drawn to nature. She grew up to become a professional biologist and enter a field with few women and write a book that changed the way people looked at the environment. Soft, cartoon-like illustrations and straightforward narrative present an overview of Carson's life; sources are included at the end.

This book of poems introduces fourteen revolutionary young women—each paired with a noteworthy female artist—to the next generation of activists, trail-blazers, and rabble-rousers. You'll meet Mary Anning, who was just thirteen when she unearthed a prehistoric fossil; Ruby Bridges, the brave six year old who helped end segregation in the South; and And Maya Lin, who at twenty-one won a competition to create a war memorial, and then had to appear before Congress to defend her right to create.

This bilingual book pairs the dual stories of powerful activists César Chávez and Dolores Huerta. Many years ago in California, an energetic young Girl Scout named Dolores worked to raise money for soldiers fighting in World War II. A thoughtful young boy named Cesar worked in the fields to help his family put food on the table. As young adults, these two extraordinary individuals would meet and spend the rest of their lives working tirelessly on behalf of migrant workers and children through nonviolent struggle — side by side.

Lively language and energetic illustrations create a memorable portrait of a woman who was to become known as Sojourner Truth. She was "Big. Black. Beautiful. True." Just like her name. Further information and photographs of Sojourner Truth completes this dynamic, fictionalized biography.

Lush, realistic illustrations combine with a simple text to suggest what it must have been like when the pioneering Jackie Robinson played ball for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Additional factual information is included in what is made to look like baseball cards on each page. The result is a handsome book that can be appreciated by different ages.

Susan B. Anthony lived and worked as a teacher when women were paid less for the same jobs performed by men and could not vote in any election. Her work and perseverance helped change the entire country and is presented in accessible language and simple illustrations that evoke the period. Resource notes are included.

After Frances Perkins witnessed the Triangle Waist Factory fire in 1911, she decided to work to bring about new laws to give workers more rights and make workplaces safer. When she became Secretary of Labor for FDR―the first woman cabinet member―Frances had the opportunity to make real her bold vision of a country where no one was left out with the establishment of the Social Security program.

When fourteen-year-old William Kamkwamba's Malawi village was hit by a drought, everyone's crops began to fail. Without enough money for food, let alone school, William spent his days in the library, and figured out how to bring electricity to his village. Persevering against the odds, William built a functioning windmill out of junkyard scraps, and thus became the local hero who harnessed the wind. This story will inspire many as it shows how, even in the worst of times, a great idea and a lot of hard work can still rock the world.

The story of Jane Addams who transformed a poor neighborhood in Chicago by opening up her house as a community center. She was the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize,

Greek gods and goddesses are the stuff of contemporary superheroes. Dramatic full-color, exaggerated comic book illustrations are used to present a dozen of the ancient heroes, sure to thrill contemporary, more experienced readers.

Audrey Faye Hendricks was confident and bold and brave as can be, and hers is the remarkable and inspiring story of one child’s role in the Civil Rights Movement.

Lincoln's own words punctuate this overview of his life and times including lighter moments. Full color illustrations exaggerate Lincoln's physical features but complement the man's complexity.

Stunning, bold collage illustrations carry the action in this reworking of the traditional Greek myth. Here, Icarus becomes Ikarus, a boy of color, who learns to fly in spite of the society in which he lives.

Young Zeus — the Greek god who grew up to rule on Mount Olympus — is introduced with contemporary language and lighthearted illustrations. The large format effectively supports the myth's grand proportions.

Fifty years ago well-known civil rights leaders came together with other lesser known but key individuals in Selma, Alabama. Events leading to breaking down the barriers to voting rights for African Americans are detailed through strong images and moving, well-documented narrative.

Terrell worked to gain equal rights for herself and other African Americans, and is best-known for her fight to end discrimination in Washington, DC, restaurants, buses, and hotels in the 1950s. 

With behind-the-scenes anecdotes of some iconic photos alongside photos with his family, colleagues, and other world leaders, White House Photographer Souza tells the story of a president who made history and still made time to engage with even the youngest citizens of the country he served.

A straightforward, illustrated narration tells the story of the brave Pakistani girl who fought for girls' rights to an education. Malala's efforts advocating for the right to learn is presented in this accessible, readable, and brief book.

Susan B. Anthony wasn't even alive when the 19th Amendment was ratified. The truth is, it took millions of women to get that amendment into law. They marched! They picketed! They even went to jail. But in the end, it all came down to a letter from a state representative's mom. Through illustrations, graphic panels, photographs, sidebars, and more, Messner explores the little-known details behind the fight for women's suffrage.

The life of the man whose name is associated with nonviolent protest is presented in graphic format. A range of well-known artists contributed their work to present a slim but impactful look at Gandhi’s life. Actual photographs and additional biographical information are included at the end as is information about the artists.

Well-known figures in American history are presented by diverse poets in a range of styles, pictured in folk art style portraits.

John Lewis, son of a sharecropper, grew up to become an activist and later, a U.S. Congressman. His life and crucial role in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement is dramatically presented in word and image in graphic format in three volumes (March: Book Two and March: Book Three). The story of the young John Lewis can be shared with children as young as four years in the picture book biography, Preaching to the Chickens: The Story of Young John Lewis written by Jabari Asim, illustrated by E.B. Lewis.

Have you ever wondered where the rainbow flag comes from? It all began with the first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk. His life and how the rainbow flag came to be and to express both hope and pride are briefly presented in accessible language and animated illustrations. Photographs of Milk and additional biographical sketch conclude the book.

Eleven-year-old Parvana lives with her family in one room of a bombed-out apartment building in Kabul, Afghanistan's capital city. After her father is arrested, Parvana must masquerade as a boy to gain access to the outside world and support her family. This is a novel about loyalty, survival, families and friendship under extraordinary circumstances. A map, glossary and author's note provide young readers with background and context.

What is a hero? Using the metaphor of a hiking trail, this book showcases the great variety of heroes and brings them to life through their own stories: Some are well known, like Wilma Rudolph, Anne Frank, and Stephen Hawking. Yet most are “ordinary kids” who have made amazing choices: saved their siblings from a fire, struggled to stop prejudice at their school, helped raise money to build a well in an African village.

Using excerpts from Wilbur's and Orville's journals and letters, young readers will find a compelling history of the early aviation experiments that culminated in the legendary flight at Kitty Hawk. The book also includes many astonishing photos taken by the brothers in order to better document their experiments.

From the boys who sailed with Columbus to today's young activists, this unique book brings to life the contributions of young people throughout American history. Based on primary sources and including 160 authentic images, this handsome oversized volume highlights the fascinating stories of more than 70 young people from diverse cultures.