Two Unusual Biographies

While there are many biographies for middle school students about famous people, there are not many that include the everyday lives of the subject. I have two very different biographies to recommend that do just that.

• The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary, an unusual biography by Candace Fleming, created in scrapbook format. I would recommend it as a reference book for kids in grade 4-8, as well as older teens and adults. The Lincolns is the kind of book readers will enjoy dipping into again and again.
• Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith is a intriguing book by Deborah Heiligman about Charles Darwin and his wife, Emma. Despite Darwin's fame for the theory of evolution, it is his life with his wife that is the focus of this book.

Have you or your kids read either of this books? If so, please share your opinions by clicking on "Comments" below and posting a message.

(Cover art courtesy of Schwartz & Wade, An Imprint of Random House Children's Books)