Kidstories: Biographies of 20 Young People You'd Like to Know - Softcover

Delisle, James R.; Espeland, Pamela

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0915793342 ISBN 13: 9780915793341

Publisher: Free Spirit Pub, 1991

Synopsis

Life stories of twenty school-age boys and girls who were brave, intelligent, inspirational, or simply friendly, as they faced things that each of us faces

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 5-8-- A collective biography that features short sketches about young people ranging in age from 8 to 19. Entries are grouped into five categories according to theme: being accepted by peers, taking responsibility for learning, overcoming adversity, getting involved in social issues, and developing a philosophy of life. Each section includes questions to assist in reflection and discussion and resources to find out more about the concerns addressed. The profiles are presented in a clear, straightforward manner, interspersed with quotes by and a black-and-white photograph of the individual. There's a ``sketchbook form'' that can be photocopied and a letter from the author encouraging readers to submit their thumbnail biographies for possible inclusion in future books. The index is extensive, including subjects, names, resources, and organizations. While this could serve as a resource for teachers as a bridge to whole language and literature-based activities and for librarians to introduce the genre, the tone is somewhat preachy, restating messages where it is not necessary--it's a little too much like a teacher telling the class to be ``good little boys or girls like Jane.'' Moreover, the format is choppy and didactic. If the book is read straight through, the children blur together rather than stand out as individuals. Useful, but a little dull. --Constance A. Mellon, Department of Library & Information Studies, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Free Spirit Pub
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0915793342
• ISBN 13: 9780915793341
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 176