Schoolwide Blog

We know from working with teachers in our area and surrounding states that they are being asked to teach biographies to their students, and in turn, have them write biographies.  Yet, when we ask teachers what they want their students to know as a result of reading and studying this genre, teachers themselves are unclear.  What is biography and whyshould students read and discuss them?

In actuality, here’s where the real work begins.  Biographies can take several different formats and structures.  For example, a biography may contain a number of chapters and chronicle an individual’s life from birth to death.  Other biographies may only focus on one or two main events in the person’s life and present the information in a picture book format.  Some recently published biographies convey information through verse or poetry. In fact, when the American Library Association announced its 2009 book and media award winners last week, biographies written in a variety of styles were among the winners.

If students are going to be asked to write in this genre, it’s imperative that they be exposed to a number of biographies written in different formats.  Teachers need to know that biographies take many “shapes and sizes” and are appropriate as well as engaging for students of all ages and reading levels.  Through exposure and study of the many presentation forms of biographies, students come to understand that they have choices when developing their own biographical text. Check out these amazing titles as you prepare for your own biography genre study.  If you and your students have a favorite biography or two, let us know.  We’d like to hear what texts you are using in your biography genre study.

Barretta, Gene. (2006).  Now and Ben: The modern inventions ofBenjamin Franklin.  New York:Henry Holt and Company. (picture book – prose)

Bryan, Jen. (2008).  A river of words: The story of WilliamCarlos Williams.  Illus. byMelissa Sweet.  Grand Rapids, MI:Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. (picture book – prose)

*This was named a 2009 Caldecott Honor Book. 

Kerley, Barbara. (2008).  What to do about Alice?: How Alice Rooseveltbroke the rules, charmed the world, and drove her father Teddy crazy.  Illus. by Edwin Fotheringham.  New York: Scholastic Press.  (picture book – prose)

*This was named a 2009 Sibert Honor Book.

Krull, Kathleen. (2003).  Harvesting hope: The story of Cesar Chavez.  Illus. by Yuyi Morales.  San Diego: Harcourt. (picture book –prose)

*This was named a 2004 Pura Belpre Honor Book.

Stone, Tanya Lee, & Gibbon, Rebecca.  (2008).  Elizabeth leads theway: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the right to vote.  New York: Henry Holt and Company.(picture book – prose)

Weatherford, Carole Boston.  (2008).  Becoming Billie Holiday.  Illus. by Floyd Cooper.  Honesdale, PA: Wordsong.  (poetry – older readers)

*This was named a 2009 Coretta Scott King Honor Book forAuthor.

Weatherford, Carole Boston.  (2008).  Before John was a jazz giant: A song of JohnColtrane.  Illus. by SeanQualls.  New York: Henry Holt andCompany. (picture book – prose)

*This book was named a 2009 Coretta Scott King Honor Bookfor Illustration.

Weatherford, Carole Boston.  (2008).  I, Matthew Henson.  Illus. by Eric Velasquez. New York:Walker and Company. (picture book – prose)