Inspiring Biographies for Middle School Readers: A Selection of Books that Teach and Entertain
Biographies for Middle School Students: Why They Matter and How to Choose Them
Biographies are books that tell the stories of real people who have lived in the past or present. They can be fascinating, inspiring, and educational for middle school students who are curious about the world and eager to learn from others' experiences. Reading biographies can help middle school students develop their reading comprehension, critical thinking, and empathy skills. It can also expose them to different cultures, perspectives, challenges, and achievements that can broaden their horizons and spark their interests.
biographies for middle school students
In this article, we will explore how to choose a good biography for middle school students that is appropriate, engaging, and relevant. We will also provide some examples of biographies that are recommended for middle school students based on web search results. By the end of this article, you will have a better idea of why biographies matter and how to find them for your middle school student.
How to Choose a Good Biography for Middle School Students
Choosing a good biography for middle school students can be tricky. You want to find a book that is not too easy or too hard for your student's reading level. You also want to find a book that is not too boring or too graphic for your student's age and maturity level. And you want to find a book that is not too irrelevant or too biased for your student's interest and learning goals.
So how do you choose a good biography for middle school students? Here are some criteria to consider:
Reading level: You can use tools like Lexile or Accelerated Reader to find out the reading level of a book. You can also look at the book's length, vocabulary, sentence structure, and complexity. Generally, you want to find a book that is slightly above your student's current reading level to challenge them but not frustrate them.
Content: You can use sources like Common Sense Media or Goodreads to find out the content of a book. You can also read reviews, summaries, or excerpts of the book. Generally, you want to find a book that is suitable for your student's age and maturity level. You want to avoid books that contain excessive violence, profanity, or sexual content that may be inappropriate or disturbing for your student. You also want to avoid books that contain inaccurate, misleading, or offensive information that may be harmful or confusing for your student.
Interest: You can use your student's preferences, hobbies, passions, or questions to find out their interest. You can also ask them what they want to learn more about or who they admire. Generally, you want to find a book that is appealing and relevant for your student. You want to find a book that features a person or a topic that your student is curious or enthusiastic about. You also want to find a book that showcases a person or a topic that your student can relate to or learn from.
Relevance: You can use your student's curriculum, goals, or needs to find out their relevance. You can also consider the current events, trends, or issues that affect your student. Generally, you want to find a book that is meaningful and useful for your student. You want to find a book that supports or enhances your student's learning objectives or outcomes. You also want to find a book that connects or applies to your student's life or world.
Once you have considered these criteria, you can use websites or sources that can help you find good biographies for middle school students. Some examples are:
Best Biography for Middle School Readers: A list of biography and autobiography titles that middle school students will enjoy, voted by Goodreads users.
Over 25 Biographies that will Inspire your Middle School Student: A list of biographies that cover various topics and genres, curated by a homeschooling mom and blogger.
Biographies Middle School Students Should Read: A list of biographies that feature diverse and influential people, compiled by a homeschooling mom and blogger.
Best Memoirs for Kids and Teens: A list of memoirs and autobiographies that reveal the challenges and triumphs of ordinary people in extraordinary situations, reviewed by Common Sense Media.
After you have found some potential biographies for your middle school student, you can encourage them to read them and share their thoughts and opinions. Some tips are:
Read together: You can read the same biography as your student and discuss it with them. You can ask them questions, share your insights, and compare your perspectives. You can also read aloud parts of the biography that are interesting, funny, or emotional and see how your student reacts.
Read differently: You can read different biographies on the same person or topic and compare them with your student. You can point out the similarities and differences, the strengths and weaknesses, and the biases and perspectives of each biography. You can also challenge your student to find out more information or evidence to support or refute each biography.
Read creatively: You can ask your student to create something based on the biography they read. They can write a summary, a review, a letter, a poem, a song, a comic strip, etc. They can also draw a picture, a map, a timeline, a poster, etc. They can also act out a scene, a dialogue, a speech, etc.
Some Examples of Biographies for Middle School Students
Here are some examples of biographies that are recommended for middle school students based on web search results. For each biography, we will provide a brief summary of the main character, the setting, the plot, and the theme.
I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai
This is the autobiography of Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani girl who became an activist for girls' education and human rights. The setting is Pakistan in the 2000s, when the Taliban took control of her region and imposed harsh rules and restrictions on women and girls. The plot follows Malala's life from her childhood to her near-fatal shooting by the Taliban in 2012. The theme is courage, resilience, and hope in the face of oppression and violence.
This is the memoir of Jazz Jennings, an American girl who is one of the youngest publicly documented people to be identified as transgender. The setting is Florida in the 2010s, when Jazz and her family began appearing on television and social media to speak about the challenges and joys of growing up transgender. The plot follows Jazz's life from her early childhood to her teenage years, as she navigates school, friends, dating, surgery, and activism. The theme is identity, acceptance, and love in the face of adversity and ignorance.
Dan and Phil Go Outside by Dan Howell and Phil Lester
This is the travel diary of Dan Howell and Phil Lester, two British YouTube personalities who are best friends and collaborators. The setting is various countries around the world in 2016, when Dan and Phil embarked on a global tour to meet their fans and perform their comedy show. The plot consists of photos, anecdotes, jokes, and secrets that Dan and Phil share from their adventures. The theme is friendship, humor, and creativity in the digital age.
Looking Back: A Book of Memories by Lois Lowry
This is the autobiography of Lois Lowry, an American author who has written many acclaimed children's books, such as The Giver and Number the Stars. The setting is different places and times in Lowry's life, from her childhood in Hawaii and Japan to her adulthood in Maine and Massachusetts. The plot is a collection of personal stories, reflections, and photographs that Lowry uses to explore her memories and influences. The theme is writing, family, and loss in a changing world.
Yoko's Diary by Paul Ham (Editor)
This is the diary of Yoko Moriwaki, a Japanese girl who lived during World War II. The setting is Hiroshima in 1945, when Yoko was a 13-year-old student who loved school, friends, and family. The plot is a record of Yoko's daily life, thoughts, and feelings before and after the atomic bombing that killed her and thousands of others. The theme is war, peace, and hope in a tragic time.
Every Falling Star: The True Story of How I Survived and Escaped North Korea by Sungju Lee
This is the memoir of Sungju Lee, a North Korean boy who defected to South Korea after years of hardship and danger. The setting is North Korea in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when Sungju was a 12-year-old son of a high-ranking official who suddenly fell out of favor and was banished to a remote town. The plot follows Sungju's struggle to survive on the streets with other homeless boys, his involvement in gangs and fights, his escape to China with his father, and his eventual resettlement in South Korea. The theme is survival, loyalty, and freedom in a repressive regime.
Red Scarf Girl by Ji-li Jiang
This is the memoir of Ji-li Jiang, a Chinese girl who lived during the Cultural Revolution. The setting is China in the 1960s and 1970s, when Ji-li was a 12-year-old student who excelled at school and had a happy family life. The plot follows Ji-li's experiences as she witnessed the radical changes that swept her country under Mao Zedong's rule, such as the persecution of intellectuals, the destruction of traditions, and the rise of violence. The theme is courage, faith, and resilience in a turbulent time.
Soldier Boy by Anthony Hill
This is the biography of Jim Martin, an Australian boy who lied about his age to enlist in World War I. The setting is Australia and Turkey in 1915, when Jim was a 14-year-old farm boy who dreamed of fighting for his country. The plot follows Jim's journey from his home town to his training camp to his deployment at Gallipoli. The theme is war, patriotism, and sacrifice in a historical context.
No Summit out of Sight: The True Story of the Youngest Person to Climb the Seven Summits by Jordan Romero
This is the autobiography of Jordan Romero, an American boy who became the youngest person to climb the highest mountain on each continent. The setting is various mountains around the world from 2006 to 2011, when Jordan was a 9-year-old to a 15-year-old adventurer who loved challenges and nature. The plot follows Jordan's preparation, training, and climbing of each summit, with the support of his father, stepmother, and guides. The theme is adventure, determination, and achievement in a remarkable feat.
The Diary of Anne Frank and Related Readings by Anne Frank
This is the diary of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl who hid from the Nazis in Amsterdam during World War II. The setting is the secret annex where Anne and her family and friends lived from 1942 to 1944, when they were discovered and deported to concentration camps. The plot is a record of Anne's daily life, thoughts, and feelings as she coped with fear, boredom, loneliness, and hope. The theme is humanity, dignity, and optimism in a dark time.
Conclusion
Biographies are books that tell the stories of real people who have lived in the past or present. They can be fascinating, inspiring, and educational for middle school students who are curious about the world and eager to learn from others' experiences. Reading biographies can help middle school students develop their reading comprehension, critical thinking, and empathy skills. It can also expose them to different cultures, perspectives, challenges, and achievements that can broaden their horizons and spark their interests.
In this article, we have explored how to choose a good biography for middle school students that is appropriate, engaging, and relevant. We have also provided some examples of biographies that are recommended for middle school students based on web search results. These biographies cover various topics and genres, such as history, culture, science, sports, etc. They feature diverse and influential people, such as Malala Yousafzai, Jazz Jennings, Dan Howell and Phil Lester, Lois Lowry, Yoko Moriwaki, Sungju Lee, Ji-li Jiang, Jim Martin, Jordan Romero, and Anne Frank.
We hope that this article has given you a better idea of why biographies matter and how to find them for your middle school student. We encourage you to explore more biographies or share your own favorites with your student. Reading biographies can be a rewarding and enriching experience for both you and your student. You never know what you might learn or how you might be inspired by someone else's life story.
FAQs
What is the difference between a biography and an autobiography?
A biography is a book that tells the story of someone else's life. An autobiography is a book that tells the story of the author's own life.
How can I help my middle school student write their own biography?
You can help your middle school student write their own biography by guiding them through the following steps:
Choose a person they want to write about. It can be themselves or someone else they admire or know well.
Research the person's life. They can use books, websites, interviews, documents, photos, etc. to gather information about the person's background, personality, achievements, challenges, etc.
Organize the information into a timeline or an outline. They can use chronological order or thematic order to arrange the information into main events or topics.
Write the biography using details, examples, quotes, etc. to support each event or topic. They can use an introduction to introduce the person and their main point; a body to describe the person's life; and a conclusion to summarize the person's impact or legacy.
Edit and revise the biography using feedback from others or themselves. They can check for spelling, grammar, punctuation, clarity, accuracy, etc.
What are some benefits of reading biographies for middle school students?
Some benefits of reading biographies for middle school students are:
They can learn about history, culture, science, sports, etc. from different perspectives and sources.
They can develop their reading comprehension, critical thinking, and empathy skills by analyzing and understanding someone else's life story.
They can broaden their horizons and spark their interests by discovering new people or topics that they may not have known before.
They can inspire themselves to pursue their goals or overcome their challenges by learning from someone else's achievements or struggles.
What are some challenges of reading biographies for middle school students?
Some challenges of reading biographies for middle school students are:
They may find some biographies too easy or too hard for their reading level.
They may find some biographies too irrelevant or too biased for their interest and learning goals.
These challenges can be overcome by using the criteria and sources mentioned above to find a good biography for your middle school student. You can also read the biography with your student and help them understand and evaluate the content.
What are some tips for writing a good biography?
Some tips for writing a good biography are:
Choose a person who is interesting and relevant: You want to write about someone who has a compelling life story that can capture the attention and curiosity of your audience. You also want to write about someone who has a connection or a contribution to your topic or purpose.
Research the person's life thoroughly and accurately: You want to use reliable and diverse sources to gather information about the person's background, personality, achievements, challenges, etc. You also want to verify and cite your facts and quotes correctly.
Organize the person's life logically and coherently: You want to use a clear and consistent structure to arrange the information into main events or topics. You can use chronological order or thematic order to present the person's life.
Write the person's life vividly and respectfully: You want to use details, examples, quotes, etc. to show rather than tell the person's life story. You also want to use a tone and a style that are appropriate and respectful for the person and the audience.
Edit and revise the person's life carefully and creatively: You want to check for spelling, grammar, punctuation, clarity, accuracy, etc. and make necessary changes. You also want to add some flair and originality to make your biography stand out.
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