[ISLMA-Share] Memoir/Biography Suggestions

[Email list for the Illinois School Library Media Association]

I loved "The Boys in the Boat"...there is a adult and young adult version.

Very inspirational...about grit, determination and teamwork!

It was really good for middle school.  Here is the description:

>From School Library Journal

Gr 4–7—This adaptation of the adult title The Boys in the Boat: Nine
Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
(Viking, 2013) chronicles the powerful University of Washington crew team
that took the gold in Berlin. The book centers on one untrained rower, Joe
Rantz, who was working his way through college. The team was guided by the
determined UW coach, Al Ulbrickson, whose obstacles to success were the
rival rowing team from the University of California, Berkeley, and his own
inconsistent rowers. Introductions to figures such as George Pocock, the
team's boat builder, are fascinating, and the photos of races and the team
help to build an understanding of this unique world. The descriptions of
the team's trajectory and their tense races are suspenseful, and readers
will be fully invested. Rantz is a relatable underdog. However, the
accounts of his struggles and triumphs come at the expense of his
teammates, who are relegated to the background, existing only as sketchy,
underdeveloped figures. Brown's portrayal of the Olympic games is full of
thrilling details, but it's also impersonal, with little insight into the
boys' thoughts, and Nazi Germany is mentioned only briefly. A "Who's Who"
at the front of the book and a time line and introduction to rowing at the
back are helpful and well laid out. VERDICT Those seeking an inspiring true
story or a great sports tale will be pleased with this stirring
work.—Marian McLeod, Convent of the Sacred Heart, Greenwich, CT --This text
refers to the Hardcover
<https://www.amazon.com/dp/0451475925/ref=dp_bookdescription?_encoding=UTF8&n=283155>
 edition.

On Tue, Sep 12, 2017 at 1:53 PM, Email list for the Illinois School Library
Media Association <islma at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:

> Good Afternoon Everyone!
>
> Every fall we choose a book for our Family Read Night.  During conferences
> we promote the book and have families sign up to participate. Before winter
> break, we send home a copy of the book with the students and give them
> until late February to have all family members participating in FRN read
> the book.
>
> We get together in February to discuss and have different activities about
> the book.
>
> This year we are looking for an inspirational memoir/biography to use for
> our Family Read Night. Any suggestions for families of 7th and 8th grade
> students?
>
> Thank you,
> Kim
>
> --
>
> Kim Miller, Media Specialist
>
> CCSD #46
>
> Grayslake Middle School
>
> 440 N. Baron Blvd
>
> Grayslake, Illinois 60030
>
> 847.543.5820 <(847)%20543-5820>
>
> miller.kim at d46. <miller.kim at d46.k12.il.us>org
>
> http://gmslibrarian.weebly.com
>
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