If you're interested in learning a little bit about a lot of people, this is the book for you. Trusiani has selected a nice assortment of people to profile: artists, athletes, scientists, politicians, explorers, evenly divided between male and female, familiar and obscure. We get just a couple of pages on each person, focused on their major accomplishment. Books of this sort are a great way to spark a young reader's interest in learning more about unfamiliar figures.

This book tells the stories of 50 outstanding Americans who can be excellent role models for children. Some of those featured were well known to me including Louisa May Alcott, Ruth Bader Ginsburg or Doctor Seuss. Others were new to me including S. Stillman Berry, a marine zoologist, or Claudette Colvin, a teen who did not give up a seat on the bus at an earlier date than Rosa Parks. For each entry, even for those known to me, there were interesting facets of a life and facts that I did not already know. Very helpful were the ways in which the author anticipated what a reader might want to know. For example, in talking about Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, a composer, pianist and art patron, the term chamber music is explained. To further add to the readers' experience, the author has a Tips For You section after each entry. For example the entry on cartoonist Charles Adams suggest looking up his books of cartoons or drawing people you know and turning them into cartoon characters.

I recommend this book highly. Both children and adults will learn a lot and be impressed by some outstanding Americans. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.
#AmericanTrailblazers #NetGalley

This is an interesting little book of famous and less famous Americans. Each one has a colorful illustration and then a short biography, coupled with a quote and some sort of related activity for kids to try.

Oddly enough, the person I enjoyed learning about most wasn't featured in the biographies but just mentioned as background. John James Audubon, famous naturalist and bird illustrator, is profiled and this sentence about his wife piqued my interest: "Lucy worked to support herself and their children, while John traveled around North America observing and painting birds." I immediately started searching online for more information on Lucy Blackwell Audubon, and found her story touching, inspiring and more than a little maddening (here's a bit of her story: http://www.womenhistoryblog.com/2015/... and a letter she wrote and more about her sacrifices and her struggles in her old age is here: https://www.sdnhm.org/blog/blog_detai...). I'd actually have preferred to have that entry about her, as none of those bird illustrations would be here if it weren't for her financial and emotional support of his obsession (let's call it what it was) for most of his life.

In any case, it's a well rounded compilation of biographies and many are likely to be new to young and old alike.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.

***Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

Another wonderful introduction to some of the greatest thinkers and achievers in American history. I liked that they highlighted a few people that aren't extremely well-known!

Wonderful book about 50 "trailblazers" in American history. Men and women of diverse backgrounds who impacted all areas of life, dating from the 1800s through present time. There are some familiar names in here but I even more appreciated the info on those I was unfamiliar with. Each person's story is told in about 3 pages, making it a great book for kids to read at their own pace. I love that each of the little bios ends with a "Tips for You!" - a way to learn more about the person or their profession, so kids can go learn even more about those they are very interested in. There are also 15 "More Inspiring People to Explore" in the back of the book, with just a paragraph of info. Love the inspiring info and the wide variety of people and interests showcased here.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.