Non-fiction for Middle School: Innovators and Ground Breakers

The story of Geraldine "Jerrie" Mock, the first woman to fly solo around the world. Mock caught the aviation bug at seven years old, when she rode in a Ford Trimotor plane with her parents. In high school, she displayed a talent for math and science, and she was the only woman in her aeronautical engineering classes at Ohio State University. Her dream became a race, as another woman, Joan Merriam Smith, also sought to be the first to circle the globe. Even though Mock beat Smith and accomplished what her heroine Amelia Earhart had died trying to do, her feat was overshadowed by the Vietnam War and other world events. (Lexile: 1020) (134 p.)

Presents the life and accomplishments of the American biologist, whose influential work, "The Silent Spring," about the danger of pesticides had a significant impact on the environmental movement of the 1960s. (Grade 4-6) (224 p.)

A biography of Nellie Bly, the pioneering journalist whose showy but substantive stunts skyrocketed her to fame. Grade 4-6 (Lexile: 1210)(136 p.)

Describes the life of biologist and writer Rachel Carson, whose book "Silent Spring" sparked the environmentalist movement.Describes the life of biologist and writer Rachel Carson, whose book "Silent Spring" sparked the environmentalist movement. Grade 5-8 (48 p.)

Traces Goodall's life, and focuses on two or more the chimpanzees that she observed. Also explores the ethical issues that surround Goodall's work and shows what has changed in our understanding of Great Apes. Grade 4-7 (Lexile: 1100L) (96 p.)

ncludes biographies of ten women who have made significant contributions to modern science, including Barbara McClintock, Katsuko Saruhashi, E. Margaret Burbidge, and Lydia Phindile Makhubu. Grade 7+ (123 p.)

Describes the childhood, inspirations, careers, and impact of women responsible for such inventions as correction fluid, bulletproof vests, cattle handling systems, and computer compilers, Grade 7+ (96 p.)

An interactive activity book that details the muckraking era Nellie Bly and Investigative Journalism for Kids brings to light the evolving world of American journalism, from the late 1800s to today. Focusing on the bold, audacious investigative reporter Nellie Bly, one of the most famous women in the world in her day, the book presents journalism in a fun, inventive, and exciting way. Grade 5-8

Introduces Suzy Wright, a Quaker who helped settle the Pennsylvania frontier, defended the rights of Native Americans, and provided legal counsel to her neighbors. Grade 4-8 (64 p.)

Traces the accomplishments of Margaret Bourke-White, the first female to make a name for herself as a photojournalist. The book explores her artistic development and chronicles the assignments for Fortune and LIFE magazines that took her all over the world as she fearlessly risked her life to get her story and tell it through pictures. (Lexile: 1000) (96 p.)

A biography of Dorothea Lange, whose photographs of migrant workers, Japanese American internees, and rural poverty helped bring about important social reforms. Grade 6+ (Lexile: 970) (122 p.)

Presents twenty women in America's history who fought for men's and women's rights, including Ann Lee, Jane Adams, Alice Paul, Dolores Huerta, and Sojourner Truth. Grade 3-6 (64 p.)

Traces the life of Fannie Sellins, a union activist who traveled the nation promoting fair wages and decent working and living conditions for workers in the garment and mining industries. (Lexile 1020) (44 p.)

Presents the first generation of female motorists who drove cars for fun, profit, and to make a statement about the evolving role of women. Grade 5-8 (Lexile: NC1250L)

Madam C.J. Walker worked hard her entire life. The nationally known business leader gave generously of her time and money to further the cause of civil rights. She brought hope and optimism to African-Americans and tirelessly fought for racial equality. Grade 5-7 (Lexile: 990L)

Profiles six women scientists who persevered in the face of prejudice, including ichthyologist Eugenie Clark and mathematician Katherine Coleman Johnson. (Lexile: 1120) (48 p.).

A collection of biographies of ten American adventurers. Grade 6-9 (128 p)

Includes biographies of thirteen people who made significant contributions to modern mathematics, including Charles Babbage, Sofia Kovalevskaia, Julia Bowman Robinson, and John H. Conway (Grade 7+) (139 p.)

Profiles eight men and women whose artwork serves as visual documentation of critical events and cultural eras in American history during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Grade 7+ (144 p.)

Presents the lives and accomplishments of ten African-Americans who excelled in such fields as engineering, fire fighting, agriculture, and medicine Grade 6 + (128 p.)

Looks at some of the inventions and innovations that were developed in the Arab world, including the astrolabe, stitches, hummus, and soap bars. Grade 4-6 (48 p.)

An account of the black soldiers, sailors, spies, scouts, guides, and wagoners who participated and sacrificed in the struggle for American independence. Grade 5-7 (82 p.)

Profiles ten important inventors and scientists from Archimedes to Sergey Korolyev and discusses the impact their actions had on history. Grade 4-8 (63 p.)

Describes the lives of the pirates Sir Francis Drake, Sir Henry Morgan, Henry Avery, Samuel Bellamy, Edward Teach, Anne Bonny, Mary Read, Bartholomew Roberts, John Paul Jones, Jean Laffite, and Cheng I Sao. Grade 5-8 (104 p.)

Profiles thirteen African Americans who have excelled in various fields, including medicine, science, civil rights, and exploration. Grade 5-8 (64 p.)

From Mathew Brady's startling Civil War photographs to NASA's stunning images of the universe, a visual study of groundbreaking cinematographers highlights twelve photographers whose work has truly changed the nation. Grade 5 - 9) (Lexile: 1210) (182 p.)

Over the centuries, untold numbers of black men and women in America have achieved great things against the odds. Pathfinders is a collective biography of sixteen diverse American men and women of African descent who made their mark on American history in the 18th to 20th centuries. People who dared to dream, take risks, and create goals not only for themselves, but for others and the betterment of their society, too. Grade 5-8

Examines the lives of the Wright brothers and discusses their personalities, mechanical ability, experiments, and triumphs in the field of flight. Grade 4-8 (64 p.)

Tells of Benjamin Franklin's growth into a true renaissance man whose wit, inventiveness, and courage helped to mold a nation that would later remember him as one of its greatest founding fathers. Grade 4-8 (128 p.)

A biography of the successful filmmaker who won an Oscar in 1995 for "Schindler's List." (128 p.)

A biography of the man known for his interest in teaching the deaf and for his invention of the telephone. (128 p.)

The life of the 19th-century Frenchman who invented an alphabet enabling the blind to read. (80 p.)

A biography of the author who created Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach. (104 p.)

In 1841, rescued by an American whaler after a terrible shipwreck leaves him and his four companions castaways on a remote island, fourteen-year-old Manjiro learns new laws and customs as he becomes the first Japanese person to set foot in the United States. Grade 4 - 8 (Lexile: 1020) (80 p.)

A biography of Thomas Alva Edison, the inventor of the electric lighting system and the phonograph. (Lexile: 1110) (127 p.)

A revelatory portrait of the life and legacy of the heroic baseball legend explores how, despite his amazing athletic abilities, he was challenged to break the color barrier and overcome significant discrimination in order to play in Major League Baseball. (Lexile: 1010)

In the years following the Civil War, "Arctic fever" gripped the American public, fueled by myths of a fertile, tropical sea at the top of the world. Several explorers attempted to find a route to the North Pole, but none succeeded. Bound by Ice follows the journey of George Washington De Long and the crew of the USS Jeannette, who departed San Francisco in the summer of 1879 hoping to find a route to the North Pole. However, in mid-September the ship became locked in ice north of Siberia and drifted for nearly two years before it was crushed by ice and sank. De Long and his men escaped the ship and began a treacherous journey in extreme polar conditions in an attempt to reach civilization. Many—including De Long—did not survive. A riveting true-life adventure, Bound by Ice includes excerpts from De Long’s extensive journals, which were recovered with his body; newspapers from the time; and photos and sketches by the men on the expedition. The title also includes an epilogue, author’s note, bibliography, source notes, and index. (Lexile: 1050).

Relates the stories of kids who made a difference in their neighborhood, community, or the world by helping in such areas as crime, life-saving, and the environment. 5-10 Grade (175 p.)

Collective biography of women and girls who changed the world with their inventions. Grade (57 p.)