Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different

August 15, 2018
Single-page biographies of 76 different men show modern boys a range of male-identified role models.Some of the men profiled are wildly famous, such as computer nerd Bill Gates, former president Barack Obama, and Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe. More obscure ones include the 12th-century leper king of Jerusalem and a kid who became famous after being virally mocked on YouTube. Each brief entry attempts to distill large ideas into language accessible for young readers. The apparent goal of showing boys role models beyond famous aggressors is admirable, but with no introductory or conclusive note that ties together the author's overall thoughts, the result is something of a patchwork feel. An overuse of aggressively passive voice and vaguely inspirational statements impede the quality of the text, and questionable or speculative historical information limits its value. The language is simplified to the point of dumbed-down, which contrasts wildly with some of the intense moments, such as the chemical castration of Alan Turing that led to his suicide or the murder of child slave Iqbal Masih; this may make it hard to find an appropriate audience. However, many of the less familiar entries provide an interesting introduction to their lives and efforts, which may lead some readers to search out more and better information. Unfortunately, there is no bibliography or list of further reading, so they'll have to do that work on their own.A timely and worthy attempt dragged down by poor execution. (Collective biography. 8-13)

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September 15, 2018
Grades 3-6 Joining a list of recently released books for young readers about children who have changed the world is this title with a focus on boys who performed incredible feats and conquered their own hurdles to change the world in their own way. Some, like Mohed Altrad, overcame extreme poverty and challenges to pursue education and accomplish their dreams. Others, such as Christopher Paolini, found a passion and pursued it. Historical figures such as Louis Braille and Frederick Douglass join currently living figures such as Bill Gates and Lionel Messi, making this title perfect for readers with different interests. Each spread contains a brief biography of an individual, accompanied by both realistic and creatively illustrated images, some of which are reminiscent of the Who Was? book series, while others reflect a more serious tone that goes well with their subjects. Filled with interesting stories about boys (and men) that contributed to and changed the world in their own ways, this text is sure to inspire young readers and show them that there are many, many different ways to make a difference.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)