50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet [Paperback]

Dennis Denenberg (Author), Lorraine Roscoe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2002 | Age Level: 9 and up

Anyone can be a hero. That is the central message of 50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet, an engaging work that, in printed form, has informed and entertained thousands of readers nationwide since the year 2000. Now in digital format, 50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet features updated information and a tribute to the heroes of 9/11. The authors point out that children ages 15 and younger have no memory of that tragic event. They assert that it is important that all of us connect the heroism of that day to the broader idea of REAL people who, throughout our history, have been heroes. That connection is exactly what 50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet provides. This is an interactive, "kid-friendly" book that motivates readers of all ages to explore the lives of REAL heroes. Each of the 50 heroes is introduced through an anecdote that highlights the hero’s qualities and life circumstances. In “Power Words,” we get to know the hero through his or her own words. A photograph illustrates each entry, and a biography is recommended to encourage us to “Dive In” to the hero’s story. Rounding out each entry is “Explore,” where readers are urged to expand their hero experience through hands-on activities. Thanks to the digital format, the reader can quickly visit the many websites that the authors recommend This book’s message is timeless: REAL HEROES make the world a better place, and we must learn about them so that we can strive to be heroic in our own lives.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 3-6-A compilation of short biographies of men and women from different eras, professions, and ethnic backgrounds. The alphabetically arranged, double-page entries include expected names, such as Mary McLeod Bethune, Thomas Jefferson, and Harriet Tubman, as well as the unexpected, for example, Martha Graham, Yo-Yo Ma, and Cal Ripken, Jr., with justification by the authors. The sketches are casual, sometimes asking readers questions to provoke thought. Many of the entries seem more chatty than informative, e.g., for Milton Hershey, "Sounds like a fantasy place in a kids' book, doesn't it? Well, don't tell that to the people in Hershey, Pennsylvania. It's their home!" Black-and-white pictures of the individuals appear on every spread. The profiles are followed by a "Hero Hunt," 24 questions to encourage children to uncover the identities of other American heroes via their computers or encyclopedias. It's all a great idea and a nice collection for browsing, but readers who want more information than inspiration will need to look elsewhere.

Be Astengo, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Millbrook Press (February 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761316450
• ISBN-13: 978-0761316459
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,659,728 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Inspirational, motivating, dynamic, powerful, humorous, creative, captivating! These are all words that have been used by teachers, book reviewers, parents, and conference attendees who have attended one of my speaking engagements. After being frustrated by the pop culture icons and the super-rich athletes who are displayed as heroes by our society, I have spent much of my life learning about true heroes and sharing their stories with other educators. I spent my educational career in public schools as a social studies teacher, elementary school principal, assistant superintendent, and professor. Currently, I present keynote addresses to conferences/ conventions for corporate, teacher, and parent groups. I also do teacher workshops and in-service programs. I have been called one of the most inspirational speakers in America by thousands of fans across the country. Join me in inspiring educators to bring heroes alive in the life of a child!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Inspiring Book!, August 20, 2003

By 

J. W. Sprout Jr. (Pennsylvania, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet (Paperback)

Dr. Dennis Denenberg and Lorraine Roscoe have written a book so inspiring and appropriate for children, it should be in every classroom in the United States! It's factually accurate and to the point. This is a great way to learn about some of the most inspiring people the U.S. has ever produced. Honest, I have literally bought more than 60 copies of this book to share with parents and educators around the country. Everyone I've spoken with who has read this book has given it nothing but rave reviews!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for everyone, not just kids., February 21, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: 50 Heroes Every Kid Shld Meet (Library Binding)

I was really suprised how many of these people I was not familiar with. I learned a lot! This book gives 2 pages of information on 50 important and influential people from the US (note: just from the US), explaining WHY we should think of them as heros. The heros quiz in the back is fun to do as a family. Everyone should read this book, not just children.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and engaging, January 17, 2006

By 

Brian Batson (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet (Paperback)

When I first found this book, I was impressed with the simple, accessible, straight-forward presentation of REAL WORLD heroes - for kids. When they get a chance to learn about the accomplishments of these people, they can have a real vision for themselves and for their lives. This is the kind of book that can make a positive impact on our world, a kid at a time, or better.

When I next read through the book, I was very impressed with the writing, for it presents a person (aka hero), his/her accomplishment(s), and then asks the readers to relate this to their own lives. The call it "Explore" - it is an invitation for the reader to make a part of the hero story become a part of them. What you are left with is the possibility that I can, that I am, that we are... It is a calling to be a hero, ourselves.