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Books of the Week

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​​​​​​​​​​​​See what Cape Horn readers are saying about inspirational Biographies!

 

Title:  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.             Author: David Adler

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a courageous man. Do you know about him? Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born in 1929 and was raised in Atlanta, Georgia USA, where segregation still took place. Those laws were unjust and racist. Martin Luther King Jr. attended college in Boston at the age of 15. He was very smart. He grew up to be a minister and was a powerful speaker and writer. Then he met his wife Coretta. They became a strong team to change minds. They led marches, bus boycotts and speeches working to change the unfair, racist and unjust laws. In 1964 Martin Luther King Jr. won the Nobel Peace Prize. He had changed two American laws for equality, which the whole world recognized. Dr. King was a brave hero who inspired Civil Rights progress!

 Recommended By:  ​Kaashvi, Grade 4​


 

Title:  Roberta Bondar               Author:  Leia Tait

Roberta is an inspiring Canadian. Roberta was born in 1945. When she was only a kid she had her own laboratory for science! Roberta also liked sports but everyone told Roberta that science and sports were for boys only. Roberta’s mom kept encouraging her to not give up on what she’s passionate about. Roberta attended James Dunn Collegiate and Vocational School. After graduating Roberta used many of her years getting degrees in science, including a medical degree. Soon after Roberta was specializing in neurology and was also studying space medicine. Roberta was always fascinated about it. The government started the Canadian Space Program in 1983. Roberta applied immediately and surprisingly got chosen out of 4.300 applicants. She had to spend many months training to become an astronaut. Roberta was the first woman as an astronaut in Canada. Roberta had many struggles as an astronaut. For example during her first time in space Roberta would have headaches all day but still kept going. Nothing was stopping her from a dream job! After many years Roberta was leading NASA on 24 successful space missions. Roberta was known by many and got a NASA medal of honour! After leading NASA in the 2000s she became a professional nature photographer…from scientist to doctor, doctor to astronaut, and from astronaut to photographer! This truly shows you how much you can achieve!

Recommended By:  Darren, Grade 5


 

Title:  Wilma Unlimited               Author:  Kathleen Krull

Wilma Rudolph is a very inspiring African-American woman. She was born in Clarksville, Tennessee in 1940. Wilma had 19 older brothers and sisters! When she was 5 she was sicker than ever. Wilma's left leg twisted inwards. The news spread that she had polio. The hospital in Clarksville would only treat white people. So Wilma's mother had to take her on the bus twice each week to Nashville, which was 50 miles away. This hospital would treat black patients. Wilma kept on moving by hopping on one foot. Wilma got a metal brace and she could go to school. One day at church, Wilma felt extra brave and she took off her brace. Wilma walked without a brace down the aisle and everyone looked when she went by. After that happened, she walked as much as she could. Then one day she sent the brace back to the hospital! Now she could play with the other kids. In high school Wilma led her basketball team to the Tennessee State Championships. Her team lost, but a college coach was impressed by the way she ran. He wanted her for the track and field team. She got a full athletic scholarship to the Tennessee State University and was the first in her family to go to college! In 1960 she went to the Olympics and eventually ran in several races and won 3 gold medals! She was the first woman ever to win 3 gold medals. Wilma's perseverance through sickness, and hard times including segregation, is so inspiring.

Recommended By:  Geeta, Grade 5 


 

Title:  Viola Desmond Won't Be Budged!       Author:  Jody Nyasha Warmer

          Viola Desmond was a very inspiring and brave African-Canadian woman. She was born in 1914 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Viola was one of the first business women; did you know she owned a beauty parlor? One evening Viola set out to go to one of her business meetings but her car broke down. She decided that she would go to the movie theater instead. Viola sat down with her ticket when an usher came. The usher had told Viola to go to the balcony instead, where the black audience was expected to sit, but Viola insisted that she would pay extra to stay in the seat she had already chosen. But sadly the usher did not agree. Back then in 1946 lots of places were segregated; where black people couldn't mix with white people. Viola stood her ground even when the police came. Viola felt frightened but mostly mad that these rules were unjust. Viola was so very brave. She didn't budge an inch. When the police came then she got sent to jail. Even though she got sent to prison she kept her spirits high. When Viola was released after she paid an expensive $20 fine, she told others who were outraged by the story. Viola's bravery had made a difference and inspired many people to step up and be courageous. In Canada in the late 1950s segregation became illegal. Viola's bravery got represented in 2018 when the Canadian government put her on the 10 dollar bill. Next time you hold a $10 bill, look carefully at Viola's face and remember her courage and determination to ensure that “every individual is equal before and under the law" which is printed on the back of that bill.​

 Recommended By:  Emily​, Grade 5


Title: Meet David Suzuki     Author: Elizabeth McLeod​

          David Suzuki is an inspiring Japanese-Canadian scientist. He is one of the most hardworking people I have ever heard of. David was born on March 24, 1936. His family lived in Vancouver, British Columbia. When World War 2 started, Canada joined to fight alongside the United Kingdom and France against Germany and Italy, and then in 1941, against Japan. Even before the war, Japanese people had been discriminated against, and now some people thought the Japanese Canadians were spies for Japan. On February, 1942 about 22,000 Japanese Canadians were sent to internment camps without any charges under Canadian laws. After the war Suzuki's family like other Japanese Canadians were forced to move east of the Rocky Mountains. By this time, David had become interested in nature because of early fishing trips and camping with his dad. Suzuki attended Mill Street Elementary school and Grade 9 at Leamington Secondary school before he moved to London, Ontario where he attended Central Secondary School. Suzuki got his Ph.D. in zoology from the University of Chicago. In his research career, David studied the genetics of a fruit fly. For his research, David gained several international awards including the Order of Canada. In 1979, David hosted a show called “The Nature of Things" and 3 more shows as well. David is also the author of more than 32 books for children! Suzuki was married and had a total of 5 children. I think David is so inspiring and hardworking because he always advocated for keeping forests and wild places in a natural, healthy environment. He communicates the need for environmental protections and love of wild places to all Canadians.

Recommended By: Reyansh, Grade 5

 

Title:  Meet Mary Ann Shadd          Author: Elizabeth McLeod

 ​Mary Ann Shadd is an inspiring Canadian woman who was the first black woman to publish a newspaper in North America. Mary Ann was born on Oct. 8, 1823 in Delaware which is in the United States. Her family was free, and her father owned a successful shoe business. At that time, slavery was still legal in America, so Mary Ann's family allowed their home to become a station for escaping slaves on their way to find freedom in Canada because slavery had been made illegal there in 1834. Her home was a station on the Underground Railway and her parents took risks to save other people's lives. Mary Ann became a teacher when she was 16. She wanted black children to be able to go to school and get a good education. In 1850 laws in the United States were changed to allow slave catchers to kidnap escaped slaves and take them back to the Southern States. But this also put free black people at great risk so Mary Ann and her family moved to Ontario in 1851. She helped encourage other black people to move to Canada by publishing "Notes On Canada" where she told them about life in Canada: crops, climate, space, freedoms and rights. She taught school in Windsor, Ontario; her school was integrated so that black and white children could learn together. However, she was fired because not everyone liked the idea that Mary Ann was so outspoken about black and white kids attending the same school. So she decided to publish her own newspaper called "The Provincial Freeman" to talk about rights for all black people. She told about the discrimination people faced and gave speeches around Canada and the US. When the US Civil War began, Mary Ann helped sign up Black soldiers to help fight with the Northern army to help end slavery. Racism still existed even when slavery in the US ended, and in Canada as more black people moved there, racism even increased. Now Mary Ann worked to help black and white women be able to vote so that better laws can be passed. Mary Ann was so bold and brave to be able to fight for the rights of black people and all women.

Recommended By:  Div. 2, Grades 4-5​


 

Title: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.                Author: David Adler

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a brave person who helped to change segregation without violence, but instead with speaking. Martin was born in 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia when segregation laws were still active. He thought the laws were racist. Martin was in college at the age of 15 in Boston; that meant he was very intelligent. In college he learned to be a powerful speaker and writer and he stayed in college for along time to finally earn his Ph.D. He also met his wife Coretta in college and together they were a very strong team. Together they changed a lot of minds. In 1964 he won the Noble Peace Prize, so everybody knew him worldwide. Coretta and Martin organized marches and bus boycotts and gave a lot of speeches and they were always very peaceful. Later they helped change two American laws so that all people had recognized civil rights.

Recommended By: ​Celes, Grade 3

Title:  Planting the Trees of Kenya     Author:  Claire Nivola

Wangari Maathai dedicated her life to helping Kenya preserve a healthy landscape. Wangari was born in 1940 in Kenya at a time when everything was beautiful. The trees were lush and full of delicious fruits and food to eat like figs. The streams and rivers were clear and full of fish, frogs, frog eggs and tadpoles. People had their own small farms and gardens to grow healthy food like yams and corn for their families. Wangari left Kenya to go to study biology at university and was living in America for 5 years. She learned to think about helping the world and all those who live in it.  When she returned to Kenya, there were so many dead trees, and so much land had grown dry and dusty. The streams were full of silt and there were no longer any fish or frog eggs to be seen.  The family farms had been replaced by large plantations which sold tea for export. Wangari decided to help teach the women how to plant tree seeds. Little by little they planted so many trees and then the men joined in. Now Kenya was once again beautiful and green. People were once again able to grown their own food. In 2004 Wangari was the first woman from African to win the Nobel Peace Prize. She inspired so many people including soldiers, prisoners and children at school to be active in growing seeds and planting trees. She was so brave to help her whole entire country. 

 Recommended By:  Div. 3, Grades 3 and 4​ 


 

Title:  Who Was Marie Curie?        Author: Megan Stine

Marie Curie was a brilliant woman who was one of the first female physicists. Marie Sklodowska was born on Nov. 7, 1867. At that time her mother was a principal and her father taught science. They lived in Poland. In 1883 she graduated from her first high school class at age 15. She went to the Sorbonne for university in Paris and this is where she met her husband, Pierre Curie. In 1898 she discovered 2 brand new chemical elements! She won a Nobel Prize with Pierre for their work on radioactivity. This award shows how the world was so impressed with Marie's work. She even won a second Nobel Prize eight years after her first award! Her amazing discoveries allowed her to create something we all need today: an x-ray machine! She used this to help wounded soldiers during World War 1. Unfortunately, she died from radiation poisoning in 1934 because these radioactive elements were still so new and not understood. She really is an amazing pioneer for women in science and medicine.

Recommended By:  Samuel, Grade 5


 

Title: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.        Author:  David Adler

Dr. Martin Luther King was an inspiring leader for others' rights. He was only 15 when he went to college. He was also speaking in front of thousands of people saying "I have a dream" and hoping the laws would change soon so that everyone could be treated the same. People were clapping and shaking hands because they were also thinking that the laws needed to change soon. Coretta, his wife, was helping him in their lives together. They met each other in January 1952 in Boston. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. did not get to live his entire life and he was killed on Apr. 4, 1968. Coretta continued working for equality and she died on Jan. 30, 2006. Now we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. every year around his birthday on Jan. 15 (1929) but you can celebrate him every day. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is my hero because he made the laws get changed. I hope that he felt happy that he changed the laws to make everyone equal. I wasn't born at that time and I also lived in Germany. I'm happy that he didn't give up and he worked to hard so the laws would change. He did that for his kids and all other people deserved a better life. Dr. Kind knew that fighting would not change anything so instead he only used his words. I'm so proud and happy to learn about this amazing leader!

Recommended By:  Lucy , Grade 5​


 

Title: Our Heroes    Author: Janet Wilson

Taiyo was 7 when the 2011 earthquake and tsunami hit Japan. Taiyo was visiting his grandparents in the island nation. Days later an earthquake hit. Taiyo thought he was going to die for sure. Moments after the earthquake sirens were going on. His grand dad yelled tsunami. Luckily, the family survived. The family left Japan soon after the natural disaster. Taiyo felt bad for the families that lost people and shelters, so he started a fundraiser. His plan was to raise $500 by charging 15 cents for every right handed hit and 20 cents for every left handed hit. A year after the quake, Taiyo hit 162 fair balls right handed and 138 fair balls left handed. He raised more then $4000 to Save the Children Canada to help with the Japan relief efforts! The next year, Taiyo held another fundraising event for local kids who cannot afford to play sports. Taiyo is such an amazing baseball player who always cared about helping others. And just think, he was a Cape Horn student for several years! 

Recommended By: Lucas, Grade 5​


 

Title: Nelson Mandela               Author:  Chris Van Wyk

​​Nelson Mandela was an important figure in history. Nelson Mandela was born in South Africa in a place called Mvezo. He was born on July 18, 1918. Did you know that Nelson Mandela's name was actually Rolihlahla Mandela? He was renamed to Nelson when he went to a Methodist mission school. Imagine having to have a whole new name because one person couldn't pronounce it! That must have been hard. Sadly, in 1930 Nelson's father passed away. His mother couldn't take care of him by herself, so Mandela went to live with Chief Jongintaba, his uncle. Poor Nelson…his father passed away! After 4 years to living without his hero in a different city, Nelson goes to Clarkebury Boarding Institute. Nelson was one of the first people in his family to go to school. In 1937, after 3 years at Boarding school, Nelson Mandela goes to Healdtown, a college at Fort Beaufort. 2 years later he enrolls at a University in Fort Hare. Nelson had now spent 10 years studying; he was the first in his family to become so well educated. One important moment in his time at university included his desire to join the student council so that the students could have more say in what they needed (like better food from the student canteen). But because most students were unable to vote, Nelson decided to talk to the dean but because he got angry, the university expelled him. This is the beginning of Nelson standing up for his rights and the rights of others. He found sanctuary in Johannesburg and in 1944 he joined the African National Congress or ANC, helping to form the youth league. That very year, he married a woman named Evelyn Mase. Nelson Mandela was definitely a people person. Married at age 26, he was working as well. He was just starting his life, though. In 1948 the leaders of European heritage start introducing the apartheid laws. Apartheid means the rules that separate people of different races. The first law said that the African people couldn't mix or mingle with the newcomers (Europeans) that had been happily living alongside one another. This law was not fair for any of the people. When Nelson launched a defense against apartheid, the government charged him with treason. Protesters were sometimes shot by police and the government banned the ANC. Nelson was sent to prison three times, and finally given a life sentence 1964. He continued to write from prison and encouraged workers and residents to fight back against apartheid. Thousands of people signed a petition to release Mandela and finally in 1990 he was set free. In 1994 black citizens were given the opportunity to vote for the first time. Nelson truly was a hear because he led his country to freedom despite all the unjust hardships.​

Recommended By:  Nyla, Grade 5

 

Title:  Meet Terry Fox            Author: Elizabeth MacLeod

Terry Fox was Canada's biggest hero for cancer. He raised 23 million dollars to try to stop cancer from infecting other people but died doing so. Terry was born in 1958, July 28 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. His family liked sports and winning them. When he was older, he started playing basketball which he wasn't good at, but later he became one of the best players in his school. A few years later he got an untreatable cancer, so the doctors cut his left leg and replaced it with a prosthetic leg. It was hard at first, but later he started to get the hang of it. He wanted to run across Canada to stop cancer so he told his friend about it, but he was not sure if he could do it. Terry was up for the challenge. He named the marathon the Marathon Of Hope. Word got to Canada that he was going to run across his country. A small group of people with a news reporter went running with him and started asking questions about him. They all thought of him as their hero, just like we do to Terry today. They asked questions like why you are doing this or how did you get a prosthetic leg. His friend would have a van where he would do breaks, and he went 42 kilometers a day. The crowd got bigger and bigger until it was so big that there were thousands of them. Terry was surprised that this many people were following him. He was over halfway there to his goal and raised near twelve million dollars, which is why we celebrate Terry Fox Day! But then he had to stop at Lightning Bay because the cancer had spread once again. He stopped at a house and his final words were “If I don't make it, the marathon of hope must continue." After the speech he became a legend and tens of thousands of people continued the marathon of hope and raised 850 million dollars ever since he died. Terry inspired many other Canadians, and the moral of the story was that even if you think the problem is too hard, you can always find a way around it!

 Recommended By:  Gurman, Grade 5



Title:  Laura Secord               Author: Jennifer House

Laura Secord was such a courageous and brave Canadian woman. Some Canadians know this name because she is on a stamp and because there is a chocolate company with her name. But let's learn about the real Laura Secord. She was born on Sept. 13, 1775 in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. When Laura was only 8 her mother died, which meant she had a lot of responsibility for such a young age. She had 2 step-mothers. During the revolutionary war her father left to fight for the new United States against Great Britain. This gave her even more responsibility. When Laura was 20 her family moved to Upper Canada, which is now called Quebec. Did you know that Laura's father had a town named after his family name? In 1797, Laura married James Secord. They had a farm together. During the war of 1812 when the American's were going to attack British troops in Canada, Laura learned about it and made a courageous, perilous, and brave trek through the woods to warn the British. After the war, Laura's family was very poor which made caused Laura to become a teacher to make money. She died in 1868; she was 93! Laura Secord was a very brave and courageous person and more Canadians should know about her bravery.

 Recommended By:  Max, Grade 5


 

Title:  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.         Author:  David Adler

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a very kind, inspiring man. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. in 1929. At that time, there was still segregation and black people were thought to be not equal to the white people. The laws were unfair and racist. Luckily, he was a very gifted speaker and writer so when Dr. King grew up he studied hard and earned a Ph. D. When he was 15, he began college and when he was 18, he became a minister! Then he became a Dr. in 1955. Dr. King motivated others and focused and faced danger. Finally, in 1964 and 1965, he helped change the racist laws when 2 American laws for civil rights were signed. Dr. King had been very brave, courageous and heroic.

 Recommended By:  Evvy​, Grade 3


 

Title:  Terry Fox                                Author:      Bryan Pezzi           

Terry Fox is such a brave and confident Canadian runner. When Terry was growing up he was so active and loved all kinds of sports. But when Terry was 18 years old he got bone cancer, and this meant that he had to lose his leg. Terry worked hard to still enjoy moving and eventually running with his new prosthetic leg.  After he got stronger, he decided to run across all of Canada to help raise money to find a cure for cancer. So three years later, on April 12, 1980, he began his amazing run in St. John's, Newfoundland. He ran a marathon that day, all 42 kilometers, and kept running a new marathon each day after that. Canadians were inspired by Terry's hard work and they gave money for cancer research. Even though Terry could not finish running across all of Canada, because his cancer had returned, Canadians wanted to keep his dream alive by running every September. So next time you run in the Terry Fox Run, please remember Terry and his inspiring work.

 Recommended By:  Maryam, Grade 4​


 

Title: Sidney Crosby               Author:  Danielle LeClair

Sidney Crosby is an inspiring Canadian professional hockey player. All Canadians are so proud of him because he is one of the best players in the NHL (National Hockey League). His whole name is Sidney Patrick Crosby. He was born in Nova Scotia on August 7, 1987 in a small town called Cole Harbour. He loved to play hockey as a young boy, and by age 14 his coaches knew he was very talented. In junior hockey games he often scored a lot of goals, and was awarded "Most Valuable Player". Sidney worked so hard to practice his skills, even shooting pucks at the washing machine in his basement! He never gave up. Eventually, Sidney was able to lead Canada's Olympic men's hockey team and he scored the "golden" winning goal in 2010 in Vancouver! I think Sidney Crosby is indeed one of the best hockey players in the world and we can all learn to copy his hard work! 

Recommended By:  Jinu , Grade 5

 

Title:  Remembering John McCrea                                       Author:  Linda Granfield

John McCrae was an inspiring poet and a brave doctor. But now let's talk about John's life. John was born Nov. 30, 1872 and died Jan. 28, 1918. He grew up near Speed River in Ontario and like many boys of his time he liked reading about adventures in "The Boy's Own Paper"! John also enjoyed being out in nature fishing, catching butterflies, and hunting for milk snakes. When he was 16 he went to the University of Toronto and continued there to study medicine, even though he suffered from asthma due to Toronto's polluted air. He worked as a doctor in the United States and then when the Boer Was started he joined as a lieutenant and eventually became a captain and later a major. Between the Boer War and World War 1, John continued to practice medicine and also wrote stories for fun. In 1914, when World War 1 started, John worked as an army surgeon and also as an artillery officer. He was now a lieutenant colonel. He mostly served in Belgium and France. He wrote many letters to his family, and then when his friend Alex Helmer died in Belgium, he wrote his most famous poem "In Flanders Fields". It was published in 1915 and instantly became very popular. In 1918, John McCrae became ill. Poison gas from the war weakened his lungs already affected by asthma. He died on Jan. 28, 1918. Even though John passed away over 100 years ago, Canadians and people around the world still remember him because of his moving and somber poem. So when you hear "In Flanders Fields" spoken at a Remembrance Day ceremony remember John McCrae and think about how his poem helps us remember all the other people who died in war.

 Recommended By:  Liam, Grade 5


 

Title:  Malala Yousafzai            Author: Jenny Walsh            

Malala Yousafzai is a very determined woman! Malala was born on July 12, 1997 and she grew up in Mingora. When Malala was 10 years old, her home country was invaded by the Pakistan Taliban. Before the Taliban invaded, Mingora's streets were crowded. But then the Taliban banned DVDs, books, CDs, and said women should not leave their houses. They also stopped women from getting a good education because they were not allowed to leave home to attend school. When Malala was only 11 she gave her first speech, and got help from a journalist to be able to use the best words to express herself, and tell the world what was happening in Pakistan. She used a false name (Gul  Makai) because it was dangerous to speak out. Malala took inspiration from her father because he encouraged and supported her in everything that she did. ​She wanted to talk about girls having the right to an education, but when she was 15, even though the Taliban won the war, they returned and shot her in the head. Thankfully, Malala survived and was eventually taken to a hospital in London, England where she stayed in a coma for 10 days. She woke up from her coma on Oct. 16, 2012, but she was paralyzed for another 10 days after this. The Taliban were very dangerous and used a lot of violence to maintain control. The Taliban shot her because they didn't like that Malala was speaking out about and fighting for girls' rights for an education. Malala inspired so many people across the world. While Malala was in the hospital she received many "get well soon" letters. After leaving the hospital it was too dangerous for Malala and her family to go back to Mingora because the Taliban might still be there and target her once again. Malala and her family stayed in England where her brothers continued going to school. Malala continued to speak out on behalf of girls and their right to an education! Malala got one of the most special international honors and won the Nobel Peace Prize. She won, becoming the youngest ever at the age of 17. She said that attending school was like being in a world with no violence. Malala was extremely brave and inspiring in continuing to fight even though she was almost killed. She said, "There's a moment when you have to choose to be silent or stand up". Malala chose to stand up for the rights of women and girls. All girls and women across the world should be proud of this hero.

 Recommended By:  Bella, Grade 5


 

Title:  Jeff Kinney         Author:  Christine Webster

Jeff Kinney is one of the most famous authors in North America. On Feb. 19, 1971 Jeff Kinney was born in Fort Washington, Maryland. Jeff grew up with two brothers and a sister. His sister was the eldest child and Jeff was the middle child born between his two brothers. Growing up Jeff loved to read the newspaper every day. His father collected comics such as Carl Barks, Uncle Scrooge, and Donald Duck! Jeff was also athletic and swam on the school swim team. He remembers hiding in the bathroom at a swim meet and wrapping himself in toilet paper to keep warm! When Jeff studied at college, he created a comic called "Igdoof" and became well known for it. Later in 2006, Jeff attended Comic Con in New York, and he presented his idea for "Diary Of A Wimpy Kid" to a comic book editor, Charlie Kochman. His first book was published in 2007, with many more books in the series following. In 2010 "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid" movie was released and brought in 76 million dollars worldwide. In 2014 "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul" became the number one best seller in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand! Since 2010, Jeff has won the Nickelodeon Children's Choice award five times. Today, Jeff owns a bookstore in Plainville, Massachusetts called "An Unlikely Story" and plans to keep on writing. So the next time you're looking for a humorous book, try to find "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and you won't be bored!

Recommended By:  Nolan, Grade 4​


 

Title:  Hayley Wickenheiser                Author: Chelsea Donaldson

Hayley is a star Canadian hockey player.  She was born in 1978 in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan.  Hayley played hockey as soon as she could walk.  Hayley's family moved to Calgary when she was 13 years old.  By then, Hayley was a star on the girls' hockey team.  Soon she started playing on a boys' team at age 15.  She joined the Canadian women's hockey league and helped Canada win gold at the Olympics! 

 Recommended By:  Lucas, Grade 5


 

Title:  Meet Elsie MacGill          Author:  Elizabeth MacLeod

Elsie MacGill was born in Vancouver, Canada in 1905, and sadly she got polio as a young adult.  She loved fixing machines.  Her mom was a champion for women to vote.  Elsie was brave, determined and hard working.  She never gave up, becoming the first woman aeronautical engineer!  She even became a comic book hero in 1942 because of her work during World War 11 designing Hurricane aircraft! 

 Recommended By:  Alex, Grade 5


 

Title:  Walt Disney              Author: Jonathan Brown

Walt Disney had struggles but he also had big dreams!  Walt was born on December 5, 1901.  He lived in Chicago, Illinois but moved to a farm in Missouri.  Walt loved to play with all the animals.  Walt loved to draw, but his family had very little money.  Walt's brother, Roy, wanted to encourage his brother's talents in drawing, so Roy spent his money to buy Walt sketch pads.  Mr. Disney became very sick.  Walt and his brothers delivered newspapers to make money to support the family.  Walt told his dad that he wanted to be an artist.  Mr. Disney did not like that.  So Walt moved to Roy's house.  Walt found a many named Ub Iwerks who he studied with to make ads.  Walt and Ub started to make short cartoons in black and white.  Walt made little money, but learned a lot about making cartoons.  Walt's brother, Roy, got very sick and he spent a long time in the hospital.  Walt wanted to be next to him, but he also wanted to make movies.  So he moved to Hollywood.  Walt wanted to live as an artist but had no money.  Roy leant him some money because he believed in Walt.  Walt made a business, and Disney studios was at work!  Walt was shocked that a person would pay for all his art!  Plus they bought his cartoons!  He began to make a new cartoon character.  Lily, his wife, liked the name Mickey Mouse.  People wanted to buy it but it was not for sale!  Walt created a long cartoon.  It took 3 years to finish.  The final product was Snow White.  Walt took a step and created an amusement park:  Disneyland!  But when it opened, the park had so many problems.  How was Walt going to fix this?? So Walt kept trying to fix the park.  Walt started to create a new park, but it took a long time to finish.  At last, Walt did not see his new park because he died on December 15th, 1966.  After that, Roy took over because he believed in Walt's work.  Walt Disney's name still lives on!

 Recommended By: Leo, Grade 5


 

Title: Wilma Unlimited            Author: Kathleen Krull

Wilma was a small baby who weighed just over 4 pounds.  Wilma was born in the 1940s in Clarksville, Tennessee.  If any of Wilma's siblings got a cold, she would get a double dose of it.  Her mom nursed her at home because only one doctor would treat black people in their town.  Before Wilma turned five, she got even sicker than before.  Her family was trying to keep her warm.  Wilma's left leg twisted inward, and she could not move it back.  Not even her mom knew what was wrong.  The doctor came and said she had polio.  In those days, there was no cure for her.  Then her doctor gave her a metal brace.  She finally got to go to school.  Wilma loved watching basketball and she made the team.  There was a college coach who wanted her to try out for the track team.  She was the first in her family to get a scholarship and go to college.  After college, Wilma went to the Olympic Games as a athlete for the USA.  She ended up with 3 Gold medals for the 100m and 200m sprints, and the 400m relay race!! You should never give up on your dreams, and that's why Wilma is my favourite hero.

Recommended By:  Janella, Grade 5 ​


 

Title: Luba               Author:  Michelle McCann

Luba was a woman who was went to a prison where she had to help people from the war.  Luba was actually Jewish.  She had to hide that she was Jewish.  Luba was pretending she was a nurse so she could live a little bit better in the prison.  One night, Luba heard someone yelling and so she went to go see what it was.  When she got there, she saw fifty-four children sitting there and she secretly took them all to her barracks.  Every day she had to walk past the guards and hide her tattoo that the Nazi's had given her.  She had to bring back soup and she had asked the butcher for meat for the children.  Every day, she risked her life, and every day she hid her tattoo.  Then one day the soldiers from Britain came and set them free!

Recommended By:  Trysten , Grade 5​


 

Title: The True Story of Helen Keller   Author: Bonnie Bader

Helen Keller was born more than 100 years ago.  Helen Keller was born on June 27, 1880 in Tuscombia, Alabama.  When Helen was born there was nothing wrong with her eyesight, hearing or speech.  But just before she turned 2, Helen got a very high fever.  Helen's mom and dad were worried if something was wrong.  In fact, Helen became deaf and blind from that sickness.  There were hardly any schools for deaf and blind children in the entire United States of America.  These children's parents just had to teach their kids how to communicate as best as they could.  One day a teacher came to her house. She was a tutor.  She taught Helen how to learn things and how to say words again.   Helen's teacher's name was Anne Sullivan.  At first when they met, Helen and Anne did not make a good start.  Helen wanted to have her own way, but Anne tried to help Helen learn by teaching her patiently and firmly.  One day, Anne told Helen's parents that she couldn't communicate well if they stayed working in the main house.  So Anne told Helen's mom and dad that Helen needed to work at Anne's house.  There she learned how to turn on water and she almost learned to say "water" too.  A few days later she learned how to communicate a little bit more.  One day she learned how to say it was warm.  When Helen was getting older she was ready to go to a college for deaf and blind women in New York City.  Anne would still be with her but she could learn with others now, too.  One day in New York, Helen went on a field trip to visit the Statue of Liberty.  Helen eventually wrote a book called "The Story of My Life".  Helen got to share her amazing story with many!

 Recommended By:  Ravneet, Grade 4​


 

Title:  Meet Elsie MacGill         Author:  Elizabeth MacLeod

Elsie MacGill was born in Vancouver, BC.  She got polio as a young adult.  Elsie like to design planes.  She never gave up on her dreams to become the first woman aeronautical engineer.  Elsie could walk again because she kept persevering after her illness and learned to walk with a cane.  With her family's help for education, she was able to reach her goals. 

Recommended By:  Shaelee, Grade 5​


 

Title:  A Girl Named Misty               Author: Kelly Starling Lyons

This book is based on a true story about an African American girl named Misty Copeland who finally achieved her dream!  Misty was born on September 10, 1982 in Kanas. When Misty was seven she was watching TV about gymnast Nadia Comaneci.  Watching Nadia dance made Misty want to dance like her too. With Mariah Carey's songs, this inspired Misty to make up her own dances!  In middle school Misty decided to set a goal that would change her life.  Misty wanted to earn a spot of the drill team.  Would Misty really become the leader of the group?  Yes, and she continued to practice her dancing.  After 5 years Misty got the role in The Firebird (a ballet).  She practiced and practiced every day, and even when her leg began to hurt, she still kept going.  Then she got a serious injury.  Days later Misty knew she couldn't continue any more.  She had to have major surgery on her broken leg.  Would she be able to return?  Not only did Misty come back, but three years after her performance as the Firebird, she had been promoted to principal dancer, the highest level a dancer can reach!  Misty Copeland overcame so many challenges (injuries, funding, and discrimination) to be recognized as the highest level of dancer. 

 Recommended By:  Sophia, Grade 5


 

Title:   Luba             Author: Michelle McCann

This true story describes a real life hero.  This story must be told!  Luba was a prisoner in a concentration camp during World War 11.  While she was there, she discovered 54 children left outside in the cold.  She took so much loving care of these 54 children.  She loved them like they were her own.  But sadly, only 52 survived, because there was a lot of sickness in that camp.  She tried to get past the guards every day and risked her life for the children's health.  I do not know what they would have done without her.  She found bread, soup, porridge, and even some sausage by asking other workers in the camp to give extra leftover food for these children.  This story inspired me in so many ways because of Luba's bravery, kindness, and courage.

 Recommended By:  Sophia, Grade 4  ​


 

Title: Wilma Unlimited            Author: Kathleen Krull

Wilma was born in 1940, in Clarkesville, Tennesse.  When she was born, she was just over 4 pounds.  She did celebrate her first birthday, and everyone had noticed as soon as she could walk, she would run or jump.  During Wilma's sickness her left leg twisted and she couldn't move it back, and even her mom didn't know what to do.  In those days, most children with polio would either have died or were permanently crippled.  There was no cure.  While whe was growing up, they were not allowed to go to the hospital near their house, because it would not allow African-Americans to be treated there.  So they took the bus 50 miles to the hospital that would allow her in. She was sad that she couldn't go to school.  So she practiced walking with a leg brace.  Then the school allowed her to go to school.  She memorized every step for basketball.  So she tried out for the team.  When she played on the court, there was a college coach who wanted her to try out for the running team.  On one of the track and field races, Wilma won first place and she also won the next two races.  When Wilma got into university she earned a scholarship.  Wilma Rudolph was once known as the sickliest child in Clarksville.  Now, she was known as the world's fastest runner!  She is definitely the world's greatest hero!

Recommended By:  Maya, Grade 5 ​

 

Title:  Chris Hadfield        Author: Chelsea Donaldson

Who is Chris Hadfield?  Chris Hadfield was a brave and determined person.  He was born August 29, 1959 in Sarina, Ontario.  Chris loved planes, probably because his father was a pilot and Chris always looked up to him.  At age 9 he watched the first moon landing and was astonished and amazed!  After he watched that moon landing, he knew he wanted to be an astronaut.​  He was determined!  After high school, Chris joined the Canadian Armed Forces.  He was very excited because you learn how to fly planes in the Air Force.  Chris was also very interested in mechanical engineering and studied it for a very long time.  In 1982 Chris graduated from Royal Military College.  In the late 1980s, Chris wanted to go back to school to fly planes, and he did.  He became a test pilot.  He flew the fastest planes in the world!  But he got injured many times, and wanted to find a safer way to fly planes.  In 1992 Chris finally made it into the Canadian Astronaut Program!  Three years later he proved himself to the program and went on his first flight to the International Space Station .

 Recommended By:  Gabriel, Grade 5


 

Title: Luba         Author:  Michelle McCann

Luba is one of the most interesting heroes I have read about.  She cared for 54 children in a Nazi camp.  She risked her life each day to go past the guards to get food for the children.  She was brave to pass the guards because she had tattoos the Nazis gave her and she hid the tattoo under her sleeves.  She told them she was a nurse so she could have greater access the many parts of that concentration camp.  She was very brave and courageous and I think Luba is very inspiring because she risked her life to help all the children.

Recommended By:  Alayna, Grade 5​


 

 

Title:  Leonardo:  Beautiful Dreamer             Author: Robert Byrd

Leonardo da Vinci was born in 1452 in Florence, Italy.  The year young Leonardo was born he was almost attacked by a large, silver bird of prey, but Leonardo was not even afraid of this big bird.  By 4 years old he started painting and he go so fascinated by his growing intelligence and knowledge whenever he saw a large bird, he would think about a kite, and how it could fly.  By 1473 Leonardo painted and made over 102 different paintings and other historical pieces of art.  Leonardo believed painting should imitate nature and that the four elements (earth, wind, fire and water) were related to colour:  Fire was red, air was blue, earth was yellow, and green was the peaceful balance.   He called the stars and planets the "vault of heaven"!  I connect to these 4 elements and the symbols because of the way Leonardo thought about the world around him which was so different than others.  Sometimes I think differently than my friends and family, and I like to challenge myself with new ways of thinking.  Leonardo was always curious and developed many interesting inventions to help him explore the world he lived in.

Recommended By:  Leo Grade 5


 

Title: Meet Elsie MacGill                                    Author: Elizabeth MacLeod

Elsie MacGill was a woman with a courageous family that supported women's rights.  Elsie MacGill was born in Vancouver, Canada in 1905.  As a child, she was extremely creative and loved fixing machines.  Her mom worked extremely hard for women's rights.  Elsie's family was courageous because they allowed an extremely advanced education for their daughter, even when that was not typical for that time.  She took engineering in university.  She even designed and created the first aircraft.  It was a success!  The aircraft worked amazingly well.  She was the first woman to have an aeronautical engineering job, but unfortunately she caught polio.  How might she walk again?  Well, she practiced, first with a wheelchair, and then with a cane.  In the end she proved that women should have the same opportunities as men!

Recommended By: Sanca, Grade 5 ​


 

Title: John McRae                     Author: Linda Granfield

John McRae was a soldier, a doctor and a poet.  He was the one that created In Flanders Fields.  He was born on November 30, 1872 and lived in a small stone house at Guelph, Ontario.  When John was sixteen years old he enrolled at the university of Toronto to study medicine.  John was skilled at drawing but human figures were more difficult for him to draw.  At 1898 young Dr. McRae cradled a newborn at burnside Lying-In Hospital, Toronto.  John left Toronto to work at John HopkinsHospital in Baltimore, Maryland.  On August 4, 1914, John McRae was on a ship bound for England.  When john arrived at England, John quickly contacted officials and offered his services as either a soldier or a doctor.  On Christmas Day, John McRae and the nurses had 1300 patients.  By the summer of 1917 John McRae was sufferreing from the years of dealing with wounded and dying soldiers.  On January 23, 1918, he became ill and on January 25 he was moved from Boulogne Hospital to Officers Hospital.  John died in the early morning of January 28, 1918.  His famous poem helps Canadians to remember him as children in schools and people gathered for Remebrance Day services recite those famous words.  

Recommended By:  Nathan, Grade 4


 

Title: The Wright Brothers:  A Flying Start    Author: Elizabeth MacLeod

The Wright brothers from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina were named Orville (born on August 19, 1871 and died January 30, 1948) and Wilbur (born April 16, 1867 and died May 30, 1912).  These were two Americans who loved studying flight and are generally credited with the world's first successful airplane.  The brothers gained the skills they needed by working for years in their shop with printing presses, bicycles, motors and other machinery.  Sometimes their experiments and hobbies got in the way of school.  The skipped classes and once Orville was even expelled!  Starting in 1900 they kept trying to make an airplane fly and their first powered flight happened in late 1903.  Their shop employee Charlie Taylor became an important part of their team.   Because Orville and Wilbur kept trying and never gave up on their hopes to create an airplane, I find the Wright brothers the most exhilarating people I've heard about in human history.  

Recommended By: Yashar, Grade 5


 

Title:  Luba                  Author:  Michelle McCann

This true story describes a real life hero.  I think that Luba's story should be told because she managed to take care of 54 children during World War 11.  She was getting food every single day. Also, Luba was a courageous hero to these kids because she alone took care of them, feed them, nursed, and loved them just like they were her very own children.  She managed to save all but 2.  Luba was courageous, gentle, epic, loving, inspiring and intelligent and that is why I chose to write about Luba.

Recommended By: Abby, Grade 5 


 

Title: Barack Obama    Author: Michael De Medeiros

Barack Obama was the first African American chosen to run for president for a major US political party.  He was born on August 4, 1964 in Honolulu, Hawaii.  When Barack was only 2 years old his parents separated, then divorced.  His mom stayed with him in Hawaii while his dad went to Harvard and later returned to Africa.  When Barack was six, his mother remarried to a guy named Lolo Soetoro.  He was an Indonesian foreign exchange student.  They all moved to Jakarta.  Barack was a good student, however, his mom moved them to the USA for a better education.  After graduation from University, Barack went to Chicago to work as a community organizer.  However, Barack realized that to make a big difference in peoples' lives he would have to change laws and politics.  He enrolled at Harvard Law School.  When Barack graduated from law school he returned to Chicago to work, teach and practice law.  A few years later Barack got a seat in Illinois State Senate, and this was just the beginning of his amazing political adventure.  He eventually became president of the USA in November 2008.

Recommended By: Liam, Grade 5​


 

Title:  Wilma Unlimited                Author:  Kathleen Krull

Wilma Rudolph was a brave, inspiring woman who worked very hard to accomplish her dreams and goals.  Wilma was born in 1940 in Saint Bethlehem, Tennessee.  When Wilma was borm she only weighed two kilgrams.  She had many bad illnesses and also had polio which damaged her left leg.  After a long time of waiting and wanting to go to school, she got a brace (so she would be able to walk enough to attend school), but when she went to school, it wasn't the nice, fun, happy place she thought it was.  She had to sit on the side, but she saw how all the other children played basketball, and did their moves.  One day, when Wilma was at church, she knew she was ready.  She took off her brace and slowly started walking all by herself with no one's help, and without using her brace!  After that she started playing basketball at school and eventually won a scholarship to college.  She joined the track and field team at college, and even ran for the United States in the 1960 Olympic Games.  Who would have thought that little Wilma would come home with 3 gold medals!  This is why I think Wilma is a real hero!

 Recommended By:  Elisabeth, Grade 4​


 

Title:  Jeff Kinney               Author: Christine Webster

Jeff Kinney is the author of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series.  He is always creative at writing Diary books.  The "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" movie brought in more than $76 million dollars worldwide!  In 2012 "Diary of a Wimpy Kid:  Dog Days" was released.  In 2014" Diary of a Wimpy Kid:  Long Hau"l became the #1 bestseller in the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.  This the publishing process of Jeff Kinney.  First, the manuscript goes to the publisher.  Second, the publisher rejects it or the publisher requests changes.  Third, he makes revisions.  Fourth, the publisher now accepts the manuscript.  Fifth, Jeff Kinney does more edits and revisions.  Sixths, photographs are seleced.  Seventh, final edits and the last reviews are made and marketing begins.  Last but not least, the books are published and are now available to readers in stores.  Jeff Kinney is a great storyteller for everyone!  I often read a lot of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books because the illustrations fit the story so well, and I find this inspiring and it makes me want to read even more!  

 Recommended By:  Justin, Grades 5


 

Title: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.    Author: David Adler

Martin Luther King, Jr. is a true hero.  He was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia.  Martin Luther King grew up in a society that did not treat African American people as equals.  He knew this was wrong!  Martin Luther King led many boycotts to help change the laws.  The first, most important one was the Montgomery bus boycott.  He made speeches for peace.  He risked his life and freedom for peace and equality.  That is why I believe Dr. King is a true hero.

Recommended By: Nathan, Grade 5​


 

Title: Henry Box Brown    Author: Ellen Levine

Henry Box Brown was a slave in the 1800s who inspired many people.  He was born in Virginia as a slave in 1816 on a plantation called the Hermitage.  Henry was married to another slave named Nancy, but their marriage was not recognized legally even though they had three children.  After his wife and children were sold to another place in North Carolina, Henry became determined to escape.  With the help of some people Henry escaped through the Underground Railway and eventually travelled the world and told his story countless times​.  He even went to Canada and England to tell about the terrible conditions of slavery.  Henry Box Brown's story is important to me because I want everyone to be treated fairly and equally and to never be discriminated against because of their colour.

Recommended By: Aaryan, Grade 5


 

Title: Sidney Crosby    Author: Danielle LeClair

Who is Sidney Crosby?  Sidney Crosby is a professional hockey player.  He is considered one of the best players in the National Hockey League (NHL).  In 2002 when Sidney was 15 years old, he left his hometown in Nova Scotia and he wanted to play in Quebec.  Sidney Crosby then went to school for hockey.  Crosby went to play for Team Canada because of his amazing skills.  That year he won the fold medal at the World Junior Cup.  In 2005 he was drafted to the Penguins in Pittsburgh in the NHL and has been playing for 15 years.  Many people say he is the next Wayne Gretzky.

Recommended By: Kieran,  Grade 5


 

Title:  L​uba             Author:  Michelle McCann

This true story describes a real life hero.  Luba was a very brave person.  She risked her life every day and saved 54 children.  Each day Luba passed through the gates of the concentration camp she was in.  She managed to get enough food for the 54 chidren and the other ladies in the cabin.  When Luba's birthday came, she had forgotten her own birthday, but on that day she got amazing homemade presents and the last present she got was a red silk scarf. She loved the scarf and wore it almost all the time.  After WW11 they were set free from the camp.  50 years later, Luba and the children met up again and Luba got a medal.  She had made difference between life and death for all those children.  She was a real life hero.

 Recommended By:  Gwen, Grade 5​


 

Title: Heros of World War 11       Author: Paul Beck

John Lebda was a brave soldier.  He travelled to Omaha Beach on D-Day, during World War 11.  He went back fifty years later aboard U.S.S. George Washington and saluted the president and shook his hand as the president thanked him and said "I'm proud of you for helping the people" by bringing them freedom!

 Recommended By:  Antonio, Grade 5  ​


 

Title: The Wright Brothers:  A Flying Start    Author: Elizabeth MacLeod

The Wright brothers were the ones who made your vacation overseas possible...the birds of engineering!  Orville Wright was born in 1871 and his brother Wilbur was born in 1867.  They weren't exactly twins but they thought alike.  They had creative and joyful minds in childhood.  Sometimes when their father came home from a trip, he brought Orville and Wilbur a toy for them to play with.  Sometimes it broke, but the brothers would fix it.  One toy was called the Flying Bat.  This was the inspiration for them be able to soar like a bird through the skies.  And so, in 1912, the brothers created the Wright flyer.  Their first test flight was 6 km south of Kitty Hawk, their home town in North Carolina.  The flight lasted 12 seconds, but it was majestic back then!  But then, Wilbur had caught typhoid fever and died that same year.  His father wrote about Wilbur in his diary and said of his son Wilbur:  "A short life, full of consequences.  An unfailing intellect, imperturbable temper, great self-reliance and as great modesty, seeing the right clearly, pursuing it steadfastly, he lived and died".  

Recommended By: Iyck, Grade 5​


 

 

Title: Steve Nash    Author:  John Hareas

Steve Nash is an amazing basketall player in the NBA. He is under the average height and weight for an NBA player.  He is 6 foot 3 and 180 pounds.  But the average height and weight is 6 fout 6 and 225 pounds!  He isn't the fasted player in the NBA, but he is one of the smartest.  He out-thinks his opponents and he is also one of the most creative passers in NBA history.  Steve Nash was born on Feb. 7, 1974 in Johannesburg, South Africa.  He moved to Canada as a young baby and grew up playing many sports and he played really well in all of the them.  He also played chess and that helped him make decisions under pressure in basketball.  Many people said that he was the best basketball player!

Recommended By: Cristiano. Grade 5​


 

Title:  Luba          Author:  Michelle McCann

This girl made a difference and I love her story because she saved 54 kids (and only two died from sickness).  She is the bravest girl I have ever heard of.  Luba risked her life to get food and water.  I think clothes, too.  One day Luba gave food to the kids, but instead of eating it, the kids traded this bread for a beautiful scarf.  Luba had forgotten it was her birthday because she was too busy trying to get food for these kids.  So the kids made her a few gifts, and then also gave her that pretty, red scarf.  So when she came back, the kids said "surprise!"  Luba totally forgot it was her birthday!  One day in the Spring of 1945, Luba went outside and discovered that there were no guards at the concentration camp.  Luba froze for a few seconds, then she ran as fast as she could back to the other women and children.  She said "Wake up!  We're free".  The allied soldiers came and rescued these prisoners.  Then Luba helped take all the children back to their home country, Holland.  After that she tried to find her own family, but eventually moved to the United States.  I think Luba's story should be told to everyone!

 Recommended By:  Maryam, Grade 4​


 

Title: Terry Fox    Author: Bryan Pezzi

Terry Fox was a brave man who lived in Port Coquitlam.  He had cancer and he fought hard to beat his cancer.  He showed kids that had cancer to never give up.  That's when he ran half way across Canada.  Lots of people donated money so the kids that had cancer chould hope for a cure to be found.  During his run across Ontario, Terry Fox felt something was wrong.  He went to the hospital, and his cancer had come back.  He died several months later.  That's why Terry Fox is a hero:  my hero and everyone's hero!

Recommended By: Anderson, Grade 4​


 

Title: On Our Way To Oyster Bay: Mother Jones and the March for Children's Rights       Author: Monica Kulling

Mother Jones didn't like how kids had to work for twelve hours, six days a week!  That was the way things were in 1903.  There was a boy named Aiden.  He had a friend named Gussie.  Mother Jones did not like how kids worked for twelve hours, six days in a week, so she decided to start a march for kids' rights to play and learn!  Many of the kids had missing fingers, and some even lost hands from working in the dangerous factories in the USA.  Troubled by all she had seen, Mother Jones wanted to end children going to work in these factories and ending up in the hospitals due to work injuries.  The first day of the march seemed like it would never end, but Aiden and Gussie kept going and never gave up.  The march wasn't all buttercups and sunshine.  A lot of kids gave up this long march, but Aiden and Gussie did not give up!  They also had fun trips to "Coney Island" and the zoo along the way.  The next day, the marchers walked the last thirty-five miles to Oyster Bay.  It was a long march, but finally they stood on the lawn of the president's summer home, waiting expectantly for him to appear to talk with them.  But the president would not speak or come out.  Aiden was angry as well as disappointed.  Mother Jones was greatly disappointed, but Mother Jones was also proud of how they told people in towns along the way about children's rights.  Mother Jones was really a brave woman.

Recommended By: Alyssa, Grade 4


 

Title: Who Was Helen Keller?      Author:  Gare Thompson     

Helen Keller was born June 27, 1880 in Tuscumbia, Alabama.  Her father, Arthur Keller, had fought in the civil war for the South.  After the war, he went home to his farm.  After his first wife died, he married a woman named Kate Adams.  His two sons from his first marriage and his young wife called Arthur Keller "Captain".  In addition to running his farm, Captain was also the editor of the local paper.  He was quite a stern man.  When Helen was born, she was the first girl in her family!  Just before she was two, she got very sick with a high fever.  She recovered, but the fever had made her blind and deaf.  Because she was so frustrated, Helen often had temper tantrums.  The family wasn’t sure how to help her.  Eventually, they brought a wonderful teacher name Anne Sullivan to their home.  Over time, Anne taught Helen sign language (water was her first word) and she also learned to read braille.  Helen became the first deaf and blind woman to go to college!

Recommended By: Hayden, Grade 5​


 

 

Title:  The Life and Art of Horace Pippin          Author:  Jennifer Bryant

On February 22, 1888 the town of West Chester, Pennsylvania celebrated a holiday.  That day in that same town, Daniel and Christine Pippin celebrated the birth of their son, Horace.  Horace's grandmother's hands were big, too rough, and scarred from her working as a slave in Virginia.  But her hands were perfect for giving Horace hugs.  When Horace was three years old the Pippins moved to Goshen, New York.  As the family grew larger, everyone helped out.  Horace loved to draw and loved the feel of the charcoal as it slid across the floor.  He loved looking at something in the room and making it come alive again in front of him.  He loved thinking about a friend or a pet then drawing it from the picture in his mind.  It's no wonder Horace became a famous and well loved American artist!

 Recommended By:  Matilde, Grade 4


 

Title: Rags:  Hero Dog of World War 11                           Author: Margot Raven

Rags was born in 1916 and lived until 1936. Many years ago Rags was a stray dog who liked to take trash from the trash cans of a cafe in Paris.  Then one night an American soldier named Donovan accidently stepped on Rags' tail.  Donovan had come to help France fight in World War 1.  Once Donovan found Rags, they worked together and had a new mission.  Rags and Donovan had a communications mission on the battlefield.  One day, a big battle in Argonne forest happened and Donovan had a message for the men on the other side of the battlefield.  Rags had to run but then a bomb shell hit the ground beside him.  He was badly hit, but Rags kept going  and gave the message to the men.  The battle ended and Donovan had been hit too.  Rags was now half deaf and half blind, and Donovan was badly hurt.  One day Donovan passed away and Rags was so sad he was gon.  Eventually, he found a new, wonderful family and was happy again.  That is the story of Rags, the World War 1 hero dog.  That is why Rags is the bravest dog ever.

Recommended By: Ronan, Grade 4

 

Title: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Author: David Adler

Dr. King fought for equality and had a passion for helping people.  He was born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15, 1929.  It was difficult being an African American person in those days because they were not given the same rights.  "How can I make this better?" he thought.  Those laws that kept people apart needed to change.  He worked hard giving speeches and helping people when the unfair laws put them in jail, like Rosa Parks.  He helped with the bus boycott so that the law separating people on the bus would eventually change.

Recommended By: Kipton, Grade 4


 

Title: Luba               Author: Michelle McCann

This true story describes a real life hero.  Luba saved 54 children from the cold.  She found them stranded outside in the cold in a concentration camp during World War 11.  Luba brought them inside her barracks.  Every day, Luba would go out and sneak food for the children.  She would take the food and put it into her black coat.  The butcher was probably the hardest for her to get food from.  On Luba's birthday, she went outside looking for more food.  She forgot it was her birthday.  The children wanted to give Luba something to thank her for what she had been doing.  The children traded their bread for a pretty red scarf.  When Luba came back all the children yelled "Surpirse"!  Then one day when Luba woke up she hear an army yelling, "You are free!  You are free!".  Then Luba woke up the children and said "We're free!"  When the soldier came and looked inside he was so surpirsed to find 52 children (2 had died because of sickness).  The children got taken back to their home country, Holland, and Luba helped them find different families.  I love Luba's story.  You have to read her story because she is amazingly brave and kind.

 Recommended By:  Bethany, Grade 4​


 

Title:  Free At Last!​  The Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.    Author: Angela Bull

Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta Georgia in 1929.  It wasn't fair being African American back then because they did not get to sit at the front of the bus, or sit at the same tables in diners, or drink from the same water fountains.  When Martin Luther King, Jr. grew up, he because a church leader (Reverend).  He taught that all people are created equally and deserve equal rights.  He gave speeches and helped organize peaceful protests.  He risked his life to help make Jim Crow laws illegal.  One day on April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. got shot while standing on a second floor balcony of a hotel.  His wife, Coretta Scott King, kept talking about the need to have equal rights for everyone.  This hero is inspiring because he stood up for what he knew was right, even though he risked his life. 

Recommended By:  Taylan, Grade 4


 

 

Title: Wilma Rudolph    Author: Kathleen Krull

Wilma was born in Clarkesville, Tennessee in 1940.  She had 22 brothers and sisters.  She had polio when se was 5.  Her early life was very hard.  But she managed to learn how to walk by herself with zero help.  She then became a running athlete and got a three gold medal "hat trick" at the 1960 Olympic Games.  And it was all thanks to hard work and perseverance.

Recommended By: Kylie, Grade 5


 

Title: Will Smith     Author: Susan Mitchell

Will Smith is one of my favorite actors.  Will Smith's real name is Willard Christopher Smith and he was born on Sept. 25, 1968.  He is not only an actor, but also a rapper.  The most famous movie to me is Men In Black.  He won an award called the Nickelodeon Blimp!   That's the award I know.  I think Will Smith won that award because he is a very funny and expressive actor.

Recommended By: Chase, Grade 4


 

Title: Terry Fox   Author: Bryan Pezzi

Terry Fox was born on July 28, 1958 and he grew up in Port Coquitlam.  Terry was 18 years old when he got leg cancer on his left leg.  Terry was determined to beat cancer, and then when he grew strong again, he wanted to raise money in order to help cure cancer.  Terry decided to run across Canada, and he started his run in Newfoundland on April 12, 1980.  Every day he ran an entire marathon, 26 miles!  Along the way, he spoke to Canadians about why he was running, and he helped people understand that money for a cure was needed.  He almost ran across Canada, but in Ontario, he realized something was wrong, and the cancer had come back. His friend, Doug, picked him up from that day's marathon, and he went to the hospital.  Terry was so sad that he couldn't finish his run, but he relied on his family and friends to keep on going.  Every year, Canadians and people from all over the world run, just like Terry, to raise money for cancer.​  There has already been 750 million dollars raised so far.  Terry Fox has inspired many and he would be so proud that his dream has come true!  

Recommended By: Theron, Grade 4


 

Title: Rosa Parks    Author: Nikki Giovanni

Rosa Parks was a hero.  In 1955, she entered a bus where only white people were allowed in the front and African American people were only allowed in the back.  When Rosa sat in the front of the bus, a white passenger came over and claimed that he wanted to sit there.  But Rosa stayed seated and stood up for herself; she knew she was allowed to stay in the center section of that bus.  She got arrested, but after that, a bus boycott started.  The whole African American community stayed off the buses for more than 1 year.  Dr. King came and helped them organize.  Rosa eventually got her way, and those unfair laws were changed.

Recommended By: Sephora, Grade 4​


 

 Title: Elsie MacGill     Author: Elizabeth MacLeod

Elsie MacGill is inspiring to me because she never gave up, she always tried to accomplish her goals, and she never gave up on her dreams.  Elsie MacGill was a famous Canadian.  She loved fixing things.  He got polio as a young adult.  In 1934 Elsie started wardking at Fairchild Aircraft operations in Longuevil as an assistant Aeronautical Engineer.  After breaking her leg in 1953 Elsie MacGill used the opportunity of her recovery to sort through her mother's papers and began writing a biography of her mother's life.  After a short illness, Elsie MacGill died on November, 1980 in Cambridge, Massachusettes.

Recommended By:  Alex, Grade 5​


 


 

Title: Who Was Marie Curie          Author: Megan Stine

Marie Curie was one of the world's first woman scientists.  She was born in November 7, 1867 and she lived in Warsaw, which is now located in Poland, but back then was actually part of Russia.  She was the youngest of 5 children, with 3 older sisters and one brother.  Her parents were both teachers; her father taught science, and her mother was a school principal.  Marie grew up in a family where education was very important.  She did not like the Russian soldiers who came into her school because they would not let the children speak in their own language, which was Polish.  She graduated from her school, winning the gold medal for first place.  Even though she wanted to go to Warsaw University, they didn't let girls go, she Marie decided to study to be a scientist, and had to study at home or with a private teacher named Jadwiga Dawidowa (who started a secret university).  She worked as a governess and later was finally able to go to Paris to study at The Sorbonne.  She had to learn French so she could understand her professors, and finally graduated with her science degree as the top student.  Soon after, she married Pierre Curie, and the two of them continued to study science.  Marie discovered x-rays and uranium and polonium.  She won the Nobel Prize, the first woman to win this award.  Unfortunately, those discoveries made Marie get very sick because no one knew how dangerous these elements were.  She did get somewhat better, and in 1911, Marie met the king of Sweden who gave her a solid gold metal, her 2nd Nobel Prize.  She helped create a smaller x-ray machine for use during World War 1, and eventually died in May 1934.  Marie, the first woman who received these Nobel Prizes, is such an inspiration to all girls who love science.

Recommended By: Anna, Grade 5


 

 

Title: Jane Goodall    Author: Roberta Edwards

I think Jane Goodall did the right thing by helping chimps and even saving their lives.  Jane Goodall fell in love with chimps when she was only 1 year old.  Her father came home with a surprise for Jane.  She thought is was going to be a toy bunny, dog, or cat; but no, it was a chimp!  Before all the chips were born in 1935 in the London Zoo, she loved them all.  But there was one chimp that she thought was unique and her name was Jubilee.  So of course, Jane named her toy Jubilee.  When she got older she started to work with real chimpanzees and they treated her like one of their own.  Because they liked Jane she was able to learn more about the amazing animals than anyone else.  Jane proved how chimpanzees and people have so much in common.  And her toy chimp?  She will never give that away even until this day; it is sitting on her dresser at her home!

Recommended By: Maddy, Grade 5​


 

 

Title: Luba    Author: Michelle R. McCann

The story of Luba should be told!  Luba had to keep 54 children safe and fed, risking her life every day for these children.  Now you may ask how she did it.  Every day she would go to three places inside the concentration camp where she was imprisoned.  The first place was to an old lady who worked in the bakery.  She would give Luba a loaf of bread, and Luba would then give each child a half piece.  She would also be given some soup from the kitchen.  Every day she would have just enough food for the kids.  When the winter came, most of the kids got sick and she had to nurse them.  She sometimes had to trade a bit of bread for a little bit of medicine.  She saved these children until the Allied soldiers came and rescued the prisoners.  Then she took all the children back to their home country of Holland.

Recommended By: Alessia, Grade 4​


 

 

Title: Terry   Author: Douglas Coupland

This is a true story of a real life hero!  Terry Fox was born in Winnipeg in the summer of 1958.  As Terry grew he got faster and faster at running.  Terry himself got cancer in his leg.  He had to get his leg amputated, and he used a metal brace and prosthetic leg.  But this did not stop Terry from running.  Then he started running marathons, and decided to raise money for cancer research by running across Canada.  He started in Newfoundland, and kept running an entire marathon every day.  One day in Ontario, Terry did not feel good and he needed to get picked up and taken to the hospital.  On June 28, 1981 at 4:35 am with his family at his side, Terry passed away.  I like how he never gave up and this is why I chose to write about Terry Fox, a Canadian hero.

Recommended By:  Abby, Grade 5​


 


Title: Elsie MacGill           Author: Elizabeth MacLeod

The true story about Elsie MacGill is inspiring!  From 1938 to 1943 Elsie MacGill was a chief aeronautical engineer at a Canadian Car and Foundry factory which was commissioned to build Hawker Hurricane fighter planes during the Second World War.  MacGill helped build 1451 planes and she designed a winter version with skis so these planes could land in Russia.  Elsie was known as "The Queen of the Hurricanes" and was the world's first woman (in Canada) to receive a degree in electrical engineering.  The women pilots that she inspired were also called aviatrix.   This story of a Canadian hero is interesting to me because she wanted to follow her dreams and even though it was unusual for a woman to build and design planes, she never gave up!

Recommended By: Daniel, Grade 5


 

Title: Walt Disney    Author:  Marie Hammontree 

This is the story of Walt Disney.  Walt was born in 1901 and he passed away in 1966.  During WW1 he drove a Red Cross ambulance in France.  Walt was also the first ever voice of Mickey Mouse,;now isn't that cool?  He won the most Oscars ever.  He had over twenty-two awards over various categories.  It was December 5, 1910, Walt's ninth birthday.  He didn't expect anybody to celebrate because there were too many more important things to do.  This had been a hard year for all the farmers around Marceline.  Their crops had been fine but the buyers had been few.  Mr. Disney, Walt's father, needed Walt and his brother to make money by selling newspapers.  This was very hard, cold work for Walt.  Later, when Walt wanted to be an artist, Mr. Disney didn't approve.  But Walt followed his dreams anyways.  At the end of this life, Walt Disney created not only Disney studios and an amazing number of movies, but he also had build the Disneyland theme parks.

Recommended By:  Liam, Grade 5​


 

 Title: Luba     Author: Michelle McCann

This story describes a real life hero.  This story must be told.  Luba was a Jewish woman.  In World War 11 Luba and her son were taken away to different camps by the Nazi soldiers.  One night she was sleeping and heard some noises outside.  When she went outside to check she found 54 children that had been taken away from their families, just like her son.  So she helped them and treated them like her own and cared for them.  She risked her life everyday to get food for the children from the other side of the camp and had to sneak the food past the guards.  She got just enough food for everybody, but when the war was over she would take the children back to their home country, Holland.  50 years later then children came back together to surprise Luba!  This is a great story and an amazing hero!

Recommended By: Nevaeh, Grade 5

 

Title: Malala Yousafazai    Author: Jenni L Wlash

Malala was the youngest woman to ever win the Nobel Peace Prize.  I think she was a big risk taker and that is the number one thing to do if you want to be a leader.  At first, she wanted to be a doctor, but when the Taliban came to her country, everything changed.  This started at Swat Valley.  A man named Fazlullah started to talk on the radio.  People called him Radio Mullah.  Fazlullah wanted everyone to obey his version of Islam.  The Taliban stopped schools from accepting girls.  So Malala started to write for the BBC.  She wrote in secret because she was in danger.  Her code name was Gul Makai.  At first it was a secret but after a while, she told everyone she was Gul Makai.  One day a Taliban man came on her school bus and shot her in the head.  After that she recovered in hospital, and later she won the Nobel Peace Prize and created Malala Day.  She now lives safely in Birmingham, England because there is too much risk for her to go back to Pakistan.  On Malala Day she goes to other places to help other girls be treated equally. 

Recommended By:  Ashvina, Grade 4​​

 

Title: Sidney Crosby    Author: Danielle LeClair

Sidney Crosby is a professional hockey player.  He is one of the best players in the NHL.  Sidney Crosby loved to play hockey while growing up.  Soon people noticed his skills on the ice and Sidney Crosby got older people compared to him. Even well-known Canadian hockey player Wayne Gretzky was compared to Sidney.  Sidney Patrick Crosby was born on August 7, 1987 in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia.  Crosby's dad Troy was a hockey player for the Montreal Canadiens (drafted but he never played with the team).  Sidney Crosby's father coached him.  Soon he became known as a skilled hockey player.  By the time he was sever years old, Crosby was giving interviews to local sports reporters.  He is so well loved in Canada for helping win Olympic gold medals for our country.

Recommended By:  Haiven, Grade 4

 

Title: Luba    Author: Michelle R. McCann

Luba is one of the biggest change makers all over the world, for what she has done is amazing!  If you are unfamiliar with Luba, she saved 54 kids and risked her own life for these children that weren't hers.  This all started in World War 11, 1939.  She was imprisoned in a concentration camp.  One cold night in 1944 she had heard little children saying "Mama" over and over again outside the barracks.  She snuck out of bed and went outside to find children huddled up in a tiny group to keep warm on this cold winter night.  She let them inside and since that night she risked her life by getting them food for the rest of that winter and spring.  Finally, Allied soldiers rescued Luba and the children and she helped them get back to their home country, Holland.  If you would like to learn more and be inspired by Luba, you should check out this book!

Recommended By: Kiarra, Grade 5

 

Title: Wilma Rudolph    Author: Kathleen Krull

Wilma Rudolph was born in Clarksville, Tennessee.  Wilma got polio when she was five years old.  She was in a very large family.  As Wilma got older she learned to walk.  After a while, Wilma got into basketball.  Wilma Rudolph led her basketball team to victory.  After a long time, Wilma finally lost.  Although a college coach was at the game and admired the way she ran.  The college coach offered Wilma to be on his college track and field team.  Wilma was able to get on the US Olympic team in 1960.  She was getting ready for her big race but she twisted her ankle badly.  In Wilma's big race she focussed very hard and tried not to think about her ankle.  When the race started Wilma ran faster than she even had before.  Wilma was in first for a long time, but near the end of the race two people caught up to her and pulled ahead.  Wilma was in third and they were almost to the finish line.  Then Wilma started to catch up and then she was in second and eventually, Wilma was back in first.  It was close, but Wilma used all the speed left in her and crossed the finish line first!  Wilma continued to win and from there on, Wilma was the best female raced in the country.  She accomplished a lot of things including being a 3 time gold medal olympic althete.

Recommended By:  Lucas, Grade 5

 

Title: Elsie MacGill                 Author: Elizabeth MacLeod

Elsie MacGill is one of Canada's national treasures!  She was born in Vancouver in 1904 and even from a young age she loved seeing how machines worked.  She pursued her goal of becoming an aeronautical engineer.  In the early years, Elsie was home schooled to copy what her older brothers were learning.  She was very smart.  Elsie MacGill went to the University of Toronto's Bachelor of Applied Sciences program in 1923.  Elsie worked as a junior engineer and learned about a lot of engines.  Elsie contracted polio but worked to recover so she could work at her job again.  She got the nickname Queen of the Hurricanes by helping build military planes for the British army.  Elsie was an amazing woman.

Recommended By: Kaaren, Grade 4

 

Title: Luba    Author: Michelle McCann

This real life World War 11 hero saved fifty-four cold children from the cold in a Nazi concentration camp.  Luba heard them crying one night, and she left her barracks  and snuck out to get the kids.  She risked her life just for these children.  Every day Luba left the children to go and find food and medicine.  She had to sneak past the guards.  The kids would sit in front of the door worried for Luba and to see if she would get caught by the guards.  But Luba always came back safe and sound with food and medicine for the kids.  In the Spring of 1945, 2 children died from illness, but Luba was able to save the rest.  To help celebrate Luba's birthday, the kids saved their bread and didn't eat much for 2 days, and then traded that bread for a red scarf.  The youngest child used the bottom of her dress to make a pretty present  After another month or two, Allied soldiers came to free the prisoners.  Luba took them back to their homes in Holland.  After many years Luba returned to see them.  She is an amazing, real life HERO. 

Recommended By:  Josie, Grade 5​​


 

Title: Robert Munsch    Author: Chelsea Donaldson

Robert Munsch is a famous Canadian author.  He made a book about a mud puddle and a girl and a dog.  The first book he wrote was Mortimer.  He worked at a daycare and liked to tell stories.  Kids all over Canada love to read his funny books! 

Recommended By:  Benney, Grade 5​​​


 

Title: Sidney Crosby    Author: Danielle Le Clair

This Canadian  is the best NHL player in the country.  He has been playing since he was a little boy and started being interviewed as an important hockey player from the age of 7!  He was born in 1987 in Nova Scotia, and because his dad, Troy, was a good hockey player (drafted by the Montreal Canadiens, but never played an NHL game), he coached Sidney from a very young age.   Sidney Crosby's family had to work extra jobs to get enough money to help him play hockey.  He was also targeted by other players because he was the best one.  He got hit a lot more than any other player to try and stop him from scoring goals.  When he was 14, he scored 217 points in one season!  When he joined the Major Juniors, he won the top rookie award.  At 16 he helped Canada win the World Juniors.  He was draftd by the Penguins at 17, and he was the youngest player to score 102 points in his first season.  He is a great Canadian for helping Canada win Olympic gold medals.  He is my favorite hockey player and I've followed him since I was the age of 3.  I've been wanting to play hockey since I was three, and this is because of Sidney Crosby.

Recommended By:  Luka, Grade 4​


 

Title: Vincent van Gogh    Author: Catherine Nichols

Vincent van Gogh is a very famous Dutch painter.  He is among the most famous and influential figures in the history of art; however he only sold mone painting while he was alive!  Vincent struggled with mental illness, and he was very poor.  But perhaps this helped him create a unique style of painting.  In 1880 he decided to become an artist.  Vincent was in the hospital on June 1889 he decided to take the time to paint the beautiful city out his hospital window.  This same year he painted the famous Sunflowers painting.  Vincent van Gogh cut off his own ear just because he had an argument with his friend Gauguin. It was really sad because after a week he had to go back to the hospital.  When Vincent was in the hospital, he wanted to do something.  He ended up painting "The Starry Night" from his hospital room which shoed the roofs of houses, distant mountains, trees and shining stars.  After he died at the age of 37, the world started to understand his great talent I love his artwork and it inspires me to learn how to paint.

Recommended By:  Ashton, Grade 4​


 

Title: Luba    Author: Michelle McCann

A girl that helped lots of kids deserves to be remembered.  There was a woman named Luba.  She married someone and had a baby boy.  Then Nazi soldiers took Luba and the rest of her family from their farm.  The guards took Luba to a concentration camp and put her where other women were.  She started crying because she kept on thinking about her son and her husband who were taken somewhere else.  One night in 1944 she woke up because she thought she heard her son crying.  So she snuck outside and saw a lot of children huddled together in the cold winter night.  She decided to bring them into her barracks and raise them like they were he own son.  The other women helped her with all the kids.  Every day Luba was trying to find enough food to feed 54 kids.  They worried when she left the barracks, but she always came back with bread, soup, even some sausage!  2 kids died from illness during that long winter.  Eventually British soldiers came and said they were free.  Luba left with the 52 children and helped them get back to Holland where they tried to find their families.  I hope you like this inspiring true story and decide to read this book.

Recommended By:  Brandon, Grade 4​


 

Title: Wilma Unlimited    Author: Kathleen Krull

Wilma Rudolph was an African-American.  She was born in 1942 and was not a strong, healthy baby.  She had a really large family, and her brothers and sisters helped look after Wilma.  At 5, she got polio and she could not walk, run, or jump like she enjoyed.  Her mom took her to the hospital every week, and had to ride 50 miles on a bus because the hospital in her town would not treat African Americans.  Eventually she learned how to walk again, first she used a brace, but later she took it off and was able to run and jump all by herself.  She loved playing basketball, and carried her high school team all the way to the finals.  Even though Wilma's team lost, she was selected by a coach from university to come and join the track and field team.  Wilma went to college, the first in her family!  She even became an Olympic runner, and won 3 gold medals for the USA!  I love this story.  Because I love running, too, Wilma's story inspires me to keep running, and keep trying even if something is really hard.

Recommended By:  Ethan, Grade 4​


 

Title: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.    Author: David Adler

Born January 15, 1929 Martin Luther King, Jr. was an African American in the southern United States.  He did not get treated equally as other white Americans did.  He hated this unfairness.  When this true hero grew up, he started giving speeches to help encourage a change in the laws.  He helped organize the bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama after Rosa Parks was arrested.  For over 1 year, African Americans in that city stayed off the buses until they would be allowed to sit anywhere, not just the back.  Finally, the law was changed.  In 1963 Dr. King gave a famous speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.  In that speech he said, "all men are made equal".  Thanks to him, the laws were changed, and African Americans could get equal treatment.  This is a true, inspiring hero and I love how he risked his life to bring equality to others.

Recommended By:  Jason, Grade 5​


 

TitleLeading The Way – A Collection of Biographies – Terry Fox .    Author: Frances Bacon 

Research: Wikipedia ​

Terry Fox was born on July 28, 1958 and he died June 28, 1980.

Terry Fox grew up in Port Coquitlam, BC. Terry Lost his leg when he was 18 years old to bone cancer. His dream was to run across Canada for cancer research. It was called the Marathon of Hope. The Marathon of Hope began on April 12th, 1980 in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Terry Fox wanted to run to Vancouver Island from St. John’s Newfoundland. He ran about 42 kilometers (26 miles) each day. Terry Fox ran a total of 5373 kilometers before stopping in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

August 31st, 1980 near Thunder Bay, Ontario. He had to stop running because the bone cancer went to his lungs. Terry Fox died on June 28, 1981. He was 22 years old. Terry Fox more than twenty-four million dollars for cancer research. Every year 58 countries, more than 1.5 million people run jog or cycle for cancer research.

Terry Fox is a hero to Canada. ​

Recommended By:  Lennox, Grade 4


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Cape Horn Elementary School

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