Kid Trailblazers: True Tales of Childhood from Changemakers and Leaders (Kid Legends #8)

by Robin Stevenson (Author) Allison Steinfeld (Illustrator)

Kid Trailblazers: True Tales of Childhood from Changemakers and Leaders (Kid Legends #8)
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Series: Kid Legends

Inspiring, relatable, and totally true biographies tell the childhood stories of a diverse group of trailblazers including Kamala Harris, Greta Thunberg, Ai Weiwei, Benazir Bhutto, Elliot Page, and John Lewis, along with 10 other powerful figures.

Featuring kid-friendly text and full-color illustrations, Kid Trailblazers highlights contemporary figures who have led the way in government, social activism, environmental justice, and the arts. Middle-grade readers will learn how these figures got their start as kids just like them, with impactful stories and fun facts such as: -

  • Angela Merkel once won a trip to Moscow, where she bought a Beatles album. 
  • Stacey Abrams and her siblings played pretend as librarians for fun. 
  • Al Gore lived in a hotel as a kid and liked to drop water balloons off the roof!

Kid Trailblazers explores the childhood stories of leaders who have taken on the most pressing issues of our time by expressing themselves and challenging the world.

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School Library Journal

Gr 3-7--The future desperately needs younger generations to step up to the plate, bring about substantial change, and cause some "good trouble" as the venerable John Lewis once said. Stevenson, author of Kid Activists and Kid Innovators, is back with Kid Trailblazers highlighting a diverse array of many lesser-known leaders around the world who have paved the way for innovation and change, including Mari Copeny, Tsai Ing-Wen, David Suzuki, and Vanessa Nakate. These biographies--and without coverage in Kid Trailblazers, many of them may not have had their stories shared--are short and motivating, prompting readers to get inspired and continue the work themselves. The book is divided into four sections: Advocates for Democracy, Black Lives Matter, Saving the Planet, and Art. Stevenson's informative text, along with Steinfeld's illustrations, is designed perfectly for reading aloud, social studies units, or social-emotional learning connections. VERDICT An important nonfiction collection of stories about influencers and leaders when they were children. Perfect for group sharing and current events connections.--Laura Dooley-Taylor

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"Kid Trailblazers highlight[s] a diverse array of many lesser-known leaders around the world who have paved the way for innovation and change...An important nonfiction collection of stories about influencers and leaders when they were children."—School Library Journal, starred review

"Inspiring examples for younger would-be world-changers."—Kirkus Reviews

Praise for the Kid Legends series:

"Telling the true stories of famous people's childhoods, this book inspires kids to think big and humanizes historical figures in a new and fresh way."—CNN Underscored, on Kid Innovators by Robin Stevenson

"These reads aren't just educational, they're inspiring - they remind us all that we're never too young to start dreaming! Plus - they're a great resource for school projects!"—YAYOMG.com, on Kid Innovators by Robin Stevenson

"Kids will be drawn in."—Chicago Parent, on Kid Activists by Robin Stevenson

"The vivid details of each activist's story, combined with vibrant illustrations, demonstrate that every civil rights hero and popular firebrand started out as children, just like the rest of us."—School Library Journal, on Kid Activists by Robin Stevenson

"A great way to encourage kids who already love science to pursue their interests as well as to show kids who are not motivated by traditional schooling that there are many paths to greatness."—American Scientist Magazine, on Kid Scientists by David Stabler

"Illustrate[s] a wide variety of early influences and backgrounds, proving to kids that where they come from isn't important when fixing something that is."—Terri Schlichenmeyer, The Bookworm Sez, on Kid Activists by Robin Stevenson

"Outstanding... Inspiring and entertaining."—Booklist, starred review, on Kid Athletes by David Stabler

"A heartening reminder that 17 unconventional greats—not to mention all the rest—started out as children too."—Kirkus Reviews, on Kid Artists by David Stabler

"Just like history class, only hilarious."—Tim Federle, author of Better Nate Than Ever, on Kid Presidents by David Stabler

"Full of real information, but the author made it fun and funny."—Michael, age 9, on Kid Authors by David Stabler
Robin Stevenson
Robin Stevenson is the award-winning author of nearly 30 books for kids and teens, many about the lives and histories of LGBTQ+ people. Her books have been translated into numerous languages and published in more than a dozen countries. Her book Pride was named a Stonewall Honor Book, and her novel Record Breaker won the Silver Birch Award.

Vivian Rosas is a queer Mestizx/Latinx artist based in Toronto. Her illustrations and murals often explore themes of feminism, empowerment and diversity. She is the illustrator of Better Connected by Tanya Lloyd Kyi, a children's book about how girls are using social media for good. Her work has been commissioned by Pride Toronto and appeared in such publications as the Globe and Mail and The Walrus.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781683693017
Lexile Measure
1060
Guided Reading Level
Z
Publisher
Quirk Books
Publication date
August 23, 2022
Series
Kid Legends
BISAC categories
JNF007110 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Social Activists
JNF038000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | People & Places | General
JNF053160 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Social Topics | Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
Library of Congress categories
Artists
Children
Biography
Political activists
Politicians

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