Biography series for kids?

October 19, 2009 4:02 PM

When I was a kid, I remember a series of biographies in the library, either in the kids or YA section. They were short biographies of American figures, and I'm sure I read all the ones with female subjects. Can anyone help identify this series? I'd love to have some of these books for my niece when she's old enough.

I definitely remember biographies of Phyllis Wheatley, Louisa Mae Alcott, Abigail Adams, Clara Barton, Juliette Low, and other 18th and 19th century figures.

These weren't picture books. They were straight up prose, definitely for 8 and up.

posted by whitearrow to writing & language (12 comments total)

Was there one about Cleopatra? and another about Sacajawea?
posted by feste at 4:09 PM on October 19

I can't remember Cleopatra, but Sacajawea sounds possible.
posted by whitearrow at 4:11 PM on October 19

The Childhood of Famous Americans Series? Loved those.
posted by oinopaponton at 4:12 PM on October 19

Was it the Landmark Books series? They used to look like this, but now I think they look more like this. This appears to be a fairly complete list of titles.
posted by dersins at 4:12 PM on October 19

I think the Childhood of Famous Americans might be right, although the covers are definitely different now. The Landmark books also look kind of familiar (and interesting), but they weren't the ones I was thinking of -- not enough of the female historical figures I remember.
posted by whitearrow at 4:23 PM on October 19

Here's a list of all the Childhood of Famous Americans titles-- looks like everyone you remember is in there.
posted by oinopaponton at 4:25 PM on October 19

not enough of the female historical figures I remember.

Well, this one has, like, 24 of them-- despite the unfortunate titel.
posted by dersins at 4:26 PM on October 19

I think oinopaponton has it -- I'm remembering more of them as I look at the list. Thanks!
posted by whitearrow at 4:28 PM on October 19

Landmark Books series was what I was thinking of.
posted by notned at 4:50 PM on October 19

I immediately thought of the Valuetales. My favorite was Louis Pasteur.
posted by Medieval Maven at 5:23 PM on October 19 [3 favorites has favorites]

Ahh! I loved these sort of books when I was a kid. The Valuetale (I think) about Marie Curie, in particular, left me with a life long love of her.
posted by MadamM at 6:20 PM on October 19

I thought of the Valuetales too. My favorite was the one about Nellie Bly. I can't remember how many times I checked that one out of the library!
posted by SisterHavana at 9:24 PM on October 19