Leland Melvin

by Miller, Quartey (Illustrator)

Overview

Book Features:
• Ages 6-10, Grades 1-4
• 24 pages, 7 ½ inches x 10 inches
• Simple, easy-to-read pages with full-color pictures
• Includes a time line and extension activity
• Reading/teaching tips and discussion questions included

Leader in Science: In Leaders Like Us: Leland Melvin, 1st—4th graders learn about the dedication, talent, and impact of Melvin who went from being a professional football player to an influential NASA astronaut.

Inspirational: With captivating illustrations that bring Melvin's story to life, young readers learn about his fascinating life and what led him to trade in his football helmet for a space suit, going on to fly two important missions into space.

Build Reading Skills: This engaging 24-page biography will help your child improve comprehension and build confidence with guided pre- and post-reading questions, a time line of events, and a fun extension activity.

Leveled Books: Part of the Leaders Like Us series, early-elementary reading level and full-color illustrations support comprehension of the story of this amazing pro athlete and astronaut.

Why Rourke Educational Media: Since 1980, Rourke Publishing Company has specialized in publishing engaging and diverse non-fiction and fiction books for children in a wide range of subjects that support reading success on a level that has no limits.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781731649294
Publisher:	Rourke Educational Media
Publication date:	08/11/2021
Series:	Leaders Like Us , #9
Pages:	24
Product dimensions:	7.80(w) x 10.10(h) x (d)
Lexile:	680L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 10 Years

Editorial Reviews

These new picture-book biographies in the Leaders like Us series (written and illustrated by Black women) place a well-deserved spotlight on lesser-known Black Americans who were leaders in their fields. Civil rights activism, journalism, and politics are discussed in Charlotta Bass, which describes the impressive accomplishments of this Rhode Island native as she published her own newspaper for Black Americans and became a Vice Presidential nominee in 1952. Jackie Ormes introduces fashionable comics creator Ormes, who kicked stereotypes to the curb with her popular comics (the first by a Black woman to be nationally syndicated) featuring smart, successful, and attractive Black characters, like Torchy Brown. Leland Melvin highlights Melvin’s unlikely career as an NFL player and astronaut—truly the American dream—and draws attention to his passion for space science and inspiring youth. Readers enter the NASCAR circuit in Wendell Scott, where they’ll see impressive driving unfortunately hampered by racism; Scott saw his first-place trophy in the 1963 Grand National Series race—the first won by any Black driver—awarded to a white man instead, a slight finally corrected in 2010. Occasionally the writing lacks smooth transitions, but all the books give a clear sense of their subjects, the importance of their work, and obstacles they overcame. Welcoming, full-page illustrations, reading-comprehension questions, and an activity prompt round out each title in this worthwhile series. —Booklist, Fall 2021

From the Publisher

11/01/2021

Gr 1–4—Readers are introduced to four notable Black Americans in these engaging narratives. Charlotta Bass owned a newspaper and was the first Black woman to be nominated for Vice President of the United States (Progressive Party, 1952). Jackie Ormes created comic strips featuring Black characters who defied stereotypes. Leland Melvin successfully transitioned from NFL player to astronaut and Wendell Scott became the first Black man to win a NASCAR race. Emphasis is on the challenges each person faced: Bass was harassed by the KKK, Scott had to fight for acknowledgement of his win in a race, and Melvin was injured in football and astronaut training. Though these biographies are short and most statistical information is included in time lines in the back, they provide excellent primers on people who are less well-known (but certainly should be more recognized). They will encourage readers to seek out more information. Bright and colorful illustrations enhance the texts. VERDICT These volumes on inspiring lives should do well with report writers and browsers alike.

School Library Journal