Extraordinary People

May 4, 2015
The author of Unusual Creatures (2012) profiles 50 individuals who have excelled in athletics (Billie Jean King, Deion Sanders), discovery (George Washington Carver, Marie Curie), activism (Jane Goodall, Malala Yousafzai), and more. “ ‘Extraordinary’ is not necessarily the same as ‘role model,’ ” Hearst notes early on: Mexican bandito Heraclio Bernal (“a generous outlaw... like Robin Hood”) is included, as are building-scaling daredevil Alain Robert and hacker Kevin Mitnick. Irreverent biographies, a diverse range of notable figures, and a fresh design that highlights Scamihorn’s crisp comics-style portraits make this an engaging and informative collection. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Jud Laghi, Jud Laghi Agency.

April 1, 2015

Gr 5-8-Where else would Otzi the Iceman, Ibn Battuta, Hildegard of Bingen, Stagecoach Mary, Deion Sanders, Bruce Lee, and Malala Yousafzai sit side by side but in the "Uncommon Compendium" series? Hearst, the author of Unusual Creatures (Chronicle, 2012), has selected 50 historical and contemporary figures, admittedly not all role models, that he enjoyed learning about as a kid and an adult. He devotes a page to each, discussing their importance (or notoriety) and providing related information in the form of quick facts, true-or-false questions, quotes, quizzes, and an occasional ode. The author's conversational style will delight readers, as will his rampant humorous asides, puns, and catchy, sometimes corny, headers ("Fungus Amongus," "Dude Was Fast!") that run rampant. Blocks of information are framed by bands of color in dark earth tones, spot-art illustrations, and a variety of fonts. For each subject, there's a full-page portrait opposite the text. Figures are set against shallow stages or flat expanses of color, often with an identifying tool or instrument (George Washing Carver with test tubes) or in a recognizable pose (Harry Houdini performing a stunt) or clothing (Evel Knievel in racing gear). In coloring and shadowing, in particular, the portraits resemble graphic art. Hearst has a knack for delivering facts the way kids like them-quick and fun-and there's even a shout-out to libraries. ("Libraries are awesome. You should spend more time in yours.") VERDICT Tweens and teens are guaranteed to glom onto this book for its art, humor, and fascinating selection of notables.-Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from June 1, 2015
Grades 5-8 *Starred Review* This engaging collection of brief, breezy biographies quickly becomes addictive. Hearst has assembled an eclectic group of 52 luminaries who meet his definition of abovordinary (beyond ordinary). Subjects range from traditional figures (Helen Keller) to slightly more obscure (Ibn Battuta) to quirky but beguiling (Otzi the Iceman). Selections recognize individual feats (smoke-jumper Wag Dodge), special skills (computer-hacker Kevin Mitnick), or lifetime achievement (Minakata Kumagusu, slime-mold world expert). Each double-page spread features lively paragraphs of text set off in color blocks and oversize fonts facing full-page, graphic-novel-like illustrations. Hearst's contagious enthusiasm is effectively conveyed through well-chosen facts and anecdotes, inside jokes, gossipy asides, silly quizzes, and fanciful rhetorical questions. The large format and graphic-rich layout will attract browsers, and the humorous sketches should spark interest and encourage additional research. Especially gratifying is Hearst's diverse range of subjects: he profiles historical figures, contemporary individuals, women, children, and folks from all over the world. Students and teachers alike will be inspired by the offbeat cast of characters and appreciate the irreverent tone (reminiscent of Georgia Bragg's How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous, 2011). This is a welcome antidote to traditional biography-assignment fare.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)