Several years ago, National Geographic began publishing a series of World History Biographies targeted at young readers aged 8-12. Each is 64 pages, and (as you might expect from National Geographic) includes lots of illustrations, photographs, and maps. Each title has both an author and an academic/scholar consultant – an expert in the history/culture of the subject – who has worked with the author to insure the accuracy of the text.

The results are impressive. Each of the biographies includes some fascinating details – items that provide insight into character and background. Older readers with an interest in any of these figures will find them an interesting, though quick, read.

Two titles have just become available in paperback: Marco Polo: The Boy Who Traveled the Medieval World and Galileo: The Genius Who Faced the Inquisition.

There are 16 titles so far in the series and eight of them have been released in very affordable ($6.95) paperback editions:

• Hatshepsut: The Princess Who Became a King
  
• Marco Polo: the Boy Who Traveled the Medieval World
  
• Leonardo da Vinci: The Genius of the Renaissance
  
• Elizabeth I: The Outcast Who Became England’s Queen
  
• Galileo: The Genius Who Faced the Inquisition
  
• Marie Curie: The First Great Woman Scientist
  
• Gandhi: The Young Protestor Who Founded a Nation
  
• Nelson Mandela: The Rebel Who Led His Nation to Freedom
  

The other eight titles are currently published only as hardback versions (at $17.95 each) on the following figures: Alexander, Julius Caesar, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Saladin, Joan of Arc, Michelangelo, Isaac Newton, Mozart, Anne Frank, and Mao Zedong. As each of these is released in paperback, we’ll add them to the Greenleaf store.

Each of the eight titles linked above is a paperback, 64 pages and sells for $6.95. You can order any of them directly from Greenleaf Press by clicking on the link in this post.

– Rob Shearer, Publisher
Greenleaf Press