Book Review: The "Ordinary People Change the World" juvenile graphic novel biography series by Brad Meltzer

The “Ordinary People Change the World” series
written by Brad Meltzer with art by Chris Eliopoulos (all: j Biography _____ )

This is a marvelous series of juvenile biographies of noteworthy people throughout history, told in an appealing and engaging graphic novel format. Each volume is written by Brad Meltzer, known to adult fiction fans for his pulse-pounding thrillers, with cartoon-style art by Chris Eliopoulos. The libraries own approximately a dozen of the 20 entries released in the series so far. Individuals profiled range from historical figures like DaVinci, George Washington and Albert Einstein to such recent and still-living notables as Jane Goodall, Billie Jean King and Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

Each book tells the life story of an individual — beginning with their childhood, and then highlighting significant moments or achievements in their lives, especially times when the historical figure persevered over challenges, interference or adversity. The volumes dealing with recent/current figures often feature more detailed quotes from the individuals being profiled. Each volume then has a two-page summary spread, giving a broad overview of how important they were to society, and what influence they’ve had over our history and culture. Following that is another two-page spread, featuring a literal timeline for that individual’s life, with highlights of their most important moments/achievements.

Artist Eliopoulos captures a lot of personality in his charming illustrations. He and Meltzer make the decision to show the highlighted individual as a child throughout their entire story, but with physical features that embody that individual at a time in their life that they are perhaps known for — Jim Henson appears with a full bushy beard, Neil Armstrong is in an Apollo space suit, Albert Einstein has his signature bushy hair and mustache, Lucille Ball has her unforgettable red curls from the “I Love Lucy” era, Abe Lincoln is in a stovepipe hat, etc. All the “featured” individuals look “different” from most of the other characters in the books, so they tend to stand out. The books focus on overcoming adversity or difficulties, so while they don’t avoid addressing tough topics (slavery in the Harriet Tubman volume, colonial imperialism in the Gandhi volume, sexual identity in the Billie Jean King entry), more often than not these topics are softened. And if the individual suffered a bad demise (Abe Lincoln‘s or Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassinations, Amelia Earhart‘s disappearance), those details may not be included or are minimalized.

But, overall, these are very engaging reads, and do a good job of sharing useful biographical information. Even kids who may not enjoy reading will still enjoy these. I’ve enjoyed them enough that I’ve started collecting them myself (the Neil Armstrong, Jim Henson and Lucille Ball volumes so far) — I’m glad to see the libraries adding them to our holdings, and hope that we’ll eventually get the entire set!

Great last-minute gift idea for kids!

[ official Ordinary People Change the World web site ]

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library

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