Literacy Ideas

How to Write a Biography

writing biographies middle school

Biographies are big business. Whether in book form or Hollywood biopics, the lives of the famous and sometimes not-so-famous fascinate us.

While it’s true that most biographies are about people who are in the public eye, sometimes the subject is less well-known. Mostly though, famous or not, the person who is written about has led a life that is in some way incredible.

While your students will most likely have a basic understanding of a biography, it’s worth taking a little time before they put pen to paper to tease out a crystal clear definition of a biography.

Visual Writing Prompts

What Is a Biography?

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Simply put, a biography is an account of someone’s life written by someone else . While there is a genre known as a fictional biography, for the most part, biographies are, by definition, nonfiction.

Generally speaking, biographies provide an account of the subject’s life from the earliest days of their childhood right up to the present day or their death if the subject is deceased.

The job of a biography is more than just to outline the bare facts of a person’s life.

Rather than just listing the basic details of their upbringing, hobbies, education, work, relationships, and death, a well-written biography should also paint a picture of the subject’s personality, and as well as their experience of life.

A COMPLETE UNIT ON TEACHING BIOGRAPHIES

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Teach your students to write AMAZING BIOGRAPHIES & AUTOBIOGRAPHIES using proven RESEARCH SKILLS and WRITING STRATEGIES .

  • Understand the purpose of both forms of biography.
  • Explore the language and perspective of both.
  • Prompts and Challenges to engage students in writing a biography.
  • Dedicated lessons for both forms of biography.
  • Biographical Projects can expand students’ understanding of reading and writing a biography.
  • A COMPLETE 82-PAGE UNIT – NO PREPARATION REQUIRED.

What Are the Main Features of a Biography?

Before students begin writing a biography, they’ll need to have a firm grasp of the main features of the genre. A good way to determine how well they understand these essential elements of the genre is by asking them to compile a checklist.

At a minimum, their checklists should contain the items below. Be sure to help them fill in any gaps before moving on to the writing process.

The purpose of a biography is to provide an account of someone’s life.

Biography structure.

ORIENTATION (BEGINNING) Open your biography with a strong hook to grab the reader’s attention

SEQUENCING: In most cases, biographies are written in chronological order unless you are a very competent writer consciously trying to break from this trend.

COVER: childhood, upbringing, education, influences, accomplishments, relationships, etc. – everything that helps the reader to understand the person.

CONCLUSION: Wrap your biography up with some details about what the subject is doing now if they are still alive. If they have passed away, make mention of what impact they have made and what their legacy is or will be.

BIOGRAPHY FEATURES

LANGUAGE Use descriptive and figurative language that will paint images inside your audience’s minds as they read. Use time connectives to link events.

PERSPECTIVE Biographies are written from the third person’s perspective.

DETAILS: Give specific details about people, places, events, times, dates, etc. Reflect on how events shaped the subject. You might want to include some relevant photographs with captions. A timeline may also be of use depending upon your subject and what you are trying to convey to your audience.

TENSE Written in the past tense (though ending may shift to the present/future tense)

THE PROCESS OF WRITING A BIOGRAPHY

Like any form of writing, you will find it simple if you have a plan and follow it through. These steps will ensure you cover the essential bases of writing a biography essay.

Firstly, select a subject that inspires you. Someone whose life story resonates with you and whose contribution to society intrigues you. The next step is to conduct thorough research. Engage in extensive reading, explore various sources, watch documentaries, and glean all available information to provide a comprehensive account of the person’s life.

Creating an outline is essential to organize your thoughts and information. The outline should include the person’s early life, education, career, achievements, and any other significant events or contributions. It serves as a map for the writing process, ensuring that all vital information is included.

Your biography should have an engaging introduction that captivates the reader’s attention and provides background information on the person you’re writing about. It should include a thesis statement that summarizes the main points of the biography.

Writing a biography in chronological order is crucial . You should begin with the person’s early life and move through their career and achievements. This approach provides clarity on how the person’s life unfolded and how they accomplished their goals.

A biography should be written in a narrative style , capturing the essence of the person’s life through vivid descriptions, anecdotes, and quotes. Avoid dry, factual writing and focus on creating a compelling narrative that engages the reader.

Adding personal insights and opinions can enhance the biography’s overall impact, providing a unique perspective on the person’s achievements, legacy, and impact on society.

Editing and proofreading are vital elements of the writing process. Thoroughly reviewing your biography ensures that the writing is clear, concise, and error-free. You can even request feedback from someone else to ensure that it is engaging and well-written.

Finally, including a bibliography at the end of your biography is essential. It gives credit to the sources that were used during research, such as books, articles, interviews, and websites.

Tips for Writing a Brilliant Biography

Biography writing tip #1: choose your subject wisely.

There are several points for students to reflect on when deciding on a subject for their biography. Let’s take a look at the most essential points to consider when deciding on the subject for a biography:

Interest: To produce a biography will require sustained writing from the student. That’s why students must choose their subject well. After all, a biography is an account of someone’s entire life to date. Students must ensure they choose a subject that will sustain their interest throughout the research, writing, and editing processes.

Merit: Closely related to the previous point, students must consider whether the subject merits the reader’s interest. Aside from pure labors of love, writing should be undertaken with the reader in mind. While producing a biography demands sustained writing from the author, it also demands sustained reading from the reader.

Therefore, students should ask themselves if their chosen subject has had a life worthy of the reader’s interest and the time they’d need to invest in reading their biography.

Information: Is there enough information available on the subject to fuel the writing of an entire biography? While it might be a tempting idea to write about a great-great-grandfather’s experience in the war. There would be enough interest there to sustain the author’s and the reader’s interest, but do you have enough access to information about their early childhood to do the subject justice in the form of a biography?

Biography Writing Tip #2: R esearch ! Research! Research!

While the chances are good that the student already knows quite a bit about the subject they’ve chosen. Chances are 100% that they’ll still need to undertake considerable research to write their biography.

As with many types of writing , research is an essential part of the planning process that shouldn’t be overlooked. If a student wishes to give as complete an account of their subject’s life as possible, they’ll need to put in the time at the research stage.

An effective way to approach the research process is to:

1. Compile a chronological timeline of the central facts, dates, and events of the subject’s life

2. Compile detailed descriptions of the following personal traits:

  •      Physical looks
  •      Character traits
  •      Values and beliefs

3. Compile some research questions based on different topics to provide a focus for the research:

  • Childhood : Where and when were they born? Who were their parents? Who were the other family members? What education did they receive?
  • Obstacles: What challenges did they have to overcome? How did these challenges shape them as individuals?
  • Legacy: What impact did this person have on the world and/or the people around them?
  • Dialogue & Quotes: Dialogue and quotations by and about the subject are a great way to bring color and life to a biography. Students should keep an eagle eye out for the gems that hide amid their sources.

As the student gets deeper into their research, new questions will arise that can further fuel the research process and help to shape the direction the biography will ultimately go in.

Likewise, during the research, themes will often begin to suggest themselves. Exploring these themes is essential to bring depth to biography, but we’ll discuss this later in this article.

Research Skills:

Researching for biography writing is an excellent way for students to hone their research skills in general. Developing good research skills is essential for future academic success. Students will have opportunities to learn how to:

  • Gather relevant information
  • Evaluate different information sources
  • Select suitable information
  • Organize information into a text.

Students will have access to print and online information sources, and, in some cases, they may also have access to people who knew or know the subject (e.g. biography of a family member).

These days, much of the research will likely take place online. It’s crucial, therefore, to provide your students with guidance on how to use the internet safely and evaluate online sources for reliability. This is the era of ‘ fake news ’ and misinformation after all!

COMPLETE TEACHING UNIT ON INTERNET RESEARCH SKILLS USING GOOGLE SEARCH

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Teach your students ESSENTIAL SKILLS OF THE INFORMATION ERA to become expert DIGITAL RESEARCHERS.

⭐How to correctly ask questions to search engines on all devices.

⭐ How to filter and refine your results to find exactly what you want every time.

⭐ Essential Research and critical thinking skills for students.

⭐ Plagiarism, Citing and acknowledging other people’s work.

⭐ How to query, synthesize and record your findings logically.

BIOGRAPHY WRITING Tip #3: Find Your Themes In Biography Writing

Though predominantly a nonfiction genre, the story still plays a significant role in good biography writing. The skills of characterization and plot structuring are transferable here. And, just like in fiction, exploring themes in a biographical work helps connect the personal to the universal. Of course, these shouldn’t be forced; this will make the work seem contrived, and the reader may lose faith in the truthfulness of the account. A biographer needs to gain and maintain the trust of the reader.

Fortunately, themes shouldn’t need to be forced. A life well-lived is full of meaning, and the themes the student writer is looking for will emerge effortlessly from the actions and events of the subject’s life. It’s just a case of learning how to spot them.

One way to identify the themes in a life is to look for recurring events or situations in a person’s life. These should be apparent from the research completed previously. The students should seek to identify these patterns that emerge in the subject’s life. For example, perhaps they’ve had to overcome various obstacles throughout different periods of their life. In that case, the theme of overcoming adversity is present and has been identified.

Usually, a biography has several themes running throughout, so be sure your students work to identify more than one theme in their subject’s life.

BIOGRAPHY WRITING Tip: #4 Put Something of Yourself into the Writing

While the defining feature of a biography is that it gives an account of a person’s life, students must understand that this is not all a biography does. Relating the facts and details of a subject’s life is not enough. The student biographer should not be afraid to share their thoughts and feelings with the reader throughout their account of their subject’s life.

The student can weave some of their personality into the fabric of the text by providing commentary and opinion as they relate the events of the person’s life and the wider social context at the time. Unlike the detached and objective approach we’d expect to find in a history textbook, in a biography, student-writers should communicate their enthusiasm for their subject in their writing.

This makes for a more intimate experience for the reader, as they get a sense of getting to know the author and the subject they are writing about.

Student Examples of Biography Writing

  • Year 5 Example
  • Year 7 Example
  • Year 9 Example

“The Rock ‘n’ Roll King: Elvis Presley”

Elvis Aaron Presley, born on January 8, 1935, was an amazing singer and actor known as the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Even though he’s been dead for nearly 50 years, I can’t help but be fascinated by his incredible life!

Elvis grew up in Tupelo, Mississippi, in a tiny house with his parents and twin brother. His family didn’t have much money, but they shared a love for music. Little did they know Elvis would become a music legend!

When he was only 11 years old, Elvis got his first guitar. He taught himself to play and loved singing gospel songs. As he got older, he started combining different music styles like country, blues, and gospel to create a whole new sound – that’s Rock ‘n’ Roll!

In 1954, at the age of 19, Elvis recorded his first song, “That’s All Right.” People couldn’t believe how unique and exciting his music was. His famous hip-swinging dance moves also made him a sensation!

Elvis didn’t just rock the music scene; he also starred in movies like “Love Me Tender” and “Jailhouse Rock.” But fame came with challenges. Despite facing ups and downs, Elvis kept spreading happiness through his music.

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Tragically, Elvis passed away in 1977, but his music and charisma live on. Even today, people worldwide still enjoy his songs like “Hound Dog” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Elvis Presley’s legacy as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll will live forever.

Long Live the King: I wish I’d seen him.

Elvis Presley, the Rock ‘n’ Roll legend born on January 8, 1935, is a captivating figure that even a modern-day teen like me can’t help but admire. As I delve into his life, I wish I could have experienced the magic of his live performances.

Growing up in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis faced challenges but found solace in music. At 11, he got his first guitar, a symbol of his journey into the world of sound. His fusion of gospel, country, and blues into Rock ‘n’ Roll became a cultural phenomenon.

The thought of being in the audience during his early performances, especially when he recorded “That’s All Right” at 19, sends shivers down my spine. Imagining the crowd’s uproar and feeling the revolutionary energy of that moment is a dream I wish I could have lived.

Elvis wasn’t just a musical prodigy; he was a dynamic performer. His dance moves, the embodiment of rebellion, and his roles in films like “Love Me Tender” and “Jailhouse Rock” made him a true icon.

After watching him on YouTube, I can’t help but feel a little sad that I’ll never witness the King’s live performances. The idea of swaying to “Hound Dog” or being enchanted by “Can’t Help Falling in Love” in person is a missed opportunity. Elvis may have left us in 1977, but he was the king of rock n’ roll. Long live the King!

Elvis Presley: A Teen’s Take on the Rock ‘n’ Roll Icon”

Elvis Presley, born January 8, 1935, was a revolutionary force in the music world, earning his title as the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Exploring his life, even as a 16-year-old today, I’m captivated by the impact he made.

Hailing from Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis grew up in humble beginnings, surrounded by the love of his parents and twin brother. It’s inspiring to think that, despite financial challenges, this young man would redefine the music scene.

At 11, Elvis got his first guitar, sparking a self-taught journey into music. His early gospel influences evolved into a unique fusion of country, blues, and gospel, creating the electrifying genre of Rock ‘n’ Roll. In 1954, at only 19, he recorded “That’s All Right,” marking the birth of a musical legend.

Elvis wasn’t just a musical innovator; he was a cultural phenomenon. His rebellious dance moves and magnetic stage presence challenged the norms. He transitioned seamlessly into acting, starring in iconic films like “Love Me Tender” and “Jailhouse Rock.”

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However, fame came at a cost, and Elvis faced personal struggles. Despite the challenges, his music continued to resonate. Even now, classics like “Hound Dog” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love” transcend generations.

Elvis Presley’s impact on music and culture is undeniable. He was known for his unique voice, charismatic persona, and electrifying performances. He sold over one billion records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling solo artists in history. He received numerous awards throughout his career, including three Grammy Awards and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Elvis’s influence can still be seen in today’s music. Many contemporary artists, such as Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, and Justin Timberlake, have cited Elvis as an inspiration. His music continues to be featured in movies, TV shows, and commercials.

Elvis left us in 1977, but his legacy lives on. I appreciate his breaking barriers and fearlessly embracing his artistic vision. Elvis Presley’s impact on music and culture is timeless, a testament to the enduring power of his artistry. His music has inspired generations and will continue to do so for many years to come.

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Teaching Resources

Use our resources and tools to improve your student’s writing skills through proven teaching strategies.

BIOGRAPHY WRITING TEACHING IDEAS AND LESSONS

We have compiled a sequence of biography-related lessons or teaching ideas that you can follow as you please. They are straightforward enough for most students to follow without further instruction.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 1:

This session aims to give students a broader understanding of what makes a good biography.

Once your students have compiled a comprehensive checklist of the main features of a biography, allow them to use it to assess some biographies from your school library or on the internet using the feature checklist.

When students have assessed a selection of biographies, take some time as a class to discuss them. You can base the discussion around the following prompts:

  • Which biographies covered all the criteria from their checklist?
  • Which biographies didn’t?
  • Which biography was the most readable in terms of structure?
  • Which biography do you think was the least well-structured? How would you improve this?

Looking at how other writers have interpreted the form will help students internalize the necessary criteria before attempting to produce a biography. Once students have a clear understanding of the main features of the biography, they’re ready to begin work on writing a biography.

When the time does come to put pen to paper, be sure they’re armed with the following top tips to help ensure they’re as well prepared as possible.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 2:

This session aims to guide students through the process of selecting the perfect biography subject.

Instruct students to draw up a shortlist of three potential subjects for the biography they’ll write.

Using the three criteria mentioned in the writing guide (Interest, Merit, and Information), students award each potential subject a mark out of 5 for each of the criteria. In this manner, students can select the most suitable subject for their biography.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 3:

This session aims to get students into the researching phase and then prioritise events and organise them chronologically.

Students begin by making a timeline of their subject’s life, starting with their birth and ending with their death or the present day. If the student has yet to make a final decision on the subject of their biography, a family member will often serve well for this exercise as a practice exercise.

Students should research and gather the key events of the person’s life, covering each period of their life from when they were a baby, through childhood and adolescence, right up to adulthood and old age. They should then organize these onto a timeline. Students can include photographs with captions if they have them.

They can present these to the class when they have finished their timelines.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 4:

Instruct students to look over their timeline, notes, and other research. Challenge them to identify three patterns that repeat throughout the subject’s life and sort all the related events and incidents into specific categories.

Students should then label each category with a single word. This is the thematic concept or the broad general underlying idea. After that, students should write a sentence or two expressing what the subject’s life ‘says’ about that concept.

This is known as the thematic statement . With the thematic concepts and thematic statements identified, the student now has some substantial ideas to explore that will help bring more profound meaning and wider resonance to their biography.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 5:

Instruct students to write a short objective account of an event in their own life. They can write about anyone from their past. It needn’t be more than a couple of paragraphs, but the writing should be strictly factual, focusing only on the objective details of what happened.

Once they have completed this, it’s time to rewrite the paragraph, but they should include some opinion and personal commentary this time.

The student here aims to inject some color and personality into their writing, to transform a detached, factual account into a warm, engaging story.

Biography Graphic Organizer

Get our FREE Biography Writing Graphic Organizer

Use this valuable tool in the research and writing phases to keep your students on track and engaged.

WRITING CHECKLIST & RUBRIC BUNDLE

writing checklists

To Conclude

By this stage, your students should have an excellent technical overview of a biography’s essential elements.

They should be able to choose their subject in light of how interesting and worthy they are, as well as give consideration to the availability of information out there. They should be able to research effectively and identify emerging themes in their research notes. And finally, they should be able to bring some of their personality and uniqueness into their retelling of the life of another.

Remember that writing a biography is not only a great way to develop a student’s writing skills; it can be used in almost all curriculum areas. For example, to find out more about a historical figure in History, to investigate scientific contributions to Science, or to celebrate a hero from everyday life.

Biography is an excellent genre for students to develop their writing skills and to find inspiration in the lives of others in the world around them.

HOW TO WRITE A BIOGRAPHY TUTORIAL VIDEO

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OTHER GREAT ARTICLES RELATED TO BIOGRAPHY WRITING

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How to write an Autobiography

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How to Write a Historical Recount Text

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15 Awesome Recount & Personal Narrative Topics

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Personal Narrative Writing Guide

The content for this page has been written by Shane Mac Donnchaidh.  A former principal of an international school and English university lecturer with 15 years of teaching and administration experience. Shane’s latest Book, The Complete Guide to Nonfiction Writing , can be found here.  Editing and support for this article have been provided by the literacyideas team.

Celebrate a Book with Mary Hanna Wilson

35 Biographies that will Inspire your Middle School Student

Your tweens and teens can learn a ton by reading middle school biographies . Don’t let your middle schooler skip over this genre! There are just too many great books to choose from.

Reading about inspiring lives from the past and present allows kids to learn about the world beyond their own experiences. In addition, reading biographies teaches kids about history, science, sports, and so many other topics that may interest them.

Of course finding books that are challenging enough for a middle school reader without being overly challenging in reading level and content can be tough. This list was gathered specificially for the readers who are “stuck in the middle.”

These middle school biographies are perfect to inspire your teen or tween.

{This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure .}

Middle School Biographies

These middle school biographies will supplement many homeschool curriculums and make easy additions to any reading list for teens and tweens.

As with any booklist, you make the best choices when it comes to appropriate literature for your child to read. I have read many, though not all, of the books on this list. I highly recommend Common Sense Media when you want to know what sort of content might be included in any book.

A Simple Biography Report

Help your student thoughtfully remember facts from these middle school biographies with this free one-page biography report .

This simple report is perfect for your tween or teen to use to record what they learn as they read. It’s an easy (and fun!) way to report their reading. Ask them to share their findings over dinner if they are willing!

download a FREE Biography Report for kids

35 Biographies for Teens and Tweens

Middle School Biography: I am Malala

I am Malala

Malala Yousafai

Two of my kids dove into this one in middle school and couldn’t stop talking about it for quite some time. It opened their eyes to horrible situations in other countries and the courage it takes for one person to stand up to injustice.

Publisher’s Description: “Malala Yousafzai was only ten years old when the Taliban took control of her region. They said music was a crime. They said women weren’t allowed to go to the market. They said girls couldn’t go to school.

Raised in a once-peaceful area of Pakistan transformed by terrorism, Malala was taught to stand up for what she believes. So she fought for her right to be educated. And on October 9, 2012, she nearly lost her life for the cause: She was shot point-blank while riding the bus on her way home from school.

No one expected her to survive.”

Amelia Lost is a great middle school biography.

Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart

Candace Fleming

Publisher’s Description: “On May 21, 1937, the most famous female pilot of all time, Amelia Earhart, set out to do the impossible: circumnavigate the globe at its widest point–27,000 miles in all. Just six weeks later, she disappeared over the Pacific Ocean.

Eighty years have passed since that fateful flight; and still, Amelia’s plane has never been found. Discover the thrilling life and tragic end of America’s most famous trailblazing flier with this impeccably researched and masterfully crafted book from acclaimed author Candace Fleming.”

Becoming Emily about the life of Emily Dickinson is a middle grade biography.

Becoming Emily: The Life of Emily Dickinson

Krystyna Poray Goddu

Publisher’s Description: “In Becoming Emily, young readers will learn how as a child, an adolescent, and well into adulthood, Dickinson was a lively social being with a warm family life. Highly educated for a girl of her era, she actively engaged in both the academic and social aspects of the schools she attended until she was nearly eighteen.

Her family and friends were important to her, and she was a prolific, thoughtful, and witty correspondent who shared many poems with her closest friends and relatives.

This indispensable resource includes photos, full-length poems, letter excerpts, a time line, source notes, and a bibliography to present a vivid portrait of this singular American poet.”

A great middle school biography is Promise of Change.

Promise of Change: One Girl’s Story in the Fight for School Equality

Jo Ann Allen Boyce

From Amazon: “In 1956, one year before federal troops escorted the Little Rock 9 into Central High School, fourteen-year-old Jo Ann Allen was one of twelve African-American students who broke the color barrier and integrated Clinton High School in Tennessee.

At first things went smoothly for the Clinton 12, but then outside agitators interfered, pitting the townspeople against one another. Uneasiness turned into anger, and even the Clinton Twelve themselves wondered if the easier thing to do would be to go back to their old school.

Jo Ann–clear-eyed, practical, tolerant, and popular among both black and white students—found herself called on as the spokesperson of the group. But what about just being a regular teen?”

Read the first in a biography series for middle school: Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton: The Making of America

Teri Kanefield

Publisher’s Description: “The America that Alexander Hamilton knew was largely agricultural and built on slave labor. He envisioned something else: a multi-racial, urbanized, capitalistic America with a strong central government. He believed that such an America would be a land of opportunity for the poor and the newcomers.

But Hamilton’s vision put him at odds with his archrivals who envisioned a pastoral America of small towns, where governments were local, states would control their own destiny, and the federal government would remain small and weak.

The disputes that arose during America’s first decades continued through American history to our present day. Over time, because of the systems Hamilton set up and the ideas he left, his vision won out.

Here is the story that epitomizes the American dream—a poor immigrant who made good in America. In the end, Hamilton rose from poverty through his intelligence and ability, and did more to shape our country than any of his contemporaries.”

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind young Readers Version

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Young Readers Edition)

William Kamkwamba

From Amazon: “When a terrible drought struck William Kamkwamba’s tiny village in Malawi, his family lost all of the season’s crops, leaving them with nothing to eat and nothing to sell. William began to explore science books in his village library, looking for a solution. There, he came up with the idea that would change his family’s life forever: he could build a windmill. Made out of scrap metal and old bicycle parts, William’s windmill brought electricity to his home and helped his family pump the water they needed to farm the land.”

March Book 1 Graphic Novel Biography

March: Book One

John Lewis and Andrew Aydin

Who can resist a graphic novel biography ? This has been a popular one in our house with all four kids and myself!

From Amazon: “ March is a vivid first-hand account of John Lewis’ lifelong struggle for civil and human rights, meditating in the modern age on the distance traveled since the days of Jim Crow and segregation. Rooted in Lewis’ personal story, it also reflects on the highs and lows of the broader civil rights movement.

Book One spans John Lewis’ youth in rural Alabama, his life-changing meeting with Martin Luther King, Jr., the birth of the Nashville Student Movement, and their battle to tear down segregation through nonviolent lunch counter sit-ins, building to a stunning climax on the steps of City Hall.”

Thurgood Marshall Biography for Middle School Students

Thurgood Marshall: The Making of America

From the Publisher: “ Thurgood Marshall , the great-grandson of a slave, was born at a time when African Americans were denied equal rights in America. Segregation was legal. Lynching was common. In some places, African Americans were entirely excluded from public life; they were forbidden to enter public parks and museums or use public swimming pools and restrooms. After being denied admission to the University of Maryland Law School because of his race, Marshall enrolled at Howard University. He graduated first in his class and set out as a young lawyer determined to achieve equality for all Americans. Here is the story of how he did it—how he devised his legal strategy for expanding “we the people” to include all people.”

Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom

Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the 1965 Selma Voting Rights March

by Lynda Blackmon Lowery

From the Publisher: “As the youngest marcher in the 1965 voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, Lynda Blackmon Lowery proved that young adults can be heroes. Jailed eleven times before her fifteenth birthday, Lowery fought alongside Martin Luther King, Jr. for the rights of African-Americans.

In this memoir, she shows today’s young readers what it means to fight nonviolently (even when the police are using violence, as in the Bloody Sunday protest) and how it felt to be part of changing American history.”

The Plot to Kill Hitler

The Plot to Kill Hitler: Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Unlikely Hero

by Patricia McCormick

From Amazon: “It was April 5, 1943, and the Gestapo would arrive any minute. Dietrich Bonhoeffer had been expecting this day for a long time. He had put his papers in order—and left a few notes specifically for Hitler’s men to see. Two SS agents climbed the stairs and told the boyish-looking Bonhoeffer to come with them. He calmly said good-bye to his parents, put his Bible under his arm, and left. Upstairs there was proof, in his own handwriting, that this quiet young minister was part of a conspiracy to kill Adolf Hitler.

This compelling, brilliantly researched account includes the remarkable discovery that Bonhoeffer was one of the first people to provide evidence to the Allies that Jews were being deported to death camps. It takes readers from his privileged early childhood to the studies and travel that would introduce him to peace activists around the world—eventually putting this gentle, scholarly pacifist on a deadly course to assassinate one of the most ruthless dictators in history.”

Gifted Hands Biography of Ben Carson

Gifted Hands, Revised Kids Edition: The Ben Carson Story

by Gregg Lewis

My son read this book as part of his summer reading in middle school and then we watched the movie . He enjoyed both versions of Ben Caron’s story.

Without a doubt, Ben Carson and all of the amazing medical breakthroughs he is able to achieve are very inspiring.

From the Publisher: “When Ben Carson was in school, his classmates called him the class dummy. Many—including Ben himself—doubted that he would ever amount to anything. But his mother never let him quit. She encouraged Ben to do better and reach higher for his dreams, and eventually, he discovered a deep love of learning.

Today this young boy from the inner-city is one of the world’s greatest pediatric neurosurgeons. Through determination and lot of hard work, Ben overcame his many obstacles and is now dedicated to saving the lives of critically ill children around the world.”

>>> Grab Our FREE Book to Movie Discussion Guide <<<

Abrham Lincoln Biography for Middle School students

Abraham Lincoln: Making of America

From the Publisher: “Even though he grew up on the frontier without a formal education, Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) worked his way up in the government. He was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, then to the US House of Representatives, and then he became the 16th president of the United States.

During his presidency, he led the United States through the Civil War, brought about the emancipation of the enslaved, and strengthened the federal government.”

Child of the Dream

Child of the Dream (Memoir of 1963)

by Sharon Robinson

From the Publisher: “ In January 1963, Sharon Robinson turns 13 the night before George Wallace declares on national television “segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever” in his inauguration speech as governor of Alabama. It is the beginning of a year that will change the course of American history.

As the daughter of baseball legend Jackie Robinson, Sharon has opportunities that most people would never dream of experiencing. Her family hosts multiple fundraisers at their home in Connecticut for the work that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is doing. Sharon sees her first concert after going backstage at the Apollo Theater. And her whole family attends the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

But things don’t always feel easy for Sharon. She is one of the only Black children in her wealthy Connecticut neighborhood. Her older brother, Jackie Robinson Jr., is having a hard time trying to live up to his father’s famous name, causing some rifts in the family. And Sharon feels isolated — struggling to find her role in the civil rights movement that is taking place across the country.

This is the story of how one girl finds her voice in the fight for justice and equality.”

A Long Way Home Middle school biography book

A Long Way from Home

Saroo Brierley

From Amazon: “ At only five years old, Saroo Brierley got lost on a train in India. Unable to read or write or recall the name of his hometown or even his own last name, he survived alone for weeks on the rough streets of Calcutta before ultimately being transferred to an agency and adopted by a couple in Australia.

Despite his gratitude, Brierley always wondered about his origins. Eventually, with the advent of Google Earth, he had the opportunity to look for the needle in a haystack he once called home, and pore over satellite images for landmarks he might recognize or mathematical equations that might further narrow down the labyrinthine map of India. One day, after years of searching, he miraculously found what he was looking for and set off to find his family.”

This one is also a major motion picture, so you can follow up with movie after you read the book!

Life in Motion is the Biography of Misty Copeland for middle school readers.

Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina (Young Reader)

by Misty Copeland

From Amazon: “Determination meets dance in this New York Times bestselling memoir by the history-making ballerina Misty Copeland, recounting the story of her journey to become the first African-American principal ballerina at the prestigious American Ballet Theatre.

When she first placed her hands on the barre at an after-school community center, no one expected the undersized, underprivileged, and anxious thirteen-year-old to become one of America’s most groundbreaking dancers .

A true prodigy, she was attempting in months roles that take most dancers years to master. But when Misty became caught between the control and comfort she found in the world of ballet and the harsh realities of her own life, she had to choose to embrace both her identity and her dreams, and find the courage to be one of a kind.”

Andrew Jackson biography for middle school readers.

Andrew Jackson: The Making of America

From the Publisher: “Born in the Carolina backwoods, Jackson joined the American Revolutionary War at the age of thirteen. After a reckless youth of gunfights, gambling, and general mischief, he rose to national fame as the general who defeated the British in the Battle of New Orleans.

Jackson ran for president as a political outsider, championing the interest of common farmers and frontiersmen. Determined to take down the wealthy, well-educated East Coast “elites,” he pledged to destroy the national bank—which he believed was an engine of corruption serving the interest of bankers and industrialists.

A stanch nationalist, he sought to secure and expand the nation’s borders. Believing that “we the people” included white men only, he protected the practice of slavery and opened new lands for white settlers by pushing the Native people westward.

Jackson, a polarizing figure in his era, ignited a populist movement that remains a powerful force in our national politics.”

Elon Musk biography for middle school

Elon Musk and the Quest for a Fantastic Future

by Ashlee Vance

This book remains a favorite biography for middle schoolers in my house. My husband read it out loud to my boys and they absolutely loved it.

From Amazon: “The version for adults has been praised as “riveting” (The Financial Times), “spirited” (The Wall Street Journal), and “masterful” (Vice). Now younger readers can read about this innovative leader who is revolutionizing three industries at once: space, automotive, and energy.”

The Lady is a Spy middle school biography title

The Lady is a Spy: Virginia Hall, World War II Hero of the French Resistance

Don Mitchell

From Amazon: “When Hitler invaded Poland, Virginia Hall traveled in Europe. Which was dangerous enough, but as fighting erupted, instead of returning home, she headed to France. In a country divided by freedom and fascism, Virginia was determined to do her part for the Allies.

An ordinary woman from Baltimore, Maryland, she dove into the action, first joining a French ambulance unit and later becoming an undercover agent for both the British Office of Strategic Services and the US Office of Strategic Services. Working as a spy in the intelligence network, she made her way to Vichy, coordinating Resistance movements, assisting in Nazi sabotage, and rescuing downed Allies. She passed in plain sight of the enemy and soon found herself being hunted by the Gestapo.

But Virginia cleverly evaded discovery and death, often through bold feats and escapes. Her covert operations, efforts with the Resistance, and risky work as a wireless telegraph operator greatly contributed to the Allies’ eventual win.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin D. Roosevelt: The Making of America

From the Publisher: “ When Franklin D. Roosevelt was first elected president in 1933, America was in the throes of the Great Depression—the worst economic crisis in U.S. history—and the world was experiencing a menacing rise in Nazism and other dangerous extremists.

Throughout his four presidential terms, Roosevelt was a steady and inspiring leader. He implemented progressive social reform through his New Deal agenda and helped lift America from economic crisis. He guided America to victory in World War II.

Born into wealth and privilege, Roosevelt entered politics at a young age. His career and world views were shaped by his marriage to Eleanor Roosevelt and his long struggle with polio.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, our thirty-second president, forever left his mark on our nation and the world. By the time of his death, America had grown to a global economic and military superpower. His New Deal legislation changed the relationship of American citizens to their government. His policies came close to fully realizing Alexander Hamilton’s vision of a government that touches and improves the lives of all citizens.

Facing Frederick is a biography for middle school readers about Frederick Douglas.

Facing Frederick: The Life of Frederick Douglass, a Monumental American Man

Tonya Bolden

From Amazon: “Teacher. Self-emancipator. Orator. Author. Man. Frederick Douglass (1818–1895) is one of the most important African-American figures in US history, best known, perhaps, for his own emancipation.

But there is much more to Douglass’s story than his time spent in slavery and his famous autobiography. Delving into his family life and travel abroad, this book captures the whole complicated, and at times perplexing, person that he was.

As a statesman, suffragist, writer, newspaperman, and lover of the arts, Douglass the man, rather than the historical icon, is the focus in Facing Frederick.”

Behind Rebel Lines

Behind Rebel Lines: The Incredible Story of Emma Edmonds, Civil War Spy

Seymour Reit

From Amazon: “In 1861, when war erupted between the States, President Lincoln made an impassioned plea for volunteers. Determined not to remain on the sidelines, Emma Edmonds cropped her hair, donned men’s clothing, and enlisted in the Union Army.

Posing in turn as a slave, peddler, washerwoman, and fop, Emma became a cunning master of disguise, risking discovery and death at every turn behind Confederate lines.”

Susan B Anthony biography

Susan B. Anthony: The Making of America

From the Publisher: “Susan B. Anthony was born into a world in which men ruled women. A man could beat his wife, take her earrings, have her committed to an asylum based on his word alone, and take her children away from her. While the young nation was ablaze with the radical notion that people could govern themselves, “people” were understood to be white and male. Women were expected to stay out of public life and debates. As Anthony saw the situation, “Women’s subsistence is in the hands of men, and most arbitrarily and unjustly does he exercise his consequent power.” She imagined a different world—one where women and people of color were treated with the same respect that white men were given. Susan B. Anthony explores her life, from childhood to her public career as a radical abolitionist to her rise to become an international leader in the women’s suffrage movement.”

Becoming Kareem

Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Raymond Obstfeld

From the Publisher: “At one time, Lew Alcindor was just another kid from New York City with all the usual problems: He struggled with fitting in, with pleasing a strict father, and with overcoming shyness that made him feel socially awkward.

But with a talent for basketball, and an unmatched team of supporters, Lew Alcindor was able to transform and to become Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. “

Never Caught

Never Caught, the Story of Ona Judge: George and Martha Washington’s Courageous Slave Who Dared to Run Away (Young Readers Edition)

Erica Armstrong Dunbar

From Amazon: “In this incredible narrative, Erica Armstrong Dunbar reveals a fascinating and heartbreaking behind-the-scenes look at the Washingtons when they were the First Family—and an in-depth look at their slave, Ona Judge, who dared to escape from one of the nation’s Founding Fathers.”

Harriet Tubman's biography for middle school readers is Freedom Train.

Freedom Train: The Story of Harriet Tubman

Dorothy Sterling

Publisher’s Description: “Born into slavery, young Harriet Tubman knew only hard work and hunger. Escape seemed impossible – certainly dangerous. Yet Harriet did escape North, by the secret route called the Underground Railroad. Harriet didn’t forget her people. Again and again she risked her life to lead them on the same secret, dangerous journey.”

My Survival: A Girl on Schindler's List

My Survival: A Girl on Schindler’s List

Joshua M. Greene

From the Publisher: “Rena Finder was only eleven when the Nazis forced her and her family — along with all the other Jewish families — into the ghetto in Krakow, Poland. Rena worked as a slave laborer with scarcely any food and watched as friends and family were sent away.

Then Rena and her mother ended up working for Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who employed Jewish prisoners in his factory and kept them fed and healthy. But Rena’s nightmares were not over. She and her mother were deported to the concentration camp Auschwitz. With great cunning, it was Schindler who set out to help them escape.”

Facing the Lion

Facing the Lion (Abridged Edition): Memoirs of a Young Girl in Nazi Europe

Simone Arnold Liebster

From the Publisher: “Simone Arnold is an ordinary French schoolgirl—spirited and stubborn. Then the Nazis march in, demanding complete conformity. Friends become enemies. Teachers spout Nazi propaganda. School officials recruit for the Hitler Youth. Simone’s family refuses to heil Hitler as Germany’s savior. They are Jehovah’s Witnesses, and they reject Nazi racism and violence. The Nazi Lion makes them pay the price.”

Reaching for the Moon biography

Reaching for the Moon: The Autobiography of NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson

From the Publisher: “As a young girl, Katherine Johnson showed an exceptional aptitude for math. In school she quickly skipped ahead several grades and was soon studying complex equations with the support of a professor who saw great promise in her.

But ability and opportunity did not always go hand in hand. As an African American and a girl growing up in an era of brutal racism and sexism, Katherine faced daily challenges.

Still, she lived her life with her father’s words in mind: “You are no better than anyone else, and nobody else is better than you.”

In the early 1950s, Katherine was thrilled to join the organization that would become NASA. She worked on many of NASA’s biggest projects including the Apollo 11 mission that landed the first men on the moon.”

Reach for the Skai biography

Reach for the Skai: How to Inspire, Empower, and Clapback

Skai Jackson

From the Publisher: “Actress and activist Skai Jackson is a star! Her rise to fame started on the popular Disney Channel shows Bunk’d and Jessie. Her cool sense of style led her to create her own fashion line. And her success has made her a major influencer, with millions of followers on Instagram, who isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in.”

The Secret Soldier biography book for tweens

The Secret Soldier: Story of Deborah Sampson: The Story of Deborah Sampson

Ann McGovern

From Amazon: “Deborah Sampson wanted to travel and have adventures, but since she had no money, the best way to do that was to join the army. This is the exciting true story of a woman who became a soldier during the American Revolutionary War, by dressing and acting like a man.”

Soul Surfer

Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board

Bethany Hamilton

This was a favorite book and story when my girls were in middle school. Bethany was a source of inspiration to them for a long time.

There is also a movie you can watch after you read the book. We did watch the movie, but we had to fast-forward through the shark attack scene because it was too intense for them when they were younger.

From the Publisher: “Soul Surfer is a moving account of Bethany’s life as a young surfer, her recovery after the attack, the adjustments she’s made to her unique surfing style, her unprecedented bid for a top showing in the World Surfing Championships, and, most fundamentally, her belief in God.

It is a story of girl power and spiritual grit that shows the body is no more essential to surfing—perhaps even less so—than the soul.”

The Endless Steppe

The Endless Steppe: Growing Up in Siberia

Esther Hautzig

From the Publisher: “In June 1941, the Rudomin family is arrested by the Russians. They are accused of being capitalists, “enemies of the people.” Forced from their home and friends in Vilna, Poland, they are herded into crowded cattle cars. Their destination: the endless steppe of Siberia.

For five years, Esther and her family lived in exile, weeding potato fields, working in the mines, and struggling to stay alive. But in the middle of hardship and oppression, the strength of their small family sustains them and gives them hope for the future.”

Chasing Space is Leland Melvin's biography for middle school students

Chasing Space (Young Readers’ Edition)

Leland Melvin

From the Publisher: “When the former Detroit Lion’s football career was cut short by an injury, Leland didn’t waste time mourning his broken dream. Instead, he found a new one—something that was completely out of this world.

He joined NASA, braved an injury that nearly left him permanently deaf, and still managed to muster the courage and resolve to travel to space on the shuttle Atlantis to help build the International Space Station. Leland’s problem-solving methods and can-do attitude turned his impossible-seeming dream into reality.”

The Notorious Benedict Arnold

The Notorious Benedict Arnold

Steve Sheinkin

From the Publisher: “Most people know that Benedict Arnold was America’s first, most notorious traitor. Few know that he was also one of its greatest Revolutionary War heroes. Steve Sheinkin’s accessible biography, The Notorious Benedict Arnold, introduces young readers to the real Arnold: reckless, heroic, and driven. Packed with first-person accounts, astonishing American Revolution battle scenes, and surprising twists, this is a gripping and true adventure tale from history.”

10 Days a Madwoman

Ten Days a Madwoman: The Daring Life and Turbulent Times of Nellie Bly

Deborah Noyes

From the Publisher: “Young Nellie Bly had ambitious goals, especially for a woman at the end of the nineteenth century, when the few female journalists were relegated to writing columns about cleaning or fashion.

But fresh off a train from Pittsburgh, Nellie knew she was destined for more and pulled a major journalistic stunt that skyrocketed her to fame: feigning insanity, being committed to the notorious asylum on Blackwell’s Island, and writing a shocking exposé of the clinic’s horrific treatment of its patients.   Nellie Bly became a household name and raised awareness of political corruption, poverty, and abuses of human rights. Leading an uncommonly full life, Nellie circled the globe in a record seventy-two days and brought home a pet monkey before marrying an aged millionaire and running his company after his death.”

More Books for Middle Schoolers:

If your student is interested in graphic novels (a very popular option) then these graphic novels for middle schoolers are great options.

Our middle school book club enjoyed these 8 titles this year . They were fantastic reads for great discussions!

While these winter themed books for middle school are great in the winter, they can easily be enjoyed at any time of year.

Don’t forget your FREE one-page biography report:

Additional Biography for Kids Books:

Biography picture books your kids will love.

The Best Middle school biographies for your tween and teen.

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writing biographies middle school

Obsessed With Learning

Helping Teachers Get Their Lives Back

writing biographies middle school

How to Write a Biography: Upper Elementary to Middle School

Writing a biography can be a daunting task. When students hear the assignment of writing a biography, they may have thoughts of long, boring essays or a tedious 10-page book report. There are various ways to tackle writing a biography, and they can even be fun in the process! Let’s look at some less intimidating ways to get your kiddos to write a biography, whether in elementary or middle school.

How to Write a Biography: Upper Elementary to Middle School

Step 1: Read a Biography

The first step for students before writing a biography is to read one. They need to see a real-life example before tackling their own biography assignment. Elementary students can read biography picture books or Who Was? biography novels. Biography picture books are especially interesting to students as the splendid pictures bring the person to life. 

Here are some picture books we recommend for younger students: 

I Am Rosa Parks by Brad Meltzer

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures by Julia Finley Mosca

On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne

Upper elementary students love the Who Was? novel series. These books are more challenging, contain some pictures, and are age-appropriate. We recommend:

Who Was? Anne Frank  by Anne Abramson

Who Were? The Tuskegee Airmen by Sherri L. Smith

Who Was? Selena  by Max Bisantz

Middle school-aged students can read a variety of biographies from sixth graders reading Who Was? to advanced readers conquering even adult biographies. Some biographies or autobiographies my middle school students have read and loved are: 

I Am Malala by Malala Youfsazai

Gifted Hands The Ben Carson Story by Gregg Lewis

Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty Copeland

Step 2: Research a Person

Once students have read a biography to gain an understanding of what one looks like and how it is organized, as well as more about the person they are learning about, they can complete research from the biography or autobiography. A simple graphic organizer to help students organize crucial information would suffice. Important information that the student should gather from their book includes: 

  • Birthdate and Birthplace
  • Death Date and Place If Deceased
  • Childhood/Family
  • Adult Family
  • Major Accomplishments
  • Major Obstacles
  • Lessons we can learn from this person’s life

Step 3: How to Write a Biography Tips

As a teacher, you can provide choices for students or provide a project students can tackle. Some biography projects require students to write a biography in a different format than a typical essay.

Paper Bag Biography

For elementary grades, a paper bag biography book report is an interesting way to create a biography. Once students have read their biography or autobiography, they color the front of the paper bag with a picture of the person as well as display the person’s name. On the back of the paper bag is written the major accomplishments, obstacles, and a lesson learned from this person’s life.

On one side of the bag is written fun facts and on the other side is written basic information such as birthdate, birthplace, family, death date, etc. Inside the paper bag, students place varying objects that symbolize the life of the person and explain or write about them. 

Cereal Box Biography

This same concept can be completed with a cereal box. Students would utilize construction paper and glue over the cereal box instead. They can create a cute name for their cereal that coincides with the person they’re learning about as well. For instance, a biography about Sugar Ray Leonard, a professional boxer, could become Sugar Rays on a cereal box biography report. 

Pizza Box Biography

Speaking of food, a pizza box biography report is something I have utilized for years in the classroom. It combines creativity, art, and writing to display a biography. A simple Google search can give you tons of templates, instructions, and student sample pictures to choose from. I’m not certain of the original creator of this project, but it is amazing!

Students decorate the outside and inside cover of a pizza box with pictures and facts of their person. Next, they create a pizza out of construction paper and each slice displays important information. They can use their creativity to decorate each slice with toppings. Some students create a flap that goes over their slice of information and on the flap are toppings they’ve drawn such as mushrooms, pepperoni, and peppers. I am always impressed with how students use their creativity to design elaborate pizzas!

Here is the link to a FREE pizza box biography book report guideline I have used for years. 

writing biographies middle school

Biography in a Can

Keeping with the theme of biography projects centered around food containers, have your students grab a clean chip or coffee can (with a lid). After reading a biography, students will decorate their can based on whom they’re learning about. We recommend the Who Is? , Who Was? and I Am books for this.

Next, students will use a graphic organizer to gather information from their book and then turn that research into an index card biography report. The various index cards are then stored inside the can for easy access for presentations. This project promotes independent student research, incorporates art, and is plain fun. It is definitely engaging for students.

Grab the whole project, including graphic organizers , index card templates , a pre-design sheet , and a rubric below. 

writing biographies middle school

Grab your Biography Research Project today.

Our Biography Research Project will guide your students through Biography Research with ease. In addition, this unique research project helps them to learn more about important figures, as well as write and create some awesome biographies.

Bonus: Our Biography Research Project is a great way to display your students’ work for the admiration of parents, admin, and fellow students. Your class will be the envy of your school.

MLA Biography Essa y

As students move into seventh and eighth grade, there is a huge focus on learning to write an MLA essay. Because of this, I require students to write a biography essay or book report. Using a detailed template, students write their biographies. Each paragraph is thoroughly explained and chunked to display the life of the person they’re investigating. Here is a simple template of how I have seventh-grade students organize their biography essays:  

1st paragraph contains:

Title of your biography and the author’s name. The book is a biography of __________, who was born on (Date) ______________ in (Birthplace) ____________________. Why did you choose to read this book? Write a brief summary of their well-known accomplishments.

2nd, 3rd, 4th Paragraph contains:

A summary of their life. Make sure their life is in sequence. Tell of major life accomplishments, major disappointments, and major obstacles they faced. Tell of their childhood, adulthood, etc.

5th Paragraph contains:

What is the most interesting fact about this person? Explain why. How would you describe this person? If you could meet your person, what questions would you ask him or her? Why? Would you recommend this biography to a friend? Why or why not?

6th Paragraph: Conclusion Paragraph

What are the major life lessons a reader can learn from this person’s life? 

Step 4: Publish through Technology

Students can create biography presentations by using Google Slides , all the while utilizing pictures, quotes, and thematic decor to make their project come to life. Slidesgo.com is an amazing template resource in which students can make their presentations fit a theme and be a bit more aesthetically pleasing and exciting. 

Furthermore, Canva has a plethora of resources students can use to create biographies, from a standard presentation to infographics to creating an eBook . Canva is an awesome resource. It contains varying fonts, pre-loaded graphics, and the ability to upload pictures online. Canva has become a favorite tool of our students here lately!

Writing a biography can be challenging but in a great way! Reading biographies such as picture books to novels, this readily prepares students to conquer biography writing. By presenting options such as activities or a detailed template for an essay, students can feel interested and ready to tackle the world of biographies.

writing biographies middle school

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Bright Hub Education

Teaching How to Write a Biography: Lesson PLan

Assignment ideas.

Use biography writing assignments in conjunction with current events, a literature unit, a research paper, or a history project. Use the following ideas to get you started:

  • Short Story Unit: Write a magazine article describing a meeting with a character from any story you’ve read this semester. Be sure your article portrays the character consistently with the character in the story. Create a name for the magazine and a title for the article. The audience should be the type of person who would read the magazine you created.
  • Novel Unit: Do the above assignment. Choose a character from the novel to write the article on.
  • History Class: Write a magazine article chronicling an encounter with any famous historical figure. Identify whether or not the person became famous before or after the meeting. Create a name for the magazine and a title for the article. The audience should be the type of person who would read the magazine you created.
  • Research Paper: Write a biography on a famous writer. Research biographical information and his or her works.
  • Current Events: Follow the same steps as the short story unit biography. Instead of a literary character, make a person in the news the subject of your article.

How to Procedures

The following procedures involve writing about a fictional character. Simply change a few words to adapt it to any of the above assignments.

  • Prewriting - Review short stories. Brainstorm characters who attracted your attention. Choose the one you feel would make the most interesting biography.
  • Prewriting - Visualize the character. Much of what you write will come from the author’s description. You can, however, fill in missing information.
  • Prewriting - List character traits. Remember traits aren’t always directly shown by the author. You may have to make inferences .
  • Prewriting - Set up a believable situation in which you meet the character.
  • Drafting - Explain the circumstances of your meeting, how you met the person, and what you talked about.
  • Drafting - Keep the character consistent.
  • Revising - Add details to make the encounter and the character more realistic. Make sure you focus on your audience as you revise.
  • Revising - Use peer evaluation . Exchange papers with a partner and comment on the article’s strengths and weaknesses.

This post is part of the series: Writing Assignments

Find different writing assignments to give your students.

  • Writing Lesson Plans: How to Write a Biography
  • Teach Your Students How to Write Science Fiction
  • Teaching Instructional Articles: How to Write Instructions
  • Lesson Plan: How to Write an Essay Introduction
  • Sophmores Assess Their High School Role While You Assess Their Writing

How to Write an Interesting Biography

  • Homework Tips
  • Learning Styles & Skills
  • Study Methods
  • Time Management
  • Private School
  • College Admissions
  • College Life
  • Graduate School
  • Business School
  • Distance Learning
  • M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
  • B.A., History, Armstrong State University

A biography is a written account of the series of events that make up a person's life. Some of those events are going to be pretty boring, so you'll need to try to make your account as interesting as possible!

Every student will write a biography at some point, but the level of detail and sophistication will differ. A fourth grade biography will be much different from a middle school-level biography or a high school or college-level biography.

However, each biography will include the basic details. The first information you should gather in your research will include biographical details and facts. You must use a trustworthy resource to ensure that your information is accurate.

Using research note cards , collect the following data, carefully recording the source for each piece of information:

Including Basic Details

  • Date and place of birth and death
  • Family information
  • Lifetime accomplishments
  • Major events of life
  • Effects/impact on society, historical significance

While this information is necessary to your project, these dry facts, on their own, don't really make a very good biography. Once you've found these basics, you'll want to dig a little deeper.

You choose a certain person because you think he or she is interesting, so you certainly don't want to burden your paper with an inventory of boring facts. Your goal is to impress your reader!

Start off with great first sentence . It's a good idea to begin with a really interesting statement, a little-known fact, or really intriguing event.

You should avoid starting out with a standard but boring line like:

"Meriwether Lewis was born in Virginia in 1774."

Instead, try starting with something like this:

"Late one afternoon in October, 1809, Meriwether Lewis arrived at a small log cabin nestled deep in the Tennessee Mountains. By sunrise on the following day, he was dead, having suffered gunshot wounds to the head and chest.

You'll have to make sure your beginning is motivating, but it should also be relevant. The next sentence or two should lead into your thesis statement , or main message of your biography.

"It was a tragic end to a life that had so deeply affected the course of history in the United States. Meriwether Lewis, a driven and often tormented soul, led an expedition of discovery that expanded a young nation's economic potential, increased its scientific understanding, and enhanced its worldwide reputation."

Now that you've created an impressive beginning , you'll want to continue the flow. Find more intriguing details about the man and his work, and weave them into the composition.

Examples of Interesting Details:

  • Some people believed that Lewis and Clark would encounter elephants in the western wilderness, having misunderstood the wooly mammoth bones discovered in the United States.
  • The expedition resulted in the discovery and description of 122 new animal species and subspecies.
  • Lewis was a hypochondriac.
  • His death is still an unsolved mystery, although it was ruled a suicide.

You can find interesting facts by consulting diverse sources.

Fill the body of your biography with material that gives insight into your subject's personality. For instance, in a biography about Meriwether Lewis, you would ask what traits or events motivated him to embark on such a monumental exercise.

Questions to Consider in Your Biography:

  • Was there something in your subject's childhood that shaped his/her personality?
  • Was there a personality trait that drove him/her to succeed or impeded his progress?
  • What adjectives would you use to describe him/her?
  • What were some turning points in this life?
  • What was his/her impact on history?

Be sure to use transitional phrases and words to link your paragraphs and make your composition paragraphs flow . It is normal for good writers to re-arrange their sentences to create a better paper.

The final paragraph will summarize your main points and re-assert your main claim about your subject. It should point out your main points, re-name the person you're writing about, but it should not repeat specific examples.

As always, proofread your paper and check for errors. Create a bibliography and title page according to your teacher's instructions. Consult a style guide for proper documentation.

  • How to Write a Good Thesis Statement
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  • Overused and Tired Words
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  • The Ultimate Guide to the 5-Paragraph Essay
  • How to Write a Research Paper That Earns an A
  • How to Write a Narrative Essay or Speech
  • How to Write a Great Essay for the TOEFL or TOEIC
  • How Can You Stretch a Paper to Make it Longer?
  • How to Write and Format an MBA Essay
  • Structure of a Descriptive Essay

Biography Project: Research and Class Presentation

writing biographies middle school

  • Resources & Preparation
  • Instructional Plan
  • Related Resources

Set the stage for high-interest reading with a purpose through a biography project. Students work together to generate questions they would like to answer about several well-known people, then each student chooses one of these and finds information by reading a biography from the library and doing Internet research. Students create a graphic organizer (a web) to organize the facts they have found and share what they have learned about their subjects through oral presentations. Students evaluate themselves and their classmates by using a rubric during the research and graphic organizer-creation process and by giving written feedback on one another's presentations.

Featured Resources

Bio-Cube : This planning tool can help students organize their research; use it as an extension to the lesson and have them outline the lives they' researched before writing their own biographies.

From Theory to Practice

  • By using graphic organizers, students write or draw meanings and relationships of underlying ideas. This has been shown to improve students' ability to recall content.
  • By summarizing information, students improve in including ideas related to the main idea, generalizing, and removing redundancy.
  • By working in cooperative groups, students may increase their learning of reading strategies through peer discussion. They may also lead to better comprehension.

Common Core Standards

This resource has been aligned to the Common Core State Standards for states in which they have been adopted. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, CCSS alignments are forthcoming.

State Standards

This lesson has been aligned to standards in the following states. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, standard alignments are not currently available for that state.

NCTE/IRA National Standards for the English Language Arts

  • 7. Students conduct research on issues and interests by generating ideas and questions, and by posing problems. They gather, evaluate, and synthesize data from a variety of sources (e.g., print and nonprint texts, artifacts, people) to communicate their discoveries in ways that suit their purpose and audience.
  • 8. Students use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.
  • 12. Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and the exchange of information).

Materials and Technology

  • School or classroom library with a broad selection of biographies
  • Computers with Internet access and printing capability
  • Index cards
  • Oral Presentation Peer Feedback Form
  • Oral Presentation Rubric

Student Objectives

Students will

  • Learn to ask relevant questions before beginning a research project
  • Learn to take notes and categorize information as they create graphic organizers
  • Improve comprehension as they read and skim text for main ideas and details
  • Develop research skills (book and Internet) with the purpose of teaching the class what they have learned
  • Think critically as they use rubrics and written feedback to evaluate their classmates and themselves

Session 1: Before Reading

Sessions 2 to 5, session 6: after reading, sessions 7 to 9: class presentations.

Have students use their webs and the online Bio-Cube tool to plan and write biographies of the person they have researched. When they are finished, ask students to share the books with a younger class.

Student Assessment / Reflections

Possible student assessments include:

  • Use the Web Rubric to grade the students' webs.
  • Use the Oral Presentation Rubric to grade students' presentations based on the quality and completeness of information given.
  • Observe and evaluate students' participation in group work and ability to critique other students' presentations based on their comments on the Oral Presentation Peer Feedback Form .
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Using Picture Books To Teach Biography Writing

Living literature isn’t just for reading – it’s also great for teaching writing styles!  Serious writing lessons don’t start in our homeschool until middle and high school, but believe it or not, I use picture books quite often to help me teach.

Since picture books can be read in one sitting, they are perfect examples of really good writing from master writers.  Of course, you have to make sure you’re reading books actually written by master writers (not twaddle.)  And that’s what I’ve set out to share with you in this series – books that are perfect for teaching various writing styles!

Teach biography writing using picture books as examples.

The writing focus of this article is biographies .  Wait, did I hear a “Yuck!”??  If you’re children are reading this, I’m pretty sure I heard several of them!  Historically, biographies are not very fun to read – and definitely not fun to write.

The word “boring” comes to mind when I think about reading most biographies.  And, the words “research” and “bibliography” come to mind when I think about writing biographies.  None of those words strike the fancy of most students (or their parents.)

I’m here to change all that deary talk today, though!

Teach students how to write great biographies and autobiographies using picture books as your lessons.

Candlewick Press was kind enough to provide copies of several biographies for me to use in writing this post.  They have also compensated me for highlighting their books in my lessons.

There are some really good living biography picture books out there these days.  Rather than simply listing bland facts, these stories weave biographical information into real story lines.  They are stories that will grab the attention of all ages!  While you can find living biographies in more than one place, you can be sure the biographies from Candlewick Press will be solid, full of life and never boring!

Teach Biography Writing

My 10th grade son had written several personal narratives and some biography book reports, but he had never written a full biography – until now!  Before jumping right in, we took a few days to prepare by simply reading several biography picture books together – one or two per day.

Teach biography writing using picture books as examples.

  • The Secret World of Walter Anderson by Hester Bass
  • Delivering Justice: W.W. Law and the Fight for Civil Rights by Jim Haskins
  • Jubilee! One Man’s Big, Bold and Very, Very Loud Celebration of Peace by Alicia Potter
  • Growing Up Pedro: How the Martinez Brothers Made it from the Dominican Republic All the Way to the Major Leagues by Matt Tavares
  • Electrical Wizard: How Nicola Tesla Lit Up the World by Elizabeth Rusch

By the fourth day, we began biography writing very slowly with a new mini-lesson each day.  These five books were poured through time and time again during the mini-lessons.  I owe so many thanks to these authors!

The Secret World of Walter Anderson (Candlewick Biographies)

What’s a writing mini-lesson?   When you choose to focus on one writing topic rather than throwing the whole shebang at your child at once.  (Yeah.  That’s my very own definition.  You’re welcome.)

Teach biography writing using picture books as examples.

Mini-Lesson #1: Choose a Unique Character

One of the reasons I chose Candlewick Press to help me teach biography writing is that many of their picture books are written about out-of-the-ordinary people.  Biographies about George Washington, Harriet Tubman and Benjamin Franklin are many.  Biographies about Pedro Martinez, Nicola Tesla and W.W. Law are few.

I reminded Caleb how interesting each of the five picture books from the previous days were because every main character was new to us.  We had never heard their stories – even if we had learned about their time period previously.  We talked about how refreshing it was to read something new and how refreshing it would be to unveil someone new in his own writing.

Assignment #1: Choose a unique character for your biography.  (He chose Les Paul.  Yeah, he’s my guitar kid .)

Mini-Lesson #2: The Bibliography

A bibliography is a listing of resources used in research.  In order to write a biography, you have to do research about that person.  While my son doesn’t mind the research so much, he does mind keeping track of the information in the form of a bibliography.  But that’s part of it and I set out to prove that before we he ever started writing.  With all five of the example books piled in front of us, I challenged him to find just one without a bibliography.  He couldn’t.

We spent the next few minutes taking a peek at two things:

  • How the bibliography was designed in each book.
  • What types of sources the authors used in their study.

Assignment #2: Begin your research of Les Paul.  For each new source, take notes on a new piece of paper.  Note the resource information at the top of each paper.

Mini-Lesson #3: Facts – To List Facts or Weave Them?

While Caleb was still in research mode, we took time to take a quick look through a couple of the books to see IF facts were included in the stories and HOW they were included.

Browsing through Growing Up Pedro , we kept track of how many pieces of factual information we came across and noted them quickly.  I took the time to narrate a “boring” biography using only those facts.  Then, I took time to narrate the same facts within the context of a story (similar to the original story.)  He noticed the difference.

Browsing through Jubilee! , we again noted the facts.  This time, I asked him to narrate the “boring way” and then the “story way.”  Caleb is all about facts, so this was a tad difficult for him.  That’s okay!  We repeated the exercise with Delivering Justice the next day.

This mini-lesson was really important for two reasons:

  • Jotting down the facts was good practice for choosing what’s important to note during his own research time.
  • Adding oral narration gave Caleb the all-important auditory connection to his learning style.

Teach biography writing using picture books as examples.

Mini-Lesson #4: The History Behind the Person

While Caleb was still researching Les Paul (because research usually takes way more time than actual writing), we took some time to discuss how history is often woven into biographies.  In many cases, it’s important for the reader to understand the time period in order to understand the person.

We again looked through Delivering Justice , but this time our eyes were on the lookout for historical cues.  I had him jot down simple history notes as they were revealed in the story.  We talked specifically about how the historical facts were gently presented as part of the story rather than bluntly.  Because of Caleb’s tendency toward facts (like I already mentioned), I wanted to constantly reiterate and demonstrate how to incorporate facts into the story line.

Mini-Lesson #5: The Place Behind the Person

Yep, during this mini-lesson, Caleb was still in research mode.  Much like the last lesson, this one sets out to demonstrate how to incorporate the setting within the story line rather than bluntly.  Because the settings of Jubilee! and The Secret World of Walter Anderson are both beautiful (in very different ways) and painted in such vivid picture words, we spent two days with these books.

On the first day, I reread one of the books without showing him the pictures and asked him to draw what he heard.  Hearing the descriptive language and turning it into pictures was another great auditory exercise.

On the second day, we read the second book and noted the descriptive language as it pertained to the setting.  I challenged him to be prepared to paint pictures with words when he began crafting his biography.

Mini-Lesson #6: The Early Life, The Journey, The Big Accomplishment

My sweet boy tends toward unorganized writing.  In order to help him organize his thoughts from the get-go, we planned right away for three main sections of the story – Les Paul’s early life, his journey toward fame and his big accomplishment(s).

Browsing quickly through Electrical Wizard and Growing Up Pedro gave him clarity about how living biographies move seamlessly from one section to the next.

Assignment #3: Begin writing your biography of Les Paul  – keeping the story in three main sections.

Teach biography writing using picture books as examples.

Mini-Lesson #7: Descriptive Language

Descriptive language can be the difference between a decent story and a fabulous story.  After a couple days of fast and furious writing, it was a good time to take a break to look through Electrical Wizard and Jubilee! with an eye toward descriptive language.

When we found great example sentences, I asked Caleb to retell the sentences without the descriptive language.  In other words, I wanted him to give me the boring version.  To turn a great sentence into a boring one is harder than you might think!  This might seem counter-intuitive, but I specifically wanted him to see that it’s just as easy to develop a great sentence full of descriptive language as it is to write a boring sentence.  I also wanted him to get the full impact of how deflated the sentences became as compared to the original ones.

Assignment #4: Go back through your biography so far and add descriptive language to boring parts.

Assignment #5: Complete the 1st draft.  Don’t forget to add the bibliography.

Assignment #6: Reread for an organizational edit.

Assignment #7:  Reread for a grammar and punctuation edit.  Print and turn in to mom.

Assignment #8: Complete edits suggested by mom.  Print and read aloud to family.

HE WROTE A GREAT BIOGRAPHY!

Mini-Lesson #8: Biography Style

Caleb had successfully finished his biography of Les Paul in a similar style his favorite of the Candlewick example books, Growing Up Pedro .  The whole process took about three weeks – maybe a little longer.  I know that seems like a really long time to write one paper, but this was the teaching paper .  Because we spent so much time digging in with master authors and nitty-gritty mini-lessons, he’ll be able to whip out another biography in half the time (probably less) next time around!

Before we jetted off to the next thing, I thought it was important for him to realize that biographies come in all shapes and sizes.  Besides picture books, I ordered biographies in the form of chapter books, poetry, notebooks, and snapshots of moments in time from Candlewick Press.  We took a few days to go through at least one example book for each additional style of biography writing.  We compared and contrasted each new style to the others and discussed pros and cons for both the reader and the writer of each model.

Teach biography writing using picture books as examples.

CHAPTER BOOK BIOGRAPHIES

The Hero Schliemann: The Hero Who Dug for Troy by Laura Amy Schlitz

A Voice of Her Own: The Story of Phyllis Wheatley, Slave Poet by Kathryn Lasky

Lincoln and His Boys by Rosemary Wells

The Hero Schliemann: The Dreamer Who Dug for Troy

BIOGRAPHY POETRY

Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement by Carole Boston Weatherford

Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement

HISTORICAL NOTEBOOKS

Cleopatra: Queen of Egypt by Ian Andrew

Cleopatra: Queen of Egypt (Historical Notebooks)

BIOGRAPHY SNAPSHOTS OF MOMENTS IN TIME

Lady Liberty: A Biography by Doreen Rappaport

Lady Liberty: Candlewick Biographies: A Biography

Thanks for hanging with me through this giant post!   I really wanted you to see how I incorporate picture books in writing lessons from day one all the way through to the end of a writing project.  It’s a process, but fully worth it when those final drafts consistently improve!  I would LOVE to hear YOUR stories about using picture books to make your children better writers!

Teach biography writing using picture books as examples.

And, a HUGE thanks to Candlewick Press for publishing great biographies!  If you’re on social media, keep up with them on Facebook , Twitter , Google+ , Pinterest or YouTube .  I especially like their Pinterest page where they’ve taken the time to categorize their book titles into learning themes!

Need a little more help learning how to implement this teaching method?

I taught a practical class that can help!

Teaching writing to children doesn't have to be hard. Learn how to use picture books to help children in 5th-12th grades learn to write well.

Be sure to check out the other posts in this series to get ideas for teaching several writing styles through picture books!

14 Comments

Thank you thank you thank you for this post! I am so excited I found you!! This is the best post ever on how to write a biography. Thank you so much. And thank you for introducing me to Candlewick Press. 🙂

This is a fantastic post and I now definitely want to add this to our studies!!

I loved this post! My son is in 8th grade and I use picture books all of the time. They are wonderful for teaching so many things and I find myself browsing the picture book department of our book store more often than any other area. I love that you shared the details of this lesson (and that it was with your son). We will be moving into biography soon, and I will be sure to use your ideas. Thanks so much for sharing–your blog is always an inspiration to push a little more.

P.S. I would love to see any ideas you might have about teaching note-taking strategies

Thanks for such kind works, Carrie! Can’t wait to hear how your children’s biography writing goes!

You are very welcome, Carol!

You’ll love it, Phyllis!

Cindy, this is wonderful! I’m homeschooling my teenage brother and I was wondering how to teach writing using picture books. Since you can teach literature analysis and literary elements using picture books why not also teach writing. You really walked me through the process in this post. I can’t thank you enough for writing this. I always find lovely gems in your blog posts but this one is the most valuable to me and perfectly timed. Please write more posts about teaching writing styles using picture books. 🙂

I’m so glad it was helpful, Ruthie!

I have a slightly off topic question. How do you store your picture books in your home library? Do you store picture book biographies in with your chapter books? I am having home library organization anxiety issues. 🙂

Diana, that’s a great question! I should probably write a post on the topic. The short of it…I store picture books and chapter books separately. I sort all my books by historical era or science topic or math topic or language arts topic or classics. So, anything having to do with the Civil War, for example, is grouped together in the picture book area and again in the chapter book area. I don’t worry with alphabetizing my author or title because there just aren’t that many to sort through.

My biographies are all inserted with either the history or science section in which they “fit.”

My method is really just my personal preference. There are a zillion ways you could store your books. Do whatever makes the most sense to you. 🙂

These posts are amazing!!! Thank you for the inspiration. Love your blog and love you!

I’ve missed you!!! So glad to hear from you. 🙂 I hope all is well!

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Biography Themed Teaching Resources

Our biographies on famous and historical figures will enhance your lessons and students will enjoy studying them. Included are reading warm-ups, poems, discussion guides, and more. These resources are appropriate for a variety of grade levels, from kindergarten through high school.

Printables for Grades K-5

  • Nelson Mandela Biography: A Reading Warm-Up
  • Helen Keller Biography: A Reading Warm-Up
  • Walt Disney Biography: A Nonfiction Reading Warm-Up
  • Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad
  • Helen Keller
  • Getting to Know Me
  • Learn About Susan B. Anthony
  • More Popular Biography Printables for Grades K-5

Printables for Grades 6-12

  • We Beat the Street Discussion Guide
  • Albert Einstein Biography: A Reading Warm-Up
  • Albert Einstein, Physicist
  • The Peanuts Gang: Charles Schulz
  • Leonardo da Vinci
  • Fastest Woman in the World: Wilma Rudolph
  • More Biography Printables for Grades 6-12

Lesson Plans for Grades K-12

  • An Autobiographical Poem
  • Sunflowers, Van Gogh, and You
  • Rachel Carson: The Coming of a Silent Spring
  • Martin Luther King Jr, Civil Rights Leader
  • Marie Curie's Discovery
  • Jackie Robinson and Civil Rights
  • The Era of Thomas Jefferson
  • More Biography Lesson Plans

Biography Teaching Guides

  • Red Scarf Girl Teacher's Guide
  • Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl Teacher's Guide
  • A Long Way Gone Teacher's Guide
  • The Henry Books: A Teacher's Guide
  • Up Close: Jane Goodall Discussion Guide
  • Listening Is an Act of Love Teacher's Guide
  • Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of the Macy's Day Parade Educator's Guide
  • More Biography Teaching Guides

Social Studies Activities

  • Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl Discussion Guide
  • Chronology of Conscription in the U.S. -- Colonial Era to 1999
  • Benjamin Franklin Little Book
  • Abraham Lincoln Biography & Mini-Book
  • Ryan White, My Own Story
  • Betsy Ross Little Book
  • More Biography Activities for Social Studies

Reading & Language Arts Activities

  • Babe Ruth Reading Warm-Up: Biography
  • Henry Ford Biography: A Reading Warm-Up
  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley's Journal
  • Learning About Famous People
  • More Biography Activities for Reading & Language Arts

Science Activities

  • Learn About Johnny Appleseed
  • Science and Social Studies: Benjamin Franklin
  • Bio of a Famous Scientist
  • Jane Goodall, Ethologist
  • The First Man in Space
  • Early Astronomers
  • More Biography Activities for Science Class

Holidays & Seasonal Resources

  • "I Have a Dream" Little Book
  • Jackie Robinson Coloring Page
  • Rosa Parks Coloring Page
  • Learn About Pocahontas
  • Nonfiction Reading Warm-Up: Sacagawea Biography
  • More Biography Resources for the Holidays

Art & Music Activities

  • My Book About Abraham Lincoln
  • My Book About George Washington
  • George Washington Carver Coloring Page
  • My Book About Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • Claude Monet Biography: A Reading Warm-Up
  • I Have a Dream: Drawing Activity
  • More Biography Activities for Art & Music

Biographies & Physical Education Connected

  • Past Olympic Athletes: Profiles, Biographies, and Activities
  • Michelle Kwan Reading Warm-Up
  • Jesse Owens: Olympic Champion
  • Jackie Robinson Mini-Biography
  • Jim Thorpe Reading Warm-Up
  • Althea Gibson
  • More Physical Education Biographies
  • Overview of the Presidents: Basic Facts & Figures
  • Martin Luther King Jr.'s Life
  • Assassinations and Attempts in U.S. Since 1865
  • Just Where Was Columbus?
  • President Barack Hussein Obama, Jr. Biography
  • President George Washington Biography
  • President James Monroe Biography
  • More Popular Biography References
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Quiz
  • Notable African-American Women Quiz
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Printable Book (Grades 4-8)
  • Popular Presidents' Day Printables

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Biographies

This page contains the Super Teacher Worksheets collection of biographies. These nonfiction articles include reading comprehension activities for elementary-aged students.

Biography Reading Comprehension

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Here is the link to our complete collection of reading comprehension stories, articles, and poems for kids.

Color in black-and-white illustrations of some of history's notable people. View our coloring pages here.

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4th and 5th Grade Biography Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Worksheet

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The Writer's Workshop for Kids

Online writing classes

Middle School Biography

writing biographies middle school

Biography Writing Class

Overview: Students will learn the different elements of biographies and will write a biography about a favorite person! This 4-week class includes a weekly 1-hour Zoom call, Google Classroom materials, & personal feedback.

Grades: 6-8

Capacity: 8 students

Tuition: $100

Class Description: Biography Writing Class for Middle Grades

🔎 Lesson 1: A Day In the Life!

Students will learn the elements of biography stories. We will also discuss tips for finding high-quality sources and evaluating web sites for quality. Students will read aloud short biographies from Scholastic as a model.

🤩 Lesson 2: Who Is…?

Using the popular Who Is (Was)… book series, students will read and discuss important individuals and their contributions. We will discuss how to use strong quotes and lively language to captivate readers. Students will also learn tips for note-taking and paraphrasing information from sources. They will use a graphic organizer to compile their notes.

📑 Lesson 3: Get Inspired! Get Organized!

Students will transform their notes into a biography about an interesting person from history (or the present!). We will read Shark Lady: The True Story of how Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist and excerpts from other high-interest biographies.

📚 Lesson 4: Make a Bibliography

Students will create a bibliography in MLA format to show their sources. They will also complete a self-assessment of their rough drafts and edit the biography into a final draft.

writing biographies middle school

I have 25 years of writing and editing experience, and six years as a writing instructor.

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Contact me for registration information about The Writer’s Workshop for Kids.

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Learn new writing skills while having fun along the way!

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Middle School Biography Books That Will Inspire Tweens

I think it’s important for middle school to read about the lives of extraordinary people through biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs.Their stories not only share information, but inspire and challenge readers as well. They are a great addition to middle school language arts lessons.

Tweens can learn a lot by reading middle school biography books . When you think about the best books for middle grade students, this genre should definitely be on every homeschooler’s reading list.

Biographies give kids the chance to learn about the lives of extraordinary people. Their stories are interesting and informative and without a doubt will inspire and challenge your tweens and teens. 

That is to say, this book style lets readers see life from another person’s perspective. It helps them appreciate different cultures, beliefs, and values.

Reading middle grade biographies will certainly broaden your child’s horizons!

Collage of 14 different middle grade biography book covers

If your kids are hesitant to read biographies, it’s important to realize that the people in these books have important stories to tell. Particularly, about their daily life, something amazing they’ve accomplished, or challenges they’ve overcome. 

Table of Contents

What is a biography?

In short, a biography is a type of book that tells the true story of an individual’s life that’s written by someone else.

It’s slightly different from an autobiography or a memoir. An autobiography is a person’s story written by themselves and a memoir is a collection of stories (or memories) told in their own words.

One of the best things about the biography genre is that it gives readers a glimpse into the lives of prominent contemporary and historical people.

It typically focuses on someone’s achievements and experiences, and in addition, often includes personal things like family relationships, health issues, and character traits.

Why Should Middle Schoolers Read Biographies?

Biographies are an important part of any reading plan, but especially so for tweens. Middle school is the stage when kids are trying to figure out who they are and where they fit into the world. That is to say, they need role models.

This genre gives tweens the chance to study the achievements of well-known people, their various attributes, and the obstacles they overcame to reach their goals.

Biography books are motivating and can be a source of inspiration for middle schoolers who are in the process of finding themselves. As they read these impactful stories, they’ll discover each person has something special within them and that it’s possible to use those qualities to affect the world around them.

What are the Benefits of Reading Biographies?

There are many benefits to kids reading biography books, including:

  • opening up different worlds to kids by sharing the lives of influential men and women
  • conveying the context within which history happened
  • encouraging young readers to think critically about current events and inspiring them to become more engaged citizens
  • teaching tweens empathy
  • increasing vocabulary and comprehension skills

Choosing a Biography

One thing I love about biographies is that there are so many to choose from. On the other hand, this can also make it difficult to pick titles for your kids to read.

It might help to sit down with your tween and make a list of individuals they would like to learn more about. In this case, having a list of specific people they want to get to know better will help you narrow down your search.

Biography Report Form

To help direct their learning, encourage your tween to use this biography report template .

It’s a wonderful tool that will help them dive deeper into the life of an extraordinary person and learn how to organize research material.

writing biographies middle school

Middle School Biography Books

A biography is the perfect type of book for inquisitive kids. The stories are motivating, engaging, and entertaining and may even help middle schoolers discover their own unique strengths.

Also, they’re some of the best nonfiction books for homeschoolers and should be essential reading in subject areas like language arts, science, and history.

Here are some of our favorite stories that are perfect for kids in 6th grade, 7th grade, and 8th grade. Some of them even highlight young people. Those who are stepping up to make a difference, taking action right now to improve the lives of themselves and those around them.

All of these stories are important, inspirational, and fascinating and should be read by all middle grade students.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. There are thousands of stories to choose from, so there’s no way to include them all here.

Any links in this post may be affiliate links. See my disclosure statement .

Biographies for Middle Schoolers

These middle school biography books are all stories of people who have done important things and made a difference. They're a great way to learn about what their lives were like and how they broke through barriers and persevered.

Encourage your tween to apply the lessons they learn in their own life.

writing biographies middle school

Who Is Greta Thunberg?

Learn about this impressive Swedish teen that's challenging the world to think differently about climate change and our role in saving the environment.

writing biographies middle school

Asian American Women in Science

Introduce your tweens to 15 Asian American women who are pioneers in science.

writing biographies middle school

The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery

Sure, we all know he was a traitor, but do you know the full story of Benedict Arnold?

writing biographies middle school

Changing the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes

Kids will love these short stories of 17 famous Asian Pacific American women who changed the game and excelled in their sport.

writing biographies middle school

Samurai Rising: The Epic Life of Minamoto Yoshitsune

Introduce your tweens to one of the most important samurai in the history of Japan.

writing biographies middle school

Ten Days a Madwoman: The Daring Life and Turbulent Times of the Original "Girl" Reporter, Nellie Bly

Journalist Nellie Bly had herself institutionalized in order to expose the poor treatment of the patients housed inside the well-known asylum on Blackwell's Island. Readers will learn about her life and writing career.

writing biographies middle school

Home of the Brave: 15 Immigrants Who Shaped U.S. History

Read about the lives of 15 extraordinary people who came to America and used their gifts, talents, and intellect to shape their world and history.

writing biographies middle school

John Muir: Young Naturalist

If your family enjoys exploring nature, this book is a must-read.

Discover why even as a young boy John Muir was so passionate about the natural world and how his early childhood led him to fight for the preservation of acres of beautiful wilderness and create the Sierra Club.

writing biographies middle school

Man Called Horse: John Horse and the Black Seminole Underground Railroad

This book will introduce teens to the life John Horse, a Black Seminole leader, diplomat, and heroic warrior.

He spent his life fighting for the freedom and survival of his people against the government, rival tribes, and slave hunters.

writing biographies middle school

Who Was Frida Kahlo?

Learn about the life story of this famous painter whose artwork is instantly recognizable thanks to the artist herself.

writing biographies middle school

Leaders and Thinkers in American History: 15 Influential People You Should Know

This book will introduce tweens to 15 influential people throughout American history.

writing biographies middle school

Trailblazers: Jackie Robinson: Breaking Barriers in Baseball

Learn about how Jackie Robinson changed the game of baseball.

writing biographies middle school

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Inspiring Young Changemakers

This book will introduce you to 100 stories of young women who are working hard to create a better future and world.

writing biographies middle school

Serena Williams

Learn about the obstacles Serena Williams overcame from a young age to become the world's best tennis player.

writing biographies middle school

Who Was Annie Oakley?

Annie Oakley was a trailblazer who pushed aside all the cultural norms of her day. As a famous sharpshooter, she traveled all over the world with the renowned Buffalo Bill show during the wild west time period.

writing biographies middle school

Lincoln's Spymaster: Allan Pinkerton, America's First Private Eye

Allan Pinkerton was America's first private eye who worked with his undercover team to catch all kinds of outlaws. President Lincoln funded his network, which ushered in the Secret Service.

writing biographies middle school

Dian Fossey: Animal Rights Activist and Protector of Mountain Gorillas

If your tweens love animals, they need to know the story of Dian Fossey. She spent years studying, protecting, and fighting for the mountain gorillas in Africa.

writing biographies middle school

Trailblazers: Martin Luther King, Jr.: Fighting for Civil Rights

No biography reading list would be complete without the story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his role fighting for social justice and the civil rights movement.

writing biographies middle school

16th Century Superstar: Da Vinci

This book will show tweens how much Da Vinci's projects, artwork, and inventions changed the world.

writing biographies middle school

Native Americans in History

In this book, older kids will read about 15 influential Native Americans and their important accomplishments.

writing biographies middle school

Lin-Manuel Miranda: Revolutionary Playwright, Composer, and Actor

If your family is a fan of the musical Hamilton, you'll want to read this story about Lin-Manuel Miranda and how he has influenced the arts.

writing biographies middle school

Who Was Ruth Bader Ginsburg?

Before and after taking her seat on the Supreme Court, Ruth Bader Ginsburg fought for gender equality and women's rights. She was the first woman of Jewish faith to sit on the court.

writing biographies middle school

Rising Above: How 11 Athletes Overcame Challenges in Their Youth to Become Stars

Sports-loving tweens will enjoy reading about the trials and achievements of these 11 famous athletes.

writing biographies middle school

Isaac Newton: The Scientist Who Changed Everything

Older kids will enjoy reading about the life and work of Isaac Newton, one of the most important scientists throughout history. His theories led to big changes in various fields.

writing biographies middle school

DK Life Stories: Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson was a NASA mathematician who was instrumental in putting a man on the moon. A true trailblazer, she overcame many obstacles before being a part of the Apollo space program.

As I have shown, there are a ton of different types of middle school biographies out there, however, it’s easy to choose an excellent one to read. If your tween is struggling with one, pick a different style. They vary widely and you want to find something that grabs and keeps your child’s attention.

Don’t forget to grab your biography book report form !

Collage of 9 covers of middle grade biography books

More Books for Middle Schoolers

Looking for more book lists for your tweens and teens? Check these out.

  • Classic Books
  • Personal Growth Books
  • Newbery Award Winning Books
  • Amazing Animal Books
  • Adventure Books for Middle School

If your kids struggle with reading, consider switching over to audiobooks . They’re a lifesaver for some families, including those who love read aloud time.

Kids can listen on their devices, like a Kindle Fire . Of course, you can also play books in the car as you travel.

Which one of these middle school biography books is your tween most excited to read?

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writing biographies middle school

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writing biographies middle school

How to Write a Biography: Upper Primitive to Middle School

Writing a biographical can be a daunting task. When students audio the assignment of writing a biography, they might have thoughts of long, boring essays or a tedious 10-page book report. There are sundry ways to tackle writing a books, press they can even be fun in the process! Let’s look at some less intimidating ways to get your kiddos to write a biography, whether in elementary oder middle school.

How to Write a Biography: Upper Elementary to Middle School

Step 1: Read a Biography

The first step for students from writing a biography is to check one. They need to see a real-life example before tackling their owner biography assignment. Elementary graduate can read biography video buecher or Who Was? biography novels. Biography picture books are especially interests to students as of splendid pictures bring that person to life. 

Hither are some image books we advocate for less students: 

I Am Rosa Parks by Brad Meltzer

The Boys Who Thought in Pictures by Julia Finely Mosca

On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein over Jennifer Berne

Upper primitive students love the Who Where? novel row. These books can more challenging, contain some pictures, and are age-appropriate. We recommend:

Who Was? Anne Frank  by Anne Abramson

Who Were? The Tuskegee Airmen by Sherri L. Smith

Who Was? Selena  the Max Bisantz

Middle school-aged students can read a variety from biographies from sixth graders reading Who Was? until sophisticated readers triumphant even adult biographies. Some biographies or fiction my middle teach students have read and loved are: 

I Am Malala by Malala Youfsazai

Gifted Hands The Be Carson Past by Gregg Lowis

Life in Gesture: An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty Copyeland

Step 2: Research a Individual

Once students have read an biography to winning at understandings of what one looks like press how it is organized, as well in more about the name they what learning about, they ca total research from an biography oder autobiography. A simple graphs planner to help learners organize crucial information would cover. Important information that of student should gather from their book includes:  Sometimes our need a little push to activate their imaginations.

  • Your and Birthplace
  • Dying Appointment press Place With Deceased
  • Childhood/Family
  • Adult Family
  • Major Accomplishments
  • Major Obstacles
  • Fun Details
  • Lessons we may learn out this person’s life

Step 3: Whereby at Write a Biography Side

As a teacher, you can provide choices for students or provide an project undergraduate can tackle. A biography casts require students till write a biography in a different format than a typical essay. How Component of SC READY

Paper Bag Biography

For elementary grades, adenine paper bag biography book report is an interesting way to produce one about. Once students have read their biography or autobiography, their ink of front of the paper bag with a painting of the people in okay as display the person’s nominate. On aforementioned back of the paper bag is write the major accomplishments, obstacles, and a lesson learned from this person’s life. Performing Statement Mail for Middle School

On one side of the bag is written fun facts plus on the other side a written simple information such as birthdate, birthplace, clan, death date, etc. Interior the paper bag, students place varying objects that symbolize the life out the people real explain or write about them. 

Cereal Box Biography

To same concept can be terminated with a cereal box. Students wouldn utilize construction paper or glue past the cereal box instead. They can create a cute name for their cereal that coincides with the person they’re learned about as well. For instance, a biographical regarding Sugar Ray Leonard, a professional boxer, may become Sugar Rays on a cereal box biography report.  Quill provides get writing and grammar activities for middle and high school students.

Pizza Box Biography

Talking von food, a wine box biography get is any I have utilized for years in the classroom. It combines creativity, art, also writing to display a biography. ONE simple Google search may give you tons of templates, instructions, press study product pictures to choose from. I’m not certain von the original creator of this projekt, but it is amazing! Writing Prompts fork Middle School Your

Students how the outer additionally inner lid of a places box with pictures and facts of their person. Next, she create a pizza out are construction papers and each slice displays important information. You can use their creativity to decorate each part with toppings. Some scholars creation a flap that goes over their slice of information and on the flap are toppings they’ve drawn such as mushrooms, pepperoni, real peppers. I a continually impressed with how students use their creativity to devise elaborate pizzas! 50 Type Prompts for All Grade Levels

Here is the link to a FREE pizza letter biography book report yardstick I have used for years. 

writing biographies middle school

Profile in a Can

Hold with the view of about projects centered near food pots, has your graduate grab adenine clean-up chip or coffee can (with a lid). After reading a biography, students will decorate their can based on whom they’re learning nearly. We refine the Who Will? , Anyone Made? or I Am books for this.

Next, students will use adenine graphic organizational to gather information free their book both then turn that research into an index memory biography news. The various books cards belong later stockpiled inward the can for easy anfahrt for presentations. Is project promotes self-sufficient student research, incorporates art, and is plain fun. It is define getting for scholars. ENTRY Test Practice and Sample Items

Grab the whole project, including graphic organizers , index comedian templates , a pre-design sheet , and adenine rubric below. 

writing biographies middle school

Grab your Biography Research Project today.

Our Biography Research Project will guide your students through Biography Choose are alleviate. In addition, this unique exploring project helps them to learn see about critical numeric, as fine as write and create some amazing biographies.

Bonus: Willingness Biography Research Scheme remains a great way to display your students’ work for the respect of parents, manager, and fellow students. Your class will be that envy of your school.

MLA Biography Essa y

Because students drive into vii and eighth grade, there is a huge concentrate go learning to writes an MLA essay. Because of this, I require students to write a biography writing or book report. With a detailed template, students writes their biographies. Each paragraph is thoroughly explained also chunked go display and life of the person they’re exploring. Click is an simple template about methods I having seventh-grade students organize their biography essays:  

1st paragraph contains:

Title of you biography or the author’s call. The book is a biography concerning __________, which what born on (Date) ______________ in (Birthplace) ____________________. Mystery did yourself choose to readers this book? Write a summary summary of their well-known accomplishments.

2nd, 3rd, 4th Paragraph does:

A summary of their life. Make secured their life is in sequence. Tell of major life accomplishments, major disappointments, and major obstacles they faced. Tell in their childhood, adulthood, etc. Paragraph writing stencils | TPT

5th Clause contains:

What is the best engaging fact about this personal? Explain reasons. As would you describe this person? If her could meet your person, which questions would you ask him or das? Why? Would you recommend get biography the a friend? Why or why doesn? Writing Component

6th Paragraph: Conclusion Paragraph

Whatever are the major life tuition a reader can learn from this person’s life? 

Step 4: Publish through Technology

Students can create books showcase by after Google Slides , all the while utilizing pictures, quotes, and thematic decor till make their plan come to vitality. Slidesgo.com remains an amazing template resourcefulness int which students can make their speeches fit a subject and is a total more aesthetically pleasing and exciting. 

Furthermore, Canva has a plethora are resources students can use go create biographies, from a standard presentation until infographics to creating with eBook . Canva is an awesome resource. It contains varying sources, pre-loaded graphics, and the ability to upload images online. Canva has sich an favorite tool of unseren students here lately!

Writing ampere biography can be challenging but in a great way! Reading biographs like as picture books to novels, this readily prepares students to conquer biography writing. By presenting choices such as dive otherwise a detailed template for an essay, students can feel interested and complete to tackle the world of biographies.

writing biographies middle school

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writing biographies middle school

A Chronicle of Current Events

For human rights & freedom of expression in the ussr, alexander podrabinek’s trial, 15 aug 1978 (50.7).

<<No. 50 : November 1978>>

This section has been compiled largely from Information Bulletin s of the Working Commission (to Investigate the Use of Psychiatry for Political Purposes): 9 (9 June 1978), 10 (10 August) and 11, the special edition about the trial [note 1].

Arrest and Investigation

Alexander Podrabinek was arrested at the flat of some friends on 14 May 1978, the day before the beginning of the trial of Yury Orlov . At the time of the arrest a search was also conducted. Podrabinek was taken to the MVD Investigation Prison on Matrosskaya Tishina St.

writing biographies middle school

Alexander Podrabinek (b. 1953)

Alexander Pinkhosovich PODRABINEK was born in 1953 in Elektrostal (Moscow Region). In 1970, after leaving secondary school, he enrolled at a medical institute, but left after a year.

In 1974 Podrabinek enrolled at a college to train as a doctor’s assistant. From 1974 to 1977 he worked in the ambulance service and before his arrest he worked for several months as a paramedic.

Alexander Podrabinek was one of the organizers of the “Working Commission to Investigate the Use of Psychiatry for Political Purposes” ( CCE 44.10 ; CCE 45.14; CCE 47.3; CCE 48.12 and CCE 49.10 ).

CCE 44, CCE 45, CCE 46, CCE 47 & CCE 48.7 provide information about the persecution of Alexander Podrabinek .

On the day after his arrest another four searches were carried.

The homes of Tatyana Velikanova , a member of the Moscow Helsinki Group, Tatyana Osipova , a member of the Working Commission, Vyacheslav Bakhmin and Leonid Ternovsky (who became a member of the Working Commission on 24 May 1978) were all seached.

The case against Alexander Podrabinek , as became evident after his arrest, had been opened by the Moscow Region Procurator’s office under Article 190-1 (RSFSR Criminal Code) at the end of December 1977: his elder brother Kirill was arrested at this time ( CCE 48.7 ). The investigator was V.M. Guzhenkov. Soon after Podrabinek’s arrest Guzhenkov said that the charges against him were connected only with his book Punitive Medicine (CCE 44, CCE 45 & CCE 46) [note 2].

  • On 20 May an Open Letter “To Compatriots and the World Public” (127 signatures) began to circulate. It protested against the arrest of Alexander Podrabinek and called for support in fighting for his release;
  • A similar document (No. 51) was published by the Moscow Helsinki Group;
  • on 24 May another (signed by Bakhmin and Ternovsky) was issued by the Working Commission;
  • On 24 May Pinkhos Abramovich PODRABINEK, father of Kirill and Alexander, issued an appeal “To all People of Goodwill”.

On 29 May 1978, Bakhmin was summoned for interrogation.

He refused to answer questions concerning Podrabinek and his book, saying the charge against Alexander Podrabinek was absurd: he considered it immoral to take part in an investigation of the case.

As early as 2 June 1978, Guzhenkov informed Bakhmin , Alexander Podrabinek’s legal representative, that the investigation was coming to a close and it was necessary to engage a defence attorney. Knowing Podrabinek’s wishes in this matter, Bakhmin invited the barrister S. Shalman, who agreed to conduct Podrabinek’s defence.

At the time, Shalman was on holiday and despite his consent to act as Podrabinek’s defence the managers of the legal consultation office refused to call him back. For his part, Guzhenkov did not want to postpone the closing of the case.

On 13 June 1978, the investigation of the case of Alexander Podrabinek closed.

On 19 June, the investigative agencies proposed another defence attorney. Podrabinek refused to engage him. In this situation Bakhmin, in accordance with Podrabinek’s wish, invited the British barrister Louis Blom-Cooper QC to defend him at the trial. At the same time L.G. Machkovsky was engaged to help A. Podrabinek study the case materials.

On 21 June Machkovsky began reading the case materials: there were four volumes in all, one of which consisted of the book Punitive Medicine (1977). On 30 June, the document certifying the completion of the study of the case was signed. The case was transferred to a court.

In mid-June, Professor Linford Rees (CCE 49.19), President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (United Kingdom), sent a letter to Brezhnev:

“Dear President Brezhnev, “I have been asked by the Council of my College to write to you to express our members’ concern at reports of the arrest of Mr. A. Podrabinek … “We hope that you might take a personal interest in this case and ensure that if Mr. Podrabinek is brought to trial the trial is conducted openly. “The circumstances of this case puzzle us. We realize that the laws of our two countries are different, but it is difficult for us, on the reports we have heard, to understand what Mr. Podrabinek has done that is, in any way, criminal.”

In June 1978, the College set up a Committee to deal with questions of the abuse of psychiatry. An international committee to defend A. Podrabinek was also founded. Its members included, in particular, the British historian Peter Reddaway and the British psychiatrist Gary Low-Beer (CCE 49.19).

Yury Belov ( CCE 48.12 ) and Mikhail Kukobaka (CCE 43), former political prisoners held in psychiatric hospitals whose notes were used in A. Podrabinek’s book, wrote to the Moscow Region Procurator’s Office, asking to be questioned as witnesses in the Podrabinek case; their request was turned down.

Belov was told (not in writing) that Podrabinek’s guilt was already proven and that the investigation had no use for his testimony.

On 13 July 1978, a hearing of witnesses testimony in the case of A. Podrabinek, presided over by Blom-Cooper, took place in London. Nine witnesses [note 3] spoke, in particular, a former official of the Serbsky Institute, psychiatrist Yury Novikov [note 4] (CCE 46.15).

Written testimonies and tape-recordings were reviewed [note 5].

On 15 July, Mikhail Kukobaka proposed to Blom-Cooper that his notes on the Sychyovka Special Psychiatric Hospital (SPH) be added to the file of testimony.

On 20 July, Victor Nekipelov , a member of the Moscow Helsinki Group, sent Blom-Cooper excerpts from Kukobaka’s four letters about the Psychiatric Hospitals in Vladimir and Mogilyov (Belorussia). Nekipelov also requested that his book The Institute of Fools (CCE 42) be used as testimonial evidence [note 6].

Blom-Cooper announced in London that the Soviet Embassy had promised to issue him a visa for a trip to the USSR. He did not receive the visa in time, however, to attend the trial of Alexander Podrabinek .

On 18 July 1978, an agreement was reached with E.S. Shalman to defend Podrabinek in court.

The Moscow Region Court examined the case of Alexander Podrabinek , charged under Article 190-1 (RSFSR Criminal Code ), on 15 August 1978.

The hearing took place in Elektrostal (Moscow Region) in an Assizes session presided over by R.V. Nazarov, Deputy Chairman of the Moscow Regional Court.

The prosecution counsel was Suvorov, Deputy Procurator of the Moscow Region; the defence counsel was Shalman.

The trial was due to begin at 9 am, but at 6 am the part of the building in which the trial was to take place was already ringed by a cordon of uniformed and plainclothes police.

Alexander Podrabinek’s friends arrived at 8.30 am to be told that there were no places left. “We have already filled the hall in order to maintain order,” a young policeman declared, with provincial naivety. The day before, Vyacheslav Bakhmin appealed to Judge Nazarov, requesting to be admitted to the trial as the legal representative of the accused.

Nazarov expressed bewilderment: it was a normal criminal case, anyone who wanted could be present. The following day, however, Nazarov himself had to stand in the rain and rummage in his briefcase for his pass until a plainclothes man ran out and conducted him through the cordon.

Several minutes before the trial began, the accused’s father Pinkhos Podrabinek and his own wife Alla Khramtsova (she left half-way through the day in order to feed her child and was not allowed back) were admitted to the courtroom. No other relatives or friends of Alexander Podrabinek could get in. At 10.30 am some of his friends made a phone call to Moscow from the post office, which was located in the same building as the courtroom. After that the connection with Moscow was cut off.

At the beginning of the hearing, Alexander Podrabinek submitted a series of petitions to the court, requesting that certain documents be added to the case file:

  • Statutes on Psychiatric Hospitals;
  • Ministry of Health directives concerning hospital food;
  • the international classification of illnesses;
  • indictments and psychiatric reports on 30 political prisoners formerly held in psychiatric hospitals;
  • reports on the examinations of Pyotr Starchik and Yury Belov carried out by British psychiatrist Gary Low-Beer;
  • the medical history of Radchenko and the medical report on his death;
  • the post-mortem report on Dekhnich.

Podrabinek also petitioned for the following to be called as witnesses: the psychiatrist Fyodorov, former inmates Yury Belov, Mikhail Kukobaka, and Pyotr Grigorenko ; and N.Ya. Shatunovskaya (mother of Olga Joffe [ CCE 11.7 ; trial, CCE 15.2 ] who was compulsorily interned in the Kazan SPH).

Podrabinek further requested that the following be procured: the two-volume edition of Mashkovsky’s Medicinal Remedies ; several copies of A Chronicle of Current Events and the Information Bulletin of the Working Commission; the 1977 book by Bloch and Reddaway on psychiatric hospitals in the Soviet Union; and issues of the Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry containing information about the International Congress of Psychiatrists in Honolulu (CCE 47).

Podrabinek also asked the court (a) to engage an Italian-Russian interpreter, since the case materials included documents in Italian (materials of the Sakharov Hearings); (b) to allow him (Podrabinek) to hear the tape-recordings of his interrogations; (c) to call the British barrister Blom-Cooper to the trial as defence counsel; and (d) to arrange for the trial to be relayed to all interested.

Podrabinek gave reasons justifying each petition, almost all of which were supported by his defence counsel. The court rejected all the petitions.

Podrabinek then announced that he was dispensing with the services of his defence counsel Shalman and would conduct his own defence. After several altercations among themselves the Judge and his lay assessors complied with this petition.

Podrabinek further stated that two Articles of the RSFSR Criminal Procedural Code (18: “The openness [glasnost] of the court examination”; and 20: “The comprehensive, full and objective investigation of the circumstances of the case”) had not been observed by the court.

The prosecutor (procurator) and the panel of judges adhered to the Communist ideology and were obliged to fulfil the tasks set by the Party in order to keep their jobs. In this sense they were interested parties. On this basis, A. Podrabinek challenged the whole composition of the court. The court rejected his challenge.

Then Alexander Podrabinek made the following declaration:

“I do not want an illusion of justice. My lawyer is not, in actual fact, in a position to conduct my defence. For this reason I have dispensed with him as my defence counsel at the trial. “Henceforth, moreover, I shall take no further part in the trial. I do not participate in staged performances of this kind. I have no talent as an actor and therefore shall not take part in this show, even as an extra. “I demand to be taken from the courtroom.” The court attempted to ignore Podrabinek’s last demand. He behaved in such a demonstrative manner (smoking and whistling), however, that when the questioning of witnesses began, the court was obliged to take him out of the courtroom, citing Article 263 of the Russian Code of Criminal Procedure. The Judge issued a ruling that Podrabinek could submit a petition at any time and return to the courtroom. Podrabinek immediately stated that he wanted to return when the time came to make his final speech.

According to the indictment:

“Podrabinek A.P…. is charged with preparing several copies of a document entitled Punitive Medicine when he was living in Elektrostal, Moscow Region, and working in Moscow from 1975 to 1977 and circulating it. “In this book Podrabinek libels Soviet democracy and the country’s domestic policies. He compares the regime in the USSR with totalitarian fascism. He makes assertions about the use in our country of ‘repressive psychiatric measures’, and about the premeditated placing in psychiatric hospitals, for their beliefs, of people known to be sane, and states that they were tortured in psychiatric institutions. “Podrabinek addressed this document to international organizations and circulated it among his friends in Moscow. The document was used by imperialist propaganda to stir up a campaign of slander against the Soviet Union.”

The indictment cites assertions in the book Punitive Medicine which, allegedly, bear no relation to reality. In the book Podrabinek writes that in July 1975 Anatoly Ivanovich Levitin, a patient in the Sychovka SPH (Smolensk Region, west-central Russia), was killed on the command of Doctor N.P. Smirnov. Levitin was seized during an escape bid. The indictment says: “The case materials, however, have established that there never was a patient of this name in the Sychovka SPH.”

M.M. Fyodorov, chief doctor of the SPH, appearing as a witness at the trial, declared that there had been no instances of murder in the Sychovka SPH and there had been no patient there called Levitin. Speaking immediately after Fyodorov, a junior doctor from the Sychovka SPH, V.V. Moskalkov, said that in 1975 a patient had been killed while attempting to escape. But he could not recall his name.

The book cites a letter written by Mikhail Kukobaka in which he relates that the orderly Sasha Dvorenkov beat patients sadistically at the Sychovka SPH. The indictment says in this respect:

“On page 141 mention is made of a certain Sasha Dvorenkov, who allegedly beat the patients. From the information received from Sychovka SPH it can be concluded that such a person never worked at the hospital.”

Other witnesses questioned in court were:

  • V. D. Steshkin, the chief doctor of Leningrad SPH , who said that “normal methods of treatment were used in the hospital; other methods were not used if there was no need for them”;
  • Abrosimov, head of the Smolensk SPH ;
  • T. A. Kotova, a section head of the Oryol SPH ;
  • F. Svyatsky, former chief doctor of the Chernyakhovsk SPH ;
  • A, G. Semiryozhko, chief doctor of the Dnepropetrovsk SPH ;

Also called as witnesses were V.G. Vvedensky and his wife G. I. Zhabina. After the couple made a report a search was carried out on 14 March 1977 at the flat of E.V. Bobrovich (CCE 44.6, where the surname is misspelt). It was then that the manuscript of Punitive Medicine first fell into the hands of the KGB.

In the absence of defence counsel and the accused the court questioned the witnesses very quickly.

The Procurator concluded his speech in the following way:

“The heaviest sentence possible under Article 190-1 of the RSFSR Criminal Code should be imposed on the accused. Of course, he would very much like the Article to be political. That was why he played out the spectacle we have watched. He thought he would receive seven years under Article 70, but even the degree of punishment has let him down. “The maximum is not seven, but three years. Considering that this is his first criminal offence and that he is only 25 years old, I request that a sentence of five years exile be imposed, so that he may be re-educated in a labour collective.”

After an adjournment of two hours the sentence was announced: with the application of Article 43 (RSFSR Criminal Code: “mitigating circumstances”), Podrabinek was given five years exile [note 7].

SOPHIA KALISTRATOVA

An Undelivered Speech

A detailed description of the trial of Alexander Podrabinek is given in the 11th issue of the Working Commission’s Information Bulletin .

This also contains Sophia V. Kalistratova ’s “Speech not Delivered at the RSFSR Supreme Court during the Review on Appeal of the Case of A. Podrabinek”; Yury Belov ’s “Testimony”, which he wanted to give at the trial; Victor Nekipelov ’s declaration; and passages from the four letters written by Mikhail Kukobaka (see above).

At the beginning of her undelivered speech Kalistratova states:

“The materials to which I have access on the case of Podrabinek give grounds to assert that the laws operating in our country have been violated (and are constantly and relentlessly being violated) from the moment criminal proceedings were instituted against Podrabinek until this day. “This is no empty assertion and, so far as my strength and resources allow, I shall attempt to confirm what I say.”

The manuscript of Podrabinek’s “Punitive Medicine” was confiscated by the KGB in March 1977 (CCE 44.6). The investigative agencies regarded the text as criminal. They were therefore obliged, in accordance with Article 3 of the RSFSR Code of Criminal Procedure, to institute criminal proceedings at once. “Acting outside any procedural norms laid down by law”, however, the authorities put a tail on Podrabinek; and in an attempt to force him to leave the USSR, threatened and blackmailed him.

Article 276 of the Code of Criminal Procedure states that “all petitions concerning the demanding and verification of evidence relevant to the case should be met without exception”. The court brazenly contravened this law and by rejecting all the accused’s petitions “has completely deprived Podrabinek of the chance to defend himself”.

In particular, the reference to the ‘non-responsibility’ of a number of witnesses whose appearance was requested by Podrabinek was unlawful. Kalistratova explains that neither a person’s non-responsibility, as established by some court in the past, nor the fact of his having been treated in a psychiatric hospital pre-determines his mental incompetence as regards being a witness.

Where there is any doubt, Article 79 of the Code of Criminal Procedure specifies that the court must verify the competence of an individual to appear as a winess by means of an examination.

Article 20 of the Code states that the court must “investigate the moral and ethical sides of the accused’s character”.

“Had people who knew Sasha [Alexander] been questioned, it would have become clear: Alexander and slander are incompatible.”

Despite the real meaning of Article 43 (RSFSR Criminal Code) the court referred to this article in sentencing A. Podrabinek to exile. Kalistratova comments that such a violation, committed for the first time in 1968 at the Red Square “demonstrators”’ trial (CCE 4.1 , [Kalistratova was a defence attorney at that trial, Chronicle ], is a constant occurrence in political trials.

Involuntarily, Kalistratova notes, the court demonstrated the highly reliable character of the materials assembled by Podrabinek:

“of 300 factual episodes cited in his book only 13 figure in the indictment. Considering the procedural infringements committed by the court, “with regard to these 13 episodes, a lack of correspondence with reality of the facts set out in Podrabinek’s manuscript has not been established”.

The infringements of the law continued after the sentence was imposed:

“According to Article 319 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, an individual sentenced to a punishment not involving loss of freedom should be quickly released from custody in the courtroom. “Yet Sasha Podrabinek was taken back to prison under escort … Moreover, before the period allowed for an appeal had finished, Sasha had already been transferred to the city’s Transit Prison No. 3 at Krasnaya Presnya. “Article 320 of the Code of Criminal Procedure states that a convicted person held in custody must be given a copy of the verdict no later than three days after it has been read out. “As of 30 August, I am reliably informed that Podrabinek has not yet been given a copy of the verdict.”

Kalistratova concludes:

“Alexander Podrabinek is a dissenter. In accordance with his convictions, he fought for the rights of the mentally disturbed and those of sane people who for political ends were declared insane. But he is no slanderer. He acted within the boundaries of the law and did not commit a crime. “The above are the legal grounds on which I base my assertion that the sentence in the case of Podrabinek should be annulled, and the criminal case against him closed, due to the absence of a corpus delicti.”

On 17 August 1978, at a meeting with his father Pinkhos, Alexander Podrabinek said that during the pre-trial investigation he did not sign a single record of interrogation, although Investigator Guzhenkov had tried by using threats to make him take part in the investigation.

The same day Podrabinek was transferred to the Krasnaya Presnya Transit Prison in Moscow.

On 16 August 1978, two documents were presented to a press conference for foreign correspondents:

[1] an “Appeal to Foreign Psychiatric Associations” by V. Bakhmin and L. Ternovsky, members of the Working Commission, and

[2] an “Appeal to Psychiatrists Throughout the World” by S.M. Polikanov (CCE 47), a corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Sciences.

At the same press conference, the previously anonymous consultant psychiatrist of the Working Commission, Alexander Alexandrovich VOLOSHANOVICH (who works in a psychiatric hospital in the Moscow suburbs), stepped into the open.

At the request of the Working Commission, Voloshanovich related, he had carried out 27 examinations: some of his conclusions have been quoted in the Chronicle (CCE 48 & nd CCE 49). In not a single case could he find grounds for compulsory hospitalization. [note 8]

Not until the beginning of September 1978, was Alexander Podrabinek given a copy of the verdict. He was not allowed to study the record of the trial until 17 October (according to Articles 264 and 265 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, this should take place no later than six days after the hearings had ended).

On 23 November 1978, the RSFSR Supreme Court examined Podrabinek’s appeal [note 9]. The sentence was left as it was. (As previously happened in May, Vyacheslav Bakhmin was dispatched on an urgent business trip at this time.)

==============================

[1] Information Bulletin No. 6 has been published in English by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International while No. 11 has been published by Amnesty’s British Section.

Nos. 1-5 and 6-9 have appeared in Russian in the Volnoe slovo periodical, Frankfurt, 1978, Nos. 31-32. In all, Nos. 1-14 of the Information Bulletin add up to some 400 pages.

[2] Published in Russian as Karatelnaya meditsina (Khronika Press: New York, 1979). A 25-page summary was published in English by Amnesty International, International Secretariat in 1977.

A full English edition appeared in 1980 and provided the occasion for another trial in Yakutia (CCE 61.2) to which Podrabinek had been exiled.

[3] Corrected from “five”. The nine were: Yury Novikov, Vladimir Bukovsky, Ludmila Alexeyeva, Marina Voikhanskaya, Gary Low-Beer, P. Sainsbury, Natalya Gorbanevskaya, I. Glezer, Peter Reddaway.

Written or tape-recorded testimony was submitted by Pyotr Grigorenko, Valentin Turchin, Leonid Plyushch, A. Papiashvili, and Sidney Bloch.

[4] Dr. Yury Novikov’s testimony about Soviet psychiatry and its political abuse first appeared, between 22 March and 26 April 1978, in six articles in the West German weekly Der Stern (Hamburg).

[5] Louis Blom-Cooper, Q.C., and his assistant, barrister Brian Wrobel, compiled the evidence and their own commentary in a 54-page dossier. This they sent to the Moscow judicial authorities on 23 July 1978 for inclusion in the case materials, as required by Soviet law.

[6] Nekipelov’s Institute of Fools: Notes from the Serbsky was published in English in 1980 (Victor Gollancz: London).

[7] The sentence provoked protests from a number of medical and other groups, and also from the British government. In particular, the UK Foreign Secretary, Dr. David Owen, deplored it.

Owen’s spokesman was reported as saying on 16 August 1978 that the case was “particularly disturbing”. “[T]he Soviet authorities action appeared to relate to Mr. Podrabinek’s investigation of the misuse of psychiatry for political ends,” he continued. “This was a subject which aroused very strong feelings in Britain and about which Dr. Owen personally was very concerned.”

[8] Copies of 23 of Voloshanovich’s reports are in the possession of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Britain and other bodies. They are confidential documents. Extracts can be publicly quoted, however, should the examinees in question be forcibly hospitalized or in danger of such hospitalization.

[9] On 22 August 1978, Blom-Cooper and Wrobel sent a 14-page appeal to the RSFSR Supreme Court. This detailed many of the violations of legal procedure also noted by defence counsel Sophia Kalistratova.

=====================

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Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

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5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

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Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

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Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

writing biographies middle school

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

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8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

Mayakovskaya station

Mayakovskaya metro station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

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10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

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January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

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December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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