Heroes and Heroines of Faith and History

I’m sitting at our small, two-person table, the morning sun rising in the cloudless eastern sky.

Thirty plus books are stacked around me, with a list of an additional nine to share.

These books contain the heroes and heroines of our faith and history.

As my homeschool consultant says (paraphrased), “Let your children’s heroes be the men and women of history!”¹​

Real people.
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They lived, moved, and had their being.
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They persevered.

They overcame enormous obstacles.

They changed their world.
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Their character will inspire your character…and your children’s.
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Because they stood up, spoke up, endured, and overcame – and it really happened – your confidence will grow that you, too, can do the same.

Your ordinary life matters.

Your children’s ordinary lives matter.

Meet these heroes and heroines who changed their world.

Then do the same…

[Because of the difficulty organizing these recommendations, you’ll find two individual biographies, followed by a series, and then the pattern repeats.

Be sure to read to the end, one of my favorites is second from the bottom!
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Age recommendations are based on when to read the book aloud to your child.]
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Marie Curie’s Search for Radium by Beverley Birch – How were the periodic elements discovered? Learn the sacrificial discovery of radium. This is a Science Stories book. Ages 6+

I, Columbus, My Journal 1492-3 by Peter and Connie Roop – The Roop’s often compile the original words of the hero/ine into a readable story. This is a children’s compilation in Columbus’ own words. Ages 5+

Series: From Christian Focus Publications comes the Little Light series: hero/ines of your faith.

The stories begin with the missionary’s childhood.

Your children will relate to the mischief of Amy Carmichael climbing on the roof with her brothers, or Eric Liddell running races with his schoolmates.

Then the books lead to the missionary’s faith in God and what, through their obedience and giftings, they did for the Lord.

Like Gladys Aylward rescuing 100 orphan children, traveling over 100 miles, from the Japanese at the beginning of WWII. Or C.S. Lewis using his gift of words to write the famed Narnia series and many foundational books of the Christian faith.
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15 books total, read aloud to ages 4+, or give them to your early reader. Can be purchased individually, in three box sets, or all 15 together.

Titles include:
1 – Amy Carmichael: Can brown eyes be made blue?
4 – George Müller: Does money grow on trees?
5 – Helen Roseveare: What’s in the parcel?
9 – Eric Liddell: Are you ready?
11 – C.S. Lewis: Can you imagine?
12 – Gladys Aylward: Are you going to stop?

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Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine – Henry Brown literally ships himself to freedom. Masterfully told and illustrated. A Caldecott Honor Book. Ages 6+

The Signers: The 56 Stories Behind the Declaration of Independence by Dennis Brindell Fradin – They pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. They were lawyers, jurors, merchants, and farmers. Men of means, well educated, who had security, yet valued liberty more. Death could be the reward for their signature. Yet they gave it anyway. And indeed, many lost all. Ages 10+

Series: The Hidden Heroes series by Rebecca Davis

Missionary stories based on regions of the world.
As opposed to focusing on the missionary’s life, these center on the people whom the missionary served.

Some of the books include multiple missionaries, over decades, persevering to bring the gospel to difficult areas.

These missionaries sacrificed much, and often suffered greatly.

Because of the intense spiritual content (voodoo, witch doctors) and persecutions (beatings, kidnappings, burning of houses), I’d recommend these for ages 10+, and as a read aloud first.

Yet do not fear! You will learn to stand firm against the schemes of the devil (Eph 6:10-20). These are stories of Victory in Christ!

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Six Titles:
1 – With Two Hands: True Stories of God at Work in Ethiopia
2 – The Good News Must Go Out: True Stories of God at Work in The Central African Republic
3 – Witness Men: True Stories of God at Work in Papua, Indonesia
4 – Return of the White Book: True Stories of God at Work in Southeast Asia
5 – Lights in a Dark Place: True Stories of God at Work in Columbia
6 – Living Water in the Desert: True Stories of God at Work in Iran

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Robert E. Lee: Leader in War and Peace by Carol Greene – A man of American history to know. A man of integrity, courage, and sacrifice. Ages 5+

What Are You Figuring Now? A Story About Benjamin Banneker by Jeri Ferris – One of my personal heroes of American history, a free black man, Banneker was a largely self-taught mathematician and astronomer, who helped lay the plan for our capitol city, Washington D.C. Ages 6+

​Another biography about this great man is Dear Bemjamin Banneker by Andrea Davis Pinkney. Ages 5+

Series: The Childhood of Famous Americans series.

Arguably the best children’s biographies of famous Americans of every age and occupation.

With 200 plus titles, these men and women are founders of our nation, explorers and pioneers, businessman, statesman, artists, entertainers, athletes, Indians, scientists, inventors, soldiers, wives and mothers, naval heroes, and more!

Every one is a leader, influencer, and world changer.

Beginning in the hero/ine’s childhood, and ending with their adult influence, these books will have every age asking for another page.

Don’t miss: John Peter Zenger: Young Defender of a Free Press, or Crispus Attucks: Black Leader of Colonial Patriots, two of my favorites. Ages 5+

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Amerigo Vespucci: Scientist and Sailor by Ronald Syme – Ever wonder how North and South America got their name? Meet their namesake. Ages 6+

Francis Scott Key: Poet and Patriot by Lillie Patterson – What’s the story of the man who wrote our national anthem? Certainly he’s a man of honor, grit, and courage. Ages 5+

Series: Introduce your children to the hero/ine of American history through the biographies of Edgar and Ingri Parin D’Aulaire.
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Extensive research and beautiful illustrations lithographed on stone, these stories inspire imagination, while telling the life from birth through their adult impact.
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For ages 6+.
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Titles:
Leif the Lucky; Columbus; Pocahontas; George Washington; Benjamin Franklin; Buffalo Bill; Abraham Lincoln (1940 The Caldecott Medal winner); Wings for Per (Real-life story of a Norwegian pilot during
​World War II)

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Elizabeth Blackwell: First Woman Doctor by Carol Greene – A woman of perseverance and fortitude, overcoming every obstacle, paving a way for others. Ages 5+

Mr. Blue Jeans: A Story About Levi Strauss by Marilyn Weidt – Ever wonder why the jeans you’re wearing were created? Find out. Ages 6+

Series: The Trail Blazers series by Christian Focus Publications.

With 50+ titles, these are more detailed biographies of the hero/ines of the faith for your older children.

Once again, these stories begin with the missionary’s childhood through their adult influence on the world for Jesus Christ.

Because of some of the heavy topics, I would recommend ages 10+, for your child to read to themselves. For read alouds, I’d recommend ages 8+, depending on the biography you’re reading.

Some of the titles we own are John Newton: A Slave Set Free; Fanny Crosby: The Blind Girl’s Song; and George Whitefield: The Voice That Woke the World.

Can be purchased individually or in box sets. ThriftBooks has some titles used.

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A Pocketful of Goobers: A Story About George Washington Carver by Barbara Mitchell – A man of honor, integrity, perseverance, creativity, faith, and courage. What’s a goober? Where did your peanut butter come from? An American hero, post-Civil War era. Ages 5+

Benjamin West and His Cat Grimalkin by Margarite Henry and Westley Dennis – A boy who would do anything to paint, including using his cat’s fur for a brush! Ages 5+

Bonus: For you and your older teens, The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom – What is a believer’s role in an environment such as the takeover of Hitler’s regime? Enter the home of the Ten Boom family. Witness the Lord’s preparation, and how His people are truly lights in the dark world, cities on a hill which cannot be hidden. In the valley of the shadow of death, the Lord is there.


May these men and women become your heroes and heroines, inspiring you that you, too, can step into all the Lord has created you to do.

You, in your sphere of influence, can change the world.


Do you have not-to-miss biographies to share?
​Please enter them in the comments below.

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1. Carole Joy Seid of Homeschool Made Simple, as quoted in many of her seminars, www.homeschoolmadesimple.net ​

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