Have you heard of Ida B. Wells? I hadn’t. I found Discovering History’s Heroes: Ida B. Wells, Fighter for Justice, by Diane Bailey, in the kids’ biography section of our library. 

We read the story of Ida B. Wells as part of our history learning for homeschool. My four students, aged 6 through 12, were all interested. They expressed disappointment when I stopped reading it for the day.

When reading this biography, one is reminded of how quickly we forget the efforts of those who lived not that long before our time. Ida B. Wells was a passionate and dedicated woman who was a powerhouse for women’s rights and civil rights. Her story tells of the impact one individual can have on the world. It also reminds us not to give up in the face of disappointment and hardship.

Tucked in the back of the book is a thorough glossary, which I always appreciate.

Finding a book that holds the interest of myself and my wide range of students is a tall order, but this book kept us all engaged. It would work well as a read-aloud, which is how we used it, or as a reader for upper elementary/middle grade kids. It provides an opportunity to introduce or revisit some difficult parts of U.S. History from the framework of a woman fighting for change.