Mightier Than the Sword: Rebels, Reformers, and Revolutionaries Who Changed the World Through Writing

by Rochelle Melander, Melina Ontiveros (Illustrator)

Overview

Throughout history, people have picked up their pens and wielded their words—transforming their lives, their communities, and beyond. Now it's your turn! Representing a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, Mightier Than the Sword connects over forty inspiring biographies with life-changing writing activities and tips, showing readers just how much their own words can make a difference. Readers will explore nature with Rachel Carson, experience the beginning of the Reformation with Martin Luther, champion women's rights with Sojourner Truth, and many more. These richly illustrated stories of inspiring speechmakers, scientists, explorers, authors, poets, activists, and even other kids and young adults will engage and encourage young people to pay attention to their world, to honor their own ideas and dreams, and to embrace the transformative power of words to bring good to the world.

Mightier Than the Sword is a 2021 Indie Book Awards Finalist Children's Nonfiction, a 2021 Cybils Award Winner for Middle Grade Nonfiction, and a 2021 Council for Wisconsin Writers Tofte/Wright Children's Literary Award. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781506466408
Publisher:	1517 Media
Publication date:	07/27/2021
Pages:	200
Sales rank:	669,031
Product dimensions:	9.40(w) x 6.90(h) x 0.80(d)
Lexile:	1010L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 13 Years

About the Author

Rochelle Melander is a speaker, a professional certified coach, and the founder of Dream Keepers, a writing workshop that encourages young people to write about their lives and dreams for the future. Rochelle wrote her first book at seven and has published 11 books for adults. Mightier Than the Sword is her debut book for children. She lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Melina Ontiveros is a Mexican artist and illustrator. A proud self-taught artist, she enjoys experimenting with color and textures.

Editorial Reviews

"An inspiring and empowering collection spotlighting diverse activists throughout history who have used the power of the pen to make a difference. Mightier Than the Sword is a hopeful celebration of the written word." —Aileen Weintraub, author of We Got Game! 35 Female Athletes Who Changed the World

"Whether you read from front to back or dip into the profiles using the helpful table of contents, this is a must-have resource for teachers and young writers. Writers of any age will want this book." —Sandy Brehl, educator and author of the Odin's Promise trilogy and Is It Over?

"Melander shows readers of all ages that writing is an act of creation, bravery, and justice." —Silvia Acevedo, author of God Awful Rebel, winner of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Spark Award

"Melander ignites writers to own their words and author their futures." —Dasha Kelly Hamilton, creative change agent, Wisconsin & Milwaukee Poet Laureate

"Packed with a diverse cast of characters, Mightier Than the Sword inspires and instructs. An excellent addition for your school or homeschool!" —Jennifer L. W. Fink, creator of Building Boys and cohost of On Boys parenting podcast

"Young readers hoping to write will find inspiration in every chapter. Young readers who love true stories will find hope in future paths of their own. Mightier Than the Sword is a grand addition to any library—public or personal." —Kelly Milner Halls, author of Voices of Young Heroes, Mystery of the Titanic, Cryptid Creatures: A Field Guide, and more than fifty other books for young readers

"What a delightful book! This accessible collection of mini-biographies celebrates an incredible variety of people who have taken action through writing. Melander's book will inspire readers to use their own words for good." —Karla Manternach, author of the Meena Zee children's books

"Exceptionally well researched, the book features writers from ancient times through the present who represent genres ranging from haiku to hip-hop. This book is chock-full of writing exercises and would be an asset to every teacher's classroom library." —Silvia Acevedo, author of God Awful Rebel, winner of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Spark Award

"Melander selects a fascinating group of people from all corners of history and brings them to life for even the most reluctant reader. Her interactive writing exercises demonstrate, as she says, that 'your words have the power to transform you and your world.' A truly inspirational book!" —Jane Kelley, author of many nonfiction books for children, as well as several middle-grade novels

"Mightier Than the Sword is a goldmine of short bios of writers from the 900s through today who used their writing to make a difference. This book is an invaluable resource for young people both in introducing them to so many amazing writers and in guiding them to find their own voices and have the courage to express their views." —Janet Halfmann, award-winning author of more than forty fiction and nonfiction books for children

"This delightful anthology of writers from the past and present takes readers on their own journeys to discover how they can take up the sword of writing to change the world." —Ann Angel, author of Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing, winner of the 2011 YALSA award

From the Publisher