Children's Biography

According to legend, in the late 1800s a Black railway worker named John Henry pitted himself against a mechanical steam driller—and won.  He drilled fifteen feet while the steam driller could manage only nine.  When Scott Reynolds Nelson began to research John Henry he didn’t know if the story was real or myth.  AIN’T NOTHING BUT A MAN (National Geographic, $18.95) weaves the story of Reynolds’s arduous, unpredictable research process and the momentous truth he uncovered. Ages 9-12.  Allie Bruce

Ever heard of “Slaughter Ball,”  “Crossing Swords,” or “Jam Pile”?  If you’d grown up as one of six Scieszka boys you would have.  In his hilarious autobiography, KNUCKLEHEAD (Viking, $16.99), author and National Children’s Book Ambassador Jon Scieszka (Stinky Cheese Man, Math Curse) shares the trials (having to watch your younger brothers), tribulations (breaking your collar bone three times!), and triumphs (getting first dibs on the recycled Halloween costumes) of growing up in a house full of boys.  Ages 9-12. Heidi Powell