leadership dot #1982: young readers

The New York Times has new series of books to help young readers learn about important people and historical events. I saw a display of all of them and wanted to read them myself.

Two things I found fascinating: first, who/what was on the list, and secondly, what one book sold out first.

The list includes some of the usual suspects like Rosa Parks, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, but then brings in Malala Yousafzai, Jane Goodall, George Lucas and J.K. Rowling. The events/places that are featured are the Declaration of Independence, the Underground Railroad, Ellis Island, D-Day and the Twin Towers.

Which book is missing? Amelia Earhart!

It would make a fascinating icebreaker for your next gathering to have participants list which people they would feature in a series for young readers limited to 20 titles. Who are the people or what are the events that provide a historical context for youth to understand? Who can serve as an inspiration or provide context for who we are today?

Or you could provide this list and ask what is missing: Martin Luther King, Jr., the Civil War, Pearl Harbor, Thomas Jefferson, Jonas Salk, Katharine Graham, Henry Ford, Katherine Johnson or the Electoral College. Or go deeper by asking “why” something/someone is included – or not.

There are many ways to turn the young reader series into a thought-provoking discussion for people of all ages – Happy thinking!