Henry Clay (born Hanover County, Virginia, 1777; died Washington, DC, June 29, 1852) was a politician. He was elected to the House of Representatives for six terms, and most of that time he was Speaker of the House. He also served in the Senate for almost twenty years. Clay wanted to be president, but he was never elected. He is remembered as saying, “I would rather be right than be president.”
Beverly Cleary (born McMinnville, Oregon, 1916; died Carmel Valley, California, March 25, 2021) wrote more than 30 books for children and young adults. She wrote, among other works, Dear Mr. Henshaw, which received the 1984 Newbery Medal. She also wrote the Ramona series. Over 91 million of her books were sold! Children can visit her website at: Beverly Cleary.
Tammy Duckworth (born Bangkok, Thailand, 1968) is a US Senator from Illinois. She is the first female double amputee in the Senate, and the first Senator to give birth while in office. Before she entered politics, she had been a helicopter pilot in the Iraq War. Children can learn more at: Tammy Duckworth. They could also read A Life of Service: The Story of Senator Tammy Duckworth, by Dow Phumiruk.
Bernhard August “Hardie” Gramatky, Jr. (born Dallas, Texas, 1907; died Westport, Connecticut, April 29, 1979) was an artist. He also wrote and illustrated several children’s books, including Little Toot. Children can learn more at: Hardie Gramatky.
Lyman Hall
Lyman Hall (born Wallingford, Connecticut, 1724; died Burke County, Georgia, October 19, 1790) signed the Declaration of Independence. He represented Georgia. Born in Connecticut, he studied to become a doctor. He moved to Georgia and established a medical practice. During the Revolutionary War, the British destroyed his rice plantation; he fled with his family back to Connecticut. After the war he returned to Georgia, and ultimately he became governor of the state. Children could learn more at: Lyman Hall.
Paul Showers (born Sunnyside, Washington, 1910; died Orange, Massachusetts, January 17, 1999) wrote about 25 science-related books for children. His books include Sleep is for Everyone and How You Talk.
Gary Soto (born Fresno, California, 1952) writes poetry for adults and fiction for children. His poetry includes A Simple Plan, and his children’s books include Too Many Tamales and the Chato series. Children can visit his website at: Gary Soto.