Dare To Dream!: 25 Extraordinary Lives

Dare To Dream!: 25 Extraordinary Lives

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Editorial Reviews

Magical heroes like Harry Potter, Spiderman, or Catwoman provide plenty of entertainment for kids, but in real life heroes are made of sterner stuff than celluloid fantasies. In this inspiring collection of biographies, critically acclaimed writer and psychologist Sandra McLeod Humphrey teaches young people that heroes were once ordinary people whose strength of character helped them to achieve extraordinary things. Starting with only their dreams, they worked hard and overcame obstacles to make their dreams come true. Some overcame physical handicaps, others psychological barriers like extreme shyness or feelings of inferiority; some faced racial discrimination or educational disadvantage, others financial burdens. In spite of these frustrations and discouragements, all of these people discovered in themselves the patience, perseverance, and determination to pursue their dreams beyond every obstacle. The message is clear: No matter who you are or where you come from, you too can accomplish extraordinary things, as long as you dare to dream and never, never, never give up!

Customer Reviews

25 biographical sketches

Reviewed by Readers Favorite, 2009-10-15

Sandra Humphrey's book Dare To Dream! 25 Extraordinary Lives was written for grades 5-7. Within the pages the reader will find 25 biographical sketches.

Sandra Humphrey begins with Abraham Lincoln. He was born in a cabin in Kentucky. He and his sister walked nine miles each way to school. Their father though school was unimportant but their mother encouraged them to read and learn. Lincoln was not considered good looking. While he was likable he was never considered gifted. Yet this man became one of the greatest Presidents in history.

A few years ago I visited Thomas Edison's home. I found it fascinating. He is another great man in Humphrey's book. Other names you will recognize are: Helen Keller, Eleanor Roosevelt, Georgia O'Keefe, Jackie Robinson and Martin Luther King, JR.
What did these 25 people have in common? They had courage. They were committed. They had patience, perseverance and determination to achieve their dream despite the odds. They were all dedicated to those around him/her.

Dare To Dream! offers encouragement. We can accomplish much if we are only will to dream and to commit to the dream.

inspired collection of dreams into reality

Reviewed by Dawn Marx, 2009-06-26

This collection of short stories about everyday people who become legends inspires my soul. Every inspiring story has its challenges and each individual rises to the occasion because the dream the goal was bigger than themselves. We all have what it takes and it's up to us to do what it takes to create our own dreams and bringing them into reality.

A jewel of a book for parents to read with kids

Reviewed by TJ Ludwig, 2009-02-07

Dare To Dream! is a fascinating collection of past and present writers, athletes, scientists, politicians, inventors, social reformers, and performers who overcame great obstacles to make a positive difference in the world. What I found wonderful about this book is that it generated wonderful conversations with my kids. For example, my 11-year-old told me how surprised he was to find out that even heroes had learning problems in school. These heroes weren't good at everything they did and much of their successes came from learning from their mistakes. Eureka! These are the kind of heroes we need as role models for our youth--not the superficial celebrities glamorized by entertainment shows and magazines. I highly recommend this book!

heroes

Reviewed by F. Hutton, 2009-02-03

Good selection of heroes. Information is fairly interesting, but reading level is high. I am using it with students who need to be motivated, and the vocabulary is difficult for them.

Fascinating and Inspirational

Reviewed by Karen Zemek, 2008-03-30

This is an interesting book of short biographical sketches of 25 people who overcame obstacles to reach their dreams. I found it to be both inspirational and fascinating! It includes people from the 1800's to the present with various dreams. I especially found the fact that many overcame poverty and disabilities to accomplish their dreams. I enjoyed reading about the people I've heard of but also about the ones I didn't hear about before reading this book. It encourages the reader to have a dream, commit to it and never give up. I recommend this to any young person.

--Karen Arlettaz Zemek, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry"