Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became the 24th president of Liberia in 2006. She won the 2005 elections and was re-elected in 2011. She, with Leymah Gbowee of Liberia and Tawakel Karman of Yemen, received the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize for their nonviolent work to help women. Educated in the United States, Sirleaf is the first elected female head of state of an African country. Her term of office ended January 22, 2018.
Soyuz 4 and Soyuz 5, both Soviet space craft, docked and conducted the first transfer of crew members in space in 1969. The transfer actually happened through a space walk. The transfer was successful, but the return of Soyuz 5 was truly amazing. The cosmonaut in Soyuz 5 barely survived a landing that would make a great movie. Idea: The children could research the problems of space docking and returning to earth.
Dizzy Dean (born Jay Hanna Dean in Lucas, Arkansas, 1911; died Reno, Nevada, July 17, 1974) was a baseball pitcher and a baseball game announcer. Idea: Sports announcing is difficult. Record a baseball game. Replay it, but eliminate the sound. Have children try to be the commentators.
Marla Frazee (born Los Angeles, California, 1958) writes and illustrates books for children. She earned a 2009 Caldecott Honor Award for A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever. She also earned a 210 Caldecott Honor Award for All the World. Children can learn more at: Marla Frazee.
Robert Lipsyte (born New York, New York, 1938) is a sports journalist and a writer of sports books for juveniles. His works include Center Field and Yellow Flag. He received the 2001 Margaret A. Edwards Award for Lifetime Achievement. Young adults can visit his website at: Robert Lipsyte.
Kate McMullan (born Saint Louis, Missouri, 1947) writes books for children. Her books include Fluffy the Classroom Guinea Pig and the Myth-O-Mania Series. Children can visit her website at: Kate McMullan.
Rebecca Stead (born New York, New York, 1968) writes books for children and young adults. Her book When You Reach Me received the 2010 Newbery Medal. Children should visit her very interesting website at: Rebecca Stead.