Title: Activist Athletes: When Sports and Politics Mix
Call Number: 306.4 ACT
Why It Fits: Although not solely about Bethany Hamilton, this book places athletes in the context of broader cultural influence and can help frame Bethany’s story as an example of how personal courage in sports can impact social views.
1. How has she returned to surfing?
2. How has she impacted young girls?
3. How has she changed perceptions of strength?
4. How has she inspired others?
5. What is her life like now?
Title: Broca’s Brain: Reflections on the Romance of Science
Call Number: 128 SAG
Why It Fits: While not about Blackwell directly, Sagan's exploration of pioneering thinkers in science provides a valuable context for understanding the spirit of discovery and intellectual courage Blackwell embodied.
1. What was her life like during medical school?
2. What influenced her to become a doctor?
3. How did she navigate the biases against women in the medical field?
4. How did her medical training differ from others'?
5. What were her accomplishments after college?
6. What was it like when she opened her college for women?
Library Books:
Title: Nerve: Adventures in the Science of Fear
Call Number: 152.4 HOL
Why It Fits: This narrative work can provide emotional context around risk, fear, and perseverance, themes that echo Curie's handling of radioactive materials and societal scrutiny.
2. What were her childhood conditions like?
3. How did radioactivity affect her physically and mentally?
4. What was her access to education like?
5. How did she collaborate with her husband Pierre?
Title: Nerve: Adventures in the Science of Fear
Call Number: 152.4 HOL
Why It Fits: Explores how people handle fear, identity, and public expectations—ideal for understanding Lamarr’s struggle with being seen only for her appearance while conceiving breakthrough technologies.
2. Did she hate her beautiful face?
3. How did her early life shape her?
4. How did she find her passion for inventing?
5. How long did it take to invent the idea of frequency hopping?
Title: Activist Athletes: When Sports and Politics Mix
Call Number: 306.4 ACT
Why It Fits: Offers insight into athletes like Serena Williams who have used their platforms to speak out on justice, race, and gender equity, tying in well with her challenges and influence.
2. How did she get to where she is?
3. What challenges did she face during her tennis career?
5. What are her greatest successes and failures?
Title: Charles Darwin and his world, Series: Studio book
Call Number: 921 Darwin
Why It Fits: Non-fiction account of Charles Darwin with plenty of black and white pictures.
Your Questions
2. How long was it until Darwin's theory was accepted by the scientific community?
3. What kind of mental illnesses did Darwin have?
4. Why did he begin studying animals, and what motivated his science as a child?
5. What was the church’s first reaction to his theory?
Title: The Power of Style: How Fashion and Beauty Are Being Used to Reclaim Cultures
Call Number: 391 ALL
Why It Fits: While contemporary, this book ties fashion to cultural movements, resonating with Chanel's efforts to redefine femininity and class through design.
Title: 1920s Fashion: The Definitive Sourcebook
Call Number: 746 FIE
Why It Fits: Rich in visual and historical references, this source offers essential context for Chanel’s rise and the creation of her iconic 1926 Vogue-featured Little Black Dress.
1. What adversity did she face?
2. What did her life look like before she was famous?
3. Why did she start creating fashion?
4. Was she always well-liked or accepted?
5. Did she fail before she succeeded?
Title: Where to Start: A Survival Guide to Anxiety, Depression, and Other Mental Health Challenges
Call Number: 618.92 WHE
Why It Fits: Though not specific to Biles, this guide supports her theme of self-care and resilience, and can be used to frame the broader impact of her mental health advocacy.
1. Was it hard for her to become successful at such a young age?
2. What does she do to deal with pressure and nerves?
3. How does she prioritize her mental health while practicing?
4. What message does she share with young athletes?
5. What are her greatest successes and failures?
Title: Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine
Call Number: 610.92 CAM
Why It Fits: Although broader than Nightingale alone, this title situates her story within the larger movement of female medical pioneers and their legacy of overcoming systemic barriers.
Title: Revolutionary Medicine 1700–1800
Call Number: 610.9 WIL
Why It Fits: Provides historical context for 18th–19th century medical practice, key for understanding the innovations Nightingale introduced in hygiene, hospital reform, and data analysis.
1. How old was she when she began nursing and founding her school?
2. How was she raised, and how did her family respond to her career?
3. What were her biggest accomplishments?
4. What did feminism look like at the time?
5. Was she awarded or recognized for her work?
Title: Secrets of My Hollywood Life: A Novel
Call Number: FIC CAL
Why It Fits: Though fictional, this YA novel about a young actress navigating fame reflects the same pressures Portman faced—making it a strong comparative text for students examining the real-world implications of stardom at a young age.
Title: Hollywood: A Novel of America in the 1920s
Call Number: FIC VID
Why It Fits: While historical fiction, this title contextualizes the legacy of the entertainment industry that Portman now helps redefine, especially around gender and representation.
1. What specific challenges did she face while attending Harvard as a well-known actress?
2. How did she handle being doubted by herself and others?
3. How did she set boundaries and advocate for herself in the industry?
4. How did early experiences shape her role selection?
5. Has she mentored or spoken to younger actresses?
Title: See Jane Win: The Inspiring Story of the Women Changing American Politics
Call Number: 320.08 MOS
Why It Fits: While contemporary and focused on American politics, this title offers valuable parallels in women’s leadership, power dynamics, and overcoming systemic challenges—similar to what Elizabeth faced in her era.
Title: Behind the Mask of Queen Elizabeth I
Call Number: 921 Elizabeth
Why It Fits: This is a biography of the life of Queen Elizabeth and the history behind the "mask."
1. What is the historical background of the Spanish Armada?
2. What were Elizabeth I's key political and military strategies?
Title: The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature
Call Number: 204.2 JAM
Why It Fits: Written by William James, a fellow American thinker influenced by transcendentalism, this classic explores how individuals (like Thoreau) frame personal spirituality and moral vision outside of organized religion.
Title: The Nature of Nature: Why We Need the Wild
Call Number: 304.2 SAL
Why It Fits: A contemporary reflection on humanity’s relationship with wilderness, this title parallels Thoreau’s ideas about nature’s role in personal growth and philosophical insight.
3. What was he passionate about?
4. Did he marry after living alone?
5. What did he spend his time doing?
6. What was his childhood like?
7. Were cars invented during his time at Walden?
Library Books:
Title: The Civil Rights Movement
Call Number: 323.1 CIV
Why It Fits: Offers global context on civil rights struggles. Mandela’s work in South Africa parallels movements for racial justice in the U.S., helping students compare global strategies of protest and leadership.
Title: Civil Rights Advocates
Call Number: 323.1196 CIV
Why It Fits: Highlights diverse freedom fighters around the world. Mandela is featured among global figures who changed history through advocacy and nonviolent action.
1. How did Mandela go from prisoner to leader?
2. In what way did he eliminate South Africa’s apartheid system?
3. How did Mandela gain public support before and after prison?
4. Why did Mandela choose nonviolent protest (most of the time)?
5. What was Mandela initially convicted of?
Library Books:
Title: Activist Athletes: When Sports and Politics Mix
Call Number: 306.4 ACT
Why It Fits: Focuses on sports figures like LeBron who transcend athletics to speak out on race, justice, and equity. Provides a framework for analyzing how athletes shape public discourse.
1. How has LeBron James faced adversity in and out of sports?
2. What influenced and motivated him throughout his career?
3. What separates LeBron from other players?
4. How has he used his fame to advocate for social justice?
5. How has he influenced the next generation of basketball players?
Title: Activist Athletes: When Sports and Politics Mix
Call Number: 306.4 ACT
Why It Fits: While broader than just Lee, this book explores how athletes—including those like Lee and Simone Biles—confront mental and emotional expectations on a global stage.
Title: Healing Through the Vagus Nerve: Improve Your Mental Health and Resilience
Call Number: 612.8 ARM
Why It Fits: Though scientific in focus, this resource can help frame the kind of physical and emotional work elite athletes like Sunisa do when confronting setbacks and training stress.
1. Did Sunisa Lee consider retiring?
2. Where did she learn her mental techniques?
3. Were her friends supportive of her ambitions or doubtful?
4. Was she doing it just for the experience or to be competitive?
5. What made her decide to train for the second time after all she’s been through?