Beccia, Carlyn. 10 at 10: The Surprising Childhoods of Ten Remarkable People. Carlyn Beccia, Illus. Biography. Carolrhoda, 04/2022. 56pp. $19.99. 978-1-5415-4500-7. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES 3-6.
Ten people from various countries and cultures are profiled in this collective biography, including scientists Albert Einstein and Eugenie Clark, athletes Roberto Clemente and Andre the Giant, actors Audrey Hepburn and Bruce Lee, and others. They represent a wide ethnic background, including Yankton Sioux leader Zitkala-Sa, artist Frida Kahlo from Mexico, and African Americans Louis Armstrong and Raven Wilkinson. The connecting theme is that all of them struggled in their youth, when they were about 10 years of age, which is the same age as the likely audience for the book. Each profile is about three pages in length, complete with a brief timeline, a full-page portrait, and spot art. The full-color, mixed-media illustrations resemble gouache paintings, showing each person doing activities related to their professions. Each profile has enough information for a short report, but it is more likely the book will inspire readers to find out more about each individual.
Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool