Heroes for My Daughter: Real-Life Role Models—Trailblazing Women in Science, Culture, and Social Change

by Brad Meltzer

In this companion to his acclaimed and inspirational bestseller, Heroes for My Son, national bestselling novelist Brad Meltzer brings together the stories of fifty-five remarkable individuals, from intellectual explorers such as Marie Curie, Sally Ride, and Jane Goodall to cultural champions like Billie Jean King; from implacable public figures such as Rosa Parks and Winston Churchill to artistic icons such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Stevie Wonder; and beyond. Heroes for My Daughter is Meltzer’s collection of inspirational, real-life figures for his daughter, and yours, to learn how to lead a powerful, motivated, fulfilling life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Parenting, History, Inspirational, Childrens, Biography Memoir

149 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 10, 2012

About the author

Brad Meltzer is the Emmy-nominated, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lightning Rod, The Escape Artist, and eleven other bestselling thrillers. He also writes non-fiction books like The JFK Conspiracy, about a secret plot to kill JFK before he was sworn in – and the Ordinary People Change the World kids book series, which he does with Chris Eliopoulos and inspired the PBS KIDS TV show, Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. His newest kids books are We are the Beatles, We are the Beatles, and I am Simone Biles. His newest inspirational book is Make Magic, based on his viral commencement address.

In addition to his fiction, Brad is one of the only authors to ever have books on the bestseller list for Non-Fiction (The Nazi Conspiracy), Advice (Heroes for My Son and Heroes for My Daughter), Children’s Books (I Am Amelia Earhart and I Am Abraham Lincoln) and even comic books (Justice League of America), for which he won the prestigious Eisner Award.

He is also the host of Brad Meltzer’s Lost History and Brad Meltzer’s Decoded on the History Channel, and is responsible for helping find the missing 9/11 flag that the firefighters raised at Ground Zero, making national news on the 15th anniversary of 9/11. Meltzer unveiled the flag at the 9/11 Museum in New York, where it is now on display. See the video here. The Hollywood Reporter recently put him on their list of Hollywood’s 25 Most Powerful Authors.

He also recently delivered the commencement address at the University of Michigan, in front of 70,000 people, including his graduating son. Entitled Make Magic and called “one of the best commencement addresses of all time,” it’s been shared millions of times across social media. Do yourself a favor, watch it here and buy the book here.

For sure, it’s tough to find anyone being so successful in so many different mediums of the popular culture. But why does Brad thrive in all these different professions? His belief that ordinary people change the world. It is that core belief that runs through every one of his projects.

His newest thriller, The Lightning Rod, brings back characters Nola and Zig in a setting that will blow your mind (you won't believe where the government let Brad go). For now, we'll say this: What's the one secret no one knows about you? It's about to come out. Nearly 2,000 five-star reviews. Raves by everyone from the Wall Street Journal, to James Patterson, to Brad's mother-in-law. Plus that twist at the end! And yes, the new Zig & Nola thriller is coming soon!

His newest non-fiction book, The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Kennedy -- and Why It Failed, which he wrote with Josh Mensch, is a true story about a secret assassination plot to kill JFK at the start of his Presidency and, if successful, would’ve changed history.

His illustrated children’s books I Am Amelia Earhart and I Am Abraham Lincoln, which he does with artist Chris Eliopoulos, were written for his own children, to give them better heroes to look up to. Try them. You won’t believe how inspired you and your family will be. Some of our favorites in the series are I am Mister Rogers and I am Dolly Parton.

His other non-fiction books, Heroes for My Son and Heroes for My Daughter, are collections of heroes – from Jim Henson to Sally Ride — that he’s been working on since the day his kids were born and is on sale now, as well as History Decoded: The 10 Greatest Conspiracies of All Time.

He’s also one of the co-creators of the TV show, Jack & Bobby.

Raised in Brooklyn and Miami, Brad is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Columbia Law School. The Tenth Justice was his first published work and became an instant New York Times bestseller. Dead Even followed a year later and also hit the New York Times bestseller list, as have all thirteen of his novels. The First Counsel came next, which was about a White House lawyer dating the President’s daughter, then The Millionaires, which was about two brothers who

Reviews

[𝓒𝓸𝓯𝓯𝓮𝓮₊˚.🎧 ✩｡☕(zoey’s version) notifications problem · Rating 5 out of 5]

i forgot about this book for a while.

i do not normally read non fiction btw.

this book holds a very special place in my heart. my dad got this for me when i was obsessed with brad meltzers “i am” books. this book has so many amazing heroes from the past and they teach a lesson. i love my dad so much for getting me this.

i don’t have a big heart for non fiction but this book just makes me feel amazing.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb! This book might be better than Meltzer's "Heroes for my Son"!

There are lots of great "famous" heroes included, but I think some of the best heroes are / were the regular everyday people who did inspiring things. I am not going to tell you what these people did and why Meltzer chose them -- you will have to read the book yourself, but here are some of Meltzer's heroes that I, too, found inspiring:

Champions, Mallory Holtman & Liz Wallace -- their story actually brought tears to my eyes. They show that there is still good in the world and that there are still kids who are being raised right.

Joan Ganz Cooney (JGC), a true visionary. "It's not whether children learn from television, it's what children learn from television, because everything that children see on television is teaching them something." -- JGC

Comedian, Carol Burnett -- Words fail me for all that Carol Burnett has done.

Dreamer, Alex Scott -- another tearful essay!

Revolutionary, Abigail Adams -- Comparatively, when I compare Abigail Adams with the revolutionaries of today, this is not a word I would use to describe her, but when compared with others of her time, I'm sure that this is an apt description.

"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy." -- Anne Frank

Truth Teller and Trailblazer, Judy Blume

Adventurer, Sacajawea, a 17-year old woman when she served as a guide for the Lewis & Clark expedition. How many 17-year olds do you know today that could do what she did?

Conservationist, Theodore Roosevelt -- He is the only person who has won both the Medal of Honor, which he won for war, and the Nobel Peace Prize. As America's first conservationist President, Roosevelt established more than 100 million acres of forest, five (5) new national parks, and eighteen (18) national monuments, including the Grand Canyon National Monument in Arizona. I share these facts because this week is National Park Week in the United States.

"Just because a man lacks the use of eyes doesn't mean he lacks vision." -- Stevie Wonder

Nancy G. Brinker -- Sister -- In 1980, Nancy Brinker lost her sister. Before her sister, Suzy passed away, she exacted a promise from her sister. You will find her story on pp. 40-41 of this book.

Rule Breaker, Sheila Spicer -- Even though she's retired now, she shows that there are teachers out there who do care and are not just "here" to collect a pay check and get their summers off. She made a difference in one man's life. I'm sure there were others, as well!

I posted this quote on my Facebook page last night. It says it all! "You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life." -- Winston Churchill

Survivor, Tina Turner -- Wow! Now, hers is an inspiring story, and surprisingly, it really has nothing to do with her music.

Subversives, The Three Stooges -- Fascinating!

"It's the little things citizens do. That's what will make the difference. My little thing is planting trees. -- Wangari Maathai, a force of nature in Kenya

Dolly Parton and her Imagination Library -- as a child raised in Appalachia, this story was truly inspiring.

Pioneer, Branch Rickey -- Today's children and younger adults (including me) cannot imagine the game of baseball being played only by white players. Often, it is the black / latin players who we pay to watch! Thank-you Branch Rickey for introducing us to Jackie Robinson, the man who broke the color barrier in baseball!

"Love yourself first and everything falls into line." -- Lucille Ball

"In a gentle way, you can shake the world." -- Mahatma Gandhi

A heartbreaking story -- The Heroes of United Flight 93 became famous because of what they did together in the face of adversity.

Randy Pausch, truly inspiring -- In the face of death, he spoke about living to millions of people.

Altogether, an inspiring, well-written set of essays.

Do you have people in your life who have made a difference?

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As many have noted, including the author, this is an unusually personal book. He wrote a book to his daughter about people she should consider heroes to look up to. This included his mother and his grandmother. And his wife. What was fascinating was that often the snippet of life that he spoke about with the other famous women and men were not the things that they were known for but times they went out of their way to support a position, or simply be kind. I cried my way through most of these snippets, all of which are one page long. I love how many people who are not conventionally thought of as famous ended up in this book! Highly recommended.

[L.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Posted First on Blog Critics

Our children are a precious commodity. Given what we know from our own experiences we want to lift them past the mistakes we have made, and help to elevate them to the level of greatness within them. Often we are never sure how to proceed, so we look for answers to help them grow.

In Heroes for My Daughter by Brad Meltzer he has supplied a group of heroes, lovingly chosen for his own young child. That he would share his own secret to helping her move forward is a wonderful and loving thing by itself. While we are often heroes to our children, we often neglect to tell them that they are heroes to us as well. To watch them grow and develop into outstanding adulthood is the stuff dreams are made of. Meltzer has chosen to fill his story with the people he sees as setting the examples that make them more, and he explains in his terms how he feels about their exploits.

The stories and descriptions are brave, courageous and full of the strength we often look for in ourselves, and hope we can instill in our families. He runs the gambit from Marie Curie to Christopher Reeve, from Tina Turner to Leonardo Da Vinci. You may not initially understand his choices but he does a wonderful job of explaining, and darned if he does not get you to agree. In his group of 56 heroes, I was surprised to find that I was not aware of many of the accomplishments of this group of erstwhile people. While I only listed a few of the names included, you may deduce that they are all rich or famous, and yet Meltzer went beyond that and introduced us to the everyday hero as well. They have each individually made a mark on the world in some form, which still resonates today.

I was both charmed and intrigued with the works and found myself unable to put it down until I recognized every single hero and the scope of their courage and accomplishments that put them there. What I found was that while this book is written for his daughter and would be a very excellent choice of gift to start and move them on their journey, it is also a reminder of what we all can still accomplish.

I believe this would be a wonderful book for any library, child or adult. I felt much solace as I read through the exploits of those listed, and will make a place for this where I can pull it out when I am feeling in need of support and encouragement. I believe it would be a fantastic book for a reading or discussion group, opinions on the heroes and their accomplishments could create some extensive discussions.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the title suggests, Brad Meltzer wrote the book Heroes for my Daughter for his daughter. This collection contains brief commentary on many great heroes, from scientists to athletes to Meltzer’s own grandmother. But that isn’t what makes it beautiful. This book is beautiful because of the love with which it was written – every page represents a great attribute that Meltzer wants his daughter to emulate, every hero is the sort of person that his daughter might someday become. Perhaps the common thread connecting these men and women is perseverance. These people were not born to greatness, nor were they necessarily endowed with superior ability. Rather, the majority of heroes in this book are heroic because they were ordinary people who pushed themselves to extraordinary heights. Lucille Ball, who grew up in a home where mirrors were banned, dared to find the humor in silly facial expressions. Billie Jean King, who won a tennis match against a male opponent, proved wrong the thousands of naysayers who said that women were incapable of winning against men. This collection even provides little-known information about many of these famous heroes, offering more reasons to admire these wonderful individuals. From civil rights activists who fought against seemingly insurmountable odds to softball players who embody an awe-inspiring level of sportsmanship, this book reminds us to find the best within ourselves. Never let anyone else tell you what you are or are not capable of doing. Never stop trying. If this is the message that Brad Seltzer is sending to his six-year-old daughter, I imagine that she, too, will turn out just fine. I received this book for free from Goodreads Firstreads Giveaways.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book.

Meltzer features a number of people that he believes is noteworthy and writes a short page on each of them. What is different is that he clearly is writing to his audience - his daughter, Lila. What Abraham Lincoln is best known for might not be what he concentrates his character essay on. He is using each of these people, both past and present, to highlight characteristics he wants his daughter to value. Most of them have a common thread. They saw a need and made a difference by doing something. One person can make a difference. It may not be earth shattering. Meltzer includes his 9th grade English teacher. She's not famous and is relatively unknown. But her influence fostered Meltzer's writing spirit.

Nancy, Susan G. Komen's sister made a promise as Susan lay dying of cancer. She'd help find a cure. Today the Susan G. Komen foundation is the most powerful breast cancer organizations, raising millions of dollars for research and uniting women all across the nation. I should know. I don a pink t-shirt and participate every year with my daughters, my sisters and their daughters, and my one breasted mother.

Each essay is short, sweet, and written in language that a child would understand and an adult will cherish. Short sentences. Clear and concise. Powerful. Wonderful.

[cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intrigued by this book and opted to recieve an advance reader's edition from Harper because I liked the concept. Meltzer provides a series of short biographies of men and women that he hopes will serve as heroes and impart life lessons to his young daughter. The writing is very simple and I can see it being a book that a parent shares with a young child by reading a couple of sections each night. Meltzer chooses interesting and varied heroes, many of them will be familiar to the reader although they are not always chosen for the reasons the reader would initially expect.


It is tough to put a rating on this book simply because it isn't a typical style and it doesn't have a typical mission. The writing felt a bit simplistic but I think that's done with reason so don't feel like it should be a source of penalty. I think it could have had some more unfamiliar characters but it is an admirable concept and there are some wonderful profiles included. For the sake of the review sites, I'll mark it at four stars. I think it does a good job of conveying its message, I'm just not the intended audience.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. Readers may not agree with all of Meltzer's picks for heroes to hold up for young women, but he does a great job of tying these men and women's biographies into beautiful examples for his daughter and young women.

The biographies are not exhaustive by any means, but this book gives you quotes by the people and a nice taste of what makes these people special. Some of my personal heroes such as Helen Keller and Clara Barton are in here, but I was pleased to see Thurgood Marshall, Julia Child, and Agatha Christie, too! I also discovered a new hero for me in Wangari Maathai, 2004 Nobel Peace Prize recipient and pretty awe-inspiring woman!

Especially lovely is Meltzer's tributes to his wife, mother, and grandmother. I found my eyes full of tears thinking of my own heroes that may never grace the pages of a book but have set forth examples of character in my own life.

Highly recommended!

[Johannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Find other reviews by me: BetweenThePages

Jeremy, my boyfriend heard about this book over the radio on his way to work and then bought it for me to read as a gift. He thought since I've been taking care of my dad these past 4 years I needed a little pick me up so to speak. Something to make me feel good and it did just that! I loved this book!

I read this whole book in one day. It made me cry, but not from sad things in the book. But great things that people have done in their life. It is an inspiring read and I would highly recommend it as a graduation gift or just something nice for someone.

The stories moved me, and seeing what these other men and woman went through. I know I can accomplish great things like they did. You just have to keep trying and NEVER EVER give up. That was the main message I had gotten from the book.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone!

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My grandmother gave this book to my daughter. She is still too young to appreciate it, but I'm not.

The author wrote the book as inspiration for his own daughter, as she grew and determined the kind of person she wanted to be. Each page is a brief summary of an important woman (in the author's view), and described the reason they were considered for the book.

While most of the women profiled in the book were known to me, I did learn a few things about them I hadn't known before. I especially like that the author summarizes, on each page, what he hopes his daughter can glean from the womens' stories.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book so much I want to buy it for my own library! The letter to his daughter in the beginning is so beautiful. So many inspiring people in one book. He takes the most amazing attributes and actions of a person and highlights as examples for his daughter. Many people that I had heard of but quite a few that I hadn't. Makes me want to read more about the amazing men and women included in this book. (Would make a perfect mother/daughter gift.)

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful read. I loved it and already gave it to my daughter to read. Every person(s) that Brad Meltzer chose for this book was a wonderful inspirational for anyone to read about. I loved that Brad had quotes from or about each hero and that he had people from his life that are his heroes. Great book. I absolutely loved it.

[Dawn Fielder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book. It is a series of essays with each essay featuring a person who lived their lives in a way that displayed a certain trait the author wishes for his daughter. It is sweet, direct and includes quotes and photos.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved these short stories about heroes and I look forward to reading the book for his son as well. Enjoyed reading about some new, to me, people that are an important part of history.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with short, inspiring bios of amazing people. Read it to your children or just by yourself. I believe it will be impossible to read it and not be inspired.

[Angela Blount · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally reviewed for YA Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsnon...

3.5 Stars

A compelling concept with a lot of heart behind it. The book presents as a sort of counterpart to one of the author's other works, Heroes For My Son.

Heroes For My Daughter is made up of 57 two-page spreads of real life individuals or groups, some widely known and others more obscure, who've all left some indisputable mark on history. The layout consists of a black & white picture, a tribute explanation, and a quote. Seven blank, lined pages at the back encourage readers to write down their own personal hero's story, and leaves a designated place for said hero's picture. The author ends the collection on a personal note, including tribute sections dedicated to his grandmother, mother, and wife. As with its related book, Heroes For My Son, the general layout and excessive smallness of right-side font tends to give it more of a coffee table book feel than children's book.

For readers seeking a book with an all female cast to inspire their daughter with, I wanted to clarify: this isn't that sort of book. If The Three Stooges technically count as 3 men, then this work contains at least 16 specific male heroes--plus however many were involved in the hijacker resistance on United Flight 93.

Speaking of Flight 93... Arguably the most stunning portion of this book is dedicated to them, on a very personal note from the author. Because the flight that went down in a field was only twenty minutes from Washington D.C., where it was intended to strike either the White House, or more likely, the U.S. Capitol building. The Capitol building where the author's wife, then 8 months pregnant, was working.

This book is very closely tied to Heroes For My Son. Perhaps a little too closely--as there is exact cut-and-paste overlap in several of the hero bios between them. Mahatma Gandhi, Lucille Ball, Eleanor Roosevelt, Amelia Earhart, Rosa Parks, Abraham Lincoln, and Teri Meltzer at the very least. Although, it is difficult to tell if there are more, as the heroes are listed in no readily discernible order and there is no appendix at the end to aid in searching for them. (And yes, you will note this paragraph of my review is essentially a cut-and-pasted replica of one I used in the aforementioned related book. It seemed only fair.)

For this reader, most concerns with this book are ultimately a matter of format and delivery rather than content. I think more exclusive books called Heroines For My Daughter and one called Heroes for My Son may have been more effective. Or perhaps a simple consolidation between the two called: Heroes For My Children. Regardless, larger print and clearer organization would certainly benefit later editions.

On the whole, a worthwhile read. And potentially a good starting point to prompt more thorough researching of some of these inspiring figures.

[Dachokie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Eclectic Mix of Role Models ...

This book was reviewed as part of Amazon's Vine program which included a free advance copy of the book.

HEROES FOR MY DAUGHTER is a neat little book in which Brad Meltzer introduces fifty-five individuals he felt were appropriate role models for his young daughter. While the list of individuals Meltzer chose and his rationale in choosing them were personally directed toward his daughter, the book is diverse enough to reach a broader audience and spark a young child's interest in learning more about some remarkable people and events.

Short and sweet; 2-page chapters succinctly introduce each the "heroes" and explain why Meltzer feels they should matter to his daughter. It may be the person's role in a monumental event, a lifetime of achievement, a willingness to face adversity or an act of kindness; Meltzer outlines the specific reason he believes they are important enough to remember (and he doesn't necessarily focus on the obvious for the better-known individuals). What makes his chosen list interesting and unique is that while they are role models for his daughter, they are not all female, not all adults, not all famous and not necessarily real people. While some may scoff at the idea of the Three Stooges and Lisa Simpson making the cut, he explains why in each summary ... hinting that role models come in all forms. I especially liked the way each vignette is headed with the hero's name followed by a two or three word synopsis and a photo. The body of each summary provides the author's case for considering the individual "hero-worthy", with Meltzer oftentimes choosing to inject poetic emphasis in his explanation rather than providing a mundane Wikipedia-like entry. I particularly enjoyed the pattern of each chapter/vignette concluding with a quote for either the hero or someone associated with the hero (for example: the college softball coach commenting on selfless sportsmanship exhibited by two of his players). The inclusion of the author's own family members to the list adds a personal touch.

I found this book to be a wonderful way of introducing some amazing stories and people to my daughter. Reading a few entries to her nightly always generated a question-and-answer session following each chapter ... the book certainly sparks an interest. As with any finite list, there will be debate as to why some made the list, while others did not. But, the intent of the book is personal for the author, not universal ... and he is merely sharing his list with the reader. Yes, there are many books available that carry a similar message (role models for kids), what separates HEROES FOR MY DAUGHTER from the others is the personal touch and occasional curve-ball that Meltzer delivers with his own list of heroes.

[Kym McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darn you, Brad Meltzer! (fist pounding in the air!) Just because of you and your book, Heroes for my Daughter, I spent my entire Saturday afternoon crying like a baby! Darn you!

I love this book. It made me cry a lot. It made me think, a lot. It made me say prayers for these amazing people, a lot! This book is a keeper!

I picked up this book because I was researching Brad Meltzer. I’ve read some of his mystery/thrillers, his comic books and now his non-fiction, and I got to say, Brad, this one was the best! It touched me. I could feel your dreams and wishes for your child, and I could see how these chosen hero’s were chosen for the soul touching they did to you too.

I liked the simple two-page layout for each hero. I liked the simple story format for each of them. And I liked the quotes to end the page. But the thing that brought me into the feeling of the book, was the messages you sprinkled in the book directly to your daughter.

As I read, I saw just how much I didn’t know about many of these people. I might have known their names and a rough understanding of who they were, but you brought me in to meet them, face to face. I can’t explain it, I feel I know them now. What fairy dust did you sprinkle?

In my book reviews, I force myself to find little tweaks to improve the book, but to tell you the truth, there is not one thing that I would change in this book. It had all the important elements and then some. The simple truth, the clarity of the message and depth of connection from you to the hero’s to your daughter then to the reader. We all took a ride on your train and it was perfect.

I found inspiration in this book. I found strength in this book. I found a connection to something bigger than me, in this book. For a little book to a little girl that I don’t know, from a father that I don’t know. I’m so grateful for peeking over your shoulder as you write and read this to your little girl. Thank you for touching my soul.

Thank you, Brad. My only regret is that I wish I had a kid to write a book like this for…..

[Shanshad Whelan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got an arc of this to read and so had the pleasure of paging through this book in the last few days. The author crafted this book for his daughter, and opens the first few pages with a letter to her, explaining how this book came about and why he created it. It gives the overall presentation a very personal touch, since this is not just a "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book with feel good stories for every person who reads it. This is a book created for someone in particular yet shared with the public at large.

Overall, I think this makes the book stand out as a little more significant. Each two page spread in the book features a black and white photo or portrait of an individual whom the author has decided to include as a hero, and a brief description and story example from that person's life about what made them a hero. At the end the author gives a "life lesson" inspired by that heroic story. Many of the names in this book will be instantly recognizable to readers. They come from all walks of life, teachers, scientists, celebrities, politicians, etc. Men and women are included, although women unsurprisingly dominate this book. At the very end, Meltzer includes three very significant and personal women: His grandmother, mother and wife. This wrap up at the end brings us back to the point that the author wrote this for his daughter. At the very end there's room for the reader to add their own hero's photo and story. I'm glad this part was added to the book, because this makes for a great gift book and being able to add a personal hero will make this more significant for each reader.

[Nina Norstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today - Tomorrow - and Future . . . .


Throughout history, there are far more than some fifty-five achievers ─ as we know. However, this author gives insight into the honors of fifty-five achievers. The details are short and easy to read. There is a two- page write up for each. Behind those pages, the reader will find a pictorial showing and a brief biography of their accomplishments. The people identified in the book are Heroes in their own personal way. Those for which the author elected to speak about may not have been ones’ you or I would have readily chosen as “Heroes”. Just to list a few, we’ll learn about people that are titled as: champion; icon; comedian; visionary; adventurer; leader; conservationist; angel; lawbreaker; pot stirrer; pioneer; rebel; and the list goes on and on and on. All in all, they are (in a special way) achievers that have gifted us with their accomplishments. Whenever a person makes a difference in what they do, truly, that is a testimony. And they are somebody’s Hero. Changing a life – Taking a stand – Giving a life; whatever their cause ─ I too salute them.

Now, as a recognized author, it may not have been his best work. But the story is one to be told and would be a great gift for educational purposes. Many of those mentioned may not have made it in our schoolbooks while growing up. But, they’re positioned in this book. For that which they've achieved they are Heroic Achievers. Thanks, Brad, for bringing light to these wonderful people.

[Ben Truong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heroes for My Daughter is written by Brad Meltzer and pays homage to a collection of sixty biographical profiles of remarkable people or groups, past and present, from all over the world that shaped history irrevocably. They were ordinary people who became extraordinary. Heroes for My Daughter is a companion book to Heroes for My Son .

Meltzer has collected sixty interesting and remarkable people and each entry contains photos, quotes, a very brief biography, and vignettes that highlight the single moment that made each person great.

Diversity is the strength of this anthology. It collects men, women, historical, contemporary, athletes, actors, inventors, politicians, and so much more. The book opens up with Marie Curie and closes with Cori Flam Meltzer (Meltzer's wife) with many very interesting people in-between including the ordinary. Meltzer included Sheila Spicer, his ninth grade teacher, Dotty Rubin, his grandmother, Cori Flam Meltzer, his wife, and once again, Teri Meltzer, his mother as a hero in this book for his daughter.

All in all, Heroes for My Daughter is a wonderfully written book and a magnificent collection of mini-biographies of diverse people from all around the world and from different time periods. It is a good read and reference book for anyone who wants to learn more about remarkable people in history.

[Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I got it from the library and lunch and had it done before the end of the day.
I found out about the book because I read an article on how Meltzer's other book Heroes for My Son was being made into a movie by Adam Sandler. Then I read that Meltzer also wrote a book for his daughter, and I thought I might related to it more (after I finished this, I decided to read the one for his sons too!). So I got it from the library, and I wasn't disappointed!
I found it to have some really great stories. Some of these people we know. Some we might have forgotten ever learning about until Meltzer reminds us. And some of them we couldn't possibly forget. Even the people we don't personally know (Meltzer's mom, grandmother, and wife) are still relateable because we have our own people in our lives who are our heroes. The stories in these pages inspired me, and made me thinkg about the heroes in my own life. I do honestly believe we are all born with greatness within us, with the ability to become a hero. And if we can just remember some of the lessons in this book, we're on the right direction to living a good life, and hopefully becoming a hero to someone in our own lives.

[Sarah Bode · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick read over successful people from around the globe in the past few hundred years. I really appreciated that it focused on how they didn't give into failure. Each of these famous individuals had their own set of challenges and hurdles. Which, nearly all of them I couldn't imagine facing.

Also, the author took only two pages to cover each "Hero." Therefore, it was like an introduction to the person, going over all the major highs and lows of the person's life. There were a few people I am glad I didn't waste more time reading about and they were a few people I would love to invest more time learning of their story.

Favorite quotes:

"whether women are better than men I cannot say.... but I can say they are certainly no worse." -Golda Meir (Israel's first Prime Minister)

"No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit." -Helen Keller

"There is something at work in my soul which I do not understand. I am practically industrious - painstaking; a workman to execute with perseverance and labour: - but besides this, there is a love for the marvelous, a belief in the marvelous, intertwined in all my projects, which hurries me out of common pathways of men, even to the wild sea and unvisited regions I am about to explore." -Mary Shelley (author of Frankenstein)

[Katt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and look forward to sharing it with my own daughters.

The format of this book is simple, you have a photograph and a very simple story about why the individual featured is a hero, ending with a couple of quotes either from the person or about them. Simple but effective.

Every page was a delight. You never knew who was coming next from Dolly Parton to the Three Stooges. Some heros I would nod and say "Of course" as you saw them, others I would read to find out why or sometimes even who the hero was. Some heroes didn't even have names.

I loved this book and think it would be worthwhile to look up "Heroes for my Son" next.

The only thing I dinged this for and didn't give it five stars was that to be honest I was distracted sometimes by how the stories were addressed to his daughter, how he used "you" and I would react as the reader thinking "me? Oh wait he's not talking to me." In that sense it comes off as a series of overheard conversations that left me feeling sometimes as if I were intruding on something very personal.

Otherwise, it's a great book and I enjoyed reading it.

** This book was won in a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for an honest and fair review **

[Selena Pigoni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I heard about this book a long time ago on NPR, so I decided to read it. I was curious who Brad Meltzer would think of as good heroes for his daughter.

That's exactly what this book is. Meltzer published this book for his daughter, and everything is written with her in mind. Everything is written to her. So for people who aren't his daughter, there were people who just made me go, "So?"

"Heroes for My Daughter" includes both well-known heroes (Hellen Keller), famous people you wouldn't think of as heroes (The Three Stooges), and "personal" heroes, like Meltzer's grandmother or his 9th grade English teacher.

This book contains blurbs about the people who Brad Meltzer thinks should be heroes for his daughter. White I never outright disagreed with his choices, there were a few blurbs where I felt he missed what made certain people "heroes." Like Sacajawea. "She didn't wait for someone to rescue her. She came to the rescue." His example was her saving their gear. She did a whole lot more than just rescuing stuff from a tipped canoe (even if that was important)! There are better examples of her saving their butts. I wish he would have mentioned a few of the other things she'd done.

[Gemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the uniqueness of this book, in the sense that it adds a personal touch to a collection of biographies of inspiring individuals.

The collection is quite comprehensive and diverse, including people from different backgrounds, races, societal roles, etc. (and even realities - Lisa Simpson is featured as a "role model" for taking action to create her own doll based on intelligence rather than superficial appearance). As the title suggests, the subjects are ordinary people who have since gained recognition and fame. Though each subject could be considered a role model, each has its own "label": ex. Joan Ganz Cooney = Visionary, Audrey Hepburn = Icon, Branch Rickey = Pioneer.

The paragraphs of information for each subject are short, giving a short synopsis of how/why that person has since become famous or deserves recognition, and interspersed with the author's own reflections to his daughter. While at first I wondered whether this narrative style weakened the book's content, I actually think that it helps draw readers in, and make personal connections to the subjects.

I definitely recommend this for readers 6 up. It would make a great read-aloud for parents and children, for classroom discussion, or for individual enjoyment!

[Nikki Wilde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may be a little biased as Brad Meltzer is one of my favorite authors but this book was inspiring. Meltzer just has a way with words. He's an amazing author.

I'm not sure there are enough words to say about this book. The messages to his daughter that seemed oh so personal to the inspiring heroes inside. The way he tells these life stories had me tearing up at almost all of them. It really made me want to be a better person. To strive for the unattainable.

The first story of Marie Curie, just wow. When he say's she could have stopped there, she'd accomplished enough. I'll never forget that. It makes me want to be better at what I do. I know it sounds kind of cheesy but this book was that affecting.

Heroes for my Daughter makes me want to have children, just so I can read this to them. I'm planning on getting Heroes for my Son. I'm also planning on telling everyone I know and even those I don't about this book.

[MaryKay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book. I enjoyed reading it and discussing it with my spouse. Meltzer’s book includes people I already admire (e.i. Eleanor Roosevelt and Sojourner Truth) and others I’m glad to be introduced to (Wangari Maathai and Alex Scott). Meltzer also described aspects of some of his featured heroes' lives that I was unaware of (the three stooges and Ella Fitzgerald).

I like the personal touch in his choices of heroes for his daughter. I’ve been reflecting on who I might choose to include if I were to create a similar book. I don’t pretend to have the writing skills to produce a similar book, but I might be able to self-publish a simple calendar for myself. I’m considering the title “Women who Changed the World” for my calendar.

While pondering the calendar project, I have even greater appreciation for the thoughtfulness that Meltzer demonstrates in this book. His thoughts about his heroes are nicely focused and concise.

[T.L. Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brad Meltzer's Heroes for My Daughter is an excellent book for girls and boys alike! His short biographies of each person in the book spark the imagination, inspire confidence, and uplift spirits. He includes famous people and people from his own life giving all equal weight thereby demonstrating that everyone has the potential for greatness inside them. Heroes for My Daughter often made me want to know more about the people Meltzer included. His way of writing directly to his daughter makes the book feel intimate, sweet, and, perhaps, a tad like looking in on a private moment between father and daughter. About a third of the way through the book, I started making a mental list of all the girls I'd like to buy a copy of Heroes for My Daughter if I could afford it. I also realized there are a few boys I'd like to buy it for as well, so it's more a book of heroes whose life stories will benefit all children and even adults!

[Geri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book free through Goodreads First Reads and picked it up today from my po box. Opened the package and flipped through it. Several pages caught my eye and I ended up reading the whole book in the post office parking lot. What a wonderful book. One of my favorites is page 84. The Heroes of United Flight 93. It made me cry when I saw it. Whenever the anniversary for 9-11 comes around I never hear anyone remembering how brave the people were on that plane. They only talk about the other planes involved. I'm so glad you included them. There were several people I was glad to see in this book and a several that surprised me. Thank you for sharing a book you wrote for your daughter with all of us. Even though my daughter is an adult I'm going to send her a copy. You're never to old to find a hero.