Real Life Heroes

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--covering historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln and Helen Keller as well as contemporary figures such as Toni Morrison and Michael Jordan--critically acclaimed writer and psychologist Sandra McLeod Humphrey teaches young people that heroes were once ordinary people whose strength of character helped them achieve extraordinary things. Her 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!

What people are saying

"For may of our young people, they have only celebrities to observe and pattern their lives after. Sandra Humphrey's new book Dare to Dream! presents 25 ordinary people who have accomplished extraordinary things. While many celebrities are only interested in fame and image, the people in her book were focused on character and service. The role models in Dare to Dream! provide a 'north star' that brings meaning and purpose to young people everywhere. Readers will be challenged to avoid the chameleon mentality of living only for themselves as they read about people who truly lived their lives for others."

Gene Bedley
PTA National Educator of the Years

"In Dare to Dream! you will find stories of individuals from all walks of life who've become heroes because they held firmly to their beliefs and worked hard to realize their dreams.

"We encourage every young reader of this book to do both. By believing in yourself and reaching for the stars, not only will you achieve your goals, you will become exactly who you want to be -- and someone who deserves and receives the respect of family, friends, and peers."

"In our current media driven society, too many of our children lack authentic heroes. They are instead mesmerized and duped by the glorification of celebritism, wealth, and fame. Sandra Humphrey's inspirational new book Dare to Dream! provides a viable alternative by chronicling the lives of exemplary individuals, both contemporary and historic, whose lives and life-lessons should be admired and emulated. It is the type of book all young people need to read."

Philip Bigler Director
he Madison Center James Madison University
1998 National Teacher of the Year

"Dare to Dream! is the kind of book for young people that I 'dare to dream' about. Instead of emphasizing just sports and entertainment and lifestyles of the rich and famous as so much of the media does, it talks about the choices and hard work that were involved in creating success in the lives of many well-known individuals who faced substantial obstacles in their lives. We all face such obstacles, and our reaction to them will determine the course of our lives. I believe that this book will make that point quite easily to young people, and I hope it will become a staple in middle schools throughout the country."

Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., M.D. Professor and Director of Pediatric Neursosurgery John Hopkins Medicine

"Every youth, regardless of background, needs one thing: HOPE! Dare to Dream! conveys through real life stories of well know, accomplished people from all walks of life and every form of diversity that even humps and bumps, deep valleys, and wide rivers on life's road need not diminish dreams or delimit destiny. Readers will immediately identify with the attention-grabbing titles for the stories because they convey the pain, frustration, and challenges youth experience in the 21st Century. Each story stands on its own but has tremendous cumulative impact. Words flow easily and stories unfold gracefully. The author succeeds marvelously through story form in helping to make hope become a reality in the lives of our youth today."

Dr. Donald Draayer National Superintendent of the Year, 1990

"Every young person needs a hero. All kids need someone who will stand by them, coach them when they have a tough decision to make, help them keep their priorities in order, hold them accountable for their words and actions, and generally be their #1 cheerleader. Dare to Dream! does just this. It gives our young people real heroes they can respect and emulate."

Dr. Terry Hitchcock Executive Director, The Heroes and Dreams Foundation

2010 Gold Legacy Award for Juvenile/Young Adult Nonfiction
Young Voices Foundation