Best Biographies Series (2026): 5 Books Compared

When a young reader finishes one biography and asks for another just like it, the best biographies series is the one with the next book ready on the shelf. We compared five books from the Who HQ biography series by reading age, grade level, page count, edition and what each description covers, using only what each listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Harriet Tubman by McDonough	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Who Was Dolly Parton? by Kelley	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Abraham Lincoln by Pascal	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Who Was Anne Frank? by Abramson	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Amelia Earhart by Jerome	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Harriet Tubman by McDonough

Yona Zeldis McDonough·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 112-page Who HQ biography of Harriet Tubman for readers in grades 3 to 7.

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Pros

• 112 pages from Penguin Workshop, published September 3, 2019, the newest edition here
• Reading age 7 to 9 years and grade level 3 to 7 are both stated
• Covers Tubman's escape and Underground Railroad work, per the description

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers, not the publisher
• Description mentions whipping and a near-killing; parents should preview
• No illustration count is stated

2

Who Was Dolly Parton? by Kelley

True Kelley·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 113-page Who HQ biography of Dolly Parton for readers ages 8 to 11.

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Pros

• 113 pages, the longest book here
• Reading age 8 to 11 years and grade level 3 to 7 are both stated
• Black-and-white illustrations throughout, per the description

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers, not the publisher
• Published April 3, 2014, older than the Tubman edition
• No illustration count is stated

3

Abraham Lincoln by Pascal

Janet B. Pascal·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 112-page Who HQ biography of Abraham Lincoln with over 100 illustrations, for grades 3 to 7.

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Pros

• Over 100 black-and-white illustrations and maps are stated
• 112 pages, reading age 7 to 10 years and grade level 3 to 7
• Covers Lincoln's life from a farming family to the presidency, per the description

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers, not the publisher
• Description mentions assassination; parents should preview
• Published November 20, 2008

4

Who Was Anne Frank? by Abramson

Ann Abramson·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 112-page Who HQ biography of Anne Frank with maps and diagrams, for readers ages 7 to 10.

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Pros

• 112 pages with maps and diagrams for historical reference
• Reading age 7 to 10 years and grade level 3 to 7 are both stated
• Covers Anne Frank's life before and during hiding, per the description

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers, not the publisher
• Published January 18, 2007, the second oldest edition here
• Description covers the Holocaust; parents should preview

5

Amelia Earhart by Jerome

Kate Boehm Jerome·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 106-page Who HQ biography of Amelia Earhart for readers ages 7 to 10.

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Pros

• 106 pages on Earhart's record flights and 1937 disappearance
• Reading age 7 to 10 years and grade level 3 to 7 are both stated
• Illustrated edition, per the spec table

Cons

• Published November 11, 2002, the oldest edition here
• Reading age is marked as from customers, not the publisher
• Shortest book here at 106 pages

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More picks to compare

• Who Is Simone Biles? by LohFor readers wanting a current sports biography; 56 pages, ages 8 to 10.Check on Amazon
• Who Was…? Set of 12For building a shelf of biographies; 12-book paperback set.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level. All five picks list both a reading age, marked as from customers, and a grade level of 3 to 7. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best biographies series

Match the reading age to the reader

All five list grade level 3 to 7. The listed reading ages run 7 to 10 years on the Frank, Earhart and Lincoln books, 7 to 9 on the Tubman and 8 to 11 on the Parton, each marked as from customers. Start a younger reader on the Tubman and hand the Parton to an older one.

Series or standalone

Each book covers one person, so any order works; a reader who finishes the Tubman can jump to the Lincoln without missing anything. For adult biography readers, see our best biographies in history list.

Check the edition

Publication dates here run from 2002 on the Earhart to 2019 on the Tubman. Newer editions can mean updated back matter, so confirm the date on the listing before buying for a classroom. For more uplifting picks, see best uplifting biographies.

Before you buy

• Check the publication date on the listing; editions here range from 2002 to 2019.
• Each book covers one person, so readers can start with any subject that interests them.
• Compare the listed reading age, marked as from customers, against the reader; all five list grade level 3 to 7.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should a young reader start with the Who Was? series?

Anywhere. Each book covers one person, so start with the subject that interests the reader; the Tubman is the newest edition here, published in 2019.

What ages are these biographies for?

The listings give reading ages of 7 to 10 years on the Frank, Earhart and Lincoln books, 7 to 9 on the Tubman and 8 to 11 on the Parton, each marked as from customers, with grade level 3 to 7 on all five.

Do these biography books have illustrations?

The Lincoln lists over 100 black-and-white illustrations and maps, the Frank lists maps and diagrams, the Parton lists black-and-white illustrations throughout, and the Earhart is an illustrated edition. The Tubman listing states no illustration count.

Still deciding? Our top pickHarriet Tubman by McDonough

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Related lists

See every history and biography list and all nonfiction lists.

More lists: history and biography books, biographies in history and uplifting biographies.