Joe Louis, athlete
May 13, 1914-Apr. 12, 1981
Joe Louis: America’s Fighter by David A. Adler, illustrated by Terry Widener (Gulliver, 2005)
After seeing boxers at a gym, Louis found his calling. He was known as the "Brown Bomber."
Read more about Louis at his Official Site.
Arthur Sullivan, musician
May 13, 1842-November 22, 1900
Lives of the Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1993)
Half of the popular Gilbert & Sullivan duo, Sullivan was an English composer who first worked with Gilbert in 1871.
Visit the Gilbert and Sullivan Archive at Boise State today.
Ritchie Valens, musician
May 13, 1941-February 3, 1959
Shake, Rattle & Roll: The Founders of Rock & Roll by Holly George-Warren, illustrated by Laura Levine (Houghton Mifflin, 2001)
Valens was the California music sensation and singer of Donna and La Bamba. He was the first Mexican-American rock and roll star. Unfortunately he died in a small plane crash along with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper.
Go to the Ritchie Valens Official Web Site for information on his life, his music and his family.
Stevie Wonder, musician
May 13, 1950-
Little Stevie Wonder by Quincy Troupe, illustrated by Lisa Cohen (Houghton Mifflin, 2005)
Written in free verse, this picture book about singing great Stevie Wonder will make readers cheer. The gifted African-American artist who is visually impaired is an inspiration to all.
Dissertations, theses and papers published about Wonder, songs, tours/appearances and awards are posted on the Stevie Wonder World of Wonder site hosted in the UK.
