Synopses & Reviews
Over the course of history, famous people made mistakes that were so monumental they could never escape them, no matter how brilliant their successes! Ferdinand Magellan is credited as the first man to sail around the world . . . but he only actually made it halfway. His terrible treatment of everyone he met cut his life journey short. Queen Isabella of Spain is remembered for financing Columbuss expeditions—and for creating the Spanish Inquisition. J. Bruce Ismay commissioned the unsinkable marvel of the sea, the Titanic—and then jumped the line of women and children to escape death on a lifeboat. Readers will be fascinated well past the final curtain and will empathize with the flawed humanity of these achievers.
Famous successful “failures” include:
Marco Polo • Queen Isabella of Spain • King Montezuma II • Anne Boleyn • Ferdinand Magellan • Isaac Newton • Benedict Arnold • George Armstrong Custer • Vincent Van Gogh • Susan B. Anthony • Thomas Alva Edison • J. Bruce Ismay • Amelia M. Earhart • Joseph Jefferson Jackson (“Shoeless Joe”)
Review
"This all-too-informative study deserves the wild popularity it will without a doubt acquire." —Booklist, starred review on How They Croaked
"Engaging, informative and downright disgusting." —Kirkus Reviews, on How They Croaked
"Expect this one to be passed around and poured over." —School Library Journal, on How They Croaked
"Carried away on a swift-flowing stream of body fluids, medical ineptitude, and O'Malley's deliciously snarky artwork, kids will agree they got exactly what they came for." —BCCB, on How They Croaked
Awards for How They Croaked: Texas Lone Star List, ALA Notable Book, ALA Quick Pick List, IRA Young Adults Reading List, Bank Street Best Book of the Year
Review
"An insightful, informative narrative explaining how these individuals earned a place in history, including both their accomplishments and embarrassing and sometimes-tragic failures . . . Readers will be entertained and fascinated by the flawed humanity depicted within." —Kirkus Reviews
"Written in a chatty style, full of wit and laugh-out-loud moments, this charmingly irreverent delivery of history is not only entertaining but packed full of lessons to be learned." —School Library Journal
"The snarkily entertaining narratives are illustrated with caricatures of each subject. For better or worse, subjects are rarely as one-dimensional as most biographies paint them, and this book proves that nobody is perfect." —Booklist
"A delightfully snarky look at the remarkable mistakes of a few of historys famous figures . . . If you have not already added How They Croaked to your collection, buy both it and How They Choked immediately. Read it yourself, put it on display—it will get passed around with (disgust) delight." —VOYA
"Offers caustically humorous insights into history . . . Irresistible entertainment (and solid information) for readers." —Publishers Weekly
"A delightfully informative, humorous, and honest look at some of historys well-known characters." —Library Media Connection
"This all-too-informative study deserves the wild popularity it will without a doubt acquire." —Booklist, starred review on How They Croaked
"Engaging, informative and downright disgusting." —Kirkus Reviews, on How They Croaked
"Expect this one to be passed around and poured over." —School Library Journal, on How They Croaked
"Carried away on a swift-flowing stream of body fluids, medical ineptitude, and O'Malley's deliciously snarky artwork, kids will agree they got exactly what they came for." —BCCB, on How They Croaked
Awards for How They Croaked: Texas Lone Star List, ALA Notable Book, ALA Quick Pick List, IRA Young Adults Reading List, Bank Street Best Book of the Year
Synopsis
Everyone makes mistakes. Sometimes, epic failures even lead to super successes . . . sometimes they become deep dark secrets. But remember—to fail is human, to laugh about our shortcomings divine. From Montezuma IIs mistaking a conqueror for a god to Isaac Newton turning from science to alchemy to J. Bruce Ismays jumping the lifeboat line on the Titanic, How They Choked knocks fourteen famous achievers off their pedestals to reveal the human side of history.
Successful “failures” include:
Marco Polo • Queen Isabella of Spain • Montezuma II • Ferdinand Magellan • Anne Boleyn • Isaac Newton • Benedict Arnold • Susan B. Anthony • George Armstrong Custer • Thomas Alva Edison • Vincent Van Gogh • J. Bruce Ismay • “Shoeless Joe” Jackson • Amelia M. Earhart
Synopsis
The author and illustrator of the bestselling How They Croaked shine a light on the darker sides of historys most famous choke artists with information perfect for common core!
About the Author
GEORGIA BRAGG is the author of How They Croaked as well as Matisse on the Loose, a middle-grade novel. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two children, and two cats.
www.georgiabragg.com
KEVIN O'MALLEY is the co-author and illustrator of the popular Miss Malarkey series, as well as the New York Times bestseller Gimme Cracked Corn and I Will Share and many other books for children. He lives in Maryland.
www.booksbyomalley.com