Families who loved Groundbreaking Guys: 40 Men Who Became Great by Doing Good by Stephanie True Peters often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the pressure to be 'tough' or 'cool' and you want to broaden their definition of what it means to be a man. While many history books focus on conquest and dominance, this collection introduces forty men who achieved greatness through empathy, creativity, and service. It is an ideal resource for boys who may feel they do not fit the traditional 'alpha' mold or for any child who needs to see that kindness is a form of strength. The short, accessible biographies highlight figures like Fred Rogers, Barack Obama, and Hayao Miyazaki, making it perfect for middle-grade readers. By centering masculinity around compassion and justice, it provides a healthy framework for identity development and social responsibility during the formative years of ages 8 to 12.
