New York Times bestseller Boys can be anything they want to be! This timely book joins and expands the gender-role conversation and gives middle-grade boys a welcome alternative message: that masculinity can mean many things. You won't find any stories of slaying dragons or saving princesses here. In Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different, author Ben Brooks-with the help of Quinton Wintor's striking full-color illustrations-offers a welcome alternative narrative: one that celebrates introverts and innovators, sensitivity and resilience, individuality and expression. It's an accessible compilation of 75 famous and not-so-famous men from the past to the present day, every single one of them a rule-breaker and stereotype-smasher in his own way. Entries include Frank Ocean, Salvador Dali, Beethoven, Barack Obama, Ai Weiwei, Jesse Owens, and so many more-heroes from all walks of life and from all over the world.

Boys can be anything they want to be! In this sequel to the New York Times bestseller Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different, Ben Brooks introduces 76 more boys and men who will inspire young readers to live boldly and true to themselves. What do environmental activist Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, philosopher Socrates, and singer Little Richard all have in common? Each of them defied expectations -- going against the grain and pursuing their dreams despite a seemingly impossible barrage of obstacles and difficulties. Their stories are incredible, as are those of tap dancer Evan Ruggiero, Pokémon creator Satoshi Tajiri, the brave Chernobyl Divers, and the other inspirational boys who fill the pages of this extraordinary book. Together, their stories offer young boys the welcome alternative message that masculinity can mean many things -- that it's okay to be sensitive, to be bold, and to follow their hearts.

Boys will be boys and girls will be girls? Not in this book. The follow-up to Ben Brooks'sNew York TimesbestsellingStories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different, this book offers more extraordinary true stories of amazing people who broke the mold and changed the world for the better. The resulting message? Be yourself, and your dreams might come true. With the help of Quinton Winter's striking full-color illustrations, Brooks offers an accessible compilation of 76 famous and not-so-famous influencers from the past to the present day, every single one of them a rule-breaker and stereotype-smasher in his or her own way. Entries include Emma Gonzalez, Andy Warhol, Bjork, Hans Christian Andersen, Sally Ride, and so many more -- heroes from all walks of life and from all over the world.