The Real McCoy: The Life of an African American Inventor by Wendy Towle is a biography of Elijah McCoy, who invented the graphite lubricator among other things.
Reading Comprehension Questions
- How did Elijah McCoy's parents end up in Canada?
- What was important to his parents for Elijah?
- Why did they send him to Europe at 16?
- After he finished college, where did he move to?
- What job did he get?
- What did he invent for the train?
- Where did the term "the real McCoy" come from?
- What other inventions did Elijah work on?
- What invention was Elijah most proud of that he built a company for making it?
- How did the city of Detroit commemorate Elijah McCoy's accomplishments?
- What does the term "the real McCoy" mean?
Biography Formula
- Childhood (noteworthy experiences or traits that forecast life work)
- Transition (pivotal experience that led to life work)
- Life Work
- What was the problem he/she solved or area of expertise?
- How did they solve the problem? Or what features distinguished their work?
- End of Life OR Memorial (How is he/she remembered or honored)
- Life Lesson
- Meaning of Title