#(Auto)biography/Memoir

Alley Rats: Memoirs of a kid from the Burg

Author: G. m. Staley Publisher: Independently published Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

ALLEY RATS is an autobiography about a young girl that lived through the 50s' & 60s' in a small town she calls "The Burg." G.m. Staley shares her memories with her children so that they can learn a lesson of life in each chapter. Many people enter her life during those 10 years. What does a childless neighbor, a friendly streetcar conductor, and a generous shopkeeper have in common? Well, some friends stayed with her all of her life while others came and went with the seasons. Some people she encountered left an everlasting impression that shaped her into the person she is today. Read more

Brighter Than the Storm

Author: Nichol Collins Publisher: GLOBE SHAKERS PUBLISHING CO. (GLOBESHAKERS.COM) Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Brighter Than the Storm is a heartfelt story of a young girl named Hannah who learns to find her light, even when the world around her feels cloudy. Faced with hurt, rejection, and sadness, Hannah discovers the power of hope, kindness, and inner strength. Through simple rhymes and rich illustrations, this story reminds children that they are seen, loved, and never alone — no matter what home looks like. Inspired by a friend’s journey through childhood adversity, this heartfelt book gently encourages resilience, nurtures faith, and fosters emotional healing. A must-read for parents, teachers, and anyone who believes every child deserves to be valued and heard. GREAT FOR AGES 4-8 .A DOZEN CHILDREN'S BOOKS PUBLISHED TO COMBAT PREDATORY ACTS, IDENTITY, ETC. ALSO VISIT GLOBESHAKERS.COM Read more

Fighter in the Woods

Author: Joshua M. Greene Publisher: Scholastic Focus Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

From award-winning author Joshua M. Greene ( The Girl Who Fought Back ; Signs of Survival ) comes this remarkable true story of a Jewish girl in Nazi-occupied Poland who escaped near death to join -- and fight -- with the Soviet partisans in the woods. For Celia, life is ordinary: school, homework, friends. But Celia is Jewish. When the Nazis begin their campaign to wipe out all the Jews of Europe, Celia's world is ripped apart. Friends and neighbors viciously turn on her, and soon she is in the hands of the Nazis. From starvation and forced labor in the ghettos to hiding in a hole in the ground, Celia struggles to survive... while tragically losing much of her family. When Celia manages to escape into the forest, she joins up with the partisans, a group of young people fighting back against the Nazis however and wherever they can. Celia is given a mission: to help destroy a stash of Nazi weapons. Can she and her fellow partisans succeed--or will they be caught by the enemy? This extraordinary and inspiring true story, based on testimony from Holocaust survivor and partisan fighter Celia Kassow, shows where unimaginable hate and prejudice can lead--while reminding us that courage and strength can be summoned even in the darkest of hours. Read more

How to Baby

Author: Liana Finck Publisher: The Dial Press Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A wryly personal and deeply relatable graphic memoir skewering the “traditional” parenting book to chronicle the absurdities, frustrations, and soaring joys of new parenthood—from the acclaimed New Yorker cartoonist and author A NEW YORKER BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR How do you know if you’re ready to have a baby? How do you know if you might be pregnant? And how do you deal with peeing all the time and being hungry all the time and fielding well-meaning but kind of insulting advice and finding a doula and being dropped by your old friends and learning why it’s called mom brain and not dad brain and the tyranny of the milestones you’re not meeting and negotiating boundaries with in-laws and realizing that your heart now exists outside of your chest and in the body of this tiny little being whose entire existence depends on the quality of your care? To tackle these questions and many others, award-winning cartoonist and memoirist Liana Finck began illustrating her early years of motherhood, giving images and language to her insecurities, frustrations, and wild joy. In How to Baby , Liana takes her witty and lacerating cartoons (“Hobbies for Pregnant Women: Waiting on Hold with the Insurance Company”) and weaves them together with comic essays (“You Married a Brute. Worse. You’re a Nag: Go Ahead and Argue with Each Other”), handy lists (“Nesting. The Comprehensive List of What to Buy and Why Getting Things Used Is Dangerous and Unamerican”), and profound observations. Together, these brilliant pieces form an immersive and comprehensive narrative whole—a baby book, a resource, and an emotional balm—for our time. Read more

It's Her Story - Rosa Parks - A Graphic Novel

Author: Lauren Burke Publisher: Sunbird Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Shane Clester

A graphic novel for children ages 6 to 9. Rosa Parks was the courageous thinker and leader known as the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement. Long before the Montgomery Bus Boycott made her famous, she was a social justice activist and organizer. In honor of her work, she received a Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is her story. Read more

Lost Childhood

Author: Herman J. Viola Publisher: National Geographic Kids Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Lost Childhood is the vivid, first-hand account of the horrors of war through the eyes of a child. This real-life memoir breaks a 60-year silence to tell one woman's riveting story of prisoner life during World War II. As a little Dutch girl in Indonesia, Annelex Hofstra's comfortable world was torn apart when she and her family were sent to Japanese prison camps for three and a half years. The story begins in 1942 when four-year-old Annelex is living on the island of Java in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). Her grandfather is a successful planter, and her father is a pilot instructor in the Royal Netherlands Navy. But her carefree childhood ends as the Japanese invade Java, and along with 10,000 other Dutch residents, Annelex's family is rounded up. With few belongings, they are shipped off to interment camps, to a helpless, unknown future. In a shockingly honest narrative, we learn of the tactics used by their captors to dehumanize the Dutch prisoners. We learn of the grinding daily routine of the prisoners, the food rations, the sleeping arrangements, and the awful sanitary conditions. We share in Annelex's near-death bout with malaria. We also share some of the awful things she witnessed--extracting parasitic worms from a fellow-prisoner's throat; the agonizing death by starvation of women punished for stealing food; and the sight of bodies being piled high on a truck. Eventually the hell ends and the family is liberated. But the girl's personal hell plagues her in freedom. Just days after she is reunited with her father, he is killed in an explosion. World war is replaced by civil war in Indonesia, forcing the family to flee first to Holland and then to the U.S., where the family tries to mend their broken lives. For 60 years Annelex Hofstra Layson has repressed her early memories, shielding even her husband and children from the horrors of her past. With Lost Childhood, her harrowing ordeal is finally revealed. The author shares her story now to provide hope in young lives torn apart by war, and to inspire future generations to work for peace. Read more

Motown Mafia: Memoirs of a Kingpin's Kid

Author: Mr. Courtney R Brown Jr. Publisher: Big Boss Filmworks Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

The Kingpin's Kid is the memoir of Courtney Brown Jr., chronicling the rise and fall of his father, Courtney "Berman" Brown Sr., and his Partner Eddie "Fat Man" Jackson. The pair start from meager beginnings to rustling control of the Detroit drug trade and attaining millions and millions of dollars, while raising their families in the background of girl and boy scouts, little league baseball, while attempting to avoid Federal law enforcement. Based on the book "Motown Mafia." Read more

Piece by Piece

Author: David Aguilar Publisher: Amazon Crossing Kids Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

The heartfelt and funny memoir of a boy who built himself a prosthetic arm out of the world-famous toy bricks. David Aguilar was born missing part of one arm, a small detail that seemed to define his life and limit people’s ideas of who he was and who he could be. But in this funny and heartfelt memoir, David proves that he can throw out the rulebook and people’s expectations and maybe even make a difference in the world―and all with a sense of humor. At only nine years old, David built his first prosthesis from LEGO bricks, and since then he hasn’t stopped creating and thinking about how his inventions, born from a passion for building things, could fuel change and help others. With a voice full of humor and heart, David tells his powerful story, of family and friendship, of heartbreak and loss, and ultimately of triumph and success, as he continues to dream big and build a life and a better world―piece by piece. Read more

Stronger Than You Think

Author: Olivia Cloer Publisher: Independently published Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Stronger Than You Think follows Olivia and Mallory, two of the contestants on CBS's Kid Nation, the controversial survival-style reality show accused of child abuse and neglect.At 13, Olivia Cloer was nothing special. Her best friend had moved across the country, and the girls at school tortured her at lunch every day. But when she’s suddenly given the opportunity to prove to everyone that she’s stronger than they think, everything changes. Olivia and her younger sister Mallory are whisked away to interviews and tests to prove that they have what it takes to be on a brand new summer camp TV show for kids. But when they arrive on set, they’re far from a summer camp. Stronger Than You Think follows Olivia and her 8 year old sister Mallory as they learn to survive in an old west ghost town in the high desert, surrounded by 38 other kids, and tons of producers. Olivia must navigate a lack of food, running water, and taking care of her terrified sister, all while being filmed for a global audience. Producers spin tales and manipulate the kids for their own gain, while Olivia navigates which other contestants can be trusted, and which cannot. Through crazy challenges, injuries, and fights, Stronger than You Think looks into the unbelievable world of CBS’s Kid Nation, the show that faced allegations of child abuse and neglect. With humor and heart, Stronger than You Think explores sisterhood, and what it truly means to be strong. Read more

The Kids Are All Right: A Memoir

Author: Diana Welch Publisher: Crown Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A blisteringly funny, heart-scorching tale of remarkable kids shattered by tragedy and finally brought back together by love."— People Somehow, between their father’s mysterious death, their glamorous soap-opera-star mother’s cancer diagnosis, and a phalanx of lawyers intent on bankruptcy proceedings, the four Welch siblings managed to handle each new heartbreaking misfortune together. All that changed with the death of their mother. While nineteen-year-old Amanda was legally on her own, the three younger siblings–Liz, sixteen; Dan, fourteen; and Diana, eight–were each dispatched to a different set of family friends. Quick-witted and sharp-tongued, Amanda headed for college in New York City and immersed herself in an ’80s world of alternative music and drugs. Liz, living with the couple for whom she babysat, followed in Amanda’s footsteps until high school graduation when she took a job in Norway as a nanny. Mischievous, rebellious Dan, bounced from guardian to boarding school and back again, getting deeper into trouble and drugs. And Diana, the red-haired baby of the family, was given a new life and identity and told to forget her past. But Diana’s siblings refused to forget her--or let her go. Told in the alternating voices of the four siblings, their poignant, harrowing story of un­breakable bonds unfolds with ferocious emotion. Despite the Welch children’s wrenching loss and subsequent separation, they retained the resilience and humor that both their mother and father endowed them with--growing up as lost souls, taking disastrous turns along the way, but eventually coming out right side up. The kids are not only all right; they’re back together. Read more

The Year of the Buttered Cat

Author: Lexi Haas Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A funny and empowering memoir from a girl with a severe form of cerebral palsy, for fans of Wonder and Out of My Mind . Includes 30 full color photos and a discussion guide, in print for the first time ever! When she was just a tiny baby, something terrible happened to Lexi. It left her with an out-of-control body and without a voice. Now, as a precocious, superhero-obsessed thirteen-year-old, Lexi is counting down the final 24 hours to a risky brain surgery that might help her talk or—dare she dream it?—to walk and use her hands. As surgery grows closer, Lexi finds an urgent, relentless need to share the story of the year in her life she calls The Year of the Buttered Cat. That year, on the verge of shutting out the rest of the world, Lexi began a gutsy and solitary quest to find her "missing" body… and she learns new ways to reach out to the world to save her friendships and uncover the startling truth about what happened to her as a baby. In the spirit of Wonder by R.J. Palacio and Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper, here is a riveting story that offers empowering messages of friendship, family, and the art of redefining ourselves. Read more

What They Did to the Kid

Author: Jack Fritscher Publisher: Palm Drive Publishing Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

"What They Did to the Kid" is a memoir spinning as a comic novel for general-fiction readers intrigued by boys' school tales, and baby boomers who "survived Catholic school." Ryan O'Hara, coming of age from 14 to 24, is the wise adolescent narrating readers' entry into the secret culture of 1950's altar boys who go to the seminary, meet priests, and must decide their own identities. The novel's interior ticking covers the clock and calendar of boys' emerging consciences and edgy consciousness. "The San Francisco Chronicle" says, "Jack Fritscher reads gloriously." Strong characters and snappy dialog propel the character-driven plot of male-dominant pecking order. At Misericordia Seminary (aptly nicknamed "Misery"), Ryan O'Hara exposes his own story. He's trapped for oxygen-with 500 other boys-by the imperial Rector Karg, the disciplinarian Father Gunn "of the USMC," the tart Father Polistina, and the rebel-priest Chris Dryden "who knows Fellini and JFK." The storytelling Irish-American author gives each ensemble character-hero or villain, student or priest, man or woman-a rich back story. Black civil rights of the 60's as well as three interesting women characters open this tale out of the suffocating seminary and on to the hot streets of Chicago's South Side and Old Town. The compelling psychological drama hinges on the very source and aspirations of priestly vocation versus self-esteem. "Is God calling me-and what about chastity? Or is it just the 'Bali Hai' of blind ambition and social climbing-and what about sex?" Fritscher makes deeper than usual sense of soulful coming-of-age material. The hearty supply of boarding school episodes cumulatively reveals the dueling dynamic between the boyish protagonist, Ryan O'Hara, and the callous ambition of the handsome bully, Tank Rimsky, as they fight toward the finish line of "manly men's" ordination to the priesthood. "The hardest thing to be in America today is a man." The novel is based on an under-reported story: the Catholic Church recruited 200,000 boys into seminaries in the 1950's. Only 20,000 were ordained. "Kid" details, in a nostalgic and not unkind take what happened to the missing 180,000 boys and the women and men in their families. Daring to step inside Catholic culture, without being parochial, this American story reveals the 1950's roots of 21st-century "recovering Catholic" panic and angst. The millions of post-Catholic baby boomers who have exited the Church will compare notes and laugh knowingly at the dead-on characterizations. Fashionably anti-Catholic campers will say, "but, of course!" Readers might catalog "Kid" in the genre of "Young Torless, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man," and "Lord of the Flies." Before now, no one of the surviving 180,000 ex-seminarians has dared reveal this insider confession on the secret milieu of the Catholic education of priests. From interviews with more than a hundred former seminarians, Jack Fritscher uniquely stages their true story arcs with wit, verve, and comedy. "What They Did to the Kid" is the fourth novel from Jack Fritscher whose twelve books have sold more than 100,000 copies. Jack Fritscher is a graduate of the prestigious Pontifical College Josephinum, a Roman Catholic seminary, located in Columbus, Ohio, and directly subject to the Vatican in Rome. He received his doctorate in American Literature from Loyola University, Chicago. Read more

World History Biographies

Author: Philip Wilkinson Publisher: National Geographic Kids Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A shy, serious boy, Mahatma Gandhi would later lead India to nationhood and change the course of history. After studying law in London, he championed Indian rights in South Africa for two decades. He returned to India in 1914, leading a campaign of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience against British rule. Philip Wilkinson's lively narrative takes us through his remarkable life, up to India's independence in 1947, and the tragic conclusion; in 1948 Gandhi was assassinated by a fanatic opposed to his program of tolerance for all creeds and religions. Read more

Almuerzo gratis

Author: Rex Ogle Publisher: Norton Young Readers Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

The highly anticipated Spanish language edition of Free Lunch , Rex Ogle’s award-winning and groundbreaking memoir about hunger, poverty, and hope. Ganador del Premio YALSA a la Excelencia en No Ficción “Un poderoso retrato de la pobreza en medio de la crueldad y el optimismo”. ― Kirkus Reviews , reseña destacada Almuerzo gratis es la historia de los esfuerzos de Rex Ogle por abrirse camino en su primer semestre de sexto grado como niño pobre en un distrito escolar rico: decidir con quién sentarse, no poder unirse al equipo de fútbol americano, además de lidiar con nuevos compañeros de clase y con una profesora que de solo mirarlo lo tilda de problemático. Y en lugar de darle dinero para el almuerzo, la madre de Rex lo inscribe en el programa de almuerzo gratis. Ni ella ni su novio tienen trabajo, y la vida en su casa está marcada por estallidos de violencia. Implacable y realista, la desgarradora autobiografía de Rex Ogle es una historia de adversidades entrelazadas con esperanza y momentos de gracia. La voz de Rex es convincente y auténtica, lo que hace de Almuerzo gratis una obra honesta, oportuna y esencial que ilustra la experiencia de la pobreza en Estados Unidos. Read more

Chasing History: A Kid in the Newsroom

Author: Carl Bernstein Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A New York Times bestseller In this triumphant memoir, Carl Bernstein, the Pulitzer Prize-winning coauthor of All the President’s Men and pioneer of investigative journalism, recalls his beginnings as an audacious teenage newspaper reporter in the nation’s capital―a winning tale of scrapes, gumshoeing, and American bedlam. In 1960, Bernstein was just a sixteen-year-old at considerable risk of failing to graduate high school. Inquisitive, self-taught―and, yes, truant―Bernstein landed a job as a copyboy at the Evening Star , the afternoon paper in Washington. By nineteen, he was a reporter there. In Chasing History: A Kid in the Newsroom , Bernstein recalls the origins of his storied journalistic career as he chronicles the Kennedy era, the swelling civil rights movement, and a slew of grisly crimes. He spins a buoyant, frenetic account of educating himself in what Bob Woodward describes as “the genius of perpetual engagement.” Funny and exhilarating, poignant and frank, Chasing History is an extraordinary memoir of life on the cusp of adulthood for a determined young man with a dogged commitment to the truth. Read more

Four Perfect Pebbles

Author: Lila Perl Publisher: Greenwillow Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

The twentieth-anniversary edition of Marion Blumenthal Lazan’s acclaimed Holocaust memoir features new material by the author, a reading group guide, a map, and additional photographs. “The writing is direct, devastating, with no rhetoric or exploitation. The truth is in what’s said and in what is left out.”—ALA Booklist (starred review)Marion Blumenthal Lazan’s unforgettable and acclaimed memoir recalls the devastating years that shaped her childhood. Following Hitler’s rise to power, the Blumenthal family—father, mother, Marion, and her brother, Albert—were trapped in Nazi Germany. They managed eventually to get to Holland, but soon thereafter it was occupied by the Nazis. For the next six and a half years the Blumenthals were forced to live in refugee, transit, and prison camps, including Westerbork in Holland and Bergen-Belsen in Germany, before finally making it to the United States. Their story is one of horror and hardship, but it is also a story of courage, hope, and the will to survive.Four Perfect Pebbles features forty archival photographs, including several new to this edition, an epilogue, a bibliography, a map, a reading group guide, an index, and a new afterword by the author. First published in 1996, the book was an ALA Notable Book, an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, and IRA Young Adults’ Choice, and a Notable Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies, and the recipient of many other honors. “A harrowing and often moving account.”—School Library Journal Read more

How to Be a Family

Author: Dan Kois Publisher: Little, Brown and Company Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

In this "refreshingly relatable" ( Outside ) memoir, perfect for the self-isolating family, Slate editor Dan Kois sets out with his family on a journey around the world to change their lives togethe r. What happens when one frustrated dad turns his kids' lives upside down in search of a new way to be a family? Dan Kois and his wife always did their best for their kids. Busy professionals living in the D.C. suburbs, they scheduled their children's time wisely, and when they weren't arguing over screen time, the Kois family-Dan, his wife Alia, and their two pre-teen daughters-could each be found searching for their own happiness. But aren't families supposed to achieve happiness together? In this eye-opening, heartwarming, and very funny family memoir, the fractious, loving Kois' go in search of other places on the map that might offer them the chance to live away from home-but closer together. Over a year the family lands in New Zealand, the Netherlands, Costa Rica, and small-town Kansas. The goal? To get out of their rut of busyness and distractedness and to see how other families live outside the East Coast parenting bubble. HOW TO BE A FAMILY brings readers along as the Kois girls-witty, solitary, extremely online Lyra and goofy, sensitive, social butterfly Harper-like through the Kiwi bush, ride bikes to a Dutch school in the pouring rain, battle iguanas in their Costa Rican kitchen, and learn to love a town where everyone knows your name. Meanwhile, Dan interviews neighbors, public officials, and scholars to learn why each of these places work the way they do. Will this trip change the Kois family's lives? Or do families take their problems and conflicts with them wherever we go? A journalistic memoir filled with heart, empathy, and lots of whining, HOW TO BE A FAMILY will make readers dream about the amazing adventures their own families might take. Read more

It's Her Story

Author: Karen de Seve Publisher: Sunbird Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Samantha F. Chow

"Science and everday life cannot and should not be seperated." -Rosaline Franklin A graphic novel for children ages 7 to 10. Rosalind Franklin was a British chemist during the 1940s and 1950s, when few women worked in the sciences. During WWII, she expanded our knowledge of the physics of coal and carbon, and later she studied viruses. Her "Photo 51" was central to understanding the double-helix structure of DNA, groundbreaking work she was never given credit for in her lifetime. This is her story. . Read more

MAE JEMISON

Author: DOUGLAS HAMMOCK Publisher: Independently published Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

MAE JEMISON: The Space Explorer Who Never Gave Up (A Biography Book For Kids) Do you know that any kid can achieve their dreams, no matter how big or small they may seem? This inspiring biography book for kids aged 8-12 tells the amazing story of Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space. Join Mae on her journey from being a curious kid who loved stars to becoming a NASA astronaut. In this book, Douglas Hammock shares how Mae's passion, perseverance, and determination helped her overcome obstacles and achieve greatness. From her early years to her historic spaceflight, Mae's story teaches valuable lessons about believing in yourself, working hard, and chasing your dreams. With dedication and persistence, anything is possible. Get ready to be inspired and motivated to reach for the stars, just like Mae did. Order your copy today and help your child learn from Mae's remarkable journey. This book encourages kids to never give up and follow their dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem. Read more

My Life with the Chimpanzees

Author: Jane Goodall Publisher: Aladdin Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Inspired by a stuffed toy, Jane Goodall became the first woman to study chips in the wild and in the process made history. As a child, Jane Goodall was given a stuffed chimpanzee named Jubilee, and she has said her fondness for this figure started her early love of animals. While others thought Jane would be terrified by the toy, she adored it and it inspired a life-long love of animals in her. Jane dreamed of a life spent working with animals, and when she was twenty-six years old, she ventured into the forests of Africa to observe chimpanzees in the wild. During her expeditions she braved many dangers and she got to know an amazing group of wild chimpanzees—intelligent animals whose lives, in work and play and family relationships, bear a surprising resemblance to our own. Through her work at Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania and her own Roots and Shoots program she has become a tireless advocate for animals and the planet. As for that stuffed toy, Jubilee still sits on Goodall’s dresser in London. Read more

Please Open in the Event of My Death

Author: Mark Hsu Publisher: Dear Kids Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Winner of the Best Indie Book Award for Non-Fiction: Fatherhood "Deftly written with a great deal of wit and wisdom, making it a 'must read' choice for all fathers of small (and even not-so-small) children, Please Open in the Event of My Death is a unique and unreservedly recommended addition to all . . . collections." — Midwest Book Review A fear of flying inspired this book. Mark, a law firm partner in New York City, was consumed with the unavoidable truth that if his plane went down during one of his business trips, his four- and three-year old daughters would not remember a thing about him. Mark proceeded to write a book of astute and often hilarious advice (as hinted by the long and unwieldy subtitle) that’s addressed to his children but geared toward adults. The life lessons from a longtime New York litigator are not corny or blindingly idealistic. He wants to tell his girls and us about the unwritten rules of the world, everything from character to friends to fear to social facility to work success to marriage to kids―in essence, a Manual for Life. Throughout, Mark weaves in personal stories, including his fascinating childhood as the only child of a deep-cover CIA spy, the night he first met his Italian wife and determined that the Japanese-Chinese guy needed to show off his Roman-accented Italian, his transformation from a Clown About Town to a doting and sometimes grossly incompetent father, and the struggle to preserve his soul while being a litigator. Drawing inspiration from sources as varied as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off , Prince, Tina Fey and a Nike ad, Mark’s poignant and sidesplitting debut will not just resonate with parents, but will also provide guidance to navigate the modern world. Read more

Students on Strike

Author: John A. Stokes Publisher: National Geographic Kids Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

John Stokes has waited more than 50 years to give his eyewitness account of "The Manhattan Project." This was the name he and a group of fellow students gave their strike at R.R. Moton High School that helped to end separate schooling for blacks and whites, not only in his home state of Virginia, but throughout America. Told in Stokes’ own words, the story vividly conveys how his passion for learning helped set in motion one of the most powerful movements in American history, resulting in the desegregation of schools—and life—in the United States. As a child tending crops on the family farm, John Stokes never dreamed that one day he would be at the center of the Civil Rights Movement. Yet, on April 23, 1951, he and his fellow students walked out of the school and into the history books. Their school was built to accommodate 180 students, yet over 400 black students attended classes in leaky buildings with tar paper walls. A potbelly stove served as the only source of heat, and the school lacked running water, indoor plumbing, and a cafeteria. Yet to Stokes and his fellow students, it was their path to a better life. Students on Strike is an evocative first-person narrative from a period of radical change in American history. Stokes recounts the planning of the student walkout, the secret meetings, the plot to send the principal on a wild goose chase after "truant" students, and the strategy to boycott classes until conditions improved. The author recalls the challenges in persuading teachers and parents to support the strike, and the intimidation that came in the form of threats and a cross-burning on school grounds. Archival illustrations from Stokes’ scrapbook add to the emotional impact of his story. The narrative follows the course of the lawsuits filed by the NAACP, which would became part of the historic Brown v Board of Education ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court and the subsequent end to segregation in America. Young readers will relish this inspirational account of the heroic struggles of John Stokes and his fellow students; they will also learn a timeless lesson that people with little influence—but with great determination— can make a difference. Read more

The Land I Lost

Author: Quang Nhuong Huynh Publisher: HarperCollins Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Vo-Dinh Mai

An ALA Notable Children’s Book and a Booklist Editors’ Choice, about one young man’s memories of the land he called home. The land I love was lost to me forever. Huynh Quang Nhuong grew up in the highlands of Vietnam, next to the jungle teeming with wildlife. Encounters with tigers, wild hogs, and deadly snakes were as much a part of his life as tending the rice fields while on the back of his pet water buffalo, Tank. Perfect for classrooms, as well as fans of Linda Sue Park and Thanhha Lai, these fifteen tales will transport readers into a world of lush beauty and terrible danger—and a way of life that is gone forever. Read more

The Z-Boys and Skateboarding

Author: Jameson Anderson Publisher: Capstone Pr Inc Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Steve Erwin

Describes the birth of the Z-Boys skateboarding team and how they influenced modern skateboarding. Written in graphic-novel format. Read more

What Was Built to Be a Ship of Dreams?

Author: Emmett Nahil Publisher: Penguin Workshop Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Shazleen Khan

Discover the story of the Titanic ’s ill-fated voyage through three diverse perspectives of survivors in this affecting graphic novel by Let Me Out author Emmett Nahil and award-winning illustrator Shazleen Khan. Presenting Who HQ Graphic Novels: an exciting addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling Who Was? series! Follow the journeys of Syrian Lebanese siblings Jamilah and Ilyas Yarred, the Haitian French Laroche family, and American socialite Margaret Brown as history’s most famous ship heads toward disaster. A story of class disparity, family, and survival, this graphic novel immerses readers in the different experiences that passengers from varying backgrounds faced before, during, and after the Titanic ’s sinking. This gripping narrative is brought to life by atmospheric full-color illustrations that will transport readers to that fateful wreck. Read more

World in Between

Author: Kenan Trebincevic Publisher: Clarion Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Susan Shapiro

Co-written by a New York Times best-selling author, this moving story of a Muslim boy’s exile from war-torn Bosnia to the United States offers a riveting refugee saga.​ Kenan loves drawing and playing soccer with his friends. He wants to be a famous athlete, hates it when his classmates trash his buck teeth by calling him “Bugs Bunny,” and fights with his big brother, who’s too busy and cool for him lately. Sometimes his parents drive him crazy, but he feels loved and protected—until the war ruins everything. Soon, Kenan’s family is trapped in their home with little food or water, surrounded by enemies. Ten months later, with help from friends and strangers, they finally make it out of the country alive. But that’s only the beginning of their journey. An action-packed page-turner with heart about a kid doing his best during difficult times, World in Between celebrates the power of community and resilience, hope and kindness. Read more

Anne Frank Writes Words of Hope

Author: Debbie Vilardi Publisher: Capstone Press Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Christian Papazoglakis

In 1933, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party rose to power in Germany. The Nazis terribly persecuted Jews and other groups of people. They murdered millions of Jews across Europe during World War II. A pre-teen girl named Anne Frank and her family managed to hide from the Nazis for two years. During this time, Anne wrote about her experiences almost every day in her diary. Discover the courage of Anne and her family during one of the most horrific times in history. Read more

Chernobyl, Life, and Other Disasters

Author: Yevgenia Nayberg Publisher: Neal Porter Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Yevgenia Nayberg

Strong-willed Genya sets her mind to attending art school in 1980s Ukraine, amidst the turmoil of Soviet control, the Cold War, and the unfolding Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Genya—the nickname of the book’s author and story’s protagonist, Yevgenia—knows from age five that she wants to be an artist. When she turns eleven, she’ll apply to the same prestigious art school that her mother attended. But making the cut won’t be easy, especially with the school’s open-secret rule that no more than 1% of the student body can be Jewish. The years before Genya’s eleventh birthday bring plenty to distract her. Nothing in Soviet Ukraine is quite as it seems; adults mock the government, but only in private; and her classmates are terrified of American bomb strikes. And that’s all before April 26, 1986, when Genya’s police officer neighbor gets called to an emergency in a town she’s never heard of: Chernobyl. A graphic memoir account of creator Yevgenia Nayberg’s childhood, Chernobyl, Life, and Other Disasters is both deeply personal and a glimpse into broader Soviet intelligentsia experiences. Young readers curious about life elsewhere, particularly in the face of disaster, will find ample details to devour, while those dreaming of a creative life will take inspiration from Genya’s perseverance. Salient and yet often slyly funny, this is a must-read for any graphic memoir fan. Read more

Four Perfect Pebbles

Author: Lila Perl Publisher: Greenwillow Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

The twentieth-anniversary edition of Marion Blumenthal Lazan’s acclaimed Holocaust memoir features new material by the author, a reading group guide, a map, and additional photographs. “The writing is direct, devastating, with no rhetoric or exploitation. The truth is in what’s said and in what is left out.”—ALA Booklist (starred review) Marion Blumenthal Lazan’s unforgettable and acclaimed memoir recalls the devastating years that shaped her childhood. Following Hitler’s rise to power, the Blumenthal family—father, mother, Marion, and her brother, Albert—were trapped in Nazi Germany. They managed eventually to get to Holland, but soon thereafter it was occupied by the Nazis. For the next six and a half years the Blumenthals were forced to live in refugee, transit, and prison camps, including Westerbork in Holland and Bergen-Belsen in Germany, before finally making it to the United States. Their story is one of horror and hardship, but it is also a story of courage, hope, and the will to survive. Four Perfect Pebbles features forty archival photographs, including several new to this edition, an epilogue, a bibliography, a map, a reading group guide, an index, and a new afterword by the author. First published in 1996, the book was an ALA Notable Book, an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, and IRA Young Adults’ Choice, and a Notable Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies, and the recipient of many other honors. “A harrowing and often moving account.”—School Library Journal This unforgettable testament to the strength of the human spirit details one family’s courageous journey through one of history’s darkest moments. A Firsthand Holocaust Account: Told from the perspective of Marion Blumenthal Lazan, who was only a child when her family was trapped by the Nazi regime. From Nazi Germany to Bergen-Belsen: Follow the Blumenthal family’s harrowing six-and-a-half-year ordeal through refugee, transit, and concentration camps. The Hope of Four Pebbles: Discover Marion’s secret game of finding four perfectly matched pebbles—a simple act that became a powerful symbol of her family’s will to survive together. Essential World War II History: A vital resource for students, this young adult nonfiction memoir includes archival photos, a map, and a reading group guide to bring this important story to life. Read more

I Am a Star: Child of the Holocaust

Author: Inge Auerbacher Publisher: Blackstone Publishing, Inc. Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Inge Auerbacher is a happy German girl when the nightmare begins. Six-year-old Inge is made to wear a yellow star to identify her as a Jew. As the Nazis gain power, her family is subjected to greater and greater horrors. Their home and citizenship are taken away. Inge's relatives are sent away, and she and her parents are forced into the Terezin concentration camp in Czechoslovakia. Background material on Hitler, the Nazi plan, and WW II provides a helpful context for understanding Inge's experiences. But it is Inge's own story, told from a child's point of view, and sprinkled liberally with her poems, that makes this chapter of world history personal and compelling. I Am a Star will take its place among the classics of Holocaust literature-alongside such works as Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl and Night. Narrator Suzanne Toren artistically conveys the book's full gamut of feelings-from playful innocence to utter horror. Read more

It's Her Story Irena Sendler A Graphic Novel

Author: Margaret Littman Publisher: Sunbird Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Sara Luna

Irena Sendler was a humanitarian and social worker in Nazi-occupied Poland during World War II. Her job allowed her to pass through the armed gates of the Warsaw ghetto, bringing limited aid to the 450,000 Jewish people who were forcibly moved there. In secret, Irena built a network of people to smuggle 2,500 children out of the ghetto, saving their lives. And in a hidden jar, she kept their family names. This is her story. Read more

Malala

Author: Malala Yousafzai Publisher: Hachette Childrens Group Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A memoir by the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize I come from a country that was created at midnight. When I almost died it was just after midday. When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education. On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, when she was fifteen, she almost paid the ultimate price. She was shot in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from school, and few expected her to survive. Instead, Malala's miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey from a remote valley in northern Pakistan to the halls of the United Nations in New York. At sixteen she became a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest nominee ever for the Nobel Peace Prize. I Am Malala is the remarkable tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism; of the fight for girls' education; of a father who, himself a school owner, championed and encouraged his daughter to write and attend school; and of brave parents who have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that prizes sons. I Am Malala will make you believe in the power of one person's voice to inspire change in the world. Read more

My Name Is Tani . . . and I Believe in Miracles Young Readers Edition

Author: Tanitoluwa Adewumi Publisher: Tommy Nelson Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

An amazing, miraculous refugee story of coming to America, the young readers edition of Tani Adewumi's story will inspire kids looking for true stories of doing hard things. At eight years old, Tani Adewumi, a refugee, won the 2019 New York State Chess Championship after playing the game for only a year--and while homeless. Tani and his family fled Boko Haram's reign of terror in Nigeria to come to the United States, where they lived in a New York City homeless shelter while waiting to be granted religious asylum. Tani began attending a public elementary school and decided he wanted to join the chess program, but it required a fee. Tani's mother reached out to the coach, who offered Tani a scholarship--and a year later the young immigrant became a chess champion. Ideal for readers 8 to 12 years old, this adaptation presents compelling insight into: What it means to leave a comfortable home and move to a new country with nothing What it's like to live in America as a homeless family How it feels to be an outsider, a Nigerian, in a new school And what it means to learn a game, compete, and experience the thrill of winning Tani's story will inspire you to believe in the power of the human spirit to triumph over the greatest adversities. And his family's faith will inspire you to believe in miracles. Read more

Popular

Author: Maya Van Wagenen Publisher: Speak Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

New York Times Bestseller A breakout teen author explores the true meaning of popularity and how to survive middle school in this hysterically funny, touchingly honest contemporary memoir. “I was inspired by [Maya's] journey and made a point of saving a copy of ‘Popular’ for my sister, who starts middle school this fall. Maybe if I had read it when I was her age, it could have saved me from a world of hurt, or at least put that world in perspective.” —Maude Apatow, New York Times Book Review Can curlers, girdles, Vaseline, and a strand of pearls help a shy girl become popular? Maya Van Wagenen is about to find out. Stuck near the bottom of the social ladder at “pretty much the lowest level of people at school who aren’t paid to be here,” Maya has never been popular. But before starting eighth grade, she decides to begin a unique social experiment: spend the school year following a 1950s popularity guide, written by former teen model Betty Cornell. The real-life results are hilarious, painful, and filled with unexpected surprises. Told with humor and grace, Maya’s journey offers readers of all ages a thoroughly contemporary example of kindness and self-confidence, along with a better understanding of what it means to be popular. Read more

Surviving Hitler

Author: Andrea Warren Publisher: HarperCollins Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

The life-changing story of a young boy’s struggle for survival in a Nazi-run concentration camp. Narrated in the voice of Holocaust survivor Jack Mandelbaum, this harrowing true story includes black-and-white photos from the archives of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. When twelve-year-old Jack Mandelbaum is separated from his family and shipped off to the Blechhammer concentration camp, his life becomes a never-ending nightmare. With minimal food to eat and harsh living conditions threatening his health, Jack manages to survive by thinking of his family. In this Robert F. Silbert Honor book, readers will glimpse the dark reality of life during the Holocaust, and how one boy made it out alive. William Allen White Award Winner Robert F. Silbert Honor ALA Notable Children’s Book VOYA Nonfiction Honor Book Read more

The Legacy of the Holocaust

Author: Fern Schumer Chapman Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

True Stories That Inspire, Educate, and Cultivate Empathy in Young Readers The Legacy of the Holocaust is a compelling series of historical nonfiction books designed to gently introduce middle schoolers to one of the most significant and tragic chapters in modern history—the Holocaust. Each book weaves together real-life stories of courage, loss, identity, and reunion , helping young readers understand the human side of history. Through vivid storytelling, historical photographs, and primary source documents, this series makes Holocaust education accessible, meaningful, and age-appropriate. In Middle School Sleuths , follow an 8th-grade class on a journey that reconnects two Holocaust refugees—72 years after they first met. The heartwarming reunion even caught the attention of The Oprah Winfrey Show. Facing the Past transports readers to a small European town as modern-day citizens confront their community’s Holocaust history by honoring one family through the Stolpersteine memorial project. In Three Stars in the Night Sky , young readers will witness a family's emotional journey escaping Nazi Germany through a little-known program, providing powerful insights into the trauma and resilience of the immigrant experience. Perfect for classrooms, book clubs, or at-home discussions, this series supports social studies curricula , citizenship education , and conversations about moral responsibility . Ideal for grades 5–8, it fosters empathy, historical awareness, and critical thinking. Whether you're a teacher, librarian, parent, or student, The Legacy of the Holocaust series brings history to life with hope, humanity, and heart .

This Indian Kid

Author: Eddie Chuculate Publisher: Scholastic Focus Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Award-winning author Eddie Chuculate recounts his experience growing up in rural Oklahoma, from boyhood to young manhood, in an evocative and vivid voice. Scholastic Focus is the premier home of thoroughly researched, beautifully written, and thoughtfully designed works of narrative nonfiction aimed at middle-grade and young adult readers. These books help readers learn about the world in which they live and develop their critical thinking skills so that they may become dynamic citizens who are able to analyze and understand our past, participate in essential discussions about our present, and work to grow and build our future. "Granny was full-blooded Creek, but the Bureau of Indian Affairs insisted she was fifteen-sixteenths. She showed her card to me. I’d sit at the kitchen table and stare at her when she was eating, wondering how you can be a sixteenth of anything." Growing up impoverished and shuttled between different households, it seemed life was bound to take a certain path for Eddie Chuculate. Despite the challenges he faced, his upbringing was rich with love and bountiful lessons from his Creek and Cherokee heritage, deep-rooted traditions he embraced even as he learned to live within the culture of white, small-town America that dominated his migratory childhood. Award-winning author Eddie Chuculate brings his childhood to life with spare, unflinching prose. This book is at once a love letter to his Native American roots and an inspiring and essential message for young readers everywhere, who are coming of age in an era when conversations about acceptance and empathy, love and perspective are more necessary than ever before. Read more

When I Was a Kid

Author: Tom Henderson III Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A historical and nostalgic look back at what a Nashville kid's life was like growing up during the 1940s, '50s, '60s, and '70s. It is a collection of the author's factual stories and vintage photographs, which first appeared in The Nashville Retrospect newspaper. From the post-war period through the wonderful "Baby Boomer" years, it describes, in detail, the songs, events and places that made those decades some of the best of times. Read more

World's Greatest Artists

Author: Wonder House Books Publisher: Wonder House Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A Perfect Collection to Make Learning Fun! Dive into the world of art with this meticulously researched book that celebrates the achievements of talented and influential artists. Through age-appropriate content, fun facts, and bold illustrations, this book captures the imagination of young readers and introduces them to the masters of painting, sculpture, and illustration who have inspired generations. Why Kids Will Love It : Engaging stories of famous artists from around the world Fun facts that spark curiosity and interest in art Colorful and bold illustrations that bring creativity to life Why Parents Will Love It : Encourages reading and independent learning Improves general knowledge and vocabulary Supports cognitive development and critical thinking Perfect For : Curious minds aged 8 and above Young readers exploring art and creativity Classrooms, art clubs, and home libraries Read more

Anne Frank Writes Words of Hope

Author: Debbie Vilardi Publisher: Capstone Pr Inc Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Christian Papazoglakis

In 1933, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party rose to power in Germany. The Nazis terribly persecuted Jews and other groups of people. They murdered millions of Jews across Europe during World War II. A pre-teen girl named Anne Frank and her family managed to hide from the Nazis for two years. During this time, Anne wrote about her experiences almost every day in her diary. Discover the courage of Anne and her family during one of the most horrific times in history. Read more

Child Soldier

Author: Michel Chikwanine Publisher: Kids Can Press Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Claudia Dávila

Michel Chikwanine was five years old when he was abducted from his school-yard soccer game in the Democratic Republic of Congo and forced to become a soldier for a brutal rebel militia. Against the odds, Michel managed to escape and find his way back to his family, but he was never the same again. After immigrating to Canada, Michel was encouraged by a teacher to share what happened to him in order to raise awareness about child soldiers around the world, and this book is part of that effort. Told in the first person and presented in a graphic novel format, the gripping story of Michel's experience is moving and unsettling. But the humanity he exhibits in the telling, along with Claudia Dávila's illustrations, which evoke rather than depict the violent elements of the story, makes the book accessible for this age group and, ultimately, reassuring and hopeful. The back matter contains further information, as well as suggestions for ways children can help. This is a perfect resource for engaging youngsters in social studies lessons on global awareness and social justice issues, and would easily spark classroom discussions about conflict, children's rights and even bullying. Michel's actions took enormous courage, but he makes clear that he was and still is an ordinary person, no different from his readers. He believes everyone can do something to make the world a better place, and so he shares what his father told him: “If you ever think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a room with a mosquito.” Read more

Free Lunch

Author: Rex Ogle Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc. and Blackstone Publishing Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A distinctive new voice: Rex Ogle's story of starting middle school on the free lunch program is timely, heartbreaking, and true. Free Lunch is the story of Rex Ogle's first semester in sixth grade. Rex and his baby brother often went hungry, wore secondhand clothes, and were short of school supplies, and Rex was on his school's free lunch program. Grounded in the immediacy of physical hunger and the humiliation of having to announce it every day in the school lunch line, Rex's is a compelling story of a more profound hunger?that of a child for his parents' love and care. Compulsively readable, beautifully crafted, and authentically told with the voice and point of view of a 6th-grade kid, Free Lunch is a remarkable debut by a gifted storyteller. Read more

I am George Washington

Author: Brad Meltzer Publisher: Rocky Pond Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Christopher Eliopoulos

Children will want to read about our first president while discussing the presidential elections. This is the ninth book in the New York Times bestselling biography series that inspires while it informs and entertains. George Washington was never afraid to be the first to try something, from exploring the woods around his childhood home to founding a brand new nation, the United States of America. With his faith in the American people and tremendous bravery, he helped win the Revolutionary War and became the country’s first president. This friendly, fun biography series inspired the PBS Kids TV show Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. One great role model at a time, these books encourage kids to dream big. Included in each book are: • A timeline of key events in the hero’s history • Photos that bring the story more fully to life • Comic-book-style illustrations that are irresistibly adorable • Childhood moments that influenced the hero • Facts that make great conversation-starters • A virtue this person embodies: George Washington's courage to set off a new course is highlighted here. You’ll want to collect each book in this dynamic, informative series! Read more

It's Her Story Mae Jemison a Graphic Novel

Author: Lesley Williams Publisher: PI Kids Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Brooke O'Neill

A graphic novel for children ages 7 to 10. Mae Jemison was the first Black woman to go to space. She is an astronaut, doctor, engineer, writer, teacher, and dancer. Her adventurous spirit has taken her from healing people around the world, to dancing on stage, to orbiting the earth on the Space Shuttle Endeavour. In all her work, she inspires others to follow their curiosity, believe in themselves, and reach for the stars. This is her story. Read more

Marie Curie

Author: Kaara Kallen Publisher: Sequoia Childrens Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Rosie Baker

Marie Curie was the brilliant, trailblazing scientist who discovered radium and coined the term radioactivity. She is the only woman ever awarded two Nobel Prizes--one in physics and one in chemistry. She helped develop the use of X-rays and radiation therapies that have had a lasting impact on medicine and human health. Read more

My Own Two Feet: A Memoir

Author: Beverly Cleary Publisher: HarperCollins Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Told in her own words, My Own Two Feet is Newbery Medal–winning author Beverly Cleary’s second heartfelt and relatable memoir. The New Yorker called Beverly Cleary's first volume of memoirs, A Girl From Yamhill , "a warm, honest book, as interesting as any novel." Now the creator of the classic children's stories millions grew up with continues her own fascinating story. Here is Beverly Cleary, from college years to the publication of her first book. It is a fascinating look at her life and a writing career that spans three generations, continuing to capture the hearts and imaginations of children of all ages throughout the world. Beverly Cleary's books have sold more than 85 million copies and have been translated into twenty-nine different languages, which speaks to the worldwide reach and love of her stories. She was honored with a Newbery Honor for Ramona and Her Father and a second one for Ramona Quimby, Age 8. She received the John Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw , which was inspired by letters she’d received from children. Her autobiographies, A Girl from Yamhill and My Own Two Feet , are a wonderful way to get to know more about this most beloved children's book author. Read more

Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek

Author: Maya Van Wagenen Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

2015 YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction New York Times Bestseller A breakout teen author explores the true meaning of popularity and how to survive middle school in this hysterically funny, touchingly honest contemporary memoir. “I was inspired by [Maya's] journey and made a point of saving a copy of ‘Popular’ for my sister, who starts middle school this fall. Maybe if I had read it when I was her age, it could have saved me from a world of hurt, or at least put that world in perspective.” —Maude Apatow, New York Times Book Review Can curlers, girdles, Vaseline, and a strand of pearls help a shy girl become popular? Maya Van Wagenen is about to find out. Stuck near the bottom of the social ladder at “pretty much the lowest level of people at school who aren’t paid to be here,” Maya has never been popular. But before starting eighth grade, she decides to begin a unique social experiment: spend the school year following a 1950s popularity guide, written by former teen model Betty Cornell. The real-life results are hilarious, painful, and filled with unexpected surprises. Told with humor and grace, Maya’s journey offers readers of all ages a thoroughly contemporary example of kindness and self-confidence, along with a better understanding of what it means to be popular. Read more

Survivors

Author: Allan Zullo Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Gripping and inspiring, these true stories of bravery, terror, and hope chronicle nine different children's experiences during the Holocaust. These are the true-life accounts of nine Jewish boys and girls whose lives spiraled into danger and fear as the Holocaust overtook Europe. In a time of great horror, these children each found a way to make it through the nightmare of war. Some made daring escapes into the unknown, others disguised their true identities, and many witnessed unimaginable horrors. But what they all shared was the unshakable belief in-- and hope for-- survival. Their legacy of courage in the face of hatred will move you, captivate you, and, ultimately, inspire you. Read more

The Middle School Rules of Brian Urlacher

Author: Sean Jensen Publisher: BroadStreet Publishing Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

For more than a decade, Brian Urlacher was the face of the Chicago Bears—one of the NFL’s most storied franchises. An eight-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker, Urlacher established himself as one of the league’s preeminent defenders with his athleticism, intelligence and ferocity. He is widely expected to gain entrance into the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he is eligible in a few years which is not bad for an athlete from Lovington, New Mexico, where his coaches did not even see college potential in him until his junior year of high school. The Middle School Rules of Brian Urlacher features the real-life childhood stories and exploits of young Brian Urlacher and illustrate how they shaped him into the world-class athlete he became. The first of The Middle School Rules series, these books not only entertain, but also inspire greatness in the next generation by highlighting the importance of being your best, overcoming adversity, and reaching your dreams through discipline and hard work. Read more

This Kid Can Fly

Author: Aaron Philip Publisher: Clarion Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

"At once beautiful and heartbreaking, Aaron Philip found a way to make me laugh even as I choked up, found a way to bring on my empathy without ever allowing me to feel sorry for him. An eye-opening debut." —Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award winner and Newbery Honor author of Brown Girl Dreaming In this heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting memoir, Aaron Philip, a fourteen-year-old boy with cerebral palsy, shows how he isn't defined so much by his disability as he is by his abilities. Written with award-winning author Tonya Bolden, This Kid Can Fly chronicles Aaron's extraordinary journey from happy baby in Antigua to confident teen artist in New York City. His honest, often funny stories of triumph—despite physical difficulties, poverty, and other challenges—are as inspiring as they are eye-opening. Includes photos and original illustrations from Aaron's personal collection. How does a boy who can’t walk learn to fly? Inspirational Memoir: Follow Aaron’s incredible journey from his early years in Antigua to becoming a confident teen artist and activist in New York City. Disability Awareness: An honest, funny, and eye-opening account of life with cerebral palsy that focuses on ability, creativity, and fighting for accessibility. A Coming of Age Story: From finding his voice on his Tumblr blog to facing homelessness, Aaron shares his story of growing up, making friends, and discovering his own power. The Power of Community: Meet the community of “Angels”—friends, family, and mentors—who rallied around Aaron to help him overcome enormous challenges, from poverty to major surgery. Read more

When I Was Little

Author: Jamie Lee Curtis Publisher: HarperCollins Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Laura Cornell

“Exuberant—a winsome, upbeat work.” — Publishers Weekly Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell perfectly capture a little girl's simple, joyous celebration of herself, as she looks back on her childhood from the lofty height of four and a half years. This spirited view of growing up is perfect to share at home or in a classroom, as kids will respond to the exuberant pleasures of growing freedom and independence. "When I was little, I could hardly do anything. But now I can do lots of things, like braid my own hair and go to nursery school. I'm not a baby anymore. I'm me!" Read more

World's Greatest Entertainers

Author: Wonder House Books Publisher: Wonder House Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Entertainers: Legends of Film and Fame Dive into the dazzling world of cinema and uncover the stories of brilliant filmmakers and legendary actors who shaped the film industry with talent, vision, and determination. This richly illustrated book is crafted especially for young readers, blending well-researched content with vibrant visuals and fascinating facts. Why Kids Will Love It : Age-appropriate profiles of global and Indian film legends Engaging layout with fun facts and behind-the-scenes insights Bold illustrations that bring iconic moments and people to life Perfect for curious minds fascinated by movies and stardom Why Parents Will Love It : Encourages a love for reading and discovery Boosts general knowledge through inspiring real-life stories Develops vocabulary with accessible, well-written content A great introduction to the history and impact of cinema Perfect For : Readers aged 7 and above Young film buffs and future storytellers Home learning, school libraries, and gifting Read more

"Yellow Kid" Weil

Author: Joseph R. Weil Publisher: Forgotten Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Excerpt from "Yellow Kid" Weil: The Autobiography of America's Master Swindler I ever met the Yellow Kld, I had heard of hlm. Hls ascmated me. I had a yen to know the mmde story be abulous tales I heard and read ln the newspapers. Tarted to dlg, I learned that the Kld had been a figure 1rcles so long, that he had become a legend. Cmmnolo 'voted con31derable space m then books to his explmts was thud person stuff, based on a mlxture of fact, rumor. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works. Read more

Ask Me Why I Hurt

Author: MD Randy Christensen M.D. Publisher: Crown Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

An unforgettable and inspiring memoir of an extraordinary doctor who is saving lives in a most unconventional way. Ask Me Why I Hurt is the touching and revealing first-person account of the remarkable work of Dr. Randy Christensen. Trained as a pediatrician, he works not in a typical hospital setting but, rather, in a 38-foot Winnebago that has been refitted as a doctor’s office on wheels. His patients are the city’s homeless adolescents and children. In the shadow of an affluent American city, Dr. Christensen has dedicated his life to caring for society's throwaway kids—the often-abused, unloved children who live on the streets without access to proper health care, all the while fending off constant threats from thugs, gangs, pimps, and other predators. With the Winnebago as his moveable medical center, Christensen and his team travel around the outskirts of Phoenix, attending to the children and teens who need him most. With tenderness and humor, Dr. Christensen chronicles everything from the struggles of the van’s early beginnings, to the support system it became for the kids, and the ultimate recognition it has achieved over the years. Along with his immense professional challenges, he also describes the trials and joys he faces while raising a growing family with his wife Amy. By turns poignant, heartbreaking, and charming, Dr. Christensen's story is a gripping and rich memoir of his work and family, one of those rare books that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page. Read more

Chunky: A Graphic Novel

Author: Yehudi Mercado Publisher: HarperAlley Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Yehudi Mercado

In this full-color middle grade graphic memoir for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Jerry Craft, Yehudi Mercado draws inspiration from his childhood struggle with his weight while finding friendship with his imaginary mascot, Chunky, as he navigates growing up in a working class Mexican-Jewish family. Hudi needs to lose weight, according to his doctors. Concerned about the serious medical issue Hudi had when he was younger, his parents push him to try out for sports. Hudi would rather do anything else, but then he meets Chunky, his imaginary friend and mascot. Together, they decide to give baseball a shot. As the only Mexican and Jewish kid in his neighborhood, Hudi has found the cheerleader he never had. Baseball doesn’t go well (unless getting hit by the ball counts), but the two friends have a great time drawing and making jokes. While Hudi’s parents keep trying to find the right sport for Hudi, Chunky encourages him to pursue his true love—comedy. But when Hudi’s dad loses his job, it gets harder for Hudi to chart his own course, even with Chunky’s guidance. Can Chunky help Hudi stay true to himself or will this friendship strike out? * A TLA Maverick Graphic Novel of the Year * Banks Street Best Children's Books of the Year * ALSC Graphic Novel Pick of the Year * 2022-2023 Virginia Reads Middle Grade Book Winner * Read more

Gone to the Woods

Author: Gary Paulsen Publisher: Square Fish Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A mesmerizing memoir from three-time Newbery Honor–winning author Gary Paulsen―whose books have sold over 35 million copies worldwide―giving readers a new perspective on the origins of his blockbuster contemporary classic Hatchet and other famed survival stories. “Leaves you gritting your teeth and clutching the pages . . . Haunted me as a reader.” ― The New York Times Book Review ★ “This literary treasure is written for book lovers of any age.” ― Shelf Awareness , starred review His name is synonymous with high-stakes wilderness survival adventures. Now, beloved author Gary Paulsen portrays a series of life-altering moments from his turbulent childhood as his own original survival story. If not for his summer escape from a shockingly neglectful Chicago upbringing to a North Woods homestead at age five, there never would have been a Hatchet. Without the encouragement of the librarian who handed him his first book at age thirteen, he may never have become a reader. And without his desperate teenage enlistment in the Army, he would not have discovered his true calling as a storyteller. An entrancing and critically lauded account of grit and growing up, perfect for newcomers and lifelong fans alike, Gone to the Woods: Surviving a Lost Childhood is literary legend Gary Paulsen at his rawest and realest. Don’t miss Gary Paulsen’s other acclaimed books from Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers: the father-son comedy How to Train Your Dad and the page-turning survival adventure Northwind . Read more

I am Jim Henson

Author: Brad Meltzer Publisher: Rocky Pond Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Christopher Eliopoulos

Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets and Sesame Street , is the 11th hero in the New York Times bestselling picture book biography series for ages 5 to 8. Jim Henson, was always dreaming up something new, and always expressing his belief in the goodness of people. Henson was a born performer with a terrific sense of humor, and he used those talents to help create two of the most beloved programs in television history: The Muppet Show and Sesame Street . Through his Muppets, Jim showed the world that there’s nothing more beautiful than imagination, especially when it’s accompanied by laughter and kindness. This friendly, fun biography series inspired the PBS Kids TV show Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. One great role model at a time, these books encourage kids to dream big. Included in each book are: • A timeline of key events in the hero’s history • Photos that bring the story more fully to life • Comic-book-style illustrations that are irresistibly adorable • Childhood moments that influenced the hero • Facts that make great conversation-starters • A character trait that made the person heroic and that readers can aspire to You’ll want to collect each book in this dynamic, informative series! Read more

It's Her Story Sacajawea A Graphic Novel

Author: Randy'L He-Dow Teton Publisher: Sunbird Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Aly McKnight

Sacajawea was a brilliant, multilingual Shoshone girl who was torn from her home at a young age. In 1804, she set out with the Lewis and Clark Expedition, acting as an interpreter and guide across hundreds of miles of unmapped land to reach the Pacific Ocean. Almost 200 years later, she became the first Indigenous woman to appear on a US coin. This is her story. Read more

Marshfield Dreams

Author: Ralph Fletcher Publisher: Square Fish Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

The colorful boyhood of a popular author comes to life in this personal account Imagine learning from a nosy classmate that your mother is having yet another baby. To Ralph's classmates, news of one more Fletcher baby is just "scuttlebutt." But for Ralph, the oldest of nine, being part of a large family means more kids to join in the fun―from making tripods in the woods and "snicking" up the rug to raising chicks and even discovering a meteor (well, maybe). It doesn't feel like there's life beyond Marshfield, Massachusetts. Then one day Dad's new job moves the family to Chicago, and there's so much Ralph has to leave behind. In this humorous and captivating memoir, Ralph Fletcher traces the roots of his storytelling. Read more

My Survival: A Girl on Schindler's List

Author: Joshua M. Greene Publisher: Scholastic Inc. Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

The astonishing true story of a girl who survived the Holocaust with the help of Oskar Schindler, of Schindler's List fame. Rena Finder was only eleven when the Nazis forced her and her family -- along with all the other Jewish families -- into the ghetto in Krakow, Poland. Rena worked as a slave laborer with scarcely any food, and watched as friends and family were sent away. Then Rena and her mother ended up working for Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who employed Jewish prisoners in his factory and kept them fed and healthy. But Rena's nightmares were not over. She and her mother were deported to the concentration camp Auschwitz. With great cunning, it was Schindler who set out to help them escape. Here in her own words is Rena's gripping story of survival, perseverance, tragedy, and hope. Including pictures from Rena's personal collection and from the time period, this unforgettable memoir introduces young readers to an astounding and necessary piece of history. Read more

Posts of a Mid-Century Kid

Author: Ann Vigola Anderson Publisher: Anamcara Press LLC Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Anderson takes us on a journey to 1950s and 60s Kansas and treats the reader to hometown cooking in her tasty memoir Posts of a Mid-Century Kid . With humor and richly crafted details, she chronicles her mid-century childhood, offering a sampling of another era. This delightful and mischievous memoir advocates coloring vividly outside of the lines! A fun exploration of vintage toys, traditional festivities and personal growth into adulthood when life was “easy.” Ann vividly describes the beauty of the prairie state and the restorative impact of nature in her life. Summers spent at her grandparents’ farm, growing up with cousins, and family reunions offer a connection to the halcyon days of the mid-century. Ann offers generous helpings of comfort-food-reading as she shares family stories and recipes of prize desserts prepared for generations, and gives second servings of hope and strength in the form of experiences shared, and the memories she stirs into her words. “Want to learn what it was like being a little girl growing up in Kansas during the 1950s and 60s? Here, in a carefully crafted set of stories, we get the answer to that question. We visit Grandma’s huge country garden ‘with perfectly straight rows.’ We see the then ten-year-old author giving a special gift to her Grandmother at Christmas—that brings tears to the reader’s eyes. ... There is much more as the author unpacks the memories of her childhood and growing up years.” —Jerry Apps, Author Simple Things: Lessons From the Family Farm "I think that a good book of any kind should provide the reader with insights into human nature, no matter how profound or quotidian the subject matter. Posts of a Mid-Century Kid by Ann Vigola Anderson gives the reader ample evidence of how interesting an ordinary life can be, of how observations as one simply goes along in life can provide universal insights. The format is one of a series of Facebook postings and the time frame is the 1950s and ‘60s, the era of my own teens and twenties. Anderson’s prose is clear and engaging, and the book’s subtitle sums up the author’s efforts and this reader’s reaction nicely: ‘Doing my best. Having fun.”’ —Jim Hoy, author of My Flint Hills "A life this rich also includes heartache. Ann speaks frankly of the loss of her mom and brother at a young age and the challenge of growing up with a father who never became involved in her life. She generously shares how she’s created a family from friends, a joyful marriage, and a bond with cats throughout her life." — Cheryl Unruh, author of Flyover People Anderson delivers a memoir that is at once humorous, poetic, and vulnerable. An excellent read. — Patty Reece, owner of The Volland Store “I thoroughly enjoyed Posts of a Mid-century Kid, a charming, heartwarming, emotional collection of memories that shows what growing up in the 1950s was like. From Anderson’s childhood came a lifelong love of family, tennis, cats, and Kansas. From her young friends, she learned the mysteries and misinformation of where babies come from and engaged in grooming experiments gone bad. She struggled with her parents’ divorce and an absentee father, along with other losses. However, Anderson found her way through both the happy and sad of life with her mother’s words to guide her: Do your best. Have fun. It is a message for all of us.” — Hazel Hart, author of the Pierce Family Saga historical fiction series Read more

Taking Cover

Author: Nioucha Homayoonfar Publisher: National Geographic Kids Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

This coming-of-age memoir, set during the Iranian Revolution, tells the true story of a young girl who moves to Tehran from the U.S. and has to adjust to living in a new country, learning a new language, and starting a new school during one of the most turbulent periods in Iran's history. When five-year-old Nioucha Homayoonfar moves from the U.S. to Iran in 1976, its open society means a life with dancing, women's rights, and other freedoms. But soon the revolution erupts and the rules of life in Iran change. Religion classes become mandatory. Nioucha has to cover her head and wear robes. Opinions at school are not welcome. Her cousin is captured and tortured after he is caught trying to leave the country. And yet, in the midst of so much change and challenge, Nioucha is still just a girl who wants to play with her friends, please her parents, listen to pop music, and, eventually, have a boyfriend. Will she ever get used to this new culture? Can she break the rules without consequences? Nioucha's story sheds light on the timely conversation about religious, political, and social freedom, publishing in time for the 40th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution. Read more

The Middle School Rules of Charles Tillman

Author: Sean Jensen Publisher: Broadstreet Publishing Group, LLC Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Over a dozen seasons, Charles Tillman established himself as the greatest cornerback in the storied history of the Chicago Bears. A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Tillman has been distinguished as one of the NFL's most opportunistic defensive backs, intercepting 36 passes and forcing 42 fumbles - the most in the league since his rookie year in 2003. In fact, he popularized the ''Peanut Punch'', a nod to his childhood nickname and a tribute to his knack for jarring a football from the grasp of an offensive player. But even more than his acclaim on the field, Tillman is highly regarded off the field. With his father serving in the United States Army, Tillman attended 11 different schools domestically and internationally. Lightly recruited out of Copperas Cove High School in Texas, Tillman was offered a single Division 1-A scholarship, but he shined at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and was selected by the Bears in the second round of the NFL Draft. In 2005, Tillman and his wife Jackie established the Cornerstone Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides resources and opportunities to children in need. Tillman was a 2012 finalist for the NFL Players Association's Byron White Man of the Year award, and he was the 2013 winner of the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year award, which ''recognizes a player's off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence... The Middle School Rules of Charles Tillman will feature the defining childhood stories of a young, well-traveled boy nicknamed ''Peanut'', who had to deal with racism, adapt to constant relocation, and endure the divorce of his parents. Inspired by faith and family, Tillman persevered and carved out an indelible mark both on and off the field. Read more

Three Little Words: A Memoir

Author: Ashley Rhodes-Courter Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

An inspiring true story of the tumultuous nine years the author spent in the foster care system, and how she triumphed over painful memories and real-life horrors to ultimately find her own voice. “Sunshine, you’re my baby and I’m your only mother. You must mind the one taking care of you, but she’s not your mama.” Ashley Rhodes-Courter spent nine years of her life in fourteen different foster homes, living by those words. As her mother spirals out of control, Ashley is left clinging to an unpredictable, dissolving relationship, all the while getting pulled deeper and deeper into the foster care system. Painful memories of being taken away from her home quickly become consumed by real-life horrors, where Ashley is juggled between caseworkers, shuffled from school to school, and forced to endure manipulative, humiliating treatment from a very abusive foster family. In this inspiring, unforgettable memoir, Ashley finds the courage to succeed—and in doing so, discovers the power of speaking out. Read more

Who Discovered How to Breathe Underwater?

Author: Ned Wolfe Publisher: Penguin Workshop Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Caroline Hu

Explore how French naval officer Jacques Cousteau forever changed the way people experience life underwater in this STEM-driven graphic novel by GLAAD Media Award–winning author Ned Wolfe and illustrator Caroline Hu. An NSTA-CBC 2026 Best STEM Book! A NCSS-CBC 2026 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People! Presenting Who HQ Graphic Novels: an exciting addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling Who Was? series! Dive into the sea with Jacques Cousteau as he works to develop the Aqua-Lung—the first modern scuba device—which allowed for safer, longer, and deeper diving. A story of friendship, experimentation, and innovation, this graphic novel immerses readers in Jacques’s journey of combining his passions for tinkering, filmmaking, and the sea. This accessible narrative makes a splash with bright, full-color illustrations that will transport readers below the water's surface. Read more

World's Greatest Musicians

Author: Wonder House Books Publisher: Wonder House Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Discover the Legends of Music! My First Book of Great Musicians is a meticulously researched and beautifully illustrated book that celebrates the lives and achievements of iconic musicians who have changed the world with their talent and passion. Packed with age-appropriate content, fascinating facts, and vibrant artwork, this book introduces young readers to music legends―from classical maestros to pop sensations―and inspires them to dream big. Why Kids Will Love It : Introduces legendary musicians and their incredible journeys Fun facts and stories that spark curiosity and imagination Bold, colorful illustrations that make learning exciting Why Parents Will Love It : Encourages reading habits and builds general knowledge Perfect for early learners interested in music and history Stimulates curiosity about different musical genres and cultures Perfect For : Children aged 8–12 Young music lovers and budding performers School projects, libraries, and gifting Read more

100 Hispanic and Latino Americans Who Shaped American History

Author: Rick Laezman Publisher: Sourcebooks Explore Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Incredible stories of 100 extraordinary Hispanic and Latino Americans, for kids 9 and up The perfect history gift for curious kids, this biography collection includes: 100 easy-to-read one-page biographies: Find out how these incredible Americans changed the course of history! Illustrated portraits: Each biography includes an illustration to help bring history to life! A timeline, trivia questions, project ideas and more: Boost your learning and test your knowledge with fun activities and resources! From Mariano Vallejo to Carmen Miranda, Cesar Chavez to Oscar de la Renta, Sandra Cisneros to Justice Sonia Sotomayor and many more, readers will be introduced to artists, activists, scientists, and icons throughout history. Organized chronologically, 100 Hispanic and Latino Americans Who Shaped American History offers a look at the prominent role these men and women played and how their talents, ideas, and expertise have influenced the country since its very beginning. Read more

Baby Zeke

Author: Dr. Block Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Want your kids to read more books? Give them books they WANT to read. Does your young reader prefer playing video games to reading? Do you want to get your child away from screens for a while? The Baby Zeke series is the perfect solution. Build Readers with Exciting Books—Written About What Your Kids Already Love: Minecraft! Join Baby Zeke, a young Minecraft zombie, and his chicken, Harold, in a story full of action and humor as they combine forces to become a mythical chicken jockey, exploring their world and beginning a quest to defeat Herobrine. Quotes from parents: “I've never seen [my son] read so fast and so often! Now he wants all the other Minecraft books from this author.” “As soon as [my son] got this book, he started reading without prompting.” “My 8 year old really enjoyed this story. It's well done and the characters are relatable.” *** Please note: This Minecraft-inspired book is a work of fan-fiction and is NOT OFFICIAL MINECRAFT PRODUCT. NOT APPROVED BY OR ASSOCIATED WITH MOJANG.*** Read more

COCO CHANEL STORY FOR KIDS

Author: Willie M. Mone Publisher: Independently published Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

COCO CHANEL STORY FOR KIDS: THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS AND THE BIG FASHION DREAM – HOW SHE MADE FASHION HISTORY Discover the incredible life of Coco Chanel, the woman who transformed the world of fashion and showed everyone that big dreams can come true—even if you start with humble beginnings! This inspiring biography is written especially for kids aged 8-12, taking them on a fun and engaging journey through Coco Chanel’s life. From her early years in a French orphanage to becoming one of the most famous fashion designers ever, this book teaches children the importance of creativity, determination, and following your dreams. Inside this exciting book, young readers will learn: How a little girl with a big dream learned to sew in an orphanage and grew up to create the world-famous Chanel brand. The story behind the Little Black Dress and why it became a timeless fashion staple. How Coco’s groundbreaking designs, including the Chanel No. 5 perfume, handbags, and suits, changed the way the world dressed! Fun facts about Coco’s life, her bold ideas, and the famous women who wore her designs. Filled with beautiful illustrations and cool facts, this book will spark curiosity in young readers and show them that anything is possible if you believe in yourself—just like Coco did! Perfect for girls and boys who love fashion, creativity, or stories about real-life legends, this biography will inspire kids to dream big and never give up. This book is not just about fashion; it’s about believing in your potential and daring to be different. Whether your child is passionate about design or just loves reading about amazing people, "COCO CHANEL STORY FOR KIDS" is sure to become a favourite! Give your child the gift of inspiration with this incredible story of how Coco Chanel made fashion history! Read more

Gone to the Woods: Surviving a Lost Childhood

Author: Gary Paulsen Publisher: Macmillan Young Listeners Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

"Dan Bittner flawlessly narrates this matchless memoir, which captures writer Gary Paulsen's bittersweet life...The sublime narration and satisfying conclusion contribute to a rewarding listening experience." -- AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award winner A middle grade memoir from a living literary legend, giving listeners a new perspective on the origins of Gary Paulsen's famed survival stories. His name is synonymous with high-stakes wilderness survival stories. Now, beloved author Gary Paulsen portrays a series of life-altering moments from his turbulent childhood as his own original survival story. If not for his summer escape from a shockingly neglectful Chicago upbringing to a North Woods homestead at age five, there never would have been a Hatchet . Without the encouragement of the librarian who handed him his first book at age thirteen, he may never have become a reader. And without his desperate teenage enlistment in the Army, he would not have discovered his true calling as a storyteller. A moving and enthralling story of grit and growing up, Gone to the Woods is perfect for newcomers to the voice and lifelong fans alike, from the acclaimed author at his rawest and realest. A Macmillan Audio production from Farrar, Straus and Giroux Read more

I Am Malala

Author: Patricia McCormick Publisher: HACHETTE INDIA Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Please Read Notes: Brand New, International Softcover Edition, Printed in black and white pages, minor self wear on the cover or pages, Sale restriction may be printed on the book, but Book name, contents, and author are exactly same as Hardcover Edition. Fast delivery through DHL/FedEx express. Read more

It's Trevor Noah

Author: Trevor Noah Publisher: Yearling Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

The host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah, shares his personal story and the injustices he faced while growing up half black, half white in South Africa under and after apartheid in this New York Times bestselling young readers' adaptation of his adult memoir. “A piercing reminder that every mad life--even yours--could end up a masterpiece." --JASON REYNOLDS, New York Times bestselling author We do horrible things to one another because we don’t see the person it affects. . . . We don’t see them as people. Trevor Noah, host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central, shares his remarkable story of growing up in South Africa with a black South African mother and a white European father at a time when it was against the law for a mixed-race child to exist. But he did exist--and from the beginning, the often-misbehaved Trevor used his keen smarts and humor to navigate a harsh life under a racist government. In a country where racism barred blacks from social, educational, and economic opportunity, Trevor surmounted staggering obstacles and created a promising future for himself thanks to his mom’s unwavering love and indomitable will. This honest and poignant memoir adapted from the #1 New York Times bestseller Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood will astound and inspire readers as well as offer a fascinating perspective on South Africa’s tumultuous racial history. BORN A CRIME IS SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE STARRING OSCAR WINNER LUPITA NYONG'O! Read more

Marshfield Dreams: When I Was a Kid

Author: Ralph Fletcher Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

The colorful boyhood of a popular author comes to life in this personal account Imagine learning from a nosy classmate that your mother is having yet another baby. To Ralph's classmates, news of one more Fletcher baby is just "scuttlebutt." But for Ralph, the oldest of nine, being part of a large family means more kids to join in the fun―from making tripods in the woods and "snicking" up the rug, to raising chicks and even discovering a meteor (well, maybe). It doesn't feel like there's life beyond Marshfield, Massachusetts. Then one day Dad's new job moves the family to Chicago, and there's so much Ralph has to leave behind. In this humorous and captivating memoir, Ralph Fletcher traces the roots of his storytelling. Read more

My Survival

Author: Joshua M. Greene Publisher: Scholastic Press Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

The astonishing true story of a girl who survived the Holocaust thanks to Oskar Schindler, of Schindler's List fame. Rena Finder was only eleven when the Nazis forced her and her family -- along with all the other Jewish families -- into the ghetto in Krakow, Poland. Rena worked as a slave laborer with scarcely any food and watched as friends and family were sent away. Then Rena and her mother ended up working for Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who employed Jewish prisoners in his factory and kept them fed and healthy. But Rena's nightmares were not over. She and her mother were deported to the concentration camp Auschwitz. With great cunning, it was Schindler who set out to help them escape. Here in her own words is Rena's gripping story of survival, perseverance, tragedy, and hope. Including pictures from Rena's personal collection and from the time period, this unforgettable memoir introduces young readers to an astounding and necessary piece of history. Read more

Rascal

Author: Sterling North Publisher: Turtleback Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A Newbery Honor Book Celebrating 50 years of a beloved classic! Nothing's surprising in the North household, not even Sterling's new pet raccoon. Rascal is only a baby when Sterling brings him home, but soon the two are best friends, doing everything together--until the spring day when everything suddenly changes. Rascal is a heartwarming boyhood memoir that continues to find its way into the hearts of readers fifty years later. This special anniversary edition includes the book's classic illustrations restored to their original splendor, as well as a letter from the author's daughter, and material from the illustrator's personal collection. "Everyone should knock off work, sit beneath the nearest tree, and enjoy Rascal from cover to cover."— Chicago Tribune Read more

Tell the Kids I Love Them: A Memoir

Author: Jeremy Redmon Publisher: University of South Carolina Press Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A son's search for meaning in the shadow of war and a father's final words In Tell the Kids I Love Them , Jeremy Redmon uncovers the mysteries of his father's life and death. His dad, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, took his own life when Redmon was a teenager―an act that propelled the author on a lifelong quest to understand war, loss, and fatherhood. From blast-scorched Mosul to the ancient ruins of Babylon, Redmon chronicles his experiences as a war correspondent embedded with US troops in Iraq, surviving close calls while witnessing utter devastation as well as remarkable humanity. Threaded with dark humor, told with cinematic detail, and conveyed with raw honesty, this memoir is as much about resilience as it is about tragedy. When Redmon becomes a father, he finally learns how to carry on with both his father's complicated legacy and the final message he left behind: "Tell the kids I love them." Read more

The Middle School Rules of Charles Tillman

Author: Sean Jensen Publisher: BroadStreet Publishing Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Over a dozen seasons, Charles Tillman established himself as the greatest cornerback in the storied history of the Chicago Bears. A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Tillman has been distinguished as one of the NFL's most opportunistic defensive backs, intercepting 36 passes and forcing 42 fumbles--the most in the league since his rookie year in 2003. In fact, he popularized the "Peanut Punch," a nod to his childhood nickname and a tribute to his knack for jarring a football from the grasp of an offensive player. But even more than his acclaim on the field, Tillman is highly regarded off the field. With his father serving in the United States Army, Tillman attended 11 different schools domestically and internationally. Lightly recruited out of Copperas Cove High School in Texas, Tillman was offered a single Division 1-A scholarship, but he shined at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and was selected by the Bears in the second round of the NFL Draft. In 2005, Tillman and his wife Jackie established the Cornerstone Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides resources and opportunities to children in need. Tillman was a 2012 finalist for the NFL Players Association's Byron White Man of the Year award, and he was the 2013 winner of the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year award, which "recognizes a player's off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence." The Middle School Rules of Charles Tillman will feature the defining childhood stories of a young, well-traveled boy nicknamed "Peanut," who had to deal with racism, adapt to constant relocation, and endure the divorce of his parents. Inspired by faith and family, Tillman persevered and carved out an indelible mark both on and off the field. Read more

Three Summers

Author: Amra Sabic-El-Rayess Publisher: Square Fish Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

An epic middle-grade memoir about sisterhood and coming-of-age in the three years leading up to the Bosnian Genocide. Three Summers is the story of five young cousins who grow closer than sisters as ethnic tensions escalate over three summers in 1980s Bosnia. They navigate the joys and pitfalls of adolescence on their family’s little island in the middle of the Una River. When finally confronted with the harsh truths of the adult world around them, their bond gives them the resilience to discover and hold fast to their true selves. Written with incredible warmth and tenderness, Amra Sabic-El-Rayess takes readers on a journey that will break their hearts and put them back together again. Read more

Who Is Jane Goodall?

Author: Roberta Edwards Publisher: Turtleback Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A life in the wild! Jane Goodall, born in London, England, always loved animals and wanted to study them in their natural habitats. So at age twenty-six, off she went to Africa! Goodall's up-close observations of chimpanzees changed what we know about them and paved the way for many female scientists who came after her. Now her story comes to life in this biography with black-and-white illustrations throughout. Turtleback binding is a highly durable alternative to a hardcover or paperback book. The comprehensive cover reinforcement process will drastically combat wear and tear, keeping your favorite books in great condition for years to come! Turtleback books are ideal for any reader, or for use in schools or libraries. Read more

World's Greatest Scientists & Inventors

Author: Wonder House Books Publisher: Wonder House Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Inspire Young Minds with Stories of Brilliance and Innovation This carefully researched book brings to life the inspiring stories of great scientists and inventors who have transformed the world with their ideas and inventions. Filled with age-appropriate language, fun facts, and eye-catching illustrations, it is designed to spark curiosity in young readers while enhancing their knowledge and vocabulary. What’s Inside? Profiles of pioneering scientists and game-changing inventors Age-appropriate facts and engaging storytelling Vibrant illustrations that capture the imagination Fascinating trivia that brings science to life Benefits for Young Learners Encourages reading and independent exploration Improves general knowledge across disciplines Boosts vocabulary through context-rich content Fosters curiosity about science, technology, and innovation Ideal For Children aged 6 to 10 years Classroom libraries and homeschooling Parents seeking educational yet entertaining books Young readers interested in real-life heroes and discoveries Why You’ll Love This Book Combines storytelling with learning Develops critical thinking and an interest in science Motivates children to dream big and think creatively Introduce your child to the thinkers and tinkerers who changed the world. This inspiring collection not only entertains but also lays the foundation for a lifelong love of science and discovery. Read more

24

Author: Willie Mays Publisher: St. Martin's Press Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER AND SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE BESTSELLER The legendary Willie Mays shares the inspirations and influences responsible for guiding him on and off the field in this reflective and inspirational memoir. "Even if, like me, you thought you had pretty much read and heard all there was to read and hear about Willie Mays, this warmhearted book will inform and reward you. And besides, what true baseball fan can ever get enough of Willie Mays? Say Hey! Read on and enjoy." ― From the Foreword by Bob Costas “It’s because of giants like Willie that someone like me could even think about running for President.” ―President Barack Obama Widely regarded as the greatest all-around player in baseball history because of his unparalleled hitting, defense and baserunning, the beloved Willie Mays offers people of all ages his lifetime of experience meeting challenges with positivity, integrity and triumph in 24: Life Stories and Lessons from the Say Hey Kid. Presented in 24 chapters to correspond with his universally recognized uniform number, Willie’s memoir provides more than the story of his role in America’s pastime. This is the story of a man who values family and community, engages in charitable causes especially involving children and follows a philosophy that encourages hope, hard work and the fulfillment of dreams. “I was very lucky when I was a child. My family took care of me and made sure I was in early at night. I didn’t get in trouble. My father made sure that I didn’t do the wrong thing. I’ve always had a special place in my heart for children and their well-being, and John Shea and I got the idea that we should do something for the kids and the fathers and the mothers, and that’s why this book is being published. We want to reach out to all generations and backgrounds. Hopefully, these stories and lessons will inspire people in a positive way.” ―Willie Mays Read more

Bad Boy: A Memoir

Author: Walter Dean Myers Publisher: Quill Tree Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A classic memoir that's gripping, funny, and ultimately unforgettable from the bestselling former National Ambassador of Books for Young People. A strong choice for summer reading—an engaging and powerful autobiographical exploration of growing up a so-called "bad boy" in Harlem in the 1940s. As a boy, Myers was quick-tempered and physically strong, always ready for a fight. He also read voraciously—he would check out books from the library and carry them home, hidden in brown paper bags in order to avoid other boys' teasing. He aspired to be a writer (and he eventually succeeded). But as his hope for a successful future diminished, the values he had been taught at home, in school, and in his community seemed worthless, and he turned to the streets and to his books for comfort. Don’t miss this memoir by New York Times bestselling author Walter Dean Myers, one of the most important voices of our time. Read more

Counting Coup

Author: Joseph Medicine Crow Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc. and Blackstone Publishing Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Picture a Crow Indian elder, his wizened eyes catching yours in the ancient flicker of firelight. His mesmerizing stories span the ages, from Custer to World War II to the 21st Century. He is the last traditional chief of his people. He is over 90 years old. Now picture that same man lecturing at colleges nationwide, and addressing the United Nations on the subject of peace. National Geographic presents the amazing life story of Joseph Medicine Crow, the man who begins life as Winter Man. Trained as a warrior by his grandfather, Yellowtail, he bathes in icy rivers and endures the ceremony of "counting coup"-facing fierce combat with an enemy Sioux boy. An operation at the local hospital brings the young Crow face-to-face with his worst fears: a Sioux, a ghost, and a white man. He excels at the white man's school and is raised in the Baptist faith. He translates the stories of the elder chiefs, becoming the link to the ancient traditions of the pre-reservation generation. His own dramatic and funny stories span both ages, and the ancient Crow legends are passed on in the storytelling tradition. Joseph Medicine Crow's doctorate degree was interrupted by the call to arms of World War II. On the battlefields of Germany he earned the ancient status of War Chief by completing the four war deeds required of the Crow warrior. In 1948 the Crow Tribal Council appointed Joseph Medicine Crow (now called High Bird) their Tribal Historian and Anthropologist. Counting Coup is a vibrant adventure narrative, bringing Native American history and culture alive for young readers. Joseph Medicine Crow's story illuminates the challenges faced by the Crow people as hurricanes of change raged through America. His epic story and its lessons are an essential legacy for us all. Read more

Great Minds of Science

Author: Tonya Bolden Publisher: Harry N. Abrams Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: David Wilkerson

Dive in to an exciting nonfiction graphic novel series about some of the greatest Black lives in history! "Sure to delight middle graders and encourage interest in STEM careers." (School Library Journal) This fun and accessible graphic novel for middle grade readers brings to light the lives of great but lesser-known Black scientists. Great Minds of Science is a kid-friendly introduction to some of the greatest scientists in history—doctors, engineers, mathematicians, and biologists. Each of them faced challenges as they rose to the top of their professions, but they didn’t back down. They kept experimenting and questioning and learning, and they made significant contributions in each of their scientific fields. Black Lives is the new graphic novel series from award-winning author Tonya Bolden and illustrator David Wilkerson that celebrates the lives of Black innovators and legends and helps bring these histories to life. Celebrate the lives and contributions of Black scientists throughout history with the inspiring Great Minds of Science. Read more

I Got This

Author: Laurie Hernandez Publisher: HarperCollins Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

New York Times , Wall Street Journal , and USA Today Bestseller! Now in an expanded paperback edition with Laurie’s training routine for the Summer 2020 Olympics, her life as cohost of American Ninja Warrior Junior , and more! Gold medal-winning Olympic gymnast and Dancing with the Stars champion Laurie Hernandez shares her story in her own words in this debut for fans of all ages—featuring never-before-seen photos and brand-new content. At sixteen years old, Laurie Hernandez has already made many of her dreams come true—and yet it’s only the beginning for this highly accomplished athlete. A Latina Jersey girl, Laurie saw her life take a dramatic turn in 2016 when she was chosen to be part of the US Olympic gymnastics team. After winning gold in Rio as part of the Final Five, Laurie also earned an individual silver medal for her performance on the balance beam. She then danced her way into everyone’s hearts while competing on—and winning!—the hit reality TV show Dancing with the Stars . Now Laurie is sharing the true story of her path to Olympic gold and where her phenomenal talents will take her next. From her loving family to her rigorous training, from her career-threatening injuries to her road to recovery, from her intense sacrifices to her amazing triumphs—Laurie pulls back the curtain on her own life and reveals exactly what it took to make her dreams come true. She will tell you what it’s like to be Laurie Hernandez; she will motivate you, inspire you, and make you believe. Read more

Julie Andrews: A Little Golden Book Biography

Author: Christy Webster Publisher: Golden Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Sue Cornelison

Help your little one dream big with a Little Golden Book biography about Julie Andrews, the beloved award-winning actress and singer! Little Golden Book biographies are the perfect introduction to nonfiction for young readers—as well as fans of all ages! This Little Golden Book about Dame Julie Andrews—Broadway icon, film star, and author—is a great read-aloud for young children as well as their parents and grandparents. Her iconic roles in My Fair Lady , Mary Poppins , Cinderella , and The Sound of Music make her a household name for all ages! Look for more Little Golden Book biographies: • Betty White • Carol Burnett • Lucille Ball • Harry Belafonte • Dwayne Johnson Read more

Marshfield Memories

Author: Ralph Fletcher Publisher: Square Fish Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A heartfelt middle grade companion to Marshfield Dreams that captures the boyhood years of twelve-year-old Ralph Fletcher in relatable episodes of everyday disappointments and triumphs. As the oldest of nine kids, Ralph was often cast as another parent to his siblings rather than as an older brother; teetering between these two conflicting roles, Ralph longed to be home alone on a sick day, but hated the emptiness of feeling left behind. He loved to play sports with his neighborhood friends but resented the skillful victories of his younger brother. Thrust into the expectations of impending adolescence, Ralph was curious about girls, but embarrassed to take part in the school square dance. This satisfying memoir offers a snapshot of those pivotal moments between grade school and high school, all while tracing the roots of Ralph Fletcher’s acclaimed storytelling. Christy Ottaviano Books Read more

My Thirteenth Winter: A Memoir

Author: Samantha Abeel Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

In this beautiful and chilling memoir, twenty-five-year-old Samantha Abeel describes her struggles with a math-related learning disability, and how it forced her to find inner strength and courage. Samantha Abeel couldn't tell time, remember her locker combination, or count out change at a checkout counter -- and she was in seventh grade. For a straight-A student like Samantha, problems like these made no sense. She dreaded school, and began having anxiety attacks. In her thirteenth winter, she found the courage to confront her problems -- and was diagnosed with a learning disability. Slowly, Samantha's life began to change again. She discovered that she was stronger than she'd ever thought possible -- and that sometimes, when things look bleakest, hope is closer than you think. Read more

Reach for the Skai

Author: Skai Jackson Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Actress, activist, and now Danicing with the Stars competitor Skai Jackson shares her lessons on life and her rise to stardom in this vibrant memoir about self-acceptance, girl empowerment, and the classy clapback. Actress and activist Skai Jackson is a star! Her rise to fame started on the popular Disney Channel shows Bunk'd and Jessie . Her cool sense of style led her to create her own fashion line. And her success has made her a major influencer, with millions of followers on Instagram, who isn't afraid to stand up for what she believes in. But being a teen celebrity isn't always glamorous. For the first time, Skai discusses the negative experiences that sometimes come with living in the spotlight--the insecurities about her appearance, the challenges of separating her real personality from her TV roles, and the bullying she's faced both personally and professionally. She knows firsthand the struggles tweens and teens face today, and she has found her calling as an antibullying activist, known as the queen of the classy clapback. Skai is a positive force and a role model for inspiring change and embracing differences in others. Her story will encourage girls and boys alike to believe in themselves and to have the courage to reach for the sky and follow their dreams. Read more

The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz

Author: Jeremy Dronfield Publisher: Quill Tree Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

This powerful, moving middle grade adaptation of the adult international bestselling narrative nonfiction book The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz shines a light on the true Holocaust survivor story of two brothers who experienced the atrocities of the Holocaust in very different ways. Fritz Kleinmann was fourteen when the Nazis took over Vienna. Kurt, his little brother, was eight. Under Hitler’s brutal regime, their Austrian-Jewish family of six was cruelly torn apart. Taken to Buchenwald concentration camp, Fritz and his Papa, Gustav, underwent hard labor and starvation. Meanwhile, Kurt made the difficult voyage, all alone, to America, to escape the war. When Papa was ordered to the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp, Fritz―desperate not to lose his beloved father―insisted he must go too. Together, they endured countless atrocities to survive. Jeremy Dronfield authentically and accurately captures this family survival story of bravery, love, hope, and survival with the help of extensive research and primary sources like Gustav’s diary and interviews with family members. Maps, black-and-white photos, a timeline of events, a glossary, and more are included. How does a family hold on to hope in one of history’s darkest moments? A Gripping True Story: Based on the secret diary Gustav Kleinmann kept throughout his imprisonment, this is the unforgettable account of a family torn apart by war. An Unbreakable Father-Son Bond: When his father is sent to the infamous Auschwitz death camp, a teenage Fritz makes an unbelievable choice: he insists on going too. Two Brothers, Two Different Wars: While Fritz and his father endure the horrors of the concentration camps, young Kurt must make a terrifying journey alone to safety in America. WWII History for Young Readers: A powerful introduction to World War II history, this moving adaptation makes a difficult subject accessible with extensive research, photos, maps, and a glossary. Read more

The Middle School Rules of Skylar Diggins

Author: Sean Jensen Publisher: Broadstreet Publishing Group, LLC Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Skylar Diggins is a basketball phenomenon, receiving her first letter of interest from a respected college coach when she was in fifth grade. She is an icon: signing as the first female client of Jay Z’s Roc Nation Sports, serving as the face of Nike’s Women’s Basketball Collection, and establishing herself as a must-follow on social media platforms such as Instagram (931,000 followers) and Twitter (604,000 followers). The Middle School Rules of Skylar Diggins features Skylar’s defining childhood stories and lessons about growing up in a diverse middle-class family. Young readers will learn how Skylar dealt with bullying, struggled to fit in at school, and figured out how to excel in basketball despite never being the tallest, strongest, or fastest player. Skylar shares personal anecdotes that helped her become the Gatorade National High School Player of the Year and one of the most decorated collegiate basketball players. “She was the most important recruit in the history of our program,” Notre Dame women’s basketball head coach, Muffet McGraw, says. “Skylar was in our own backyard, and we couldn’t let her get away.” Skylar Diggins did not disappoint. A four-time All-American, Skylar finished her career at Notre Dame owning or co-owning 32 game, season, or school records, and earned the distinction as one of just six NCAA Division 1 players to compile 2,000 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists, and 300 steals in a career. In the WNBA, Skylar, is starting guard for the Dallas Wings, a two-time All Star Starter, WNBA’s 2014 Most Improved Player and Named to WNBA’s 2014 First Team. Off the court, she oversees Skylar’s Scholars, a program that highlights the academic achievement of youth who have overcome challenges or achieved goals, and she serves on the board of directors for the GenYouth Foundation. Aside from sports mediums like ESPN and Sports Illustrated, Skylar has also been featured in Vogue and Self, and has been on MTV. Read more

Tomboy: A Graphic Memoir

Author: Liz Prince Publisher: Zest Books ™ Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Liz Prince

A memoir about friendship, gender, bullies, growth, punk rock, and the power of the perfect outfit . . . Growing up, Liz Prince wasn’t a girly girl, but she wasn’t exactly one of the guys either (as she learned when her little league baseball coach exiled her to the distant outfield). She was somewhere in between. But with the forces of middle school, high school, parents, friendship, and romance pulling her this way and that, the middle wasn't an easy place to be. Tomboy follows award-winning author and artist Liz Prince through her early years and explores―with humor, honesty, and poignancy―what it means to "be a girl." From staunchly refuting "girliness" to the point of misogyny, to discovering through the punk community that your identity is whatever you make of it, Tomboy offers a sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking account of self-discovery in modern America. “Liz Prince may have been an uncertain, confused kid, but she’s a confident and sincerely expressive cartoonist. Tomboy is a funny and relatable look at what every child has to deal with at some point ― figuring out who you really are inside, when everyone else only sees what they think you should be on the outside.” ―Jeffrey Brown, author of Clumsy , Jedi Academy , and Darth Vader and Son “Liz Prince portrays the awkwardness and humiliation of childhood with wonderful (not to mention painful) accuracy. Any kid that picks up this book is going to be privy to secrets most of us don’t learn until it’s too late, and any adult who reads it will be reminded of an essential truth: that it’s okay to be exactly who we want to be, no matter how weird everyone else thinks we are. Tomboy isn’t a self help book, but it should be.” ―Julia Wertz, author of Drinking at the Movies and The Infinite Wait “It’s hard to imagine anyone failing to be charmed by this entertaining, clever, and genuinely funny memoir of growing up with gender identity confusion. Even this pretty unconfused regular old dude found plenty to identify with in Liz Prince’s story of adolescent bafflement, exploration, and discovery ― delivered, like all the best such stories, with a light touch, wry wit, understated irony, and not one iota of preachiness. Meaning: I’m a fan. Go Liz!” ―Frank Portman, author of King Dork “Liz Prince tells gender norms to eat dirt. A delightful, thoughtful, and compulsively readable memoir. And an important one.” ―Ariel Schrag, author of Adam and Potential Read more

Who Killed Walt Bone

Author: John Graden Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

This is a highly entertaining coming of age martial arts biography about a karate crazed teen who discovers that his martial arts heroes are deep into drug smuggling, deviant sex, and murder. John Graden started karate in 1974 and knew from the first class that he was going to do this for his entire life. What he didn’t expect was to discover that his martial arts instructors were involved in serious criminal activity. Rather than leave the martial arts school, Graden kept doing what he had since his first karate class. He continued to try to be just like his instructors. With humor and unflinching honesty , this story reads like a fast-paced martial arts fiction novel or an action movie script. Reviews “An excellent read even for people who never gave martial arts a thought.” – Former Reader’s Digest Editor, Temple Emmet Williams “I am impressed with this wonderful book. It is as exciting as any motion picture thriller. I was VERY IMPRESSED with his point of view while relating the sometimes shocking stories.” –Clark E. Hodges “I can vouch for how brilliant John Graden's literary prowess is in telling this tale.”– Richard W Jenkins “I started reading the book this morning about 10AM and didn't put it down until about 2PM. An easy read that kept me engaged from the very beginning.” – Thomas Gordon “This is a story of a young man who finds himself in the art of karate, how his life is led astray by the instructor he idolizes. A true page-turner.” –Dan Anderson “Highly entertaining must read and not just for martial artists. His easy-to-read writing style immediately draws you into his fascinating trials and tribulations” –Official Karate magazine Formally published as: "Who Killed Walt Bone." Read more

World's Greatest Writers

Author: Wonder House Books Publisher: Wonder House Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Inspiring Authors: Legends of Literature Introduce your child to the world of timeless imagination and storytelling with this meticulously researched and beautifully illustrated book that celebrates the lives and works of prolific and influential writers. From beloved poets and novelists to groundbreaking playwrights and essayists, this book showcases how these literary legends shaped the world with their words. Designed especially for young readers, this book features age-appropriate content , fun facts , and bold illustrations to spark curiosity and nurture a love for reading, writing, and creative thinking. Why Parents Will Love It : Encourages a love of literature from an early age Enhances reading skills and vocabulary with engaging text Builds cultural awareness and general knowledge through inspiring life stories Perfect for gifting or for adding to a child’s home or school library Why Kids Will Love It : Vibrant illustrations that bring great authors to life Fun facts and bite-sized stories that are easy to understand Discovering famous books and authors who changed the world with words Inspires young readers and budding writers to dream big Key Features : Highlights the lives and achievements of influential authors from around the world Carefully curated for children aged 7 and above Encourages literary appreciation and creative expression Supports school projects and reading comprehension skills A must-have book to nurture young minds through the power of words and stories! Read more

7th Grade Middle School Chronicles

Author: Essynce E. Moore Publisher: Essynce Couture Publishing Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

If you would have told me a year ago that I would develop a crush on one of the guys in my school, my friends would randomly just start dating one-another, or I would shave the side of my head I would...probably believe the last one. But that’s not the point, the point is this year in middle school was nothing I’d predicted and this is coming from me, the girl who always says, “Expect the unexpected.” But sometimes we just don’t see these things coming and when they do come we have no choice but to live in the moment and let life come at us. Kids, teens, and adults who want to make sure my book is appropriate for their children to read, I bring you the sequel of 6th Grade Middle School Chronicles, the true story of my 7th grade year!!! Xoxo, Essynce Read more

Bad Sister

Author: Charise Mericle Harper Publisher: First Second Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Rory Lucey

This middle grade graphic memoir by Charise Mericle Harper, featuring illustrations by Rory Lucey, follows a young girl who undergoes a crisis of conscience, realizing that she is a “bad sister.” Meet Charise. She’s energetic, helpful, a model pet owner and full of inventions. But she’s also a bad sister. When she goes too far and breaks little brother Daniel’s tooth, can she redeem herself? Is an accident really an accident if you could have stopped it? But most importantly... What does it mean to be a good sister? Read more

Craig & Fred

Author: Craig Grossi Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers and Blackstone Audio Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

[Children's Nonfiction (Ages 8-12)] [*Read by the author - Craig Grossi] A heartwarming story of a stray dog and a U.S. Marine who met under the unlikeliest circumstances in Afghanistan -- and who changed each other's lives forever. As part of an elite team of Marines, Craig Grossi was sent on his most dangerous assignment to the Sangin District of Afghanistan. He expected to face harsh conditions and violence from Taliban fighters. What he didn't expect was to meet a stray dog, with a big goofy head and little legs -- a dog all on his own, filthy and covered in bugs, in a bomb-ridden district, but who carried himself with confidence. And even though the Marines have a rule against approaching strays, Craig couldn't help but offer some food and a pat -- and was shocked when the dog wagged his tail. From that moment on, they were inseparable; whether out on missions or back at the base, the dog named Fred went along. When the time came for Craig to leave Afghanistan, he knew that Fred had to leave with him no matter what. And as Craig tried to get acclimated to civilian life, Fred was there for him. This book tells the inspiring story of two friends who ultimately rescued each other, and the stubborn positivity and love that continue to shape their world. Read more

Guts: A Graphic Novel

Author: Raina Telgemeier Publisher: Graphix Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A true story from Raina Telgemeier, the #1 New York Times bestselling, multiple Eisner Award-winning author of Smile , Sisters , Drama , and Ghosts ! Raina wakes up one night with a terrible upset stomach. Her mom has one, too, so it's probably just a bug. Raina eventually returns to school, where she's dealing with the usual highs and lows: friends, not-friends, and classmates who think the school year is just one long gross-out session. It soon becomes clear that Raina's tummy trouble isn't going away... and it coincides with her worries about food, school, and changing friendships. What's going on? Raina Telgemeier once again brings us a thoughtful, charming, and funny true story about growing up and gathering the courage to face -- and conquer -- her fears. Read more

I Promised Not to Tell

Author: Cheryl B. Evans Publisher: Cheryl B. Evans Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

**A READERS' FAVORITE BRONZE MEDAL AWARD WINNER. **A Red Ribbon Winner - Wishing Shelf Book Awards When you have a baby girl you envision many things for her life but becoming a boy is not one of them. This book will benefit anyone who would like to learn more about gender dysphoria and is an absolute must-read for a parent, relative or friend of a gender-questioning or transgender person. What is unique about this deeply personal parenting memoir is that it follows one transgender child from birth through age eighteen. Every step of Evan's son's transition from female to male (FTM) is discussed in detail, including hormone replacement therapy and sex reassignment surgeries. This book shares it all in the hopes of making a difference in what seems like a harsh and cruel world for transgender people.You get a real sense of what this family went through. Their son's desperate effort to conform to societal gender norms, a suicide attempt, a family members struggle between faith and accepting a transgender loved one, a heartbreaking death and much more. You will hear from Jordan as he expresses his own thoughts on what being transgender means to him and follow along as he and his mother fight for transgender rights. I Promised Not to Tell is a thought provoking true story which transitions beautifully between the family's personal journey and some of the larger societal issues that face the transgender community today. Even if you don't know a transgender person, this book will make you feel as if you do. Maybe you have been curious about this topic and looking for a book that will share honest and intimate details on the subject. If so, this book will certainly do that for you. The underlying thread of this story is love; the consistent and unwavering love these parents have for their children and the steps they took to protect their family. If you are a transgender person, this book would be an excellent way to introduce the topic to parents and loved ones. Coming out can be a scary time and this book may help make your experience a little easier. Perhaps it can pave the way to acceptance and understanding.Honest, moving and well written, you will not be disappointed. Grab your copy now because this is a transgender story you won't want to miss! Other books by this author include: What Does God Think? Transgender People and The Bible. A transgender affirming book with strong biblical and scientific references that is both educational and highly revealing. My Parenting Journey with a Transgender Child: A Journal. This is a wonderful interactive journal specifically designed for parents with a transgender child. Over 75 thought provoking writing prompts and exercises help guide parents along a path of self-discover as they journal about their own unique parenting experiences. Wonderfully and Purposely Made: I Am Enough. An interactive journal designed for transgender people from pre-teen through to young adult. Perfect to give as a gift to a transgender person. There are even three different book covers to choose from in the print version. My Parenting Journal with an LGBTQ+ Child An interactive journal for parents has been specifically designed for parents with an LGBTQ+ child. Over 75 thought provoking writing prompts and exercises help guide parents along a path of self-discover as they journal about their own unique parenting experiences. You can find out more about Cheryl's other books by clicking on her name at the top of the page which will redirect you to her author's page. Read more

Kids on the Run

Author: RoseMary Quinn Gabriel Publisher: Independently published Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A grieving teen comes of age, finding love, marriage, and nine baby carriages. But can she avoid calamity when her kids turn out wilder than she was? Up until now, the Quinn family has been happy and content to follow Dad anywhere he went for work, but after the tragic tunnel collapse, how will they learn to live without him? Dad was always the solid rock that kept them together through thick and thin, but now they must begin a new life in Rice Lake, Wisconsin without him. Their grief is palpable as they try to pick up the pieces of their broken lives, and the older kids do their best to help Mom support the family. Rose Mary eventually falls in love and starts a family of her own. Her dream of being a farmer’s wife comes true, and she hopes to live on the family farm forever. But plans change and as her family grows, her nine kids get themselves into all kinds of predicaments. It seems the Gabriel kids are even wilder than the Quinn kids and every time she turns around, someone is missing. Rose Mary prays that she can make it through each day without a heart attack trying to keep them all corralled! Kids on the Run is a heartwarming true story of overcoming immense obstacles and finding joy in the little things. Rose Mary proves what she is made of as she chases after the Gabriel kids and keeps the family afloat while navigating a tenuous marriage relationship. Buy Kids on the Run today to find out how Rose Mary avoids calamity! Read more

Marvel Black Panther Shuri Defender of Wakanda

Author: Pamela Afram Publisher: DK Children Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Discover how Shuri uses amazing technology to protect Wakanda! Meet princess Shuri, the smart scientist behind Wakanda’s amazing technology. Join in the action as Shuri, her brother the Black Panther, and their allies battle their greatest enemies. Step into this amazing world in this thrilling Level 2 DK Reader. Exciting images, simple vocabulary, and a fun quiz will engage young Super Hero fans and help them build confidence in reading. Read more

Nelson Mandela

Author: Chris van Wyk Publisher: Flash Point Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Paddy Bouma

Nelson Mandela's autobiography, LONG WALK TO FREEDOM, offers a glimpse into the mind of a great leader, admired across the globe for his dedication to the struggles against apartheid in South Africa. Now the youngest readers can discover the remarkable story of Mandela's long walk from ordinary village boy, to his dynamic leadership of the African National Congress, to his many long years in prison-and, at last, his freedom and astonishing rise to become the leader of his country. Read more

Reaching for the Moon

Author: Katherine Johnson Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Book of 2019 “This rich volume is a national treasure.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Captivating, informative, and inspiring…Easy to follow and hard to put down.” — School Library Journal (starred review) The inspiring autobiography of NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, who helped launch Apollo 11. As a young girl, Katherine Johnson showed an exceptional aptitude for math. In school she quickly skipped ahead several grades and was soon studying complex equations with the support of a professor who saw great promise in her. But ability and opportunity did not always go hand in hand. As an African American and a girl growing up in an era of brutal racism and sexism, Katherine faced daily challenges. Still, she lived her life with her father’s words in mind: “You are no better than anyone else, and nobody else is better than you.” In the early 1950s, Katherine was thrilled to join the organization that would become NASA. She worked on many of NASA’s biggest projects including the Apollo 11 mission that landed the first men on the moon. Katherine Johnson’s story was made famous in the bestselling book and Oscar-nominated film Hidden Figures . Now in Reaching for the Moon she tells her own story for the first time, in a lively autobiography that will inspire young readers everywhere. Read more

The Circuit

Author: Francisco Jimenez Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Francisco Jimenez writes of his childhood growing up in an immigrant Mexican family. His narrative is simple, as from a child's point of view, but that same simplicity packs the power of a highly skilled storyteller. Beautifully and authentically rendered by actor and playwright Adrian Vargas, these twelve stories tell of the almost unendurable journey most migrant campesinos undertake to find the American Dream. The recording concludes with an afterword recorded by the author. Read more

The Moon and I

Author: Betsy Byars Publisher: HarperCollins Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Betsy Byars, Newbery Medal-winning author of The Summer of the Swans , presents this delightful and inspiring memoir, which also offers an insightful look at her writing process. The Moon that inspires this memoir isn't the one found in the night sky, but instead Bety’s eponymous reptile companion—a huge (and harmless) blacksnake that she found in the rafters of her porch. Using this serendipitous meeting as a springboard for an exploration of her life and her art, Betsy Byar’s memoir is filled with energy, wit, and joy. She shows how "the good scraps" of her life, from a bully named Bubba to a gift-wrapped dime, weave into her work. An ALA Notable Book “Pure pleasure.”— Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Extraordinarily skillful. A must.”— Kirkus (stared review) Read more

Tony Hawk: Professional Skateboarder

Author: Tony Hawk Publisher: Dey Street Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

In this young adult autobiography, Tony Hawk shares the stories from his life that have helped him become a skateboarding hero. Hawk speaks of being a super-competitive ′demon′ child who found peace while on a skateboard. Classmates teased him because of his interest in an ′uncool′ sport. Instead of retaliating with violence, he practised even more. With his story, he will inspire a younger generation of fans to stand up for what they believe in and follow their dreams. Ages 8-12 Read more

Who Sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

Author: Insha Fitzpatrick Publisher: Penguin Workshop Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Abelle Hayford

Discover the story behind Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott in this compelling graphic novel -- written by Oh My Gods! author Insha Fitzpatrick and illustrated by #DrawingWhileBlack organizer Abelle Hayford. Presenting Who HQ Graphic Novels: an exciting addition to the #1 New York Times best-selling Who Was? series! From refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger to sparking civil rights protests across America, explore how Rosa Parks's powerful act earned her the title "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement." A story of resistance, strength, and unwavering spirit, this graphic novel invites readers to immerse themselves in the life of the American Civil Rights leader -- brought to life by gripping narrative and vivid full-color illustrations that jump off the page. Read more

Worlds Greatest Sports Stars

Author: Wonder House Books Publisher: Wonder House Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Inspiring Stories of Talented Sports Personalities Celebrate the lives of famous athletes, sports legends, and rising stars in this engaging, educational book for children. Packed with real stories of passion, discipline, and victory , it introduces kids to the determination and hard work behind success in sports―from cricket and football to tennis, track, and beyond. What This Book Offers: Real-life stories: Discover the journeys of world-class sports heroes Visually rich pages: Bold illustrations and high-interest design for kids Child-friendly content: Easy-to-read text perfect for ages 6–12 Fun facts and trivia: Keeps young readers engaged and entertained Glossary included: Supports vocabulary building and comprehension Why Kids (and Parents) Love It: Builds general knowledge: Learn about sports history, tournaments, and global achievements Boosts confidence: Encourages children to dream big and work hard Promotes reading for pleasure: Ideal for reluctant readers and sports fans Encourages character building: Teaches perseverance, focus, and teamwork Perfect For: Children aged 6–12 years Sports-loving kids and young readers School libraries, classroom activities, and book fairs Gifting on birthdays, holidays, or as educational prizes Read more

A Civil War Drummer Boy

Author: William Bircher Publisher: Blue Earth Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Offers excerpts from the diary of William Bircher, a fifteen-year-old Minnesotan who was a drummer during the Civil War, along with sidebars, activities, and a timeline of the era. Read more

Balloons Over Broadway

Author: Melissa Sweet Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc. and Blackstone Publishing Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A Caldecott Honor Medal recipient and the illustrator of nearly 100 children's books, Melissa Sweet delivers the charming story of Tony Sarg, the man known as ''America's Puppet Master.'' With delightful, rhyming prose, Sweet takes listeners back to the 1920s to meet the designer who created the first helium-filled balloons for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Celebrating the fun and playfulness of Sarg's popular creations, Balloons Over Broadway brims with all the joy of one of America's most beloved traditions. Read more

Cub

Author: Cynthia L. Copeland Publisher: Little, Brown Ink Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

“Raina Telgemeier fans will lap this up.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books A laugh-out-loud funny and empowering graphic memoir about growing up and finding your voice. Twelve-year-old Cindy has just dipped a toe into seventh-grade drama—with its complicated friendships, bullies, and cute boys—when she earns an internship as a cub reporter at a local newspaper in the early 1970s. A (rare) young female reporter takes Cindy under her wing, and Cindy soon learns not only how to write a lede, but also how to respectfully question authority, how to assert herself in a world run by men, and—as the Watergate scandal unfolds—how brave reporting and writing can topple a corrupt world leader. Searching for her own scoops, Cindy doesn’t always get it right, on paper or in real life. But whether she’s writing features about ghost hunters, falling off her bicycle and into her first crush, or navigating shifting friendships, Cindy grows wiser and more confident through every awkward and hilarious mistake. Read more

Harriet Tubman

Author: James Buckley Jr. Publisher: Portable Press Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Izeek Esidene

Harriet Tubman escaped slavery, helped dozens make it to freedom, and then became an abolitionist and women’s rights advocate. Here’s the remarkable life story of an American hero, told in an exciting graphic novel format. Harriet Tubman lived an incredible life, one more heroic than any comic book superhero. In 1849 she escaped slavery for the first time. Then she headed back into the South, helping about 70 slaves find freedom on more than a dozen dangerous journeys along an elaborate abolitionist network called the Underground Railroad. Harriet Tubman: Fighter for Freedom! is the latest in the Show Me History! collection, previously featuring the stories of real-life American luminaries such as Abraham Lincoln, Alexander Hamilton, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Like the rest of Show Me History!, and befitting her almost unbelievable life, Fighter for Freedom! is presented in full-color, graphic novel format—a long-form comic book. Read more

I Was Once A Kid, Too!

Author: H. R. Lederfeind Publisher: Targum Press Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: C. Gershbaum

Whatever the season Whatever the weather My friends and I had Simple fun all together In this delightful illustrated book for children, a father tells his son about all of the fun and exciting things he did when HE was a kid. This book provides the perfect springboard for fun and meaningful conversations . The enjoyable story line, detailed illustrations, and ''Can you find...'' feature will keep children coming back to I was Once A Kid, Too ... again and again. Read more

Kids Write!

Author: ideals Publisher: WorthyKids Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

From writing a script for a puppet show to designing a treasure map, this helpful guide introduces various forms of writing and encourages children to attempt to try their hand at creating original work of their own through activities, suggestions, and fun projects. Simultaneous. Read more

Memoirs of a Gay Shah

Author: Reza Farahan Publisher: Sourcebooks Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

He didn't fit the mold―so he made a throne instead. At just four years old, Reza Farahan left Iran for what was supposed to be a quick family trip to Los Angeles. But while he was soaking up the California sun, revolution erupted back home, and Reza's short stay turned into permanent exile. Caught between cultures, identities, and expectations, Reza was an outsider in every sense of the word. He was a half-Muslim, half-Jewish, gay Persian kid just trying to survive 1980s America―a place that saw him as a threat, even when all he wanted was to belong. But with an unapologetic spirit and bold personality, Reza was never destined to simply fit in. He was meant to shine. Reza eventually became the larger-than-life, fan-favorite star of Bravo's Shahs of Sunset , where he served looks, shade, and cultural pride in equal measure. And now Reza is opening up about the journey that took him from closeted teen to reality TV royalty, from hiding his truth to owning every inch of his spotlight. Heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply human, Memoirs of a Gay Shah is the story of how one outcast boy grew into a confident man by reclaiming every part of himself―his culture, his identity, his queerness―and decided to live not just authentically, but extravagantly. Read more

No Map, Great Trip

Author: Paul Fleischman Publisher: Blackstone Publishing and HarperCollins Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Newbery Medalist Paul Fleischman reflects on his childhood with his award-winning father, Sid Fleischman, and details his own path to becoming a writer in this memorable book that is part memoir, part travelogue, and part reflection on craft and creativity. No Map, Great Trip is an excellent choice for aspiring authors, language arts classrooms, and fans of Gail Carson Levine s Writing Magic. Acclaimed author Paul Fleischman considers how growing up with a father who was an award-winning author helped to shape and inspire his own career. Paul and Sid Fleischman are the only father-son Newbery Medalists in history, and life in the Fleischman home was extraordinary. Readers will feel like part of the family in this humorous and aspirational chronicle. Paul Fleischman is the author of the Newbery Award-winning Joyful Noise and the classroom classic Seedfolks, as well as many other acclaimed and beloved titles. His books are taught and performed in classrooms across the country. Part memoir, part travelogue (young Paul travels from California to New Hampshire by himself), part writing book, and part reflection on art and creativity, this inspirational book includes black-and-white photographs, as well as writing tips and prompts just right for budding authors. No Map, Great Trip is a great gift for young writers, language arts teachers, and fans of Jack Prelutsky s Pizza, Pigs, and Poetry and Ralph Fletcher s A Writer s Notebook. Read more

Rosa Parks

Author: Lauren Burke Publisher: Sequoia Childrens Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Shane Clester

Rosa Parks was the courageous thinker and leader known as the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement. Long before the Montgomery Bus Boycott made her famous, she was a social justice activist and organizer. In honor of her work, she received a Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Read more

The Circuit Graphic Novel

Author: Francisco Jimenez Publisher: Clarion Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Celia Jacobs

Poignantly told from a young boy’s perspective, the popular and award-winning memoir centered on a Mexican family working California’s fields is now a powerful graphic novel that will appeal to readers of Illegal and They Called Us Enemy . An honest and evocative account of a family’s journey from Mexico to the fields of California—and to a life of backbreaking work and constant household moves—as seen through the eyes of a boy who longs for education and the right to call one place home. A popular choice for community reads, as well as school curricula and curriculum adoptions, Francisco Jiménez’s award-winning memoir, now brought to life in Celia Jacob’s beautiful and resonant artwork, is a powerful story of survival, faith, and hope. Read more

The Most Beautiful Thing

Author: Kao Kalia Yang Publisher: Carolrhoda Books ® Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Khoa Le

A warmhearted and tender true story about a young girl finding beauty where she never thought to look. When young Kalia wants ice cream, she has to make do with ice cubes from the freezer. When she wants a new dress for the first day of school, her mother gives her a few coins to spend on candy at the corner store. And when she wants meat for dinner, she must settle for a piece of bone that flavors the family’s soup. Finally, Kalia becomes tired of longing for what she cannot have. When she asks for braces to straighten her crooked teeth, which her family cannot afford, it is her grandmother―a woman who has just one tooth in her mouth―who helps her see what is truly beautiful. Drawn from author Kao Kalia Yang’s childhood experiences as a Hmong refugee, this moving picture book portrays a family with little money―and a great deal of love. Weaving together Kalia’s story with that of her beloved grandmother, the book moves from the jungles of Laos to the family’s early years in the United States. Stunning illustrations from Vietnamese illustrator Khoa Le bring this intergenerational tale to life. "A deep and moving reflection on enduring hardship and generational love. . . . Poignant storytelling with stunning visuals."―starred, Kirkus Reviews "A sincere narrative that centers on the power of family love."―starred, School Library Journal Minnesota Book Award Finalist, ALA Notable Children's Book, New York Public Library Best Book for Kids, NPR Best Book of the Year Read more

Tony Hawk

Author: Tony Hawk Publisher: Perfection Learning Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

In this young adult autobiography, Tony Hawk shares the stories from his life that have helped him become a skateboarding hero. Hawk speaks of being a super-competitive ′demon′ child who found peace while on a skateboard. Classmates teased him because of his interest in an ′uncool′ sport. Instead of retaliating with violence, he practised even more. With his story, he will inspire a younger generation of fans to stand up for what they believe in and follow their dreams. Ages 8-12 Read more

Who Was Babe Ruth?

Author: Joan Holub Publisher: Penguin Workshop Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Ted Hammond

Just in time for baseball season! Babe Ruth came from a poor Baltimore family and, as a kid, he was a handful. It was at a reform school that Babe discovered his talent for baseball, and by the age of nineteen, he was on his way to becoming a sports legend. Babe was often out of shape and even more often out on the town, but he had a big heart and an even bigger swing! Kids will learn all about the Home Run King in this rags-to- riches sports biography. With black-and-white illustrations throughout, a true sports legend is brought to life. Read more

You with the Sad Eyes: A Memoir

Author: Christina Applegate Publisher: Little, Brown and Company Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER "Funny, furious, and profane." — The New York Times “Not your typical celebrity memoir.” —Jimmy Kimmel Unflinchingly honest and darkly funny, You with the Sad Eyes unveils a side of Christina Applegate we’ve never seen, forever cementing her formidable and iconoclastic legacy. Christina Applegate came of age on sets and stages, expected to be on time, with lines learned, ready for lights-camera-action. What started as a financial necessity soon became an emotional escape from a tumultuous home life in the infamous Laurel Canyon scene of the 70s and 80s. She rocketed to stardom on the sitcom Married...with Children and went on to captivate audiences in classics like Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitters Dead…, Anchorman , and Dead to Me in her five-decade long career. Then it all stopped. A Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis in 2021 confined her to a king-sized bed and the company of memories she’d rather forget: memories of the self-doubt and body dysmorphia that stalked her meteoric rise, of her mother’s fight against addiction and abuse after her father left, and of the tax life had taken on her body and mind that was suddenly coming due. Now, at her most intimate and vulnerable, she unveils a story not even those closest to her fully know. She returns to the diaries she kept her whole life, finding the pain matched by joy, the losses mitigated by the extraordinary, and the weight of life lifted by her unrelenting belief that something greater lay ahead. No longer willing to lock herself away and with the perspective only our own mortality can bring, she knew it was imperative to tell it all. You with the Sad Eyes presents a remarkable woman and her legacy. In her own words, “I truly believe that books can make people feel less alone. That’s why I’m doing this. You with the Sad Eyes won’t be some big violin scratching for my life. But it will be real. It will be filled with the ups and downs, the humor and grief of life. So here I am. Real me. Lots to say.” Read more

A Dog's Life

Author: Ann M. Martin Publisher: Listening Library (Audio) Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

“I can’t speak for all dogs. Not all dogs are alike. And most certainly, not all dogs have the same experiences. . . .” Squirrel is not like most dogs. Born a stray, she must make her own way in the world, facing busy highways, changing seasons, and humans both gentle and brutal. Her life story, in her own words, is marked by loss, but also by an inspiring instinct to survive. And when it seems she will roam the woods and country roads alone forever, Squirrel makes two friends who, in very different ways, define her fate. At once heartrending and hopeful, Ann Martin’s exquisite story of a dog’s life is told with her trademark grace and insight. Read more

Before They Were Artists

Author: Elizabeth Haidle Publisher: Clarion Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Elizabeth Haidle

This vibrantly illustrated graphic novel anthology brings to life the childhood experiences of beloved artists and illustrators such as Wanda Gág, Maurice Sendak, and Jerry Pinkney. Stylish illustrations paired with small vignettes and anecdotes from the artists’ early lives helps illuminate the hard work, triumphs, failures, and inspiration that helped forge their successful careers. What makes an artist? What sparks their imagination? Where do their creativity and unique style come from? Striking illustrations and a graphic novel format bring to life this anthology of legendary artists and their childhoods. Featuring beloved artists such as Wanda Gág, Maurice Sendak, Tove Jansson, Jerry Pinkney, Yuyi Morales and Hayao Miyazaki, these stories capture the childhood triumphs, failures, and inspirations that predated their careers. Children will see themselves in these portraits and wonder if they, too, might have it in them to make art. A celebration of creativity, this collective graphic biography is sprinkled throughout with writing wisdom and inspiring quotes. Look for the companion book Before They Were Authors: Famous Writers as Kids. Read more

Dear Dad

Author: Jay Jay Patton Publisher: Graphix Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Markia Jenai

A stunning graphic novel memoir about growing up with an incarcerated parent. " ...Your dad is coming back home." As far back as nine-year-old Jay Jay Patton can remember, her dad, Antoine has been in prison. Growing up in Buffalo, New York with her mom and younger brother, she's only been to visit him twice. Instead, the two have sent each other numerous letters -- Jay Jay's letters can take weeks or months to reach her dad, and some never even get delivered. What's it going to be like having Dad home? This powerful coming-of-age graphic novel memoir tells Jay Jay Patton's life of growing up with a dad in -- and out of -- prison. How she and her dad were able to develop a powerful father/daughter bond and create Photo Patch -- a life-changing application that connects children to incarcerated parents. Because no child should have to grow up unable to engage with their parents. As Jay Jay says: “it's not a privilege for a kid to be able to talk to their parent. It's a right.” Read more

Harriet Tubman

Author: Janet Benge Publisher: Y W A M Pub Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A narrative biography of American abolitionist Harriet Tubman, who escaped slavery and led others to freedom as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. Read more

I Will Protect You

Author: Eva Mozes Kor Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

The illuminating and deeply moving true story of twin sisters who survived Nazi experimentation, against all odds, during the Holocaust. Eva and her identical twin sister, Miriam, had a mostly happy childhood. Theirs was the only Jewish family in their small village in the Transylvanian mountains, but they didn't think much of it until anti-Semitism reared its ugly head in their school. Then, in 1944, ten-year-old Eva and her family were deported to Auschwitz. At its gates, Eva and Miriam were separated from their parents and other siblings, selected as subjects for Dr. Mengele's infamous medical experiments. During the course of the war, Mengele would experiment on 3,000 twins. Only 160 would survive--including Eva and Miriam. Writing with her friend Danica Davidson, Eva reveals how two young girls were able to survive the unimaginable cruelty of the Nazi regime, while also eventually finding healing and the capacity to forgive. Spare and poignant, I Will Protect You is a vital memoir of survival, loss, and forgiveness. Read more

Knots in My Yo-Yo String

Author: Jerry Spinelli Publisher: Ember Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Newbery medalist Jerry Spinelli has penned his early autobiography with all the warmth, humor, and drama of his best-selling fiction. And don't miss the author's highly anticipated new novel, Dead Wednesday! "A master of those embarrassing, gloppy, painful, and suddenly wonderful things that happen on the razor's edge between childhood and full-fledged adolescence" -- The Washington Post From first memories through high school, including first kiss, first punch, first trip to the principal's office, and first humiliating sports experience, this is not merely an account of a highly unusual childhood. Rather, like Spinelli's fiction, its appeal lies in the accessibility and universality of his life. Entertaining and fast-paced, this is a highly readable memoir-- a must-have for Spinelli fans of all ages. Read more

Memoirs of a Tortoise

Author: Devin Scillian Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Tim Bowers

This 2023 Texas Bluebonnet Award-winning picture book is a heartwarming tale of a pet tortoise learning to deal with loss. Oliver the tortoise has had his human, Ike, for a very, very long time now. In fact, they're the same age--80 years old--and practically twins. They both enjoy the slowness of the garden, cool water from the hose on a hot day, and a nice slice of honeydew melon. But when Ike stops visiting the garden, Oliver wonders why his pet has left him so soon. So he makes the long journey to see his mother ten gardens away--she will certainly have the answer. This tender story from the author and illustrator that brought us Memoirs of a Goldfish reminds us to cherish all the days we have with our pets and loved ones. Read more

No Pretty Pictures

Author: Anita Lobel Publisher: HarperTrophy Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Nominated for a 1998 National Book Award for Young People's Literature, No Pretty A Child of War is Anita Lobel's gripping memoir of surviving the Holocaust. A Caldecott-winning illustrator of such delightful picture books as On Market Street , it is difficult to believe Lobel endured the horrific childhood she did. From age 5 to age 10, Lobel spent what are supposed to be carefree years hiding from the Nazis, protecting her younger brother, being captured and marched from camp to camp, and surviving completely dehumanizing conditions. A terrifying story by any measure, Lobel's memoir is all the more haunting as told from the first-person, child's-eye view. Her girlhood voice tells it like it is, without irony or even complete understanding, but with matter-of-fact honesty and astonishing attention to detail. She carves vivid, enduring images into readers' minds. On hiding in the attic of the "We were always told to be very quiet. The whispers of the trapped grown-ups sounded like the noise of insects rubbing their legs together." On being discovered while hiding in a "They lined us up facing the wall. I looked at the dark red bricks in front of me and waited for the shots. When the shouting continued and the shots didn't come, I noticed my breath hanging in thin puffs in the air." On trying not to draw the attention of the "I wanted to shrink away. To fold into a small invisible thing that had no detectable smell. No breath. No flesh. No sound." It is a miracle that Lobel and her brother survived on their own in this world that any adult would find unbearable. Indeed, and appropriately, there are no pretty pictures here, and adults choosing to share this story with younger readers should make themselves readily available for explanations and comforting words. (The camps are full of excrement and death, all faithfully recorded in direct, unsparing language.) But this is a story that must be told, from the shocking beginning when a young girl watches the Nazis march into Krakow, to the final words of Lobel's "My life has been good. I want more." (Ages 10 to 16) --Brangien Davis Read more

Shape of a Boy

Author: Kate Wickers Publisher: Aurum Press Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

"Life-affirming and laugh-out-loud funny" - HELEN FIELDING, AUTHOR OF BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY Shape of a Boy is a hilarious and eye-opening travel memoir by the mother of three boys as she documents her travels with her family around the world. ‘Have kids, will travel’ is veteran travel journalist Kate’s mantra. Her intrepid spirit is infectious in this warm, engaging account of her family’s adventures and misadventures . She shares the life lessons learnt on their travels, from overcoming disappointment in Thailand to saying sorry in Japan , discovering perseverance in Borneo and learning about conservation in Malaysia . From the jungles of southeast Asia to the waterfront in Havana and the blazing heat of Egypt, Shape of a Boy captures the essence of being a parent in the thick of it and learning on the hoof. Inspirational for anyone who has dreaded travelling with a baby, toddler, or teen, it is a life-affirming read for every wannabe-traveller. Kate’s vivid evocation of the highs and lows of family time make you belly-laugh and bring a lump to your throat. “Hilarious and wonderfully fluent, Shape of A Boy makes you see each corner of the world afresh. I read it in one long, lounging read, which took me away from Covid to a vibrant world of orangutans and elephants and a family growing together.” ANDREW CLOVER, best-selling author of Dad Rules This is a must-read for every wannabe-traveller grounded by lockdown and for every parent who has dreaded travelling with a baby. Read more

The Daughter of Auschwitz

Author: Tova Friedman Publisher: Quill Tree Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

In this powerful middle grade adaptation of the bestselling adult memoir of the same name, New York Times bestselling author Tova Friedman recounts her experiences as one of the youngest survivors of the Holocaust. A Sydney Taylor Notable Book! At the tender age of five years old, Tola Grossman was sent to a Nazi labor camp. As World War II was breaking out around them, the only thing Tola and her parents were left with was the instinct to survive at all costs. Tola’s life became a series of miraculous close calls, from being saved from a gas chamber to successfully hiding from the Nazis as they were rounding people up. In this evocative account of one young girl’s survival, Tova Friedman chronicles the atrocities she witnessed while at Auschwitz and, ultimately, the sources of hope and courage she and her family found to persist against all odds. Based on her incredible true story, Tova’s account reveals: A Child’s View of the Holocaust: Experience the world of the ghetto and concentration camps through the eyes of five-year-old Tola, one of the youngest to live to tell her story. An Auschwitz Survivor Story: A powerful and honest account of witnessing the atrocities of Auschwitz and the miraculous close calls—including being saved from a gas chamber—that led to her survival. Resilience and Courage: Discover the profound sources of hope and courage Tova and her family found to persist against all odds, offering a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Essential World War II History: An accessible and necessary historical account for young readers, perfect for classrooms and families looking to understand this critical period. Read more

The Mythmakers

Author: John Hendrix Publisher: Harry N. Abrams Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

From New York Times bestselling, award-winning creator John Hendrix comes The Mythmakers , a graphic novel biography of two literary lions—C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien—following the remarkable story of their friendship and creative fellowship, and how each came to write their masterworks "Masterful. . . Effortlessly blending fantasy and reality." ( BCCB , starred review) Through narrative and comic panels, Hendrix chronicles Lewis and Tolkien’s near-idyllic childhoods, then moves on to both men’s horrific tour of the trenches of World War I to their first meeting at Oxford in 1929, and then the foreshadowing, action, and aftermath of World War II. He reveals the shared story of their friendship, in all its ups and downs, that gave them confidence to venture beyond academic concerns (fantasy wasn’t considered suitable for adult reading, but the domain of children), shaped major story/theme ideas, and shifted their ideas about the potential of mythology and faith. The Mythmakers also shows the camaraderie and the importance of the social/literary circle of friends called the Inklings, and how the friendship of these two great men fell apart and came together again. Hendrix concludes describing how the writings of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien had re-enchanted the 20th century, after two World Wars. In writing aimed at scholars, adults, and young people, these two tweedy academics altered the course of storytelling and embraced the concept that fantasy writing for an adult audience was an accepted form of literature. The format is similar to The Faithful Spy: prose interspersed with images and narrative comics. The narration is often conversations between a knowledgeable wizard and a comical lion. Through brisk conversation between these two friends, they explain some of the bigger ideas in an approachable and entertaining way. Throughout the story, there are “gateways” that lead readers to the back matter where certain themes, such as how myth/fantasy evolved or the art of world-building, are discussed more fully. This device keeps the main story flowing quickly and smoothly for those readers not interested in the more academic ideas behind the narrative. Among the ideas covered in the narrative and back matter: ‑ Tolkien’s world-building ‑ The “Theology of Creation” linking their faith to their writings ‑ The meaning of real friendship ‑ Notions of modernity and mythology ‑ The value of fantasy ‑ The power of a creative community ‑ An exploration of the different kinds of storytelling in Narnia and The Lord of the Rings , both relying on “the Myth” as a storytelling device, but differing in the use of allegory vs. symbolism ‑ The creative differences of Lewis and Tolkien: the high standards of Tolkien’s fiction and the faster and more immediate approach of Lewis’s ‑ Logos vs. Mythos: Lewis created from images, Tolkien created from language ‑ The mixing of mythologies Also included are an author’s note, endnotes, bibliography, and index. Read more

Trans History

Author: Alex L. Combs Publisher: Candlewick Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Alex L. Combs

"Combs and Eakett do a fantastic job of providing readers an incredibly comprehensive and strongly researched—yet somehow compact—look into the history of trans identity." — School Library Journal (starred review) An essential introduction to trans history, from ancient times to the present day, in full-color graphic nonfiction format. Deeply researched, highly readable, and featuring a broad range of voices. What does “trans” mean, and what does it mean to be trans? Diversity in human sex and gender is not a modern phenomenon, as readers will discover through illustrated stories and records that introduce historical figures ranging from the controversial Roman emperor Elagabalus to the swashbuckling seventeenth-century conquistador Antonio de Erauso to veterans of the Stonewall uprising Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. In addition to these individual profiles, the book explores some of the societal roles played by trans people beginning in ancient times and shows how European ideas about gender were spread across the globe. It explains how the science of sexology and the growing acceptance of (and backlash to) gender nonconformity have helped to shape what it means to be trans today. Illustrated conversations with modern activists, scholars, and creatives highlight the breadth of current trans experiences and give readers a deeper sense of the diversity of trans people, a group numbering in the millions. Extensive source notes provide further resources. Moving, funny, heartbreaking, and empowering, this remarkable compendium from trans creators Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett is packed with research on every dynamic page. Read more

Who Was Jane Goodall?

Author: Roberta Edwards Publisher: Penguin Workshop Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: John O'Brien

Discover the wild history of Jane Goodall’s life and work in this Who HQ biography exploring one of history’s most influential scientists. In this exceptional Who HQ biography that is accessible for young readers, the life and legacy of Jane Goodall, one of the world’s most influential scientists to date, comes alive. Born in London, England, in 1934, Jane loved animals from a very young age, and made it her goal to study them in their natural habitats. So, at age twenty-six, she set off to Africa to do just that! Goodall's up-close observations of chimpanzees changed what we know about them and paved the way for many female scientists who came after her. Complete with comprehensive, age-appropriate text and black-and-white illustrations throughout, this Who HQ biography of Jane Goodall is the perfect way for young readers to learn all about one of the most influential scientists of our time in an accessible and memorable way. Read more

A Dog's Life: Autobiography of a Stray

Author: Ann M. Martin Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Newbery Honor author Ann Martin's "heartwrenching and heartwarming" (Kirkus) dog story with After Words bonus material. A Dog's Life joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content! Squirrel and her brother Bone begin their lives in a toolshed behind someone's summer house. Their mother nurtures them and teaches them the many skills they will need to survive as stray dogs. But when their mother is taken from them suddenly and too soon, the puppies are forced to make their own way in the world, facing humans both gentle and brutal, busy highways, other animals, and the changing seasons. When Bone and Squirrel become separated, Squirrel must fend for herself, and in the process makes two friends who in very different ways define her fate. Read more

Bessie Coleman

Author: Robbins Publisher: Capstone Press Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Steacy

A biography telling the story of Bessie Coleman, who became the first African American women to earn a pilot's license. Written in graphic-novel format. Read more

Don't Let the Kids Bite the Dog

Author: Kathleen Holstad Pease Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

With the victorious campaign slogan "I Like Ike!" ringing in your ears, journey back in time with Kathleen Holstad Pease to a less complicated time and place. It was the fifties, that prosperous decade following a tragic war. Experience life in a small town in North Dakota through the eyes of a child. The challenging winters and stifling summers create a community of hearty souls that fill the pages with delightful stories of her early years living in a basement house, the county sheriff's house complete with a jail and finally, an apartment on Main Street. Travel with the family as they journey west seeking economic stability. This coming-of-age tale will make you smile, shed a tear, and escape to another period in time. Hold on to your hat, we're on our way!Proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Rady Children's hospital in memory of Emma Mahatsachan Pease. Read more

Hey, Kiddo: A Graphic Novel

Author: Jarrett J. Krosoczka Publisher: Graphix Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

The powerful, unforgettable graphic memoir from Jarrett Krosoczka, about growing up with a drug-addicted mother, a missing father, and two unforgettably opinionated grandparents. In kindergarten, Jarrett Krosoczka's teacher asks him to draw his family, with a mommy and a daddy. But Jarrett's family is much more complicated than that. His mom is an addict, in and out of rehab, and in and out of Jarrett's life. His father is a mystery -- Jarrett doesn't know where to find him, or even what his name is. Jarrett lives with his grandparents -- two very loud, very loving, very opinionated people who had thought they were through with raising children until Jarrett came along.Jarrett goes through his childhood trying to make his non-normal life as normal as possible, finding a way to express himself through drawing even as so little is being said to him about what's going on. Only as a teenager can Jarrett begin to piece together the truth of his family, reckoning with his mother and tracking down his father. Hey, Kiddo is a profoundly important memoir about growing up in a family grappling with addiction, and finding the art that helps you survive. Read more

I'm Still Here

Author: Austin Channing Brown Publisher: Convergent Children's Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

An adaptation of the powerful New York Times bestselling account of growing up Black and female in America, completely rewritten with new stories for young readers Austin Channing Brown’s first encounter with race in America came at age seven, when she discovered that her parents had named her Austin to trick future employers into thinking she was a white man. Growing up in majority-white schools and churches, Channing Brown writes, “I had to learn what it means to love Blackness,” a journey that led to a lifetime spent navigating America’s racial divide as a writer, speaker, and expert helping organizations practice genuine inclusion. In this adaptation of her bestselling and critically acclaimed memoir, she explores how America’s racial dynamics show up in the classrooms, friend groups, and conversations kids inhabit every day. “I love being a Black girl,” she writes. “And sometimes being a Black girl in America is hard.” Covering topics like representation, self-love, allyship, and being Black in public, Brown helps kids nourish their identity and make sense of how they fit into the world. For students navigating a time of racial hostility, and for the adults and educators who care for them, I’m Still Here is an empowering look at the experiences of young Black kids, inviting the reader to confront apathy, find their voice, and discover how Blackness—if we let it—can save us all. Read more

Knucklehead

Author: Jon Scieszka Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

How did Jon Scieszka get so funny, anyway? Growing up as one of six brothers was a good start, but that was just the beginning. Throw in Catholic school, lots of comic books, lazy summers at the lake with time to kill, babysitting misadventures, TV shows, jokes told at family dinner, and the result is Knucklehead . Part memoir, part scrapbook, this hilarious trip down memory lane provides a unique glimpse into the formation of a creative mind and a free spirit. Watch a QuickTime trailer for this book. Read more

Memoirs of an Ordinary Girl

Author: Terri Klaes Harper Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Set in the time while the ‘80s were fading into the ‘90s and the poofiness of hair and shoulder pads was soon to deflate, this coming of age story retells the experiences of Drew Hotchner, an “extraordinarily ordinary” girl, through her possibly wiser and more honest adult self. Drew struggles not only with the unavoidable awkwardness of being in middle school, but also with having to start over again her entire social world after experiencing the culture shock of moving across the country from California to Virginia. Through Drew’s humorous adventures in trespassing, accidental theft, school dances, and throwing punches at her best friend, she must finally learn who she really is. And if you can admit you are also extraordinarily ordinary, just as Drew claims to be, that we all just want to know who we really are, and that sometimes we surprise ourselves along the way, this might be the book for you. Read more

No Pretty Pictures

Author: Anita Lobel Publisher: Greenwillow Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Anita Lobel was barely five years old when World War II began and the Nazis burst into her home in Kraków, Poland. Her life changed forever. She spent her childhood in hiding with her brother and their nanny, moving from countryside to ghetto to convent—where the Nazis finally caught up with them. Since coming to the United States as a teenager, Anita has spent her life makingpictures. She has never gone back. She has never looked back. Until now. Read more

Shape of a Boy

Author: Kate Wickers Publisher: Aurum Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

"Life-affirming and laugh-out-loud funny" - HELEN FIELDING, AUTHOR OF BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY Shape of a Boy is a hilarious and eye-opening travel memoir by the mother of three boys as she documents her travels with her family around the world. ‘Have kids, will travel’ is veteran travel journalist Kate’s mantra. Her intrepid spirit is infectious in this warm, engaging account of her family’s adventures and misadventures . She shares the life lessons learnt on their travels, from overcoming disappointment in Thailand to saying sorry in Japan , discovering perseverance in Borneo and learning about conservation in Malaysia . From the jungles of southeast Asia to the waterfront in Havana and the blazing heat of Egypt, Shape of a Boy captures the essence of being a parent in the thick of it and learning on the hoof. Inspirational for anyone who has dreaded travelling with a baby, toddler, or teen, it is a life-affirming read for every wannabe-traveller. Kate’s vivid evocation of the highs and lows of family time make you belly-laugh and bring a lump to your throat. “Hilarious and wonderfully fluent, Shape of A Boy makes you see each corner of the world afresh. I read it in one long, lounging read, which took me away from Covid to a vibrant world of orangutans and elephants and a family growing together.” ANDREW CLOVER, best-selling author of Dad Rules This is a must-read for every wannabe-traveller grounded by lockdown and for every parent who has dreaded travelling with a baby. Read more

The Day the Killer Bees Came

Author: LaVonna Ennis Publisher: Independently published Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A true story, The Day the Killer Bees Came is part of the God Was There! series— real-life tales of missionary kids that prove God sees, hears, and cares. With heartwarming illustrations and childlike faith that moves mountains, this story will inspire young readers to believe that God is near… even in the middle of a bee attack. Read more

The One & Only Googoosh

Author: Azadeh Westergaard Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Azadeh Westergaard

A celebration of one of Iran’s most iconic musical artists. AN ALA RISE SELECTION: A FEMINIST BOOK PROJECT The legendary Iranian singer and actress Googoosh (born Faegheh Atashin) made her stage debut at age two while performing alongside her acrobat father. By the time she reached adulthood, she was widely considered to be Iran's first superstar. Googoosh was in the prime of her career and on the brink of international stardom, but after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, she was silenced and disappeared from public life for over twenty years. However, her fans did not forget her. And as they sought refuge around the globe, they found ways to keep her music alive. Azadeh Westergaard has crafted an unforgettable love letter to the home she once knew in Iran and to the woman who was and still is a cultural icon—a dazzling performer known as the one and only Googoosh. Read more

Ugly

Author: Robert Hoge Publisher: Puffin Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

This true story of an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face is perfect for fans of Wonder— now with exclusive paperback content! When Robert Hoge was born, he had a tumor the size of a tennis ball in the middle of his face and short, twisted legs. Surgeons removed the tumor and made him a new nose from one of his toes. Amazingly, he survived—with a face that would never be the same. Strangers stared at him, kids called him names, and adults could be cruel in their own ways. Everybody seemed to agree that Robert was "ugly." But Robert refused to let his face dictate his entire life. Then, when Robert came face to face with the biggest decision of his life, he followed his heart. This poignant memoir about overcoming bullying and thriving with disabilities shows that what makes us “ugly” also makes us who we are. * Features an exclusive introduction, photographs, and Q&A from the author! * ★ "Eminently readable . . . a gripping readaloud, readalone, and discussion point all on its own."-- BCCB , starred review "A jaw-dropping story of resilience, courage, and fierce hope."-- New York Times bestselling author Joan Bauer Read more

Who Was Joan of Arc?

Author: Pam Pollack Publisher: Penguin Workshop Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Andrew Thomson

Joan of Arc was born in a small French village during the worst period of the Hundred Years' War. For generations, France had been besieged by the British. At age 11, Joan began to see religious visions telling her to join forces with the King of France. By the time she was a teenager, she was leading troops into battle in the name of her country. Though she was captured and executed for her beliefs, Joan of Arc became a Catholic saint and has since captured the world's imagination. Read more

A Dog's Life: The Autobiography of a Stray

Author: Ann M. Martin Publisher: Turtleback Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Newbery Honor author Ann Martin's "heartwrenching and heartwarming" (Kirkus) dog story with After Words bonus material. A Dog's Life joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content!Squirrel and her brother Bone begin their lives in a toolshed behind someone's summer house. Their mother nurtures them and teaches them the many skills they will need to survive as stray dogs. But when their mother is taken from them suddenly and too soon, the puppies are forced to make their own way in the world, facing humans both gentle and brutal, busy highways, other animals, and the changing seasons. When Bone and Squirrel become separated, Squirrel must fend for herself, and in the process makes two friends who in very different ways define her fate. Read more

Beyond Courage

Author: Doreen Rappaport Publisher: Candlewick Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

"The very model of excellence in nonfiction. . . . An astonishing and inspiring survey. . . . A necessary, exemplary book." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Through meticulously researched accounts — some chronicled in book form for the first time — Doreen Rappaport illuminates the defiance of tens of thousands of Jews across eleven Nazi-occupied countries during World War II. In answer to the genocidal madness that was Hitler’s Holocaust, the only response they could abide was resistance, and their greatest weapons were courage, ingenuity, the will to survive, and the resolve to save others or to die trying. Back matter includes a pronunciation guide, a list of important dates, source notes, a bibliography, a bibliography by chapter, and an index. Read more

Drama Queen

Author: Sara Gibbs Publisher: Headline Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

'It has taken me several years of exploration, but I am at a place now where I see autism as neither an affliction nor a superpower. It's just the blueprint for who I am. There is no cure, but that's absolutely fine by me. To cure me of my autism would be to cure me of myself.' During the first thirty years of her life, comedy script writer Sara Gibbs had been labelled a lot of things - a cry baby, a scaredy cat, a spoiled brat, a weirdo, a show off - but more than anything else, she'd been called a Drama Queen. No one understood her behaviour, her meltdowns or her intense emotions. She felt like everyone else knew a social secret that she hadn't been let in on; as if life was a party she hadn't been invited to. Why was everything so damn hard? Little did Sara know that, at the age of thirty, she would be given one more label that would change her life's trajectory forever. That one day, sitting next to her husband in a clinical psychologist's office, she would learn that she had never been a drama queen, or a weirdo, or a cry baby, but she had always been autistic. Drama Queen is both a tour inside one autistic brain and a declaration that a diagnosis on the spectrum, with the right support, accommodations and understanding, doesn't have to be a barrier to life full of love, laughter and success. It is the story of one woman trying to fit into a world that has often tried to reject her and, most importantly, it's about a life of labels, and the joy of ripping them off one by one. Read more

Hilde on the Record

Author: Hilde Lysiak Publisher: Chicago Review Press Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

When seven-year-old Hilde Lysiak found out her new town didn’t have a paper, she grabbed a notepad and began to work. Hilde Lysiak spent her early childhood in New York City with a passion for journalism. When her family moved to Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, Hilde didn’t complain. Instead, she started reporting. Hilde began by reporting on the birth of her sister, the newest resident on Orange Street, then began expanding her coverage to the entire city. She interviewed hundreds of locals in her effort to deliver “All the News Fit for Orange Street”: a seed exchange at the local library, a fundraiser for a hospital’s neonatal unit, a fire at a church, and a mysterious vandal destroying landscaping on city property. Everything changed when Hilde received a tip that a terrible crime had happened just blocks from her house. By using the tools she had learned on the beat, the enterprising young reporter was able to confirm the facts and get the important information out to the public several hours before the other local media. Hilde was proud of her work, but not everyone in her small town felt that way. Cyberbullies targeted her, zeroing in on her age and gender. Hilde considered ignoring them but decided she had to stand up to the haters to protect the reputation she had worked so hard to earn. Her response went viral, and nearly every major news organization took notice. Hilde hasn’t let anything stand in her way since. Read more

I, Julius Caesar

Author: Alfred de Montesquiou Publisher: The Experiment Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Névil

A bold and immersive first-person retelling―and a brilliantly compelling graphic history―of Roman ruler Julius Caesar’s epic, eventful life Few people have made a bigger mark on history―and lived such an adventurous life―as Julius Caesar (100–44 BCE). A sickly orphan boy who would climb to the top of the Roman Empire, his life was nothing short of legendary. How could Julius, a scrawny, penniless teenager, become Caesar, the most powerful man in the world? How could he vanquish every enemy who crossed his path, only to be assassinated by men he called friends? To tell this story, there’s no one better than Caesar himself―and thanks to extraordinarily intensive research, he can do so here. Brought to life through striking illustrations, this is a chronicle of the man who was a triumphant general, shrewd politician, and tyrannical dictator. Beginning with his humble roots in Suburra, Caesar brings readers along for bloody battles against his rival, Pompey, and into heated debates on the floor of the Roman Senate. He recounts the campaign that led him into Egypt―and to an affair with Cleopatra―and his reforms in Roman society, from the calendar to a census. And in his own words, Caesar narrates his own death on March 15, 44 BCE―the Ides of March. Award-winning journalist, author, and documentary filmmaker Alfred de Montesquiou interviewed over thirty of the world’s most eminent historians of ancient Rome, many of whom specialize in different periods of Caesar’s life, which made it possible to pull off a stupendous feat―to write this graphic history based exclusively on documented facts. Accompanied by masterful artwork by Névil, I, Julius Caesar is history like you’ve never experienced it before. Full-color illustrations on every page Read more

Larry Bird

Author: Vincent M. Youngblood Publisher: Independently published Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Larry Bird: The Shooting Star of Basketball He came from a small town...and became a basketball legend! Ever wonder how a kid from a small town in Indiana became one of the greatest basketball players of all time? Meet Larry Bird, a determined young man with a love for the game and an unstoppable work ethic. This exciting biography takes you on Larry's journey, from practicing shots in his backyard to hitting game-winning buzzer-beaters for the Boston Celtics. In this book, you'll discover: Humble beginnings: Larry's childhood, growing up in a close-knit family and his early love for basketball. The road to greatness: How hard work and dedication helped Larry become a college star and eventually an NBA superstar. Legendary career: Larry's incredible achievements, including multiple championships, MVP awards, and his famous rivalry with Magic Johnson. The "Hick from French Lick": Get to know Larry's unique personality, his trash-talking on the court, and his down-to-earth attitude. Inspiring lessons: Discover how perseverance, teamwork, and passion can help you achieve your dreams, just like Larry Bird. "Larry Bird: The Shooting Star of Basketball" is a slam dunk for young readers who love sports, inspiring stories, and overcoming challenges. So, what are you waiting for? Grab this book, hit the court, and let Larry Bird inspire you to chase your own dreams! Read more

Mexikid:

Author: Pedro Martín Publisher: Dial Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Pedro Martín

NEWBERY HONOR AWARD WINNER • An unforgettable graphic memoir about a Mexican American boy’s family and their adventure-filled road trip to bring their abuelito back from Mexico “One of those books that kids will pass to their friends as soon as they have finished it.”—Victoria Jamieson, creator of the National Book Award finalist When Stars Are Scattered WINNER OF THE PURA BELPRÉ AUTHOR AWARD AND ILLUSTRATOR AWARD • NATIONAL BESTSELLER • ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, NPR, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Booklist, New York Public Library, Chicago Public Library Pedro Martín has grown up hearing stories about his abuelito—his legendary crime-fighting, grandfather who was once a part of the Mexican Revolution! But that doesn't mean Pedro is excited at the news that Abuelito is coming to live with their family. After all, Pedro has 8 brothers and sisters and the house is crowded enough! Still, Pedro piles into the Winnebago with his family for a road trip to Mexico to bring Abuelito home, and what follows is the trip of a lifetime, one filled with laughs and heartache. Along the way, Pedro finally connects with his abuelito and learns what it means to grow up and find his grito. Read more

Nonsense! the Curious Story of Edward Gorey

Author: Lori Mortensen Publisher: Versify Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Chloe Bristol

A beautifully illustrated and lyrical picture-book biography of eccentric and beloved writer and artist Edward Gorey In this lyrical biography of one of literature’s most creepily creative authors and illustrators, kids will learn about the inspiration behind a generation of creators, from Lemony Snicket to Tim Burton. Known for, among other things, wearing a large fur coat wherever he went, storyteller Edward Gorey was respected for both his brilliance and his eccentricity. As a child, he taught himself to read and skipped several grades before landing at Harvard (after a brief stint in the army). Then he built a name for himself as a popular book illustrator. After that, he went on to publish well over one hundred of his own books, stories that mingled sweetness and innocence, danger and darkness, all mixed with his own brand of silliness. Illustrated with Gorey-like humor and inspiration by Chloe Bristol, this stunning picture book biography about this beloved creator is the first for children. Read more

Small Steps Lib/E: The Year I Got Polio

Author: Peg Kehret Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Acclaimed author Peg Kehret has written the true story of the year about when she was twelve and stricken with polio. At first paralyzed and terrified, she fought her way to recovery, aided by doctors and therapists, a loving family, supportive roommates fighting their own battles with the disease, and plenty of grit and luck. With the humor and suspense that are her trademarks, Peg Kehret vividly recreates a year of heartbreak and triumph. Read more

The Distance Between Us

Author: Reyna Grande Publisher: Aladdin Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Award-winning author Reyna Grande shares her personal experience of crossing borders and cultures in this middle grade adaptation of her memoir, The Distance Between Us —“an important account of the many ways immigration impacts children” ( Booklist , starred review). When her parents make the dangerous and illegal trek across the Mexican border in pursuit of the American dream, Reyna and her siblings are forced to live with their stern grandmother, as they wait for their parents to build the foundation of a new life. But when things don’t go quite as planned, Reyna finds herself preparing for her own journey to “El Otro Lado” to live with the man who has haunted her imagination for years: her long-absent father. Both funny and heartbreaking, The Distance Between Us sheds light on the immigrant experience beautifully capturing the struggle that Reyna and her siblings endured while trying to assimilate to a different culture, language, and family life in El Otro Lado (The Other Side). Read more

The Spy Who Wore Petticoats

Author: Bruce Berglund Publisher: Capstone Press Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Alessandro Valdrighi

During the Revolutionary War, an unsuspecting woman named Anna Smith Strong became one of America’s most wanted spies. In this action-packed graphic novel, follow Strong’s brilliant plan of passing communications to George Washington’s Continental Army. To keep the information secret from British soldiers, this brave Patriot hung out her laundry—including her famous petticoats—in a specific pattern, a coded message for her allies. With fast-paced text and full-color illustrations, this nonfiction graphic novel showcases the courage and quick thinking of one of history’s unsung heroes. Read more

Unlikely Warrior

Author: Georg Rauch Publisher: Square Fish Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

As a young adult in wartime Vienna, Georg Rauch helped his mother hide dozens of Jews from the Gestapo behind false walls in their top-floor apartment and arrange for their safe transport out of the country. His family was among the few who worked underground to resist Nazi rule. Then came the day he was drafted into Hitler's army and shipped out to fight on the Eastern front as part of the German infantry―in spite of his having confessed his own Jewish ancestry. Thus begins the incredible journey of a nineteen year old thrust unwillingly into an unjust war, who must use his smarts, skills, and bare-knuckled determination to stay alive in the trenches, avoid starvation and exposure during the brutal Russian winter, survive more than one Soviet labor camp, and somehow find his way back home. Unlikely Warrior is Rauch's true account of this extraordinary adventure. Read more

Who Was Rosa Parks?

Author: Yona Zeldis McDonough Publisher: Penguin Workshop Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Stephen Marchesi

In 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give her bus seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama. This seemingly small act triggered civil rights protests across America and earned Rosa Parks the title "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement." This biography has black-and-white illustrations throughout. Read more

A Look Back In Time

Author: Mr Bernard N Lee Jr Publisher: Bernard N. Lee, Jr. Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Mr Dwayne Johnson

A Look Back In Time Featured in Publishers Weekly “A Look Back in Time: Memoir of a Military Kid in the Fifties, Vol. I” is a fascinating, insightful, inspiring, and sometimes hilarious chronicle of life while growing up in a military family - Colonel Arnold R. Goodson, US Army (Retired). Can you imagine what it was like to grow up constantly on the move, serving the country, while chasing the American Dream? “A Look Back in Time: Memoir of a Military Kid in the Fifties, Vol. I” is a heartfelt, humorous, and vivid journey through the eyes of Bernard N. Lee, Jr., as he reflects on his childhood in a military family during one of the most transformative decades in American history. From dusty farms to bustling army bases, young Bernard’s life was shaped by three-year cycles of relocation, new schools, and the ever-present challenge of saying hello—and goodbye—to new friends. This coming-of-age story captures the joys and struggles of being a military kid, especially one growing up Black in 1950s America. Life is a series of moments – magical, challenging, and transformative. You’ll share in Bernard’s : • Laugh-out-loud moments —like the eternal feud with an early-rising rooster. • Raw, emotional scenes —like the quiet tension of a son sitting beside a distant father. • Edge-of-your-seat suspense —including a near-death encounter with a military transport vehicle. • Tender traces of young love —and the scent of perfume that lingered longer than the girl who wore it. Whether you're a history lover, a military family member, or simply someone who remembers what it felt like to be young and unsure in a changing world, this memoir will stir your heart and your memory. Take a journey through time, space, and history—buy it, read it, and discover how one boy’s story may just echo the treasured memories of your own. Read more

Bill Peet: An Autobiography

Author: Bill Peet Publisher: Turtleback Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A 1990 Caldecott Honor Book Bill Peet tells his life story, including his years with Disney, with illustrations on every page. Read more

El Deafo: A Graphic Novel

Author: Cece Bell Publisher: Harry N. Abrams Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Cece Bell’s #1 New York Times bestseller graphic novel El Deafo is the origin story of a student with hearing loss and a hearing aid becoming a superhero. Newbery Honor Winner * Now an Apple+ Animated TV Series! Starting at a new school is scary, especially with a giant hearing aid strapped to your chest! At her old school, everyone in Cece’s class was deaf. Here, she’s different. She’s sure the kids are staring at the Phonic Ear, the powerful aid that will help her hear her teacher. Too bad it also seems certain to repel potential friends. Then Cece makes a startling discovery. With the Phonic Ear, she can hear her teacher not just in the classroom, but anywhere her teacher is in the school—in the hallway . . . in the teacher’s lounge . . . in the bathroom! This is power. Maybe even superpower! Cece is on her way to becoming El Deafo, Listener for All. But the funny thing about being a superhero is that it’s just another way of feeling different . . . and lonely. Can Cece channel her powers into finding the thing she wants most: a true friend? El Deafo is a book that will entertain children, give hearing-impaired children a hero of their own, and challenge others to consider an experience unlike their own. Like other great works for children, it provides the opportunity for young readers to consider how they would act or react in a similar situation, helping to build empathy and understanding through the power of story. Also Available: El Deafo: Superpowered Edition! Get a special hardcover collector’s edition of Cece Bell’s beloved graphic novel with 40 bonus pages of childhood photographs, early sketches, notes from Cece, and much more! Read more

Hold On to Your Music

Author: Emil Sher Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Sonia Possentini

Discover the inspiring illustrated true story about one girl's escape from the Holocaust to become a concert pianist against all odds, made popular by the beloved novel The Children of Willesden Lane . In pre-World War II Vienna, Lisa Jura was a musical prodigy who dreamed of becoming a concert pianist. But when enemy forces threatened the city—particularly the Jewish people that lived there—Lisa's parents were forced to make a difficult decision. They chose to send Lisa to London for safety through the Kindertransport—a rescue effort that relocated Jewish children. As Lisa yearned to be reunited with her family while living in a home for refugee children on Willesden Lane, her music became a beacon of hope for those around her. A true story of courage, survival, and determination, this compelling tribute to a gifted young girl has already touched the lives of many around the world. Originally published in 2017 for older readers, The Children of Willesden Lane has sold hundreds of thousands of copies globally; now this picture book retelling will inspire a new generation. Read more

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Author: Erika M. Bobby Publisher: Independently published Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Get ready for an exciting adventure with the Indianapolis Colts! This inspiring book is perfect for young readers who love football, teamwork, and legendary players. From the iconic horseshoe logo to the thrilling blue-and-white uniforms, children will explore the world of the Colts like never before.Meet your favorite players, including Peyton Manning, Anthony Richardson, Jonathan Taylor, and Michael Pittman Jr., as they sprint, pass, and tackle their way through exciting games. Learn about legendary coaches like Tony Dungy and Frank Reich, amazing stadium experiences at Lucas Oil Stadium, and fun mascot moments with “Blue.” Filled with exciting stories, fun facts, training tips, and memorable victories, this guide teaches kids about teamwork, courage, dedication, and sportsmanship. From Super Bowl triumphs to thrilling rivalries, every page inspires young fans to dream big and enjoy the fun of football. Perfect for kids who want to learn, play, and celebrate the Colts, this book combines action, imagination, and life lessons to make football exciting and inspiring for everyone. Read more

Lisa of Willesden Lane

Author: Sarah J. Robbins Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

An inspiring true story about one girl's escape from the Holocaust to become a concert pianist against all odds, made popular by Mona Golabek's acclaimed theatrical performance and the beloved novel The Children of Willesden Lane -- now available in an early chapter book format. In pre-World War II Vienna, Lisa Jura was a musical prodigy who hoped to become a concert pianist. But when enemy forces threatened the city -- especially its Jewish population -- Lisa's parents were forced to make a difficult decision. They secured passage for only one of their three daughters through the Kindertransport, and chose to send gifted Lisa to London for safety. As she yearned to be reunited with her family where she lived in a home for refugee children on Willesden Lane, Lisa's music became a beacon of hope for all of her peers. A story of the power of music to uplift the human spirit, this compelling tribute has moved and inspired hundreds of thousands of students and adults across the globe. Now is the perfect time to bring this timeless story of hope to even younger audiences as Mona Golabek's mission to transform historical testimony into youth empowerment has driven many requests for shorter, illustrated formats. Both a picture book and chapter book will be available. Read more

Middle School Rules of Brian Urlacher

Author: Sean Jensen Publisher: christianaudio and Blackstone Publishing Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

For more than a decade, Brian Urlacher was the face of the Chicago Bears—one of the NFL’s most storied franchises. An eight-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker, Urlacher established himself as one of the league’s preeminent defenders with his athleticism, intelligence and ferocity. He is widely expected to gain entrance into the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he is eligible in a few years which is not bad for an athlete from Lovington, New Mexico, where his coaches did not even see college potential in him until his junior year of high school. The Middle School Rules of Brian Urlacher features the real-life childhood stories and exploits of young Brian Urlacher and illustrate how they shaped him into the world-class athlete he became. The first of The Middle School Rules series, these books not only entertain, but also inspire greatness in the next generation by highlighting the importance of being your best, overcoming adversity, and reaching your dreams through discipline and hard work. Read more

Not So Neurotypical

Author: Terrance Crawford Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A vibrant, colorful, and inspiring biography collection that highlights the achievements of 30 influential people with ADHD. This 100% true book provides young readers with empowering role models and positive neurodiverse representation! Leonardo da Vinci. Benny Blanco. Simone Biles. Paris Hilton. What do these people have in common? ADHD ! Did you know that many people believe the prolific musician Wolfgang Mozart had ADHD? Or that the iconic sports superstar Babe Ruth likely had it? Or that bestselling author Dav Pilkey , who wrote Captain Underpants and Dog Man , does too? In this fully illustrated book, you'll learn all about 30 athletes , artists , scientists , entrepreneurs , and politicians who have or had ADHD and the accomplishments they achieved. ADHD is not just a limitation. It's a source of creativity, resilience, and innovation. Not So Neurotypical: A Fun and Illustrated Celebration of 30 Influential People with ADHD is a biographical collection that's designed for young readers, families, and educators. Features: Mix of listicles, quotes, and traditional prose to captivate inattentive and attentive readers alike Dyslexia friendly font Sensory friendly soft cover Whether you're looking for inspiration , representation , or just an exciting read , this book proves that ADHD minds have always shaped the world—and always will. Featured ADHD trailblazers include influential people in: Sports Such as: Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, Babe Ruth, Kevin Garnett, Terry Bradshaw Music Such as: will.i.am, Solange Knowles, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Benny Blanco, Grimes, Doja Cat, Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, Nicki Minaj, Tyler, the Creator, SZA, Demi Lovato, Avril Lavigne Entertainment and Politics : Such as: Emma Watson, Mark Ruffalo, Trevor Noah, Greta Gerwig, Jim Carrey, Lisa Ling, Howie Mandel, Reneé Rapp, Ryan Gosling, Dav Pilkey, Paris Hilton, John F. Kennedy Read more

Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio

Author: Peg Kehret Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

1996 Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction 1997 ALA Notable Books for Children 1997 Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers 1997 Pen Center USA West Literary Award 1998 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award (Vermont) 1998-1999 Mark Twain Award (Missouri) 1998 Joan Fassler Memorial Book Award 1998-1999 Texas Bluebonnet Award, Runner-Up 1998-1999 William Allen White Master Reading List (Kansas) 1998-1999 Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award Master List 1998-1999 Sequoyah Book Award Master List (Oklahoma) 1998-1999 Volunteer State Book Award Master List (Tennessee) 1998-1999 NH Great Stone Face Children's Book Award Master List 1999 Sasquatch Reading Award Master List (Washington State) 2000-2001 Iowa Children's Choice Awards Master List 2001 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award Master List (Illinois) 2001 Young Hoosier Book Award 2015 Bluestem Book Award Master List In a riveting story of courage and hope, Peg Kehret writes about months spent in a hospital when she was twelve, first struggling to survive a severe case of polio, then slowly learning to walk again. Peg Kehret was stricken with polio when she was twelve years old. At first paralyzed and terrified, she fought her way to recovery, aided by doctors and therapists, a loving family, supportive roommates fighting their own battles with the disease, and plenty of grit and luck. With the humor and suspense that are her trademarks, acclaimed author Peg Kehret vividly recreates the true story of her year of heartbreak and triumph. Read more

The Enigma Girls

Author: Candace Fleming Publisher: Scholastic Focus Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book. With numerous starred reviews and accolades, from award-winning author Candace Fleming, comes the powerful and fascinating story of the brave and dedicated young women who helped turn the tides of World War II for the Allies, with their hard work and determination at Bletchley Park. "Events are brought to dramatic life through a treasure trove of photographs--which show the goings-on at Bletchley and the sobering progress of the war--and through the author's meticulous research." -- The New York Times Book Review "You are to report to Station X at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire, in four days time....That is all you need to know." This was the terse telegram hundreds of young women throughout the British Isles received in the spring of 1941, as World War II raged. As they arrived at Station X, a sprawling mansion in a state of disrepair surrounded by Spartan-looking huts with little chimneys coughing out thick smoke―these young people had no idea what kind of work they were stepping into. Who had recommended them? Why had they been chosen? Most would never learn all the answers to these questions. Bletchley Park was a well-kept secret during World War II, operating under the code name Station X. The critical work of code-cracking Nazi missives that went on behind its closed doors could determine a victory or loss against Hitler’s army. Amidst the brilliant cryptographers, flamboyant debutantes, and absent-minded professors working there, it was teenaged girls who kept Station X running. Some could do advanced math, while others spoke a second language. They ran the unwieldy bombe machines, made sense of wireless sound waves, and sorted the decoded messages. They were expected to excel in their fields and most importantly: know how to keep a secret. Candace Fleming is the award-winning and highly acclaimed author of Crash from Outer Space , The Curse of the Mummy , and many other nonfiction books for young readers. With her canny and compelling narrative voice she makes history come alive. The recipient of five starred reviews, and thick with tension and suspense, The Enigma Girls is an extraordinary and relatively unknown story of World War II that will fascinate readers who will be thrilled to see young people playing such an important role in the wartime effort. Scholastic Focus is the premier home of thoroughly researched, beautifully written, and thoughtfully designed works of narrative nonfiction aimed at middle-grade and young adult readers. These books help readers learn about the world in which they live and develop their critical thinking skills, so that they may become dynamic citizens who are able to analyze and understand our past, participate in essential discussions about our present, and work to grow and build our future. Read more

The Story of Amelia Earhart

Author: Stacia Deutsch Publisher: Callisto Kids Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Inspire kids ages 6 to 9 with the life of Amelia Earhart―a story about blazing your own trail Before she became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, Amelia Earhart was an adventure-loving kid in Kansas who dreamed big and challenged the rules of her time. She worked hard and learned how to fly airplanes at a time when many people didn't think women should be pilots. An engaging biography for early readers, The Story of Amelia Earhart tells the remarkable tale of how she became an American hero and celebrated pioneer of flight. Independent reading ―This Amelia Earhart biography is broken down into short chapters and simple language with colorful illustrations so kids 6 to 9 can read and learn on their own. Critical thinking ―Kids will learn the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How of Amelia's life, find definitions of new words, discussion questions, and more. Inspire curiosity and courage ―Amelia's trailblazing spirit empowers children to explore new ideas and believe in their own potential. How will Amelia's bravery and determination inspire your child to dream big? Explore more incredible figures in the Story Of series―including Marie Curie, Helen Keller, Frida Kahlo, Jane Goodall, Taylor Swift, and others. Read more

Unstoppable!

Author: Maggie Nichols Publisher: Roaring Brook Press Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Maggie Nichols’s official memoir is an inspirational tell-all about the abuse she suffered under the US national gymnastics team and how she managed to redefine herself in the face of adversity. With an introduction from Simone Biles. In 2015, Maggie Nichols’s gymnastics career was on fire. Having trained most of her young life as an elite-level gymnast, Maggie carried the team all-around at the 2015 World Championships, helping to cinch the team gold medal. Next in her sights were the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. She was eagerly looking forward to training for them along with teammates such as Aly Raisman, Simone Biles, and Laurie Hernandez. But on the verge of achieving her lifelong Olympic dream, her world came crashing down. That summer Maggie revealed to her coach that USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar had been sexually abusing her and other athletes under his care. What followed was an extensive investigation that would capture the world’s attention and illuminate the trauma and massive cover-up behind the scenes of one of America’s most celebrated sports institutions. Ultimately, Maggie would go on to become an eight-time NCAA champion and an outspoken advocate for the protection of young children, especially young athletes. This inspirational memoir offers an intimate look into the world of elite gymnastics, the sexual abuse scandal that shattered lives and dreams, and how Maggie Nichols risked everything in the name of justice. Maggie now shares this story in her words: a story of hope, resilience, reclamation, and above all, triumph. Read more

Who Was the Girl Warrior of France?

Author: Sarah Winifred Searle Publisher: Penguin Workshop Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Maria Capelle Frantz

Discover the story behind Joan of Arc and her journey to triumph in the Hundred Years' War in this captivating graphic novel -- written by Sincerely, Harriet author Sarah Winifred Searle and illustrated by award-winning cartoonist Maria Capelle Frantz. Presenting Who HQ Graphic Novels: an exciting addition to the #1 New York Times best-selling Who Was? series! Follow Joan of Arc on her journey to convince the Dauphin to let her lead the French army in the Battle of Orleans and win the Hundred Years' War. A story of faith, courage, and determination, this graphic novel invites readers to immerse themselves in the life of the teenage French heroine -- brought to life by gripping narrative and vivid full-color illustrations that jump off the page. Read more

Alaskan Homestead Kid

Author: Cherie Curtis Publisher: WestBow Press Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Homestead Kid is a fresh perspective of pioneering the rugged Alaskan interior. Cherie recounts her personal experiences in a child's point of view from age five to nineteen. Her family moved to Alaska in the 1970s with seven kids and a dream of living off the grid. Alaskan Homestead Kid deals with many interesting and dangerous situations and people as she survives this far-north adventure. Read more

Boy

Author: Roald Dahl Publisher: Listening Library (Audio) Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

“Roald Dahl sometimes shared a tonal kinship with Ogden Nash, and he could demonstrate a verbal inventiveness nearly Seussian…[His] stories work better in audio than in print.” – The New York Times Where did Roald Dahl get all of his wonderful ideas for stories? From his own life, of course! As full of excitement and the unexpected as his world-famous, best-selling books, Roald Dahl's tales of his own childhood are completely fascinating and fiendishly funny. Did you know that Roald Dahl nearly lost his nose in a car accident? Or that he was once a chocolate candy tester for Cadbury's? Have you heard about his involvement in the Great Mouse Plot of 1924? If not, you don’t yet know all there is to know about Roald Dahl. Sure to captivate and delight you, the boyhood antics of this master storyteller are not to be missed! Read more

El Deafo

Author: Cece Bell Publisher: Abrams Fanfare Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A superpowered special edition of Cece Bell’s #1 New York Times bestselling graphic novel El Deafo with 40 pages of all-new material. Cece Bell’s #1 New York Times bestseller graphic novel El Deafo is the origin story of a student with hearing loss and a hearing aid becoming a superhero. Newbery Honor Winner * Now an Apple+ Animated TV Series! Starting at a new school is scary, especially with a giant hearing aid strapped to your chest! At her old school, everyone in Cece’s class was deaf. Here, she’s different. She’s sure the kids are staring at the Phonic Ear, the powerful aid that will help her hear her teacher. Too bad it also seems certain to repel potential friends. Then Cece makes a startling discovery. With the Phonic Ear, she can hear her teacher not just in the classroom, but anywhere her teacher is in the school—in the hallway . . . in the teacher’s lounge . . . in the bathroom! This is power. Maybe even superpower! Cece is on her way to becoming El Deafo, Listener for All. But the funny thing about being a superhero is that it’s just another way of feeling different . . . and lonely. Can Cece channel her powers into finding the thing she wants most: a true friend? El Deafo is a book that will entertain children, give hearing-impaired children a hero of their own, and challenge others to consider an experience unlike their own. Like other great works for children, it provides the opportunity for young readers to consider how they would act or react in a similar situation, helping to build empathy and understanding through the power of story. El Deafo: Superpowered Edition is a must-have collector’s edition for existing fans and the perfect gift for new readers, with 40 all-new pages of childhood photographs, early sketches, notes from Cece, and much more! Read more

How Angel Peterson Got His Name

Author: Gary Paulsen Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

WHEN YOU GROW up in a small town in the north woods, you have to make your own excitement. High spirits, idiocy, and showing off for the girls inspire Gary Paulsen and his friends to attempt: • Shooting waterfalls in a barrel • The first skateboarding • Breaking the world record for speed on skis by being towed behind a souped-up car, and then . . . hitting gravel • Jumping three barrels like motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel, except they only have bikes • Wrestling . . . a bear? Extreme sports lead to extreme fun in new tales from Gary’s boyhood. A New York Times Bestseller Read more

It Belongs to the World

Author: Lisa Katzenberger Publisher: Clarion Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Janina Gaudin aka Miss Diabetes

The inspiring story of Frederick Banting, who discovered insulin. His historic contributions to the medical field, and selfless sale of his patent for just one dollar, changed the course of patients managing diabetes forever. Ideal for diabetic children and their families, readers who love biography and science, and fans of Digestion! The Musical . Frederick Banting was a shy boy who loved to care for the animals on his family farm. When they were sick, he searched for ways to make them better. When Frederick grew up, he remained curious about how to treat and cure illnesses, so he became a doctor and a teacher. After teaching his medical students about diabetes, his curiosity led him to discover insulin, which saves millions of lives worldwide today. Frederick could have gotten rich from his discovery, but he sold his formula for only a dollar, saying, “Insulin does not belong to me. It belongs to the world.” With bright, cheerful illustrations and informative back matter about insulin and diabetes, It Belongs to the World is an inspiring story of a curious boy who grew up to change medicine and countless lives for the better. Read more

Looked After Kid

Author: Paolo Hewitt Publisher: Mainstream Publishing Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Paolo Hewitt is the celebrated biographer of amongst others, Oasis, Alan McGee and the mercurial footballer, Robin Friday. He is a successful journalist who has made numerous TV and radio appearances. Yet behind this veneer, lies a troubled past, which this moving autobiography seeks to come to terms with. Paolo Hewitt was put into care at a very early age following his mother's breakdown. He was placed with a foster family where he was regularly beaten and humiliated by the mother, after enduring years of her destructive anger and sbusive behaviour he rebelled and was sent to an orphanage. He was ten years old. This is a compelling story that vividly details what life was like for kids in a British orphanage in the '70s. It has been written for all those children who, in the author's own words, 'go to sleep at night believing the world to be a dark, terrible place'. this book addresses the emotional struggle which children who lived in the orphanage faced and seeks to address the feelings of fear and rejection which afflict so many children without a normal family life. The Looked-After Kids is a poignant, well-observed and riveting tale of love, luck, broken promises, compassion, illicit sex and loyalty amongst friends. Read more

Middle School Sleuths

Author: Fern Schumer Chapman Publisher: Gussie Rose Press Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Middle School Sleuths: A True Story of Courage, Compassion, and a Life-Changing Service Learning Project �� What happens when a group of middle school students take on a real-life mystery from the Holocaust? In this powerful nonfiction story, young investigators uncover the lost history of two child refugees who escaped Nazi Germany in 1938. Separated for 73 years , these Holocaust survivors had no way of finding each other—until a group of determined middle schoolers embarked on a service learning project that would change their lives forever. �� Inside this inspirational children's Holocaust book, readers will discover: ✔️ A real-life detective story where students track down historical records, photos, and documents ✔️ The moving reunion of two unaccompanied child refugees decades after their separation ✔️ A powerful example of how young people can make a difference in preserving history ✔️ An engaging, classroom-ready resource for middle school education, Holocaust studies, and service learning projects ✨ As featured on Oprah! This gripping true story of resilience and immigration is an essential addition to any collection of Holocaust books for kids, educational nonfiction, and middle school history books . �� Perfect for: ✅ Middle school and upper elementary classrooms ✅ Holocaust education and biography projects ✅ Students interested in real-life mysteries and history ✅ Service learning and social justice discussions �� Empower young readers with this unforgettable story of courage, perseverance, and the power of youth-led action. ➡️ Order your copy today and inspire the next generation of history detectives! Read more

Notorious RBG Young Readers' Edition

Author: Irin Carmon Publisher: HarperCollins Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

"A tribute to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg that does more than catalog her achievements; it conveys her spirit, one that will leave readers in awe."* This New York Times bestselling version of the acclaimed biography Notorious RBG is an excellent way to share with middle grade readers just why Justice Ginsburg was such a powerful role model. This entertaining and insightful full-color 200-page young readers’ edition mixes pop culture, humor, and expert analysis for a remarkable account of the indomitable Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Heroine. Trailblazer. Pioneer. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an icon to millions. Her tireless fight for equality and women’s rights inspired not only great strides in the workforce but impacted the law of the land. This accessible biography of this fierce woman, detailing her searing dissents and powerful jurisprudence, is a keeper. As School Library Journal* noted, "This version shares the same knockout formatting as the adult edition: a plethora of photographs and images leaving nary a page unadorned." Hand your middle grade reader this powerful and highly readable biography of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Includes a timeline, glossary, source list, index, and even a section that puts legal terms in plain English. Read more

Smile: A Graphic Novel

Author: Raina Telgemeier Publisher: Graphix Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Raina Telgemeier

Raina Telgemeier's #1 New York Times bestselling, Eisner Award-winning graphic memoir based on her childhood! Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth. What follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there's still more to deal with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly. Read more

The Hiding Place

Author: Corrie ten Boom Publisher: Chosen Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Ismael Castro

One of the bestselling books of all time-- now a captivating graphic novel! It's World War II. Darkness has fallen over the world as the Nazis spread fear and hatred. No one feels safe. But on a city corner in Holland one woman fights against injustice and darkness. In a quiet watchmaking shop, Corrie ten Boom and her close-knit family risk their lives to hide hundreds of Jews and others hunted by the Nazis in a secret hiding place they built into the old building. Until one day when Corrie and her family are betrayed. They're captured and sent in cattle cars to the notorious Nazi concentration camps to die. Yet even in that darkest of places, Corrie still fights. This is her incredible true story, now a visually stunning graphic novel. With more than 1,500 engaging full-color illustrations, this real-life heroine comes to life--showing how even in the most desperate, loneliest, and darkest of times, faith, hope, and love will ultimately triumph. "There is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still."--Corrie ten Boom "This graphic adaptation . . . beautifully captures the essence of sacrifice, bravery, and love for others."-- Kirkus Reviews "In addition to being unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, it will prove to be a singular popular addition to family, elementary school, middle school, and community library Graphic Novel collections."-- Midwest Book Review Read more

The Story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Author: Susan B. Katz Publisher: Callisto Kids Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Discover the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg―A story about fighting for justice, for kids ages 6 to 9 Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the second woman ever to serve as a judge on the Supreme Court of the United States. Before she fought for equal rights and made history, Ruth was a curious kid who loved to read stories about strong women. In school, Ruth wished girls could have as many opportunities as boys. She soon learned that by studying and working hard, she could change her life―and the world. Explore how she went from a Jewish girl during World War II to one of the most celebrated leaders in America. Independent reading ―This Ruth Bader Ginsburg biography is broken down into short chapters and simple language so kids 6 to 9 can read and learn on their own. Critical thinking ―Kids will learn the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How of Ruth's life, find definitions of new words, discussion questions, and more. A lasting legacy ―Find out how Ruth made the world a better place for future generations, including you! How will her dedication and strong beliefs inspire you? Discover activists, artists, athletes, and more from all across history with the rest of The Story Of series, including famous figures like: Albert Einstein, Anne Frank, Ruby Bridges, Amelia Earhart, and Frida Kahlo. Read more

Welts on Your Butt a Calf Could Suck

Author: Tom Brand Publisher: Richardson & Company Press Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

“Keep the hogs away from there or I’ll put welts on your butt a calf could suck.” It wasn’t profanity. It was punctuation. Welts on Your Butt a Calf Could Suck is a collection of small-town stories from the gravel roads and hog lots of northwest Missouri — where dinner came at noon, supper came at sundown, 4-H wasn’t just an after-school activity, and life’s best lessons were often learned the hard way (and sometimes barefoot). With warmth, humor, and just the right touch of grit, longtime farm broadcaster and community advocate Tom Brand shares tales of faith, family, fences, feed buckets, and the kind of characters you don’t forget. Some stories will make you laugh. Others might bring a lump to your throat. A few might hit closer to home than you'd expect. Whether you’re a farm kid at heart, someone who grew up knowing which rows to walk in a bean field, or just love stories that feel like they’re told from across a kitchen table — this book is for you. Read more

Wildflower Emily

Author: Lydia Corry Publisher: Godwin Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Lydia Corry

Emily Dickinson is one of America’s greatest and most original poets of all time. When you hear her name, you may imagine the famous recluse whose withdrawal from society became legendary. But it’s time to meet a new side of Emily, one that is powerful, adventurous, and joyful. Follow along as we delve into Emily Dickinson’s childhood, revealing a young girl desperate to go out exploring―to meet the flowers in their own homes. Wade through tall grasses to gather butterfly weed and goldenrod, the air alive with the “buccaneers of buzz.” And, don’t forget to keep a hot potato in your pocket to keep your fingers warm. This is Emily Dickinson as you’ve never seen her before, embarking on an unforgettable journey in her hometown of Amherst, Massachusetts, with her trusty four-legged companion, Carlo. Read more

Alia's Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq

Author: Mark Alan Stamaty Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

The inspiring story of an Iraqi librarian's courageous fight to save books from the Basra Central Library before it was destroyed in the war. It is 2003 and Alia Muhammad Baker, the chief librarian of the Central Library in Basra, Iraq, has grown worried given the increased likelihood of war in her country. Determined to preserve the irreplacable records of the culture and history of the land on which she lives from the destruction of the war, Alia undertakes a courageous and extremely dangerous task of spiriting away 30,000 books from the library to a safe place. Told in dramatic graphic-novel panels by acclaimed cartoonist Mark Alan Stamaty, Alia's Mission celebrates the importance of books and the freedom to read, while examining the impact of war on a country and its people. From the Hardcover edition. Read more

Boy: Tales of Childhood

Author: Roald Dahl Publisher: Turtleback Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Find out where the bestselling author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The BFG got all his wonderful story ideas in this autobiographical account of his childhood! From his own life, of course! As full of excitement and the unexpected as his world-famous, best-selling books, Roald Dahl's tales of his own childhood are completely fascinating and fiendishly funny. Did you know that Roald Dahl nearly lost his nose in a car accident? Or that he was once a chocolate candy tester for Cadbury's? Have you heard about his involvement in the Great Mouse Plot of 1924? If not, you don’t yet know all there is to know about Roald Dahl. Sure to captivate and delight you, the boyhood antics of this master storyteller are not to be missed! Read more

Epic Athletes: Stephen Curry

Author: Dan Wetzel Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Zeke Peña

In Epic Athletes: Stephen Curry , acclaimed journalist and bestselling author Dan Wetzel tells the inspiring, electrifying story of the NBA superstar, beginning a new series of sports biographies for young readers! Featuring comic-style illustrations by Zeke Peña! When you think of Stephen Curry, one word comes to mind: greatness. From shooting three-pointers with laser precision to his clutch ability to hit buzzer-beaters time and again, he has established himself as one of the best players in pro basketball. But greatness was never a guarantee for Steph. The son of a talented NBA player, he dreamed of one day playing professionally just like his dad. Yet Steph, who was always smaller and weaker than the competition, was told over and over that he would never be talented enough to be a college star or NBA player--let alone the MVP of the entire league. Through tenacity and hard work, he proved them all wrong and went on to dismantle the record books. With the high energy of a TV commentator, and featuring dynamic comic-style illustrations, this engaging biography tells the story of an NBA All-Star and the path he took to achieve his dreams. * "Wetzel knows how to organize the facts and tell a good story. . . an unusually informative and enjoyable sports biography for young readers." — Booklist (starred review) A Junior Library Guild selection! Read more

How Angel Peterson Got His Name

Author: Gary Paulsen Publisher: Brilliance Audio Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

WHEN YOU GROW up in a small town in the north woods, you have to make your own excitement. High spirits, idiocy, and showing off for the girls inspire Gary Paulsen and his friends to attempt: • Shooting waterfalls in a barrel • The first skateboarding • Breaking the world record for speed on skis by being towed behind a souped-up car, and then . . . hitting gravel • Jumping three barrels like motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel, except they only have bikes • Wrestling . . . a bear? Extreme sports lead to extreme fun in new tales from Gary’s boyhood. A New York Times Bestseller Read more

It's Her Story

Author: Kim Moldofsky Publisher: Sunbird Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Alan Brown

"I believe that a girl should not do what she thinks she should do, but should find out through experience what she wants to do." - Amelia Earhart Amelia Earhart was the first women to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She piloted many record-breaking flights, became an author, advised engineers, taught college students, and defended women's rights. And then somewhere in the South Pacific, she disappeared on an attempted flight around the world. This is her story. Read more

LOS ANGELES RAMS

Author: Erika M. Bobby Publisher: Independently published Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Join the exciting journey of the Los Angeles Rams, one of football’s most legendary teams! From their early days in Cleveland to the thrilling games at SoFi Stadium, this book takes young readers behind the scenes of a team full of courage, skill, and teamwork. Meet star players like Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp, and Matthew Stafford as they practice, train, and compete against tough rivals like the 49ers, Seahawks, and Packers. Discover the secrets behind their iconic blue and gold uniforms, the famous swirling horn logo, and the thrilling energy of their stadium. Learn how coaches like Sean McVay build champions with clever strategies, inspiring training sessions, and leadership that turns dreams into reality. Fun facts, exciting stories, pictures and interactive quizzes make learning about the Rams fun and unforgettable! Perfect for young fans, aspiring athletes, and anyone who loves football, this book shows how determination, teamwork, and heart can make heroes both on and off the field. Dive in and cheer for every touchdown, tackle, and unforgettable play as you explore the amazing world of the Los Angeles Rams. Read more

MIKAELA SHIFFRIN

Author: Lisa J. Guinn Publisher: Independently published Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Zoom down the snowy slopes with Mikaela Shiffrin in this thrilling book about the Fastest Snow Princess. Have you ever dreamed of being a superstar athlete? Well, Mikaela Shiffrin did just that! This exciting book tells the story of how a little girl from Colorado grew up to become one of the best skiers in the whole world. Picture this: tiny Mikaela, barely bigger than her skis, wobbling down a bunny slope. Who knew that one day she'd zoom faster than a cheetah can run? (Yes, really!) Follow along as Mikaela goes from making snow angels to winning gold medals. But it wasn't all downhill from there (get it?). Mikaela had to work super hard to become a champion. She practiced for hours and hours, even when her friends were playing video games or watching TV. Sometimes it was tough, but Mikaela never gave up on her dreams. You'll laugh at funny stories from Mikaela's childhood, like the time she tried to ski with her pet cat (spoiler alert: Kitty was not impressed). You'll bite your nails as you read about her biggest races, where she had to ski fast and turn around poles without falling. And you'll cheer when Mikaela stands on top of the Olympic podium, grinning from ear to ear with a shiny gold medal around her neck. But this book isn't just about skiing. It's about believing in yourself, working hard, and never giving up—even when things get tough. Mikaela faced some big challenges, but she always got back up when she fell down (and not just on the ski slopes). Did you know Mikaela loves taking naps and eating blueberries to keep her energy up? Or that she can play the guitar and sing? There are tons of cool facts about Mikaela and skiing that'll make you the smartest kid on the chairlift. So grab your imaginary ski goggles and get ready for an awesome adventure with Mikaela Shiffrin. This book is like a super fun ski lesson that might just inspire you to chase your own dreams, whether they're on the slopes or anywhere else. Ready, set, ski! It's time to hit the pages with Mikaela and discover how a regular kid like you can grow up to do extraordinary things. Who knows? Maybe you'll be the next skiing superstar! Read more

Oh Brother:

Author: Georgina Chadderton Publisher: Random House Graphic Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Every kid is shaped by their family—but not every kid has a brother like Rob. In this bright and thoughtful middle grade graphic memoir, debut cartoonist Gina Chadderton examines the fun and difficult parts of growing up alongside their autistic and nonverbal brother. So much is changing in Gina Chadderton's life. Her family is moving, she's about to start middle school., and her brother Rob has just escaped out a playroom window ended up over at the new neighbor's house! This coming-of-age memoir explores Gina and Rob's lives. As a nonverbal autistic boy with an intellectual disability, Rob doesn't communicate his thoughts and feelings like most people do. Despite the difficulties that come with that, the Chadderton family has never failed to show each other kindness and love. But as Gina begins to grapple with her own growing body and whether or not to shave her legs, she struggles with how hard it is to take care of her brother while also taking care of herself. Compassionate, informative, and emotionally nuanced, Oh Brother is a heartfelt story about the good days and bad days that come with growing up with someone who will always need help. But more than that, it's about how you can fill even the most challenging of days with joy. Read more

So Far from the Bamboo Grove

Author: Yoko Kawashima Watkins Publisher: HarperCollins Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

In the final days of World War II, Koreans were determined to take back control of their country from the Japanese and end the suffering caused by the Japanese occupation. As an eleven-year-old girl living with her Japanese family in northern Korea, Yoko is suddenly fleeing for her life with her mother and older sister, Ko, trying to escape to Japan, a country Yoko hardly knows. Their journey is terrifying—and remarkable. It's a true story of courage and survival that highlights the plight of individual people in wartime. In the midst of suffering, acts of kindness, as exemplified by a family of Koreans who risk their own lives to help Yoko's brother, are inspiring reminders of the strength and resilience of the human spirit. Read more

The Kid Stays in the Picture

Author: Robert Evans Publisher: Grand Central Publishing Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A candid no-holds-barred autobiography by a former Hollywood studio chief, ex-husband of Ali McGraw, and friend to Nicholson and Kissinger, chronicles his rise and fall, naming names and telling outrageous tales and infamous anecdotes. Read more

The True Story of Pearl Harbor’s Lead Pilot, an American War Prisoner Who Sought Revenge, and the Girl Who Changed Everything.

Author: T. Martin Bennett Publisher: Dynamis Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Three lives. Two nations. One war. What happened next defies belief — except it really happened. He carried out the most devastating surprise attack in modern history. She went out of her way to love the enemies who hounded her parents into the jungle. He barely survived torment in a Japanese prison cell—but left a changed man. Wounded Tiger is the true story of: Mitsuo Fuchida —the elite commanding pilot who led the attack on Pearl Harbor, driven by a samurai’s devotion to a "living god" emperor and his nation, Jacob DeShazer —a Doolittle Raider who endured brutal Japanese captivity, fueling a visceral hatred that could only be broken by a forbidden book; and Peggy Covell —a young woman whose secret act of radical kindness set an impossible chain of events in motion that transformed a nation's most famous warrior. This isn’t a textbook. It reads like a movie because it’s in the dynamic nonfiction novel format—137 short chapters told through the eyes of real people on both sides of the war and brought to life through over 300 photos, letters, maps, and images. Readers describe finishing it in a single weekend and immediately buying copies for friends. “Bravo to an extraordinary story! A moving international epic!” — Yoko Narahashi (Associate Producer, The Last Samurai; Producer, Emperor) “The story of Mitsuo Fuchida and his transformation is one of the most gripping stories of WWII. A must for all.” — Dr. Donald Goldstein, PhD (NYT best-selling author of At Dawn We Slept) Wounded Tiger is a "crossover" masterpiece that bridges the gap between a profound, character-driven arc of radical change and the gripping rigors of World War II history. This massively updated 3rd edition features new content and hundreds of historic photographs and documents—some never before published. Read more

Whale Eyes

Author: James Robinson Publisher: Penguin Workshop Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Brian Rea

From Emmy Award–winning documentary filmmaker James Robinson comes a breathtaking illustrated memoir for readers ages 10 and up—inspired by the viral, Emmy-nominated short film Whale Eyes . WINNER OF THE SCHNEIDER FAMILY BOOK AWARD • AN ORBIS PICTUS RECOMMENDED BOOK • A BEST BOOK THE YEAR: School Library Journal , NPR, BCCB, New York Public Library, and Chicago Public Library Told through an experimental mix of intimate anecdotes and interactive visuals, this book immerses readers in James’s experiences growing up with strabismus, allowing them to see the world through one eye at a time. Readers will get lost as they chase words. They’ll stare into this book while taking a vision test. They’ll hold it upside down as they practice “pretend-reading”…and they’ll follow an unlikely trail toward discovering the power of words. With poignant illustrations by Eisner Award–nominated artist Brian Rea, James’s story equips readers of all ages with the tools to confront their discomfort with disability and turn confused, blank stares into powerful connections. Read more

Without a Net

Author: Michelle Kennedy Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Michelle Kennedy had a typical middle class American childhood in Vermont. She attended college, interned in the U.S. Senate, married her high school sweetheart and settled in the suburbs of D.C. But the comfortable life she was building quickly fell apart. At age twenty-four Michelle was suddenly single, homeless, and living out of a car with her three small children. She waitressed night shifts while her kids slept out in the diner's parking lot. She saved her tips in the glove compartment, and set aside a few quarters every week for truck stop showers for her and the kids. With startling humor and honesty, Kennedy describes the frustration of never having enough money for a security deposit on an apartment—but having too much to qualify for public assistance. Without A Net is a story of hope. Michelle Kennedy survives on her wits, a little luck, and a lot of courage. And in the end, she triumphs. Read more

Alive in the Killing Fields

Author: Martha E. Kendall Publisher: National Geographic Kids Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Nawuth Keat , a man who survived the horrors of war-torn Cambodia, has broken a long silence in the hope that telling the truth about what happened to his people and his country will spare future generations from similar tragedy. In his captivating memoir, young Nawuth defies the odds and survives the invasion of his homeland by the Khmer Rouge. But under the brutal reign of the dictator Pol Pot, he loses his parents, sister, and other members of his family. Nawuth and his remaining relatives are eventually captured and enslaved by Khmer Rouge fighters. They endure physical abuse, hunger, and inhumane living conditions. But through it all, their sense of family holds them together, giving them the strength to persevere through a time when any assertion of identity is punishable by death. This story provides a timeless lesson in the value of human dignity and freedom for readers of all ages. Read more

Breakaway: Beyond the Goal

Author: Alex Morgan Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Get inspired to be your best—in sports and in life—with this uplifting memoir from star soccer player and Olympic gold medalist Alex Morgan that includes eight pages of full-color photos as well as book jacket that doubles as a poster! As a talented and successful female athlete, Alex Morgan is a role model to thousands of girls who want to be their best, not just in soccer, but in other sports and in life. The story of her path to success, from playing in the 2011 Women’s World Cup, to winning gold in the 2012 London Olympics, to ranking as one of the National Team’s top scorers, will inspire everyone who reads it. From her beginnings with the American Youth Soccer Organization to her key role in the 2015 Women’s World Cup, Alex shares the details that made her who she is today: a fantastic role model and athlete who proudly rocks a pink headband. Read more

Facing the Lion

Author: Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc. and Blackstone Publishing Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton is a Maasai tribesman of Kenya. In this fascinating autobiography, he shares stories about growing up in his nomadic tribe-from licking sweat off cows' noses to survive a drought, to facing down a lion at age 14, to playing soccer for the president of Kenya. The only member of his family to receive a formal education, Joseph sometimes lived as much as 40 miles away from school. While at school, he learned about Western culture and traditions. A member of two very different communities, Joseph struggled with what he was taught and what he already knew. But eventually, he learned to balance two worlds. Hailed by Children's Literature as a "superb book for any age," Facing the Lion is a riveting tale of one man who took his destiny in his own hands and became an extraordinary citizen of the world. "An intriguing portrait of a remarkable life and a culture little known to most American readers."-Publishers Weekly "What gives this short, readable book its power is Lekuton's authoritative, intimate view of now and then."-Booklist Read more

How the Boogeyman Became a Poet

Author: Tony Keith; Publisher: Blackstone Publishing, Inc. Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Poet, writer, and hip-hop educator Tony Keith Jr. makes his debut with a powerful YA memoir in verse, tracing his journey from being a closeted gay Black teen battling poverty, racism, and homophobia to becoming an openly gay first-generation college student who finds freedom in poetry. Perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo, George M. Johnson, and Jacqueline Woodson. Tony dreams about life after high school, where his poetic voice can find freedom on the stage and page. But the Boogeyman has been following Tony since he was six years old. First, the Boogeyman was after his Blackness, but Tony has learned It knows more than that: Tony wants to be the first in his family to attend college, but there's no path to follow. He also has feelings for boys, desires that don't align with the script he thinks is set for him and his girlfriend, Blu. Despite a supportive network of family and friends, Tony doesn't breathe a word to anyone about his feelings. As he grapples with his sexuality and moves from high school to college, he struggles with loneliness while finding solace in gay chat rooms and writing poetry. But how do you find your poetic voice when you are hiding the most important parts of yourself? And how do you escape the Boogeyman when it's lurking inside you? Read more

It's Her Story

Author: Kaara Kallen Publisher: Sunbird Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Rosie Baker

A graphic novel for children ages 6 to 9. Marie Curie was the brilliant, trailblazing scientist who discovered radium and coined the term radioactivity. She is the only woman ever awarded two Nobel Prizes--one in physics and one in chemistry. She helped develop the use of X-rays and radiation therapies that have had a lasting impact on medicine and human health. This is her story. This book is special because: Its artfully illustrated style bridges the gap between picture books and graphic novels This book is part of an expandable series featuring amazing, inspirational women Read more

Lost & Found: Based on a True Story

Author: Mei Yu Publisher: Union Square Kids Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

"This bright and bubbly early reader graphic novel, based on debut creator Yu’s own immigration story, validates the sometimes overwhelming nature of learning an unfamiliar language as a child in a new country." — Publishers Weekly Being the new kid in school is scary enough. But imagine what it would be like if you were the new kid in a new school, in a new country. That’s exactly the situation Mei Yu finds herself in when her family moves from China to Canada. As she navigates her new school, she discovers a unique way to learn English and makes a new friend along the way in this heartwarming story based on the author's own experiences. Read more

Most Dangerous

Author: Steve Sheinkin Publisher: Roaring Brook Press Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War is New York Times bestselling author Steve Sheinkin's award-winning nonfiction account of an ordinary man who wielded the most dangerous weapon: the truth. “Easily the best study of the Vietnam War available for teen readers.”― Kirkus Reviews (starred review) A YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award winner A National Book Award finalist A Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon book A Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Young Adult Literature finalist Selected for the Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People List In 1964, Daniel Ellsberg was a U.S. government analyst, helping to plan a war in Vietnam. It was the height of the Cold War, and the government would do anything to stop the spread of communism―with or without the consent of the American people. As the fighting in Vietnam escalated, Ellsberg turned against the war. He had access a top-secret government report known as the Pentagon Papers, and he knew it could blow the lid off of years of government lies. But did he have the right to expose decades of presidential secrets? And what would happen to him if he did it? A lively book that interrogates the meanings of patriotism, freedom, and integrity, the National Book Award finalist Most Dangerous further establishes Steve Sheinkin―author of Newbery Honor book Bomb as a leader in children's nonfiction. This thoroughly-researched and documented book can be worked into multiple aspects of the common core curriculum. “Gripping.”― New York Times Book Review “A master of fast-paced histories...[this] is Sheinkin’s most compelling one yet. ”― Washington Post Also by Steve Sheinkin: Bomb: The Race to Build―and Steal―the World's Most Dangerous Weapon The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights Which Way to the Wild West?: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About Westward Expansion King George: What Was His Problem?: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the American Revolution Two Miserable Presidents: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the Civil War Born to Fly: The First Women's Air Race Across America Read more

Ordinary People Change the World

Author: Brad Meltzer Publisher: Scholastic, Inc. Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Christopher Eliopoulos

Key Features Description These accessible, illustrated comic-book-style biographies feature characters from history as children themselves, as they recount the major events in their lives. These accessible, illustrated comic-book-style biographies feature characters from history as children themselves, as they recount the major events in their lives. Standards RI.2.6. Identify the main purpose of a text, including what the author wants to answer, explain, or describe. RI.2.6. Identify the main purpose of a text, including what the author wants to answer, explain, or describe. Product Details Item #: NTS832022 ISBN13: 9781338320220 Format: Paperback Book Pages: 40 Grades: 2 - 3 Lexile® Measure: 630L Guided Reading Level: GR Level O DRA Level: 34 - 38 ACR Level: 3.4 Ordinary People Change the World: I am Jim Henson Paperback Book 4.46 Out Of Stock Out Of Stock Email me when back in stock Top {{#if inStock}} {{#if isSubscribe}} {{button.label}} {{else}} {{button.label}} {{/if}} {{/if}} {{#if isOutofStock}} {{oosMessage}} {{#if isTSO}} Email me when back in stock {{/if}} {{/if}} {{#if isLearnMore}} {{#if learnMoreUrl}} {{button.label}} {{/if}} {{#if learnMorePhone}} Contact Us{{learnMoreNumber}} {{/if}} {{/if}} x {{query}} in All ({{match.model.model}}) {{query}} in {{facet.myHashMap.value | facetValue}} ({{facet.myHashMap.count}}) What can we help you find? Search PRIVACY POLICY TERMS OF USE TM ® & © 2021 Scholastic Inc. All Rights Reserved. if(_satellite) {_satellite.pageBottom();} commonUtil.enableMouseflow(); Key Features Item #: NTS832022 ISBN13: 9781338320220 Format: Paperback Book Pages: 40 Grades: 2 - 3 Lexile® Measure: 630L Guided Reading Level: GR Level O DRA Level: 34 - 38 ACR Level: 3.4 Read more

Stephen Curry

Author: Josh Bycel Publisher: Penguin Workshop Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Damion Scott

A thrilling graphic novel about Stephen Curry's underdog story and meteoric rise to becoming one of the greatest basketball players of all time! Stephen Curry is considered one of the—if not the—greatest shooters of all time. But his road to greatness was filled with plenty of bumps and obstacles. Coaches and players always told him he was too small and too short to be truly great. Even when Curry declared his eligibility for the NBA, a scouting report noted that he “lacks great height, length or strength, and possesses below average lateral quickness…making him a potential defensive liability.” Proving all of his doubters wrong, today Stephen Curry is a four-time NBA Champion, two-time league MVP, and Finals MVP winner. The first official graphic novel in the Stephen Curry Presents: Sports Superheroes line—brought to life by illustrator Damion Scott's vibrant and dynamic art! Read more

The Kid

Author: Dan Savage Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Dan Savage's nationally syndicated sex advice column, "Savage Love", enrages and excites more than four million people each week. In The Kid, Savage tells a no-holds-barred, high-energy story of an ordinary American couple who wants to have a baby. Except that in this case the couple happens to be Dan and his boyfriend. That fact, in the face of a society enormously uneasy with gay adoption, makes for an edgy, entertaining, and illuminating read. When Dan and his boyfriend are finally presented with an infant badly in need of parenting, they find themselves caught up in a drama that extends well beyond the confines of their immediate world. A story about confronting homophobia, falling in love, getting older, and getting a little bit smarter, The Kid is a book about the very human desire to have a family. Read more

The Westcoast Kid

Author: Travis D. Waters Publisher: Iuniverse Inc Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

After experiencing a tumultuous early childhood, young Travis turned all his energy to the only thing he knew he could count on—sports. After excelling in high school basketball and becoming his school's first great player, however, his life took a fateful and tragic turn. In his compelling memoir, The Westcoast Kid , Waters chronicles the events that led up to his decision to embark on a different path in life—away from college and into the dangerous world of drug smuggling for Pablo Esobar's cartel. As he became immersed in the lure of fast money and beautiful women, his life began spiraling downhill; eventually, he was arrested and convicted of drug charges, forcing him to enter the turbulent prison system. While detailing how life behind the prison walls became a struggle to survive when they found out his high school rival was NFL star Deion Sanders, he also shares how he found the determination to rebuild his life once he was released. Waters tells the inspiring story of his struggle to find his place in life hoping to encourage young adults to shun bad choices, opt for the right path, and follow their dreams. Read more

What Jewish Looks Like

Author: Liz Kleinrock Publisher: HarperCollins Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir Illustrator: Iris Gottlieb

Compiled by educator and author Liz Kleinrock and author Caroline Kusin Pritchard, this powerful intersectional anthology celebrates thirty-six Jewish heroes—from Tracee Ellis Ross and Victor "Young" Perez to Doña Gracia Nasi . A first-ever collection that disrupts the narrative of how a Jewish person is perceived, What Jewish Looks Like includes accessible primers on important Jewish history, a map, quotes, and much more! Too many Jews have been told: "You don't look Jewish!" It begs the question, "What does Jewish look like?" Well, there are over fifteen million Jews in the world, which means there are more than fifteen million ways to look and be Jewish. It can look like setting out menorahs on tribal land, adding kimchi to the seder plate, organizing for change, and living out loud. Shining a light on Paralympians and chefs, anthropologists and activists, dancers and dreamers, the individuals in these pages represent a range of identities. But they are threaded together by one unmistakable truth: Their lives, work, and commitment to Jewish values have changed our world for the better. These bold profiles and inspiring everyday stories come together to create a tapestry that beautifully reflects the multifaceted essence of the Jewish people. Read more

World History Biographies

Author: Philip Wilkinson Publisher: National Geographic Kids Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

A shy, serious boy, Mahatma Gandhi would later lead India to nationhood and change the course of history. After studying law in London, he championed Indian rights in South Africa for two decades. He returned to India in 1914, leading a campaign of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience against British rule. Philip Wilkinson's lively narrative takes us through his remarkable life, up to India's independence in 1947, and the tragic conclusion; in 1948 Gandhi was assassinated by a fanatic opposed to his program of tolerance for all creeds and religions. Read more

The Diary of a Young Girl

Author: Anne Frank Publisher: Bantam Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Discovered in the attic where she spnt the last years of her life, Anne Frank’s remarkable diary has become a world classic—a powerful reminder of the horrors of war and an eloquent testament to the human spirit.In 1942, as Nazis occupied Holland, a thirteen-year-old Jewish girl and her family fled their home in Amsterdam and went into hiding. For the next two years, until their whereabouts were betrayed to the Gestapo, they and another family lived cloistered in the secret upstairs rooms of an old office building. Cut off from the outside world, they faced hunger, boredom, the constant cruelties of living in confined quarters, and the ever-present threat of discovery and death.In her diary Anne Frank recorded vivid impressions of her experiences during this period. By turns thoughtful, moving, and amusing, Anne’s account offers a fascinating commentary on human courage and frailty and a compelling self-portrait of a sensitive and spirited young woman whose promise was tragically cut short.

Long Way Gone

Author: Ishmael Beah Publisher: Sarah Crichton Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

This is how wars are fought now: by children, hopped-up on drugs and wielding AK-47s. Children have become soldiers of choice. In the more than fifty conflicts going on worldwide, it is estimated that there are some 300,000 child soldiers. Ishmael Beah used to be one of them.What is war like through the eyes of a child soldier? How does one become a killer? How does one stop? Child soldiers have been profiled by journalists, and novelists have struggled to imagine their lives. But until now, there has not been a first-person account from someone who came through this hell and survived.In A Long Way Gone, Beah, now twenty-five years old, tells a riveting story: how at the age of twelve, he fled attacking rebels and wandered a land rendered unrecognizable by violence. By thirteen, he'd been picked up by the government army, and Beah, at heart a gentle boy, found that he was capable of truly terrible acts. This is a rare and mesmerizing account, told with real literary force and heartbreaking honesty.

Through My Eye

Author: Ruby Bridges Publisher: Scholastic Press Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

In November 1960, all of America watched as a tiny six-year-old black girl, surrounded by federal marshals, walked through a mob of screaming segregationists and into her school. An icon of the civil rights movement, Ruby Bridges chronicles each dramatic step of this pivotal event in history through her own words.

Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You!

Author: Marley Dias Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Marley Dias, the powerhouse girl-wonder who started the #1000blackgirlbooks campaign, speaks to kids about her passion for making our world a better place, and how to make their dreams come true!In this accessible guide with an introduction by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay, Marley Dias explores activism, social justice, volunteerism, equity and inclusion, and using social media for good. Drawing from her experience, Marley shows kids how they can galvanize their strengths to make positive changes in their communities, while getting support from parents, teachers, and friends to turn dreams into reality. Focusing on the importance of literacy and diversity, Marley offers suggestions on book selection, and delivers hands-on strategies for becoming a lifelong reader.

PELE : Why Soccer Matters

Author: Pele, Brian Winter Publisher: Penguin Publishing Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Pelé—legendary footballer and humanitarian—explores the sport’s recent history and shares his most inspiring experiences, heartwarming stories, and hard-won wisdom.It is a great read, especially for those who love sports.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Author: William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer Publisher: Penguin Random House Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Now a Netflix film starring and directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, this is a gripping memoir of survival and perseverance about the heroic young inventor who brought electricity to his Malawian village.When a terrible drought struck William Kamkwamba’s tiny village in Malawi, his family lost all of the season’s crops, leaving them with nothing to eat and nothing to sell. William began to explore science books in his village library, looking for a solution. There, he came up with the idea that would change his family’s life forever: he could build a windmill. Made out of scrap metal and old bicycle parts, William’s windmill brought electricity to his home and helped his family pump the water they needed to farm the land.Retold for a younger audience, this exciting memoir shows how, even in a desperate situation, one boy’s brilliant idea can light up the world. Complete with photographs, illustrations, and an epilogue that will bring readers up to date on William’s story, this is the perfect edition to read and share with the whole family.

Cristiano Ronaldo: The Biography

Author: Guillem Balague Publisher: Seven Dials Genre: Sports

As the Qatar World Cup opened to worldwide jubilation, Cristiano Ronaldo's second spell at Manchester United reached an abrupt conclusion. It was not to be the fairy tale ending to a glittering career. Instead, over the two seasons, it had snowballed into a toxic standoff between himself, the board and newly appointed manager, Erik ten Hag. The Theatre's dream was over. On 22 November 2022, Ronaldo's contract was terminated.In this compelling account, Guillem Balagué draws on impeccable sources, first-hand interviews and unprecedented access, taking us on a journey from Madeira to Manchester, and onto Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia. From Ronaldo's tutelage under Sir Alex Ferguson to becoming the biggest galáctico of them all at Real Madrid, and captaining Portugal to the first silverware in their history at the UEFA Euro 2016, Guillem chronicles Ronaldo's career in its entirety.This is nothing less than the definitive portrait of a true icon of modern football, who has reached the very heights of the beautiful game and cemented his place as one of the greatest players of all time.

It's Trevor Noah: Born a Crime

Author: Trevor Noah Publisher: Yearling Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

We do horrible things to one another because we don’t see the person it affects. . . . We don’t see them as people.Trevor Noah, host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central, shares his remarkable story of growing up in South Africa with a black South African mother and a white European father at a time when it was against the law for a mixed-race child to exist. But he did exist--and from the beginning, the often-misbehaved Trevor used his keen smarts and humor to navigate a harsh life under a racist government.In a country where racism barred blacks from social, educational, and economic opportunity, Trevor surmounted staggering obstacles and created a promising future for himself thanks to his mom’s unwavering love and indomitable will.

Unbroken

Author: Laura Hillenbrand Publisher: Delacorte Press Genre: History

#Los Angeles Times Book PrizeWinner, 2010#On a May afternoon in 1943, an American military plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane’s bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary sagas of the Second World War. The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini. As a boy, he had been a clever delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and stealing. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a supreme talent that carried him to the Berlin Olympics. But when war came, the athlete became an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown. Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a sinking raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would respond to desperation with ingenuity, suffering with hope and humor, brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would hang on the fraying wire of his will. 

I Am Malala

Author: Malala Yousafzai, Patricia McCormick Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

I Am Malala. This is my story.Malala Yousafzai was only ten years old when the Taliban took control of her region. They said music was a crime. They said women weren't allowed to go to the market. They said girls couldn't go to school.Raised in a once-peaceful area of Pakistan transformed by terrorism, Malala was taught to stand up for what she believes. So she fought for her right to be educated. And on October 9, 2012, she nearly lost her life for the cause: She was shot point-blank while riding the bus on her way home from school.No one expected her to survive.Now Malala is an international symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize winner. In this Young Readers Edition of her bestselling memoir, which has been reimagined specifically for a younger audience and includes exclusive photos and material, we hear firsthand the remarkable story of a girl who knew from a young age that she wanted to change the world—and did.Malala's powerful story will open your eyes to another world and will make you believe in hope, truth, miracles and the possibility that one person—one young person—can inspire change in her community and beyond.

El Deafo

Author: Cece Bell Publisher: Harry N. Abrams Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Starting at a new school is scary, especially with a giant hearing aid strapped to your chest! At her old school, everyone in Cece’s class was deaf. Here, she’s different. She’s sure the kids are staring at the Phonic Ear, the powerful aid that will help her hear her teacher. Too bad it also seems certain to repel potential friends.Then Cece makes a startling discovery. With the Phonic Ear, she can hear her teacher not just in the classroom, but anywhere her teacher is in the school—in the hallway . . . in the teacher’s lounge . . . in the bathroom! This is power. Maybe even superpower! Cece is on her way to becoming El Deafo, Listener for All.But the funny thing about being a superhero is that it’s just another way of feeling different . . . and lonely. Can Cece channel her powers into finding the thing she wants most: a true friend?El Deafo is a book that will entertain children, give hearing-impaired children a hero of their own, and challenge others to consider an experience unlike their own. Like other great works for children, it provides the opportunity for young readers to consider how they would act or react in a similar situation, helping to build empathy and understanding through the power of story.

Brown Girl Dreaming

Author: Jacqueline Woodson Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books Genre: (Auto)biography/Memoir

Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, each line a glimpse into a child’s soul as she searches for her place in the world. Woodson’s eloquent poetry also reflects the joy of finding her voice through writing stories, despite the fact that she struggled with reading as a child. Her love of stories inspired her and stayed with her, creating the first sparks of the gifted writer she was to become.