Autobiographies for Youth

Updated November 19, 2024
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The truths we hold : an American journey
Harris, Kamala
Paper Book
Adapted for young readers, Vice President Kamala Harris's empowering memoir about the values and inspirations that guided her life. With her Democratic presidential nomination, her election to the vice presidency, her election to the U.S. Senate, and her position as attorney...
Child of the dream : a memoir of 1963
Robinson, Sharon
Paper Book
An incredible memoir from Sharon Robinson about the pivotal year of the civil rights movement -- and her unique role in it alongside her father, baseball legend and activist Jackie Robinson.In January 1963, Sharon Robinson turns thirteen the night before George Wallace declares on national...
Call me American : the extraordinary true story of a young Somali immigrant
Iftin, Abdi Nor
Paper Book
Adapted from the adult memoir, this gripping and acclaimed story follows one boy's journey into young adulthood, against the backdrop of civil war and his ultimate immigration to America, in search of a better life. In Somalia, Abdi Nor Iftin grew up amidst a blend of cultures....
The beautiful struggle : a memoir
Coates, Ta-Nehisi
Paper Book
Adapted from the adult memoir by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Water Dancer and Between the World and Me, this father-son story explores how boys become men, and quite specifically, how Ta-Nehisi Coates became Ta-Nehisi Coates. As a child,...
A girl from Yamhill : a memoir
Cleary, Beverly.
Paper Book
Told in her own words, A Girl from Yamhill is Newbery Medal-winning author Beverly Cleary's heartfelt and relatable memoir. For everyone who has enjoyed the pranks and schemes, embarrassing moments, and all of the other poignant and colorful images of childhood brought to life in Beverly...
Path to the stars : my journey from Girl Scout to rocket scientist
Acevedo, Sylvia
Paper Book
The inspiring memoir for young readers about a Latina rocket scientist whose early life was transformed by joining the Girl Scouts and who currently serves as CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA. A meningitis outbreak in their underprivileged...
The cat I never named : a true story of love, war, and survival
Sabic-El-Rayess, Amra
Paper Book
The stunning memoir of a Muslim teen struggling to survive in the midst of the Bosnian genocide--and the stray cat who protected her family through it all. *Six Starred Reviews*"Extraordinary." - Booklist | "A must-read." - School Library...
Brown girl dreaming
Woodson, Jacqueline.
Paper Book
A New York Times Bestseller and National Book Award Winner Jacqueline Woodson, the acclaimed author of Red at the Bone, tells the moving story of her childhood in mesmerizing verse.   Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt...
This promise of change : one girl's story in the fight for school equality
Boyce, Jo Ann Allen
Paper Book
Recipient of a Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor Winner of the 2019 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Nonfiction 2020 National Council for the Social Studies Carter G. Woodson Honor Recipient A NYPL Top Ten of 2019 A Kirkus...
Balcony on the moon : coming of age in Palestine
Barakat, Ibtisam
Paper Book
Picking up whereTasting the Skyleft off, Balcony on the Moon follows Ibtisam Barakat through her childhood and adolescence in Palestine from 1972-1981 and chronicles her desire to be a writer. A Junior Library Guild Selection A Palestine Book Award...
The red bandanna
Rinaldi, Tom
Paper Book
Winner of the Christopher Award An ILA-CBC Children's Choices Book A NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Book Welles Crowther did not see himself as hero. He was just an ordinary kid who played sports, volunteered at his local fire department, and eventually headed...
Becoming Kareem : growing up on and off the court
Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem
Paper Book
The first memoir for young readers by sports legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. At one time, Lew Alcindor was just another kid from New York City with all the usual problems: He struggled with fitting in, pleasing a strict father, and overcoming shyness that made him feel...
Counting coup : becoming a Crow chief on the Reservation and beyond
Medicine Crow, Joseph
Paper Book
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...
I am Malala : how one girl stood up for education and changed the world
Yousafzai, Malala
Paper Book
In this New York Times bestselling memoir, Malala Yousafzai--the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize--inspires young readers with her stunning story of resilience and power. I Am Malala. This is my story. Malala...
Knucklehead : tall tales & mostly true stories of growing up Scieszka
Scieszka, Jon.
Paper Book
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...

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