#(Auto)biography/Memoir

Anne Frank Writes Words of Hope: Courageous Kid of World War II - Includes Digital Download

Author: Debbie Vilardi 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: When Boys and Girls Are Used in War (CitizenKid)

Author: Michel Chikwanine 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 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 (Ordinary People Change the World)

Author: Brad Meltzer 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 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 (It's Her Story)

Author: Kaara Kallen 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 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 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: True Stories of Children in the Holocaust

Author: Allan Zullo 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 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: It's About Ability (NOT Disability)

Author: Aaron Philip 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: A Four-Year-Old's Memoir of Her Youth

Author: Jamie Lee Curtis 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