#(Auto)biography/Memoir

Alia's Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq

Author: Mark Alan Stamaty 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 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 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: And Other Outrageous Tales about Extreme Sports

Author: Gary Paulsen 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 - Amelia Earhart - A Graphic Novel

Author: Kim Moldofsky 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: The Making Of A Great Team (Inspiring Book Guide For Young Readers)

Author: Erika M. Bobby 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 (Kids Biography): The Fastest Snow Princess

Author: Lisa J. Guinn 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: (A Graphic Memoir)

Author: Georgina Chadderton 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 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 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 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: A Memoir About Seeing and Being Seen

Author: James Robinson 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