Category Archives: Biography/Memoir
“In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer”
Many of the books that are popular with young adults have a life crisis as their theme. All teenagers can relate to trauma and good novels and biographies often help the reader to see through the anguish. They can show … Continue reading
Posted in Biography/Memoir, Multicultural, Non-fiction
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Born on a Blue Day
Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet Daniel Tammet has a unique brain. Although he has Asperger’s Syndrome, an autistic disorder, he is a savant as well. He lives independently and is capable of telling others what’s going on … Continue reading
Posted in Biography/Memoir, Non-fiction
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A Long Way Gone
A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah Perhaps you saw the movie “Blood Diamond.” If so, you may recognize the place, the names and some of the action of this first-person account of the civil war in Sierra Leone, Africa. … Continue reading
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Mountains Beyond Mountains
When teachers ask students to read biography or memoir, I know their secret hope is that students will learn something about a role model. Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder is a book that honors that secret hope. It’s the … Continue reading
Posted in Biography/Memoir, Non-fiction
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Boy
Though the title Boy might suggest that this is a book for children, the tales of Roald Dahl’s own childhood is wacky good fun that young adults will enjoy. Dahl briefly discusses his parents, but he concentrates on memorable incidents … Continue reading
Posted in Biography/Memoir, Hi-Low/Quick Read
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The Autobiography of Malcolm X
We often hear of Malcolm X and his militancy, but The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley helps the reader understand where Malcolm X came from, why he believed as he did, and how he came to change his … Continue reading
Posted in Biography/Memoir, Multicultural, Non-fiction
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Always Running
Always Running is recommended reading for the college-bound student, but every student I know who has read it liked it. Its author, Luis J. Rodriguez, was born in Mexico, but grew up in Los Angeles, in many impoverished neighborhoods. He … Continue reading
Posted in Biography/Memoir, Multicultural, Non-fiction
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The Color of Water
The Color of Water is a dual biography of a man and his mother. By telling his mother’s story, says author James McBride, he is learning about his own. The narration alternates between McBride telling of his life growing up … Continue reading
Posted in Biography/Memoir, Multicultural, Non-fiction
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School Library Lady 