Engaging Biographies for Teens and Tweens

Kelly R:  My tween devoured comedian Trevor Noah's account of growing up half black/half white in South Africa at a time when it was illegal, and maintains that it's his favorite book. This is a version of the fantastic book for adults, adapted for kids. The same stories are told in both, just for a different audience, so I liked that we were able to talk about them together as he was reading.

Agreatmom2!:  Michelle Obama's book is definitely a must read for women, but she explains in greater detail for the younger readers. The journal allows them to express themselves and discover new things.

Shila:  Martin Ganda and Caitlin Alifirenka started off as pen pals for a school assignment, one living in Zimbabwe, Africa, the other in suburban Pennsylvania. They experienced a vastly different teenage upbringing, as you can imagine, yet their connection led them both to eye-opening frames of reference and a powerful friendship duo. Parent and teens can both appreciate this story and how it helps to widen perspectives on life and global inequities.

Alexandra F.:  My middler schooler, who only ever reluctantly reads non-fiction, was captivated by Elie Wiesel's autobiographical account of his experiences in the Auschwitz concentration camp as a teenager. It is a powerful memoir, and short enough not to intimidate teens who may not otherwise be into biographies.

Shila:  One of the best biographies for teens comes in the form of a long-lost diary penned by Anne Frank, a young Jewish teen around 1942. Excerpt after excerpt, she documents life while in hiding from Nazi invasion. With great detail and description, she reveals a haunting yet courageous perspective on living through this dark period of history.

Shila:  I love biographies for young adults that involve kids achieving self-made epic world records, such as Jordan Romero, who at age 13, climbed Mount Everest. He is also the youngest member to reach the seven summits of the tallest mountains on each of the seven continents.

Check out what inspired Jordan and how he trained his mind and body for such a world-wide teenage feat.

Shila:  What I really like about Going Solo, by Roald Dahl, is the insider look one gets from such a whimsical author first hand. Dahl has written so many beloved children's books and consistently lands on our top favorite book lists for kids (e.g., Charlie and Chocolate Factory, James and The Giant Peach, BFG). Discover some of his childhood memories that shaped the way he imagines the world, and how he puts those wonders on print.