Books About Memoirs

The Best Memoirs Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about memoirs? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal

#1 in Series

Graphic Nov.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Memoirs

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2015

The Boy Who Carried Bricks

By Alton Carter

Abandoned and shuttled between foster homes, a boy refuses to accept the fate expected of him.

196 pages

4.4 Goodreads · 549 ratings

$18.95Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Abandoned by his father and neglected by his mother, Alton Carter spent most of his childhood moving between foster homes and a boys' ranch. Determined to have a normal life, he stood up to abusive relatives and endured teasing from his siblings and cousins, all while watching for the people who might help lighten his load. A true story of survival and hope.

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 7–10 · 2025

One Day

By Michael Rosen, Benjamin Phillips (Illustrator)

A father and son face perilous escape attempts from a Nazi convoy. Will hope prevail?

40 pages· 1,317 words· Est. 11 min read-aloud

4.3 Goodreads · 227 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In a gripping tale of survival, a Hungarian-French Jew and his father are captured by Nazis. Facing the horrors of a prison camp, they attempt a daring escape. Their journey is fraught with danger and failure, but hope drives them to try again. Will they succeed against all odds? This poignant story, inspired by true events, captures the resilience of the human spirit during the Holocaust. Vivid illustrations and historical context enrich this moving narrative of courage and determination.

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2015

Who Is Derek Jeter?

By Gail Herman, Who HQ, Andrew Thomson (Illustrator) · Who Was . . . ? series

A biography of Derek Jeter's life and baseball career

112 pages· 8,135 words· Est. 1 hour read

4.3 Goodreads · 618 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: From a bold childhood dream to a storied career, Derek Jeter's journey to the New York Yankees is legendary. Drafted in 1992, he quickly rose to fame, earning Rookie of the Year and leading the team to five World Series victories. As captain, his charisma and humor made him a fan favorite. Retiring in 2014, Jeter's legacy endures, inspiring future generations. Discover the story of a baseball icon who turned ambition into reality.

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1997

My Life in Dog Years

By Gary Paulsen

Discover the life-changing bonds between a man and his extraordinary dogs.

137 pages· 20,298 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

4.2 Goodreads · 4,229 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Journey through the remarkable tales of Gary Paulsen and his unforgettable canine companions. From Cookie, the life-saving sled dog, to Dirk, the fierce protector, each chapter unveils a unique bond. Meet Snowball, the playful puppy from the Philippines, and Josh, the brilliant border collie. What secrets and adventures do these dogs hold? Explore the profound connections that shape a man's life through the eyes of his loyal friends.

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2007

Who Was Elvis Presley?

By Geoff Edgers, Who HQ, John O'Brien (Illustrator) · Who Was . . . ? series

A biography about the life of Elvis Presley

112 pages· 7,432 words· Est. 1 hour read

4.1 Goodreads · 1,499 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Born in the depths of the Depression in Tupelo, Mississippi, a young boy immersed in blues, gospel, and country music would rise to become the King of Rock and Roll. With his unique sound and iconic style, Elvis Presley transformed the music scene forever. Explore his journey from humble beginnings to cultural icon, and uncover the secrets behind his legendary status. What drove him to create a sound that captivated the world, and how did he change the face of music forever? Dive into the life of a legend and witness the birth of rock and roll.

Sale price

$1049

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 1981

Upon the Head of the Goat

By Aranka Siegal

A child's struggle for survival during the Holocaust.

Newbery Honor (1982)Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (1982)

213 pages· 63,050 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.0 Goodreads · 1,618 ratings

$10.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In a world torn by war, nine-year-old Piri faces the harsh realities of the Holocaust. As her hometown falls under German occupation, she navigates the confusion and fear of life in the ghetto. Can innocence endure amidst such darkness? Piri's journey is a poignant testament to resilience and hope in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · 1948

Cheaper by the Dozen

By Frank B. Gilbreth, Ernestine Gilbreth Carey · Book #1 in the Cheaper by the Dozen Series series

A family of twelve children navigates life with their eccentric father, a motion study expert who applies his scientific methods to everyday life.

224 pages· 60,964 words

4.0 Goodreads · 45,390 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Paperback

Summary: In a bustling household of twelve children, the Gilbreths navigate chaos under the guidance of their father, a renowned efficiency expert, and their supportive mother. As the family attempts to operate like a well-oiled machine, hilarity ensues. Can the principles of efficiency truly apply to the unpredictable nature of family life? This timeless memoir captures the humor and heart of growing up in a unique family dynamic, offering a glimpse into the challenges and joys of early 20th-century life. Discover the laughter and love that bind this extraordinary family together.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1348

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal

By Jeff Kinney · Book #1 in the Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid series

Rowley chronicles Greg's life, but his hilarious attempt at biography turns into chaos.

224 pages· 16,438 words· Est. 3 hour read

4.0 Goodreads · 49,358 ratings

$13.99Save 4%

Hardcover

Summary: Rowley Jefferson steps into the spotlight, chronicling his own adventures while attempting to document his best friend Greg Heffley's life. As Rowley takes on the role of biographer, his well-meaning but chaotic storytelling offers a fresh, comedic twist on the familiar Wimpy Kid world. Will Rowley's version of Greg's journey capture the truth, or will it spiral into a delightful mess? Discover the hilarity and heart in Rowley's unique perspective, where friendship and fame collide in unexpected ways.

Sale price

$1498

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2010

Dewey the Library Cat

By Vicki Myron, Bret Witter

A kitten abandoned in a library book drop wins over a struggling small town.

224 pages· 99,924 words· Est. 14 hour read

3.9 Goodreads · 63,519 ratings

$15.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: On the coldest night of the year, a tiny kitten was stuffed into the book drop of the public library in Spencer, Iowa. The librarians named him Dewey Readmore Books, and for nineteen years he greeted visitors and comforted a farm town through hard times. This middle-grade adaptation of the bestselling memoir Dewey tells his true story, with an eight-page photo insert.

Sale price

$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 12–+ · 2012

Discovering Wes Moore

By Wes Moore

Two fatherless boys from one neighborhood share a name but not a fate.

176 pages· 36,173 words· Est. 4 hour read

3.9 Goodreads · 1,204 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Wes Moore grew up without a father in Baltimore and became a Rhodes Scholar, Army veteran and governor. Another boy with the same name, from the same neighborhood, is serving a life sentence for murder. After the author wrote to the other Wes Moore, letters and visits turned into a friendship, and he asks which choices and circumstances set their lives apart. A young readers' version of The Other Wes Moore.

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