Longwood Public Library
800 Middle Country Road, Middle Island, New York 11953
AUTOBIOGRAPHIES
Books about people written in their own words
Authors & Illustrators
Adler, David. My Writing Day
The author of many works of both fiction and non-fiction describes his life, his daily
activities, and his creative process, showing how all are intertwined. Ages 7 – 10
*This book can be inter-library loaned through the county catalog.
Alcott, Louisa May. Louisa May Alcott: Her Girlhood Diary
Excerpts from the author's diaries, written between the ages of eleven and thirteen, reveal
her thoughts and feelings and her early poetic efforts. Ages 9 – 12 (JB ALCOTT)
Asch, Frank. One Man Show
In this autobiographical account an author and illustrator of children's books shares his life,
daily activities, and creative process, and shows how all are intertwined. Ages 6 – 10
(JB ASCH)
Berenstain, Stan & Jan. Down a Sunny Dirt Road
In alternating chapters Stan and Jan Berenstain, creators of the Berenstain Bears, tell their
own stories from early childhood until their marriage, then continue the tale together to the
present day. Ages 10 – 14 (JB BERENSTAIN)
Brown, Margaret. The Days Before Now: An Autobiographical Note
The celebrated children's book writer describes the scenes of her childhood, in New York
City and on Long Island, and how she lived as an adult. Ages 5 – 9 *This book can be
inter-library loaned through the county catalog.
Bruchac, Joseph. Seeing the Circle
The author tells how he learned about his own Native American background, how he
became a writer, and how he spends his days. Ages 7 – 10 *This book can be interlibrary loaned through the county catalog.
Bryan, Ashley. Words to My Life’s Song
Told through drawings and photographs, the author's autobiography demonstrates his love
for art and drawing which always sustained him even though he was turned away from art
school because of his color. Ages 9 and up (JB BRYAN)
Bunting, Eve. Once Upon a Time
The author describes her childhood in Ireland, her life in the United States, and her work
routines. Ages 4 – 8 *This book can be inter-library loaned through the county
catalog.
Carle, Eric. Flora and Tiger: 19 Very Short Stories from My Life
The author recalls experiences from his childhood in Germany and his later life in the United
States, all in some way connected with various animals. Ages 9 and up (JB CARLE)
Longwood Public Library
800 Middle Country Road, Middle Island, New York 11953
Cleary, Beverly. A Girl from Yamhill: a Memoir
Follows the popular children's author from her childhood years in Oregon through high
school and into young adulthood, highlighting her family life and her growing interest in
writing. Ages 11 and up (JB CLEARY)
Cleary, Beverly. My Own Two Feet
Follows the popular children's author through college years during the Depression; jobs
including that of librarian; marriage; and writing and publication of her first book, "Henry
Huggins." Ages 11 and up *This book can be inter-library loaned through the county
catalog.
Cole, Joanna. On the Bus with Joanna Cole
The author discusses her life, how she came to be a writer, where she gets her ideas from,
and what is involved in producing a book. Ages 7 – 12 (JB COLE)
Dahl, Roald. Boy: Tales of Childhood
Presents humorous anecdotes from the author's childhood which includes summer vacations
in Norway and an English boarding school. Ages 9 – 12 (JB DAHL)
DePaola, Tomie. 26 Fairmont Avenue
Children's author-illustrator Tomie De Paola describes his experiences at home and in school
when he was a boy. Ages 5 – 10 (JB DE PAOLA)
Ehlert, Lois. Under My Nose
Author and illustrator of books for young people, Lois Ehlert, shares how she interweaves
her creative process with her daily routine. Ages 7 – 10 (JB EHLERT)
Fleischman, Sid. The Abracadabra Kid: A Writer’s Life
The autobiography of the Newbery award-winning children's author who set out from
childhood to be a magician. Ages 10 and up (JB FLEISCHMAN)
Giff, Patricia. Don’t Tell the Girls: A Family Memoir
Through a review of her Irish ancestry, family stories, childhood photos, and more, a
celebrated author talks about her rich background that was the inspiration for many of her
works, in a touching family memoir. Ages 9 and up (JB GIFF)
Howe, James. Playing With Words
The author recounts his start as a writer, discusses his daily work routine, and describes his
sources of inspiration. Ages 5 – 10 (JB HOWE)
Lobel, Anita. No Pretty Pictures: A Child of War
The author, known as an illustrator of children's books, describes her experiences as a
Polish Jew during World War II and for years in Sweden afterwards. Ages 10 and up
(YA 940.531 LOB)
Lowry, Lois. Looking back: A Book of Memories
Using family photographs and quotes from her books, the author provides glimpses into her
life. Ages 9 – 14 (JB LOWRY)
Longwood Public Library
800 Middle Country Road, Middle Island, New York 11953
Naylor, Phyllis. How I Came to be a Writer
Naylor takes readers on an often humorous journey as she describes her pursuit of her life's
work. Ages 10 – 14 *This book can be inter-library loaned through the county
catalog.
Nixon, Joan Lowery. The Making of a Writer
Told in short chapters, this book is a welcome answer to the oft-asked question, "How can I
become a published writer someday?" and Nixon is just the person to provide the answer,
having penned more than one hundred books for young readers, including many awardwinners. Ages 9 – 12 *This book can be inter-library loaned through the county
catalog.
Numeroff, Laura. If You Give An Author a Pencil
Author Laura Numeroff, whose first book, "Amy for Short," grew out of a college
assignment, recounts her life and describes how her daily activities and creative process are
interwoven. Ages 9 – 12 *This book can be inter-library loaned through the county
catalog.
Paulsen, Gary. How Angel Peterson Got His Name and Other Outrageous Tales About
Extreme Sports
The author relates tales from his youth in a small town in northwestern Minnesota in the
late 1940s and early 1950s, such as skiing behind a souped-up car and imitating daredevil
Evel Knievel. Ages 9 – 13 (YA PAULSEN)
Paulsen, Gary. My Life in Dog Years
The author describes some of the dogs that have had special places in his life, including his
first dog, Snowball, in the Phillippines; Dirk, who protected him from bullies; and Cookie,
who saved his life. Ages 10 and up (JB PAULSEN)
Peet, Bill. Bill Peet: An Autobiography
The well-known author and illustrator relates the story of his life and work. Ages 8 – 12
(JB PEET)
Polacco, Patricia. Firetalking
The author recounts her difficult childhood, describes her family members, and discusses
the background of her books. Ages 7 – 10 (JB POLACCO)
Rylant, Cynthia. Best Wishes
Children's author Cynthia Rylant describes her life and writing process and how they are
interwoven. Ages 6 – 10 (JB RYLANT)
Sandburg, Carl. Prairie – Town Boy
An autobiographical account of the author's boyhood in the Midwest. Ages 9 – 12
(JB SANDBURG)
Scieszka, Jon. Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Mostly True Stories of Growing Up Scieszka
Babysitting mishaps, lazy summer days by the lake, and silly childhood pranks are
remembered in this amusing memoir of the life of an adventurous young boy growing up in
a family with six brothers. Ages 8 and up (JB SCIESZKA)
Longwood Public Library
800 Middle Country Road, Middle Island, New York 11953
Simon, Seymour. From Paper Airplanes to Outer Space
The children's book author describes his life, his daily activities, and his creative process,
showing how all are intertwined. Ages 7 – 10 (JB SIMON)
Spinelli, Jerry. Knots in My Yo-Yo String: The Autobiography of a Kid
The children's book author describes his life, his daily activities, and his creative process,
showing how all are intertwined. Ages 9 – 12 (JB SPINELLI)
Stamaty, Mark Alan. Shake, Rattle and Turn That Noise Down! How Elvis Shook Up Music,
Me and Mom
Recounts the author's childhood determination to emulate Elvis Presley after being inspired
by the iconic artist's music, describing how he drove his mother crazy while perfecting his
Elvis-style dancing and singing before performing in a talent show. Ages 8 -14
(J Graphic Novels SHAKE)
Steig, William. When Everybody Wore a Hat
The author and illustrator discusses his childhood in early twentieth-century New York City,
describing his family, home, neighbors, and what he could buy with a nickel.
Ages 5 – 8 (J PIC STE)
Stine, R.L. It came from Ohio: My Life as a Writer
A portrait of the author of the Goosebumps series, telling readers what R.L. Stine was like
as a kid, how he became a writer, and where he gets his ideas.
Ages 9 – 12 (JB STINE)
Wilder, Laura Ingalls. A Little House Traveler: Writings From Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Journeys
Across America
Personal writings from three of the author's most memorable trips are collected in one
special edition, and include her 1894 trip from South Dakota to Missouri, her train ride to
California in 1915, and her car trip with Almanzo in 1931. Ages 10 – 14
*This book can be inter-library loaned through the county catalog.
Wood, Douglas. Miss Little’s Gift
The author, Douglas Wood, shares his heartfelt memoir about learning to read and his
struggles with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Ages 4 – 8
(J PIC Older Reader WOO)
Historical
Barakat, Ibtisam. Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood
The author remembers her childhood in Ramallah and as a Palestinian refugee in the late
1960s. Ages 10 and up (JB BARAKAT)
Bridges, Ruby. Through My Eyes
Ruby Bridges recounts the story of her involvement, as a six-year-old, in the integration of
her school in New Orleans in 1960. Ages 8 – 12 (JB BRIDGES)
Longwood Public Library
800 Middle Country Road, Middle Island, New York 11953
Douglass, Frederick. Escape From Slavery: The Boyhood of Frederick Douglass in His
Own Words
A shortened autobiography presenting the early life of the slave who became an abolitionist,
journalist, and statesman. Ages 9 and up *This book can be inter-library loaned
through the county catalog.
Emmerich, Elsbeth. My Childhood in Nazi Germany
The author describes her daily life as a child in Nazi Germany and discusses how
developments in the war affected her personal relationships and changed where she lived.
Ages 9 – 12 (JB EMMERICH)
Frank, Anne. Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
A young girl's journal records her family's struggles during two years of hiding from the
Nazis in war-torn Holland. Ages 13 and up (HS LIST ANNE)
Gross, Elly. Elly: My True Story of the Holocaust
Relates how the author was torn from her happy home and sent to Birkenau by the Nazis,
describing how she worked long hours and fought for survival before being set free at the
end of the war and beginning a new life in America. Ages 10 – 14
*This book can be inter-library loaned through the county catalog.
Jemison, Mae. Find Where the Wind Goes: Moments From My Life
The first African American woman to travel to space shares her special memories from her
childhood in Chicago, to her college career at Stanford University, to her work in West Africa
as the Peace Corps youngest medical officer. Ages 11 and up
*This book can be inter-library loaned through the county catalog.
O’Grady, Scott. Basher Five-Two: The True Story of F-16 Fighter Pilot Captain Scott O’Grady
A U.S. Air Force pilot who was shot down over Bosnia describes the true story of how he
evaded capture and survived-- with little water and no food--in enemy territory.
Ages 10 and up (JB O’GRADY)
Parks, Rosa. I am Rosa Parks
The black woman whose acts of civil disobedience led to the 1956 Supreme Court order to
desegregate buses in Montgomery, Alabama, explains what she did and why.
Ages 6 - 9 (JB PARKS)
Sis, Peter. The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain
Annotated illustrations, maps, and dreamscapes explore how the artist-author's life was
shaped while growing up in Czechoslovakia during the Cold War, in a powerful graphic
memoir. Ages 8 and up (JB SIS)
Tillage, Leon. Leon’s Story
The son of a North Carolina sharecropper recalls the hard times faced by his family and
other African Americans in the first half of the twentieth century and the changes that the
civil rights movement helped bring about. Ages 8 and up (JB TILLAGE)
Longwood Public Library
800 Middle Country Road, Middle Island, New York 11953
Van Meter, Vicki. Taking Flight: My Story
At 12, Vicki Van Meter became the youngest girl to have ever flown across both the
continental U.S. and the Atlantic Ocean. Here, she describes her introduction to flying and
offers details of her cross-country and transatlantic flights, how she survived two mid-air
emergencies, and her overnight fame. Ages 9 -14 *This book can be inter-library
loaned through the county catalog.
Entertainment/Job Related
Barber, Tiki. By My Brother’s Side
Introduces twin brothers Tiki and Ronde Barber, who worked hard to overcome obstacles
and became National Football League stars, one as runningback for the New York Giants,
the other as cornerback for the Tampa Bay Bucs. Ages 6 -10 (J PIC Older Reader BAR)
Cohen, Sasha. Fire on Ice: Autobiography of a Champion Figure Skater
The figure skater who took the world by storm at the 2002 Winter Olympics and is a favorite
to win gold in the 2006 Olympics talks about her childhood and her long training to become
a champion. Ages 9 -14 (JB COHEN)
Cyrus, Miley. Miley Cyrus:Miles To Go
The young actress and singer known for her role in the Disney channel series "Hannah
Montana" discusses her life before fame, her relationship with her parents and siblings, her
experiences on the show, and her goals in life. Ages 8 – 12 (JB CYRUS)
Goodall, Jane. My Life With the Chimpanzees
The well-known English zoologist describes her early interest in animals and how this led to
her study of chimpanzees at the Gombe Stream Reserve in Tanzania. Ages 9 – 12
(JB GOODALL)
Holdsclaw, Chamique. Chamique Holdsclaw: My Story
An inspirational biography details the life of the three-time NCAA champion, four-time AllAmerican, and the WNBA's 1999 Rookie of the Year, from her start on the inner-city
playgrounds of New York to her many achievements in high school, at the University of
Tennessee, and during her rookie season in the WNBA. Ages 10 and up
*This book can be inter-library loaned through the county catalog.
Jonas, Joe; Kevin Jonas & Nick Jonas. Burning Up: On Tour with the Jonas Brothers
Introduces the Jonas Brothers and looks at their lives after recording their first album,
including their first tour opening for Miley Cyrus, their first headlining tour, and their
experiences recording their next album and preparing for their upcoming "Burning Up" tour.
Ages 9 – 12 *This book can be inter-library loaned through the county catalog.
Kwan, Michelle. Michelle Kwan, Heart of a Champion
The 1996 World Figure Skating Champion discusses the rigors of competition, the
importance of a strong support group, her love of ice skating, and her Olympic dream.
Ages 9 – 12 (JB KWAN)
Lipinski, Tara. Tara Lipinski: Triumph on ice: An Autobiography
An autobiography by skating sensation Tara Lipinski, the youngest skater ever to win United
States and World Figure Skating Championships. Ages 8 – 12 (JB LIPINSKI)
Longwood Public Library
800 Middle Country Road, Middle Island, New York 11953
Macdonald, Andy. Dropping in With Andy Mac: The Life of a Pro Skateboarder
Skateboarder Andy Macdonald offers the story of his road to success, from poor beginnings
filled with long practices through his Guinness World Record accomplishments and special
invitation to the White House. Ages 10 and up (YA B MACDONALD)
Moceanu, Dominique. Dominique Moceanu, an American Champion: An Autobiography
The autobiography of the youngest-ever U.S. national gymnastics champion includes a
glossary of gymnastics moves and a guide to scoring. Ages 8 – 12 (JB MOCEANU)
Ohno, Apolo Anton. A Journey: The Autobiography of Apolo Anton Ohno
The autobiography of the controversial young American who won gold and silver medals in
speed skating at the 2002 Winter Olympics. Age 9 - 14 (JB OHNO)
Pippen, Scottie. Reach Higher
The Chicago Bulls basketball star relates the story of his life, including both difficulties and
triumphs, in order to encourage readers to persevere as they pursue their dreams.
Ages 9 – 12 (JB PIPPEN)
Riddles, Libby. Storm Run: The Story of the First Woman to Win the Iditarod Sled Dog Race
Libby Riddles recounts her story of becoming the first woman to win the Iditarod Sled Dog
Race, including details about the race, the harsh arctic weather, and her victory.
Ages 7 – 10 (JB RIDDLES)
Ripken, Cal. Count Me In
An autobiography of the superstar shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles baseball team.
Ages 9 – 12 (JB RIPKEN)
Schulke, Flip. Witness to Our Times: My Life as a Photojournalist
An autobiography of a man whose documentary photographs in American magazines helped
to shape public opinion on such issues as the civil rights movement and the space race.
Ages 11 and up *This book can be inter-library loaned through the county catalog.
Yamaguchi, Kristi. Always Dream
The young Japanese-American figure skater describes the hard work, determination and
love of skating that helped her win a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics. Ages 9 – 12
*This book can be inter-library loaned through the county catalog.
LM 4/11
Longwood Public Library
800 Middle Country Road, Middle Island, New York 11953
Longwood Public Library
800 Middle Country Road, Middle Island, New York 11953