Non-fiction for Middle School: Biographies and Memoirs

SOME PIG,” Charlotte the spider’s praise for Wilbur, is just one fondly remembered snippet from E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web. In Some Writer!, the two-time Caldecott Honor winner Melissa Sweet mixes White’s personal letters, photos, and family ephemera with her own exquisite artwork to tell his story, from his birth in 1899 to his death in 1985. Grade 2-5 (Lexile: 1030) (176 p)

Presents humorous anecdotes from the author's childhood which includes summer vacations in Norway and an English boarding school. (160 p.)

A biography of the celebrated steamboat pilot, journalist, gold prospector, and novelist focuses on Mark Twain's early days, from his childhood in Missouri to his adventures as a young man in the Wild West. Grade 5-9 (224p.)

Traces the life and achievements of the late-nineteenth-century African American poet, from his poverty-stricken childhood and his immense fame to his tragic death and enduring cultural legacy. Grade 5-7 (122 p.)

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. Grade 5-8 (202 p.)

A true story of tenacity and imagination describes how an enterprising teenager in Malawi built a windmill from scraps to create electricity for his home and his village, improving life for himself and his neighbors. (273 p.)

Presents the life of the Alabama teenager who played an integral but little-known role in the Montgomery bus strike of 1955-1956, once by refusing to give up a bus seat, and again, by becoming a plaintiff in the landmark civil rights case against the bus company. Grade 6+ (133 p.)

Biographies of dozens of young people who made a mark in American history, including explorers, planters, spies, cowpunchers, sweatshop workers, and civil rights workers. Grade 5-8 (264 p.)

Looks at young people who have taken a stand against racism, helped others, and organized boycotts or political actions, and describes ten ways in which to bring about change. (176 p.)

Highlights the life and trials of the Jewish girl who spent two years hiding from the Nazis in a secret apartment in the Netherlands, and includes photos of the famous diary and her hiding place, as well as school pictures. Grade 5+ (215 p.)

Discovered in the attic in which she spent the last years of her life, Anne Frank's remarkable diary has since become a world classic—a powerful reminder of the horrors of war and an eloquent testament to the human spirit. Grade 5+ (215 p.)

Delves into the minds of thirty-three such women, whose vision, creativity, passion and dedication have helped make important strides in the world of science—who have in fact changed the world. Grade 5-8 (208p.)

Recounts Albert Einstein's life from his privileged childhood in Austria through the crucial years during World War II, touching on his theory of relativity and the importance it played in scientific development. Grade 5-8 (63 p.)

Albert Einstein's name has become a synonym for genius. His wild case of bedhead and playful sense of humor have made him a media superstar. Once again, Krull delivers a witty and astute look at one of the true Giants of Science and the turbulent times in which he lived. Illustrations. Grade 5-8 (Lexile: 1050) (144 p.)

In 1915, the city of San Diego hired "rainmaker" Charles Mallory Hatfield to save their city from a drought, but when the town experienced one of the worst floods they ever had they refused to pay Hatfield for his services. Grade 5-7 Top 10 Science and Health (Lexile: 1160L)

When Temple Grandin was born, her parents knew she was different. Years later she was diagnosed with autism. Temple’s doctor recommended institutionalizing her, but her mother believed in her. Temple went to school instead. Today, Dr. Temple Grandin, a scientist and professor of animal science at Colorado State University, is an autism advocate and her world-changing career revolutionized the livestock industry. Grade 5-7 (Lexile: 960) (160 p.)

Beginning with the women’s suffrage movement and going all the way through the results of the 2012 election, Ilene Cooper deftly covers more than a century of U.S. in order to highlight the influential and diverse group of female leaders who opened doors for women in politics as well as the nation as a whole. Grade 6-10 (Lexile: 1040) (128 p.)

Tells the story of Amelia Earhart's life - as a child, a woman, and a pilot - and describes the search for her missing plane Grade 3-7 (Lexile: 930) (118 p.)

Traces Goodall's life, and focuses on two or more the chimpanzees that she observed. Also explores the ethical issues that surround Goodall's work and shows what has changed in our understanding of Great Apes. Grade 4-7 (Lexile: 1100L) (96 p.)

The author explains why she decided to study animal behavior, recounts her childhood and education, and describes her work studying chimpanzees in Africa. (123 p.)

Traces the life and work of the Polish-born scientist whose study of radioactivity lead to her receiving two Nobel Prizes. Grade 3-7 (Lexile: 1050) (142 p.)

A biography of the fifteenth-century peasant girl who led a French army to victory against the English and was burned at the stake for witchcraft. Grade 4-7 (48 p.)

A story of thirteen true pioneers of the space age. Grae 5+ (Lexile: 980) (144 p.)

The author shares her childhood memories and reveals the first sparks that ignited her writing career in free-verse poems about growing up in the North and South. Grade 5-8 (Lexile 990) (336 p.)

Malala's powerful story will open your eyes to another world and will make you believe in hope, truth, miracles and the possibility that one person -- one young person -- can inspire change in her community and beyond. Grade 6+ (256 p.)

An interactive activity book that details the muckraking era Nellie Bly and Investigative Journalism for Kids brings to light the evolving world of American journalism, from the late 1800s to today. Focusing on the bold, audacious investigative reporter Nellie Bly, one of the most famous women in the world in her day, the book presents journalism in a fun, inventive, and exciting way. Grade 5-8 (129 p.)

Traces the life of Fannie Sellins, a union activist who traveled the nation promoting fair wages and decent working and living conditions for workers in the garment and mining industries. (Lexile 1020) (44 p.)

Presents the first generation of female motorists who drove cars for fun, profit, and to make a statement about the evolving role of women. Grade 5-8 (Lexile: NC1250L)

Madam C.J. Walker worked hard her entire life. The nationally known business leader gave generously of her time and money to further the cause of civil rights. She brought hope and optimism to African-Americans and tirelessly fought for racial equality. Grade 5-7 (Lexile: 990L)

Profiles six women scientists who persevered in the face of prejudice, including ichthyologist Eugenie Clark and mathematician Katherine Coleman Johnson. (Lexile: 1120) (48 p.).

A beautiful anthology that features twenty-three of the most honored and beloved artists in children’s literature, talking informally to children—sharing secrets about their art and how they began their adventures into illustration. (114 p.)

Presents a history of African American visual arts and artists from the days of slavery to the present. (127 p.)

An account of the life of the eccentric ceramics artist traces his youth against a backdrop of the Civil War and political unrest in Biloxi, Mississippi; his creation of thousands of unconventional pots, vases and sculptures; and the remarkable trove discovered after his death that revealed the uniqueness of his talent. Grade 5-8 (Lexile: 1070) (53 p.)

Explores the scientific studies, experiments, and observations of this world-renowned artist and scientist of the fifteenth century through a review of the writings, notes, and sketches left behind in his vast collection of notebooks. Grade 5-8 (124 p.)

Profiles the life and accomplishments of Baptist minister and civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (128 p.)

The remarkable story of Alexander Hamilton, one of America's most influential and fascinating founding fathers, and his untimely death in a duel with Aaron Burr. Grade 3-7 (144 p.)

10 true tales of 15th-century European explorers, Grade 4-7 (128 p.)

Brief and humorous biographies of fascinating people. Grade 5-8 (Lexile: 1130) (110 p.)

Takes readers through the centuries and across the globe, profiling the men and women whose curiosity and courage have led them to discover our world. Grade 4-6 (Lexile: 1050) (96 p.)

A series of brief essays and anecdotes illustrating nine values that defined Jackie Robinson's approach to life: courage, determination, teamwork, persistence, integrity, citizenship, justice, commitment, and excellence. Grade 6-8 (Lexile: 1040) (181 p.)

Describes how a counterfeiting ring plotted to ransom Lincoln's body to secure the release of their imprisoned ringleader, and how a fledging Secret Service and an undercover agent conducted a daring election-night sting operation. Grade 5-9 (Lexile: 930) (214 p.)

History doesn't just happen. It is made by amazing and extraordinary people! Explore the lives of twenty-four of the world's most outstanding individuals through engaging narratives, entertaining fictionalized diary entries, and informative timelines.Grade 3-5 (175 p.)

The America that Alexander Hamilton knew was largely agricultural and built on slave labor. In contrast, he envisioned something different: along with agriculture and small towns, he imagined a multiracial, urbanized, capitalistic America with a strong central government. A poor immigrant, Hamilton believed that such an America would be a land of opportunity for newcomers ... Because of the systems Hamilton set up and the ideas he left, his vision won out. Here is the story that epitomizes the American dream--a poor immigrant who made good in America. (Lexile1170) (203 p.)

Over the centuries, untold numbers of black men and women in America have achieved great things against the odds. Pathfinders is a collective biography of sixteen diverse American men and women of African descent who made their mark on American history in the 18th to 20th centuries. People who dared to dream, take risks, and create goals not only for themselves, but for others and the betterment of their society, too. Grade 5-8

A revelatory portrait of the life and legacy of the heroic baseball legend explores how, despite his amazing athletic abilities, he was challenged to break the color barrier and overcome significant discrimination in order to play in Major League Baseball. (Lexile: 1010)