Summer time is a great time for young people to relax and read a book. Below are twelve of my favorite biographies and autobiographies for ages 8-12. These books can be found in bookstores or in your local library.

Play, Louis, Play!: The True Story of a Boy and His Horn 

By Muriel Harris Weinstein and Illustrated by Frank Morrison

Published by Bloomsbury

This chapter book biography of jazz musician Louis Armstrong is written from and unusual point of view of – his first trumpet.  Armstrong bought it at a pawn shop in New Orleans for five dollars.  If you love Jazz, this is a great book to share with your children.

 

 

 

 The White House Kids:  The Perks, Pleasures, Problems, and Pitfall of the Presidents’ Children

By Joe Rhatigan and Illustrated by Jay Shin

Published by Imagine

Life in the White House has a lot of perks but there is a down side.  Check out what the President’s children had to say.

 

 

 

 

 

Girls Who Rocked the World: Heroines from Joan of Arc to Mother Teresa 

By Michelle Roehm McCann and Amelie Welden

Illustrated by David Hahn

Published by Aladdin/Beyond Words

This  inspirational book profiles forty-six “movers and shakers” who  made their mark on the world before they were 20 years old. Go Girl Power!

 

 

 

 

Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas 

By Jim Ottaviani and by Illustrated by Maris Wicks

Published by Square Fish

This is the story of three women who loved primates and lived among them to study their behavior and learn from them.  If you are interested in Zoology this is a must read.

 

 

 

 

 

What Color Is My World?: The Lost History of African-American

By Kareen Abdul-Jabbar

Candlewick

In this lively book, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (basketball’s all-time leading scorer) profiles African- American inventors who through their persistence against great odds made our world a better place.

 

 

 

 

Real Kids, Real Stories, Real Change: Courageous Actions Around the World 

By Garth Sundem

Published by Free Spirit Publishing

This book contains thirty true stories about kids who did extraordinary things. Tilly saved lives in Thailand by warning people a tsunami was coming.  Malika fought against segregation in her home town.  Ryan raised money to drill for water wells in Africa.  An inspiring book about how kids can make a difference.

 

 

 

 

Legends: The Best Players, Games, and Teams in Baseball Paperback 

By Howard Bryant

Published by Puffin Books

The title “Legends” tells it all.  The author Howard Bryant has compiled the best the sport has to offer by telling the story of the players, teams, and important moments in baseball history.

 

 

 

 

 

My Life in Dog Years

By Gary Paulsen and Illustrated by Ruth Wright Paulsen

Publisher by Yearling

My Life in Dog Years is a book for every dog lover and every Paulsen fan!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Escape!: The Story of The Great Houdini 

By Sid Fleischman

Published by Greenwillow Books

This books is written by a magician, Sid Fleischman, about the great magician, Henry Houdini.  Fleischman shows you how Houdini walked through walls, escaped drowning, and was able to shatter iron chains tightly wrapped around him.  A fascinating book!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Inventors of LEGO® Toys

By Erin Hagar and Illustrated by Paige Garrison

Published by Duo Press

In this engaging book Erin Hagar tells the story of the Danish carpenter and his family who overcame a desperate situation and created one of the most popular toys in history, LEGO® toys.  Knowing the story behind these amazing toys with make you appreciate them even more.

 

 

 

 

Marooned: The Strange but True Adventures of Alexander Selkirk, the Real Robinson Crusoe 

By Robert Kraske and Illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker

Published Clarion Books

After arguing with the ship’s captain, Alexander Selkirk, was thrown off the ship and put ashore on an uninhabited island.  He spent four years alone.  After he was rescued, his adventures became of basis of Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe.

 

 

 

 

Girls Think of Everything:  Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women

By Catherine Thimmesh and Illustrated by Melissa Sweet

Published by HMH Books for Young Readers

Did you know that a woman invented Liquid Paper commonly known as “white-out” and a woman invented the “space bumper” that was used to protect spacecraft and the astronauts? These are only a few of the woman profiled in this collective biography. Colorful and inventive collage artwork by Melissa Sweet illustrates this unique book.

 

 

 

Happy Reading!