The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin
This classic autobiography, published in 1791, covers Franklin's early life as a printer, his political and scientific achievements, and his observations on a variety of subjects, including morality and religion.
This autobiography, published in 1927, covers Gandhi's life from his childhood through his time in South Africa and his role in India's independence movement.
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
This famous diary, published posthumously in 1947, chronicles Anne Frank's experiences hiding from the Nazis during the Holocaust.
Long Walk To Freedom by Nelson Mandela
This autobiography, published in 1995, covers Mandela's early life, his political activism and imprisonment, and his eventual rise to the presidency of South Africa.
This autobiography, published in 1969, covers Angelou's childhood and early adulthood, including her experiences with racism, sexual assault, and motherhood.
The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother: by James McBride
This memoir, published in 1996, tells the story of McBride's childhood growing up with a white mother and a black father in Brooklyn, New York.
Vzdělaná by Tara Westoverová
This memoir, published in 2018, tells the story of Westover's unconventional upbringing and her eventual escape from her abusive family to pursue an education.
The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Walls, Jeannette
This memoir, published in 2005, tells the story of Walls' childhood growing up with eccentric and dysfunctional parents.
The Freedom Writers Diary (20th Anniversary Edition) How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them by The Freedom Writers and Erin Gruwell
This collection of diary entries, published in 1999, tells the stories of a group of high school students who overcame adversity to graduate from high school.
Born A Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
This memoir, published in 2016, covers Noah's childhood growing up in South Africa during the apartheid era.