Autobiography for young adults

Biographies

  • Unbroken (The Young Adult Adaptation)

  • An Olympian's Journey From Airman to Castaway to Captive
  • By: Laura Hillenbrand
  • Narrated by: Edward Herrmann
  • Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall

  • Performance

  • Story

In this captivating young adult edition of her award-winning number one New York Times best seller, Laura Hillenbrand tells the story of a former Olympian's courage, cunning, and fortitude following his plane crash in enemy territory

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Great Audio Book for Parents & Kids In The Car

  • By Auroramyst on
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10 Inspiring Biographies for Young Adults

Being a young adult is hard! A lot is going on - changes in bodies and emotions, so many hormones, friendships, dating, the future (including parents asking every other week what you are going to do with your life). Sometimes you need to feel that there's someone like you or a bit of reassurance that you can make it. What you need is a great biography or autobiography.

We've picked 10 biographies by international and New Zealand authors who have been there and done it, whether it's overcoming health problems, standing up for what they believe in, or just putting themselves out there.


Local Heroes

  1. Straight up by Ruby Tui and;

  2. You Can't Stop the Sun From Shining by Sonny Bill Williams
    Ruby Tui and Sonny Bill Williams are two of the biggest names in their respective rugby arenas. But more than just fierce athletes, they are also two huge figures off the field. In their autobiographies, the pair explore their challenging childhoods, how sport helped to shape their lives and how the support of key people helped them to excel.

  3. Willie Apiata VC: The Reluctant Hero by Paul Little (younger readers version available)

    SAS soldier Willie Apiata was awarded the Victoria Cross, for bravery under fire, rescuing a wounded comrade in Afghanistan. This book charts his life from growing up in small-town East Coast, New Zealand, to joining the Army and his actions in conflict. But it's Apiata's humble nature that shines through - just a normal Kiwi doing his job. It's a great example of how anyone can show up and be a hero.

  4. Impossible by Stan Walker
    Since winning Australian Idol, Kiwi/Aussie singer Stan Walker has been through a lot by anyone's standards. His book is unflinching at times, covering addiction, violence and serious health issues, but it is also one of hope and a tale of never forgetting where you come from.

  5. The Boy from Gorge River by Chris Long
    Chris Long grew up

  • Biographies for tweens
  • Young Adult Literature

    Almost astronauts: 13 women who dared to dream / Tanya Lee Stone TL .A1 S79 Boots on the ground / Elizabeth Partridge DS .P38 Enchanted air: two cultures, two wings / Margarita Engle PS .N Z46 Eyes of the world / Marc Aronson TR .A76 The faithful spy / John Hendrix BX .B57 H Free lunch / Rex Ogle HV .O35 The Girl I Am, Was, and Never Will Be: A Speculative Memoir of Transracial Adoption (Printz Award Honor Book ) / Shannon Gibney PS .G5 Gi Hey, kiddo / Jarrett Krosoczka Z .K76 He In the shadow of liberty / Kenneth C. Davis E .D36 March: Book Three / John Lewis E .L43 A3 Vol. 3Ordinary hazards: a memoir / Nikki Grimes PS .R Z46 (Mainstacks)Popular: a memoir / Maya Van Wagenen BF .S39 W34 Sachiko: a Nagasaki bomb survivor's story / Caren Stetson D .N3 S74 Samurai rising / Pamela S. Turner DS .M56 T87 Steve Jobs: the man who thought different / Karen Blumenthal QA .J63 B58 They called us enemy / George Takei              D .A6 T Vincent and Theo / Deborah Heiligman ND .G7 H39

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  • Autobiographies for 13 year olds
    1. Autobiography for young adults
  • Short biographies for high school students