Best Literary Biographies Books for Teens & Young Adults of 2025

The Wreck It Journal for Teens Girls is a creative diary designed to help readers reduce anxiety and stress while exploring their artistic side. This journal offers a space where ideas can flow unrestricted and encourages the breaking of conventionality to find new inspirations. With thick and durable pages, you can write, draw, tear, and color without fear of making mistakes. This diary is perfect for those looking to improve their creativity, problem-solving abilities, and manage stress better. Overall, the Wreck It Journal for Teens Girls is a unique and fun way to unleash your imagination.

Woodsong by Gary Paulsen is a captivating nonfiction book that narrates the author's life experiences that inspired his renowned novels. The book features his incredible adventures, including flying off a dogsled and leading a team of sled dogs in the grueling 1,180-mile Iditarod race. The author's writing style is vivid and descriptive, making the reader feel as if they are part of the adventure. Woodsong is an excellent read for anyone interested in dog-sledding and the Alaskan wilderness. Overall, this book is a must-read for adventure enthusiasts and young readers who want to learn more about the author's life and how it influenced his writing.

Going Solo is an autobiographical account of Roald Dahl's life as a World War II pilot. This book tells the story of his encounters with the enemy, his worldwide travels, and the life-threatening injuries he sustained in a plane accident. Written with the same irresistible appeal that has made Roald Dahl one of the world's best-loved writers, Going Solo brings readers directly into the action and into the mind of this fascinating man. Puffin Books has created a literary masterpiece that is a must-read for anyone looking for an engaging and inspiring story.

Apple: (Skin to the Core) is a memoir in verse by Eric Gansworth that tells the story of his family and the trauma that shaped his life as a Native American. The book explores themes of identity, belonging, and the legacy of government boarding schools. The prose and imagery are powerful and heartbreaking, with black-and-white photos and original graphic art supplementing the text. The book has received critical acclaim, including being named a winner of the American Indian Youth Literature Award and a Printz Honor Winner. It is a timely and important read for anyone interested in learning more about the experiences of Native Americans.

The Kidnapped Prince: The Life of Olaudah Equiano is a spellbinding historical biography book for teens and young adults. This book narrates the life of Olaudah Equiano, who was kidnapped from his home in Benin, Africa, at the age of 11 and spent the next 11 years of his life as a slave in England, the U.S., and the West Indies. His autobiography, published in 1789, was a bestseller in its own time. Cameron has modernized and shortened it while remaining true to the spirit of the original. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in history and writing.

Bad Boy: A Memoir is a captivating and unforgettable autobiographical exploration of growing up in Harlem in the 1940s. The book portrays the life of Walter Dean Myers, a quick-tempered boy who was always ready for a fight but also had a passion for reading and writing. The memoir offers an engaging and powerful story of how one's gifts can separate them from their peers and cause them to stir up trouble in order to belong. The book is a great inspiration for young writers and a powerful read that will make readers laugh out loud and sigh with satisfaction.

"Lighter Than My Shadow" is a graphic memoir about Katie's struggle with eating disorders. The book takes readers on a journey through the black heart of a taboo illness and exposes the weaknesses of those who prey on the weak. The hand-drawn story of struggle and recovery is an inspiration to anyone who believes in the human power to endure and eventually find happiness. The delicate illustrations by artist and storyteller Katie Green expose buried emotions that can't be mimicked through words. This book adds something unique to the genre of mental illness and eating disorders literature.

Lives of the Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull is a fascinating and humorous collective biography of twenty famous musicians from various countries and historical periods. The book covers their personal lives, including what they ate, wore, and how they spent their time, as well as what their neighbors thought of them. The author's writing style is engaging, and the illustrations by Kathryn Hewitt are amusing. This book is a great addition to any music lover's library, and it's an excellent resource for young adults and teens who want to learn more about the lives of famous musicians.

Ordinary Hazards: A Memoir by Nikki Grimes is a powerful and moving memoir in verse that explores the author's harrowing childhood. Growing up with a mother suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and a mostly absent father, Nikki found solace in writing at a young age. In this accessible and inspiring memoir, she shows how the power of words helped her overcome the ordinary and extraordinary hazards of her life. This Michael L. Printz Honor Book, Robert F. Sibert Informational Honor Book, and Boston Globe/Horn Book Nonfiction Honor Book is a must-read for young adults and adults alike, as it provides a unique perspective on resilience and healing.

Hole in My Life is a memoir by Jack Gantos, a Newbery Award-winning author, about his struggles and confinement after being sentenced to prison for his involvement in a drug conspiracy. The book tells the story of how Gantos, once locked up in a cell, moved from wanting to be a writer to writing, and how his dedication to writing helped him endure and ultimately overcome the worst experience of his life. This book is a fascinating and honest account of a young man's journey to becoming a writer, and it is highly recommended for readers of all ages.