Reviews by Category: Biography

Teen Review
Catch Me if You Can by Frank W. Abagnale

Catch Me if You Can

By Frank W. Abagnale
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Geoffrey A.
Jan 31, 2022

Catch Me if You Can is a semi-autobiographical novel based on the novel’s author, Frank W. Abagnale, criminal venture into being a con-man and exploiting multiple companies and the FBI. In this partly fictionalized yet riveting story, the reader follows Abagnale’s criminal beginnings as a teenager to his attempts to become a law-abiding citizen in adulthood.

Teen Review
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

Hidden Figures

By Margot Lee Shetterly
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Kenken
Jan 27, 2022

3 African American women changed the way of science, space, and math forever. Katherine Johnson was the first African American woman to lift into space. The women created history and changed history forever. I absolutely loved this book. The background behind this book is so much. Seeing that three women helped create history is mind blowing. This book is for kids who want to be inspired who can learn that anything is possible if you believe. This 10 out of 10 book is a top favorite of mine.

Teen Review
Sisters by Raina Telgemeier

Sisters

By Raina Telgemeier
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Kenken
Jan 27, 2022

Two sisters go on a road trip with their parents to embark on a new journey. Memories come back to young Raina Telgemeier when her sister and she were close and happier than ever. When the memories of simpler times ever be real again? This book had a tight grab on my heart. Raina telling the story of her and her sisters’ relationship when they were younger has that personal touch to the graphic novel. This book is great for kids with siblings to understand that finding is not always the way out. This book is a 10 out of 10 in my book!!

Teen Review
The Immortal Like of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

By Rebecca Skloot
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Taylor E.
Nov 29, 2021

In The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot explores the history of race and its relation to science, HeLa, and the woman behind the famous cells. While Skloot clearly details the scientific aspects of Henrietta’s story, she makes a nonfiction story read as though it is fiction by transforming a story about cells into one about family. This book was fantastic! It was filled with in-depth scientific accounts, legal research, and history lessons while still being entertaining.

Teen Review
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

Born a Crime

By Trevor Noah
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Anonymous
Oct 27, 2021

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah is an autobiography that sheds light on the systematic issues within South Africa. The book centers around Trevor’s childhood and the way he was raised. The story ranges from going to church, his relationship with his mom, and even finding a sweetheart for a dance. Additionally, Born a Crime brings attention to heavy issues such as apartheid and domestic abuse.

Teen Review
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

By Maya Angelou
Star Rating
★★★

Rated by
Noor H.
Oct 6, 2021

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou is a memoir. Maya talks about her experiences growing up as an African American. She has to face discrimination and family problems, and tries to find her place in society. Finally, she is able to break certain barriers that society has created. Is she truly able to find her place?

Teen Review
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

By Maya Angelou
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Saathwika A.
Jul 20, 2021

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is an autobiography by Maya Angelou. The story revolves around a young girl named Marguerite, who is also known as Maya Angelou, the author. Marguerite lives in Stamps, Arkansas. She is a black girl, living with her Uncle Willie and her grandmother, who she soon calls Momma. Marguerite has one brother named Bailey.

Teen Review
Educated by Tara Westover

Educated

By Tara Westover
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Mandy G.
Jun 22, 2021

Educated is the memoir of Tara Westover who grew up in a sheltered Mormon home in Idaho. Westover was born into a family led by the orders of her father; a man who believes in constantly preparing for the end times and keeping his children a secret from the government. As a child, Westover and her siblings were not allowed to attend school and instead forced to work at the family junkyard. When Westover was seventeen years old she taught herself the material required to take the ACT and get into college.

Teen Review
Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin

Black Like Me

By John Howard Griffin
Star Rating
★★★

Rated by
Saathwika A.
Jun 18, 2021

In this true story, a white man, journalist John Howard Griffin, decides to become a Negro to see how it feels like. At the beginning of the book, he meets with his friend and tells him his idea. Regardless of what others thought, John goes to New Orleans and consults with doctors. He changes his skin color to see how one would treat a negro. However, he learns that some still treat black men without equality. John decides to change that.

Teen Review
The Dog Who Could Fly by Damien Lewis

The Dog Who Could Fly

By Damien Lewis
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Gemma K.
May 5, 2021

The Dog Who Could Fly is the true story of a German Shepherd who was rescued by a Chezhslovakian WWII airman. The dog, who was named Antis, formed an unbelievably close relationship with Robert, his master. When Robert was on missions flying, Antis would wait beside the runway till he returned, refusing food and water till his master was back. He became the good luck charm of Robert’s plane and teammates in the British Air Force.

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