True Stories
True stories: Memoirs, Autobiographies, Essays, and Poetry
Choose a book you have NOT read before.
Audiobooks are GREAT! Listening to a book definitely counts as reading, as long as you're paying attention. This is a great option if you have a hard time sitting still or staying focused while reading. Most of these books have audiobooks that are narrated by the author, which makes them even more interesting.
Some books may contain strong language or content that may not be suitable for all readers. Students and parents with concerns about content are encouraged to preview the books using websites like Common Sense Media or Goodreads to choose a book that is suitable for them, and students may switch books at any time. Students and parents may request inclusion of a book not on this list by contacting Ms. Barnes (barnesa3@gcsnc.com) for approval.
Click on any of the book covers below to learn more about that book. Each book cover links to the Storygraph page for that book, where you will find a summary, reviews from other readers, content warnings, and information on where to purchase or borrow the book.
Tara Westover
A story of a young woman growing up in a strict, isolated, religious, survivalist community.
Michelle Obama
Former First Lady Michelle Obama's story of her childhood, education, marriage, and life in the White House
Kwame Onwuachi
An award-winning chef's story of growing up in the Bronx and Nigeria, learning to love cooking, and his road to success
Ta-Nehisi Coates
A father-son story about growing up and becoming men in America.
Eric Gansworth
A Native American poet explores his complicated relationship between native and white communities, both personally and historically.
Nikki Grimes
Poet Nikki Grimes tells the story of her frightening childhood with a mentally ill mother and absent father, and how words saved her life.
George M. Johnson
A collection of essays about the author's experiences in discovering his identity, dealing with prejudice, and finding joy.
Kiese Laymon
The author tells the story of his complicated relationships with his mother, his past experiences, and his body.
Mark Synnott
The story of the extreme sport of free solo climbing and one climber's world record-breaking climb of El Capitan, exploring the limits of human potential.
Jeannette Walls
A story of unconditional love, determination, and telling the truth about who you are
Dan-el Padilla Peralta
Dan-el came to the USA legally on a medical visa, but when his family's visas expire, his mother decides to keep her family in NYC to provide a better life for her children. Without papers, they struggled for survival, eventually ending up homeless. But through hard work, Dan-el gained acceptance to an exclusive college prep high school, and then to Princeton.