Memoirs are a great nonfiction subgenre for middle grade readers, especially if they share stories from the author’s young life.

In fact, Popular, was written by Van Wagenen when she was just 15. The story is a hysterical read of her school year taking advice from an old book on how to be popular and contains chapters about wearing pearls and a girdle.

Knucklehead by Scieszka is about 6  brothers growing up with lots of teasing and trouble making stories that you would expect. 

Wink by Harrell is a great example of author’s craft, since he takes something very serious, cancer, and brings levity to it.

El Deafo by Bell is funny in a more muted way, but as a graphic novel, it’s an intro to memoir that some kids are more willing to read.